Community Comradery 012220

COMMUNITY COMRADERY

SIMONE J. SMITH/TORONTO CARIBBEAN

It was a terrible night. It was cold, rainy, and windy. I had some problems finding Global Kingdom Ministries, so I will be honest I was miserable. When I arrived and finally got in out of the cold, everything changed. I had decided to attend the 21st Martin Luther King Celebration organized by the beautiful Pauline Christian, and what an event it was. When I arrived, a room full of vendors all there to support the event greeted me. I wanted to check out what they had, but I could hear music coming from the auditorium, so I headed in to check out what was going on.

Pauline had a pretty good turnout despite the weather. You could tell that over the years she had garnered the support from the community, and this is why even though the weather was horrible, people still came out to support her. On the stage was Pauline with her granddaughter Yanaijah Christian-Foster. This young lady was quoting Dr. Martin Luther King, and she was doing so with fortitude beyond her age. Now seven years old, you would never suspect that she was born 1lb 5 ounces with 40% chance of remaining alive. It just goes to show that anything is pos sible if you believe.

I made my way to the front, and noticed that some members of Parliament were there to also support this amazing event. I saw the Hon. Ahmed Hussein, MP, the Hon. Mitzie Hunter (MPP Liberal); Dr. Jill Andrew (MPP, NDP), Chief Mark Saunders (TRP), and I was told that the Hon. Doug Ford (Premier of Ontario), and Mayor John Tory had also made an appearance. It was amazing to see that these members of Parliament had made it out to show sup -

Continued On Page 5

In April 2019, she was recognized and awarded the Black Business and Professional Association Harry Jerome Award for Culture, an award given to a black individual who is a change maker when it comes to enhancing Caribbean and African culture in the community.

That was the first time I was introduced to Frances-Anne Solomon, and had the pleasure of speaking to her briefly among all the other people that were congratulating her.

As a black female filmmaker myself, I was thrilled to be introduced to an ambitious, talented and highly experienced individual in the film industry.

Solomon is an award-winning filmmaker, writer, producer, curator, and entrepreneur in film, TV, radio, theatre, and news media.

Born in England of Trinidadian parents, she was raised and educated in the Caribbean and Canada before moving to Great Britain where she built a successful career with the BBC as a TV Drama Producer and Executive Producer.

She was an executive producer for both Love is the Devil by John Maybury, and Speak Like A Child by John Akomfrah. She also produced and directed films and television programs through her production company Leda Serene Films.

She moved to Toronto in 2000, where she continued to create, write, direct, and produce her own projects.

Her most recent project is her third feature film, HERO, which is inspired by the extraordinary life and times of Trinidad and Tobago citizen, diplomat and Judge Ulric

Cross, the most decorated West Indian of World War II.

Solomon speaks about what inspired her to make this film.

“Ten years ago, my mother was approached by one of her friends who was a lawyer in Trinidad. He wanted her to help him make a film about one of their mutual friends which was Ulric Cross. My mom got involved, and really I think they wanted me to do it, but I was really busy at the time,” said Solomon.

Solomon’s mother’s friend was dying, but before he died he said his last wish was to know that the film was going to be made.

“So after his death, I got involved with my mother to do it. At the time, I didn’t know much about Ulric. I knew he served in the Second World War, but when I began to research his life, I discovered that after the war he had this incredible life,” said the Director of HERO.

Cross was a member of the highly decorated group of Caribbean pilots who flew combat missions for the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force (RAF) in World War II. After his service, Cross played an active and important role in the Pan African Movement, which led to the creation of the 28 modern Caribbean and 54 modern African nations.

“The more research I did, I realized that all these places are amazing places. I became committed passionately to make this film a reality because a lot of people don’t know that story. They don’t know the role that the Caribbean diaspora and people of African heritage played in the African Liberation Movement. I found it very inspiring,” said Solomon.

story without understanding the African Liberation Movement, colonialism, and understanding how somebody from Trinidad can end up in Tanzania in 1974. So there’s a lot of history that needed to be integrated into it,” said Solomon.

HERO was launched in Toronto in February 2019, and had a very exciting journey in the United Kingdom. There was also a theatrical release which included 50 screenings across the country. It was also screened in Trinidad, in New York and in Washington, DC.

Now the Canadian filmmaker’s world tour stops in Los Angeles.

HERO will be the film screened on opening night of the Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) on Tuesday, February 11th, 2020, at the Directors Guild of America Theatre.

PAFF is the largest black film festival in America with approximately 200 films from around the world and 100 fine artists participating in the largest Black History Month cultural event in the United States.

The festival will be held from February 11th to February 23rd, 2020, at the Cinemark Rave 15 Theaters and the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza in Los Angeles.

“To be selected as the opening film for this prestigious festival is an honour,” says Solomon. “It’s a go-to event for black Hollywood and to be recognized in this way by an audience of my peers is important to me as a Caribbean filmmaker of African descent.”

Funded by Canada’s Telefilm and Trinidad’s Republic Bank, HERO has an all-star international cast that includes Trinidad and Tobago’s Nickolai Salcedo, in the lead role of Ulric Cross, alongside Canada’s Peter Williams (Stargate SG1), UK stars Joseph Marcell (Fresh Prince of Bel Air), Fraser James (Resident Evil), Pippa Nixon (John Carter), and Ghanaian superstars John Dumelo, Adjetey Anang and Prince David Oseia.

“It was an amazing experience working with all the incredible actors. Everybody was very excited about the project because, again, when do you get the chance to play the President of Tanzania?” said Solomon.

“They really appreciated the opportunity to play roles that were not drug dealers, gang members and criminals, but leaders, world changers and visionaries,” said the Director of HERO.

Solomon says that there are so many films about slavery, but none about bringing us all back together.

One of the challenges she faced in making this film was receiving funding at first for a film like this that has never been made before. The second challenge was ensuring that the history shown through the film was still entertaining.

“You can’t really talk about the whole

PAFF’s legacy is evidenced by the success of directors and award-winning actors and actresses who’ve spotlighted their work at the festival, including names as Denzel Washington, Kevin Hart, Jamie Foxx, and Ava Duvernay.

Most filmmakers seek to arouse emotions in their audience. They want the viewers to leave from the screening feeling different from how they walked in, or gain a new perspective.

Solomon does just that, as she has been awarded many times for her previous empowering films.

Her film A Winter Tale received many prestigious international awards, including at Fespaco 2009 (Africa’s Oscars held biannually in Burkina Faso West Africa) where it won The Paul Robeson Award for Best Diaspora Film.

Currently, an award-winning filmmaker, producer, curator and entrepreneur, Solomon is also a 2019 member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. She is also the Founder and CEO of CaribbeanTales Media Group in Canada and Barbados that includes an international film festival and distribution company.

For other young black girls aspiring to be filmmakers, Solomon leaves these words of hope.

“There are opportunities,” said Solomon. “It’s still hard and there’s still lots of prejudice, but now is the time. There are endless opportunities.”

Written by Selina McCallum Toronto Caribbean News

Born gifted; the life and times of rising Reggae superstar, Simon Humble

I was shocked and surprised to be recognized at such a level so early in my career. It made me really appreciate what I was doing. I had so much more to learn. I told mom right away! She didn’t really know what a Juno award was, so when I told her, she called it a “Junior Award.” Simon Humble (Juno Award Winner)

When Humble first told me this I had to chuckle a little. Jamaican parents have a way of completely destroying words, and this is why we love them so much. When he told me the story, there was a nostalgic tone to his voice. I soon learned why. This article will be written to honor Simon Humble’s best friend and biggest supporter, his mom.

Simon Humble (born Simon Johnathan Vassell) was born on July 2nd in the United Kingdom. His parent immigrated to England first where they had him, and then they made the decision to move to Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His earlier years were spent in both Scarborough and Rexdale, and it was here that he acquired the name Humble from a group of elders. This is the

perfect nickname for Simon, because even when I was interviewing him, I noticed how reserved he was in his speech.

Humble happens to be one of those people born gifted, and this was realized at an early age. When he was in grade three, he scored the highest percentage in his entire school on a musical aptitude test. Although it was evident that he was clearly a talent, Humble tells me that he didn’t really take music seriously. “Music didn’t become a focus until I began to write in my early 20’s. It was my mom who finally noticed people’s reaction to me, and she was impressed that I could sing and play.”

A very fortunate young lady (Shirley) was actually one of the first recipients of Humble’s then recognized incredible talent. “I wrote a song for a girl I was dating at the time. She liked the song. It was my first chance to write for a person. After that, I spent a couple years writing, perfecting my craft and playing locally.”

What some people don’t know is that Humble is a self-taught guitarist. It was either his superior guitar skills, or his linguistic ability that caught the attention of a local record label in Scarborough, and this was when his career took off! They made arrangements to write an album. In a year and a half (2007) he had completed his first album “Hard to See!” “I was really coming up in the Rasta Faith at the time. I was coming into myself as an artist and that year it showed.” His first single “The Other Side” was what first got him star recognition, and it was that song that earned him a Juno nomination for Best Reggae recording 2007

for project “Hard to See.” He gained more distinction with the Award for Artist of the Year at the 2007 Reggae Achievement Awards.

News of this dignified, talented singer began to spread, and opportunities began to present themselves to Humble. He gained worldwide acclaim performing at music festivals and events in New York, Jamaica, Trinidad, Japan and Canada (Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Calgary). He has performed alongside renowned international artists like Gyptian, Junior Kelly and Tony Rebel. His star continued to rise when he earned a Juno Award for Best Reggae recording in 2009, for his sophomore project “Everything”

Despite the nickname Humble, Simon has no problem voicing his political opinions on matters close to his heart. “If you wanna be free - stand up for what you truly love.” is a quote posted on multiple social platforms in reference to his latest singles “Must Legalize.” In this song he addresses the irony behind a plant that was previously being used systematically to imprison and penalize people, now becoming, in his words “the hottest commodity that even the same system is cashing in on.”

True to human form, Humble has had to deal with some hardships, and one crushing moment for him was the loss of his mom on September 8th, 2015. “She was my best friend. I was and still am most definitely a momma’s boy.” This was a trying moment

for Humble, and his family took notice of it. His brother noticed that he was feeling really low, so he invited him to come and visit Alberta to clear his head and get into a space where he could channel all of his pain into his music. “The music scene is not as vibrant as it is in Toronto, but it was a great place to isolate myself and I have been able to produce enough material for two albums.

His self-produced EP is set to release this year, and he already has two songs that are now streaming: “Faye Girl,” and “Must Legalize.” The EP is set to release at the end of the month. “This EP is different. I have a lot of visuals to accompany the music, and it will be my first self-produced project.” Despite his heartache, Humble continues to perfect his craft and cement himself as a top reggae artist. He can be found on all the major social media platforms, and to see his work directly, you can go to his website https://humblemuzik.hearnow.com/.

21st Martin Luther King Celebration

Continued From Page 1 -- I was looking forward to hearing the headliners Dale Brown & the Truth, and they didn’t disappoint. Gospel Music has become known to have an influence on the soul. This cannot be overstated. Dale Brown & the Truth reminded me of something; that there is a higher power at work. Their songs had the people on their feet with their hands in the air. For a brief moment, I became self-aware and more connected spiritually. They were truly a delight to watch and hear. Their performance was followed by a well-delivered keynote address given by not other than Dr. Leslie Pollard, President of Oakwood University, Alabama. Dr. Leslie Pollard remains a productive and engaged scholar. He is the editor and contributing author to “Embracing Diversity, How to Reach People of all Cultures.” Dr. Pollard also contributes his writing to the Adventist Review, Ministry, and Message Magazines. His address was moving and had people agreeing with “Amen,” and “Yes.” Sponsorship is (and continues to be) an effective way of boosting the visibility of a brand and the event had some wellknown sponsors who came out to support Pauline. These sponsors include: G98.7, 1st Fridays, By Blacks, Xploration French Camp, Prestige Realty Management, AFROGLOBAL TELEVISION, Comfortable Retirement Living, Best Lifestyle Residence, Denos Plumbing, Oakwood University, bbpa, Educational Foundation for Children’s Care Canada, TD Bank, and Sterling Dental to name a few.

I took some time to walk around to speak to some of the vendors. I was curious as to what had brought them out (despite the nasty weather), and why they found it important to support this event.

“She reached out to me, so I thought, yes. Let me come and check it out. It’s been great. It is a wonderful networking opportunity.”

Warren Salmon

“I came by chance. I was looking for where to go, and I believe the spirit of God directed me here, and when I came here, I found out that they were having an event, so here I am. I think it is a beautiful event. Well planned. Seven Day Adventist go out of their way to do stuff, and I always love their events. They are very holistic in their approach.They make black look good in every way. I have been to their schools, I have met their students. They are amazing. I will always support them if I can.” Ngozi Elizabeth Mbonu

“One of my friends actually sent me the flyer. I always thought it was in February. I called up my girlfriend and said, ‘Hey we have an event we have to go to.’ Everyone loves it.” Nisha Designs

“The reason I am here, and the reason that I come annually is because unlike other events, even though they are celebrating black history, this has a communal feel about it. Most people here are from the Seven Day Adventist Church, and even though I am not, I sense the comradery and support that Pauline gets every year, and I can’t help but step up to the plate and provide that support.” Robert Small

“My business name is Glamour for Less, and what I do is all natural beauty products starting from head to toe. The event has been good. I have had a lot of interest at my table, so I was happy for that.”

Lisa Forde

After I had made my rounds and bought a few items, I ordered some ackee and salt fish (Yum), and headed home. What a great night! I am glad that I made the trip.

Selina McCallum TC REPORTER selina@carib101.com

Simone J. Smith

TC REPORTER simone@carib101.com

Michael Thomas

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Stephen Weir

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Dave Rankin TC REPORTER dave@carib101.com

Christina Gwira

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Noel Cunningham FOOD | CULINARY noel@carib101.com

Dr. Vikas Puri HEALTH | WELLNESS drpuri@carib101.com

Errol A. Gibbs PHILOSOPHER errol@carib101.com

Simone J. Smith HUMAN SPECIALIST simone@carib101.com

Dave Rankin AFRICAN HISTORY dave@carib101.com

Paul Junor EDUCATION paul@carib101.com

Brittney Channer SOCIAL JUSTICE brittney@carib101.com

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New Grenadian Film Festival is here to stay and slay

SELINA McCALLUM

salina@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

This annual film festival is only in their second year, but has a bright future ahead of them. 12°N61°W Grenadian Film Festival (1261GFF) will take place in Grenada between May 2nd and May 9th, 2020.

The festival promotes films with distinct themes exploring multicultural norms and diversity within the Caribbean communities and films that have strong cultural, political and social elements that are also representative of Caribbean people’s experiences worldwide.

Founded by Meschida Philip, a Grenadian-American Filmmaker, the 1261GFF executive group consists of an all-female international team with over twenty years of production and business experience. Most of the team are Philip’s friends volunteering their time to help Philip’s vision come to light.

“I started the festival as a way of airing my own personal experiences navigating the film world with film,” said Philips. “I wanted to provide Caribbeans and Grenadians with a platform to showcase their work.”

She was born in Grenada, and the name of the film festival pays homage to that.

Meschida is a writer, director, producer, photographer, and editor based in New York.

Her directorial work includes Scars of Our Mothers Dreams, a documentary looking at the impact on children separated from their parents due to migration, and Searching For Crystal,

DAVE RANKIN

dave@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

a film exploring human trafficking in the Caribbean.

“These are topics that a lot of people shy away from, but I am attracted to do them because I think awareness is key,” said Philip. “Especially for what’s in our community, not much of the stories are told and I think it takes us to tell the stories so people can be aware of it.”

Currently, she is serving as the Festival Director for the 12°N61°W Grenadian Film Festival. In her current role, Philip is dedicated to promoting the work of people of colour, women and Caribbean filmmakers.

She is an activist that is mainly interested in social issues affecting Caribbean families and communities, including immigration, education, children and women’s rights and human trafficking.

“Our stories are forgotten. There are so many dimensions and so many things to tell about our experiences,” said the Founder of 1261GFF.

Philip has her Masters of Fine Arts in film from The City College of New York with a concentration on Documentary Filmmaking. She freelances with different production houses including CaFA as a program liaison assisting with securing and promoting Caribbean Films throughout the Caribbean diaspora.

In the next five years, Philip would like the film festival to have a stronger international reach.

“After the festival, we tend to travel throughout different communities to reach a wider audience and to expose the works that are being done by the filmmakers. We feature a segment of films that took place at the festival,” said Philip.

Last year the festival left an impressive mark on the community in Grenada, which does not yet have an established film community. Seeing this as a need, Philips funded the entire festival with the help of her family and friends.

“A lot of emphasis is on the mu-

sic component, and not the visual arts component. In order for a change to take place, we need to start reviewing the influences that the visual art component has, and the effects that it also has in a holistic view of the cultural tourism aspect within the countries,” said Philip. “Art is a huge driver of social change. It bridges communities beyond borders.”

Philip will be speaking at a seminar in the Dominican Republic at the end of the month about exploring ways in which the Caribbean film community can find ways to further access funding and grants from government institutions.

“In this business it’s all about collaboration. What became quite apparent within the last year of starting the festival is there is a lot of Grenadians throughout the diaspora that are both in the film and entertainment industry, but we are not aware of who they are,” said Philip.

A part of the franchise is the Grenadians Creative Network Group which is in the developing stages. The goal is to build the community and help people find experienced, passionate creatives for their projects in Grenada and beyond at no charge.

As a Grenadian-American, Philips wanted to ensure she was including both her identities in her work.

“Because my life is embedded in both worlds, it was important for me to marry both. I felt that if I excluded my experiences here in North America then I’m doing that side of my life an injustice, and if I just focus on the Caribbean then I am not serving my community. The richness comes from seeing the stories and the experiences of people of colour all on the same screen. To me that is powerful and that’s why we do what we do,” said Philip.

If you’re interested in learning more about 12°N61°W Grenadian Film Festival and how you can submit a film to their 2020 film festival, visit www.1261filmfestival.com

One Book,10 men,10 stories

etched itself into his spirit, Jeff ‘KNew’ that he had to select willing and impactful men who were doing amazing work in the community. Jeff explained the process as, “Sifting through the noise of social media and paying attention to those who were really doing it for the community.”

One book. 10 men. 10 stories. Torrential downpour and a packed house; this had all the makings of a great evening. And it did. One thing is for sure, when Toronto shows love, no matter the weather, we will show up and show out. That’s exactly what we did on a rainy Saturday evening when ten men decided to ‘take off their masks,’ and share their stories in front of friends, family and well-wishers.

The book launch and motivational event was to culminate the release of Jeff Martin’s latest work titled, KNew Me, 10 Men, 10 Stories of Perseverance. Jeff along with nine others decided to craft this opus that not only showed their vulnerability, but also showed their resilience in overcoming their circumstances. I asked Jeff about how the idea came about. He fanatically said that the, “Idea literally came to me in bed three years ago.” Once this idea had

Now, I’m not going to lie. I did show up to the event quite late, for good reasons though. And no it wasn’t because of the weather. Like Jeff and his comrades, when working in the community, there are no days off. So you do your best to attend, even if you have a full days schedule helping others in the community. As the saying goes, ‘Better late, than never.’

Upon arrival, one of the things that struck me was that there were people of all generations that came out to support. From the old to the young, they were there. Parents brought their children. Teenagers brought their friends. Even elders came to lend their ear to the wisdom displayed by our African men. I even heard that Toronto Mayor, John Tory was present as well. Toronto, we showed up and supported. Another item that struck me was of course, the brothers. Each one of them took the stage, shared their stories and left themselves wide open. All of them from different walks of life, demonstrating different perspectives on what they faced and how

they succeeded. Toronto, we were in for such a treat that night. As one elder put it, “They were like ‘different pieces of a puzzle, when you lay them out, and put the pieces together, you get the whole picture.’ A real ‘game changer,” he added.

to show their love and praises for Jeff, citing him as being an inspirational force. Bramp tonian Keith Hill Jr. stood out for me as an example. While on stage, he explained to the audience that not only did he not want to be vulnerable while writing; he almost didn’t attend the event. It was only after speaking to Jeff that he decided to change his mind, for it was no longer about him but what he had to offer, “Someone in the audience could benefit from it.”

Toronto did we ever.

As for what’s next, Jeff and the brothers in tend to take their book launch and motiva tional event across major cities in Canada and the U.S. Also, look out for workshops and consulting sessions in the future.

thank my childhood friend, Jeff Martin and the rest of his brothers for doing something so dynamic. This is truly the ‘game changer’ that our community needs.

Me, visit www.knewmemovement.com. The book is also available on Amazon.

FEBRUARY 5

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 4 12PM EST WATCH LIVE ON search

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Whether you want to lounge on the beach, do some sightseeing and exploring, party the night away, or have a quiet, low-key evening, St. Lucia has proven that they are capable of delivering; all you have to do is book your trip, and the island will take care of the rest.

It was another one of those nights; Trish Browning and I were invited to experience a night of great food, amazing entertainment, and the sights and sounds of St. Lucia on the top floor at Hotel X, a new premium hotel experience in downtown Toronto. The team at the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (headed by Chief Executive Officer Mrs Beverly NicholsonDoty), joined travel writers, travel agents, and luxury resort brands for a night we will never forget.

If the night was a representation of what happens on the beautiful island of St. Lucia, I completely understand why there is always a reason to come to St. Lucia. The night was filled, with smiles, joy and laughter as the Board of Directors at the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority entertained their guests from start to finish. Trish and I were met with a signature rum punch drink created in a way to experience St. Lucia in that moment. Delectable hors d’oeuvres were circulated throughout the night, and no one can say that they left there hungry.

Along with the signature dishes, and continuously circulating drinks, all attendees danced the night away to the sounds of Juno award winning R&B singer/songwriter Sean Jones, who brought a raw, and contemporary vibe to the classic soul sounds that we all remember and enjoyed. He borrowed tunes from his 200+ live renditions of soulful ballads, funky 90’s R&B, and original material that kept us all stimulated and reminiscing of early times.

To add to all the fun, we were updated on the amazing successes of the island, and the over 100 sites and adventures on the island including:

Mud Bath Magic: It is the worlds’ only drive-volcano. that features a one of a kind hot water bath in mineral rich waters.

Waterfalls: Saint Lucia happens to be blessed with a number of gorgeous cas-

cading waterfalls.

Maria Island: This hidden St. Lucia gem is a haven for nature lovers. Guests have the opportunity to take in breath-taking views, unique flora and fauna, and rare species of wildlife.

Cocoa Plantation Tours: These are available at a variety of locations including: The Marquis Estate, Anse Mamin Plantation, Hotel Chocolat, Emerald Estate, Marine Coubaril Estate, and La Douphine Estate.

Since joining the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, Mrs Doty has profitably managed the team, and has worked closely with agencies, institutions, and individuals within the public and private sectors of Saint Lucia at home and abroad. Closer to the end of the night, we were addressed by Mrs Doty, and really learned about why there is so much excitement.

“We had an incredible year, with over 400,000 overnight visitors for the first time ever. That is because of the incredible support we get from the team in Canada. We would also like to mention our airline partners: Air Canada, Sunwing, West Jet, all of them can get you from here to the beaches of St. Lucia tomorrow. With all this bad weather, you might want to take advantage of that.”

“There is so much happening in St. Lucia. We had some new developments happen just this past December. We opened the Royal St. Lucia Turf Club. We also have the new Cabin Resort Hotel Residence and Golf Club coming to St. Lucia. St Lucia currently has 5,000 rooms, and in the near future, we will be adding 2,000 more. There is just so much going on in St. Lucia. In addition to some incredible events, there are some other reasons why you will want to come to St. Lucia: the sulphur springs, the mud baths, incredible vista’s, these are adding to the incredible summer festivals we put on.”

“I want to give a real great shout out to the team and events St. Lucia, who work with Jazz and Lincoln Centre to put on the first of our Jazz events this summer. We just love to party in St. Lucia. St. Lucia Jazz Festival starts off our summer festivals, followed by carnival in June, Roots and Soul later in the summer, and then in the fall, our Creole festival, so there is always a reason to come to St. Lucia.”

St. Lucia has come a far way, and there doesn’t look to be anything stopping them now. After last weekend in Toronto, I am sure that many of you are looking to get out of here. Contact a St. Lucia expert at www.stlucia.org, or call them at 1-800-456-3984. You can also email at in

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As I was driving the other day, I thought about how much our society has changed over the years. Each and every day we encounter social issues, medical developments, and the explosion of new types of technology. With these changes come moral and legal questions that our government is forced to answer; questions that revolve around the reform of laws and how these laws affect the community. Our society continues to change, and our lawmakers are always adjusting to meet the challenges of the ever-changing society.

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Internet service providers, such as Bell and Rogers, must provide easier-to-understand contracts and policies, clearer information about prices, ‘bill shock protection’ through notifications and more consumer-friendly rules for cancelling contracts.

Smoking, vaping, and cannabis https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/smoking-tobacco/vaping.html

Ontario announced regulations against the promotion of vaping products inside gas stations and convenience stores in the fall. Vaping ads have been pulled from Ontario convenience stores and gas stations, effective on January 1st, 2020.

It is safe to say that some laws must become obsolete. New situations arise that no existing laws deal with, and this is why it is important that we at Toronto Caribbean Newspaper keep our community well informed about the legal changes that are happening across Canada. What I have summarized for you below is a look at some of the laws that will affect our community this year. I have provided links to the websites for your reference. If you are reading this, you will not be able to click on the link, but as soon the online version is available, please feel free to oversee your own research, and if you find anything else that will help our community out, please feel free to engage and let us know.

Distracted driving https://www.ontario.ca/page/distracted-driv -

These will officially take effect in every province on Feb. 1st, 2020.

Drivers convicted of distracted driving under the new laws will be punished with a licence suspension, a hefty fine and demerit points. The severity of the punishment increases with the number of subsequent offences commit-

First offence: 3 days suspension and $3,000 fine

Second offence: 7 days suspension and $6,000 fine

Three or more offences: 30 days suspension, $8,000 fine and six demerit points

Police will not be able to seize driver’s licences at roadside. They would have to get the approval of a judge in order to be able to suspend any

Once you’re convicted, whether it is through a guilty plea or trial, you will lose your licence for three, seven or thirty days.

Please note: Distracted driving is no longer limited to just texting and making phone calls. The Government of Canada has posted a list of activities that counts as distracted driving and it includes anything from simply holding an electronic device in one’s hand to eating while behind the wheel.

Amendments to the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (Canada) Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SOR/2018-108) https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/ SOR-2018-108/index.html

These will officially take effect Jan. 31st, 2020. Growers and harvesters of fresh fruit and vegetables must meet safety requirements to prevent food safety hazards and add labels al-

Now, vape product promotion is only permitted in specialty vape and cannabis retail stores, open to people 19 years or older. At the end of 2019, Ontario legalized the purchase of edibles. It was reiterated that advertising these products must not be appealing to children and must not contain any health claims.

The government reiterated its restrictions on advertising these products, specifically noting that products must not be “appealing to kids” and contain no health claims. “All products containing THC will carry standardized symbols and contain a warning message. Cannabis cannot be manufactured in the same facility where regular food products are manufactured,” officials added.

Health care while travelling http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/ohip/outofcountry/travellers.aspx#1

Students and staff who rely on travel insurance, or those wishing to purchase travel insurance, should review OHIP’s 2020 cuts to its travel insurance coverage.

OHIP has limited out-of-country health care coverage for emergencies. This can include up to $400 per day for emergency inpatient services, and $50 per day for emergency outpatient services.

These cuts apply to Ontarians travelling outside of Canada. The overall impact of these cuts would heavily depend on the travelling country.

Starting January 1st, 2020 Ontario is launching a new program to fund out-of-country dialysis services, ensuring that Ontarians living with kidney failure can continue to receive support for the dialysis care they need when they are travelling outside of Canada. The launch of the new program to fund out-ofcountry dialysis services will coincide with the wind down of the limited Out-of-Country Travellers Program on December 31st, 2019.

Carbon and corporate taxes https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/ campaigns/pollution-pricing.html

Residents in Ontario are now eligible for carbon tax rebates, which must be claimed through 2019 income taxes. A single adult or first adult in a couple will get $224 back in rebates. For a family of four, the baseline amount is $448. Small businesses in Ontario will save approximately $1,500 annually after a recent tax reduction for this entity. To encourage entrepreneurs starting businesses in the province, the government has also reduced corporate income tax by 8.7% for small businesses. Stay informed! Pay attention! Educate yourself on what you need to know in our everchanging society.

Review of Peel District School Board triggers widespread feedback and responses

The review of the Peel District School Board (PDSB), which was announced by the Minister of Education Stephen Leece, is well on its way. The review is to be completed by February 2020.

The board requested it on October 17th after there were many complaints made to the ministry. The review was announced on November 7th, 2019 with the expressed stated purpose according to the minister in his press release, “I intend to appoint reviewers to conduct an immediate review of the PDSB and upon completion, provide a final report to me with recommendations of how the board could ensure effective board governance that promotes equity, increases accountability and transparency and safeguards the success and well-being of students.”

UK constituents have voted for Kevin Brown and Nathaniel Peat in the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council 2019 elections. The result means that Brown and Peat become the UK’s first representatives on the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council (GJDC). Reflecting on his victory Kevin Brown said: “First of all I was happy that I won. But more so, humbled by the opportunity that I’ve been given to represent the northern region.”

“It’s quite a large geographical landscape to represent. It includes the East and West Midlands, the north of England, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man

The review was initiated after parents, community workers and concerned individuals expressed serious reactions to ongoing issues at the board.

At a November 19th, 2019 emergency board meeting, triggered by the board trustee, “McCrimminal” comment regarding a Peel school, McCrimmon Public School that has a high representation of black and brown students. This further exacerbated the strained relationship between the board and the community, which was not helped by the investigation and exoneration of the trustee who was found not to be responsible. Many people felt hurt by the conclusions.

On November 27th, it was announced that the reviewers would be Suzanne Herbert and Ena Chadha. Suzanne had previously completed a review of governance and management practices with the York Region District School Board (YRDSB) in 2017, and had been a civil servant for many years. Ena is an experienced human rights lawyer, investigator, educator and mediator with a wealth of experience in social justice issues. Many members of the black community expressed concerns about that fact that the two reviewers were not reflective of the

and Scotland. So I was quite humbled by the opportunity and I’m looking forward to it.”

The GJDC replaces the Jamaican Diaspora Advisory Board (JDAB).

In 2004, when the JDAB was established, eight elected board members represented the three countries with the largest Jamaican communities in the diasporaUK, USA and Canada. However, with the launch of the GJDC this dynamic is set to change.

A further fourteen council members including representatives from Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East are to be appointed by Jamaica’s Minister for Diaspora Affairs.

As a result Kevin Brown, Nathaniel Peat and five other newly elected representatives (two from Canada and three from USA) will form part of a much wider collaborative network when the GJDC meets for the first time later this year.

Brown, whose constituency in-

African–Canadian community and as expressed by Dave O’Oyen, (a diversity and inclusion consultant) on the December 4th, 2019 Metro Morning, “Nothing about us, without us.”

He was concerned that a nonblack reviewer panel would have major blind spots in conversations with the community. Subsequently, on December 21st, 2019 the ministry announced that a third reviewer, Shawn Richard would be appointed. He taught Trial advocacy at Osgoode Hall School until 2018 and is a past present of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL). He has experience in addressing anti-black racism and human rights issues at different levels of government. The three reviewers would be working under the leadership of Patrick Case to support the PDSB review process.

In response to community activism within the black community, the We Rise Together initiative, members of Peel Association of African Canadian Educators (PAACE) were present at the emergency board meeting and expressed their concerns to Peter Joshua, the PDSD’s director. Subsequently, an Anti-Black Racism planning committee was formed in

cludes Birmingham - the city with the largest black Caribbean community in the UK, spoke about some of the issues he expects to face within his new role.

He said: “I’m hoping that I’ll be able to first of all - make people aware of the GJDC and that I’m their representative.

“I think that’s the first major challenge - to make people aware of the Council, what the Council is there for and how to contact me if they have a problem or an issue that they would like me to deal with on their behalf.”

Whilst Brown represents the northern region of the UK, Nathaniel Peat will be focused on the south of the country where, particularly in London, there are large black Caribbean communities residing in districts like Croydon, Lewisham, Lambeth and Brent.

It is intended that, like the JDAB, the GJDC will represent a bridge between the Jamaican government and the Jamaican communities living outside of Jamaica.

which members from PAACE have been participating in discussion with the director’s office to effect systemic changes in the PDSB. In a release on December 14th, the director expressed his support for those who want to come forward to share information with the reviewers, and he encouraged them to use the board’s intranet, board website and social media channels to present their concerns, views or issues.

As we look forward to the release of the PDSB review final report in the early 2020 there are several questions that arise. There has only been four months to examine these complex and overlapping issues. The scope of the review encompasses equity and human rights, anti-black racism, staffing, board leadership and governance (administration and trustees). Given the challenges and criticisms that the PSDB has faced over the years, one wonders if the final report will come up with concrete recommendations that are reflective of the black community concerns related to the systematic, structural and institutional aspects on antiblack racism. Only time will tell.

Although the aims and objectives of the GJDC will no doubt remain similar to those of the now disbanded JDAB, the launch of the Council with its wealth of new members can in some ways be viewed as a fresh beginning for all involved - with the exception perhaps, of the Canadian representative. Yvette Blackburn’s election win meant that she has become the first and only person to serve on both the JDAB and the GJDC.

Election Results - The following candidates were elected in the GJDC Elections:

• UK North: Kevin Brown, PhD

• UK South: Nathaniel Peat

• Canada: Nailah Gordon-Decicieo, Yvette Blackburn

• USA Northeast: Karren Dunkley

• USA Southern: Dr. Allan Cunningham

• USA West/Midwest: Shauna Chin To find out more about the GJDC go to: https://www.globaljadiasporacouncil. com

Escalation of job actions between teacher’s unions and government challenges public education

PAUL JUNOR paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

As the state of Ontario’s public education reaches a crisis point, many are wondering what the ultimate impact on students’ learning, achievement and success will be. The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (EFTO) which represents approximately 83,000 members announced on Wednesday, January 8th that they will be progressing to the third phase of their job action as of Monday, January 13th. This will involve a selected withdrawal of service, such as the cancellations of afterschool activities.

If no deal is reached by Friday, January 17th, EFTO will commence a full withdrawal of services strike on a rotat-

BY JONELL PANTILZ

TC JUNIOR REPORTER

I was first shocked when I discovered how the beautiful Nini Amerlise got her foot in the world of modelling. When asked how she began modelling, Nini Amerlise responds, “Back in 2014, I was a very insecure, very shy girl. I wanted to find something that would kind of take me out of my shell, so I randomly went on Kijiji and I typed in model castings, model something, and what first came up was the face of African Fashion Week.” And that’s how it started.

Kijiji. Oh wow! Who would imagine? Our very own beautiful, spectacular Nini Amerlise Canadian Supermodel is taking the world by storm. In her journey, she had overcome bullying, homelessness and much more. This gives her a high level of drive, consistency and a dynamic ability to adapt to her environment; Nini Amerlise boldly produces an atmosphere to get work done with maximum results.

This eight-time award-winning trailblazer has been featured and showcased on some of the most prestigious

ing basis effective January 20th. The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has indicated that this will mean the closure of all its elementary schools. In addition, the Ontario English Catholic Association (OECTA) representing 45,000 members announced that they will likely be taking administrative job action starting, January 13th. Furthermore, teachers at Ontario’s French-Language school board plan to start withdrawing some services in a job action strike, which will commence on January 16th.

There is no end in sight to these ongoing job actions as the union’s ramp up the pressure on the governments to force it to come to a settlement. As reported in the January 10th, edition of the Toronto Star, by OECTA president Liz Stuart, “The government has been firm that they have no intentions of reconsidering their reckless, unpopular cuts.” This refers to the massive cuts that the PC-led government intend to go ahead with to the education budget.

According to ETFO president Sam Hammond, “That’s why there has

been negligible progress on substantial issues like supports for special education, protecting the (full-day) kindergarten model, addressing classroom-based violence, and compensation that keeps up with the cost of inflation.” Furthermore, he states, “This government’s approach to education–sector contract talks are a sham. The government representatives have confirmed that they have no mandate to negotiate issues beyond cuts.”

It appears that they are at an impasse. Premier Doug Ford in an interview with CP24’s Stephanie Smyth as reported in January 10th, Toronto Star, “ We’ve signed three deals with other unions, and then we’re sitting back thinking, ‘OK, if it’s good for CUPE and other unions, why isn’t it good enough for the certain teachers unions?’ I differentiate between (frontline teachers) and the head of unions. For 30 years, they want to fight with any government, any premier.” The premier has simplified the issues that are at the core of the unions’ demands.

According to OSSTF president Harvey Bischof, in response to the govern-

We are Royal, and don’t you forget that!

platforms worldwide. Some of Nini Amerlise most outstanding highlights include: Vogue UK, Flare magazine, Be Body Aware Campaign for Vogue Italia, Glamour Magazine, Huffington Post, Daily Mail UK, Jamaican Gleaner, Caribbean Entertainment Magazine, Golden Button fashion television series, Trinidad’s GT Network interview special, Marshals commercial, CTV - Diversity in Fashion Panelist, The Karen Carrington Show, Impact Radio LA and also our very own Women Empowered in Toronto Caribbean Newspaper. She has done runway work alongside the mother of the Olsen twins (McKenzie Olsen), for the fashion TV hit show on SLICE called STITCHED, and has also appeared on: Men’s Health Magazine, ETV South Africa, and current TV Presenter Travel Africa TV. I’m telling you this woman has done a lot, but we’re not finished.

When Nini kicked off the competition as Season One winner of Supermodel Canada, it opened the avenue for her to become a first-time author and venture on as a motivational speaker.

Nini Amerlise gets joy in giving

back to the community. She contributes by raising funds for the homeless. This passion of hers came about because she has experienced homeless with her family when she was much younger, so she knows what it’s like to not have much but still be loved.

Nini talks adeptly about her experience with bullying. She understands what it is like not to be the most confidant person in the room, and not believing in yourself. “I didn’t know that I could be a model. Never saw the potential. Never saw that I could even skyrocket anywhere, but it was just through simple encouragement and mentorship that changed the whole trajectory. “Nini’s successes have now led to her self-esteem development program “We Are Royals Inc”.

Nini Amerlise explains that “We Are Royals Inc,” is a platform in which we’re now able to help youths and young adults tap into who they are, their purpose and their potential through the development of self-esteem and confidence boosting.

“It’s honest transparency that will help encourage our fellow kings and queens worldwide to push through when one

ment refusal to budge on its cost-cutting agenda and listen to parents feedback, “They told them they’re not interested in larger class sizes, they want their children to have access to supports that education workers provide, they want caps on maximum class sizes and they’re not interested in mandatory e-learning.”

The OSSTF has announced that there will be a one-day rotating strike on Wednesday, January 15th. This will be the fifth one after those on December 4th, 11th, 18th and January 8th, 2020. According to the January 11th, Toronto Star, the Minister of Education Stephen Leece (in response to the planned walkout by OSSTF) it will be unfair to students and their families.” Furthermore, “These union leaders will forcefully advocate for the interests of their members – from enhanced wages to enhanced entitlements – however they ought not oppose the academic aspirations of our students.” This will continue as no foreseeable resolution is apparent.

may feel defeated or discouraged.”

“During the journey, all of us face adversity and hardships of some sort. However, it’s the way we press through that determines the level of excellence and victory we obtain. In society, media has been a key tool used to influence subliminal messaging of unrealistic standards of beauty, and self-identity. We then begin to assimilate to the worldly standards of who we are or what we should look like, when in truth the creator of the universe has established us all with packaged greatness embedded in our DNA.”

This project is very dear to Nini Amerlise, as she has victoriously healed through much guidance and mentorship, from a series of mental health struggles, to now conquering the fashion industry as an eight-time award-winning Canadian supermodel, international motivational speaker, author, model consultant and remarkable founder of “We Are Royals Inc”. Nini Amerlise believes it’s time to give back as she is on the search for a new generation of leaders.

“Never forget to walk with purpose and rise to your destiny.”

“I don’t want to defined by the colour of my skin” Young artist exhibits colourful artwork

Marley Berot cannot imagine a life without colour, and that shows in all of her paintings.

Berot’s artwork is currently being exhibited at A Different Booklist now until January 31st, 2020.

“I love using colour to express any sort of feeling or mood, or just a vibe in general,” said Berot.

Berot started getting serious about her art near the end of high school. She currently attends George Brown College to further develop her skills as an artist.

It was a hard time in her life, so painting was an outlet she used to heal.

“It helped me to express things that I couldn’t really express with words. If I wanted to use more red in a painting, maybe I was feeling more anxious that day. Or use blue if I was feeling tired,” said the young artist.

All of Berot’s paintings were captivating and held my gaze for a while. Her use of acyclic paint on the canvas showed that each brush stroke was carefully thought out. The features on the faces she painted resemble beautiful black women. The colours surrounding the face popped

Metal is a material that is filled with possibilities, although some people can only see its hardness; its rigidity. Metal is used to make bridges, buildings, furniture, tools, equipment etc.

The world over metal has been used to build up societies and it is used to keep societies going. The United States of America, the world’s current super power has greatly depended on metal to frame and support that great nation. According to the American Welding Society, an estimated 50% of the United States gross national product is affected by welding.

out and brought the painting to life.

“I don’t have a preference when I paint a black woman or a white woman, or a male or female. A lot of people ask me why I don’t paint more prominently black women. I paint what I like, and I want that to be my message. That’s why the name of the exhibit is More Than One Colour,” said Berot. “You can tell she’s a black woman because of her features, but there’s more than one colour. She’s not defined by the colour of her skin.”

Berot hopes to start her own business in the next few years using her art skills.

“I take thrifted jean jackets and I paint on the back of them. I used to be in fashion, but I realized how bad fashion is for the environment so this recycling of the clothes helps with the environment,” said Berot.

Marley describes her favourite painting hanging up against the wall at a Different Booklist.

“The one of the woman lying down, that’s actually a self-portrait. It may not look exactly like me; it’s a little more expressive. The name of the painting is Sunday Afternoon. It’s the feeling I get when I’m sleeping on a Sunday afternoon for no particular reason. It’s just very tranquil and peaceful,” said Berot. “I should be doing homework, but I’m not because I’m sleeping.”

In the painting, Berot’s bright red silk head wrap is falling off her curly pixie cut. It’s that kind of Sunday afternoon where nothing matters, and the world just stops while you sleep.

Berot is not the only artist in her

Think about it; metal can be seen anywhere and everywhere throughout that nation, anything made of metal, no matter if it is large or small, can be welded. With the above being said, we can safely conclude that welding (the industry that involves working with metal) is a much needed industry in all developing nations and it is a skill integral to the development of nations.

Orette Thorpe has dedicated the larger portion of his life to working with metal. He is not just a welder, and a man using an electric arc to fuse metal, the man is a designer in his own right, a true artisan that takes a whole lot of ingenuity and innovation to his discipline.

family, as her father, Anthony Berot is a photographer, videographer and creative media specialist. He is also a proud photographer and media partner for the CaribbeanTales International Film Festival and a producer of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival.

“My father does photography here sometimes and he connected me with the woman who runs A Different Booklist,” said Berot.

The exhibit, titled More Than One Colour has many meanings to Berot.

“Right now specifically, I feel like the world is looking at the colour of

people’s skin, and it’s frustrating at times. When I get commissioned for something, they’ll talk to me about black history, but that’s not all that I am,” said Berot.

The young artist is truly a unique individual, finding her own voice through the use of colours.

“I don’t want to be defined by the colour of my skin, that’s one side of the meaning of More Than One Colour. The other side is that I just really like colour,” said Berot.

Berot’s artwork will be exhibited at A Different Booklist between January 11th and January 31st, 2020.

Mr. Thorpe has worked for different entities through the years but recently decided to launch out on his own, starting his own business. He shares that God has been very gracious to him because he has had a regular flow of customers since opening the doors to his metal workshop.

garden, so I can fully understand why that lady requested that one be made for her.

When I heard about the process in making a chair, I was even more impressed. The customer remotely liaised with him periodically over the build, and the chair was fabricated in such a way that she was very pleased with the results.

I too decided to test the waters of Thorpe Steel Arc, and submitted my own designs for a furniture solution. I am writing this article from a desk built by Thorpe Steel Arc, and it is a purchase that I do not regret in the least.

He has worked on a wide cross section of projects in his career from: large commercial buildings, residential and commercial fencing, gates, security grills, metal furniture and metal home accessories. He shared with me that one of his favorite projects was modifying a box body truck into a food truck with a really sleek commercial kitchen built on the inside of it.

While definitely the goodness of God takes pre-eminence, Mr. Thorpe has played his part in the process by doing good work, and in Jamaica (as I suspect is the same the world over) the result of good work is more work heading your way. He outlined to me that he does not consider any job too big or too small, and he strives to give the same professional courtesies to all his clients irrespective of the monetary value of his jobs.

In the short time he has been running his own entity, his fame has even gone beyond the shores of Jamaica as his work was seen on Instagram by someone living in the Cayman Islands. His work must have moved them, because they ordered one of his gorgeous metal garden chairs. I have personally seen images of how one of those chairs enhances and transforms a

Mr. Thorpe works along with Mr. Coley, who is also a genius when it comes to working with metal, I’ve seen Mr. Coley construct some of the most elegant metal scrolls and curve I’ve ever seen a man make without the aid of machines. They enjoy all the areas that they work in with metal but they have shared that for this year going forward, they would like to delve more into the realm of metal furniture solutions.

poetic word the

A Voiceless Choir

BY GLORIA O’KOYE

Silence...

A musical orchestra composed of a hundred phrases.

Those eyes...

Gracefully strokes a thousand portraits, Only empaths can discover humanity’s deepest secrets.

Body language...

Actions speak louder than words, Yet tensed muscles are seen foreign And get overlooked Until there’s an outburst.

Hope...

Dancing between the rising sun and lunar majesty.

Rejoicing that a new day shall arrive after yesterday’s departure.

No need to linger in hesitation. Wisdom comes in the least expected places, In the most humbled conditions will it thrive.

When it is time to claim it’s rightful place.

An inner voice will come out with a lion’s roar, The pride will follow...

Then the choir will sing songs of different nations

A hymn that will travel across time.

SELINA McCALLUM

salina@carib101.com

COLLOQUATE Using art to design a future home for all

deserve more out of the spaces and places.”

Bryan has led two award-winning architecture and design programs for high school students through the Arts Council of New Orleans and the National Organization of Minority Architects.

The programs aim to speak to the potential for equitable spaces and attempts to visually and physically represent their collective aspirations for the future.

Lee works with Sue Mobley, the Director of Advocacy at Colloqate Design. She has a decade of experience in New Orleans non-profit and policy sectors. Mobley holds a Bachelor of Arts from Loyola University New Orleans in Anthropology and a Masters of Arts in Political Science from the American University in Cairo.

Her primary research interests are in urban studies, public history, and design ethnography with a focus on race, class, and gender.

“Part of our theory of practice is that nearly every injustice in the world has some formal, physical space that supports or manifests that injustice in some fashion. So, if we are able to recognize the places in which we built physical monuments to supremacy, monuments to oppression, and then dismantle them, rethink the systems and rebuild new things that support justice, support liberation,” said Lee.

The team at Colloqate believe the language of a built environment tells a complex story of place that can either speak to our values and ideals or reveal persisting inequity and injustice.

Through programming and design projects, Colloqate seeks to dismantle the privilege and power structures that use the design professions to maintain systems of injustice.

On Saturday, January 11th, 2020, Lee was part of an all day workshop called Creative Practice as Protest at the OCAD University which was open to dozens of youth between the age of 18 and 25. The goal was for them to come together and think of ways to make Toronto an equitable place for all to live.

Saskia van Kampen, an Assistant Professor for the Visual Communication Design program at the San Francisco State University School of Design and Cheryl Giraudy, Associate Professor, Faculty of Design at OCAD University worked together on an interactive project in 2018 at DesignTO. They asked designers to display their work that, instead of succeeded, failed to be inclusive.

They wanted to ensure that the youth who participated in the workshop

were coming from all over the city and GTA.

“This was important and as we immersed ourselves in finding examples of community-based projects for spaces, places, and other expressions of place making, we found a wealth of creative people and neighbourhoods engaged in advocacy, activism and justice projects across the city,” said Giraudy.

All the youth who participated came up with innovative and new ideas that would reduce injustice in industries like heath, shelter, food, entertainment and mobility. Each idea was so unique and viable.

“There have been so many amazing stories and projects that we have learned about through each of the forums and the workshop that I could not possibly pick one, but I can say that I have been humbled by those who have shared their stories, often very deep and poignant,” said van Kampen.

Lena Phillips, Program Manager for the Youth Opportunities Fund and Graduate Research Assistant on the project commented on the atmosphere of the room.

“I appreciated the supportive energy cultivated in the space. Folks were so generous in offering insights, informed by their diverse experiences, to help build up each other’s ideas,” said Phillips.

Tamarinn Alexander, a photographer and artist, enjoyed focusing on the solutions instead of the problems.

“It was nice to see everyone coming together to solve problems that not many people take the time to figure out. I think that workshops like these enable us and make us feel that our voice does matter,” said Alexander.

The research team imagines a world in 2030 where people are more understanding and empathetic, marginalized communities are included in discussions especially when it comes to gentrification, and more spaces of liberation and justice.

“When those most impacted by systemic barriers are designing and leading change in these spaces, I believe we will see transformative change,” said Phillips.

Lee added in his presentation that marginalized communities have to challenge power, dismantle power, and obtain power.

“We require that more people have access to the process that power is distributed in a more equitable and just fashion, and that the outcome reflects the voice of the people,” said Lee. “It is the healing that makes us whole. We have to continue to make actions that make us whole.”

Winter driving: 5 things to check before you go

Roads can be dangerous in the winter, especially in extreme weather. Stay safe by checking the five following things every time you get behind the wheel.

1. FUEL

Fill your gas tank as often as possible to prevent condensation from forming. While it’s not an issue when the temperature is warm, condensation can freeze and create blockages in the fuel lines in the winter.

2.

WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID

Sloppy weather conditions may force you to use more washer fluid than usual to keep your windshield clear. To ensure you can always see the road ahead, check fluid levels often and keep an extra bottle in your trunk.

3. SNOW REMOVAL

In Canada, not removing snow from your car before getting behind the wheel puts you at risk of incurring a driving infraction. Besides, failing to do so is extremely dangerous. Snow can slide down your roof and obstruct your view, and chunks of ice may fly off your car and hit vehicles behind you, potentially causing a serious accident.

4. WEATHER FORECAST

While few of us are able to plan our comings and goings around the weather, checking the forecast

5 problems

cars

are

prone

before leaving will allow you to account for potential delays caused by bad weather. In difficult conditions, leave earlier to ensure you can drive at a safe speed and, if possible, stay home during severe storms.

5. ROADS AND TRAFFIC

Stay informed about local road conditions and try to avoid hazardous, icy and poorly plowed areas. Take a longer route if it allows you to avoid a dangerous commute.

Finally, if your car is showing signs of deterioration or is performing poorly, be sure to visit a local mechanic as soon as possible.

to in winter and how to fix them

Winter weather can lead to mechanical mishaps and be the cause of various issues with your car. Here are five common cold weather problems and how to solve them.

1. A FROZEN LOCK

Use a lock de-icer, windshield washer fluid or a hair dryer to melt the ice. If your key is entirely made of metal, you can use a lighter to heat it before slowly inserting it in the lock and (hopefully) melting the ice.

2. ICED OVER WINDOWS

Use a defrosting product in combination with a good quality scraper to quickly clear your windshield.

To stop ice from accumulating on your windshield and windows, use a tarp or large piece of cardboard to cover them while your car’s parked.

Finally, prevent frost from developing inside your car by leaving a window cracked open to let the humidity escape. Alternatively, leave a container filled with

3. STUCK WHEELS

Try to wedge pieces of cardboard, wood or something else that’ll provide friction beneath the wheels. Traction aids, sand, cat litter and gravel are other options. Gently press on the accelerator until your tires are free.

4. FROZEN CAR DOOR

Pour lukewarm water or windshield washer fluid over the door joint (don’t use hot water). Once your car door is open, make sure to wipe it thoroughly to remove all traces of the liquid.

To prevent this issue from happening in the future, apply a protective product to the rubber seal. Alternatively, place a large plastic bag between the seal and the car’s frame before closing the door.

5. UNSCHEDULED ROADSIDE STOPS

Stock your trunk with warm clothes and an emergency blanket in case you’re forced to stop on the side of the road, either to wait for help to arrive or for the weather to ease.

If you’re in for a long wait, crack a window so air can circulate and turn the engine on every 15 to 20 minutes. Finally, make sure to keep an emergency kit in your trunk so you can deal with any other unfortunate winter surprises.

Winter car care: 3 things to remember

As winter approaches, it’s important to make sure your vehicle is ready to face the difficult driving conditions ahead. Here are three tasks you should complete before the first snowstorm of the season strikes.

1. INSPECT YOUR WINTER TIRES

To be safe on the road in snowy weather, your winter tires need to be in good condition. If the tread on them is worn, they won’t be able to provide an adequate amount of traction. You can get a mechanic to inspect them or do it yourself.

Some tires have tread wear indicators located inside the grooves. If the indicator is flush with the grooves, the tires need to be changed.

You can also use a quarter: insert the coin inside the grooves of the tread with the caribou facing down. If you see its nose, then you know you need to change your tires.

2. TEST YOUR WINDSHIELD WIPERS

Your windshield wipers are another component on your car that will help keep you safe in wintery weather. Ensure that they’re in good condition by making certain that the blades stay in contact with the glass when they’re in motion and that their movements aren’t jerky. In addition, they shouldn’t be noisy or leave streaks behind. You can also slide your finger along the blades to feel for irregularities.

3. TAKE CARE OF THE INTERIOR

Frost on the inside of your windows is often made worse if they’re dirty, so give them a wash before the cold weather arrives. You should also switch your floor mats for plastic ones, as carpeted liners tend to retain moisture, which will make any frost issues worse.

It’s also a good idea to check the owner’s manual to make sure you don’t forget anything. If you need help getting your car ready for winter, your local mechanic will be able to help.

cat litter open somewhere inside the cab.

Graduation Coach (For Black Students)

3 – Term Assignments

Equity, Well-being and School Improvement

These term assignments will begin as soon as possible, and end no later than July 2, 2020.

Category D: $57,304 to $83,654 per annum (OSSTF-PSSP+, Unit A)

Work Year: 194 + 3 Days

JOB

Competition Number: OSSTFA-19-0115EX

POSTED: January 20, 2020

DEADLINE: 4:30 p.m., January 24, 2020

The Toronto District School Board adheres to equitable hiring, employment and promotion practices.

Reporting to the Central Assigned Principal the Graduation Coach will assist with leading and implementing programs, services and other supports to meet the needs of underserved Black students, with a focus on student success and graduation. The Graduation Coach is part of a Pilot Project, and will play a vital role in assisting schools to improve achievement, well-being and graduation rates for underserved Black students.

Summary of Duties:

¾ Work with the Core team and school staff to create a long-term vision/plan to identify underserved Black students in schools and devise plans to help students obtain an Ontario Secondary School Diploma;

¾ Complete a needs assessment to identify barriers to student success, work collaboratively on strategies to remove them;

¾ Engage underserved Black students by affirming the identities and cultures of Black students through Culturally Responsive and Relevant Pedagogy;

¾ Collaborate with administrators, teachers, parents, guardians and families to respond to individual and system barriers that affect the engagement, well-being and learning of Black students;

¾ Conduct individual sessions with students and monitor progress and performance in collaboration with school staff and core teams;

¾ Act as a mentor and an advisor to the students and play an essential role as an advocate for each learner with teachers, including school staff, parents, guardians, families, community members to support the learning of underserved students;

¾ Create additional opportunities for students to be engaged during breaks in regular programming (i.e. long weekends, extended breaks, etc.,) for participating students;

¾ Ensure students receive the resources and services needed to guide them on the path to graduation;

¾ Maintain confidential information on each individual student, utilizing the secondary school’s educational software resource throughout the year to track and monitor academic achievement and well-being (i.e., suspension/expulsion, credit accumulation, attendance);

¾ Assist students with the successful transition from secondary school into postsecondary education, training or labour market opportunities;

¾ Establish and collaborate with a Core Team and school staff to create a long-term vision/plan for identified Black students;

¾ Create space for students to voice their experiences to enable the TDSB and secondary schools to establish trusting relationships and responsive services;

¾ Build/establish relationships with various service agencies serving the community;

¾ Prepare reports and compile statistics as required;

¾ Attend and participate in meetings as required; and

¾ Other duties as assigned by the Centrally Assigned Principal, System Superintendent and/or Associate Director.

Hours of Work: Full-time: 7.0 hours per day, scheduled according to operational needs

Work Year: 194 + 3 days

Location: To be determined

Wheelchair Accessibility:

Qualifications:

¾ University Degree in a related field (e.g., Social Work preferred) with two years successful experience with under-served Black students or an equivalent combination of education and experience;

¾ Experience working with students/young adults aged 13-21;

¾ Demonstrated institutional agency by working in alignment with principals, Superintendents, Associate Director;

¾ Demonstrated understanding of Anti-Black Racism;

¾ Life experience deeply rooted in local Black communities and experience working with underserved students, their families and communities;

¾ Ability to be a mentor and an advisor to Black students;

¾ Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills;

¾ Ability to identify barriers and intervention points;

¾ Understanding of the diversity and composition of Black communities and awareness of local community resources;

¾ Ability to work independently with minimal supervision;

¾ Demonstrated ability to motivate students to stay engaged;

¾ Ability to safeguard and handle confidential information;

¾ Knowledge of the principles of Human Rights;

¾ Familiarity with related TDSB policies, procedures and protocols, the Education Act, and other relevant legislation;

¾ Excellent oral and written communication skills;

¾ Ability to work co-operatively as part of an interdisciplinary team including teachers, principals, support staff and community agency personnel; and

¾ Proficient computer skills including Microsoft Office, student information systems etc.

Special Requirements:

¾ Provision of own vehicle for Board Business; requires a valid Ontario driver’s license.

¾ Requires regular travel, for which employees shall receive a monthly Travel Allowance.

¾ Ability to work evenings and occasional weekends in order to meet program needs.

Asset:

¾ Ability to speak French and/or other languages.

To obtain specific details regarding accessibility to the location you wish to apply for please click on the link: http://fsweb/FSReports/Reports/SchoolLevel_SearchMode.asp?ContentId=108&ContentNm=Barrier+Free&BFS_CATEGORY=B

Please note:

Applications must be submitted using the TDSB Application Form:

1. in resume form with a covering letter

2. with competition # OSSTFA-19-0115EX in the subject line of the covering letter

3. no later than 4:30 p.m. on January 24, 2020.

Please visit our site to apply for this competition at: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/About-Us/Employment/Support-Staff/Permanent-and-Long-Term-Opportunities/Professional-Student-Services

We strive to meet the accommodation needs of persons with disabilities. Applicants are encouraged to make their needs for accommodation known in advance during the application process.

Only applications selected for an interview will be contacted. Applicants will not be acknowledged in writing.

We all know the saying that our health is our wealth and it is no different for our mental health. The big question is does food actually help our mental health? Yes it does. In my recent article for the start of 2020 I zoomed in on foods to reset our body, mind and soul. My aim for 2020 and beyond is for everyone to start eating not only to feel satisfied or to fill cravings but to nourish the mind and soul.

Over the years researchers have increasingly been studying the effects of diet and nutrition on mental health. Studies have shown that people who follow a standard Western diet, which includes highly processed foods and added sugars, fried foods, refined grains, such as white bread, beer have a higher risk of developing anxiety and depression.

More than ever before, there’s been a pronounced change in the public conversation surrounding mental

Food for your mental health You are what you eat

health. No longer hidden away from family and friends, most people are now voicing their struggles and desires for change. As a chef and culinary expert one of the easiest ways to help mental illness comes down to our diet. You are what you eat, right? From walnuts and salmon to bananas and dark chocolate, these are the best foods to enjoy better mental health and wellness.

We need foods that sustain rather than spike blood sugar levels to keep your energy and vitality going throughout the day. Avoid “empty” calories from foods that contain refined sugars (like soda or desserts) and choose snacks with lean proteins and healthy fats (like avocado, nuts, or fish). Avoid fast food, they are not only unhealthy but they are detrimental to the mind.

Best diets

There is no specific diet that is best for mental health, but some eating patterns appear to be better than others.

Mediterranean diet

Among common diet plans, the Mediterranean diet has the strongest evidence supporting its ability to reduce the symptoms of depression. It is also a diet that experts routinely recommend

for overall health and well-being.

Compounds in the Mediterranean diet that have links to lower depression rates include:

• Omega-3 fatty acids

• Vitamin D

• Methylfolate

• S-adenosylmethionine

The Mediterranean diet consists of:

• Plenty of fruits and vegetables

• Whole grains

• Potatoes

• Cereals

• Beans and pulses

• Nuts and seeds

• Olive oil

• Low-to-moderate amounts of dairy products, fish, and poultry

• Very little red meat

• Eggs up to four times a week

• Low-to-moderate amounts of wine

Low calorie diet

Short-term calorie restriction has shown some promise for treating the symptoms of depression.

Experts have defined calorie restriction as “a reduction in energy intake well below the amount of calories that would be consumed ad libitum.”

The extent of the restriction will vary depending on the individual’s needs.

Intermittent fasting

There is some evidence that intermittent fasting can help improve mood and mental well-being.

Clinicians have noted that fasting could contribute to improvements in mood, as well as people’s subjective sense of well-being, alertness, tranquility, and, in some cases, euphoria.

• Low amount coffee

• Tea

• Citrus

• Nuts

• Soy

• Grapes

• Legumes

• Spices

Foods or diets to avoid

Similar unhealthy dietary patterns that typically lead to obesity, diabetes, and other physical health problems can also contribute to poor mental health.

A Mediterranean diet is one healthy diet that can positively affect a person’s weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, and other measures of health. Calorie restriction and fasting may also affect a person’s mental health.

“Hello Simone! Thank you for coming to meet me.” I was surprised by this young man’s demeanour the first time I met him. I have to admit, I have my thoughts about millennial’s, but this young man was going to prove me wrong. I met him initially to see if he was a good fit for our Classic Man series, and not only was he a good fit, he exceeded everything that was expected.

My second encounter with Matthew (who also goes by MUJ) was our phone interview. He had graciously made time to speak with me even though he had just got off a plane from Chicago. We will get to why he was there in a moment, but let us take a trip back in time and learn about the journey of a rising star, and spectacular talent.

His ever-cool demeanour and relaxed attitude does not give away the fact that this young man is seasoned in the entertainment industry. He has opened up for the likes of Buju Banton, Lil Wayne, Hip Hop artist Man, Cash Out, and Pop/EDM group the Cataracs. He has appeared in the Grammy Award Winning band Steel Pulse music video “The Door of No Return.” He has acted in “The Sophomore,” which starred Bruce Willis, the movie “Fighting,” the W.B.’s “Gossip Girl,” daytime televisions “One Life to Live,” and the film “Nights of Prosperity.” And to think; this young man is not even 30 years old yet. Toronto Caribbean Newspaper is proud to present our Classic Man, Matthew Johnson

Matthew’s journey begins in New York City. Staten Island to be exact. If the place sounds familiar, it is because you might remember it be-

MATTHEW JOHNSON

Stay motivated. Stay positive

ing home to the famous Hip Hop group, the Wu Tang Clan. His mom (Jamaican born), and dad (American native born in Manhattan), met and settled down to have their family in New York. In 1990, they welcomed Matthew into the world, and like many musical geniuses, Matthew’s talent was noticed almost immediately. “My mom being Jamaican, and my dad being American have played an important role in my love for music. I can still remember dancing and singing at family events as a young child.”

Matthew was 13 years old when he decided that he was going to pursue his musical career. “I had started to attend St. Peter’s Boys High School. I remember that my very first manager’s name was Beamont Montgomery. She had managed popular groups before (Soul 4 Real, Bones Thugs and Harmony), so I trusted that she would represent me well. I was about 15 years old when I became part of a group called Mixed. The group was musically and ethically diverse; I think it was why we had some moderate success. We did shows around the city, but after awhile, I think I just outgrew the group. I really wanted to pursue my musical career seriously, and they did not have the drive that I did, so Beamont started to personally manage me.”

After high school, Matthew decided to attend university. “My parents were always very supportive of my love for music. All they asked of me was to get a solid education so that I would have something to fall back on.” He honoured his parent’s request and completed his schooling.

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“Thank

“I

Upon completion, he decided to really take his acting and singing seriously. It was then that his parent’s decided to relocate the family to El Paso. Matthew’s father had completed his medical residency there, and he thought it would be a good move for the family.

After living in El Paso for a while, Matthew decided to make one of his biggest moves yet. Hollywood. “Hollywood was crazy. It is everything that they say it is. I met a lot of interesting people there. My manager while I was in Hollywood was Sheri Marcy. She had some really good connections, and she introduced me to Willy Norwood (Brandy’s Father), and Verdine White from Earth, Wind, and Fire. There are a lot of sharks in the industry. I had to be taught how to survive when I was there, so I have always been thankful of Sheri for what she did for me. Hollywood had a lot of tricksters. They would sell you a dream. Some people were actually homeless, but yet, they would come meet me in a limo. It was all about selling you pipe dreams. I had to learn how to navigate those people.” While Matthew was in Hollywood, he ended up doing some commercials. One commercial in particular ran for two years; it was a United States Military Commercial. “I enjoyed myself when I was in Hollywood, but after a while, I knew that it was time to return to El Paso.”

When Matthew returned to El Paso, his time in Hollywood had given him clout; so now the press in El Paso started to pay closer attention to him. This sudden increase in attention is what got him verified on Facebook, Instagram, and other

social media platforms. “Not only was I getting more interviews, and features in prominent local newspapers, I also made appearances on popular television shows in El Paso: Buenos Diaz Juarez, and CBS4 at Noon are the two that I was most proud of.” His newfound fame allowed him to cross over to the Spanish speaking market. When this happened, he started mixing reggae and Latin vibes.

Most recently, Matthew ventured out to England, and has finally made his way to Canada. Since he has been here, he has signed with new management and has just returned from recording a new single with Maxamillion (Grammy nominated, and Grammy award winning producer). He will be coming out with an EP soon, and this young man does not look like he is going to stop. “The one thing I would tell new musicians is to stay unique to yourself. Stay positive. Stay motivated, and help others on the rise. Helping others helps you get back tenfold.“

Written by Simone Smith Toronto Caribbean News

SMOOTHIES FOR WEIGTH LOSS

noel@carib101.com

If weight loss is your goal for 2020, stay away from any beverage with calories from soft drinks to sugary teas to fruit juices and even the beloved smoothies. Liquid calories, no matter their source, will not curb your appetite as well as

A lot of people drink smoothies thinking it will make them lose weight but on the other end they are gaining weight and you are wondering why? But I’m eating healthy.

Smoothies are very nourishing to the body, especially when made with whole fruits and vegetables, your choice of milk, nonfat dairy or coconut water. It’s loaded with vitamins and mineral that helps to repair our bodies, maintain healthy teeth, skin and bones. However if you’re trying to lose weight by just drinking smoothies it can be tricky.

I was asked once why smoothies won’t help to lose weight when it’s all healthy ingredients. For losing weight, there’s one major problem with smoothies – all smoothies are liquids and liquid diet can be tricky as it relates to your calorie intake.

Liquids contain less satiety. Consistently, researchers have found that calories in liquid form have less satiety than calories in solid form. What is satiety? It’s the opposite of hunger. Satiety is getting out of hunger. Satiety is also a measure of how long you stay full after eating.

So, rather than pulverizing your fruits and veggies with a blender, enjoy them

whole. Peel a banana. Break open a bag of baby carrots. Swirl strawberries into a dish of nonfat Greek yogurt. This will keep you full and also reduce your calorie intake. This doesn’t stop you from enjoying a glass of smoothie but if it’s for weight loss then you might want to rethink.

Healthy ingredients to add to your morning smoothies

• Dark, leafy greens. Spinach and kale are great staples for smoothies

• Nuts, nut butters and seeds

• Greek yogurt and milk/milk alternatives

• Fresh/frozen berries

• Spirulina

• Cinnamon

Here is one of my favorite power blend smoothies from my cookbook to power up your morning.

Fresh and Satisfying Berry Smoothie

Power up your morning with this power blend. Mix frozen berry blend with milk and yogurt to create this rich smoothie. Add peanut butter, banana and whey protein for extra nutrients and silkiness.

Makes 2 cups

Time: 8 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cups milk

• ¾ Greek yogurt

• 1 tablespoon peanut butter

• 2 cups mixed frozen berries (raspberries, blueberries, blackberries)

• 1 ripe banana

• 1 scoop of whey protein (optional)

Directions

Place milk, yogurt and peanut butter in a blender and blend until smooth. Add remaining ingredients and blend until creamy. Add more liquid if needed. NOEL CUNNINGHAM

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If you’re dealing with depression and/or anxiety, chiropractic care may help. Generally speaking, chiropractic care involves a mind-body approach that favors adjusting physical symptoms in order to improve mental ones. A chiropractor is well-equipped to take a holistic approach to your mental health, looking at all possible ways to make you feel better.

New studies now back up the effectiveness of chiropractic care in relieving certain mental health symptoms. For many, chiropractic may be a natural, affordable care option for improving quality of life for patients with depression and/or anxiety.

Over 40 million adults in the United States will face mental illness every year. While anxiety disorders are the most common, depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Symptoms are unique to each patient, but common physical impacts of anxiety and depression include:

A natural approach to treat anxiety and depression

• Fatigue or inability to sleep

• Muscle tension and stiffness

Headaches or migraines

Aches and pains throughout the body

• Inability to relax

These physical symptoms can exacerbate mental symptoms and make anxiety and/or depression harder to live with. Luckily, chiropractic care is uniquely positioned to relieve these physical symptoms.

Let’s take a closer look at how chiropractic care can help patients with mental health disorders.

In general, chiropractic care aims to find the right balance between your mind and body. A chiropractor will do this by looking at all health areas, including adjustments, therapies, exercise, diet and supplements. When it comes to chiropractic care, no stone goes unturned. Even small changes, such as incorporating omega-3 into your diet, may have a positive impact on anxiety symptoms.

Several studies support the idea that chiropractic care and massage therapy can reduce blood pressure and stress symptoms. High blood pressure is a common symptom of anxiety and/or stress. Researchers found that blood pressure was reduced after both chiropractic sessions and massage therapy. One study even saw results after only 15 minutes of workplace massage therapy. This shows that chiropractic

care can reduce anxiety and stress symptoms and help patients with mental health issues feel more stable.

One of the best benefits of chiropractic care is that it’s all-natural. Patients taking anxiety and depression medication often complain of the side effects, which include insomnia, nausea, weight gain and fatigue. Chiropractic care works to reduce anxiety symptoms, so you can potentially avoid taking medication and dealing with its side effects. (Don’t change or stop medication without the approval of your doctor.)

Spinal health influences almost every region of your body. Studies show that after getting a chiropractic adjustment, your body triggers an increase in hormones such as vasopressin, oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine and decreases cortisol (stress hormone).This creates a calming affect on the body and promotes a sense of well-being.

Insomnia is also a symptom of anxiety and/or depression. With chiropractic care, you may find getting to sleep a little easier.

Patients with anxiety and/or depression also suffer from muscular tension. Chiropractic care can aid in reducing tension and stiffness. In addition, it can help relieve pain related to tension headaches, as many patients who live with mental health disorders also suffer from migraines. This kind of relief can have a big impact on those with anxiety and/or de -

pression by removing these painful symptoms.

Last but not least, chiropractic care helps relax patients. The atmosphere of a chiropractic session can make the patient feel less stressed and his/her muscles more relaxed. Studies that measure electrical activity in muscles found that after a chiropractic adjustment, muscle activity was reduced by 25%. This is great evidence of relaxation during a chiropractic session. This kind of relaxation can really help patients suffering from stress and tension as a result of anxiety and/or depression.

Overall, chiropractic care can have a positive impact on patients’ mental health. Besides proven research, there have been many anecdotal case studies about the role of chiropractic care on anxiety and depression. These preliminary reports suggest there are even more benefits of chiropractic care on mental health symptoms.

As traditional health care costs continue to soar, more patients are looking to alternatives that are affordable and effective. Contact a chiropractor near you to discuss a potential treatment plan for symptoms. He/she will be able to customize a plan depending on your situation and try to give you the relief you deserve.

If you’re looking for relief from your mental health symptoms, chiropractic care is a proven method that may improve your quality of life in mind and body.

Joints of the entire body, neck pain, pain in shoulders ,leg joints ,hand joints, muscle cramp ,back pain , pains due to Rheumatism , Oil provides the best remedy for all types of pain including the pain due to fracture and broken bones.

Top grade Oil traditionally prepared from the pure herbs of forest.

Accidental fracture, sprain, injuries due to some impact, state of decay in joints and bones.

Pain ,Swelling, Paralysis, Knuckle arthritis, Polio ,Shoulder blade pain, neck pain, Lower back pain.

Oil meant to regulate the function of all organs of the body and an appropriate remedy to the diseases for those who cannot stretch and fold their legs and hands.

Method of usage

Apply this Oil morning and evening to the place where pain is and rub until a warmth feeling is generated. Continue till your pain gets reduced and disappear

Convey this to others if you have gained remedy.

Seven ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day as a family

Valentine’s Day can be a time to celebrate love of all kinds. This year, instead of making romantic plans with your partner, why not include your kids and celebrate as a family? Here are some Valentine’s Day activities you and the kids will love:

1. Profess your love. Each family member takes a turn telling the others something they love about them, including themselves.

2. Eat a special breakfast. Serve heart-shaped pancakes or oatmeal with strawberries and chocolate chips.

3. Go on a family date night. Eat at a local restaurant you haven’t tried before and catch a movie after.

4. Take a walk down memory lane. Reminisce and share stories while looking at old family photos. The kids will love looking at themselves and you in your younger days.

5. Bake cookies. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to make Valentine’s Day cookies. Decorate them with pink icing.

6. Have a movie marathon. Make popcorn, buy candy and snuggle up together under your cosiest blankets.

7. Make cards. Gather red and pink paper, glitter, stickers and markers to make valentines to hand out to friends and family members.

Taking the time to celebrate Valentine’s Day as a family will create memories your kids will have for a lifetime.

Are you having a hard time deciding what to give your sweetheart for Valentine’s Day? Do you want to give them something beyond the customary flowers and box of chocolates? If so, here are some tips for finding the perfect gift.

• Think about them: consider what they like and any hobbies they may have.

How to navigate Valentine’s Day when you’ve just started dating

Whether you’ve only been on a couple of dates or you’ve spent every day together for the last two months, Valentine’s Day can be uncomfortable when you’ve just started dating someone. However, it doesn’t have to be an awkward event. As long as the two of you talk to each other about your expectations, Valentine’s Day can be a hassle-free affair.

BROACH THE TOPIC

It’s never too early to learn to communicate with your new partner. If you see a future with this person, you should talk to them about your expectations and hopes for Valentine’s Day. Bringing up the topic can be as simple as asking, “how do you feel about Valentine’s Day?”

FIGURE IT OUT TOGETHER

The two of you should decide how you’d like to celebrate mark the occasion. No matter what you decide, don’t go overboard. If you choose to buy each other

Keeping these things in mind will help you avoid giving something they won’t appreciate.

• Listen to them: they may be dropping hints. Have they recently mentioned something they’d like to buy? You’ll get extra brownie points for getting them something they talked about wanting months ago.

• Ask for help: if you’ve been wracking your brain but can’t think of anything, asking somebody they’re close to could help. Their mom, best friend or brother may have a good idea you haven’t thought of.

• Remember who it’s for: don’t buy them tickets to an event you’ll be more excited about than they will. If you’re going for an experience as a gift, make sure it’s something they’ll enjoy.

By following these tips, you’ll be sure to wow the person you love most.

presents, decide on a budget and stick to it. If you don’t want to exchange gifts but still want to do something, cook dinner together and have a quiet evening in.

Navigating the waters of your first Valentine’s Day together can make or break you as a couple. If it goes well, you could be starting a tradition that will last for years to come.

Have you offered to make somebody you love a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner but aren’t the best cook? While there are countless recipes out there for people who aren’t adept in the kitchen, here are four meals you’ll definitely want to avoid serving.

1. Anything too spicy: some people love spicy foods like curries, chilies and anything covered with hot sauce, but for the uninitiated, these foods can cause major stomach issues that could put an early end to your romantic evening.

2. Anything that requires a bib: lots of people love to crack into a lobster or crab, but eating these shellfish can be incredibly messy. If you’re going to go the seafood route, serve the meat without the shells.

3. Anything too heavy: you might be tempted to serve a robust dish you know your sweetie will love like steak and potatoes. However, eating a heavy meal is more likely to put your love interest

to sleep than it is to put him or her in the mood for romance.

4. Anything too complicated: while you might love the idea of making a cheese soufflé or French macaroons, the truth is that these dishes are extremely finicky, even for an experienced chef. It’s best to leave these recipes for a night when there’s less at stake.

You don’t need to be fancy to impress your date. The important part is spending some time together, even if it means ordering a pizza after you’ve burned the chicken.

4 fresh ideas for decorating wedding tables

The centrepieces at your wedding are sure to be the decor that your guests notice the most. Here are four fresh ideas for centrepieces that will make a statement.

1. Potted plants. A welcome change from cut flowers, potted plants can be taken home by guests and enjoyed for years to come. Anything goes, from cute succulents and cactuses to tall orchids and even herbs or flowers that can be transplanted outdoors.

2. Terrariums or lanterns. A geometric glass vase or container will complement almost any type of wedding esthetic. Fill it with moss and cut flowers for a romantic look or sand and seashells for a beachy vibe. Or, substitute the vase with an old lantern if

you want to create a more rustic look.

3. Candles. A wedding is the perfect time to indulge in a romantic, candlelit dinner. Tall tapers in a variety of different candleholders are ideal. Or, use candles of varying heights to add visual interest.

4. Suspensions. If the ceiling and venue allow for it, consider hanging your centrepieces from above. Flower arrangements, candles and other items can be hung to add ambiance to the table and will dramatically impact the look of the room as a whole.

No matter what type of centrepiece you choose, make sure it’s not so tall or wide that it gets in the way of conversation around the table.

10 things you can rent for your wedding

If you’re planning a wedding, there’s no need to buy everything you’ll need for the event. Here are 10 things to consider renting instead.

1. Tables and chairs. Even if your venue offers them, you may prefer to choose different ones that better suit your theme.

2. Table linens and napkins. These come in a number of colours and styles and can be selected to complement your wedding esthetic.

3. Lighting. Add lights to create the precise ambiance you’re looking for.

4. Centrepieces. You’ll need to purchase the flowers, but many florists offer vases as rental items.

5. Tents. If you’re hosting an outdoor wedding, it’s important to have a plan in place in case it rains.

6. Lounge furniture. An area with comfortable chairs and couches is a great place to rest between dances.

7. Dancefloor. A space to cut the rug is a must at most weddings. If your venue doesn’t have one, rent it.

8. China, flatware and stemware. Your caterer or venue may have some that you can use, but you may wish to upgrade to nicer looking pieces.

9. Photo backdrop. Whether you’re planning a photobooth or not, a beautiful backdrop is sure to be a hit with selfie-loving guests.

10. Entertainment. If you want to make sure your guests have fun, rent some large scale games or even a bouncy castle to keep them talking.

To simplify your life, find a company that offers full rental services and can include everything you need in one package.

3 tips for choosing the perfect wedding jewelry

Are you wondering what kind of jewelry to wear on your wedding day? Here are three tips to help you match your accessories to your wedding attire.

1. Be yourself. If you never wear jewelry in your day-to-day life, you shouldn’t be dripping in jewels on your wedding day. However, if you love the way you look in big chunky earrings or long necklaces, go for it.

2. Match the metal to the dress. Pure white dresses look best with silver jewelry, while ivory or champagne fabrics pair well with gold. If you’ve chosen to wear a blush-hued gown, opt for rose gold.

3. Consider the neckline. High-necked or halter dresses look best with statement earrings and a simple bracelet. A V-neck is practically begging for a beautiful necklace to fill the space. And a sweetheart or strapless gown goes with anything, from a choker to a pendant or even just the right earrings.

On your wedding day, less is more. Your radiant face, your beautiful gown and your new wedding ring won’t need much embellishing.

How to dress your bridesmaids

Whether you have three bridesmaids or 13, you’ll need to decide what you want them to wear. Here are some options.

SAME COLOUR, SAME DRESS

For a classic and cohesive look, ask your bridesmaids to wear matching dresses that correspond to your wedding decor. This option is best when the girls in the group have similar body shapes and skin tones.

DIFFERENT COLOUR, SAME DRESS

For a multicoloured esthetic, choose a style of dress and let your bridesmaids pick the hue they wear. If you prefer a more subtle

approach, ask them to wear different shades of the same colour.

SAME COLOUR, DIFFERENT DRESS

This is a great way to show off your bridesmaids’ personalities while still maintaining a cohesive look. You can even opt for convertible dresses. These can be worn as many as 20 different ways, so your girls will have no problem finding a look that suits them.

Ultimately, you don’t have to follow any rules when choosing your bridesmaids’ dresses. The most important thing is that the women who matter most to you will be there with you on your big day.

Who am I? How did I become the person that I am? First, I need to know something about my origins. Paleoanthropology teaches that humans evolved in a lengthy process of change from apelike ancestors in Africa for approximately six million years (http://humanorigins. si.edu/education/introduction-humanevolution). Religion (Christianity), on the other hand, teaches that God created me with a purpose for my existence - premortal, mortal, and immortal.

"This most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being" — Sir Isaac Newton (1643–1727) (Mathematician, Physicist, Astronomer, and Theologian). Moreover, Christian literature, instills within me the sovereign rights to rule over the Earth. To have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the Earth, but not dominion over humankind. I avowed Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Judaism, Baha'i, Jainism, and Shinto as ways of belief, life, and practice.

Brian Watson 416-836-7397

bwatson@unisonins.com

WHO AM I?

How did I become the person that I am?

According to historian’s early writings (Sumerian Cuneiform script), civilizations developed in the Mesopotamia/Fertile Crescent region (around the location of modern-day Iraq). As a baseline for this article, thus began my journey on Earth - 4000 years (BCE) and 2000 years (CE). After traveling for millennials, my knowledge has increased exponentially, which is a "doubled-edged" sword. Human knowledge has brought me much sorrow. Sadly, I have misinterpreted material growth and much information for knowledge. I have mistaken human weakness for strength, and I have repeated the unflattering history of my ancestors.

The dichotomy between science and religion begs the question: "Does God direct my life (underpinned by "free will"), or does my primordial beginnings inform my behaviour (survival of the fittest)? Empirical and intellectual observation leads me to conclude that there is greater complexity to my existence than I can comprehend. My innermost spiritual and intellectual being cry out for nurturing that I lacked from infancy to maturity. The current state of the postmodern world causes me to ponder my thoughts, actions, consequences (TAC), as well as my motivations - intrinsic and extrinsic.

My thoughts and actions are a complex multi-layered mixture of (1) the benevolence of "spiritual intelligence" (SQ), (2) predestination, (3) cognitive intelligence" (IQ), (4) "free will" (self-determination), (5) ancestral (DNA) deoxy-

ribonucleic acid, (6) familial, intellectual, and societal nurturing, (7) life conditions, (8) character traits, (9) dictates of conscience, (10) and my impulsive nature? How can I be an autonomous human being, capable of self-governance?

I am nationalistic (nationalism can be both positive and negative). I am African, American, Australian, British, Canadian, Chinese, French, German, Indian, Irish, and Korean – to name a few nationalities. As a misnomer for "races," I am white, black, yellow, red, and brown. I divided society by "race," colour, culture, religion, education, caste, and social and economic status. I made race and colour the most significant and polarizing aspect of my survival. I avowed religion, but what does it matter if religion sets me apart because of superficial differences?

I did not understand the benefits of the "oneness" of the human family. I took for granted the world as a vast battlefield of life. I accepted conflict and conquest as innate. I declared myself Monarch, Dictator, Communist, Socialist, and Capitalist. I became greedy for wealth and power over humankind. I divided brothers against brothers for my gain. I built a global Prison Industrial Complex (PIC) and arsenals of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). How did I arrive at the philosophy that war is a "definitive" path to peace, rather than love?

Why did I not marshall the "moral forces" of the universe to protect the innocent, the vulnerable, the poor, the mentally ill, and the fatherless? Instead, I

exploited the most vulnerable of the human family - the under-loved, under-educated, under-employed, under-appreciated, and miss-understood. Enclaves of marginalized peoples throughout the world, cry out for "just mercy." I did not listen to my ancestors nor heeded the warning signs of the history of the collapse of past civilizations. I should have known that only egalitarian societies could flourish and sustain peaceful coexistence.

Honestly searching for answers, I invented Democracy, and pledged to build a better world, with peace and security, and "justice for all." Still, not all received or could afford the price of justice. Did I delude myself into believing that the world travels along a linear path when the reality is that empires rise and fall - entirely because of my actions? To constraint my behavior, I penned tens of thousands of laws. Yet, I cannot live peacefully with my terrestrial neighbours, so why do I push the limits of science and engineering technology, seeking to discover new worlds of extraterrestrial life - undeservingly. I ought to have known that my actions would bring great destruction and fear upon the Earth. Will the new god of "Artificial Intelligence" (AI) guide and protect me. Will AI extend the power of love, friendship, patience, mercy, compassion, forgiveness, repentance, and restitution? Who am I? How can I become the person I could be?

Continued in Part 2 (Next Edition).

“Hit or miss.”

Tik Tok Tales

BY MAKAYLA B.

11 YEARS OLD

CONTRIBUTOR

In my last article I talked about Fortnite and how it could affect kids my age (or younger, older too).

The next app in line is TikTok. When I first wrote about TikTok, I told you all about the platform, the app, and what it’s used for. In TikTok, there are many songs that you can choose from to mouth along too. Unfortunately, there is a fair amount of songs that have swearing.

Constantly mouthing along to TikTok songs creates a habit of doing lipsynching, and sometimes influences users to swear. I have a friend who was saying “Hit or miss” to random kids in school one day and waiting to see if they would answer. It made me wonder, is this a common thing TikTok users do? So I went and did some research. A website called “TechCrunch ‘’ wrote an informative article on TikTok. Close to the end of the article, I found the answer to my question; “They shout out ‘Hit or miss’ in public and wait to see who answers.” It bewilders me how much an app can influence people.

EMPOWERING OUR YOUNG MINDS OF TOMORROW

IT’S 2020!

What agreements have you made with yourself? Part 2

SIMONE SMITH

simone@carib101.com

“Don’t take things personally.”

Don Miguel Ruiz | Janet Mills

The Four Agreements for a Better Life

• “You are so useless!”

• “You are going to amount to nothing!”

• “Why do you look like that?”

• “Do you always have to do that?

It is very difficult not to take statements like this personally, especially if these statements are being directed at you. I will be honest; this is one agreement that I struggle with. I don’t feel bad about it because I know that I am not the only one.

This year, one of my initiatives is to work more on evolving myself. I think that when it comes to self-development, I am okay, but there is always room for improvement. One thing that I have learned in my time is that a better me, is a better you. A better you is a better tomorrow. So, this means that I have to continue to learn from those who came before and pass that knowledge on to you.

They say when the student is

ready; the teacher will appear. Well, Don Miguel Ruiz’s book, “The Four Agreements for a Better Life,” came along exactly when I needed it. I feel that although I have done well, it seemed that I had plateaued. Reading this book has allowed me to see what I need to do to take it to the next level, and I most definitely recommend it to you. For now, I thought I would give you a summary of his lessons, and let you delve into it further if you want to.

Nothing other people do is because of you. It is because of themselves. All people live in their own dream, in their own mind; they are in a completely different world from the one we live in. When we take something personally, we make the assumption that they know what is in our world, and we try to impose our world on their world.

I had never thought about it like that. EGO. Ego seems to be the downfall of many. When we take this personally, we make it about us. When you really look at it, it is the other person. We have to remember that people speak, and behave according to their own individual scripts, and although we might be part of their cast, they have picked you to play a certain role. Whatever is going on in their lives is projected from them, kind of like a projector showing a movie on a blank screen. The screen does not produce the pictures; it is the projector that puts the pictures on the screen. This is exactly how humans act; like projectors. We have pictures made up of our own schemas, philosophies, beliefs,

attitudes, and each and everyday we go out into the world and project these schemas, philosophies, beliefs and attitudes on everyone we meet. This is why we can’t take things personally. We have no idea what is happening behind the eyes of the projector. But what do we do? We take it personally, not realizing that what they are experiencing is from the inside out, not the outside in. Even when people are saying positive things to you like:

• “You wrote a really good article!”

• “I really like your car!”

• “Your nails look fierce!”

All of these thoughts are coming from what they think looks good, not because you are an incredible writer, you choose your car, or your nail technician did a bang up job on your nails.

I know! It is kind of hard to take in, but completely necessary.

HOMEWORK!

For the next couple of weeks, I want you to notice all critique that is projected in your direction, and really try to separate yourself from the critique good or bad. One way to do so is when you hear it; say to yourself, “It is not about me, it is about them.” Make this practice until it becomes habit. Just like that, you will learn to detach yourself from the thoughts and beliefs of others. Very powerful! Let me know how it goes!

Holy! Did you feel that shift?

ing. Full moon energies usually linger for at least two weeks, however when compounded with an eclipse, the energy lasts up to six months! This is an important time to focus on what you need to face and release for a successful 2020.

garcia@carib101.com

CORNER

Greetings family! The cosmos sure have a story to tell us this week.

We’re only a couple of weeks into January and we’re already experiencing a lot of extreme and intense energy.

Extreme fires in Australia, conflicts between the US and Iran, changes in the structure of the Royal Family are just a few of the major changes we have seen as a collective since the beginning of 2020. As individuals we have been feeling and experiencing just as much burning for change, inner conflicts and changes to our family structure. Let’s see what the cosmos have to tell us!

On January 10th we had our first full moon lunar eclipse of the decade! Lunar eclipses are like an energetic and emotional reset. This gives us the opportunity to finally face and release emotional baggage and trauma we have been carry-

The full moon eclipse was in the sign of Cancer. The moon heavily influences Cancer. Therefore, the moon is exalted in Cancer and its energies can feel more intense in this placement. Cancer is the first water sign of the zodiac. Its energy is very nurturing, emotion driven, maternal and intuitive. With sun in Capricorn, the sign of structure, boundaries and ambition, joined by Saturn, Pluto, Mercury and Jupiter, we are all experiencing something similar to an inner tug of war.

Saturn is asking us to set boundaries to ensure we are nurturing people we love and ourselves. Pluto is asking us where we need to transform our lives by putting parts that are no longer serving us to death. Mercury is asking us if our thoughts are in alignment with our true self, are we speaking our truth. Lastly we have Jupiter asking us to expand to new horizons and to set goals bigger than we’ve ever dreamed. This is a whole lot of energy going on here. It is quite easy to feel overwhelmed, anxious and drained.

Listen to Mama Moon during this

time. Lean on her nurturing and intuitive energy. Slow down. We have to be mindful of how we react and rather respond from a place of clarity.

This eclipse is giving you a glimpse of what 2020 is all about. It’s a period of individual collective change. It’s an opportunity to reset your goals and ultimately your life.

If you need to use this Cancer energy to restructure your home and family (like Meghan and Harry) 2020 is the time to do it. Be intentional. Make the necessary changes to release and let go what no longer serves you. Do not allow your emotions to consume you like a wild fire destroying all within and around you. Let the eclipse energy cast a shadow on your fears and illuminate what needs to be reborn.

I know it’s the beginning of the year; you have all these goals to smash, all these plans and resolutions to keep. Please remember this is the year you build your foundation for the next decade. Take your time, slow down and think things through. Be extremely intentional with your thoughts, words and actions.

As the late, great Nipsey Hussle would say, “This is a marathon.” Be gentle, pace yourself, we are shifting into new times!

TORONTO CARIBBEAN NEWS INC.

Wepet Renpet – The Opening of the Year

New Year’s traditions may vary around the world but one thing that was for certain was that everyone had a tremendous time observing them as they rung out the year. As I was researching for this article, I also found out that New Year’s Day was actually located on different days of the calendar. I will elucidate showing some examples briefly.

For early Rome, New Years was first celebrated in March around the time of the vernal equinox until they changed to January some years later. The Chinese New Year was celebrated between January 20th - February 20th to synchronize

with the lunar calendar. The Sotho people of Lesotho and South Africa celebrate their new year on August 1st to correspond with the end of the Southern Hemisphere’s winter.

As much as some of the dates differed, the one thing that remained as a central theme; it was that nature was at the helm of the celebrations. As for Ancient Kemet, they also had their own celebration.

Wepet Renpet, sometimes spelled as Wep Renpet, is literally translated as ‘The Opening of the Year.’ Like the examples we’ve stated earlier, Wepet Renpet was also celebrated to synchronize with events that happened in nature. The annual flooding of the Nile River will always remain as something that is very sacred to Kemetians.

As an earthly cycle, meaning something that transpires on earth, it was always directed by a heavenly cycle. This event, which took place in the heavens, was the reappearance of the star Sirius. Also called the ‘Star of Auset’ or ‘Sopdet’,

the Sirius star was no longer visible for 70 days and then reappeared around midJune to early July. This marked the coming flood of the Nile River but also reset the calendar. With the inundation of the flood, it left rich deposits of silt that was beneficial for the fertilization of crops.

Wepet Renpet also was a time to celebrate the rebirth of Ausar, or Osiris something that we’ve mentioned in previous articles. The Sirius star was a representation of Auset who ‘opened the way’ for the rebirth of her slain husband. With Auset and Ausar, who in the mythos were responsible for the cyclical production of nature, it would make sense. For Auset to advise of when her husband would return, this was a sign for the people that the land would become fertile once more. I understand that there are some of us who would love to read more about the mythology surrounding the Ausarian Drama; I advise that you consult Dr. Muata Ashby or Mustafa Gadalla for their simplified approach.

The celebration around this time included lots of food and drink with danc-

ing and singing playing an integral part as well. What varied, was the length, as I haven’t been able to find an exact number of days. Most of the research I came across said that it depended on the time period. What I did find that was interesting was the reciting of what was called as the Lamentations of Auset and Neb-het, the sisters who helped each other during the myth. Basically the ancient Kemetian text outlines what was recanted as a calling to the soul of Ausar to rejoin the living.

With passages such as:

Glorify his soul! Establish his dead body! Praise his spirit! Give breath to his nostrils and to his parched throat!

Reading this, we can understand why this was seen as a powerful invocation to be performed at the beginning of this prestigious celebration.

As always our ancestors have left us with a tradition deeply rooted in nature, Wepet Renpet will forever serve as a reminder that we celebrate what nature has provided for us.

Volunteerism matters; empowering youths to give back to community and others

labor, especially in community services.”

The common theme in all these definitions is the selfless act of giving of oneself to help others without expectation of financial recompense, rewards or material gifts.

Volunteerism plays a significant role in our communities, society, world and lives. There are many definitions of volunteerism that one may find in different dictionaries, but they all emphasize the importance of giving back. According to the Collins English Dictionary, volunteer is defined as “The principle of donating time and energy for the benefit of other people in the community as a social responsibility rather than for any financial reward.”

According to Dictionary.com, it is defined as “The policy or practice of volunteering one’s time or talents for charitable, educational or other worthwhile activities, especially in one’s community.” Merriam Webster defines it as “The use or involvement of volunteer

It is important that our youths are encouraged to participate in volunteer activities, as it is one way that they can acquire important skills that can be transferred into the workplace. According to Wikipedia, “Volunteering is also renowned for skill development and is often intended to promote goodness or to improve quality of life.” Volunteering is so important for our high school students, which the Ministry of Education has mandated that they must complete 40 hours of community service as part of their graduation requirements to obtain their high school diploma. Many students exceed this minimum 40 hours with over 100 hours. They gain invaluable work-related skills and essential life-skills.

The three types of volunteer work favoured by Canadian teens according to Literacy Power OSSLC (2004) are: (i) education and research (ii) art, culture and recreation and (iii) social services. Ac-

cording to a national survey mentioned in Literacy Power on page 122, for at least one in four Canadians approximately 27% gave of their time and talents to non-profit organization or charitable organizations in the year 2000. It has been estimated that an average of 162 hours is given to volunteer work yearly and approximately 1.05 billion hours are devoted to these institutions, which translates into about 549,000 full time jobs.

A national survey (which was done in 1997) shows that approximately 31% of Canadians volunteered their time and skills. This was in fact a decline from previous years. The fact that we are living in a time of fiscal restraints, cutbacks in services and lack of support programs, volunteers are more essential than ever. Youth volunteers are able to provide vital services to those who need help.

There are many organizations that youths can turn to in order to obtain volunteer experiences. Volunteer Canada (volunteer.ca) provides “National leadership and expertise on volunteerism to increase participation, quality and diversity of volunteer experiences.” They work with youths between the age of 11 to 18 years

to create, plan and deliver volunteer projects within their own communities.

Youth Challenge International (www.volunteer/forever.com/program/ youth) is “An international global youth development organization that promotes youth innovation to drive positive change.” International teams of volunteers’ age 18 to 35 years are involved in projects. Canadian Red Cross (www.redcross.ca/ about.us/ about the Canadian–red cross) mission is, “To improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.” Youth Volunteer Corps (www. yvc.registration.org) mission is to “Create volunteer opportunities to address community needs and to inspire youth for a lifetime commitment to service.” It accepts youth ages 11 to 18 to be involved in different organizations such as YMCA, Boys and Girl Clubs, Parks and Recreation. There are many ways that our youth can get involved. Feel free to share these programs with our youth, and take it a step further. Be an example. Start volunteering so that our youth can see us do it first.

University of Toronto new law school initiative hopes to attract more black applicants

BRITTNEY CHANNER

brittney@carib101.com

I hope everyone is having a great start to their new year; accomplishing all the goals you have made for yourself. This week I want to speak about a great program initiated by the faculty of law at the University of Toronto with hopes of attracting more black students to apply to law school and succeed.

Last Tuesday, it was announced by the University of Toronto that they are launching a new program to increase the number of black law students. The program entitled, The Black Future Lawyers program is a close collaboration with the university, the faculty of law, the black students association and the black legal alumni; all with efforts to increase the black student enrollment within the law school. As a fellow law enthusiast myself, I can personally attest to the amount of times I have heard the phrase, “The law needs more colour”. As a matter of fact, over the summer, I wrote an article with that exact phrase as my title explaining the importance of colour in our legal professions.

A lack of black and brown faces amongst Canada’s distinguished laws schools continues to be a constant struggle every year. With either decreasing enrollment or lack of substantial resources, many students who are enticed by the law, regretfully turn their eyes away from pursuing a legal education. According to the Ontario Law School Application self-declared profile information, black students represent one percent of the students entering law school. However, the University of Toronto has made sufficient changes and hopes that their new initiatives will provide black students with the confidence and knowledge needed to succeed in the profession.

One of the several focuses of this program is to provide black undergraduate students who may be considering a legal education with access to workshops, information sessions, and financial aid advice along with mentoring from distinguished black lawyers and judges. Additionally, it has been established that the program will assist in teaching students about the ben-

efits of law and explain what a career in it can provide. The program will also be of support to students who do get accepted into law school and need guidance on the necessary steps to take regarding class registration, available scholarships and generally trying to navigate the way as a law student.

The program is set to launch as of next year and along with having the regular academic and extra-curricular requirements needed to apply, black students can also provide an additional personal statement as part of their application which will then be reviewed by a minimum of three members of the black community. I must say, I commend U of T for actually creating a way to minimize the gap that has been created within higher learning by finding ways for marginalized and disadvantaged students to have a chance to partake in their profession of choice. I’ll be interested to see if other Canadian law schools follow suit and see how successful and beneficial the implementation of this initiative actually is. Until then, I guess we shall just wait and see.

On a side note, one of my personal goals for this year was to be honest and authentic with my feelings as I have always found that an area of struggle. When I first started writing for the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper, I always told myself, that I would cease writing the day I either became physically overwhelmed or lost my passion. Unfortunately, that day has come and this article that I write for you today will be my last. There are a number of reasons as to why I decided to take a step back, but without getting too deep into it all, I needed to take a moment to reflect on my life and figure out how I can passionately convey strong and meaningful messages without feeling depleted. I too also find that my mental health is not in the greatest of states and for that I will be using my time going forward to focus on practicing selflove.

I would like to thank all the readers who at any point sat down and listened to what I had to say, it means a lot. I hope at some point in my writing, I inspired you, educated you, or challenged you to think in a way that is different from your own. My goal in life will always be to stand up for social justice in all its forms and I hope that in my time writing, I caused you to do the same. And so I end with the cliché, this is not goodbye, this is just, see you later.

Sincerely,

Brittney A. Channer Lawyer to Be

Two common kitchen problems and how to solve them

In many homes, the kitchen gets the most traffic. Consequently, an issue in this room is likely to be acutely felt. Here are two common kitchen problems and some tips on how you can solve them.

1. NOT ENOUGH STORAGE

The ideal way to approach this issue is to entirely remodel your kitchen and thereby create the space and storage you need. However, if this isn’t currently feasible, you should consider implementing one or more workarounds.

For example, you can add hooks under the cabinets to store mugs and thereby free some precious cabinet space. Or, you might want to invest in a professional storage system with racks and drawer dividers to make the most out of the space you’ve got.

2. NOT ENOUGH COUNTER SPACE

Not having enough counter space makes

it hard to prepare meals and keep the room tidy. One solution to this problem, if you have the space for it, is to install an island. Alternatively, you can buy a small cart that will give you more surface area to work with.

Freeing up the counter space you have is also essential. Be sure to stow your toaster, coffee maker and other appliances in your cabinets when they’re not in use.

Once your kitchen problems are solved, you’ll be surprised just how much better the whole house will run.

Home makeover: 9 key steps for every renovation

Though every home renovation is different, here’s an overview of the key steps these projects typically involve.

1. List all renovations. Prioritize repairs that are functional such as replacing faulty wiring or fixing the roof over those that are mostly cosmetic, like upgrading the kitchen.

2. Decide on a budget. You may decide to focus on some projects rather than others or to change some ideas based on your budget.

3. Hire professionals. For major overhauls, it’s a good idea to work with a designer, architect or general contractor who will manage the project for you. Alternatively, you can hire contractors as you need them and manage the work on your own.

4. Contact the city. Depending on where you live and the work you’re doing, you may need to obtain permits.

5. Call your insurer. In order for your home to remain insured, you’ll need to alert your provider before you start renovating. You’ll likely require additional protection for your home while it’s under construction.

6. Shop for materials. It’s best to have all of the supplies and materials you need on

hand before starting your renovation project.

7. Create a timeline. Along with whoever is overseeing the project, plan how long each step of the renovation will take and the expected end date.

8. Keep things moving. During the renovation, touch base with your project manager regularly to make sure things are on track.

9. Inspect the finished work. Before making the final payment, make sure that all the work is completed to your satisfaction.

Afterward, remember to alert your insurance company of all changes that have been made to your home, as you may require more coverage or even get a discount, depending on the work completed.

Should I hire an architect for my renovation project?

If you plan to renovate your home, you may be wondering if you need to hire an architect. While in some cases a designer or a contractor is the only pro required, other times, further expertise is vital. Here’s when you should hire an architect.

YOU’RE NOT SURE WHAT YOU WANT

Do you want to change the layout of a room but aren’t sure how? If so, an architect can help you sort out your needs and preferences and come up with a design for the space you’ll love.

YOU’RE MAKING MAJOR CHANGES

If your renovation dreams include taking down a wall or creating an entirely new space, you need an architect. They’ll ensure that your home remains structurally sound and help you obtain the proper permits.

YOU NEED HELP MANAGING THE PROJECT

Some people don’t have the time or expertise to oversee a project. In this case, you can hire an architect to make sure the renovation goes according to plan, from start to finish.

While smaller renovations don’t necessarily need the expertise of an architect, you’ll never regret hiring one for larger projects.

5 signs it’s time to replace your windows

Do your windows need to be replaced?

Here are five signs that indicate it’s time for an upgrade.

1. There’s a noticeable draft. Even on cold, windy days, you shouldn’t feel any air coming in through your windows.

2. There’s lots of outside noise. If you can hear each car that drives by and every child playing in the street, your windows probably need to be updated.

3. The frames leak or are damaged. Chipped or soft wood around your win­

dows is an indicator of irreversible water damage.

4. They’re difficult to open or close. Windows should be simple to open and close and they should lock easily and securely.

5. There’s condensation. Condensation between windowpanes suggests there’s a broken seal. If the seal is broken, any gas that provided insulation is gone.

If you notice one or more of these signs it’s time to invest in new windows for your home.

Is podcasting the way to market your business in 2020?

I love a good podcast. Podcasts help me when I’m working, writing or doing mundane tasks like folding laundry, cooking or hiding from the family on Christmas. When podcasting as we know it today first came onto the scene, it was touted as a way to spread one’s personal thoughts to the world. Podcasting has a very long history; it was something that had actually been in existence since the 1980’s. Apple brought podcasts to the forefront with the launch of iTunes in 2005. Podcasts were like a hybrid of microblogging and radio. They provided one with the opportunity for the world to hear one’s thoughts with very little need to invest in equipment

If you were a small business owner or personality, at the time, the best place to launch your podcast was on Soundcloud. With Soundcloud it was relatively easy to use; it’s easy to access for users and listeners and there was already an audience of people who were using the platform. If you were able to launch on Apple Podcasts, you were now in the big leagues. In more recent years however, there has been a shift in the number of small business owners who were now looking to use podcasting as a way to market and promote their business. In fact, some of the bigger gurus were touting it as the one marketing trend that would set businesses apart for the new decade.

I can see where the gurus are coming from. However, as with all types of new media, I believe that those who are first to market AND those who are the most consistent with a new media form will reap the benefits that come with it. I think the same can be said for podcasting. Having a show that posts sporadically isn’t going to do anything for your bottom line. Here are some things that you

should bear in mind if you plan on adding podcasting to your marketing arsenal in 2020.

Be consistent

This goes without saying, but let me say it anyway: be consistent with your podcast. Set realistic goals for when your base will be able to get a new episode. If weekly is a lot for you, no worries; release bi-weekly. You can even go as far as creating a mini-podcast (or micropodcasting) which is also something new and exciting for the medium. A micropodcast is a podcast episode that is less than 20 minutes in length. Showing up consistently for your podcast will be a great benefit to helping you establish your brand and allow you to grow your business and base.

Do research

Before starting off on your podcast journey, take a look at some of the big players out there and also don’t forget to market horizontally. See if there are others in the community who are also podcasting and take cues from them. If you can, even go as far as to reach out to them for help.

Quality is important

I’ve neglected many a podcast because it sounded like someone was recording in an echo chamber. As an extension of the do research piece, ensure that your setup enables you to create a high-quality podcast production for your audience. The quality of your final product is a direct reflection of your business, especially if you’re planning on using podcasting as a way to market and promote your products and services.

Have fun, but don’t forget the call-to-action

Yes, it’s pretty cool to have your podcast, however, remember this is something that you’re using as a marketing tool, so, make sure you marketing yourself! If it’s putting your website link within your podcast description, or having an offer, ensure that you are putting out a call-toaction within each episode that will help draw clients, customers and money into your business. After all, studio space isn’t free… last time I checked.

CHRISTINA GWIRA christina@carib101.com

HOW TO PLAY :

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once.

Each 3x3 box is outlined with a darker line. You already have a few numbers to get you started. Remember: You must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line, column, or 3x3 box.

Meet Arvin

This seven month old Angel was rushed to Hospital after he began to have trouble breathing. It was discovered that he su ered from a condition where very little blood was owing to the lungs and there was not enough oxygenated blood circulating through his little body. Due to extremely low oxygen levels he was rushed into the operating room for emergency surgery where a shunt was placed to increase blood ow to his lungs. This saved his life. Due to his small size however, this temporary treatment would only allow him to survivelong enough to undergo future surgeries. After a few days, he was able to breathe on his own and drank his rst bottle of milk one week after surgery. In the next few years, Arvin will need one or two more surgeries before he is completely cured.

ARIES

In order to make your dream vacation possible, you need to be determined and organized. A few changes will be neces-sary in order to achieve your goals and live according to your principles.

TAURUS

You’ll be preoccupied by a dif-ficult situation, but it’s impor-tant to put your priorities first. A flash of inspiration will allow you to create a masterpiece.

GEMINI

At times you go with the flow and at others, you’re uncom-promising. Even if people don’t always know what to expect from you, they know they can trust you.

CANCER

A clean up at home or at work allows you to see things in a different light. Get some rest to avoid getting sick.

LEO

You’ll act heroically and be a great help to someone in distress. They’ll be forever grateful to you, even if all you did was lend an ear.

VIRGO

You’ll spend lots of time at home; more than one of your children will need your attention. One way or an-other, you’ll look after a fa-mily member.

LIBRA

You’ll witness a strange situ-ation. Talk to those closest to you, they may be able to demystify things for you. A friend will confide in you.

SCORPIO

You’ll feel the need to re-decorate or at least move the furniture around. If you’re feeling confined at home, you may start to think about buying a house and moving.

SAGITTARIUS

The planets are in the right po-sition: it’s time to take ac-tion. You won’t hesitate to make the right decisions. So me-thing you post on social me-dia may go viral.

CAPRICORN

Take some time to recharge your batteries, your body needs a bit of rest. You may also devote your body and soul to the one you love and share exceptional experiences with them.

AQUARIUS

Don’t bury your head in the sand; people will rely on you this week. An active social life starts with planning and or-ganizing among friends.

PISCES

People will be counting on you and you’ll find yourself with a lot on your shoul-ders. You may need to take a step back in order to get things done.

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The luckiest signs this week: LEO, VIRGO AND LIBRA

PUZZLE NO. 963

PUZZLE NO. 700

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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

SEEKING MALE/FEMALE FOR A COOK/CLEANER TO WORK IN A PERSONAL CARE HOME IN DOWNTOWN TORONTO.

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CAREGIVER: Experience Caregiver looking for a full or part time position to work in a home taking care of seniors.

Available on weekends.Call Kristine 647-971-8983.

TRAVEL COMPANION: Do you love to travel? I’m looking for someone to travel with as company. I am Pete, 45, phone 416 264 3024. email golden7words@ yahoo.com

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SUNDAY SERVICE: Fountain of Truth Ministries Pastor: Reverend Maxine Campbell Worship Address: 2170 Kipling Avenue, Etobicoke Percy Johnson School – Cafeteria Sundays: 10.am – 2. pm Teaching, Worship, Ministering For info call: 416 748 0211

MISSISSAUGA: Mississauga Missionary Baptist Church invites you to join us at 1620 Dundas St West, each Sunday at 10am for praise, worship and in-depth Bible teaching with Pastor Sean, 416-219-9137

PUBLIC NOTICE

Buying, renovating and selling properties is risky and rewarding. Most buyers prefer to pay premium for a spruced-up property. They can move into an updated home without worrying about renovation costs, dealing with contractors and disruption of their lifestyles. This trend triggers a demand for homes that are modernized.

The first thing is to arrange financing. An investor would need about $300,000 working capital for the project. This can be done by establishing a home equity line of credit. Partnerships and joint ventures are better, especially in the first few flips. This way, everyone can pool their money, talent and sweat equally and share in the adventure. It’s best to buy smaller homes at cheaper prices than large properties with high renovation and carrying costs.

Look for properties in good neighbourhoods. The cost of installing a new wash-

LOOKING FOR TRADE WORKERS

Flips for profit

room for example, in two locations, would be about the same in labor and materials. The difference is that the home in the better area would sell for more. Areas with soaring population growth and high-income earners are good. Research what properties are selling for in what section. Building a loyal team of professionals including realtors, lawyers, contractors and mortgage brokers is beneficial. Now it’s time to actively search for a home. Realtors can assist by setting up a “prospect match” in the respective area. A prospect match is a program that tracks any real estate activity in the zone and emails the results once every day. In addition to that, knock on doors, especially the homes that are rundown. I recall a friend who knocked on a door and found out that the utilities were turned off and the owner was about to go bankrupt. He was happy to get the home off his hands and saved on realtor fees. Flipper Ram does not like to knock on doors, but he met the local postman in the neighbourhood and worked out a deal. The postman, when delivering letters, asked if the owners wanted to sell, he knew someone who wanted to buy. Ram flipped six homes and made over half a million dollars in profit that year. The postman was well rewarded. Always be on the hunt for good deals. Never rush the process but when it comes, like a cat, pounce!

Before purchasing, work the numbers. Roger bought a home in Toronto for

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$700,000. The list of expenses were as follows: Land transfer tax for a second time buyer $21,000; closing costs such as appraisal fee, lawyer and disbursement $4,000; construction costs $60,000; interest payments for 4 months $10,000; utilities, taxes and insurance for four months-$5,000. A spruced-up property will sell for around $900,000. Closing costs, including realtor fees $40,000. The net profit for the project was $60,000. In the scenario, the down payment was $140,000. Savvy Flippers would have a template for calculations.

When flipping, take an open mortgage to avoid penalties. The down payment should be 20% or more to avoid paying insurance premiums. Always budget about 20% extra for renovation costs because in construction, we meet nasty surprises. It is better to hire a general contractor who can take care of all the work. I remember when different tradesmen were hired. The electrician made holes in the ceiling and the person who plastered wanted more money. Many flippers are knowledgeable in the trade and do some of the work themselves.

Inspect the property before purchasing. Repairs such as roof, windows, leaky basements and electrical can be expensive. Negotiate accordingly. Licensed trade persons are recommended and should have proof of adequate insurance coverage for accidents. I prefer to buy my own materials and

use a contractor for labor. Most contractors would source the cheapest materials to enhance their profits. Contractors, on the other hand, know suppliers and can get discounted prices. If the contractor is supplying all the materials, ask to see samples before committing. Some flippers would work out a partnership agreement with the contractor where one partner would invest capital and the contractor the material and labor. They both split the profit.

Follow the market trend. For example, the winter months are a good time to sell because there are fewer homes available. If you are lucky to find a buyer, then that’s a jackpot. A “coming soon” sign will arouse curiosity and attract buyers. Selling via owner usually attracts bargain hunters whose intention is to save the same commission a seller hopes to save. It’s like selling a home in a garage sale verses a department store. A home that is modernized, properly staged and marketed should fetch a premium price. Roger made $60,000 in profit from his flip but that is subject to capital gains. If Roger plans on flipping a few homes for the year, CRA may consider that as business income and Roger would have to pay more taxes. With a down payment of $140,000, Roger’s mortgage would be $540,000. If the value of the property is $900,000, then, Roger could have increased the mortgage and kept the home as a rental property.

Tax relief in 2020

As soon as the New Year comes along, one of the things foremost on our minds is filing our tax return. By now everyone is aware that one of the most important financial instruments helping you to reduce your tax burden while saving some money for the future is the Registered Retirement Savings Plan. Apart from this facility and some trillium benefits there may not be too much left.

For low income earners, finding money to set aside in your RRSP may also prove to be a difficult task as this money might be needed for day to day bills. Low income earners and as a matter of fact, everyone in the past benefited from the basic personal allowance (BPA). This an amount

of earned income on which you pay no tax. In 2019 the amount was $12,069 but based on an election promise, that figure will rise to $13,229. It is also proposed that this BPA will increase over the years until 2023 where the BPA reaches an amount of $15,000.

This is very good news for low income earners and retirees especially those who qualify for Guaranteed Income Supplement which is a tax free benefit or income. For high income earners it is not as attractive. There is a claw back on this BPA for high income earners which starts on a sliding scale at $150,473 and where the BPA is totally wiped out at an income level of $214,368. In addition for high income earners the Canada Pension Plan contribution rate has just increased from 5.1% to 5.25%. If you are self employed, you are required to pay the 10.5% of your entire income to a maximum of $5,796.

In relation to relief, the Home Buyers Plan now allows for a maximum of $35,000 which you can borrow from your RRSP usually only as a first time home buyer. Now in addition to this rule, if you are ex-

It was unexpected; you’re excited, scared and nervous all at the same time. What will your partner say? Will they be happy? What will your parents think? Are you really ready for this? There are a million and one questions to be answered and just as many feelings to sort through when a woman finds out she is pregnant.

Adding a baby will give a family many reasons to accomplish many great things and one of those is to finally get your financial house in order. Life insurance is one of those things people know they should have. It’s always on a list of grownup readiness to-dos, right alongside having a will and an emergency fund, and regularly contributing to a retirement account. But a common question is should you apply for life insurance coverage if you are pregnant? Many people don’t even think about life insurance until they already have children, but it’s a good idea to plan for the future by buying life insurance coverage when you’re pregnant or even before.

So let’s answer the first and most

obvious question. Yes, most pregnant women can still qualify for life insurance even while pregnant. I have successfully worked with many pregnant applicants getting them approved for life insurance coverage. Being pregnant (probably) won’t affect your premiums but a common concern is that the insurance company may adjust your price because of the changes to your body. Well, good news your pregnancy won’t be held against you when you get to the all-important life insurance medical exam. Insurers make some adjustments for normal weight gained during pregnancy, along with some expected differences in lab results. And like anyone else, pregnant women may be eligible for higher rate classes, depending on their health.

That being said pregnancy can lead to health complications, like high blood pressure or gestational diabetes, and those conditions could impact your life insurance premiums even after delivery. If you have a high-risk pregnancy or complications during pregnancy, the life insurance company may post-pone issuing a policy until after delivery.

It helps to apply sooner rather than later. If you develop complications later in the pregnancy, it could make it more expensive to get life insurance coverage. There is no difference in the application process either. Whether you completed a quote online first and then looked for guidance or started working with an advisor from the beginning. You will either have a

periencing a breakdown in your marriage or common law partnership, you can qualify to make this withdrawal, even if you are not a first time home buyer. The repayment period remains the same fifteen years until further notice.

One of the most fundamental things to keep in mind is the government’s social economic program, specifically the Guaranteed Income Supplement. This benefit is a gift for low income seniors and is not a right of the senior. The budget makes an allocation for it and it is funded from the treasury, which means that it is only payable as long as the government can afford to. Should the budget deficit continue to grow and should the economic situation get tight, we might be in for an adjustment. Therefore the only guarantee that you have is your Canada Pension Plan as this is based on your contributions and continues to be funded by those currently in the work place.

For 2020 consider what you will save in your RRSP to reduce your overall tax bill and start early with monthly contributions.

phone interview to answer medical questions or the nurse visiting you at home will ask them. A standard exam will check your vitals, record height and weight; collect blood and urine samples.

Now here is something to think about and consider. Even if you’re a stayat-home parent and don’t contribute financially to the household income, you should still consider obtaining coverage. Realistically, a surviving parent will need to make life adjustments to ensure adequate care for their child or children such as hiring a caretaker or paying for daycare, or taking time off from work.

There are so many things that come with a new baby. Deciding on a name, nursery items to buy, sleep schedules, the list goes on. There is one item that is hard to put a price on and one any parent would put tops on the list and that’s having peace of mind. Being able to check life insurance off the to-do list can bring some of that.

Choosing beneficiaries is also important to consider. I always recommend naming an alternate beneficiary who would be in charge of taking care of your child if anything happened to you and your spouse at the same time. Generally, this is the child’s grandparents, aunt or uncle. You’ll want to choose someone you trust deeply, as he or she will be responsible for managing the payout until your beneficiary is of age.

Acupuncture

Counselling

Canada’s U19 World Cup contest begins January 19th

KAYLA KARIM

kayla@carib101.com TC REPORTER

In its thirteenth year, the 2020 Under 19 Cricket World Cup will begin on January 17th through February 9th 2020 in South Africa. Sixteen teams, split into four, will be taking part and the top two teams from each group will advance to the Super League. While the bottom two teams in each group move on to the Plate League.

The top eleven full members of the International Cricket Council (ICC) at the 2018 World Cup automatically for the 2020 tournament, while fifty other teams took part in a qualification process in 2018 and 2019. Nigeria became the first team to win their regional qualification group for their first time in history alongside Japan who also qualified for their first time in history.

The teams participating in the tournament are:

Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Japan, Scotland

The U19 West Indies team are in Group B alongside Australia, England and Nigeria with their first game being on January 18th versus the Aussies at the Diamond Oval.

Meanwhile, Canada will be playing in Group D, with Afghanistan, South Africa, and UAE. The Canadians will begin their contest on January 18th against UAE at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontien.

Canada’s 15 member ICC 2020 Un der-19 World Cup playing squad consists of Ashtan Deosammy (Captain), Akhil Kumar, Arshdeep Dhaliwal, Ayush Verma, Benjamin Calitz, Eshan Sensarma, Gurjot Gosal, Mihir Patel, Muhammad Kamal, Nicholas Mano har, Randhir Sandhu, Raqib Shamsudeen, Rishiv Joshi, Udaybir Walia and Harmandeep Singh Bedi. Along with its Manager Anil Khanna and Head Coach Farouk Kirmani, the Squad will also include Assistant Coach Kulbir Jaswal, Analyst Shah Zafar and Physio Tejash Patel.

Mystic Mac is back! Conor McGregor’s triumphant return from retirement

Canada had the opportunity to face West Indies in a warm up match earlier in January. Despite great efforts from Akhil Kumar with 59 and Ayush Verma, as well as outstanding bowling by Rishiv Joshi, Canada fell just short against the former 2016 Champions, West Indies. The match was a part of both teams preparing for the upcoming tournament and a good test for Canada to experience international contest.

Prior to the loss on January 13th, Canada’s U19 team had played two matches against South Africa’s Assupo Tuks Cricket Club winning the first game and dropping the second. Joshi secured 4 wickets for 9 runs in the first game and Canada’s captain Ashtan Deosammy, made 46 but was unable to prevent the Canadians from losing by 65 runs.

Fans are able to live stream the matches from Star Sports, Hotstar, Willow TV, ESPN and more to catch all of the action from the U19 Cricket World Cup.

MARCEL MARIAK

marcel@carib101.com

TC JUNIOR REPORTER

Conor McGregor’s life has been a rollercoaster in the past decade. From being broke and living on government unemployment pay in Ireland, to becoming a UFC double champion and global celebrity, to falling from glory and being involved in several scandals. After his loss against Khabib Nurmagomedov in late 2018, Conor nearly disappeared from the MMA community entirely. He had been silenced. His loud and in-your-face character became invisibleother than a social media post every now and again advertising his brand of whiskey. Conor had simply lost his mystique, his omnipotence. Seeing him tossed around and mauled by Khabib for nearly 20 minutes confirmed everyone’s suspicions: Conor was finished as a fighter.

Soon after the loss, Conor announced his retirement; and instead of making news in the octagon, he began making news elsewhere. Conor started getting into trouble and ended up in court several times. As his fans watched in despair, one thing seemed clear: Conor McGregor was a shadow of his former self.

When Conor announced his return to the UFC to fight Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, people in the MMA community doubted his abilities to make a comeback. With the memories of his losses and controversies still fresh in their minds, many viewed his return as a quick way to make a few million dollars before disappearing again. Although McGregor was the favourite to win, there were serious doubts about his ability to reign supreme.

The Fight

The McGregor - Cerrone matchup, scheduled for January 18th, had a slightly different mood than Conor’s other fights. In preparation for his return, McGregor dispensed with the trash-talk, scandals, predictions, and press conferences. It became clear that both fighters had great respect for each other.

At the weigh-in, Conor looked strong. Moving up to the Welterweight divi-

sion at 170 lbs. allowed McGregor to put on a few extra pounds of muscle. Going into the fight, Conor looked like a completely different man. He exchanged his previously lean physique for a slightly bulkier, meaner, and more powerful-looking form. He looked focused and ready to fight. During his walk to the octagon, it became clear that McGregor wasn’t just there to make a few quick bucks; he was ready for war.

One of the greatest concerns that MMA critics had about Conor’s return was his lack of endurance. In all of his past fights, McGregor had suffered with his stamina. He would always start the fight extremely strong, dominating his opponent with powerful strikes and explosive movements. Then, as the fight wore on, Conor quickly began to lose his tempo. Going into the fight against Cerrone, it became clear that if McGregor was to win the fight, he would have to finish it fast.

At the starting bell, McGregor rushed Cerrone. They clinched up in the middle of the octagon and McGregor used the most unorthodox striking technique MMA fans had ever seen: shoulder strikes (how do you train those?). The attack was effective, smashing Cerrone’s nose and making him bleed in the opening seconds of the fight. Then, when the injured Cerrone dropped his hands, McGregor delivered a stunning head kick that instantly wobbled Cowboy and put the classic “lights are on but nobody’s home” look in his eyes. After that, Connor followed up with a powerful flying knee to his opponent’s head that sent him crumpling to the mat. Conor followed up with a vicious ground-and-pound attack to end the fight.

Total time: 40 seconds. After the fight, the respect between both of the warriors only grew. Conor hugged and thanked Cerrone, who accepted defeat with his head held high. Both fighters showed each other tremendous respect, which was a nice wholesome change from McGregor’s usual, incessant smack-talk. Conor even embraced Cerrone’s family. The two fighters behaved like true professionals.

Hope for the Future

In his post-fight interview, McGregor stated that this fight was his way to, “Etch my name in history one more time.” From this comment, it’s unclear whether or not he’ll keep fighting or if the fight was a one-off; but with the way he finished this fight, we can only hope that we’ll more of Conor in the future,

Brampton

Rexall Plaza 10015 Hurontario Street, Unit 2 Brampton ON L6Z 0E6 905-840-9464

Shoppers World Brampton 499 Main Street South Brampton ON L6Y 1N7 905-453-9463

Freedom Mobile 83 Kennedy Road South, Unit 16 Brampton ON L6W 3E7 905-460-9463

Freedom Mobile 10635 Bramalea Road, Unit J6 Brampton ON L6R 0C1 905-458-9464

Freedom Mobile 10671 Chinguacousy Road, Unit B17 Brampton ON L7A 3E9 905-840-3388

Burlington Appleby Village 5111 New Street Burlington ON L7L 1V2 905-635-0584

Walkers Line 3505 Upper Middle Road Burlington ON L7M 4C6 289-427-5260

Kitchener

Laurentian Hills Plaza 720 Westmount Road East, Unit 8 Kitchener ON N2E 1J2 519-5784646

Stanley Park Mall 1005 Ottawa Street North Kitchener ON N2A 1H2 519-954-2923

Boardwalk 235 The Boardwalk Kitchener, ON N2N 0B1

Mississauga Sheridan Centre 2225 Erin Mills Parkway Mississauga ON L5K 1T9 905-822-9463

Westwood Mall 7205 Goreway Drive Mississauga ON L4T 2T9 905-671-9463

Freedom Mobile 1100 Burnhamthorpe Road West, Unit 16 Mississauga ON L5C 4S5 905-615-8788

Oakville Oakville Smart Centre 261 Oak Walk Drive, Unit J2 Oakville ON L6H 6M3 289-291-3261

Oshawa Five Points Mall 1177 Ritson Road North, Unit F4-10 Oshawa ON L1G 8B9 905-576-4440

Scarborough Bridlewood Mall 2900 Warden Avenue Scarborough ON M1W 2S8 416-490-9463

Parkway Mall 85 Ellesmere Road Scarborough ON M1R 4B8 416-444-9463

St Catharines

St Catharines Smart Centre 420 Vansickle Road, Unit K3 St Catharines ON L2S 0A4 289-479-5496

Toronto Woodside Square 1571 Sandhurst Circle Toronto ON M1V 1V2 647-260-1392

Centerpoint Mall 6464 Yonge Street Toronto ON M2M 3X7 416-222-9463

East York Town Centre

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Waterloo Shops at Waterloo 75 King Street South Waterloo ON N2J 1P2 519-880-9463