Staying The Course 090617

VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 14 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH 2017

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STAYING THE COURSE

JELANI GRANT/TORONTO CARIBBEAN The New Life Covenant Church provided scholarships to ten youth within their community, registered in a post-secondary program. The gala, celebrating the students continued academic success, was held at the Mississauga Convention Centre.

The recipients of this year’s scholarship awards included Nyla Theo Crawford-Noel who is entering the Wilfrid Laurier University Film Studies program in order to illustrate controversial issues and Makih Lee Salmon who is using his scholarship to help pay for his Athletic Therapy Diploma program. Brianna Wallace was selected as a recipient to begin studying as a Physiotherapist Assistant at Fleming

College, while Tristan Maxwell-Frith will be entering the Interaction Design Development at George Brown College. Also at George Brown, Olivia Downer will start her Community Worker program in the fall and Oluwatomisin Hassan who is following his passion, starting in the Fashion Techniques and Design program. “As I grew up, I always wanted to have everything that was trending, I think the passion just grew as I got older,” Hassan said.

Though a majority of scholarship recipients are starting post-secondary education this September, Jessica Mensah was blessed by NLCC for her second year of school. Mensah is entering her second

year at the University of Toronto’s Rotman Commerce program. Sumiko Wilson, who grew up in faith at NLCC, will be studying journalism at Ryerson University.

Makaela Hiddo is striving for a diploma in Commerce and a future Early Childhood Educator, Donna-Lee Blake, said she chose the field as an homage to her mother, who passed away, in addition to her personal interest. “Going to college, I will not only be furthering my career, but I will also be paying a tribute to my mom who never got the chance to become a registered early childhood educator before she passed,” she said.

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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Jakielu - “Decide Who You’re Going To Be”

Written by Dellia Rismay Toronto Caribbean News

Being born in Chicago, a city that has historically been big on the music scene doesn’t necessarily guarantee that someone will grow up to be a musician, but it probably helps. A native of the Windy City, Jakielu is a singer, but she also does much, much more; women like her are the embodiment of a person who wears many hats.

Like so many of us, Jakielu’s life story isn’t a completely linear one, but her indirect path has shaped her into the multifaceted woman she is today.

Before settling in Toronto for good in 1998, she moved around quite a bit in her youth: attending private schools, schools for gifted children, Catholic schools, innercity schools, and even a French school in Calgary, Alberta.

All throughout her education, Jakielu’s father encouraged her to approach the education system with a healthy amount of skepticism: to listen to what her educators were teaching, but follow-up with her own research. “It wasn’t just a matter of reading what they gave you...and then accepting that as truth. My father instilled in me that you read what they give you, and then you go out and do your research, you find the big picture,” she says. “A lot of times, I would bring them the truth, I would go out there and do my research, and I would say ‘well actually, this is what I found…’ and they didn’t

like that. So, my approach to education is not necessarily what I learned in school, because I learned most of the things, the knowledge that I have now outside of the “education system.”

Although Jakielu isn’t the biggest believer in traditional education systems, she did study business at Humber College and then went to a private career college to take a medical aesthetics course, which was inspired by a long-time love of beauty and selfcare. “I was always a girly-girl, I’ve always liked make-up, and skin, and hair and all those types of things. My mom and my sisters were always very good with hair…I was always passionate about beauty, but I didn’t know there was a name for it. So, when I was looking to do something business-wise…I didn’t know where to channel it. So, I said I have to choose something that I am already good at, that I have a passion for, so I chose the beauty industry,” she explains. On top of practicing as a medical aesthetician, she also teaches the practice to others who desire to learn. “I deal with a lot of students ranging in different backgrounds. These women come and they all have a different story to tell… it’s a wide range of people that I deal with, so that’s very fascinating, I love that about my job,” says Jakielu.

In line with her do-it-yourself views on education, Jakielu creates and sells her own line of organic skin and hair care products for her clients, which is called Pretty Faces by Jessica. Jakielu realized that a lot of beauty products marketed towards Caribbean, black, and other ethnic communities are unhealthy, and so wanted to create less dam-

aging alternatives. “It started off that I would make stuff specifically for [my clients], but it did so well that I made it a line and I sell it. I promote health and organic living, and proper health and nutrition,” Jakielu says.

The products are made at her home and can be purchased by placing an order through the Pretty Faces by Jessica Facebook page.

When Jakielu isn’t busy with seeing clients or creating beauty products for them, she is either creating music (which can be found by searching Jakielu on soundcloud. com), co-hosting a show called Artist to Artist on i-Live Radio, holding a clothing drive for battered women, working with a group called Tru-Paz, which works in collaboration with World Vision and talks to youth in schools about how they can be successful in life, and sponsoring and being a guest celebrity judge on GTA’s Got Talent, an event that also functions as a drive for bone marrow donors of Caribbean descent. Being involved with the community in a positive way is something Jakielu holds near and dear to her heart. “It’s very important to give back,” she says.

Jakielu has identified several things she’s passionate about and has found ways to be involved with all of them. For many women, that process is not such an easy feat.

She says people shouldn’t get discouraged if they take some time to find their path, but instead focus on what it is that they want out of life. Her other advice? “Never take no for an answer. Never, ever ever. Keep going until you get what you are seeking for.”

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Scarborough Celebrates Cultural Fusion At The 6th Annual Afro-Carib Fest Kristina Ramcharran kristina@carib101.com

The sun was shining in Scarborough as the city kicked off the 6th annual Afro-Carib festival. It was a cultural affair as the sounds of Afro-beats and Soca music filled the venue and poured out onto the streets. The colourful and vibrant printed clothing from the vendor stalls blew in the wind as people of the community shopped with fascination. The Albert Campbell Square located on the outside of the Scarborough Civic Centre was filled with a lively assortment of vendors of all kinds and at the centre of attraction was the stage showcasing all of the festival’s performances.

The two-day festival was packed with a culturally exquisite line up of singers and dancers of African, Caribbean and other descents. Apart from entertainment, the festival served as a great way for cultural vendors to reach out to the public and gain support within their cultural communi-

ties.

Local vendor Jamal Rowe spoke on his first experience being at the event and said that the festival’s environment is looking positive for his soap business. “So far it’s pretty lively, actually a lot of people are coming out. Really good food, good weather so it’s a perfect time for the event.”

On his product, Rowe was present at the festival selling handmade soaps along with his business partner. He noted that he enjoys making wholesome products like their soap for the cultural community because they have a strong appreciation for natural products. “Everybody wants something more natural, especially from, you know, their own community as well. So, we actually hand make it, so that’s what makes it really special and we keep out all the preservatives.”

Rowe added, “It’s tailored for us. It’s naturally smooth, it’s not that bulk stuff you get at the store, so it’s really catered for us. It’s for us, by us.”

Because of the great vendor environment and the cultural community support generated from the festival, vendors from previous years have returned annually to be a part of this cultural extravaganza. Such a vendor like Marvin Joachim has returned to the festival for four years consecutively.

Joachim runs a business also selling natural products such as body oils, body but-

ters and noted that natural is the way to go, and the crowd at the Afro-Carib fest easily proves to agree. Being present at the festival for four years as a vendor, Joachim said that much has changed and developed over the years. “It’s been a good experience actually. When I first came here it was around six vendors and now we’re about maybe what, 40 deep? So from like six, seven to forty, it’s been a nice ride.”

He also said that the event’s growth pushes his business to grow even further. “[I] try to go bigger and better every year. I try to grow with them.” He also added that the Afro-Carib fest’s value of diversity is evident in everyone.

“Everybody that’s coming together, the diversity, the different cultures. I mean everybody just comes here to have a good time,” said Joachim.

Apart from the vendors, there was lots of excitement happening in the front centre stage of the event. The stage featured headlining performances from musicians like Exco Levi and the High Priest band, Ammoye Evans, Destiny band, Jae Baz and more. The days also featured special dance performances from groups Socacize, CFlava, Bongo Masala and Carnival Spice.

Carnival Spice dancers Sulaire Parahoo and Shakera Martin said that they had an amazing time, as they usually do at Afro-Carib fest and were honoured to be back for another year.

Parahoo said, “It’s really cool because we were earlier in the set, so we got to warm up the crowd

and get them ready for what the remaining of the weekend is going to be like. And it’s our fourth time at this festival and it’s always great vibes, great energy and an amazing crowd.”

When asked about the growth of the festival, Parahoo added, “Tons more vendors, obviously a bigger audience, because more recognition comes with repeating an event, a successful event at that, and just smiling faces.”

Shakera Martin noted that her favourite part of the performances at the festival is interacting with the kids. “The kids are fantastic. They love the costumes, they love the colours, they’re engaged.”

She added that the warming response from the children shows great cultural involvement from the younger generations. “If you call anybody else to come up and interact, it’s always the kids that come first, because they love that.

We’re just happy to get out here and you know, just share our culture with them and get them moving and get them participating and involved in the Caribbean, Soca and Afro beat music.”

The Afro-Carib festival was also presented with an official greeting from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The greeting was received and displayed on stage by Scarborough centre MP Salma Zahid. The festival is promising the community it will be back next year, even bigger and better than before!

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Jamaica Diaspora Conference Focuses On Economic Growth For Day 2 Jelani Grant

jelani@carib101.com

TC Reporter The entire second day of the Jamaica Diaspora Conference forums, focused on examining various methods of increasing Jamaica’s economic status. Delegates looked at expertise in agriculture, job creation, expanding the outsourcing sector, attracting global investors and investments in medical marijuana.

The morning began with remarks for the job creation forum, mediated by Jamaica National Group CEO Mr. Earl Jarrett. MP Daryl Vaz of the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Economic Growth Council Chairman Michael Lee-Chin, EGC Diaspora Task Force Chairman Dr. David Panton, and CaPRI (Caribbean Policy Research Institute) Research Officer Shanike Smart. MP Vaz and Dr. Panton ended their remarks by giving out their numbers and e-mails to the entire diaspora as an example of the transparency they aim to foster in the future of Jamaican diaspora growth.

After lunch, delegates approached methods for utilizing the beautiful land. To discuss agriculture, the forum was made by the Minister of Industry Karl Samuda, Farm Up Jamaica CEO Neil Curtis, President of College of Agriculture Science and Education Derrick Deslandes, Farm Up Jamaica Executive Director of Operations Dr. Julius Garvey. Minister Samuda presented strategies that could be used to increase the efficiency of the agriculture market such as targeting areas that don’t rely on exports outside of the country in order to tighten the hold on Jamaican income is circulated within the economy. He told the audience about the growth opportunities that have arisen in agriculture and how keeping money circulating within the local business has caused market growth.

He said the growth was achieved by “sup-

porting our farmers to produce all of the Irish potatoes in this country we consume in this country. We have taken on onion and we’re going to take an additional crop”.

Almost opposite to Samuda’s remarks, though, was the idea of potential expansions to Jamaica’s outsourcing sector presented by Sutherland Global Assistant Vice President Odetta Rockhead Kerr.

Curtis presented the economic benefits that could be achieved through the development of a logistic hub. “Based on the info I have researched, a logistic hub will create lots of jobs, there will be significant economic growth, it will make Jamaica a prime location to live and do business”, he said. A logistics hub would bring better organization of goods distribution internationally and locally, allow all of the agricultural works to be handled and carried out in a specific area.

A roundtable was held with JAMPRO President Diane Edwards, Director of Jamaica Exports Association Paul Lewis, SportsMax CEO Olivier McIntosh and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Kingsley Chin, with GraceKennedy Group Chairman Senator Don Webly mediating the facilitation of Diaspora Investments.

For the first time in the conference’s history, medical marijuana was discussed as a new industry, mediated

by University of the West Indies professor Wendel Abel. UWI professor Wayne McLaughlin, Cannabis Licensing Authority Jamaica Chairman Hyacinth Lightbourne, University of Technology Dean Dr. Ellen Campbell-Grizzle and Courtney Betty of Timeless Herbel Care discussing the various health benefits marijuana has presented in cancer patients as well as its ability to substitute pain medications.

A point that was regularly brought up by the delegate audience and panel members was the need for investment from the overseas diaspora. During his time on stage, Lee-Chin reminded the diaspora of the benefits of contributing to more than one country. He used the example of having dual-citizenship and how that makes business and property ownership much easier as some countries restrict land ownership to citizens only.

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Wednesday, September 6, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

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Celebrating Five Years of African Fashion Week Toronto Dellia Rismay

dellia@carib101.com

TC Reporter Pulsating Afrobeats, live music, models strutting down the runway in sky-high heels, and designs that recall nations from Nigeria to Zimbabwe, it was all there at African Fashion Week Toronto. From August 16th to August 20th, AFWT held its annual five-day showcase at the Royal Ontario Museum, displaying the contributions of African designers and those of the African Diaspora to the world of fashion for all to enjoy. Created by the Fashion Ready Organization, African Fashion Week Toronto is now in its fifth year. AFWT aims to put the African fashion industry on the map. With collections featuring flowing evening gowns and crisp suits, there’s no question that African fashion designers are ready to take the world of high fashion by storm.

Erika Enyolu, head of PR and Relations for AFWT, says the event was created to serve as a platform for Pan-African and Caribbean creatives to display their work. “It’s to

show the creative arts in the world of fashion through art and that globe,” she says. “This is a platform where we work with models, designers—a lot of people launch their businesses, their collections, and their designs at African Fashion Week.” Among a few of the designers featured at AFWT to do just that are Kahonde Designs, and St. Lucian designer Gervacy, which debuted their collections at the event.

Newer designers showcased their collections alongside seasoned fashion houses like Adebayo Jones, also known as the ‘King of Couture’. He has over thirty years in the fashion industry and debuted his luxury line at AFWT. International designer, John Ablaza, also showcased his line, which features fabrics made from sustainable materials. The event also featured a student designer competition, featuring collections from Bianka Meroe, Judy Gesare, Jessica Danquah, Monah Water, Sadi Johnson, YewandeOduwole and Cannonball Diva.

AFWT also held an awards ceremony on Saturday night to commemorate excellence in the community, in addition to its fashion shows. The night was opened by a fashion show by designer Ofuure, which featured bold prints paired with dreamy, flowing fabrics.

Some of the awards handed out included Rising Star Canadian Model of the year, which was awarded to Jimi Loboi, Fashion Blogger of the year, given to AfroFusion Spot, Unisex Designer of the year, awarded to Gervacy, Canadian Emerging Designer of the year, awarded

to Precious Threads by Abiola, and Men’s Designer of the year, awarded to We Are Kings.

For those in the audience who were inspired by the captivating designs featured on the runway, AFWT also put on a free sewing workshop on Sunday evening, the final day of the event.

With so many arts and fashion related events that take place across the GTA, it can be difficult to decide which ones to attend. Erika says AFWT is the one to go to because of its unique display of African-inspired fashion.

“We get to focus on more of the African-Caribbean designers. In other fashion weeks, they don’t really have that. It seems like there’s not a platform for them. So, we made a platform for other people in the Caribbean and African community to showcase their work.”

Designers of African descent aren’t the only ones who get a platform with AFWT, models do too. With the recent push for fashion houses to include more models of color, AFWT aims to add more diversity to runways.

“A lot of black models are not really getting their shine on other runways, so this runway, this is what we do with African Fashion Week.

We get to show people and women of color.

We also celebrate diversity,” she says. It seems like the efforts to show more diverse talent is paying off, as Erika reports that AFWT is the fastest growing diverse fashion week in North America. “This is why we do what we do,” she explains. “It’s for the people, and for the community.”

4th Annual Hob Nob Boat Cruise Contributes to Positive Change Chelsea Owusu

chelsea@carib101.com

TC Reporter On September 2nd, Kazembe and Associates hosted their 4th annual Hob Nob Boat Cruise event., through Lake Ontario.

Guests began boarding the luxurious boat at 9 p.m. at Yankee Lady IV, located at 539 Queens Quay West in Toronto. The fourhour cruise included tons of entertainment, live music by Vibe 105.5’s DJ Fynntastic, and complimentary hors d’oeuvres made by Red Snap-

per Cafe. The cruise also gave guests a chance to network and exchange business cards with other professionals.

The Hob Nob Boat Cruise first started in 2014, with a focus on raising funds to provide scholarships for law and medical students the Caribbean and Canadian community. “We want to teach young black kids that help is accessible,” says Courtney Kazembe. Over twenty years ago, Kazembe founded Kazembe & Associates, which provides legal advice and representation in family law, real estate law, civil litigation, corporate law, criminal law, and immigration law. Kazembe is an expert in multi-jurisdictional law, human rights law, insurance law, and Caribbean law.

The Kazembe Foundation was created by Kazembe to help contribute to the growth of other young individuals within the community, by providing opportunities that will push them to have a bigger positive influence in the world.

In 2006, Kazembe also founded the Global Institute for Freedom, Transformation, and Enlightenment (GIFTE). Currently, GIFTE is focused on personal and corporate transformation education. GIFTE offers informational workshops and seminars that allow people to expand their personal strengths to lead them towards their goals.

Also, a division of the Kazembe Foundation is “The Mentor’s Circle”; a mentoring program focused on helping individuals identify their goals, provide effective strategies, and develop their career.

With the various different educational and empowering opportunities that the Kazembe Foundation provides, Kazembe says he hopes to positively transform the community one student at a time.

More information about Kazembe & Associates and The Kazembe Foundation can be found at www.kazembelaw.com and www. kazembefoundation.com.

New Life Covenant Church holds 10th Annual Scholarship Awards Jelani Grant

jelani@carib101.com

TC Reporter Continued From Page 1 -- Speakers for the gala included NLCC members Honours Bachelor of Science graduate Natasha Dore, York University student Daniel Small, Honours Bachelor of Science grad Kateejia Smith, with Justice Donald McLeod as the keynote speaker for the evening. Appointed to the On-

tario Court of Justice, McLeod is the founder of 100 Strong, a funding initiative for summer school program focused exclusively on twelve and thirteen-year-old African-Canadian boys.

While 100 Strong is geared toward AfricanCanadian boys, Stand Up is open to all boys in Grades 7 and 8. That initiative sees the students brought to George Brown College for a day to pair up with a group of black mentors. He is well-known for successfully arguing 1999 Supreme Court of Canada case involving the African-Canadian Clinic.

The theme for this year’s awards was “Staying the Course” and the line up of speakers demonstrated the truth in that statement as older members of the NLCC spoke directly to the aspiring students.

The church opened in 1974 thanks to the partnership of Reverent Edmond Boettcher

and two Pentecostal couples living in Peel Region. Since the doors opened at their current location, the NLCC population has expanded and allows as much as 1,000 people to attend service. The church itself is located on Bramalea Rd. in Mississauga. Reverent Iris Douglas, director of the scholarship awards, said the theme is meant to encourage youth to work towards their dreams and never give up. Implemented in 2001, the Loving Kindness Ministries was created to provide support services to members of the community when necessary. The program provides for the community primarily through the operation of a food bank and a scholarship program for first-year students entering college or university. Funds to support the food bank and scholarship programs are done strictly through the internal fundraising efforts of friend and members of the church.

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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, September 6, 2017

C’est Moi- It is Me Leanne Benn

leanne@carib101.com

TC Reporter Earlier this year, Canada celebrated its 150th birthday and it presented the opportunity for many to reflect. Especially on the history of Afro-Canadians. This year also marked the City of Montreal’s 375th birthday. Montreal or part of our little French Canada and was once known as Ville-Marie. The city was founded on May 17th, 1642.

During this time, it would be difficult to imagine the social climate that black French Canadians lived. C’est Moi is a Canadian film set in the 18th century Montreal or New France, the area colonized by the French in North America.

It is June 21st, 1734, and slavery is still very much alive. A female slave is killed for burning down her master’s home. Effectively her efforts to fight back against racism and slavery burned down most of Old Montreal.

This film presents the opportunity to showcase to the audience the history of the past meeting with the present political and social climate in North America. Howard J Davis directs the film. He is a British born, Canadian filmmaker, actor singer, and dancer.

His talents have transcended over to film and C’est Moi hopes to shed light on the poorly exposed past of slavery in New France.

Slavery was not officially abolished until 1833 in Montreal, despite being illegal in France since 1759. The film is based on a historical figure in black Canadian history that has been overlooked. Marie-Josephe Angelique. In the film, she is portrayed by actress Jenny Brizard who was crucial in bringing the pain and struggles of this historical figure to life. Such a big event like this seems to be forgotten in history: a black slave being tortured and sentenced to death for burning down her city. This story is one of Canada’s darkest secrets, the ugly side of history that is overlooked.

The director’s own personal history has a lot to do with the making of this film.

Davis is a love child of two different races, but his involvement in post-colonial African history led him to this project. It is an exploration of his heritage. In his official director’s statement Davis remarked: “ Reading about the African diaspora, led me to Canada’s involvement in the story of slavery. As a Ca-

nadian, it is interesting to note how Canada’s involvement with slavery appears to have disappeared from our collective consciousness.”

The film was premiered in Toronto in May and also in Hollywood at the Black Film Festival where it gained momentum and success. On September 27th to October 1st, the film will be premiered at the Montreal Black Film Festival. This presents an opportunity for Canadians to gain insight into history. It is Davis’s aim to showcase a part of forgotten history through the creative medium of film to grasp viewers into this world during the days of slavery in our country. It is important to speak about our history as we move towards the future. In doing so, you can address the tension of underlying racism that is happening in North America. C’est Moi was filmed on location in Montreal and showcases everything from the harsh struggles to the formation of the feeling and beauty that lives on in the streets of Old Montreal today.

The more you learn about Marie-Josephe Angelique, many questions will be raised. Was she falsely committed for a crime she did not commit? Or was she a rebel of her time, willing to fight back? If you are interested in a future screening of this film, it will be featured at the Toronto Independent Film Festival at Carlton Cinema, downtown Toronto on September 7th-16th. For more locations and future screenings, explore cestmoifilm.com.

Sexual Violence in the Caribbean: Trampling the Normalized Phenomenon Kabrena Robinson

kabrena@carib101.com

TC Reporter The Caribbean for many is a majestic haven with a euphoric atmosphere echoed in its vibrant and distinctive culture but among the bliss lies troubling social ills. Some becoming normalized and tabooed issues deeply embedded in Caribbean society. One such plaguing dilemma is gender-based sexual violence.

The Caribbean has among the highest rates of sexual violence in the world. A United Nations (UN) statistic indicates that each Caribbean island has a sexual violence rate that is higher than the world’s average. In most cases of reported sexual violence, women are the main victims.

Caribbean society is predominately organized around a rigid patriarchal structure. Elements of misogyny and female degradation have often been highlighted in certain aspects of Caribbean culture, from derogatory dancehall and soca lyrics to the presence of a male dominated hierarchical structure in most social institutions. Gender equality in the Caribbean remains to be a work in progress as the problem is embedded deep in its unpleasant history of conquest, enslavement, and colonization.

Dr. Verene Shepherd explains it best in a brilliantly written research paper titled Gender-Based Violence in the Caribbean: Historical Roots. She states, ”Under African enslavement, women’s bodies became the site of power contestation. Any honor or

esteem attached to being an enslaver arose only from the power that he or she could exercise over the bodies of his/her chattel enslaved, this was sanctioned by law.”

It is not difficult to see how much the manipulation and abuse of power through sexual violence progressed into postcolonial society, where female bodies continue to be objects for predators; where there are ineffective laws for protection and justice for victims of sexual violence; and where the society at large has come to normalize and conform to a culture of silence on the issue.

Victims and even witnesses are often reluctant to speak out, a problem synonymous to most social ills in the Caribbean.

There is an overbearing and damaging lesson passed down in the community from generation to generation that reinforces silence and restricts mobilization against gender-based violence.

A United Nations Development Program (UNDP) report indicates that 30.4%of women in the Caribbean reports high rates of fear of sexual assault. The report goes on to highlight that three of the top ten recorded rape rates in the world occur in the Caribbean. “While the worldwide average for rape was 15 per 100,000, The Bahamas had an average of 133, St. Vincent and the Grenadines 112, Jamaica 51, Dominica 34, Barbados 25 and Trinidad and Tobago 18”. These numbers are concerning when bearing in mind that it does not paint the true picture as there are a large number of unreported cases not accounted for.

This is where relentless community advocacy comes in. Advocacy groups in the Caribbean have been taking a stand on sexual violence. Early this year, women from the Caribbean, some survivors of sexual violence held marches across six Caribbean countries (Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, the Bahamas and Guyana). The movement ignited by

the social media hashtag #LifeInLeggings was brought to life in Barbados by two Barbadian women Allyson Benn and Ronelle King. The “Life in Leggings” movement hopes to combat sexual assault rape culture in the Caribbean by spreading the message that a woman’s attire is not an excuse for harassment or assault.

In Jamaica, another advocacy group with a more militant approach to the cause is the Tambourine Army. The group identifies as “a radical social justice movement committed to uprooting the scourge of sexual violence & safeguarding the rights of women & girls”.

These groups have been working relentlessly to change the gruesome reality of violence against women in the Caribbean, a highly commendable step towards much-needed progress. However, there are still improvements that need to be made to the social structure of the region.

There should be more emphasis on sex education in schools to educate children on sexual violence. In many Caribbean countries, Christian fundamentalism and conservative beliefs place a restriction on the effectiveness of this. Victims of sexual violence should also feel secure to speak out knowing that they will be supported. Lastly, there should be more movements toward female economic independence and empowerment.

In some cases, financial dependency can deter victims from seeking help when their abuser is head of the household. More attention should also be geared towards shifting the sociological context of gender equality

While activists and social movements for this cause are on the rise, the change really starts with us as individuals, families and a community. It is time to abandon the attitude that situates gender-based violence as a norm. It is time to break the damaging silence.

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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Lewis Arts Leanne Benn

leanne@carib101.com

TC Reporter Life is a journey and sometimes you never know what to expect. Born in New Amsterdam, Guyana, Michael Lewis often finds himself reflecting on his past, his present and where he hopes to be. Before I even had a chance to speak to Mr. Lewis, I was captured by the beauty of one of his paintings displayed at the Last Lap Lime, held by members of the Guyanese diaspora.

What I saw in Lewis’s art was exactly what he tries to achieve through his work; to start a conversation without a single word.

Growing up in Guyana, Lewis was part of a family with five siblings and everyone was always on a more technical path in life. Lewis knew that art and creativity were more his style. Standing out and maybe being the odd one out in the family helped him to push and achieve his dreams.

Despite having only minor artistic experience in school, he always had the passion to be creative he aspired to become an artist and to do great things. During his time in High School, Lewis came across many people who inspired him, one being Claude Stephens.

Lewis would help him paint number plates for cars in the city. He taught Lewis how to prepare canvas, paint edges and other crafts. Lewis was his apprentice as he waited to move to the Burrowes School of Art in Georgetown.

Lewis graduated from the Berbice High School, in 1979. He moved to the city of Georgetown, Guyana, where he enrolled in the art school. While his other siblings went on to other things, Lewis stuck to his dream of art. Lewis spent four years at the art school, where he became influenced by ceramics and the style and craft of the practice. Eventually, Lewis became known as the best ceramist around and even graduated with a credit in ceramics. Though he never forgot about his love for painting.

Lewis dabbled a bit in everything even teaching a ceramics course at the Venezuelan Embassy and creating ceramic craft as gifts for Caricom summits, shareholder meetings for big organizations, and even for the

President and Prime Minister at that time. By 1990 he received sponsorship to be featured at the World Trade Fair in Trinidad. Upon returning to Guyana, he decided he needed, even more training and obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Guyana in the creative arts program where he was able to graduate in just two years thanks to his previous credit from the art school.

Lewis graduated in 1992 and soon after he married the love of his life, Nadine.

Though knowing her for many years prior. As Lewis expressed, “when God has a plan things unfold in certain ways.”

Lewis is a man of few words, but Nadine became his marketing voice in helping him get odd jobs in the city and recommending him to almost anyone she met. Their teamwork and commitment let them form M&N Arts standing for Michael and Nadine. The couple successfully ran this little business all the while raising three kids and having outside jobs, of which Lewis became a visual arts teacher at Bishops High School in the city. Lewis took on any creative job he could find, which included painting banners for businesses, the design of city buildings, freelance contracts for construction companies because anything was possible to Lewis because creativity flows in his veins.

When the opportunity came along in 2001, to become a visual arts specialist at a school in the Turks and Caicos, in just a matter of two weeks, Michael and Nadine sold everything and packed up their lives and kids and moved to the island.

Lewis was able to teach and share his artistic knowledge at the school up until he moved to Canada in 2011. It was upon moving to Canada, Lewis faced the challenges of new immigrants and stifled creativity in a completely different culture. For many years Lewis had to deal with simple adjustments, such as not even being able to find fresh clay as he was used to in Guyana to work on his ceramics.

Eventually, Lewis took his ideas to the canvas again, and no matter the time of day if he has an idea he takes note and gets started.

Give Lewis any topic, subject surface, and style and he will get it done. From painting on leather shoes to hats, pants, canvas, and plates, Lewis has expresses his style in many ways.

Despite working a factory job, Lewis will paint at the end of the day to relax. This habit and with the help of Nadine, he offers Lewis Arts. Eventually, the couple hopes to establish this as a full-time business with a proper space and support for the community. If you are interested in Lewis’s work, contact him on 647-347- 8989 or email lewnad@yahoo.com.

JN Canada Representative Office Opens Virtual Office in Brampton

BRAMPTON -- The new virtual JN Canada Representative Office was officially opened on August 12th in Brampton, Ontario, located in the Goodison Building, at 36 Queen Street East.

Monique Broughton, Projects Coordinator, JN Canada Representative Office, said that the objective of the virtual office was to establish products and services of The Jamaica National Group in areas with a high concentration of Jamaican-Canadians.

“As the number of Jamaicans-Canadians in Brampton continues to increase, we thought that it would be beneficial to provide a convenient location to promote our products and services.”

The Brampton Virtual Office is the second virtual location to be opened, following the office which was opened in Montreal, last year.

“The Brampton Virtual Office provides the same services as our Toronto location, such as information and guidance about the products and services of all subsidiaries in the JN

Group; such as the JN Bank mortgage application package; and provide all the applications to open a JN Bank’s account,” said Ms. Broughton.

The JN Canada Representative Office projects coordinator said that the feedback from customers to the recent opening has been overwhelming.

“We have received numerous visits and telephone phone calls since our opening last week; and have logged a list of appointments for this week,” she informed. “Customers expressed appreciation for the convenience of the office in central Brampton, as well as for ample and free parking.”

Ms. Broughton said that plans are in place to establish other virtual offices. “We continue to research key areas where Jamaican-Canadians reside or work and are exploring ways to take the business there,” she added.

The Brampton Virtual Office is open to members of the public, on Saturdays and Sundays, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday, September 6, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

Woman Found Slain in House

TRINIDAD -- After sympathising with the family of former museum director Dr Claire Broadbridge, a Central family themselves feel victims to T&T’s runaway murder rate when their loved one, Ramdevi Singh, was found murdered in her living room Monday.

Singh, 76, a mother of two and former customer service representative at Guardian Life, was enjoying her retirement, being active in her religion and part of a diabetes group. She was also caring for her husband Martin, who was recovering from two strokes.

When screams echoed along Imamshah Street, Chaguanas, around 3.30 am, neighbours said they thought it was from a nearby building which houses an apartment and a business. However, the occupants of the apartment, located opposite the Singhs, did not know about her death until more than six hours after her body was discovered.

Police said around 9 am, Martin, who cannot speak properly, went to the front gate and flagged down two public health workers. It was then the community was made aware of the horror that had unfolded at the home.

When Chaguanas police responded, they found the house ransacked and the nude body of Singh on the floor with injuries to the head and blood covering her face.

Police said there appeared to be a piece of fabric around her neck and her was throat slit, but because of the heavy bleeding they were awaiting an autopsy today.

Martin was taken to the Chaguanas District Health Facility, as it is believed he was assaulted by the attacker/s.

Singh’s brother, Sen Vishnu, said just Monday morning he was agreeing with Broadbridge’s son Stephen, who appealed to citizens to take back the country from criminals. Moments later, he got a phone call telling him to come to Singh’s home as something terrible had happened.

“It was only when we arrived here we heard she was murdered, so it is very distressing for us to know what is happening in this country. Especially what happened in St Ann’s recently and reading the papers this morning, Mr Broadbridge, the son of the deceased, said that we need to take the country back.

“Here we are again with another incident similar to what took place in St Ann’s and it appears that crime has gone beyond correction,” Vishnu said. (See page A14)

Police were not sure whether robbery was the motive, but neighbours said burglars have been seen jumping residents’ walls in recent times. There was also no sign of forced entry to the house.

Businessmen in the area were also running scared Monday, as they said criminals have been surveying the community.

Dipchan Persad, owner of Passage to Asia Restaurant, located opposite the Singh’s home, said they need more efforts from law enforcement agencies and parliamentarians.

“This lady was nice and everyone knew her family. This is a lady in her 70s and for this to happen it is really shocking,” Persad said.

- Trinidad Guardian

Concern Over Illegal Sale of Abortion Drug

TRINIDAD -- Abortion is illegal in T&T under the Offences Against The Person Act. The law states that a pregnant woman who “with intent to procure her own miscarriage, unlawfully administers to herself any poison or other noxious thing or unlawfully uses any instrument or other means whatsoever with the like intent is liable to four years in prison.”

However, there are reports that some local pharmacies are dispensing a drug that can help women abort their babies. Misopostol, also known as Cytotec, is prescribed for stomach ulcers but also has an off-label abortion use.

Guardian Media investigations led to a pharmacy in St. James where the drug was sold to an anonymous source for $240.

The woman said she had no difficulty purchasing the drug without a prescription. She simply went into the pharmacy, called a worker to the side and asked for the drug.

The source said the woman, who did not appear to be a pharmacist, told her how to use the drug, assuming it was for an abortion and warned her about the dangers.

Andrew Rahaman, president of the Pharmacy Board of T&T, admitted that he is aware some pharmacies are dispensing Misoprostol (Cytotec) without a prescription but said such occurrences are rare. He said the drug is too dangerous to be used without

the input of a doctor.

Rahaman believes pharmacies dispense the drug because it is not accounted for by the Chemistry, Food and Drug Division creating a loophole for pharmacies to make extra money. He said pharmacies caught dispensing Misoprostol (Cytotec) can be written up for professional misconduct and negligence in accordance with the Pharmacy Board Act.

The Act says an employee of a pharmacy who dispenses drugs without a prescription is liable to a fine of $5000, or up to one year in prision for their first offence.

The fine doubles from the second offence.

Contacted for comment, medical practititioner Dr. Varma Deyalsingh warned that dispensing the drug is dangerous since Misoprostol (Cytotec) can cause an incomplete abortion which can lead to an infection or even death.

He said he is concerned about young girls obtaining the drug as a way to hide a pregnancy since they might take the drug incorrectly and in fear of anyone finding out stay silent and bleed to death.

Health Terrence Deyalsingh said the issue is out of his jurisdiction and directed Guardian Media to Rahaman who said he is taking stricter measures to prevent such irregularities in the industry.

- Trinidad Guardian

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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Gastroenteritis Cases to Increase in Hot, Dry Season- CARPHA

GUYANA -- Regional and international health authorities are warning that as the Guianas enter their hot, dry season, gastroenteritis cases are likely to increase while morbidity from heat stress is likely to peak between August and October, especially in persons with pre-existing chronic non-communicable diseases.

According to the Caribbean Health Climatic Bulletin Vol. 1, Issue 2, which was compiled by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH), while there is no clear signal for the Guianas currently – French Guiana, Guyana and Suriname – the countries are entering their hot, dry season.

In addition to having an increase in

illnesses linked to heat stress, the authorities warned that there is an increasing risk of dehydration, possibly leading to apathy, general weakness, dizziness, fainting and kidney failure. Persons are being cautioned to increase their water intake during this particular period.

“Increased temperatures, in particular heat waves, may lead to heat rash in vulnerable persons, including babies, young children, the obese and the elderly,” the authorities stated, while adding that there is also an increased risk of skin damaged up until October due to the very intense UV radiation at this time year on sunny days.

Turning its attention to vectorborne Illnesses, the health authorities noted that as a result of the combined peak in heat and moisture, there may be an increase in

cases of vector-borne diseases such as Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika and Yellow fever.

In Guyana, Chikungunya, a viral disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes, has been a cause for concern with many of its victims being stricken with fever and severe joint pain. Other symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash. Last year around this time, Guyana had recorded over 5,375 reported cases of Chikungunya. Zika, which was a major cause for concern in South America in 2015, remains on the radar for Guyana. During this same period last year, there were 187 suspected cases of persons infected with the Zika virus, but only 13 were confirmed.

And, although Dengue has been a challenge throughout the Caribbean region, Guyana has not experienced any serious

cases of the illness in recent years. There are four types of Dengue fever; Guyana is affected by the primary infection of type two.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Health continues to encourage citizens to protect themselves from being affected by vectorborne diseases, by using bed nets, insect repellents, and wearing long-sleeved tops or long pants.

They can also prevent the breeding of mosquitoes by keeping water containers covered; dispose of stagnant water from flower vases, old tyres and other containers that might serve as breeding sites; and by clearing all drains and waterways of garbage and debris.

- Guyana Chronicle

Princetown Man Pleads Guilty to Fatally Chopping Wife

GUYANA -- Thirty year old Ravindra Bandoo who fatally chopped his wife during an argument at their home at Princetown, Corriverton, Corentyne, on March 8, 2016, confessed to the crime following his appearance before Justice James Bovel Drakes, at the Berbice Assizes.

Bandoo, who is represented by Attorney Charrandas Persaud denied the capital charge of murder for which he was in-

dicted, but, pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter, which was accepted by the State. A probation report has since been ordered.

State Prosecutrix Ms Orintha Schmidt said, on March 8, 2016, Bandoo was consuming alcohol at a neighbour’s house after which he went home and an argument ensued between himself and his wife. Consequently, he armed himself with a

cutlass and inflicted several chops about the face and head of Indrawattee Somwar, called Sharda.

The woman was picked up and rushed to the Skeldon Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

The post mortem report, prepared

by Dr Vivikanand Brijmohan recorded the cause of death as haemorrhage, along with multiple incised wounds.

Meanwhile, in his caution statement, Bandoo confessed to the crime, while adding that he usually give the now deceased woman all his money, but she had refused to give him finances to purchase alcohol. “She just kept nagging, telling me to stop drinking. I got annoyed and I picked up the cutlass and dealt her several chops,” he concluded.

- Guyana Chronicle

Sanctions for $632M Drug Purchase Must Come From Government –PPC Chair

GUYANA -- The Public Procurement Commission (PPC), in its report on the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)’s $632M drug purchase, though pointing out that the procurement laws were breached, did not recommend sanctions against the errant public officials.

Such decisions, the PPC says, must be made by the government and those sitting at the helm of the GPHC.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Monday, PPC Chairperson, Carol Corbin, explained that it was not the Commission’s intention to recommend disciplinary action against those who would have acted outside of the law.

“That was not the purpose of the investigation,” she emphasised. It was further explained that the PPC had intended to investigate the multimillion drug purchase, disclose its findings, and make recommendations with respect to remedial actions.

Corbin, who made it clear that she would not disclose the details of the report ahead of its release in the National Assembly, said it is public knowledge that the procurement laws were breached, based on previous

GUYANA -- The many waters Foundation located at 322 New Market Street, Georgetown is one of the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that is doing tremendous humanitarian work behind the scene for the less fortunate, especially street dwellers.

Vice president Andrew Braithwaite told the Guyana Chronicle that the mission of the organisation was to help those in need such as the homeless, deportees and persons who are “less fortunate.”

He related that the Foundation had officially been in existence for three years but had opened its doors 10 years ago.

The organisation is spearheaded by a board of directors and it is funded through

reports. “It is was obvious that the procurement laws were breached,” the Chair told this newspaper, explaining that the hospital had made the multimillion dollar purchase before seeking approval from the National Procurement and Tender Administration (NPTAB).

It was in late March that the constitutional body launched an investigation into the purchase, in keeping with its functions as detailed in Article 212 (AA) (1) of the Constitution.

Among those who had appeared before the Commission was Public Health Minister, Ms Volda Lawrence, who argued that she was misled by GPHC Management, which was headed by Allan Johnson at the time.

Months after the Public Health Minister had appeared before the Commission, GPHC, in a statement in July, said that Minister Lawrence was not at fault. The hospital had conducted its own investigation under the watchful eyes of the Board of Directors headed by Attorney-at-Law, Kesaundra Alves.

Findings from that investigation had found that while the ultimate decision to purchase, which constitutes a breach of standard

operating procedures, was the minister’s, the then Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Allan Johnson, should have known better.

The findings have revealed that after a drug shortage was reported at the medical facility, Minister Lawrence met with management and asked that a plan be devised to alleviate the situation. Subsequently, a plan of action was developed and presented to the minister by the GPHC’s finance director.

That plan of action included determining the availability of drugs from the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO), the Materials Management Unit (MMU), and local suppliers; obtaining quotations from suppliers; sending an evaluation report to the National Procurement and Tender Administration (NPTAB) for approval, followed by the award of tender.

What transpired, however, was that rather than follow the prescribed plan of action to the letter, the then CEO wrote NPTAB seeking approval for the contracts after the corporation had begun receiving pharmaceuticals from the suppliers.

The suppliers at reference were ANSA McAL, from which was sourced

Many Waters Setting Pace for the Needy donations, fund-raising activities and sometimes money from their own pockets to carry out feeding programmes.

Braithwaite said they are being supported by volunteers who donate clothing and provide meals for the homeless on a daily basis. They have daily feeding programmes at the Palms and for street dwellers around the Water Street area in the vicinity of Fogarty’s.

The Foundation also assisted single parents with $5,000 vouchers recently and they also donated a quantity of pampers to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

“We like to help people anyway possible and we provide breakfast for the home-

less almost on a daily basis. We would make sandwiches and tea and walk around the city and ensure most of those living on the streets have something to eat,” Braithwaite said.

He pointed out that their aim was to also help single parents and provide breakfast for school children, since it is important for learning in schools.

Braithwaite added that this initiative was still in its launching stage but they would soon get it going. Many Waters Foundation also assisted the youths in Agricola, where it donated sports gears so the youths can spend their free time meaningfully instead of being on the streets.

The NGO is seeking donations to

$605M worth of pharmaceuticals; the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (GPC), from which was sourced another $20.8M worth; Health2000 $2.9M; and Chirosyn Discovery $2.1M.

Upon learning what had happened, the GPHC Board, which conducted the inquiry, said while it was “shocked and disappointed” that the GPHC had breached the law, there was no information to suggest that the minister had given any instructions to bypass any procurement procedures or laws.

According to the Board, senior staff of the Finance Department had an “ethical and professional” duty to properly advise the then CEO of what the standard procedure was, since the matter was within their realm of expertise.

“Johnson had been known to trust and depend on his officers to do the right thing, and it is regrettable that they failed him in this instance,” the Board had said. However, the Board did not exactly exonerate Johnson, stating that the power was within his judgment and signature, and that “he acted recklessly.”

Johnson has since been sacked.

- Guyana Chronicle

continue its humanitarian work and also to create awareness.

Recently the organisation went on a walkabout at Bourda Market and Orange Walk where it shared out breakfast to the homeless and assisted a woman who lost her home to fire..

The board members of Many Waters Foundation are: President -Tyrone Anthony; Vice President – Andrew Braithwaite, Secretary – Maria Allen; Treasurer- Farah Scott; and Assistant Treasurer – Michael Bumbury.

They can be reached on telephone number 223-6544.

- Guyana Chronicle

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island news

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, September 6, 2017

St Mary South Eastern By-Election November

JAMAICA -- Well-placed Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) sources have confirmed that the St Mary South Eastern by-election to replace late People’s National Party (PNP) Member of Parliament Dr Winston Green will be held in November.

The Jamaica Observer has also been reliably informed that training of Electoral Commission of Jamaica workers is scheduled for October.

“That is the case. The party’s election machinery is up and fully running. They had a workers’ meeting last night (Sunday) up in St Mary and the different councillors have decided which areas they will be targeting,” the source confirmed.

It was not immediately clear if byelections will also be called for the St Andrew South Western and St Andrew South constituencies, left vacant by former Prime

Minister and PNP President Portia Simpson Miller and Dr Omar Davies, respectively.

The two retired from representational politics in June.

The Observer has learnt that Prime Minister Andrew Holness, from all indications, was set to announce by-elections for the two garrisons in October, prior to the death of Green.

“The machinery hasn’t been really focusing on those two. But a lot of work is going into this one,” the source said in reference to St Mary South Eastern. Graphics, photos and signs have been done and are ready for mounting.”

Last night, one political analyst suggested that the by-election will be held after the JLP stages its annual conference in order to benefit from the expected political bounce that the event provides.

Green, who died suddenly on August 14 this year, defeated the JLP’s Dr Norman Dunn by a mere five votes in Parliamentary elections on February 25, 2016.

General secretary of the JLP Dr Horace Chang had confirmed in the media that Dunn has been retained as the party’s standard-bearer for the election that will definitely see both parties giving great attention due to the governing JLP’s one-seat majority in the Lower House.

Recently the PNP selected former head of the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association Dr Shane Alexis to represent the party after popular activist and former St Andrew East Rural MP Damion Crawford rejected the offer.

- Jamaica Observer

Few Hiccups as Schools Reopen in Western Jamaica

JAMAICA -- Most of the nearly 700 students enrolled at Mount Salem Primary and Junior High School were yesterday early for classes in the community, which was on Friday declared the first zone of special operations (ZOSO).

Since then, there has been a strong police/military presence in Mount Salem.

“It (ZOSO) is not affecting us. We thank God that they (security forces) are out there. It’s not negative to us. We thank God that they are there, even for the children to come safely and the teachers, parents and everybody to go about their businesses,” acting principal of Mount Salem Primary and Junior High School, Carlene Brown Clark, told reporters yesterday.

However, the mood in Mount Salem was a stark contrast to that in Granville, where irate residents mounted roadblocks along a section of the road. They were protesting the fatal police shooting of a community member in an alleged shoot-out on Saturday.

Principal of the Granville All-age School, Beverly Desland Brown, expressed that while operations at the school got off well, the attendance was negatively impacted by the demonstration in the community.

“Except for the demonstration that is taking place in the community... that is a little hiccup that we have there. I was talking to a parent this morning and she was saying

that she was on her way with her child and she turned back. She took her back home because of the demonstration because she didn’t know what would happen. Apart from that, we are off to a good start,” Desland Brown said.

The police shooting, which resulted in the death of Granville resident Kertis Coke, is being probed by the Independent Commission of Investigations.

The police reported that they were shot at when they went to Coke’s home on Saturday, and returned the fire. However, the irate residents are contradicting the law enforcers’ claim. They say Coke was executed by cops.

Yesterday, the Jamaica Observer saw steely-faced police personnel keeping watch in the community as placard-bearing protesters stood on the other side of the road voicing their frustration.

Several sections of one of the streets in the community were blocked by huge boulders and other debris.

Meanwhile, over in Mount Salem, soldiers and police were seen conducting searches of people in the community.

And, noting that a number of students were absent from classes yesterday because their parents could not afford to send them to school, the Mount Salem Primary and Junior High principal welcomed Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ gesture to provide

assistance for children with such challenges.

“I know one or two are not here as yet, it might be because of uniform and other things in the area. The parents might not yet have made preparation for them to come, but with the help of God, I know that they are going to come out and realise that soldiers and police outside there are there to protect them, not to hurt them. And we, here, will instil in them that they are to come to school,” Brown Clark said.

In the meantime, schools in Hanover and Westmoreland reportedly got off to a fair start with the exception of Little Bay Primary in Westmoreland, where parents and students reportedly locked the gates to the compound.

The parents were demanding that a principal be appointed at the school. The police were called in and the locks removed.

When contacted, the Ministry of Education region four director, Dr Michele Pinnock, said interviews have already been done and a principal should be in place before the end of this week.

“The principal appointment should be done before the week is out. But, in the interim, the board has already put systems in place for someone to act,” Pinnock said.

Dr Pinnock added that classes got under way at the school after an education officer explained the situation to parents.

- Jamaica Observer

Intelligence, Planning Will Determine Next Special Zone, Says Prime Minister Holness

JAMAICA -- Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the next zone of special operations will be declared based on careful intelligence and planning.

Holness, who was speaking at a press conference held at the Office of the Prime Minister, Western Region in Montego Bay on September 3, said while it makes sense to move into other violence-prone areas in St James once Mount Salem is cleared, there are other factors that must be taken into consideration.

The first zone of special operations was declared in Mount Salem on September 1 by the prime minister.

“I can understand that the public is anxious to see movement that is decisive and rolling through. However, I want the public to also appreciate the incredible amount of planning, logistics, and resources that go

into making a zone operational,” he said.

The prime minister said that while he understands that the appetite is high for getting rid of the criminal elements all at once, the reality is that it has to be done in a highly coordinated and realistic way.

“While we are doing it, we don’t want to bite off more than we can chew. This is the first zone, and we want to make sure it sets the standard for other zones to come,” he added.

Holness, who also toured sections of Mount Salem, said he was encouraged by the reaction he got on the ground, where residents appear overwhelmingly in favour of the presence of the security forces.

“What I have been getting from my interaction with the residents is that they have bought into what we are doing and want to see their community rid of criminal

activities,” Holness said.

“Like all law-abiding citizens, they want what we all want, and that is communities that are safe and where our children can go to school in peace to learn and become good citizens.” He added.

Mount Salem and its environs were declared the first zone of special operations under the Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations) (Special Security and Community Development Measures) Act.

The law seeks to contain crime while safeguarding the human rights of residents and promoting community development through social intervention initiatives.

The security operations in Mount Salem will last for 60 days..

- Jamaica Observer

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Wednesday, September 6, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

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PAGE 17

Add Some Real Jamaican Jerk To Your Pot With Chef Noel’s Smoky Jamaican Jerk Style Marinade Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Chef Noel Cunningham’s love for cooking was discovered at an early age. He spent much of his youth learning to navigate his way around the kitchen assisting his mother, Jennifer Laidley and his aunt Miriam Reid who was also a professional chef and baker.

“Being around them in the kitchen I was always inspired by their cooking,” Noel shares. One of the first dishes his mother taught him to make was rice and peas with her signature BBQ chicken.

Through their support and encouragement, Noel helped them to prepare family meals and began creating dishes and experimenting on his own. He was formally introduced to the culinary arts at Edith Dalton James High School in Jamaica where he majored in food and nutrition, including home economics management. In class, he continued to further hone and develop his skills and he was presented with the school’s Top Performer Award for food and nutrition two times and graduated top of his class. By the time graduation came around in 2007, there was no doubt in his mind that he wanted to become a chef.

“I watched a lot of food network and other cooking channels

After graduation, he pursued his culinary studies at Jamaica’s prestigious Runaway Bay HEART Hotel & Training Institute (RBH). While attending RBH he worked as a line cook at the Hedonism Hotel Resort and Spa in Runaway Bay St. Ann Jamaica and he also trained in prestigious hotels such as Grand Bahia Principe, Breezes, San Souci, Jamaica Grande and Royal Decameron, along with the island’s famous north coast.

The experience he gained working

in the islands tourist resorts were an essential part of his preparation to forging a successful culinary career, and by the time he graduated at age twenty-one, he was made head chef & restaurant manager at the very popular Cafe Mantra in Kingston, Jamaica.

“The experience that I received in Jamaica was really only the beginning for me,” Noel explains. “I was still a young chef, but the experience that I received at home was building a reputation for me and I was always in search of new culinary adventures and opportunity.”

In 2013, looking for a change in scenery and hoping to expand his reservoir of culinary knowledge Chef Noel jumped on a plane in and moved to Canada, the land of opportunity. In January of 2015 at twentyfour years old he accepted the position of Executive Chef at the Burntwood Hotel in Thompson, Manitoba.

During his time at the various hotels and resorts, he worked at Chef Noel was able to create a variety of healthy dishes, many of them with heavy Jamaican influence, but later experimenting with fusion cuisine infusing Jamaican flavors with international dishes.

In addition to his position as Executive Chef, Noel is also the driving force behind his very own catering company Cuisine

by Noel a full-service food catering company which specializes in providing their clients with healthy, authentic and contemporary cuisine.

It was through one of his catering events that Noel shared how one of his client’s proposals ignited another business venture. “I was catering an event, and one of my clients asked me to show her how to make a Jamaican jerk marinade,” he recalls.

“I made the marinade for her, and she loved it so much she was like, why don’t you bottle this?” Noel took her idea into consideration, discussing it with a few friends who were also huge fans of the marinade.

“I ended up bottling a few to test the market, and people started loving it.

Even people in Winnipeg liked the taste of Jamaica I was offering in my marinade especially because it was prepared by a chef that they knew and so I decided to make it its own business.

And so, Chef Noel’s gourmet kitchen condiments was born starting with his Smoky Jamaican Jerk Marinade. You can grill it, bake it, or jerk it with Chef Noel’s smoky jerk marinade. It is the perfect blend for adding that extra flavor to chicken, pork, fish or beef.

Chef Noel’s Smoky Jamaican Jerk Marinade is made in small batches with fresh ingredients and no preservatives. The smaller batches ensure that each jar of the marinade is packed with flavor and the authentic smoky flavor really soaks into the meat no matter how it’s prepared.

Currently, Chef Noel’s Smoky Jamaican Jerk Marinade is available online at his website www.chefnoelcunningham.com where you can order and it is shipped worldwide.

“It will soon be available on store shelves in Winnipeg, and I have plans to also bring it to Toronto,” Noel says.

Chef Noel Cunningham is a Jamaican Chef food writer and culinary consultant. He is one of Jamaica’s most recognized and celebrated young chefs socially known as Chef Cunny. He is the dynamic force behind his catering company, Cuisine by Noel.

Resident chef at CTV Winnipeg morning

live and the Marc and Mandy Show, recipe contributor to the Jamaica Gleaner, Cooking sense Magazine and The Jamaican Eats Magazine

“My inspiration to become a chef came from my mother and my aunt, being around them opened up my eyes to so much potential.” Noel shares. “I also realized that becoming a chef was so much more than just cooking, you can become an entrepreneur, you could be a TV personality or even a writer. Being a chef is a treat, it’s something I really enjoy, the constant learning; the skies the limit.”

Chef Noel prides himself on providing clients with an extraordinary experience that they will always savor. He strongly believes in staying active, continuously learning and always having fun. His cuisine is a fusion of inventive interpretations and modern creations. He has an established reputation for exceptional creativity and presentation, combined with exemplary professionalism, and a meticulous eye for detail. In 2016 chef Noel was Dubbed by Jamaica Eats magazine as one of the top ten chefs of the Caribbean and named must follow chef on Instagram by Narcity Canada.

Chef Noel uses his passion and enthusiasm for food matched with his vibrant and contagious personality to engage audiences to relate to him. He prides himself on providing guests with a memorable culinary experience.

Written by Alyssa Mahadeo Toronto Caribbean Reporter

STARTING THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14th 2017!

When it comes to real estate, Jay Brijpaul has the right knowledge and experience to get you through any situation. Since 1988, Jay has bought and sold over $1.75 Billion in residential and commercial properties. The Brij Team is consistently among the top Remax agencies in Canada and around the world out of 100,000 Remax agents in 82 countries. Jay is a member of the Fellow of the Real Estate Institute of Canada (FRI) and belongs to the prestigious Remax elite Circle of Legends club. Known as THE BRIJ, he is also a real estate investor for both residential and commercial properties.

From buying your first home, real estate laws and legalities, rentals, renovations and more, every Thursday from 1:00pm-2:00pm EST Jay will be live to discuss all things real estate.

www.MyTCNTV.com

entertainment

PAGE 20

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Carifestival in the City of Woodbridge/Vaughan DT The Artist dt@carib101.com

Entertainment

Now in its 7th year, Carifestival was held at the Woodbridge Fairgrounds on August 26th and 27th. The Carivaughan Festival, birthed from the Carifestival Association as an annual fundraiser event for the future facility, the Caribbean Culture Community Center (CCCC), a vision of Founder Sandi Folkes. Originally in response to the disproportionate representation of the Caribbean community in the City of York, it has now been suggested that this CCCC will be an embodiment of the manifestation of celebrating, sharing and showcasing Caribbean cultural from the entire City of York and the GTA. In addition, the CCCC will address the many issues that plague Caribbean people targeting the children, youth, seniors, and families.

The Carivaughan Festival is just one of the many events to raise funds for the home of the Caribbean Cultural Community Center. A 30,000+

sq ft standalone building that will both facilitate and accommodate a wide range of programs, activities, events, and resources to develop, strengthen, and support children, teens, seniors and families of the Caribbean and other cultures located in the City of Vaughan

A statement from the founder reads as follows; “Attributed to all of the cultures, social, and economic diversities of this mosaic of Caribbean people, many challenges and issues are generated within these communities.

Concerns affect entire communities, families and individual lives. Such as adverse decision making and criminal behavior of the youth, economic assistance, parental guidance, laws, cultural understanding, elderly care, entertainment and leisure time are just a few of the issues that arise within the Caribbean people’s life in Canada. Sometimes they are simply due to language barriers, or lack of knowledge. Even when resources are available to assist persons in need but without the awareness or information on where and how to access these resources, a person can be left isolated and with no help. Culture and language can create remarkable distinct differences from the average Canadian culture. And if officials, public servants, and community workers are adequately trained to be familiar, understand and

sensitive to differences break downs in communication, support, and potential are greatly hindered and even non-existent.”

The Event started with a mini SUV pulling a trailer with speakers, which they turned into a mini J’ouvert party. Loud Soca music had the revelers dancing and jumping up, raising their Caribbean flags. The grounds were covered with vendors and food trucks selling Caribbean food, such as festivals, fried dumplings, jerk chicken, oxtail, and fish.

The entertainment started around 3:30 pm featuring acts from in and around the GTA, yours truly became the host responsible for bringing energy to the stage and introducing the acts. Some of the highlights from Saturdays show included artists like Nathan Baya who brought energy with his call and response tracks and dancing. Coco Leah sang her way into our hearts, Xentury wowed the crowd with her amazing vocals and stage presence. Gee Wunder

the OG of Hip Hop in Toronto, and the CEO of Motive Music had the crowd feeling like Hip Hop music was back.

Mezziah another Motive Music artist who brought energy reminiscent of a Wu Tang concert. Price Da Boss a newly signed Motive Music Artist brought out some of his original music that helped him get his start early in on his career. Solo Key had the stage bumping. Dustin Wareham aka 80’s favorite baby brought that old school, yet conscious flavor with the boom bap. AntiFrantik, 6 Deuce had the ladies going crazy with his velvety vocals. Jay Evans did a full set ranging from Caribbean to dance music, and always knows how to get the crowd up. I (DT) also performed new music off of my upcoming EP with T Major entitled “Major Moves”. The entertainment was headlined by Louie Culture “Ganga Lee”, Silkkey D, Horace Martin, and Jah Kettle.

Look out for Carifestival 2018.

See you next year!

travel

PAGE 22

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Packing Tips For Your All-Inclusive Vacation Amanda Stancati

amanda@carib101.com

Travel Headed South? You don’t need to bring much when you’re hitting the beach. In fact, you could pull off traveling with just your carry-on bag if you pack smart. We share some of our packing tips for your next all-inclusive vacation.

Whether or not you are checking a bag, always pack a carry-on luggage in case your checked baggage gets lost or delayed.

Keep the airline’s carry-on restrictions in mind to ensure it’s not overweight and to avoid more checked baggage fees. Remember, liquids, aerosols and gels in your carry-on bag must be in 100 ml containers or less and must fit into a 1L clear, resealable bag per passenger. When you go through security, have your bag of liquids ready to place into the bin for screening.

Remember to also take advantage of the personal items you can take onboard in addition to your carry on. Safely store your important items here: your passport and travel documents, medications, and electronics to make room in your carry-on for clothes.

Your carry-on should be filled with the essentials: a swimsuit, cover up, sunscreen, sunglasses, flip flops, underwear, and a change of clothes (including a dinner appropriate outfit: long pants and a collared shirt for men).

Planes tend to be cool, so pack a warm sweater, socks, and long pants for the flight. If you need it, you may also want to bring an eye mask, books, or entertainment to enjoy onboard and during your stay.

Wear your bulkiest items on the plane rather than packing them. For example, wear your running shoes since flip flops take up less space in your luggage.

When packing your suitcase, also take note of the checked baggage allowance from your airline. Roll of fold your clothing, depending on what you prefer. Folding is best for structured clothing like trousers whereas rolling is good for lighter wares, and better to save space in unstructured bags. Organize your suitcase with the heavier and harder items at the bottom and then fill in the gaps, like fit-

ting socks into shoes. Store toiletries in ziplock bags in between clothing for padding.

You’ll just need some light clothing for the warm weather (you’ll be living in swim suits and sporting beach waves) but you may also want to bring a light sweater or pair of pants during the wintertime for the evenings.

Closed toe shoes, long pants, and collared shirts are typically required for men dining at the a la carte restaurants.

Leave excessive makeup, accessories, and valuables at home. Most family friendly resorts have a kids club with lots of fun activities, so you don’t need to bring too much to keep the kids entertained.

TIP: Cross packing your belongings with your travel partner is a way to lessen the impact if your luggage gets lost or delayed. When you divide your clothes between two suitcases, if one goes missing, you each have some clothes to work with.

TIP: Put a unique identifier on your bag like a bright scarf so you can easily spot it on the luggage belt and ensure others don’t pick up your luggage by mistake. You may also want to consider a luggage color other than black or other neutral shades.

Check list • Travel documents, passport, travel insurance, spending money for excursions and small bills for tipping • Book/Kindle, iPad/headphones/iPod, entertainment for kids like coloring books • First aid kit: topical antibiotic cream like Polysporin, bandages, bug spray with DEET, after bite, ibuprofen, and aloe vera for burns • Sunscreen, tide-to-go, hand sanitizer • Toiletries like toothbrush/toothpaste, soap, shampoo/conditioner, moisturizer, hair brush, razor, deodorant, body spray, mascara, lip gloss, hair ties and bobby pins • Swimsuits and cover-ups • Comfortable flip flops, dressier sandals, walking/running shoes (if you plan on taking an excursion, using the resort’s fitness center, or exploring the town).

• Backpack or waterproof beach bag with zippers to protect your belongings from sand • Hat and sunglasses • Light sweater for cooler evenings • Pajamas • Dresses/skirts, shorts, and tanks for day and night

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69

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Burned Cow Skin

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50 2/

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food

PAGE 26

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Feed Your Happiness: Kale with Roasted Carrots • • • •

Eartha Lowe

• • • • •

eartha@carib101.com

Green Healthy Eating

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon dried oregano ½ teaspoon curry powder ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt (plus more to taste) ½ tablespoon freshly ground black pepper (plus more to taste) Pinch of cumin ½ bunch kale leaves, chopped 3 garlic cloves, finely minced Walnuts, crushed (as desired)

Directions: Preheat oven to 350°F.

If you love butter smothered on soft hard dough bread like I do, then you’ll appreciate today’s bonus recipe for a substitute that’s just as enjoyable.

Only, it’s a delicious, plant-based, heart-friendly spread that will make you say “Kale Yeah!”

Healthy can start right here. Being healthy is our decision to feed our happiness with fabulous-tasting food, it’s choosing to be active, it’s choosing to always look on the bright side of life.

Kale with Roasted Carrots: Here’s how to cook this naturally sweet, crunchy pan of vegetables.

Toss the carrots with the olive oil, oregano, curry powder, sea salt, pepper and cumin. Place on a baking sheet. Roast in preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until tender.

Cooking the Kale: Heat the remaining olive oil in a skillet on medium – high heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Make sure to stir continuously so the garlic does not turn brown. Add the kale and stir for 1 minute more. Add 1 tablespoon water, cover and let steam for 1 minute.

Remove cover and stir in your roasted carrots.

Top with walnuts. Add additional salt and peppers

You’ll need • 6 baby carrots, halved lengthwise

as desired, to taste. Serve hot.

Food category: vegan, vegetarian Prep and cook time: 25 minutes Difficulty: EASY! Servings: 4 Tips: Substitute the olive oil with coconut oil.

Alternatively, you can grill the carrots. Place carrots cut side down on a heated grill. Grill for 4 – 5 minutes, or until carrots develop sear marks and begin to soften. Flip and grill for another 4 – 5 minutes.

BONUS RECIPE: Kale & Walnut Pesto Call it the “new butter,” there’s so much that’s great about pesto. It adds big flavor to all sorts of dishes! You can toss pesto with pasta, spread it over bread, add it to roasted vegetables or salmon, use it as a dip, or even make it your pizza sauce.

There is just no wrong way to enjoy this flavorful sauce.

The best part about making pesto is that you can be flexible. Pesto is traditionally made with a combination of herbs such as basil, mint, parsley and cilantro. Pesto is also traditionally made with pine nuts, but pecans, walnuts or hazelnuts can be used as substitutes. Walnuts yield a flavor closest to traditional pesto made with pine

nuts.

This pesto is vegan; great for plantbased foodies. You have the option to add nutritional yeast for a cheesy parmesan flavor, but believe me, you will not miss it. Make sure to have a good food processor on hand for smooth blending.

You’ll need • 2 cups kale leaves, remove stems • 1 cup fresh basil leaves • ¾ cup walnuts, raw • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (add additional olive oil as needed when blending) • 1 small lemon, squeeze juice • 2 tsp nutritional yeast (optional) • 1 clove garlic • Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste Directions: Place all ingredients in a food processor. Process until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Food category: vegan, vegetarian Prep time: 10 minutes Difficulty: EASY! Servings: 4

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Wednesday, September 6, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

Five Tips To Being The Best Guest

you would want to host!

Philip DeWar

philip@carib101.com

Caribbean Fused Cuisine In the last issue, we provided you with five tips to being the best host to a dinner party or a BBQ. It’s always fun to welcome your friends and family into your home (or backyard) and show them a good time. However, chances are you probably spend more time as the guest than you do as a host. It’s equally as important, perhaps even more important, to be a good guest as it is to play host. Think of the parties you’ve thrown and chances are you can remember “that guy” or “that girl” that always does some-thing unexpected and frowned upon. Let us give you five tips on being on the other side of the coin. Be the guest

1. Arrive on Time - Your host has gone to a lot of trouble to make sure everything is ready and that the event flows on a schedule, at least until after lunch or dinner.

Be respectful and courteous in honoring their time frame. Unlike a job interview, it’s not expected that you show up early.

In fact, this can be just as annoying as showing up late. You don’t have to arrive while your host is still tidying, setting the atmosphere, or worse - just getting out of the shower. Same to be said for being late and having everybody sit around waiting for you. It’s best to show up no more than ten minutes early or twenty minutes late.

Stay in that half hour window and you should be okay!

2. Bring a Gift - When somebody welcomes you into their home, it’s always a good idea to bring a little something to show your gratitude. Wine is customary, but it’s fun to go off the norm with something like local honey, a homemade jar of jam, or may-be some fresh herbs.

In the instance you know what is being

food

served, it’s a great idea to bring something to compliment it. That shows you care, have been paying attention, and didn’t just grab any old thing out of the pantry. Tip: Don’t bring some-thing like fresh cut flowers or anything that requires the host to give it immediate at-tention.

They have enough on their plate!

3. Keep the Attention on the Party Whether you’re at a dinner party or on a dinner date, keep your nose out of your phone. Show that you are actually happy to be there and enjoy the company. If you’re not interested in being there, you shouldn’t have gone in the first place!

You can always excuse yourself to the washroom if you need to take an urgent call or text message, but as a general rule keep the phone hidden.

4. Offer Help - We mentioned in the “Best Host” tips not to spend the entire time in the kitchen or at the grill. With that said, sometimes you’re running behind or stressing out and some help is needed!

Don’t be afraid to pop your head in the kitchen and ask if they need anything. It could be something as simple as setting

PAGE 27

the table or cut-ting some lemons and limes. It’s also an opportunity for social time with the host who might be feeling the pressure. Same with helping to clean up after it’s finished! Often times the host will insist, but it never hurts to ask. Especially if it’s an outdoor BBQ with kids and there might be a lot of paper plates and cups to toss in the gar-bage.

5. Say Thank You! - Often times this can get over looked. The party might end for you when you leave, but it’s not ending for the host. They have to worry about cleaning up, doing the dishes, putting away the leftovers and resetting their home. Sending a thank you email, message or note the following day expressing your gratitude for them opening up their home will do wonders. People remember that, and it makes it worth it. It also probably ensures you’ll be invited to the next one!

beauty

Wednesday, September 6, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

PAGE 29

IMATS - The International Make-up Artist Trade Show Kizzy Courtney

kizzy@carib101.com

Beauty Tips

Every year there’s a little trade show called IMATS that makes its way to Toronto. And it is make-up Christmas for me! Not only do I get to shop some of my favorite brands (most not readily available here) but there are great deals plus a ton of seminars that get me inspired and teach me a thing or two. This annual show is held at The Metro Convention center in Toronto, but different from last year everything was relocated to a smaller space in the SOUTH building. Though I do prefer the more airy, open sunny vide of last year, the

cozy atmosphere this year was great as well.

All in all, it was a great show.

IMATS, which stands for The International Make-up Artist Trade Show, is the world’s largest celebration of make-up artistry. Make-up pros from the fashion and film industry (including Oscar, BAFTA, and Saturn award winners) provide education and demonstrations at IMATS. This amazing show also features a make-up museum and the Battle of the Brushes, student make-up competitions, where international make-up students race to create winning looks. Each year thousands of make-up artists, exhibitors and enthusiasts discuss, display and collect the best the industry has to offer.

IMATS was founded by Emmy Award-winning make-up artist and Make-Up Artist magazine publisher Michael Key. He debuted the first IMATS in August 1997 in Los Angeles. It allowed artists to customize what they wanted to see and it offered a diverse mix of products, demonstrations, and education from industry leaders. From then on IMATS quickly expanded to Europe in 2002, where

it debuted its London show. Make-Up Artist Magazine then acquired the Canadian show in 2009 and IMATS Toronto was launched.

That same year IMATS Sydney launched, and in 2010, IMATS Vancouver, British Columbia debuted. The show is held six times annually - in Los Angeles; New York; London; Vancouver, B.C.; Sydney; and Toronto. In 2011, Make-Up Artist magazine established the Make-Up Artist Pro Card to recognize the hard work and achievements of professional make-up artists. Artists can enjoy privileges and perks such as discounted subscriptions to Make-Up Artist magazine, discounted IMATS tickets, expedited IMATS entry and access to pro-only hours and events.

Though the products and discounts are amazing I didn’t just go for that, I wanted to see the prosthetics and body art that also occurs at this show, and I wasn’t let down.

The artist’s that were working on people at the show are truly amazing and inspiring. It was also such a fun experience to check out all the new products and get a sneak peek as to what new items will be available soon. If

Book Signing

with

you have yet to attend IMATS or are thinking about it here’s some advice to make the day a bit easier for you. (You will be thanking me because it can be a bit overwhelming your first time.) Make a list of booths you want to visit as well as products you are interested in. Decide how much you are willing to pay (write down the retail price for comparison).

Plan your trip according to importance, if you want Morphe, or Makeup Forever start there.

Get there early, like 8 am early. Bring snacks!

The lines can get quite long and the waiting from forty-five minutes to an hour long. I remember last year the line for Morphe was five hours long. Crazy!! BRING CASH! I cannot stress this enough. If you use debit/credit, you will either be paying a bit more (tax) or a lot more (USD instead of CAD). IMATS is not just about deals and shopping. There are some amazing sessions for you to watch, each put on by some true make-up artist heroes. Typically, if you attended a class run by one of these artists, you would pay hundreds of dollars.

Shawntá Pulliam

Author, Inspirational Speaker, Founder of Nurturing Heart’s Inc.

HELL BENT HEAVEN BOUND What if wrapped beneath your deepest struggles were the makings of your biggest triumphs?

What if you truly looked at your life—the good, the bad, the ugly—and determined that the purpose of every experience wasn’t merely survival, but something far more valuable?

What if your hardships produced a greatness within you that would have gone undiscovered had you not suffered and paid a price that cost you deeply? Growing up in a neighborhood where crack cocaine and prostitution coexisted alongside a gospel-preaching old woman named Sister Lou, Shawntá Pulliam saw the futility of life around her in the “hood” yet knew deep inside she was born for something more—something great even.

“Who is this Man my grandmother clings to at night as she bends her knees and closes her eyes?” she wondered as a child, repeating the prayers her grandmother taught her.

Still, with a drug-addicted mother and a father behind bars, the pull of the streets and deep emotional wounding took their toll, and she easily fell in with a crowd hurtling headlong in the wrong direction.

Saturday September 9 2017 th

1 pm to 4pm 2300 Yonge St, Toronto, Canada www.ShawntaPulliamArise.com

A nervous breakdown that led to her breakthrough revived Shawntá’s faith and stirred up the gifts He had planted in her long ago. Propelled by that faith, she watched as God opened door after door for her to walk through. Following her heart-cry, she eventually founded an organization called Nurturing Hearts for at-risk girls ages ten to eighteen.

In Hell Bent, Heaven Bound, Shawntá Pulliam reminds us all that God uses the things we like least about ourselves— and breathes purpose into them. As we submit to His way of thinking through prayer, meditation, and believing His Word, we too can become the women and men He created us to be.

“Hell Bent Heaven Bound Offers the reader a compass on the journey of faith, deliverance, healing, and destiny. Shawnta’ Pulliam takes you into her hearts as she relates her own sojourn of self-help and divine purpose. Prepare for a life changing transformation” ~Vickie Winans- Award Winning Gospel Artist

“This book will serve as a demonstration and testimony of a life activated by God’s purpose and plan” ~ Les Brown Motivational Speaker/Trainer/Author

CARPENTERS’ UNION LOCAL 27 RECRUTING NEW MEMBERS ARE YOU WORKING IN CONSTRUCTION? COME AND JOIN US BUILD TORONTO! Currently, we are seeking trained and experienced General Carpenters to join our team.

Minimum of 5 years’ experience as a carpenter.

Practical knowledge of carpentry, building maintenance workplace safety and safe lifting and handling procedures.

C of Q Qualifications a bonus.

Ongoing projects include – hospitals, Universities & Colleges, transit and water infrastructure, nuclear power stations, etc.

Benefits are the best in industry: premier wages include pension, training and a great work environment.

Membership fee to join is $85 Please contact us by email at organizing@thecarpentersunion.ca

Carpenters and Allied Workers Local 27 222 Rowntree Dairy Rd Woodbridge, ON L4L 9T2 Tel: 905-652-4140 Fax: 905-652-4139 organizing@thecarpentersunion.ca www.carpenterslocal27.ca

Wednesday, September 6, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

What are Fibroids?

Allison Brown

allison@carib101.com

Health Care We hear the term fibroids quite a lot, but what are fibroids anyway? This article will provide information about fibroids.

Fibroids are firm, compact tumors that are made of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue that develop in the uterus. Roughly 20% to 50% of women of reproductive age have fibroids, although not all are diagnosed. Some estimates state that up to 30% to 77% of women will develop fibroids sometime during their childbearing years, although only about one-third of these fibroids are large enough to be detected by a health care provider during a physical examination. http://obgyn.ucla.edu/fibroids.

According to UCLA health, as much as 90% of fibroids are benign tumors. In most cases, fibroids do not increase a woman’s chance of developing uterine cancer. Fibroids range in size from a pea to a grapefruit. It is very interesting to note that women who are menopausal, obese and of African-American heritage are more prone to developing fibroids. There is no known causal factor as to why we are prone to fibroids. Some studies indicate that women who had given birth to

at least two live births were 50% less likely to develop fibroids versus their counterparts who never had children. With so many of us with fibroids, more research needs to be done to determine causal factors.

Some women who have fibroids have no symptoms, or have only mild symptoms, while other women have more severe, disruptive symptoms. The following are the most common symptoms of uterine fibroids; however, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms of uterine fibroids may include the following: heavy or prolonged menstrual periods, abnormal bleeding between menstrual periods, pelvic pain (caused as the tumor presses on pelvic organs), frequent urination, low back pain, pain during intercourse, and or a firm mass, often located near the middle of the pelvis, which can be felt by the health care provider. In some cases, the heavy or prolonged menstrual periods, or the abnormal bleeding between periods, can lead to iron-deficiency anemia, which also requires treatment. http://obgyn.ucla.edu/fibroids.

Fibroids can be diagnosed by the following tests: a complete medical history and physical and pelvic and/or abdominal examination, diagnostic procedures for uterine fibroids may include the following: x-ray, transvaginal ultrasound (also called ultrasonography). An ultrasound test using a small instrument, called a transducer, that is placed in the vagina, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)(a non-invasive procedure that produces a two-dimensional view of an internal organ or structure), hysterosalpingography( X-ray examination of the uterus and fallopian tubes that uses dye and is often performed to rule

health

out tubal obstruction), hysteroscopy(visual examination of the canal of the cervix and the interior of the uterus using a viewing instrument (hysteroscope) inserted through the vagina), endometrial biopsy(a procedure in which a sample of tissue is obtained through a tube which is inserted into the uterus), and or a blood test (to check for iron-deficiency anemia if heavy bleeding is caused by the tumor).

Once diagnosis is confirmed, treatment could result in any of the following options: hysterectomy (the surgical removal of the entire uterus), conservative surgical therapy (a procedure called a myomectomy, fibroids are removed, uterus is left intact to enable a future pregnancy), hormone therapy (to shrink the fibroids), uterine artery embolization (UAE is a newer minimally-invasive (without a large abdominal incision) technique. The arteries supplying blood to the fibroids are identified, and then embolized (blocked off). The embolization cuts off the blood supply to the fibroids, thus shrinking them. Health care providers continue to evaluate the long-term implications of this procedure on fertility and regrowth of the fibroid tissue, and or anti-inflammatory painkillers (for pelvic pain or discomfort). http://obgyn. ucla.edu/fibroids

I hope this article shed some light on fibroids, a condition that affects a preponderance of black women. If you or someone you know has fibroids, get it checked out by your healthcare provider.

This article is dedicated to Samantha Watson and friends. Thanks Sam for all that you do.

What Are my Rights as a Patient?

Ontario has more than 300,000 practising healthcare professionals, which are governed by health regulators called colleges. The colleges enforce standards, like how a provider should relate to patients and how providers should work with one another.

The colleges protect the public by holding their members accountable for their conduct and practice — whether it’s a doctor treating you in a clinic or a lab technologist performing tests on your samples. It is the job of health regulators to ensure that you are treated with skill and fairness when you receive healthcare in Ontario.

Here is what you can do to protect the rights you are entitled to as a patient: •

Take an active part in your care. It is

• • • •

your right to ask questions and get clear answers about your health issues and treatment options.

Have an open discussion of costs and fees. Your healthcare provider should explain anything you are paying for.

Give informed consent. After getting all the information you need, you can agree to or refuse any procedure, for any reason at any time.

Get a second opinion. You have the right to seek advice from another healthcare professional on any issue that pertains to your health.

Have your privacy protected. The personal health information you disclose to your healthcare providers stays confidential. You have the right to view and get a

copy of your own information.

You can check your healthcare professional’s record through their regulatory college.

Each college has a public register that you can search on their website. The registers list things like the qualifications of each member, where and what they are allowed to practise, and if limits have been put on their practice because of professional misconduct.

You can give feedback about healthcare you receive from any provider in Ontario and make formal complaints to the healthcare provider’s college. Find more information at www.ontariohealthregulators.ca.

- News Canada

Your Right to Complain About a Healthcare Provider

What do you do when you feel that a healthcare provider has fallen short of their professional standards? The best place to start is with the provider’s regulator. By law, Ontario’s health regulators must respond to all complaints from the public.

The regulators are called colleges, and they oversee 28 health professions including dentists, dieticians, massage therapists, psychologists, and many more.

Each college sets the standards of care for their profession. Their members have to meet and maintain those high standards, or they cannot practise in Ontario. That’s why the colleges take complaints very seriously.

Their mandate is to protect patients. A college can respond to a complaint if the concern is about not meeting the standards of practice for safe and ethical healthcare. Some examples include: failing to provide adequate care; giving medicine unsafely; keeping poor records; verbally abusing a patient; having a romantic or sexual relationship with a patient; or asking

for or borrowing money from a patient.

Each college has procedures for responding to a complaint. Anyone who feels that their healthcare has been compromised can make a complaint — this includes patients, their friends or family members, colleagues of the healthcare professional or their employers.

Trained staff at the college might start by helping you understand the process and standards of practice that members must follow. Sometimes colleges employ a mediator to help resolve the issue.

In most cases, the college will conduct a formal investigation, collecting evidence from health records and witnesses to write a report. If the investigation proves that the member did not meet standards of practice, the college has several options, depending on the seriousness of the matter. Actions they could take against the member are: give them a caution; require them to reflect on and improve their practice; require them to get

more education; put limits on how, when or where they can practise; order health tests to see if they’re fit to practise; or revoke their college membership so that they can no longer legally practise.

Ontario’s regulators take sexual abuse very seriously. Trust is crucial in healthcare because patients are vulnerable. If that trust gets broken, it violates the patient and damages the whole profession.

For regulators, sexual abuse does not just mean sexual relations with a patient. It also includes touching, sexual remarks or behaviour, unwanted attention or gestures sexual jokes, and any kind of romantic involvement.

Even if the patient makes the first move, the healthcare provider must say “no” and keep professional boundaries. There is no time limit on making a complaint.

- News Canada

PAGE 31

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yoga

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Relationship With Your Yoga Mat? Trisha Curling

trishacurling@carib101.com

Yoga Ok, I know it sounds weird, and I was a little hesitant to put it on paper, but I think it is an important discussion on a few levels. I have actually developed a relationship with my yoga mat! I didn’t really start thinking about it in such a specific way until I invested in a mat that I felt I couldn’t do without when I was ready for my practice. When I first made the decision to invest in a good yoga

mat, I approached it in a way that would be practical in the physical sense. I later learned that I loved my mat for more reasons than how physically safe it kept me during my yoga practice.

When I first started using various yoga mats I thought a mat was a mat. I didn’t realize that there were a number of different options depending on what you need it for.

One of the complaints I had with some of the yoga mats I had used was that I constantly felt like my hands were slipping and that I might fall in poses like Downward Dog. It became even more apparent when I began to feel major discomfort when I needed to place weight on my knees in given poses.

Some of the issues I have with my knees would not allow me to be able to execute these poses without pain. It does not mean that every pose is for us, but I was relieved to find out when I started to research various yoga props and mats that there might be

solutions to these issues. I was able to find a thicker, more comfortable mat that provided some cushioning for my knees. Getting this mat gave me more confidence and stability in my practice. When I had the ability to practice without having this worry on my mind I was free to simply enjoy the experience and focus on what I needed from my practice, rather than what I was trying to avoid.

Enjoying my practice meant that I could view my mat as this safe place for me to go where I could nourish myself both physically and mentally. It became this place that I could go to when I needed comfort. I knew that I could go there and focus on my breath, focus on the poses and the transitions between them. I could put everything aside that brought me pain, tension and/or discomfort. I could equally go there to celebrate life, movement, and all of the things that I am grateful for. It was/is a place where I

can go to have a strong, hot, sweaty practice or a gentle one to relieve the physical and/ or emotional kinks we all experience at the various moments in our lives. Leaving my mat out even when I’m not using it allows me to see this sacred spot in my home that is a constant reminder that there is a safe place I can go to when I need it.

There is definitely more to choosing a yoga mat than I have discussed here, but these are important things to consider.

Choosing a mat doesn’t end here, you might need to choose multiple mats for reasons like travel or even type of yoga. Just like everything else in our yoga practice, it is a very personal decision. Getting advice from other yoga teachers or friends is helpful, but the decision comes down to you and what serves your needs as they present themselves. Just like a mate, find the right mat for you and not anyone else.

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Wednesday, September 6, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

life

PAGE 35

Moving Out Of The Jurisdiction? How Will This Affect Your Parenting Rights Valerie Dye

valerie@carib101.com

Legal Matters Issues related to custody and access to children do not necessarily end once a final order is made in court. One instance where custody and access issues arise after the making of a final order is where the parent with whom the child resides wishes to move to another jurisdiction with the child. Obviously, if this happens the access rights of the other parent will be af-

fected. The parent who will be affected by such a move has the right to apply to the court for custody so that the child will remain in the jurisdiction. How does the court determine such an application?

The main case on point is Gordon vs Goertz which was decided in 1996 by the Supreme Court of Canada. In that case, the mother who had custody of the child decided to move to Australia to study.

When the father found out that the mother intended to move to Australia he applied for custody. The mother cross-applied for an order allowing her to move to Australia. The court stated that before the custody order could be varied there must be a material change in circumstances which must include a change in the needs, means, and circumstances of the child or a change in the parent’s ability to meet the needs of the child. The change must materially af-

fect the child and it must be unforeseen. If the court finds that there has been a material change in circumstances, the next step would be to determine whether the move is in the best interest of the child.

The test to determine a material change is very important as it prevents the custodial parent from moving to another jurisdiction on his or her whims and fancy and thereby affect the access rights of the other parent. In Gordon vs Goertz, the mother was allowed to move and the father’s access was varied to allow him to visit the children in Australia. The court was guided by the principle that the custodial parent has a right to remove the child to another jurisdiction as long as the move is not intended to deprive the other parent of access or is contrary to the best interest of the child.

The court does not always grant

Circle September 16th 2017

Kathy McDonald kathy@carib101.com

Education Happy Academic New Year 2017/18. It is truly mind boggling how quickly the days are flying. Summer is on its way out and we will soon be welcoming fall. Halloween products are competing with back to school supplies for shelf space in most stores; in fact, I think they have won the battle. Actually, in a few stores, I am spotting a smattering of Christmas paraphernalia.

First and foremost each parent that has a child that is of Black or Caribbean heritage needs to circle September 16th on their calendar. This day is full of academic excellence and activities that have the ability to transform lives. From 10 am until 2 pm the Peel District School Board’s (PDSB) Black employee resource group PAACE(Peel Association of African Canadian Educators) will be hosting a Parent Engagement event at Harold, F. Loughin Public School located on 39 Herkley Drive, Brampton. This school will be transformed into a welcoming bee-

hive of activities for Black and Caribbean families. Emcee Farley Flex, The Heard, Brampton’s Miss Lou, The Young Legends of Pan, are a few of the great entertainment that will immerse you in the Caribbean culture. There will be basketball and cricket matches as well as “old time “ games from lime and spoon to sac race. Come out and meet PDSB trustees, councilors, local authors community groups, local culturally relevant educational supplies store and local media. Come labrish, lime and linger with your partners in your child’s education at the PDSB. Call me at 905-796-8163 for more information.

The United Achievers’’ Club is hosting their 33rd Scholarship and Awards Dinner on September 16th at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel located at 90 Biscayne Crescent in Brampton. There will be sixteen scholarships awarded to bright and confident students ready to make their mark in this world. Liberty Silver will be performing as well as some of the talented students. The keynote will be Dr. Everton Gooden, Chief of Staff at North York General Hospital and the 2017 Harry Jerome Award Trailblazer Award Recipient. I have heard this brother speak and let me tell you: guests will be getting the real deal from this humble, authentic and hard-working doctor who never let any obstacle derail his plans. Believe me when I tell you he had his challenges. So, come out and hear his story. Be inspired. The emcee Jesse Jones and DJ Jonathan O. Shaw will not disap-

point. Cocktails start at 6 pm and dinner will be served at 7 pm Canadian Standard Time. The tickets cost $80. If you’re unable to attend then sponsor a student for $60. For tickets and more information contact the UAC president Lucinda Sloley at 905-459-1942.

It is time to reset the kids’ cruise control buttons. I would like to suggest a few tips to help parents and students alike as you shift gears from holiday mode to academic drive. Bedtime and study routines need to be re-established. For some children, the daily cycle of home to school to home can be quite daunting. The key to a child having a great day is a good sleep and a good breakfast.

On Wednesday, August 30th, the new director of education of the PDSB, Peter Joshua, delivered his first Starting Point address. The Starting Point is an opportunity for the director of education to outline his vision for the upcoming year.

Director Joshua gave an energetic, inspiring synopsis of the direction of the PDSB and his vision for learning in the twentyfirst century. Director Joshua highlighted eight key priorities. They are as follows: to be purposeful in our actions to support Black male students and all marginalized groups; to be bold and courageous in our efforts for inclusion regardless of gender, race or religion; to have Modern Learning embedded in all learning; to continue to support engage math with a focus on the early years; to maximize the resources

permission for the custodial parent to move with the children. As stated in Gordon v Goertz, each case turns on its own facts. In the 2011 case of Taylor v Wanless the mother was denied the right to move with the children from Nova Scotia to British Columbia, as her move would neither improve her financial circumstances nor be of benefit to the children. The court found that it was not a case where the mother was unable to find work in Nova Scotia. She simply refused to work. Further, neither the father nor the mother had the means to ensure that the father would be able to travel to visit the children.

It mobility cases the fundamental role of the court is to consider the best interest of the children. Included in that consideration is the fact that children should have access to both parents as often as possible.

of special education; to integrate students with learning disabilities into secondary schools; to address the finding of the workforce census and to be resolute in our belief that love will conquer hate…at the PDSB we will not stand silent in the face of hate or discrimination. Director Joshua quoted one the greatest educators that in Canada we are privileged to call our own, Dr. Avis Glaze. Dr. Glaze said in her keynote address to participants of the PDSB Modern Learners Conference “We must see color, we must see gender… we must see it, we must name it”. At the PDSB we are unapologetic in our efforts to tackle any forms of discrimination and remain steadfast in our efforts to eliminate systemic biases. It is your job as parents, students and as a community to hold us to this.

I hope that you feel invigorated, renewed and enthusiastic about the upcoming school year. It is of utmost importance to equip your children with the most effective tools that will allow them to be the best that they can be. Of equal importance is the need to be visible and present, an active participant in your child’s academic journey. I encourage all Black and Caribbean families to come out to Harold F. Loughin Public School and the UAC Scholarship Awards dinner and experience parent engagement like you have never seen before.

As we embark on another eventful school year let us journey together to make this academic year the best year ever! Walk Good. Belle Marché.

PAGE 36

community

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Relationships; Is It Time You Started Analyzing Your Role In Your Relationship? Part 2 Simone Smith

simone@carib101.com

A Better Tomorrow Welcome back to A Better Tomorrow!

The only way to make a better tomorrow is to work on making a better today. Every week, I will provide the information needed to develop the mental health of our great community here in Toronto. If this is your first time reading the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper, I hope that you will find something that will move your soul and promote the need to make necessary changes in your life.

Last week, I started a series on relationships; I have decided to focus on this area because I have noticed a decline in productive, positive relations between men and women both in marriages and in courting relationships.

What I have decided to do, is tackle some of the issues that I have witnessed by providing insights from elders who have been married 30-50 years and relationship experts. The goal is to allow individuals to analyze their roles

in their relationships and find ways in which they can work on their own individual issues.

Many of us in relationships are quick to point the finger when things go wrong; what many of us don’t do is take into consideration our own subjective experiences objectively. I will reference written work by John Gottman and Nan Silver. The title of the article is The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, published

by Crown Publishers in New York. The book was reviewed by Bea Strickland, and I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is working on their marriage.

Last week we introduced the subject matter and reviewed how to identify when you might be facing some complications in your relationships. Some signs were: criticism, contempt, and defensiveness. I asked readers to analyze theses signs and see if they could identify any of the signs in their relationships.

I want readers to understand that having one or more of these signs does not mean the end of your relationship; it means the beginning of the understanding of your relationship. This week let us take a look at the resolution. We are going to start looking at the seven principles outlined by Gottman and Silver; each week I will outline exercises that can be utilized and questions that can be asked to spark conversation between couples.

The first principle is Enhancing Your Love Maps. Like any map, this principle involves knowing the terrain in your relationships. Knowing your partner in an intimate

Pushing Boundaries Colleen Lindberg

colleen@carib101.com

Personal Development I believe that everybody in life, whether you have a career, you’re a stay at home mom, or you’re in business for yourself, should all be pushing boundaries in our lives. What do I mean by that? I mean experiencing things that are outside of your comfort zone.

You know we all have these fears; fear of heights, fear of speaking in front of people, fear of failure, fear of success, maybe even a fear of spiders. But how are we as people experiencing that gut feeling inside of us and pushing through that feeling to go out and execute and have some success in our life? Success could mean even just ac-

complishing something you never thought you could.

It’s important for us as people to be able to live inside of that zone. Now not every day, and not all the time, but be able to experience it here and there to help us to grow and see life in different ways.

I had the privilege of jumping out a plane, skydiving actually for a local charity just recently. And, my only fear in life, is the fear of heights. People said to me, “Oh my god, I can’t believe you’re doing that,” “that’s just crazy, you are nuts.” It was an interesting experience because I didn’t actually feel scared. There was a brief moment that I got the feeling, that stomach twisting feeling, but it subsided really quickly. Think about it, I was up high, like 10, 000 feet in the air and then we jumped out of this plane.

I believed in the experience and going into that arena to be able to feel that experience.

And no matter how much fear I had inside of myself it wasn’t going to let me not experience what that felt like. So, what in your life will allow you to step outside of yourself and

way; knowing their history and innerstanding your own history.

The second principle is Nurture Your Fondness and Admiration. This principle involves revisiting the reasons you fell in love with your partner, to begin with; what did you admire, and do you still admire those traits.

This principle allows you to focus on the positive and not always the negative.

Turning Toward Each Other means connecting with each other again. This principle deals with the communication in a relationship and rebuilding your friendship.

Principle four is Letting Your Partner Influence You. Sometimes in relationships, we may feel we have lost our voice; you can still have a voice and accept your partner’s point of view. It is possible to still learn from one another, team up to solve the larger problems that exist.

Solving Your Solvable Problems means letting go of the complaints that you have and learning to accept apologies and attempts at repairing your relationship.

Principle Six is Overcoming Gridlock means to keep working on unresolvable problems; Gottman believes that you will be more satisfied than if you give up on them.

The last Principle, Create Shared Meaning is about growth in your relationship; really identifying what it means to be a part of the family that you have become, and what you are going to do to enhance positivity in your family.

feel this?

So, I highly encourage you today to jump out of a plane, to pick up a microphone and talk in front of people, to even go to a small little mom event and talk about your feelings and how you feel and get vulnerable.

Whatever aspect or wherever it is that you have that fear of or have that feeling inside of your gut that you don’t want to do something because you’re scared. Whatever that looks like for you I hope and encourage you today to go step inside of it and feel the feeling of what that feels like.

There isn’t really a feeling that describes jumping out of a plane other than the fact that it feels like you’re flying. So, if you want to go experience something like feeling no weight and just the rush of the wind on your face as you’re jumping, I encourage you to try that. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea but definitely, does push boundaries.

So, until next time, keep pushing those boundaries, and keep being your awesome selves!

Wednesday, September 6, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

How Parents Can Make School Drop-Offs a Breeze

Smooth drop-offs start with stress-free mornings. Learn how to achieve both this school year with these practical tips.

Try DIY breakfast. Reduce time in the morning by simplifying breakfast. Set out some plates and cereal, chopped fruit, bread, cheese and yogurt to let the kids serve themselves, or keep these items on lower shelves in the fridge so little ones can access everything they need.

Start a launch pad. Organizing experts say having a designated spot in your entryway for things like the kids’ lunch boxes, backpacks, textbooks, permission slips and coats is a great way to keep things tidy and to make sure no one forgets anything.

The launch pad can be a basket, bench or other container, and it helps if each child has their own.

Plan your route. School zones are becoming more dangerous. According to a recent CAA survey, the top two hazardous driving behaviours that motorists perform

in a school zone are speeding and distracted driving. For a smoother morning, try parking a couple of blocks away and walking the rest of the way with your children. You and your kids will also get an extra dose of exercise.

Help reduce traffic by finding alternative ways to school. Plan a safe route to walk or bike.

Follow the rules while behind the wheel. Slowing down and giving yourself more time is the best way to keep school zones safe when dropping off your child.

Avoid texting and other activities that can distract you while driving. Check with your child’s school administrator regarding designated drop off and pickup areas. Follow the signs posted in school zones, including speed limits. Watch for CAA School Safety Patrollers, one of the largest youth volunteer programs in Canada. They help their peers get to school safely in many parts of the country.

- News Canada

automotive

PAGE 37

Teach Your Kids a Safer Commute to School

Every September brings textbooks, homework, new friends and…road rage? Parents with young children are reporting an increase in unsafe driving practices in school zones, according to a recent survey by CAA. The top two dangerous driving behaviours that motorists are guilty of in school zones are speeding and distracted driving.

While there are lots of things drivers can do to make mornings and after school safer for students, it’s also important to prepare your kids and arm them with advice to keep them safe. Here’s some information you can share with them to help create a safer commute.

•

•

Make time. If your kids are biking, walking or wheeling to school alone, help them get organized the night before and ensure they have time in the morning for a leisurely journey. Rushing means making quick, and sometimes potentially unsafe decisions.

Ask your kids for help. The number one thing parents can do to be safer is give themselves more time to drop off their kids — but they can’t do it alone. Ask your children to help you get them to school on time by preparing their backpacks the night before, lending a hand at breakfast and generally supporting the goal of getting out the door sooner.

•

•

•

Get the right gear. If your kids walk to school, make sure they have comfortable shoes with good traction. If they bike, a well-fitting helmet is a must, as is learning your community’s bylaws for cyclists.

Also make sure your children know how to signal their intentions for turning and know to make eye contact with motorists when crossing.

Be a great bus passenger. Almost a third of Canadian students ride a school bus or vehicle. They can help their bus driver give them a safer ride to school by being on time for pick-ups, waiting in a safe place that’s well back from the edge of the road, crossing in front of the bus and never behind,keeping their voices down in the vehicle, and staying seated facing forward at all times. If driving in a personal or commercial vehicle, make sure the seat belts are working and are being worn.

Follow safety instructions. The CAA School Safety Patrol program has 70,000 student volunteers across the country who help ensure their peers get to school safely. As one of the largest youth volunteer programs, they help play an important role in school zone safety in many areas of the country. Keep a lookout for their bright safety vests.

- News Canada

PAGE 38

business

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, September 6, 2017

5 Strategies to Improve Your Work Environment

The key to better work-life balance is a healthy and engaging workplace and positive relationships with your colleagues.

While you can’t control everything, you can use these strategies to help boost your happiness and productivity at work.

1. Take charge of your workspace.

Whether you have a corner office or a cubicle, small changes to your work station can have a big impact. Keep things clean, organized and tidy; add a low maintenance plant; and incorporate personal touches like a photo of your most recent vacation (as long as it’s a photo that is appropriate to the workplace).

2. Learn to mitigate conflicts. Although disputes in the workplace are normal and natural, if not managed they can lead to absenteeism, lost productivity and mental health issues. “While you can’t always avoid conflicts, it’s helpful to use prevention and mitigation strategies,” explains Dr. Barbara Benoliel, a conflict resolution expert and faculty member at Walden University’s Barbara Solomon School of Social Work and Human Services. “Pick your battles and resolve small conflicts early, and don’t engage in conflict for the sake of conflict.”

3. Embrace change. One constant in

modern workplaces is change — in products and services, staff, technology, and company policies. If change makes you anxious, the first step to coping is recognizing that it will happen. Things that can help include a positive attitude, developing your skills and self-confidence, and staying focused on your long-term goals.

4. Handle interruptions better. Most of us get interrupted many times a day. Coming up with a strategy to deal with these interruptions can help lower stress. Try a well-practiced line about needing to get back to it for your chatty coworker, or blocking off an hour to answer a never-ending stream of emails and ignoring them the rest of the time.

5. Understand your conflict management style. Go beyond general resolution tactics by learning about the five major conflict management styles: collaborating, competing, avoiding, accommodating and compromising.

Dr. Benoliel advises, “You can get the best results for both minor and major disagreements by choosing the right approach to each situation. Consider two factors to help you decide — the importance of the relationship to the other party and the importance of the outcome for your peace of mind.”

- News Canada

What’s Your Conflict Management Style?

Today’s modern workplace involves navigating flexible work arrangements, virtual offices and your online presence ( not to mention more traditional concerns like negotiating a promotion, unique coworker personalities and office politics. One way to get ahead and improve your work environment is to understand different conflict management styles.

“Knowing how you instinctively respond to conflicts, as well as having awareness of your boss and coworkers’ styles, may help how you approach situations and lead to efficient and effective conflict resolution,” explains Dr. Barbara Benoliel, a conflict resolution expert and faculty member at Walden University’s Barbara Solomon School of Social Work and Human Services.

According to the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument used by human resource professionals around the world, there are five major styles of conflict management. Dr. Benoliel says knowing when and how to use each style can help control conflict and lead to greater workplace satisfaction.

1. Collaborating. A combination of being assertive and cooperative, collaborators work with others to find a solution that satisfies everyone’s concerns.

In this style, both sides can get what they want and negative feelings are minimized. Collaborating works best when the long-term relationship and outcome are important, like when two departments of a company are merging.

2. Competing. Describes those who are

assertive and steadfast in pursing their own interests at the expense of others. Benoliel explains using this style works well when the outcome is more important than the relationship, such as when competing with another company for a new client.

3. Avoiding. If you try to avoid conflict at all costs, you’re an avoider. This involves being unassertive and diplomatically sidestepping an issue or withdrawing from a threatening situation. Use this when it’s safer to postpone dealing with the situation or the outcome is not a great concern, like a conflict with a coworker about the ethics of using social media on the job.

4. Accommodating. The opposite of competing, there is an element of selfsacrifice when accommodating to satisfy the other person. While it may seem generous, it can take advantage of less assertive colleagues and cause resentment. This style is best used when the relationship is of more value than the outcome, like agreeing to your manager’s choice of restaurant for lunch.

5. Compromising. This style aims to find an expedient, mutually acceptable solution that partially satisfies everyone while maintaining some assertiveness and cooperativeness. It’s best to use when the outcome is not crucial and you are losing time, like when you want are willing to give a little to get a decision made and move on to more important things.

- News Canada

BOO BIRDS

Wednesday, September 6, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

TAURUS

What a difference a day can make! Off to on, minus to plus, Mercury’s backtrack into Leo on Thursday switches you onto a positive upswing. Mars, finishing up in Leo through next Tuesday, also places you on the side of great creative opportunity. Seize it when you see it. Both offer an auspicious backdrop for a fresh try or second chance, especially Saturday/Sunday.

You are about to hit a one-two fast track.

Recognize that no matter how or what the trigger is, this next week points you in the direction of best potential and optimal success, especially when you release, allow, express, free up, and/or take your best shot.

Saturday/Sunday: feel it, say it, do it. Tuesday/Wednesday is also especially fruitful.

CANCER

Mercury’s backtrack into Leo gives you one more good excuse to go all out before the back-to-it routine gets the better of you. The long weekend could spark something unexpected. Spontaneous or planned, a special event or get-together, a special someone, or a great conversation or score could make your weekend. Tuesday/Wednesday: ease up, ease into it but stay alert, don’t lose track.

Look to Mercury/Mars to spark new ideas, possibilities, and moneymaking avenues. It’s an ideal time to reinvent yourself, from the ground up if necessary. There’s no need to struggle at it. With such dynamic stars to assist you now, you could be up and rolling in a flash. Wednesday’s full moon challenges you to trust, to open up to possibility, to aspire higher.

LEO

VIRGO

Don’t you just love it when the stars conspire on your behalf? Have it your way, call the shots. You have a monopoly on the bright lights this long weekend. Fast on the pickup, quick on the comeback, Mars/Mercury keeps you on a fresh and full battery charge.

Stay ready to jump on it in a flash. Monday evening through Wednesday, keep it real.

Has the retrograde been doing you in? Mercury’s backtrack out of Virgo on Thursday can feel like something of a reprieve. Mars into Virgo next Tuesday pumps fresh air in your tires. You don’t have to wait, though.

Mars/Mercury could rev it up for you unexpectedly. Monday evening through fullmoon Wednesday, one thing leads to another.

Take it one step at a time.

July 22 - August 22

IN THE STANDS

June 21 - July 22

August 22 - September 22

LIBRA

SCORPIO

Never a dull moment, always something on the ready; Venus, newly into Leo, and Mercury’s backtrack into this sign on Thursday provide a boost where you’ll appreciate it the most. Watch for Mercury/Mars to strike flint this weekend. Tuesday/Wednesday, keep it simple and open-ended. If you don’t have to, don’t. Let it unfold naturally. It’s easy to get confused or lose track.

Can you one-up yourself? You bet. Aiming to get back at it? You’ll get a good jumpstart this weekend, perhaps unexpectedly so. Mercury retrograde and Mars in Leo can make your next choice an obvious pick.

A special event, anniversary, or reconnection can be the highlight of the weekend.

Wednesday’s full moon exposes something opportune. Monday night and into Tuesday is staging.

September 22 - October 23

October 23 - November 22

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

You’ll have no trouble making the most of it this long weekend. Enjoy it to the fullest! Mars/Mercury retrograde could see you strike it hot in some unexpected way. Once the fire is lit, matters take on a life of their own. Late Monday through Wednesday, the stars shift gears. Stay open-ended or noncommittal until you have more to go on.

With your lover, with loved ones, or on your own, it won’t take much to strike it hot this long weekend. If it worked well for you last time, try it again. You’ll get more out of it this time. Monday evening through Wednesday, go by feel. The full moon puts more on the to-do list.

November 22 - December 21

December 21 - January 19

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Something special to look forward to? Venus, Mars, and Mercury retrograde in Leo aim to make the most of it. Whether disruptive, entertaining, or mesmerizing, someone special can claim your attention. Saturday/ Sunday fast-tracks a conversation, breakthrough, or course of action. One thing after another, Tuesday/Wednesday piles on extras and requires more investment, safeguarding, or relinquishing. Simplify where possible.

At work or at play, expect a full-to-the-brim, cash-in-on-it long weekend. Regarding health, wealth, and pleasure-seeking, Mars and Mercury retrograde are exceptionally revitalizing. Whatever fires up has a strong, go-the-distance life force to it. Monday night through Wednesday, the Pisces full moon has you on all systems go.

January 19 - February 18

PRINCESS

April 19 - May 20

GEMINI

May 20 - June 21

Down 1) ____ of game (hockey) 3) Too many steps (basketball) 5) Getting in the goalie’s way (hockey) 7) Lined up incorrectly (football) 8) Making someone fall (hockey) 9) ____-checking (hockey) 11) ____-sticking (hockey) 15) Hitting from ____ (hockey)

PAGE 39

ARIES

March 20 - April 19

Across 2) Caution card colour (soccer) 4) Too close to a kick returner (football) 6) Unsportsmanlike (hockey) 10) Kicker or QB contact (football) 12) ____-and-back (basketball) 13) Five for ____ (hockey) 14) Double ____ (basketball) 16) Misconduct minutes (hockey) 17) Seconds in the key (basketball) 18) 24 on the shot clock (basketball)

fun

February 18 - March 19

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real estate

PAGE 42

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, September 6, 2017

The Wave Of The Future

Jay Brijpaul

brijpaul@carib101.com

Real Estate With the internet, many professionals find themselves working from home. A mortgage underwriter I knew, for example, worked out of his cottage. This new trend is a windfall for both the employer and the employee. For the employee, getting ready and traveling to and from work can easily chew up over three hours of productive time and is not cost effective. With video conferencing, companies can conduct productive meetings from the comforts of the living rooms. The employer no longer needs major office space and thus can avoid all overhead expenses that come

with it. With the extra savings, companies can pay their employees well and make a handsome profit.

Working from home provides many benefits, such as living where one chooses to.

With Toronto’s high home prices, the small towns provide the perfect solution for affordability and a quiet life style. Drive just ninety minutes away and you can buy a lovely detached home between $300,000 to $400,000.

The life style here is more relaxing and the pace is much slower. Many people feel that it is a better place to raise a family because the crime rate is low. You have a sense of community belonging where everyone knows each other. No wonder many young professionals working from home move to small towns. Here, home ownership is affordable and one can live comfortably.

Builders are catching on and some of them go a step further by building almost Net Zero homes. Net Zero homes are homes that generate enough clean energy as they use. These homes are insulated with better

Your Soul Is Precious Come home prodigal sons, daughters, ordained ministers, ministers of the Spiritual Baptist Faith and St. Peter’s National Evangelical Spiritual Baptist Churches. Also to those who are not attending any of the above-mentioned churches in Toronto, due to circumstances.

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insulation than regular homes. They have triple pane windows, led lights and highefficiency appliances. The hot water and the living space are heated by geo thermal heat pumps, and the solar panels on the roof generate electricity. Rain water collected in tanks is used to flush the toilets, water the grass and for laundry. These homes are hooked up to all utilities as well. The combination of lower cost for utilities and cleaner energy and the attractive price appeal to the professionals and active adults who are about to retire.

Many retirees have their money tied up in their homes and so their choices are very limited. They are house rich but cash poor. Real estate in Toronto is high even in this down turn. Moving to smaller cities can provide retirees a more enjoyable lifestyle. One of my clients sold their condo in Toronto for $350,000, bought a small detached home in Huntsville for $225,000 and another property in Florida for $125,000.

They spend their winters in Florida and their

summers in Huntsville. Small towns are catering for this age group. There are many retirement projects that focus on adult living including gated communities.

With more and more people moving to the suburbs, many predict that Toronto will become less populated. However, I don’t believe this to be true. A large country like Canada with only 36 Million people and about 10% of the work force approaching retirement, will create a huge financial burden for us as a nation. The best solution is to allow immigrants to migrate. Most immigrants will settle in big cities. With more and more people working from home, there will be many vacant office spaces. The new trend is to convert the office space into custom designed condos suites.

Ontario is a beautiful province and it’s up to you to discover it. If you are one of those professionals who work from home or if you are planning for retirement, take a ninety minute drive and check out the small towns.

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WE would like to OPEN another SPIRITUAL CHURCH SO MEMBERS AND MINISTERS CAN PERFORM THEIR MINISTRIAL DUTIES AND WORK IN THE VINEYARD FOR THE LORD. FOR THIS PROJECT TO BE SUCCESSFUL, WE ASKING FOR DONATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC, MINISTERS AND THOSE WHO ARE IN SUPPORT OF THIS WORTHY CAUSE. WE HIGHLY APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT. THANKING YOU ALL IN ADVANCE.

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PAGE 44

finance

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Hold Steady With Your Investments Fazaad Bacchus

fazaad@carib101.com

Finance Specialist What a crazy world we live in when it comes to our investments. No one likes to lose money, and these last three months have given some people all the reason to give up.

Some days are up and some days are down.

On good days we become hopeful that the trend will continue and on bad days we hope things will turn around. As an advisor for the last twenty seven years, I have seen this trend where markets are concerned almost on a daily basis. I say to my clients that the stock market is a living, breathing thing that we have no control over. And as long as we make the decision to get into the markets, be it in mutual funds or direct stocks we are subject to the roller coaster that is the stock market.

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Every investor needs to remember though that as the market takes air in and lets out air, over time it is proven that if you stay the course you will be rewarded overall. We cannot time the market, we do not know what and when something will happen that changes the market in an instant. For example, two weeks ago in the news, it was reported that a van plowed through civilians on the Ramblas in Barcelona, Spain. And while this makes news from a terrorist point of view, what did it do to markets? If you were invested in international equity, you would have seen a fall of approximately 3% of your investments overnight. Markets react to these types of events where no one can predict and sometimes investors get scared and believe that it is best to pull out.

No one knows what the markets will do, however financial analysts do have an outlook based on trends, demands, political landscape etc and they will calculate the probability of market swings, up or down.

In turn, they will discuss with the portfolio managers who are responsible for investing your money. The portfolio manager, in turn, discusses with the wholesaler/advisor what they forecast, who in turn discuss with the clients/investors. This is a much better ap-

proach to investing as you are now working with a team of qualified professionals responsible for your money.

Good advisors know that markets will go up and come down, so these advisors try to find funds where when markets fall, the funds fall less and when the market rises the funds rise more. In our language, it is called up and down capture. Of course, investments are not made for the short run but for at least three years. Betting on a shorter time span may prove to be a little too volatile and you may not see the return you need.

What is my advice in this current time of uncertainty? Find a good financial advisor, one who is knowledgeable in investments; discuss your goals, your fears, your risk tolerance and your time horizon. Have your advisor look into funds that have less volatility and funds that perform better than the market in both good and bad times. It’s a simple strategy and it does not mean that the market will not show you losses at times, but it will allow you to sleep better at night. If you stay with this strategy you are more than likely to have better returns on your investments.

Insurance - Do We Need It? Andrew Stewart

andrew@carib101.com

Family Advisor Do we give insurance the proper respect it should have in our life or we do we just go on routinely having disdain for its existence?

When you experience a life milestone, do you consider increasing your insurance amount to have more coverage? When you get a raise do you consider placing coverage where you don’t?

What is insurance and why do we need it? Insurance is rarely educated to individuals and families about its importance to their personal finances. Yes, the different types of insurance are widely advertised, demonstrated and sold..but why? Insurance is all about playing defense and where used as an investment is also used as an offense. The main concept of insurance; that of spreading risk has been around as long as human existence. Whether it was hunting giant elk in a group to spread the risk of being the one gored to death or shipping cargo in several different caravans to avoid losing the whole shipment to a marauding tribe, people have always been wary of risk.

In the dark and middle ages, most craftsmen were trained through the guild

system. Apprentices spent their childhoods working for masters for little or no pay. Once they became masters themselves, they paid dues to the guild and trained their own apprentices.

The wealthier guilds had large coffers that acted as a type of insurance fund. If a master’s practice burned down, the guild would rebuild it using money from its coffers. If a master were robbed, the guild would cover his obligations until money started to flow in again. If a master were suddenly disabled or killed, the guild would support him or his widow and family.

There are three key things to remember about insurance; assets, lifestyle, and risk appetite. Insurance can be broken down into three main categories. Your belongings (property), your liabilities (debt), and your body (health). With insurance, you choose what you want to be protected.

Then your insurer calculates the risk that the events to be insured will happen or not, then will determine the price you will need to pay (your premium).

Property - Assets Most basic insurance coverage is property coverage. You pay a premium to have a certain piece of property covered in case something happens to it and for the insurer to make you financially whole again. Let’s say that you have a house that you own free and clear, you have every right to enjoy the use of that house for as long as you like. You may live there, rent it out, leave it vacant or even sell it if you like. However, if a hurricane comes through and demolishes your

house, it is still up to you to cover the repair cost. Most middle-class families cannot repair a $500,000 home without insurance.

Lifestyle Now let’s look at the lifestyle aspect of insurance. Your lifestyle choices can and will have an impact on how much you’ll pay for life insurance. Some of the lifestyle choices that can have a significant impact are: • Your weight. If you’re considered overweight or obese, you’re at risk of a number of serious health issues that are related to weight such as heart attack and stroke.

• Smoking. If you’re a smoker, you’re at risk of a number of health related problems as well as being exposed to a possibility of premature death.

• Heavy drinking. If you drink alcohol on a regular basis and easily exceed moderate levels, you put yourself at risk of alcohol related health issues, such as liver problems.

The good thing about this category is that we have some measure of control and we can make changes in our lives to improve our health and save us money at the same time.

Risk Nothing is constant in our life. Our health, our family, and our assets are all risk prone.

One day you are perfectly healthy and the very next day you get sick. The purpose of insurance is to minimize that risk. When something happens to you or your assets, your insurance pays you back; this is risk mitigation.

CELEBRATING DIVERSITY The Region of Peel is a uniquely diverse community that is strengthened by the numerous cultures and backgrounds that it is comprised of. It is important for Peel Regional Police to represent and reflect the community we serve and to work together with our community to contribute to a safe environment in which to live, work and visit.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT PEELPOLICE.CA/DIVERSITY

PAGE 46

sports

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Pollard’s First CPL ‘No-Ball’ Causes Uproar BARBADOS -- Barbados Trident’s captain Kieron Pollard has come under fire from some quarters for what they term ‘unsportsmanlike’ behaviour, by denying a century to Patriots opener Evin Lewis in their 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) clash in Barbados on Sunday night.

Pollard bowled a no-ball, his first of the tournament when Lewis was on 97 off 32 balls, with St Kitts and Nevis Patriots needing one run to beat Barbados Tridents in the Twenty20 competition. The no-ball gave 25-year-old Lewis’ side the win but saw him miss out on the chance of a ton after he and captain Chris Gayle reached 129-0.

If Lewis had completed his century in 33 balls, it would have been the second fastest of all time - just behind Chris Gayle’s 30-ball IPL knock in 2013.

Pollard was hammered on social media with fans saying they had lost respect for him after the no-ball. Some fans were angry with their comments and called him some derogatory names. Lewis, however, was more diplomatic. “It hurts [missing out on the hundred], but hitting 97 not out off 33 balls, I will take that any day. I’ve been hitting the ball long and hard in the nets. I’m confident now and looking forward to the play-offs.”

Former West Indies opener and commentator during the CPL, Philo Wallace

said :”It was rather a rather strange act from a man of Pollard’s class. One would not have expected that from him. I am not saying that he should have given him the hundred, no one wants to do that. However, if it was me, I would have bowled a ball and try to get him out. If the no-ball was intentional, then it is not nice at all and unbecoming of Pollard.”

Cricket captain at Queen’s Park Cricket Club and commentator Colin Murray said that no one can say for sure that Pollard deliberately bowled the no-ball and he put down the action to the player’s competitive spirit. “No one can say for sure that he bowled the no-ball deliberately. Pollard is very competitive by nature and he would do anything to prevent a player scoring a hundred against his team. I see people are saying that he should not have done that because Lewis is a fellow Trinidadian. That to me is utter rubbish because it tells me that just because someone is from your country you must give them gifts.

It’s like Dwight Yorke in the days at Manchester playing a match against another club and let’s say against Brent Sancho and allowing him to score three goals because he is from Trinidad. I think people need to understand that no one would just give away a century and what Pollard did was just be competitive.”

- Trinidad Guardian