Love And Hearts 022019

VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 1 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20 2019

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LOVE AND HEARTS

ANESHA PREMRAJ/TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Love is an emotion that we all feel, and Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate it. The heart is the international symbol of love, and there are children in the Caribbean that have very serious heart issues. Imagine having a baby with a very serious heart issue, but not having the means to go through the surgery, it must be a truly heartbreaking experience.

This is what The Caribbean Children’s Foundation (TCCF) is attempting to help solve. This cause

is completely non-profit; there is no payroll for this charity. 100% of the funds raised by this charity goes to helping children in the Caribbean get the help they need. The team is full of volunteers that dedicate their personal time to help ensure that the children of the foundation get specialized medical care as quickly as possible.

On Saturday, February 9th, TCCF hosted a Valentine’s Day Gala that celebrated love and raised funds

for the foundation. The Gala had many fun activities such as a raffle that was full of donated gifts, a quiz about the TCCF that gave away Valentine’s Day chocolate and of course a DJ to dance the night away. This event was full of generous, extremely well-dressed people who were proud to support the cause.

Continued On Page 7

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Written by Alyssa Mahadeo Toronto Caribbean Newspaper

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Sathi Ganpat Finding Her Divine Beauty

Born in Trinidad, Sathi Ganpat immigrated to Canada at three years old with her parents and siblings. As the eldest of three she experienced what it was like to grow up in North America, but still maintained much of the teachings and customs instilled in her by her traditional parents.

“My parent were somewhat old school, but because they came here in their mid-20s, they were super involved in learning about and the experience of Canadian culture,” Sathi shares. “They still held their roots very dear and close, and so growing up my dad was always the one that enforced what we should wear, while my mom gave us some leniency but made sure we dressed trendy, but conservative at the same time.”

Sathi’s parents took them back to Trinidad each year for vacation so they would never forget the island they called home.

“We grew up eating everything culturally that would come from Trinidad and celebrated special occasions the way they would have back home with lots of roti, and curry

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and Caribbean music.”

Her family lived in North York, moving to Mississauga, where she attended High School, and after graduating from High School Sathi made the decision to go into a career in nursing.

“I graduated at seventeen, and who really knows what they’re going to do at seventeen years old?” Sathi explains. “As I contemplated what to do with the rest of my life, I looked at what I was good at which were the sciences, biology, and chemistry, and my mom suggested I try becoming a nurse as it had been something she had wanted to do.”

At the end of the day, coming from a Caribbean household, it’s common for them to push you into that kind of field.

It’s more acceptable to go into more prestigious work that is held to a higher regard because you are considered more educated and more likely to be successful.

Sathi went on to attend Seneca College for nursing, but two years in she realized it wasn’t the career path for her. “It was too emotional, and I couldn’t deal with being around the patients who were sick all the time,” she shares. “Being around that type of energy wasn’t fitting for me; I was good at it, but I didn’t love it.”

Around that same time, she reconnected with a childhood friend in Trinidad, a boy that would later become her husband. They started dating while still in High School, and after she dropped out of nursing and moved back home, they decided to get married.

“Everyone was against me getting married at nineteen. He was living in another country, and we were still young people were telling me how it’s fine to have a boyfriend, but at least finish college first before making such life-changing decisions,” Sathi says. “I knew him since we were kids, even my mom knew him and she was still concerned about whether or not I was making the right decision, but I was always more mature, and it was something we both wanted.”

When she left College and got married, her very traditional West-Indian parents were obviously less than thrilled, but Sathi didn’t allow that to hold her back.

“When you know, you know,” she says.

“Getting married young, when your friends are going clubbing and doing things like that, your social circle becomes very small, and there are things you have to do in order to focus on your relationship and build a future with each other,” Sathi says.

In taking this step, this is where

Sathi was first inspired to one day become the owner of her own business.

“It was challenging at times, but we were best friends and so we didn’t necessarily need anybody else, and he was always there supporting me in any decision I made.”

Sathi had always been artistically inclined. “I’ve always loved makeup, and I loved doing it for friends and family,” she shares. “I decided to take a course to learn full body beauty and aesthetics so that maybe one day I would be able to get a job in the industry.”

Sathi says this was a time when YouTube had just started putting out makeup tutorials online. “I saw one girl online maybe about ten years ago Kandee Johnson and I thought she was so cool, so I got so immersed in watching her that and became super interested and I said you know what I think I could do this.”

She bought her first makeup pallet and began experimenting with different looks and then after a year, she decided to go get certified in makeup at the Canadian Aesthetics Academy.

“My passion is in aesthetics and makeup and hair and everything else that comes with it,” Sathi says. “I’ve been doing makeup for about eight years now and started my own brand Divine Beauty.

Hopefully, in the next couple of years, it’s something that I’ll be able to take on fulltime and I’ll be doing it has a full-time professional.”

Since making the decision to pursue her passion, there have been ups and down, but her parents have seen that she is doing well for herself and can see that the path of entrepreneurship can be difficult but yields a love for the work that you do.

“Now that my dad sees that I’m not sitting at the side of the road that I’m still out here doing something, making something of myself and it’s something I’m passionate about,” Sathi shares. “I am able to see myself doing this long term, I have a home, I have a family and my business is doing well.”

While the level of competition has changed since she started as a MUA, Sathi is still optimistic about doing something she loves and is passionate about full time. “I enjoy what I do, I enjoy applying makeup for my clients and my continuing to put work into building my brand it’s something that I can see myself doing, bringing on more people to help in years to come.”

Celebrating

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Wednesday, February 20, 2019 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

PAGE 3

Still We Rise; University of Windsor Presents Afro Fest, 2019 SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Windsor University Alumni Stand Up! What a week it was for me! This week filled me with a sense of pride and appreciation for the university that assisted me in becoming the woman I am today. There is something to be said about a university that has housed such great names as: Tanisha Scott, three-time MTV VMA nominated choreographer best known for her work with Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Sean Paul and Beyoncè, the great Robert Small, artist behind the Legacy Poster, which had its genesis in 1995 when he attended the Windsor University, and Arjei Franklin, a former Canadian professional football slotback who played for the Calgary Stampeders and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Time has passed and life has evolved at the University of Windsor, and in its evolution, Afrofest was created. Afrofest is a weeklong celebration of African Heritage Month that takes place in February. During this week, the majority of the African student body is involved in a cornucopia of cultural and educational activities that document and celebrate the many contributions made by peoples of African descent living in the diaspora. Afrofest has a wonderful group of sponsors that assist with celebration; this group includes the University of Windsor Student Alliance, BIZX,

Organization of Part-Time University Students, University of Windsor, Aids Community of Windsor, and CJam 99.1, a student-run radio program located at the University of Windsor.

The celebrations promote unity on campus and highlight the journey and progression of the African culture. The events are carefully selected with the purpose of engaging students in cross-cultural exchange.

Afrofest is a fusion of intellectual discussion, film, fashion, and artistic and musical talent. I had an opportunity to connect with the organizer of Afrofest Latavia Lewis; she is a bright, energetic young woman who happens to be majoring in developmental psychology and takes great pride in identifying as an African woman. What I truly admired about this young lady is that regardless of if things were going as planned, she stayed focused, and did not let the stress get to her. When I arrived at each event, she would welcome me with a smile, and ensure that I was introduced to students and staff. It was extremely comforting to see that despite what many of us may think, there are some young people who are actively working towards unselfishly uplifting the African community.

Each day was organized with events and I was able to attend a few of them. The opening ceremonies were on February 4th in the CAW Commons, and included UWSA speeches, as well as the official singing of the Black National Anthem; this was followed by drumming lessons hosted by Alpha Drumming, and Taste of the Diaspora, which had Afro and Caribbean cuisine at only $5.00 a plate. I was actively involved in the seminars that took place on Tuesday, February 5th.

The very first seminar was on mental health in black culture. I must admit that I was saddened at what I heard during this seminar.

Many of our young African students are suffering from stress-related illnesses, and they do not have anyone, or anywhere to turn. The university does offer peer support and other mental health programs, but not focused on the black experience. When asked about cultural diversity in mental health, the attending members of the UWSA were unable to give any concrete answers, which left me thinking, what can be done to change this? How can we provide a culturally diverse mental health experience for our students who are attending universities across the province?

The open discussions, panels, dance classes, photography, and films that were presented during Afrofest were engaging and thoughtprovoking. Unfortunately, our government does not see Afrofest as being important and relevant enough to continue next year.

There are plans to discontinue the celebrations, and this would be devastating; I really hope that African students at the University of Windsor find a way to hold on to this tradition, even if it means looking outside the university for support.

If you are interested in the Afrofest activities you can check them out on Instagram @afrofest, or visit www.uwsa. ca/afrofest19.

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Wednesday, February 20, 2019 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

The 18th Annual Black History Month Concert: The Embrace of Black Women ELLEN ROCKSON ellen@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

“It is nice to enrich ourselves with our culture and enlighten other people with our heritage”

Growing up as a black girl in Vancouver BC which is a predominately South Asian and Oriental city, I never truly felt comfortable in my own melanin skin. It didn’t help that Black History Month wasn’t something celebrated or even talked about. The month of February was just a month for couples, red roses and heart-shaped chocolates. I never understood why this was since Canada takes pride in being multicultural. I always asked myself, “Why weren’t my people Black History Month celebrated the way Chinese New Year or Diwali was?”

Fast forward to today. I now live in Brampton and have been for the past five years. Seeing black people from different ethnicities, having access to AfroCaribbean restaurants and black hair products has allowed me to further grow my confidence as a young woman of colour. The longing to see the representation of black people and culture is now a reality.

I have only participated in one black history event and that was during my senior year of high school. When the opportunity came for me to attend the 18th Annual Black History Concert in Brampton, I knew I had to go! The concert was held from 5 pm to 9 pm at the Century Gardens Recreation Centre.

The purchase of a $10 ticket was all you needed to get in the door. When I entered the room, it was filled with mainly beautiful brown-skinned faces of all different ages. I took a seat in the front row and anxiously waited for the concert to begin.

From amazing high notes, killer dance moves, intriguing PowerPoint slides, strong acting skills and motivational speeches, the concert was filled

with many empowering and educational performances. The majority of the performers being female helped embrace not only the impact and strength that our black men had and still have on shaping our history but our black women as well. One of my favourite performances was done by students from the Durham region who drove all the way down to give us a taste on the real Wakanda also known as the African country of Congo.

Twenty-one-year-old performer Madieson Victoria, who was raised by her black mother and white father enjoys celebrating her blackness each year at this event. She says, “It’s an opportunity to enhance myself love as a black woman.” Since 2012, she has been singing at this concert. For her, it is something special that in which she looks forward to doing every February. Victoria tells me, “As I gotten older, I’ve drifted away from singing for fun, so I am happy to be singing for an event that has deep meaning and empowers our community.”

Christine Cargill; president of the Brampton’s branch for Congress of Black Women of Canada was in attendance. The national non-profit organization was founded in 1973 by Kay Livingstone, a London, Ontario native and black activist. Today, CBWC helps black women and their families through the development of events and programs. One of their larger events is the Carabram Multicultural Festival. Cargill is thrilled to be a part of a team that works together to encourage, support and uplift the core of the black family and community. She tells me, “As a strong black woman I wanted to involve myself in an organization that supports women who don’t feel like they have a voice.”

As black females, we sometimes struggle to find a way to genuinely appreciate who we are. Concerts such as this one are so important for the ultimate growth of our young black children so they too can learn to be proud of their heritage and even more proud of the skin they’re in. It also helps the people in our communities to learn more about and appreciate our culture as much as we do. As a community, we need to work together to not only cherish our white daughters but to cherish our black ones just as much.

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PAGE 5

Wednesday, February 20, 2019 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

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VP Records still going strong at 40 MICHAEL THOMAS michael@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

In 1977 New York City and the borough of Queens had no idea that a very historic event was about to give birth musically and even though this city had been plunged into utter darkness from a blackout that same year, A bright light called VP Records was about to shine.

VP Record Label is now known internationally as the standard when it comes to reggae music but it was not always easy as co-founder Patricia Chin pointed out “It was extremely difficult to start a record label because when I came here 40-years ago a few people knew about Bob Marley but nobody knew about other singers and they did not know about Jamaica having so much culture and so much music around”, she said.

Introducing different artistes to the North American market was a difficult task and that was not all “I had my children, I was trying to get them in school and being a mom too”, Chin said.

In the early days, Chin said she used to do telemarketing style sales where she would call up customers trying to sell them records and would have some men doubting her knowledge of the music and basically telling her that’s a man’s job but never the less she pressed onward even when times changed.

With the changing of the times also

came the changing of how the music industry does things and with the digital and computer age came a whole new set of challenges for record labels and VP was no exception.

Chin said she witnessed most of her 600 customers at that time dwindle until stores had to be closed because more and more people were buying music online “But thank god my sons and staff and those who were on the cutting edge of technology were able to ride the wave and today we are happy to say that our digital market is just as good as the physical market”, She said.

Mrs. Chin had high praise for the tech side of the business too she said “If I had to ship records to South Africa I would of have had to wait two-three months, But now that can happen within a day all because of the technology and now people do not just hear the artist singing they get to see them too which is really really a good way of showcasing our product.”

Under her guidance today the VP label has grown into a giant and a force to be reckoned with musically, with bases in the U.S, Jamaica, Canada, England, South Africa, and Brazil but its co-founder continues to stress the importance of hard work and remaining humble to its artiste.

One of the things that VP looks for in a potential artist is a go-getter or someone who is interested in furthering his or her career personally and that individual must be able to take advice and be humble said the label’s co-founder.

When asked what VP Records does for its artistes Chin replied: “For the last 60-years VP has helped them develop their talent and we have created a cradle here called VPal which helps a new artist with things they may be unsure of musically, like putting out a record and giving them advice.”

As would be expected of a label that’s been around for four decades VP represents a wide range of artist and their music.

Names like Dennis Brown, Barrington Levy, and Fyah, Gyptian, Beres Hammond, Queen Ifrica, Ikaya, Jah9, Christopher Martin, Maxi Priest, Busy Signal, Spice, Romain Virgo, and Spiritual to name a few.

The label though big on all the genres of reggae has been working with Soca artists since it started. The company started an annual compilation series titled “Soca Gold” which highlights the best Soca Song each year and is spearheaded by VP Records A&R Edwin Howell.

Today, new Soca artistes like FayAnn Lyons and Bunj Garlin are on the VP label, Chin told The Toronto Caribbean Newspaper “We try to cover a wide selection of music because everybody has their own taste, That’s why we have the Reggae Gold, Soca Gold and Strictly The Best to give a wide cross-section of music.”

It is said that life begins at 40 and to mark this extremely important milestone VP Records is having a year-round celebration that’s will span from Jamaica to America with a wide variety of artiste performances to match its fans and Customers musical appetite.

In the meantime, Chin who has a book that will be coming out soon has some advice for the younger people. she said, “I did not do this alone, there are others who played a part too, so surround yourself with good people, and live a good life.”.

VP Records has been in America for four decades and in Jamaica for the last 20-years therefore with this kind of longevity under its belt and Mrs, Chin still around after 60-years it’s no wonder why the company’s logo is “Miles Ahead In Reggae Music.”

PAGE 7

THINKING OF ADVERTISING YOUR PRODUCT OR SERVICE?

$5.00 From Every Ad Per Edition Is Donated To

TCCF Valentine’s Day Gala ANESHA PREMRAJ

anesha@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Continued From Page 1 -- TCCF helps children like Cean Jean, an 8-month-old baby diagnosed with a dysplastic pulmonary valve, severe pulmonary stenosis, moderate pulmonary regurgitation, patent ductus arteriosus, and s/p balloon plasty. These are all very intricate terms for heart conditions. The surgeries needed for these conditions are a pulmonary valve plasty, transannular patch and a PDA ligation. These are all very intricate surgeries, and the surgeries require three different surgeons to do the procedures. TCCF has partnered with The International Children’s Heart Foundation/Babyheart (ICHF),

SpineHope, and SickKids Hospital, in order to help provide the equipment, expertise, and treatments that these children need to become healthier, and potentially live long and happy lives.

TCCF would like to thank all of those individuals who attended the Valentine’s Day Gala for coming out showing their support and donating to the foundation. They are proud to have a community that stands behind them with many businesses and organizations that donate to the charity on a regular basis, as well as their numerous media partners spreading the word of their cause.

The foundation would like to recognize their many volunteers who have so willingly dedicated their time to the organization as well as Inspire2Act the youth division of The Caribbean Children Foundation whose aim is to Educate, Engage, and Empower the next generation to connect with their communities and bring the vision and mission of TCCF to attention.

TCCF hosts fundraising events yearround and are always open to donations online on their website www.tccfangels.com.

The Toronto Caribbean Newspaper is a friend to the organization and supports the charity, by donating back every month through ad sales purchased in the newspaper. TCCF deserves your support because you are able to see exactly where your money is going. It is a volunteer-run organization, and it is managed and run by reputable, established and trusted professionals. All donations are tax deductible.

The continued efforts of the TCCF is driven by the faith and hope shared by the critically ill children and their families.

In eighteen years TCCF has paid for 180 surgeries and they are recognized internationally and through their major partners that include Sick Kids Hospital/Herbie Fund which is the largest pediatric and academic health science center in Canada; The International Children’s Heart Foundation, whose missionW 2 is to bring the skills, technology and knowl- HA 017 T A ... edge to cure and care for children with conYEA genital heart disease in developing nations R! and Spine Hope, whose goals are to help correct spinal deformities and to provide state of the art treatment for children.

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PAGE 8

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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, February 20, 2019

FOLD -Festival of Literary Diversity michael@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

The city of Brampton will be in a festive mood next weekend.

This mood will be set by none other than author and public speaker Mrs. Jael Ealey Richardson. Mrs. Richardson is the founder of (FOLD) aka Festival of Literary Diversity which is a Brampton based company that is designed to give a voice to underrepresented and marginalized authors and writers who were being overlooked and also to keep it in Brampton.

When asked how it all started Richardson said, “After going to literary festivals in Canada and the U.S, I noticed that the audience and the authors who

she witnessed the killing. The author will have an hour of interaction with her audience taking questions then she will be available for a book signing after the event.

When asked to describe Thomas, Richardson said, “She is really interested in raising up positive stories about black youths as opposed to what we see in the news today.”

The FOLD founder wanted Toronto Caribbean News to know that there are other upcoming events. On May 2nd5th FOLD will be featuring Esi Edugyan who just won the Giller prize and Cecil Foster who has a book about the first set of black Canadian porters that worked on the trains and from September 27th-29th she puts on the FOLD Kids Book Fest also.

In May FOLD will be putting on their fourth festival and their founder emphasizes the importance of social media in all of this “I think that social media is really important to us because so much about marginalized society is the sense that you are alone and with social media it is about connecting people across Cana-

da and the world who want to write, want to tell their stories but feels like there is not enough information, opportunities or support from publishing houses and agents etc. And having something like FOLD where people can complain about things, celebrate things or take part in things even if they can’t be in the same geographical area is really important,” she said.

Richardson said she gets her inspiration from caring about people and making sure that everyone, not just some people, has the opportunity to share their work widely. She pointed out that most people have a negative view of Brampton and she really hopes to change that.

Richardson noted that all her events take place in downtown Brampton and the festival is being sponsored in part by Audible Books. This particular event on February 25th will be hosted at the prestigious Rose Theatre Main Stage in Brampton at 7:00 PM. The theatre is located at 1 Theatre Lane, Brampton and admission is pay what you can afford.

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local news

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, February 20, 2019

The 5th Annual Black Arts & Innovation Expo brings opportunities to Transform Lives ALYSSA MAHADEO alyssa@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

On February 21st, 2019, leading tech companies will come together to celebrate Black History Month, at a one day only event offering jobs, scholarships, business grants, and many networking opportunities to help jump-start your career.

“Canada is one of the fastest growing technology markets in North America. BAIE was launched to help people develop new skills and compete to win in the workplace of the future.

I know first hand that embracing technology and innovation can transform lives and inspire meaningful change – we need more diversity at the table.” says Claudette McGowan, Founder of BAIE.

The Black Arts and Innovation Expo (BAIE) was founded by Excelovate and is a proud supporter of First Book Canada. BAIE partnered with leading corporations, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, artists and innovators to promote diversity and inspire excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM). BAIE defines a new way of celebrating Black History Month with focused attention on tomorrow’s legends while recognizing valuable contributions to technology, innovation, music, literature, visual arts, and entrepreneurship.

It is a networking opportunity to build relationships and forge mainstream connections. #BAIE2019 works to emphasize opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) so that more students are exposed to the opportunities they have to offer.

“It’s just like a career fair, we bring together some of the leading tech companies and highlight what types of jobs are available in the industry, they take resumes and in some cases, they even do on the spot interviews making connections on the ground as the first step finding work in the field,” Claudette says.

Attendees will have an opportunity to connect at the onsite Technology Job Fair with leading companies including Facebook, Pinterest, Lexmark, CompuCom, Dell and many more.

The event will feature live performances by international music sensation Kardinal Offishall, R&B singer and songwriter Sage Harris, violinist

Andrew Forde, and Matthew Romeo (formerly known as DJ Romeo).

A panel discussion on “Competing to Win” will be hosted by PR Strategist Dalton Higgins. Ahmed Ismail will deliver a thoughtprovoking keynote on his journey to build XO’s incubator, Hxouse, with Creative Director La Mar Taylor and The Weeknd.

Popular social media food influencer Ryan “Eat Famous” Hinkson will curate a complimentary menu served throughout the event. In addition, Djamila Ibrahim, Kayla Perrin, Canisia Lubrin, Josef Adamu and more will be onsite to showcase their artistic talents.

“We try to blend the artistic world with the technological world and see what magic comes out of that,” Claudette says.

Throughout the day attendees will be able to connect with industry-leading companies that are actively hiring diverse talent for STEAM roles. They will be able to discover 20+ unique artists and ground-breaking innovators that will exhibit their extraordinary creations, experience career-boosting onsite activations like complimentary resume reviews and professional headshots as well as engage in a thought-provoking panel discussion on “Competing to Win,” moderated by award-winning journalist and author, Dalton Higgins.

The Lions Lair Competition will allow entrepreneurs the chance to pitch their ideas to a live audience who will then be able to vote real-time on their smartphone and help one remarkable entrepreneur win a $10,000 business grant towards their business idea.

In addition to that, the BAIE2019 will celebrate five exceptional students as they receive scholarships of $5,000 each. (Students and entrepreneurs can apply for scholarships or a business grant at Blackexpo.ca before the deadline of February 15th, 2019.)

The 5th Annual Black Arts & Innovation Expo will be hosted by CP24’s Kayla-Marie Williams on February 21st, 2019 at the Arcadian Court from 11:00 am–7:00 pm. Come out to enjoy live performances, complimentary food tastings, a luxurious silent auction, flash raffles/ draws and a one-of-a-kind futuristic Robotic Play Zone and the first 100 people will receive a leather messenger bag filled with swag, valued over $200!

Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite for $25 CAD, but their goal is to open their doors and allow free entry for students who cannot afford to buy a ticket.

“We want to make sure that everyone is able to experience in this amazing opportunity, and they shouldn’t be missing out just because they can’t financially afford it, there is a spot there for everyone.” Claudette says.

Wednesday, February 20, 2019 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

island news

Panorama rocks GUYANA -- The Mashramani Panorama competition was a huge hit yet again at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) as the youth and large bands raised the roof on Sunday.

The relatively large CASH space could not contain the mammoth crowd that descended on the event. It was shoulder-to-shoulder seating and patrons lined every single available space. There were few bands that are usually part of the competition– particularly the exquisite Pan Groove steel band– that did not participate this year, but the competition was nothing short of exhilarating.

In the Small School Band segment, which was held first, the Dolphin Secondary School was a clear winner, edging past all of its competitors.

These bands here were tasked with performing songs by Valerie Rodway, and even the President’s College band which claimed first after a highly spirited performance that got the crowd going, could not top the secondary school. In third place came the Berbice High School band.

By the time this first segment was finished, the atmosphere at CASH was buzzing with excitement in preparation for the more upbeat songs to come. In the youth band competition, the young people really gave it their extra efforts.

The Bishop’s High School played the once famous calypso song “Mama, I don’t want to be born”; and it would appear as though the entire eastern section of CASH was packed with sheer ‘Bishopians’. But the school managed a third place.

Vying quite impressively for the first place was the West Demerara Secondary School, that performed ‘Is we own,’ replete with their army outfits and illustrating the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy. They made it only to the second position however. But truly, the GBTI Buxton Pride kept their outfits and props relatively simple, but illustrated that their sheer prowess on the metal instrument was enough to capture the top spot.

And finally, the final three bands — the large bands- were left to excite the crowd. Last

year’s winners, the National School of Music Steel Orchestra began their performance with much drama and hype. Midway through their energetic performance, masqueraders graced the CASH and added to the spectacle of performers. But even with this, they could not climb higher than third.

The Caribbean Airlines Parkside Steel Orchestra was the crowd’s favourite, and compared to the other bands, kept it simple, but focused on perfecting the pan music. It came as no surprise when they captured the second spot, losing to the Guyana Police Force band.

With 255.5 points from the judges and unanimous support from the crowd, it would have been a mystery if the police band had lost. Playing Jumo Primo’s “Tribute”, the skilful musicians sounded out CASH. And of course, they were backed by Guyana’s most prolific conductor- Ray Sparman.

- Guyana Chronicle

We have a vision GUYANA -- Government ministers have appealed to Hiawa, Region Nine residents to not be misled by false rumours being peddled by the opposition which seek to create ethnic division and stall the development plans of the current administration.

On Sunday, continuing on the massive ministerial outreach to the Rupununi, Ministers of Public Infrastructure David Patterson; Natural Resources Raphael Trotman; Public Telecommunications Cathy Hughes; and Social Protection Amna Ally, gathered with residents at the Hiawa Primary school.

The residents came out in their numbers– both young and old– to voice their concerns and listen to the planned developmental projects of the government.

When Minister Hughes stood up to speak, she got rapt attention from the villagers as she spoke of the possibilities for education, health, entrepreneurship and general communication through Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

“It is my joy to be able to serve under this man of integrity [President David Granger] and to be able to start to map out the vision of this government to make sure that we make it possible for you and all of us to connect more to the Internet,” she informed residents.

The minister pointed out that under the former administration, there was an over G$2M cable expected to be built for better telephone communication in the region, but the money was squandered.

However, Hughes announced that the tower just outside Lethem which had not been connected since 2012, will be connected under the current administrative region as soon as this coming Tuesday which will improve communication in the villages.

Meanwhile, she announced plans for smart classrooms and free ICT hubs in villages such as Hiawa, as she recognised that there are many young people in the region with the passion to enhance their learning.

Helping the villagers to understand the progress of these projects and their feasibility, she listed places in Region Nine such as St. Ignatius, Aishalton, Karasabai, Iwokrama, Masakaneri, Sand Creek and Annai which already have ICT hubs.

Minister Hughes also spoke to the possibilities in the use of the Internet for advertising businesses, receiving tele-medication, completing applications for documents such as passports and drivers’ licences and for accessing the Education Ministry’s e-textbooks online.

She also noted that training will be available for such through finances set aside in the 2019 budget.

Minister Hughes encouraged the villages to make use of the present and forthcoming opportunities.

“For us to develop and move forward we have to have unity. We cannot be talking disunity; we have to work together and as these things are there in the computer, we are depending on you the residents to use it for you own benefit.”

Prior to the meeting, Minister Trotman

visited the Nappi reservoir, the largest of its kind in the country, which was made to service the agricultural needs in the area.

The 4.5M cubic meter, man-made body of water was handed over to the three villages of Nappi, Hiawa and Parishara, after the President decided to take corrective action following a severe dry season in 2016.

“Now, in consultation with the villagers, they are looking at other things like tourism and recreation [to utilise the reservoir], so the ministry has asked Conservation International to come up with a management plan, because we built it but now the sustainable use and management of the facility needs some expertise,” he said.

He also told of the collaboration between the ministries of Natural Resources and Public Infrastructure to construct the Manari Road bypass, which will replaces the once precarious, winding road which took the life of an individual last year.

“We’re going to open that in another month’s time before the rodeo and hopefully that will be the end of loss of life [on that road],” he said.

Other projects in progress are the roads from Annai to Lethem; Lethem to Shulinab; and Mabura to Kurupukari

Speaking further on the topic of road improvement and solar energy, Minister Patterson updated residents about ongoing and upcoming projects.

He explained to the villagers that upon asuming office, the President gave him the hefty but necessary task of linking the hinterland region to the coast to put an end to the unequal development inherited.

However, working along with several government ministries and agencies, the private sector was able to begin and complete a number of projects in the region, while the National Toshaos Council now works to bring priority matters to the attention of the ministry.

To the applause of the villagers, he announced the commencement of road works from Lethem to Nappi, Parishara and Hiawa by March.

He also spoke to the ongoing maintenance work on the Linden to Lethem Road; the completed road to Krowdar and farther down to the South Rupununi; and the ongoing construction of the road to Karasabai further north to the Pakaraima Mountain.

Regarding solar energy, he announced the government’s request placed for US$15M loan worth of solar panels through the International Solar Alliance to which Guyana is a signatory and which will see a number of solar farms being strategically placed across villages the country.

Patterson noted that one is slated for the close-knitted villages of Nappi, Parishara and Hiawa, which will be powerful enough to power the majority of the households.

“We came to sell ourselves to you and ask you to judge us on our performance. We’ve done all these things in three years; we have a vision; I’m letting you know where we want to go and we’re asking you to judge us on our performance,” he said.

DO NOT BE MISLED During their interaction, Minister Ally and Patterson made efforts to correct false notions planted in the community by opposing politicians.

“I was told this morning that the PPP came into your little village and told you that they will know how you will vote on Election Day. I don’t know why they think they can mislead you. You are intelligent people and you must know that they can’t know how you vote. When you go into the booth it’s you and the ballot paper alone,” Minister Ally said.

“They can’t know and we can’t know either. But what I want to say to you Hiawa is that we have you in our hearts. We have been doing things for Hiawa and the Rupununi; we are the ones who have been developing these communities and we are going to continue to develop these communities.”

Meanwhile, Patterson debunked the rumour that the present administration does not recognise Guyana’s indigenous peoples as the country’s first peoples.

He also spoke to the false accusation peddled that the government had misused a large procurement of hundreds of solar panels.

The minister revealed that following investigations, the former administration procured the equipment through a non-existent company in Italy, squandering some US$20M. Touching on the trending topic of the holding of new Regional and General Elections, Patterson explained to the residents the importance of fresh house-to-house registration, which he said the opposition is downplaying.

The last house-to-house registration in Guyana was conducted in 2008 and new registrations were slated for in the 2019 budget to the tune of $3B.

“You think about it and ask yourself quietly this evening or when you have your next Village Council meeting, what is wrong with house-to-house registration?” What is wrong with allowing persons who would have [attained the necessary age] to get on the voters’ list and be able to vote?” Patterson said.

“What they’re scared of is rejection and they’re scared of putting their 23 years of stewardship against our three.”

At the meeting, the government handed over two bicycles to children living a great distance away from the school; a sewing machine to a young female entrepreneur; tools to the villagers accepted by the senior council and tokens to those from the village who assisted in the smooth flow of the meeting.

Other items will soon be delivered to villages, including sports materials which were unable to arrive with the ministers to the village on time.

Entertainment came in the form of songs and poems, while Deputy Toshao Sylvester Fredericks translated the remarks of the ministers in Macushi for thorough understanding of the older villagers..

- Guyana Chronicle

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

island news

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, February 20, 2019

The Young’s gift of love for St Ann JAMAICA -- Thirteen-time visitors to Jamaica Jay and Orsia Young presented 10 laptops to high school students, The Jamaica Constable Force (JCF) and The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) at Sandals Royal Plantation in St Ann last Friday.

“We are extremely happy and full of gratitude for this opportunity for us to own a laptop in our homes,” said Westwood High School student Olisa Jarrett as she thanked the Youngs.

“You have chosen us and bestowed these valuable and much-needed laptops to make our studying so much easier.”

Locking eyes with the couple, she continued, “These gifts are very important to all of us, and we promise to make the best of them. We will not waste this opportunity and we thank you for giving them to us.”

Four other students received individual laptops — Ferncourt High’s Carlos Walker, York Castle High’s Mickel Nembhard, Ocho Rios High’s Rickyon Bennett and Steer Town Academy’s Brittany Green.

Two laptops went to the JFB, whose Assistant Superintendent Iris Ivy received the well-

timed donation on the organisation’s behalf, and the remaining three went to the JCF.

In addition to the laptops, each of the students received a backpack with school supplies from Arnold Nugent, general manager of Sandals Royal Planation, courtesy of Sandals Foundation.

“The Foundation is very passionate about educating our children to reach greatness, helping to do so by providing them with the resources and tools they need and creating environments where they will flourish as individuals. The laptops will surely assist them in preparation for their CSEC (Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate) and CAPE (Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Exams) examinations and in making a difference in achieving greatness,” said Nugent.

The Youngs began their relationship with Jamaica many years ago when a friend took them to Sterling Primary School in Grange Hill, Westmoreland. They saw the need and since then have been bringing school supplies and laptops for distribution.

This most recent visit was their ninth to Sandals Resorts, their “home away from home”,

where they have had opportunities to volunteer with the Sandals Foundation which has, since 2009, been providing support for students and schools in and around Negril, Montego Bay, Whitehouse and Ocho Rios.

“The Foundation is deeply rooted in the community and can identify where the greatest needs are. Our relationship with the Sandals Foundation has now resulted in an amazing circle of giving,” Jay said.

“Special thanks to our generous friends at home, ‘The Venable law firm, especially the help of its IT department and Geoffrey Garinther. They have no idea the love and how rewarding it is to see the happy faces receiving these items they made possible. I will not soon forget the kind words of appreciation spoken by the beneficiaries. It was magical. Those children were extraordinary, so adorable, kind, gracious and well mannered. We are truly honoured to be able to be helpful to such deserving students,” he concluded.

- Jamaica Observer

Ministry moves to accommodate more patients at hospitals, clinics JAMAICA -- THE Ministry of Health says it is working to ensure the timely delivery of health care, amidst a growing number of visits to Accident & Emergency Units at public hospitals for suspected dengue, gastro-enteritis and flu-like or upper respiratory illness.

At the same time, the ministry, in a release Monday, said children with symptoms of these conditions can now access the University Hospital of the West Indies for assessment and treatment. Those aged 12 years and younger will access those services free of cost, until further notice.

And to help accommodate more patients, the Nannyville Health Centre will now provide services five days per week (Mondays to Fridays) from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm; and the Olympic Gardens Health Centre will offer extended hours five days per week (Mondays to Fridays) from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.

The Glen Vincent Health Centre, it said, will continue to offer extended hours of services five days per week (Mondays to Fridays) from 8:00

am to 8:00 pm; while Slipe Pen Road Comprehensive will continue to offer extended hours five days per week (Mondays to Fridays) from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.

The Stony Hill Health Centre will also continue to offer extended hours of service three days per week— on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays — from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm while the Duhaney Park Health Centre will offer extended hours three days per week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Duhaney Park will open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays, and from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Saturdays.

Health centres in the following parishes also continue to have extended opening hours up to 8:00 pm: •

•

St Catherine: St Jago Park Health Centre (Mondays to Fridays with the exception of fourth Fridays); and Greater Portmore Health Centre (Mondays to Fridays); St Ann: St Ann’s Bay Health Centre (Mondays to Fridays);

• •

•

Manchester: Spaulding Health Centre (Mondays to Fridays); St Mary: Annotto Bay (Mondays); Highgate (Wednesdays); Oracabessa (Tuesdays and Wednesdays); and Gayle (Mondays and Wednesdays); and St Thomas: Morant Bay Health Centre (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays).

The Mandeville Comprehensive Clinic in Manchester and the May Pen Health Centre in Clarendon have, meanwhile, extended opening hours from Mondays to Fridays up to 9:00 pm.

The Savanna-la-Mar Health Centre in Westmoreland is also open five days per week — Mondays to Thursdays up to 10:00 pm and Fridays up to 9:00 pm.

The Montego Bay Type V Health Centre in St James is open seven days per week — Mondays to Thursdays up to 10:00 pm; Fridays up to 9:00 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays, up to 6:00 pm.

- Jamaica Observer

Mother, son accused of stealing from KPH JAMAICA -- A young man accused of stealing a large quantity of medical supplies from the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) was remanded in custody after the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court was informed that a voice note was found on his phone in which he was reportedly heard giving instruction for a policeman to be killed.

The accused, Kemar Samuels, 27, and his mother, Joy Brown, a patient care assistant at the hospital, were both arrested after police raided her home in Manley Meadows, Kingston on January 14 the police allegedly found the items which included a box of examination gloves, gauze, cottons, urine bags and paper towels.

Both were subsequently arrested and

charged with simple larceny.

Last Friday, when the two accused appeared in court, Attorney Peter Champagnie indicated his intent to apply for bail for Samuels but this was strongly opposed by the prosecution.

Parish Judge Broderick Smith was informed by the investigating officer that based on their investigation Samuels is believed to be affiliated with a gang and that a voice note was found on his phone in which he was giving an order for a policeman to be killed.

The police further told the court that Samuels’ phone and its content have been sent to the Communications, Forensics Cybercrimes Unit (CFCU) of the Jamaica Constabulary Force for it to

be examined.

Champagnie, who was surprised by the new development, told the judge that it was the first time he was hearing anything about his client giving an order via a voice note.

Judge Broderick, however, informed both the defence and the prosecution that he needed to hear more from the police about what was found on the phone and asked for the report from CFCU to be obtained by Wednesday when the matter will be next mentioned.

Samuels was remanded while his mother’s bail was extended.

- Jamaica Observer

Alleged baby thief to undergo JAMAICA -- Alleged baby thief Peta-Gay Ffrench entered the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court Monday smiling at everyone, apparently unaware of the gravity of the charge against her.

When the case was mentioned, Chief Parish Judge Vaughn Smith ordered that she should have a psychiatric evaluation done, following a request made by her attorney Rachel Donaldson.

The lawyer, who said she got limited in-

struction from Ffrench, also requested disclosure.

The psychiatric evaluation is expected to be ready by March 13.

The accused was subsequently ordered to have her fingerprints taken. She was remanded in custody.

Ffrench, 27, of Harkers Hall, St Catherine was charged with child stealing last Monday.

She was taken into custody two Tuesdays ago when she attempted to register the baby

at the Registrar General’s Department in Twickenham Park, St Catherine.

A subsequent DNA test confirmed that the baby belonged to a couple whose child was snatched from the Victoria Jubilee Hospital on January 9.

The baby boy has since been reunited with his parents.

- Jamaica Observer

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island news

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Spanish, Chemist in court on minor ganja charges TRINIDAD -- Two Beetham Gar­dens com­mu­ni­ty lead­ers who were ar­rest­ed dur­ing the T&T Po­ lice Ser­vice (TTPS)’s an­ti-gang op­er­a­tions last week ap­peared in court Monday for sim­ple pos­ ses­sion of mar­i­jua­na.

An­cel “Chemist” Vil­lafana and Ken­neth “Span­ish” Ro­driguez ap­peared be­fore Se­nior Mag­is­trate Cher­ril-Anne An­toine in the Port-ofSpain Mag­is­trates’ Court.

Vil­ lafana plead­ ed not guilty to the charge and was grant­ed bail while Ro­driguez plead­ed guilty and was fined $2,000.

While the TTPS had re­ peat­ ed­ ly la­ belled both men as “re­put­ed gang lead­ers,” with­ out nam­ing them, nei­ther was charged un­der the An­ti-Gang Act or have con­vic­tions for such of­ fences.

In Vil­lafana’s case, the fa­ther of sev­ en plead­ed not guilty to be­ing in pos­ses­sion of

a small quan­ti­ty of mar­i­jua­na that was al­leged­ ly found when a house at Phase Five, Beetham Gar­dens, was raid­ed last Wednes­day. He was grant­ed $25,000 bail with a cash al­ter­na­tive of $10,000.

In ap­ply­ing for bail for 38-year-old Vil­ lafana, his lawyer Ian Brooks called on po­lice to dis­close records re­lat­ed to the case. Brooks point­ed out that while the search war­rant stat­ed there were per­sons with Vil­lafana in the house when po­lice en­tered, the sum­ma­ry of ev­i­dence be­ing used in the case said he was alone.

“They (the po­lice) can build their case from there,” Brooks said.

Dur­ing the hear­ing, po­lice pros­e­cu­tors in­formed An­toine that po­lice had seized $63,800 and US$2,140 in cash dur­ing the raid and the mon­ey was hand­ed over to the Fi­nan­cial In­ves­ti­ ga­tion Bu­reau.

Vil­lafana is ex­pect­ed to reap­pear in court on March 18.

In pre­sent­ing a mit­i­ga­tion plea on Ro­driguez’s be­half, his at­tor­ney Wayne Sturge asked for le­nien­cy based on the fact his cli­ ent im­me­di­ate­ly claimed own­er­ship of the six grammes of mar­i­jua­na af­ter it was found dur­ing a raid on his home last Fri­day. Po­lice of­fi­cers were in search of arms and am­mu­ni­tion but stum­bled up­on the drug, which was hid­den in short pants in a laun­dry bas­ket.

Sturge said Ro­driguez had been us­ing the drug for over 30 years and ad­mit­ted he had been charged for it on two oc­ca­sions over the past decade.

“There is lit­tle pur­pose in do­ing any­ thing else but a fine,” Sturge said, as he al­so called up­on An­toine to con­sid­er that the Gov­ern­ ment is cur­rent­ly host­ing pub­lic con­sul­ta­tions on

de­crim­i­nal­is­ing mar­i­jua­na.

He al­so re­vealed that Ro­driguez owned a con­tract­ing firm and a se­cu­ri­ty com­pa­ ny.

“The po­si­tion has not been moved as yet,” An­toine re­spond­ed be­fore is­su­ing the fine.

The duo was among over 30 peo­ ple ar­rest­ed as part of the TTPS’s re­sponse to a re­cent up­surge in mur­ders and vi­o­lent crime in east Port-of-Spain. All ex­cept Ro­driguez and Vil­lafana were even­tu­al­ly freed with­out be­ing charged.

Mean­while, po­lice Monday con­duct­ed an­oth­er ex­er­cise at Beetham Gar­dens.

Two women were de­tained for ques­ tion­ing dur­ing the ex­er­cise, which is part of their Red Alert op­er­a­tion.

- Trinidad Guardian

Prime Minister: Accused gang bosses can bid for contracts TRINIDAD -- Prime Min­is­ter Dr Kei­th Row­ley says if he acts un­fair­ly against in­di­vid­u­als who have not been con­vict­ed of crim­i­nal ac­tiv­i­ty he will be in breach of his oath of of­fice.

Speak­ing to re­porters in Moru­ga Mon­ day, Row­ley said if such per­sons are en­gag­ing in crime the po­lice must take ac­tion.

“At the end of the day, those of us who hold the post that I hold, we do some­thing that none of you have to do in this coun­try, ex­cept for Bar, those on the Ju­di­cia­ry, is to swear the oath of of­fice: to act with­out fear or favour, with­ out mal­ice or ill will,” Row­ley said.

“So if a per­son has a crim­i­nal record and I act against that per­son with ill will, I would be in breach of my oath of of­fice. But if the per­ son is en­gag­ing in crim­i­nal con­duct, well that is a mat­ter for this (po­lice) of­fi­cer and his staff. He will fol­low the law and the po­lice will and must take ac­tion.”

Row­ley said while he does not know who gets or who does not get a gov­ern­ment con­ tract, if there is im­pro­pri­ety the Gov­ern­ment can iden­ti­fy it and act on it.

The PM’s com­ment came in the wake of a Sun­day Guardian ar­ti­cle which high­light­ed re­port com­piled by Com­mis­sion­er of Po­lice Gary Grif­fith, while he was na­tion­al se­cu­ri­ty min­is­ter

in the Peo­ple’s Part­ner­ship gov­ern­ment, which re­vealed crim­i­nal gang lead­ers were ben­e­fit­ing from state con­tracts. The 17-page re­port not­ed that the gang mem­bers, many of whom op­er­at­ed along the East-West Cor­ri­dor, were us­ing their in­flu­ence to ob­tain lu­cra­tive con­tracts from the Hous­ing De­vel­op­ment Cor­po­ra­tion, Un­em­ploy­ ment Re­lief Pro­gramme, CEPEP and Life­S­port pro­gramme.

Some of the gang lead­ers iden­ti­fied in Grif­fith’s re­port were held dur­ing last week’s an­ti-gang op­er­a­tion. While the op­er­a­tion has been ap­plaud­ed, there has been pub­lic con­cern over the sus­pects’ quick re­lease from cus­tody.

De­spite this, Row­ley said it does not mean that the po­lice’s process has not worked. He said the po­lice had to fol­low a pro­ce­dure, where­by they de­tain those sus­pect­ed of a crime for up to 48 hours.

“You can be ar­rest­ed for 48 hours and not be charged be­cause of the strength of the ev­i­dence. It does not mean that you did not do any­thing wrong, but the strength of the ev­i­dence to get you suc­cess­ful­ly pros­ec­ ut­ed might not be there… Un­der our laws, you can be ar­rest­ed on sus­pi­cion.

“But if it is on­ly sus­pi­cion that caused you to be ar­rest­ed, the po­lice has the au­thor­i­ty to

keep you for 48 hours or go to the court and ask for an ex­ten­sion. Your lawyer will come and ar­ gue against it. Be­cause you have been ar­rest­ed and you have been re­leased, it does not mean that the process has not worked.”

Row­ley al­so com­mend­ed Grif­fith, say­ ing he was a hard-work­ing com­mis­sion­er who was fac­ing the re­al­i­ty of T&T’s sit­u­a­tion. He said the morale of the po­lice ser­vice was strength­en­ ing and polic­ing was be­com­ing more suc­cess­ful.

No PNM ties to crim­i­nals On Sun­day, Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Mooni­lal said the lu­cra­tive con­tracts be­ing giv­ en to gang lead­ers was un­der­min­ing the po­ lice’s war against gangs. He called on Row­ley to ter­mi­nate con­tracts with gang lead­ers and take ac­tion against any min­is­ter who gave such con­tracts. He said Row­ley con­tin­ued to har­bour se­nior gov­ern­ment min­is­ters with known links to peo­ple be­fore the courts and oth­er al­leg­ed gang lead­ers.

Asked about Mooni­ lal’s claim Mon­ day, a vis­i­bly up­set Row­ley said if he is giv­en ev­i­dence that shows any of his min­is­ters hav­ing close ties with any gang leader he will take ac­ tion.

When asked about the “close ties” be­

tween Min­is­ter of Pub­lic Ad­min­is­tra­tion Mar­lene Mc­Don­ald and Sea Lots res­i­dent Cedric “Burkie” Burke, who was ar­rest­ed dur­ing last week’s an­ ti-gang op­er­a­tion, Row­ley said he did not know what “close ties” meant. He said he knew Mc­ Don­ald was the MP for the com­mu­ni­ty where Burke re­sides. He al­so said there were peo­ple in his Diego Mar­tin West con­stituen­cy who were of “great in­ter­est to the po­lice.” He clar­i­fied that Mc­Don­ald was not pre­vi­ous­ly dis­missed from his Cab­i­net for hav­ing close ties with a gang leader, but for be­ing ac­com­pa­nied by Burke dur­ing a swear­ing-in func­tion at Pres­i­dent’s House.

The PM said the me­dia was la­belling all politi­cians as the same when the truth was that the Peo­ple’s Na­tion­al Move­ment had a dif­ fer­ent track record to the Unit­ed Na­tion­al Con­ gress. He said MPs have all kinds of peo­ple with­in their con­stituen­cies, in­clud­ing crim­i­nals.

But when a par­ty choos­es those peo­ple through a screen­ing process and put them as can­di­dates for gov­ern­ment, there was some­thing wrong. He said the records would show that kind of se­lec­ tion was not the PNM way.

- Trinidad Guardian

Scrap iron dealers object to new CEC rule TRINIDAD -- Scrap iron deal­ers are claim­ing that a new re­quire­ment to sub­mit a Cer­tifi­cate of En­vi­ron­men­tal Clear­ance in or­der to get an op­er­at­ing li­cence can ef­fec­tive­ly shut down the mul­ti-mil­lion dol­lar in­dus­try.

“We are los­ing mil­lions by the day,” said pres­i­dent of the Scrap Iron Deal­ers’ As­so­ ci­a­tion of Trinidad and To­ba­go Al­lan Fer­gu­son dur­ing a press con­fer­ence at the Sig­na­ture Hall, Ch­agua­nas on Mon­day.

Fer­gu­son claimed that deal­ers are be­ ing asked to get a CEC when they ap­ply for an op­er­at­ing li­cence on­ly at the Ch­agua­nas Mag­is­ trates Court. With­out the op­er­at­ing li­cence deal­ ers are un­able to run their busi­ness­es or ex­port scrap ma­te­r­i­al, Fer­gu­son said.

Scrap deal­ers’ li­cens­es are valid for three years.

He and oth­er ex­ec­u­tives of the as­so­ci­ a­tion is now seek­ing a meet­ing with Prime Min­is­ ter Dr Kei­th Row­ley and At­tor­ney Gen­er­al Faris Al-Rawi to re­solve the is­sue.

“I want to tell those in au­thor­i­ty once the scrap iron in­dus­try is shut down this will af­ fect the crime sit­u­a­tion in a neg­a­tive way,” Fer­ gu­son said.

“This in­dus­try pro­vides for many in the low­er class­es of Trinidad and To­ba­go and it has not been func­tion­ing since the start of the year,” he added.

He says the new re­quire­ment has af­ fect­ed most of the scrap yards in the Cen­tral Trinidad.

“I want to know how oth­er scrap deal­ ers are not be­ing asked to sub­mit Cer­tifi­cates of En­vi­ron­men­tal Clear­ance from the En­vi­ron­

men­tal Man­age­ment Au­thor­i­ty (EMA) at oth­er courts?” Fer­gu­son asked.

“It seems there is an ul­te­ri­or mo­tive to shut down the in­dus­try for some­one else to ben­ e­fit,” he claimed.

As­so­ci­a­tion vice-pres­i­dent Er­ros See­jat­tan con­tends if the li­cens­ing com­mit­tee want­ed this new re­quire­ment they should al­low deal­ers to get their op­er­at­ing li­cences and al­low them to ap­ply for their Cer­tifi­cate of En­vi­ron­men­ tal Clear­ance (CEC) af­ter.

“I want to know, how I got my li­cence last De­cem­ber at the Siparia Mag­is­trate Court and oth­er scrap iron deal­ers in cen­tral are be­ing asked this re­quire­ment,” See­jat­tan asked.

He said the EMA can take up to 18 months be­fore grant­i­ng a CEC and this de­lay can shut down many busi­ness­es.

Fer­gu­son said his as­so­ci­a­tion had met with the En­vi­ron­men­tal Man­age­ment Au­thor­i­ty dur­ing a con­sul­ta­tion for the new Scrap Met­al Pol­i­cy for Trinidad and To­ba­go and a CEC was not dis­cussed as a new re­quire­ment.

He says the new pol­i­cy on­ly di­rect­ed the En­vi­ron­men­tal Man­age­ment Au­thor­i­ty to su­ per­vise but not en­force a CEC.

The as­so­ci­a­tion plans to re­turn to the Ch­agua­nas Mag­is­trates Court on Tues­day seek­ ing an au­di­ence with the pre­sid­ing mag­is­trate rather than the li­cens­ing com­mit­tee.

He said the as­so­ci­a­tion in­tends to take the nec­es­sary le­gal routes to rec­ti­fy the sit­u­a­ tion.

- Trinidad Guardian

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feature

PAGE 17

We Ah Bubble: Caribbean Bubble Tea Bubble tea is known for its delicious variety of flavors, a cool, refreshing drink that is inspired by the Asian community. Have you considered integrating Caribbean culture into bubble tea? This was the vision of Owyna Alexander, the founder, owner and caterer of Caribbubble, a Caribbean inspired bubble tea business.

Owyna, a Caribbean born entrepreneur, had always envisioned herself owning her own business. Growing up in an entrepreneurial family, Owyna knew her career path would be in business proprietorship.

“I experienced my family being an entrepreneurial mindset type family, all around, my mom, my dad, my uncle, my aunt.... I just always knew I wanted to work for myself and that was all I knew. I was like eventually I’m going to have my own business. I didn’t know what it was going to be, I didn’t know what I would do, but I knew I would do something myself.”

Owyna is a graduate of the Business Administration program at George Brown College. After graduating from her program, she worked alongside her mother and aunt, as the Operations Manager for their business, selling medical uniforms. However, proving that running a business with family can be difficult, the store closed within a year.

“I had a business with my mom, but that didn’t work out. It was a great learning experience, it definitely showed me how working with family can be a real challenge.” Soon after Owyna started to dabble in the art of bubble tea.

“I just love bubble tea, I’m definitely a bubble tea fan and I found myself daydreaming about flavours that were more relatable to me.” Owyna’s love of bubble tea and Caribbean culture struck inspiration in her to create a product that celebrates the flavours of the Caribbean.

“I started experimenting with flavours and I would ask my friends ‘if you were to have a Caribbean bubble tea, what flavour would you expect, what flavour would you want?’ And first off was Sorrel.”

Owyna began her business, using the program BizStart, a six-month entrepreneurship-training program to train and assist young entrepreneurs. “I came into the program with an idea and was able to make it into a feasible business by the end of it.”

Coming up with such a unique name for the business that represents the Caribbean and her product could not be an easy task. Owyna talks about the process of discovering the name ‘Caribbubble’.

“Caribbubble came about when I was thinking about what the business meant to me and what I was trying to do with it, and so I wanted it to represent the Caribbean. So I started with Caribbean Bubble Tea, but I found it so straightforward and bland. I started to think of how I can merge the Caribbean word with ‘Bubble’. Then realized that we already cut the word Caribbean in half then I added the bubble.”

Caribbubble offers unique flavors including sorrel, sea moss, ginger

beer and coco-tea complete with ‘cassava bubbles’. These bubble teas bring the flavors of home in a modern way, through a different culture.

All the products that are made

by Caribbubble are vegan and fresh supplied. “As of now, all my drinks are actually vegan. I feel really good about offering really healthy drinks and I really appreciate when people who are vegan are able to come.”

Owyna does not believe in using powdered flavouring or artificial sweeteners in her products. “I source my ingredients from West Indian grocery stores primarily. The only thing I can’t get at the West Indian Store is the tapioca so I buy the tapioca from the Chinese Supermarket.”

Caribbubble’s commitment to authentic flavours and health is incomparable to most bubble teas. “Because our drinks are naturally healthy and naturally so good for you, I couldn’t see myself using bad ingredients to make the drinks. I really do try to be as authentic as possible.”

Owyna even sources some of her ingredients from back home! “My Grandmother who lives in New York gets people to send things from back home for me, which I’m so grateful for. I get real sea moss, I get real nutmeg from Grenada, I get real coco-tea from Grenada too.

I don’t like anything artificial and I think that’s what I really pride myself in with Caribbubble.”

Not only does Owyna embody the phrase ‘embrace your culture’ but

ICHF BabyHeart Trip to Guyana TCCF works with three international partners to treat poor and critically ill Caribbean children at four treatment centres. At Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto, it works with the Herbie Fund to treat children su ering from most major ailments. In Austin Texas, it works with SpineHope to treat children su ering from spinal problems such as scoliosis.

In Guyana and the Dominican Republic, it works with ICHF/BabyHeart Foundation to treat children su ering from congenital heart disease. The modus operandi at the two Caribbean centres is that TCCF assists with sending medical mission teams consisting of cardiac surgeons, anaesthetists and paediatric intensive care unit nurses to deliver treatment and also train local sta in post-operative care.

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also, she genuinely wants the Caribbean community to feel represented and share our culture with the world. “I would like the community to know that Caribbubble is made for the Caribbean people and it’s basically the love child of everything that I love about our drinks and modernizing it for the community here in Canada.”

While providing healthy and authentic drinks is very important to Owyna, being eco-friendly is just as significant. Caribbubble bubble teas are sold in mason jars instead of disposable plastic cups and straws. They commit to this feature and even have a promotion that if you bring your mason jar back, your next bubble tea will be half price!

If you are wondering where to find the bubble tea of Caribbubble, their products are being sold in a teashop in the China Town Mall in Toronto (222 Spadina Avenue), only until April. There is another location to look out for in March, Caribbubble’s Bubble tea is being sold at the Scadding Court Community Centre at Market 707.

Not only are Caribbubble products being sold at stores and pop-up shops, but also they are available for catering and vending. They are available for private events, such as: weddings, expos and parties and festivals!

Written by Anesha Premraj Toronto Caribbean Reporter

entertainment

PAGE 18

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Shaft’s master plan for artistes will blow you away.

Super songwriter prepares for Global Connects ABA LUKE

aba@carib101.com

ENT. PUBLICIST

He’s never too far. He’s a part of the carnival tapestry even when you hardly hear of his pursuits in a season. T&T’s carnival 2019 period has seen Jason ‘Shaft’ Bishop penetrate the airwaves with more than six carnival anthems. He’s the man behind Patrice Roberts’ killer tourism-

jingle- like hit, ‘This is The Place,’ and Lyrikal’s monster chipper, ‘Passing Through.”

Shaft’s always in the shadows, even when his name isn’t calling much.

For years, Jason’s been the songwriter of choice for many. From Destra Garcia who’s hit ‘Lucy’ was written by Bishop, to Machel Montano, Nikki Crosby’s ‘Granny’ persona- who he manages, and certainly Patrice Roberts, with whom he struck gold when they delivered, “Big Girl Now”. His artist repertoire across the islands, includes the likes of Peter Ram, Alison Hinds, King Bubba and Ricardo Drue. Jason ‘Shaft’ Bishop is most certainly the model songwriter in the Caribbean.

“I’m an executive songwriter. I’m the only

songwriter with such a significant number of songs tabulated since 1999,” he said to us during an exclusive EBUZZTT interview. Jason’s however got his eyes set on international territory these days, telling us that when Carnival is over, he’ll be heading out to Los Angeles where he’ll be treading deep waters outside of his calm Caribbean comfort zone.

Jason writes for each season, one year in advance. Explaining his process to EBUZZTT, he said he offers artistes full concepts based on his vision for the songs he pens. He also personally hand picks who receives which songs, based on character, topic and personality. Ahead of Barbados’ CropOver, he’s al-

ready prepared to distribute songs to the artistes who’ll sing them. “I’m heading to Barbados this evening,” he said when we spoke with him on Thursday. Jason’s been hard at work. His team, based in Barbados, has worked arduously behind the scenes, executing his vision of creating a full fledged songwriting business, that also features other elements that would aid all artistes in the execution of their goals. “I’m setting up offices of Shaft Vibes Entertainment in Barbados, Trinidad and New York,” he said, highlighting that artistes will be able to hire professional songwriters for all genres, videographers, marketing specialists and even dancers.

- EBuzzTT

Mr. Killa does damage at ISM 2019 Semi Finals ABA LUKE

aba@carib101.com

ENT. PUBLICIST

ho is this Mr. Killa and why the hell is he mashing up Trinidad and Tobago? The King of ‘Mash Up’ hails from Grenada and

like a whirlwind he’s invaded Trinidad in the heat of the Carnival season… and guess what? Nobody’s complaining! Go brave Killa, go brave!

The entertainer, born, Hollice Mapp, hails from Guave. He’s no newbie.

In fact, Mr. Killa’s been Grenada’s culture ambassador for quite some time. He’s an incredible entertainer. In Ibiza a couple years ago, Mr. Killa’s on stage antics led to an insane viral energy that immediately propelled him further. In the wake of that, his social media activity thrust him even

higher toward stardom in the Caribbean, amplifying his worth as an all round entertainer. From dancing to performance and vocal ability, Mapp has all that it takes to stand among the best in the music industry.

On Sunday night in Arima, East Trinidad, Mr. Killa made his presence felt, like only he could, at the semi finals of the International Socia Monarch competition- so much so that the online competition punters have already crowned him King, ahead of Fantastic Friday. The

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artiste’s tune, ‘Run Wid It’ has influenced pure wild abandon at fetes, in recent days.

People have reportedly been picking other people, tables, chairs and other items of solid weight. There’s no doubt that Mr. Killa’s influence is real and powerful.

Take a look at his performance from the Semi Finals of the ISM competition, on Sunday night. Let us know if you think Mr. Killa’s the man to beat on finals night in Port-of-Spain.

- EBuzzTT

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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, February 20, 2019

In-demand IT jobs in 2019

As companies adapt to an increasingly digital landscape, job opportunities in information technology (IT) are popping up left and right. Here are several tech jobs that are currently in high demand.

MOBILE APP DEVELOPER This job involves creating new apps for phones and tablets or improving existing ones. In a slew of work sectors — such as finance, government, hospitality and food services — companies are using apps to better serve their clientele and streamline their operations. Most app developers have a background in software engineering or computer science.

SECURITY ANALYST As cyber attacks become more sophisticated, companies are increasingly moving from a reactive to a proactive security model and are relying on security analysts to ensure their cybersecurity. Most security analysts have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, programming or a related field.

WEB DEVELOPER This position involves using programming language to create online software according to client specifications. Given the high demand for this job, a university education isn’t always required. Completion of a coding boot camp combined with sufficient experience is sometimes adequate.

HELP DESK TECHNICIAN This job requires providing technical support and troubleshooting services to users having issues with computer hardware or software. There are often entry-level positions available to candidates with an associate’s degree or certificate from a technical school.

These are just a few of the IT jobs that are currently flooding job markets. If you’re a techie, the world — or rather the digital world — is very much your oyster.

Nice-to-have employee benefits When narrowing your job search, be sure to look into what employee benefits are offered. You probably already know to investigate things like health insurance, flex hours and number of vacation days. But there’s also no shortage of new and interesting benefits cutting-edge companies are offering their employees. Here are some of the more noteworthy ones.

HEALTH PERKS These benefits can include anything that positively impacts the health and well-being of employees. Health perks can be offered as on-site yoga classes, paid gym memberships and the availability of healthy snacks.

PAID VOLUNTEER DAYS This benefit suits socially conscious employees who want to get out of the office and make a positive difference in their community.

CONVENIENCES These are benefits that help employees manage their day-to-day lives.

Some popular ones are dry cleaning pickup and delivery, on-site daycare and free parking (possibly with an onsite car wash).

AMENITIES Benefits that allow you to let off a bit of steam while at work can be a nice add-on. Some companies — following the lead of giants like Google and Facebook — offer pingpong, foosball or video games in their break room. Some don’t go quite so far but still provide a homey and comfortable space for employees to unwind.

Sweet perks such as these are worth taking into account when mulling over job options — they may well swing the balance one way or the other when it comes time to make a decision about where you want to work.

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PAGE 26

food

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, February 20, 2019

A taste of the Caribbean culinary

HISTORY NOEL CUNNINGHAM noel@carib101.com

CULINARY EXPERT

The Caribbean islands are known for its beautiful sand and sea but most of all its rich multi-national gastronomy. The month of February is celebrated as Black History Month or African History Month, what better time, to take a look at what food other Caribbean islands eat or what culture influenced their cuisine.

Caribbean cuisine is a mélange of African, European, Latin American, Chinese, East and North Indian food. The slaves who came to the different islands brought their own food and spices which remain as a part of our rich culinary traditions.

African food and cooking tech-

niques are popular throughout every island. Our love for plantain, okra, peas, callaloo, breadfruit, cornmeal, and ackee just to name a few all came to the Caribbean in the 1600s during the African slave trade.

However, Cuba and Puerto Rico have a rich Spanish influence. Islands such as Martinique and Guadeloupe are Frenchowned; their native cuisine has obvious ties to France while islands such as Jamaica has a rich African culture.

As you know we are separated by the Caribbean Sea but are joined together by our rich culture. Out of many, we are one. Here is a list of each island’s national dish.

• •

• •

Anguilla – Pigeon peas & rice Aruba – Keshi yena. This culinary dish consists of spicy shredded beef, chicken or goat. The meat is somewhat compressed with edam cheese or gouda and then baked Antigua and Barbuda – Fungie & pepper pot. “Fungie” is a dish made from cornmeal similar to polenta British Virgin Islands – Fish and fun-

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gi. Similar to Antiguan’s fungi made with okra along with fish on the side Bahamas – Crack conch with peas and rice. Crack conch is basically conch in batter.

Barbados – Flying fish and cou-cou Cayman Islands – Turtle Cuba – Ropa Vieja. Ropa vieja is a mixture of shredded beef, cooked with a tomato base infused with herbs, served with yellow rice with black beans and fried plantain.

Dominica – Mountain chicken. Mountain chicken is frog legs which is usually seasoned and fried and served as a main entree with rice and peas.

Dominica Republic – Sancocho. Sancocho is a stew consisting of a variety of meats (chicken, beef, etc.…) and a combination of root vegetables such as Yam, yucca potatoes.

Grenada – Oil down. Oil down is a stew of breadfruit, salted meat or chicken with coconut milk and spices.

Guadeloupe – Porc colombo. Porc columbo is pork curry Guyana -Pepper pot

• • •

• •

• • • • • •

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Haiti – Griots with rice and beans, pronounced gree-oh.

Jamaica – Ackee, and saltfish Martinique – Grilled snapper with sauce au chien. Sauce au chien is made of chives, parsley, tomato, pepper and other variety of spices.

Montserrat – Goat water. Goat water is a thick, stew made from goat meat.

The meat is seasoned and simmered.

Puerto Rico – Arroz con gandules.

Arroz con gandules means rice with pigeon peas, made with chorizo, a shoulder of pork served and sofrito.

St Kitts and Nevis – Stewed fish, plantain, coconut dumpling and breadfruit.

St Lucia – Saltfish and green figs.

Green figs are green bananas which is a favorite.

Saint Martin/Saint Maarten – Callaloo soup, conch and dumpling St Vincent and the Grenadines – Roasted breadfruit and jackfish Trinidad and Tobago – Crab and callaloo Turks and Caicos – Conch

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Three things to consider when planning a destination wedding Have you long dreamed about getting married on a tropical beach or at a country­ side villa in Tuscany? Wherever you decide to tie the knot, here are a few things to consider when planning your destination wedding.

1. HIRING A CO-ORDINATOR WILL MAKE THINGS EASIER Weddings require extensive planning and if yours is out of town, the details can become overwhelming. Hire someone local to the destination — or someone from home with experience co-ordina­ ting events in your chosen location — to avoid unnecessary headaches.

2. DESTINATION WEDDINGS ARE MULTI-DAY AFFAIRS Be sure to show your guests you appreciate them travelling to be with you on your big day by organizing a few group activities for them, either be­ fore or after the wed­ ding. You can plan a welcome breakfast, for example, or an excursion to take in the lo­cal sights.

some of your loved ones can’t make it to your wedding. While it may not be a pro­ blem for all of your guests, it’s important to understand that a jaunt to Europe, a weeklong all-inclusive trip to the tropics or even a weekend in the next town over isn’t in everyone’s budget.

In addition to the above, think about how you’ll transport wedding essentials to the destination. If you’re travelling by plane, it’s best to pack wedding attire, rings and gifts in your carry-on bag.

Think about throwing a party when you get back home. This way, you’ll still be able to celebrate with the people who weren’t able to make it to your destination wedding.

If you’re still not sure about it, there’s

Old, new, borrowed and blue: a fresh take on the long-held custom You’ve probably heard the 19th century bridal rhyme: “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in her shoe.” Are you thinking about incorporating the asso­ ciated traditions into your wedding but want to do so in a modern way? Here are some fresh ideas.

SOMETHING OLD • Create a display of vintage photos of loved ones • Incorporate your grandmother’s pearl neck­ lace into your hairdo • Create a broach bouquet from vintage broaches and jewelry to carry instead of flowers

nails bold blue • Wrap your bouquet with a blue hand­ kerchief or ribbon • If you’re wearing a ball gown, add a layer of blue tulle Given how the rhyme ends, why not tape a quarter to the bottom of your shoe for extra luck? Be sure to choose one minted the year you’re getting married. Afterwards, you can save it as a memento and someday lend it to a loved one as their own something bor­ rowed.

SOMETHING NEW • Find some cheeky lingerie to wear under your dress — it can be your little secret • If you’re not the type to wear jewelry, have rings tattooed on your fingers • Have a custom perfume blended just for your special day

SOMETHING BLUE • Forget a French manicure and paint your

Destination weddings: are they legally recognized at home?

Fortunately, if you’re legally able to get married at home, and if your wedding is legal in the country you choose, the marriage should be va­lid in Canada. Make sure, however, that you confirm with the embassy or consulate of the destination country to find out what their marriage re­ quirements are. You should also check with your provincial govern­ ment to see if you need to register your wedding once you’re home.

PAGE 29

SOMETHING BORROWED • Rent a designer gown instead of buying a dress you’ll only wear once • Borrow your parents’ wedding song for your first dance • If a married friend has a similar style to you, ask to borrow her veil

3. NOT EVERYONE YOU INVITE WILL MAKE IT Don’t be surprised if

The beautiful ocean in front of you, the sand beneath your feet and your friends and family gathered to help you celebrate your love for each other. You’ve always dreamed about getting married on the beach and now that you’re en­ gaged, your destination wedding is within reach. But there’s a little voice in the back of your head telling you to slow down and think about it.

What if your dream wedding isn’t valid at home?

seasonal

nothing stopping you from having a small civil ceremony at home before having a symbolic wedding wherever you choose.

Non-floral boutonnieres and corsages: reinventing tradition Traditionally at weddings, women wear corsages while the groom and other men sport floral boutonnieres. The people wea­ ring them often include the groomsmen, the couple’s parents and grandparents and any other family members that the bride and groom want to honour. If you’re not ex­ cited about pinning a flower to your lapel or wearing one on your wrist, here are some ways to put a fresh spin on the tradi­ tion.

• Herbs and fruit: berries and herbs look elegant while still being fresh and green.

• Colourful buttons: you can make unique boutonnieres and corsages with an as­ sortment of buttons.

• Wooden tees: if the bride and groom are avid golfers, tie a few colourful tees to­ gether with a bow.

• Feathers: they can be as colourful as flo­ wers but are unexpected and whimsical.

• Ornaments made of twigs: a shooting star, a heart or a simple wreath made of dried twigs would be eye-catching.

The best part about most of these options is that, unlike fresh flowers, they can be kept as souvenirs of your big day.

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Wednesday, February 20, 2019 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

Leeks: an often-overlooked health food Leeks are part of the same family as onions and garlic but have a subtler flavour profile. Additionally, they’re a good source of dietary fibre and many essential vitamins and minerals. Here are three health benefits that can come from including leeks in your diet.

1. Improves eyesight. Leeks are an excellent source of vitamin A, which promotes good vision by protecting the surface of your eyes. They’re also rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that reduce your risk of developing macular degeneration and cataracts as you age.

2. Enhances heart health. Leeks have high amounts of kaempferol, a flavonoid that protects blood vessel linings from damage and increases how much nitric oxide (an important molecule for blood vessel health) your body produces. They also have high concentrations of folate, which lowers your risk of heart disease by keeping your levels of homocysteine in check.

3. Prevents cancer. Leeks have high levels of vitamin C, an antioxidant that inhibits the growth of cancer. Consuming vegetables in the Allium family has also been linked to lower risks of prostate, gastric and colorectal cancer.

This week, why not try including leeks in a soup, quiche or side dish? You’ll enjoy finding delicious ways to eat this vegetable and be healthier for it.

health

PAGE 31

Three tips to make living with arthritis easier Arthritis can make it difficult to perform a variety of tasks, from getting dressed in the morning to washing dishes at night. Here are three ways you can improve your quality of life if you have arthritis.

1. Keep moving. Regular exercise is essential for maintaining joint function and bone density and can help relieve arthritis symptoms. Plus, exercise promotes better sleep and helps with weight management.

2. Maintain a healthy diet. Eating an anti-inflammatory diet — which involves re­ placing sugary, refined foods with fruits, vegetables, fish, lean meats and whole grains rich in antioxidants — has been shown to help reduce arthritic pain caused by joint inflammation. If you’re over­weight, a

low-calorie diet is essential for shedding pounds; weight loss can reduce pressure on your joints.

3. Make your home accessible. Small adjustments made to your home — such as using a shower stool or keeping items on lower shelves — can ease pain and stress.

Look for ergonomic equipment and assistive devices that can be used at home to improve your grip and avoid unnecessary bending or reaching.

Finally, ask for help from family members and friends if you need it and continue to meet with your doctor regularly to address ongoing health concerns.

What dieters should know about the ketogenic diet Have you heard about the ketogenic diet?

This increasingly mainstream means of losing weight involves drastically reducing your intake of carbohydrates and replacing them with fats, which puts your body into a metabolic state called ketosis. While some people swear by the ketogenic diet, medical professionals and dietitians have concerns about whether it’s a healthy and sustainable way to lose weight.

HOW THE KETOGENIC DIET WORKS A ketogenic diet forces your body to burn fat for fuel instead of glucose. When you stop eating carbohydrates and glucose is no longer available, your energy needs get fulfilled by converting fat into ketone bodies. Ketosis begins when your body must turn the fat stored in your muscles as glycogen into ketones.

To keep your body in ketosis, you have to eat a diet that’s about 70 per cent fats, 20 per cent proteins and 10 per cent carbohy-

drates. Approved foods include meat, eggs, non-root vegetables, nuts, oils and some dairy products like cheese and butter. Prohibited foods include bread, pasta, fruit, potatoes, beans and sweets.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS? The ketogenic diet was developed for a specific medical purpose — to help control seizu­res in children with epilepsy. However, it’s unclear whether it’s safe to use for weight loss over long periods of time.

There are also numerous side effects that dieters may come up against. Many people experience nausea, cramps, headaches, constipation and light-headedness — symptoms sometimes collectively known as the “keto flu” — after their body goes into ketosis.

What’s more, the diet involves eating large amounts of saturated fats, which increases your risk of heart disease. It may also lead to nutritional deficiencies in vitamins and minerals that you usually get from fruits and legumes.

Extreme diets like the ketogenic diet rarely yield good long-term results. If you fall off the wagon (as is easy to do with extreme diets), you’ll start to gain weight back again. It’s safer and more effective to lose weight gradually with a balanced diet that’s easier to stick to over time.

Does washing your hands in hot water kill more germs?

You’ve probably heard that you need to wash your hands in hot water to kill germs that lead to disease. But is this true?

A 2017 study published in the Journal of Food Protection concludes otherwise. The Rutgers University researchers found that washing your hands with cold and lukewarm water was just as effective at getting rid of germs as washing them in hot water. This conclusion corroborates previous studies that failed to find evidence that washing your hands in hot water is necessary for killing harmful bacteria and viruses.

In the Rutgers study, participants had levels of a harmless strain of E. Coli applied to their hands and were told to wash them in water that was either 16, 26 or 38 degrees Celsius. The scientists found that the temperature of the water had no effect on how well the participants were able to rid their hands of the bacteria.

While it’s certainly important to wash your hands thoroughly and frequently, there’s no scientific evidence that you need to use hot water for it to be worthwhile. As long as you’re using soap and water at a temperature that’s comfortable for you, you’re doing your part to stay healthy and stop the spread of germs.

health

PAGE 32

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, February 20, 2019

From the mat to life TRISHA CURLING

trishacurling@carib101.com

YOGA SPECIALIST You might hear a lot of people say “yoga changed my life”. If you aren’t a regular practitioner, this may sound questionable. How can a series of poses “change your life”? It sounds a little dramatic. It’s important to start from a place however, where you understand that yoga is more than a series poses. Within the journey of physical practice, there are many lessons that are waiting to be learned. It really does have this

ability to make this change in your life, but you must first be open to it.

Let’s say your desire to start comes from a place in you that is purely physical, this is great because there are many benefits to receive like weight management, relief from pain, and increased mobility (just to name a few).

Let’s examine some of the ways your physical (asana) practice can have an impact in other ways: Patience Your asana practice calls for you to detach from your ego. Yes, the practice is in many ways goal oriented, but staying in the present and feeling the pose for what it is in the moment has its’ own way of taking you where you need to be. It’s nice to set goals of achieving particular poses and it is very rewarding to see how your body’s ability can change, but it’s the patience

to get there that may be challenging or even frustrating sometimes. It’s putting the time and consistency into performing foundational poses that will help you to build the necessary skills, and/or prepare your body for what’s to come next. If you come back to what the practice is asking you, to detach, to exercise patience, then what you desire will come to you. We can take this lesson off of the mat. If you are working towards a career, or some type of financial goal, being present and taking time to take the necessary steps will only help you to build the proper foundation in order for you to have lasting results.

Reduce worry For that hour you may spend doing an online or in person yoga class, it truly feels like meditation. You are so focused on your breath, the transitions, and the poses, that you have no time to focus on past or future events. You are

totally engrossed in the moment. It feels great, there is no room for worry. A beautiful shift happens once you realize that it does not have to end when the class is over. This deep work that you are doing on the mat creates new patterns in the brain and nervous system. You are effectively teaching yourself how to do this more often. It becomes more natural in other life situations to bring your focus into the present. It does feel difficult sometimes, but just the mere awareness and then attempt to do so will help you to gain perspective in certain situations. Instead of worrying about what may happen, you learn to relinquish some control of the outcome.

Both of these things barely skim the surface of the benefits you take with you off of the mat, but I’m sure you can imagine the spillover into multiple areas of life.

Go to the mat for one reason and walk away feeling the benefit of many.

Will you be my Healthy Valentine?

DR. VIKAS PURI drpuri@carib101.com

HEALTH SPECIALIST Did you know that about 1 in 12 (or 2.4 million) Canadian adults age 20 and over live with diagnosed heart disease? Approximately every hour, about 12 Canadian adults age 20 and over are diagnosed with heart disease. Heart disease refers to the buildup of plaque in the heart’s arteries that could lead to heart attack, heart failure, or death.

As per the Government of Canada, the death rate is 3 times higher among adults age 20 and over with diagnosed heart disease compared to those without; 4 times higher among adults age 20 and over who have had a heart attack compared to those who have not; 6 times higher among adults age 40 and over with di-

agnosed heart failure compared to those without. Men have higher hospitalization and death rates related to heart diseases than women in all age groups. But the difference lessens with age. However, because women live longer than men, there were a similar number of deaths for women and men from heart diseases.

The Government of Canada also states that the simple action of shoveling snow has negative impacts on the human heart, “Risk factors include both strenuous exercise and cold weather because they can increase blood pressure and heart rate. When strenuous exercise and cold weather are combined, the risk of heart attack is even greater”.

Intelligent Health Group is proud to present heart health month at our clinics. As health promoters, our focus this month is to advocate the importance of cardiovascular health as it is the second leading causes of death in Canada for both men and women and is preventable.

Below, are 10 tips that may assist in preventing cardiovascular disease: 1.

Smoking is one of the top controllable risk factors for heart disease. Smoking and ex-

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

posure to second-hand smoke increases your risk of developing heart disease and stroke Quality sleep is important to heart health, as it is involved in healing and repairing your heart vessels Consuming fruits, vegetables, foods with high fiber and fish high in Omega 3s such as salmon and tuna Eating dark chocolate consisting of healthy flavonoids helps reduce inflammation and lower your risk for heart disease Practicing mindfulness and meditation may help you manage stress and high blood pressure which maintains a healthy heart Getting and staying active can reduce your risk of developing heart disease. Your heart is a muscle, and exercise helps make it stronger Drinking green tea is associated with a lower risk of heart disease. Green tea has powerful antioxidants which can help prevent the buildup of plaque in the arteries Eliminating stress, anxiety, and anger sustains a healthy heart. Identifying and determining the things that are causing you to

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

@tccfangels #tccfangels | to donate www.tccfangels.com

stress so you can deal with them effectively Drinking water instead of drinking your calories is important to the human heart.

Your heart is constantly working, pumping about 2,000 gallons of blood a day. By staying hydrated you are assisting your heart do its job with reduced strain 10. It’s important to control cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar. The early detection and management of medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol can help you reduce your risk of heart disease 9.

Beyond this, a largely unknown fact is that chiropractic care is a very important and powerful means of managing stress hormone levels in the body. As such, research studies have shown a reduction in blood pressure and other cardiovascular disease when the body is undergoing regular chiropractic care. As chiropractors, we do not treat blood pressure. We treat spinal problems that increase stress hormones in the body and impair nervous system function. By reversing this issue, problems like blood pressure are improved as a positive “side effect” of chiropractic treatment.

February 16 to June 30, 2019

A Photographic Journey by Yuri Dojc

Top left: Ken and Noah Johnson, descendants of Elias Earls of Kentucky. Bottom left: Richard Scott, Lisa Scott, Leslie Scott, Marisse Louisy (neé Scott) and Janice Griffith, descendants of Elias Earls of Kentucky.

Right: Darryl Hogan, descendant of Sam and Jane Harper of Kansas. ©Yuri Dojc

Guest lecture with Author Karolyn Smardz Frost Saturday, February 16 | 2 p.m.

Winter Exhibitions Reception Sunday, February 24 1:30 – 4 p.m.

Connections Art and Book Club featuring The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead Thursday, March 7 | 7 – 8:30 p.m.

Visit pama.peelregion.ca to learn more

9 Wellington St. E., Brampton, ON L6W 1Y1

PAGE 34

community

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Welcome to the Banana Belt; Discovering South Western Ontario SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

HUMAN SPECIALIST

Toronto, Toronto, Toronto!

I really hope that all of you are finding ways in which to deal with this season that we call winter. It has been cold, dreary, and somewhat annoying, but if you have been living in Canada, you know this is just what we have to expect.

I have been spending the majority of the winter in South Western Ontario, also known as the Banana Belt. They call it the Banana Belt because the region always seems to be a few degrees warmer than the Toronto region. It is no wonder that I decided to escape, and find the warmest part of the province that I could possibly find. My time in Windsor, Ontario has certainly been one of discovery; as a writer and researcher, I am always searching for ways to present new information to our readers, so the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper has given me the opportunity to bring the South Western Ontario region to Toronto. Many of us are unaware of not only the rich history but also the culture that can be found in this region. This year, I will be dedicating my

research and writing to further exploration of all of the amazing people, places, events, and activities that this part of our province has to offer. A better tomorrow involves learning and growing as a community, and the only way to do so is to connect the communities and allow for members of the community to learn about each other.

On Friday, February 1st, 2019, I gained my first real experience with the African and West Indian community. It was cold as could be, but I wrapped up and went down to the Windsor West Indian Association located at 2410 Central Ave in Windsor, Ontario. I came to learn that this is the hub for many activities that occur in the community, and once I arrived it made perfect sense.

The overflow crowd that was in attendance initially surprised me. There was a feeling when I entered the room that could only be described as reverence. The Black History Month Kick-Off was a free, familyfriendly event that featured music, poetry, and Black History Highlights presented by local residents in the community. This year it was hosted by the Essex County Black Historical Research Society, the Windsor West Indian Association, and the Amherstburg Freedom Museum. I will be speaking about these organizations in subsequent articles; each of them has a personal narrative that describes the history of Africans escaping slavery, and then settling in the region.

It truly was a wonderful sight to see: young people singing to honor their ancestors; arts and crafts were displayed around the room, and the most pleasant sight of all, the elders of the community. I had an opportunity to speak with one of the elders who happened to be Jamaican.

With all that was going on around me, he kept me captivated with his stories of living in Windsor and what that was like for him.

Like many elders, he preferred to travel back home when the winter season came around, but he had established a favorable life for himself in Windsor and had raised his family there.

I stood back and truly took in how different things looked in comparison to the events that occur in Toronto. To be completely honest, I actually felt more at home during the event; Toronto has the reputation for being a little pompous. We are known to be very cliquey, and this can be off-putting at times. I like the fact that as soon as I entered, I was greeted with a smile. There was warmth that I felt from the moment I set foot in the room, and this feeling did not leave me until I left the building and had to walk back into the briskness of the night.

I am truly excited for the next few articles because I will be able to share my experience of a place in Ontario that many have not taken time to discover. Join me as we walk through time and learn more about this province that we call home.

The abundance of the world around us COLLEEN LINDBERG colleen@carib101.com

LIFESTYLE COACH

We live in this amazing world that has so much to offer. The beauty that surrounds us, the people we can meet, the adventures we can discover but sometimes there is this façade that appears in front of us and we forget about this magic.

Have you ever felt weighted down by life? Like you are in this constant struggle and can’t see past the stuff you are going through? Everyone has been there, even if they don’t want to admit it. So how when you are in the thick of this struggle can you see the light of beauty around you? Here are some tips.

1. Create a gratitude practice. What I mean by this start your morning with three things that you are grateful for and do the same thing at night. This

action brings you into the present moment of time. It will allow you to start to see things past the current situation and bring great energy into your life.

Some philosophical people I follow say that being grateful puts you in the state to receive. So how are you doing this daily?

2. Start to shift your mindset with information. We are so lucky that this day and age we have access to so much information. Podcasts, audiobooks, real books, videos and I could go on and on. Start to dive in. Find information that helps you learn new things, that shifts your thinking, that gets you motivated to act. You can do this now in real time. Just open YouTube and put in a search. Right now, you can start to make strides.

3. Get out into nature, without your phone and get connected to life. When I walk the dog, I get to do this daily. I also try to wrap our walks around the sunset, so I can get out and appreciate it, even in the winter. We have this beauty that surrounds us and when we are in the meat of struggling, we tend to forget. So, make sure that you sup-

ply yourself with the ability to remember.

4. Hang out with people that are going somewhere, doing things that you strive for, are making a difference in the world. Unfortunately, if you are hanging out with people in the same situations as you, you are cycling with them. You need to shift gears, find some new things to learn about. I am not saying you need to drop those people, but limit yourself to the exposure, at least until you see clearer and shift the space. This is probably the hardest one to chew because we want to also help them, but you can’t help anyone until you first help yourself.

Abundance is one of those words that when a lot of people hear it, they think of money. Abundance can show up in all aspects of life. in love, in connection, in beauty, and in energy. Of course, also in opportunities and money. If you start to shift your perspective, break open the wall that is in front of you, you can get out of the struggle. You can make it through, but really it does all come to your choice to step in and own it.

Wednesday, February 20, 2019 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

life

PAGE 35

Preservation orders in family law VALERIE DYE valerie@carib101.com

LEGAL SPECIALIST

In family law proceedings the most common orders sought are divorce, child or spousal support, child custody and equalization. Apart from these orders, some parties may need a restraining order to prevent one spouse from molesting, harassing and or interfering with them by any means.

Spouses who are separated and pursuing a divorce may also seek a nondepletion or freezing order, also called a preservation order. Section 12 of the Family Law Act allows the court to make

either an interim or final order restraining a party from depleting their property and for the delivering up of property for safekeeping or preservation.

Such an order may be necessary where one party deliberately dissipates assets in order to avoid making an equalization payment. As such, the court will not grant a preservation or non-depletion order arbitrarily. There must be evidence of a likelihood that the other spouse will deplete his or her assets. In Taus vs Harry, the court stated that each party is entitled, subject to a court order, to deal with his or her property the way he or she sees fit. Nonetheless, since equalization is a major part of divorce proceedings the provisions of section 12 of the Family Law Act serves to ensure that if an equalization payment is found to be owing there are sufficient assets available to satisfy the payment. Before the order is made there must be a real

risk that there will not be enough assets to satisfy the equalization claim. In Taus vs Harry, the parties sold their matrimonial home. The husband wanted to buy himself another home from his portion of the proceeds of sale. The wife requested that the husband’s portion of the sale be preserved so that he could fulfill his obligations with regard to an equalization payment. The court refused to grant a preservation order because it found that the proceeds from the sale were not the only assets available and that even if an equalization payment will be due to the wife, the husband’s liquid assets, as well as the equity he would have in the new home, would have been enough to pay the equalization sum.

On the other hand, the court in Both v Both ruled in favor of a preservation order after it was found that the husband had placed a large mortgage on the home after separation and had begun

moving assets from his personal name into the name of his corporation.

The key question the court will ask is whether or not the claiming spouse will be owed an equalization payment and whether or not the payment is likely to be defeated unless one spouse is prevented from depleting the assets.

One instance in which the court may be likely to grant a preservation order is when the parties have no real property, but one party has significant savings or investments in the form of RRSPs, stocks or bonds. Further, if there is evidence that the party has cashed an insignificant amount of investments, a preservation order may be needed to ensure that the other party obtains the equalization payment that is due to that party.

Unless there is strong evidence to suggest the likelihood of depletion of assets the court will not grant the order.

Death and it’s lessons KATHY McDONALD kathy@carib101.com

SCHOOL TRUSTEE

One thing I know for sure is that if I was not advocating for the right of all children to get the education that they are legally entitled to; I would be advocating for victims of domestic violence. Especially children. The death of Riya Rajkumar shook me to the core. Probably because I have a ten-yearold daughter or probably because after getting the amber alert that she was found I sighed a deep sigh of relief, jumped for joy and then went to bed elated that she had been found. You may be wondering at this point, what does this have to do with education? Everything.

Not knowing anything surrounding the demise of this sweet little girl who always has a big bright smile in every picture that I came across, I have one overarching question. How could this have been prevented? How could we have done a better job at educating the family or society to ensure that little Riya would be enjoying the daily adventures of a typical girl from the Peel Region.

The first thing that comes to the minds of people is mental health. I find this perplexing in that in today’s climate we are quick to label every transgression as some sort of mental health issue. It may very well be mental health in this case but what if it’s not? Could it be that someone is simply a mean, wicked and heartless beast simply trying to hurt one human being by destroying another? What if we could teach people about the basic sanctity of life? What about teaching couples that they don’t own their spouses? Oh! and they can walk away. This may be devastating and losing your “soulmate” may hurt but at the end of the day, your “soulmate” is not an indentured servant that belongs to you.

As a society, we need to get back to the basics and we really need to take a hard look at simple things like bringing back civics to all schools and we need to start at an earlier age. Somewhere as a society, we have appeared to stray from the concept of being our brother’s keeper and in this multiculturalism experiment we have forgotten that we are our brother keepers regardless of place of birth. Could neighbors or friends have prevented this?

Were there clues and signs that were missed or ignored?

I remember listening to Kamal Dhillon’s story and reading her book and she describes what she perceived as apathy towards her from neighbors. I vividly

remember her stating that many of her neighbors would think she was snobbish because she never said hello to them while her “friendly and outgoing” husband would always socialize and say hi to the neighbors. Little did they know that if she dared to crack even the faintest smile, she would be dealt a severe, long and torturous punishment. As a society are we reaching out to our neighbors and friends?

When Riya’s father was committing this heinous act did anybody hear?

Were her screams just dismissed as a parent-child conflict? I keep imagining her final moments. I am filled with such confounded sadness for a stranger I never knew just haunted by the confusion buzzing in her mind as her father is killing her.

Would having skills in self-defense helped?

What about lessons in karate? When people decide to separate should there be a mandatory psychological assessment of all parties to ensure that they won’t harm themselves or their children? I know that these questions may sound bizarre but as I desperately seek to understand how we can prevent such tragedies, I can’t help but think about the importance of education.

As I participate in the planning of the United Achievers’ Club, Celebrity Chef Men Who Cook event on March 2nd at Century Gardens at 6 pm I think of the role of education. Why? This event raises money for the William Osler Health System-

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Paediatric Department to aid in the care of patients living with Sickle Cell Disease. This disease affects the shape of your red blood cells which results in not enough oxygen being transported throughout the body. As a result a person with sickle cell anemia invariably suffers serious complications from extreme fatigue to heart failure, There is no known cure and patients simply have to try and manage the disease and the effects of flare-ups. Sickle Cell disease is more common in people of African descent and it is a hereditary disease. It is important for our community to educate themselves about this crippling disease.

Less than twenty-four hours of learning about Riya’s fate I got an email informing me of the death of a stalwart of the black community, Dr. Winston Isaac.

Among his several varied accomplishments, I will always be thankful for his role in co-founding the Walnut Foundation. This organization is dedicated to black men’s health, the prostate and the importance of the PSA (Prostate Cancer Screening) test.

I will soon be reaching the one-year anniversary of my uncle’s death. I am resolute in my belief that he would be here today if he understood the importance of self-care and the PSA test. So, journey with me as we try to educate ourselves to be our brothers and sister keepers as well as we keep our bodies and mind healthy. Walk Good! Belle Marché.

life

PAGE 36

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, February 20, 2019

For the students or for the government: Part 2 NOW ACCEPTING

NEW TV SHOW PROPOSALS TCN TV Network is now accepting TV Show proposals for the 2019 Season.

To submit a show proposal, please log on to www.mytcntv.com and click on “Propose A Show”. All proposals are subject to review and approval. All shows are streamed LIVE and in studio (Brampton, ON)*.

*ALL SHOWS ARE PROFESSIONALLY PRODUCED. A MONTHLY FEE IS APPLICABLE

youtube.com/mytcntv

fb.com/mytcntv

twitter.com/mytcntv

BRITTNEY CHANNER brittney@carib101.com

JUSTICE WARRIOR

For those who are joining us for the first time, today’s entry is a continuation of my last submission relating to Doug Ford and the Conservative government’s decision to eliminate free tuition for lowincome students and decreasing tuition fees within the province of Ontario by 10%. Just to recap, on January 17th, the decision was made by Doug Ford and his cabinet to cut the grants that were provided to students by the Ontario Student Assistance Plan (OSAP) because it had become unsustainable. The previous Liberal government that was in power increased the number of grants that were provided to students in 2016 in order to make it possible for low-income students to attend college or university free of cost.

However, with the soon to be obsolete tuition-free grant program that was made available through OSAP, many students are left wondering if they will be able to afford the costs associated with attaining a post-secondary education.

On top of that, many students are worried that once graduation draws near, the removal of the six-month interest-free grace period will leave new graduates with massive debt regardless if they have obtained a job or not.

Lastly, another barrier to the cuts posed

by Doug Ford and the Conservative government that was not mentioned in my previous entry revolves around mature students and any individual with interest of going back to school. The new terms under OSAP redefine what it means to be a “mature student” which requires students to be out of high school for six years, which has gone up from four. Mature students who are within the six-year bracket, their parent’s income will be taken into consideration into the OSAP needs assessment.

As we begin to analyze the possible setbacks that these changes could have for many students, we can also see how the implementation of such policies continue to perpetuate a never-ending cycle of poverty by creating educational limitations for those who are at a disadvantage in society; making it extremely difficult to dodge the continuous peer pressures of life.

For many students coming from

low-income families, they are usually the first ones within their household to attain a post-secondary education; and the free-tuition grant program made that a reality for many people across the province. Now, with its sudden removal, there are many individuals who will now have to come up with additional ways of financing their education should they not fulfill the new OSAP requirements as of the new 2019/2020 school year.

It saddens me that that there are brilliant young minds within the province who won’t be able to utilize this opportunity with respects to attaining an education, nevertheless, as a student myself, all hope is not lost as I may have some potential ideas or solutions that may assist those who truly would like to go back to school.

A) Usage of a line of credit Yes, I know. Borrowing more money may not seem like the solution especially since within a timespan of a year, students were paying next to nothing for their tuition. However, a student line of credit was specifically made for the purpose to pay for things like tuition and books.

Also, depending on which bank you choose to obtain one from, some of them have the same 6-month interestfree grace period that the Ford government decided to remove from OSAP. It may not be the best option, but it definitely can assist you regarding your financial needs. By the way, the interest rates on a line of credit are relatively lower than the interest rates you would pay on OSAP; think about it.

B) Open a tax free savings account (TFSA) Opening a TFSA can essentially help you when it comes time to pay your loan off.

The good thing about this account is that when you deposit money into the account, it takes 2-3 business days for you to get it back should you want to withdraw from it. Having an account like this as you start your first year of postsecondary education can help you save towards paying down your student loan as graduation draws near. A TFSA can be the difference between owing $30,000 and $20,000.

The recent changes made by Doug Ford and the Conservatives have a lot of students in despair wondering if they can overcome such a hurdle, however, I am here to say that this is just a minor bump in the road. You CAN do this!

Education is something No One, Including Mr. Ford, can take away from you.

Wednesday, February 20, 2019 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

home & garden

PAGE 37

How to think about colour like an interior designer Did you know that design professionals use the colour wheel when deciding how to de­ corate a space? Here are some colour theory basics to help you think like a designer when adding colour to your home.

and tones. Tinting means adding white to make a colour lighter while shading invol­ ves adding black to make it darker. Tone refers to mixing a colour with a combi­ nation of white and black.

THE COLOUR WHEEL The standard colour wheel contains 12 colours: three primary colours, three se­ condary colours and six ter­ tiary colours. Primary colours (red, yellow and blue) combine to form secondary co­ lours (orange, violet and green). Tertiary co­ lours are derived from combinations of primary and secondary colours.

HOW DESIGNERS USE THE COLOUR WHEEL WHEN DECORATING Designers use these principles to figure out different ways to use colour in a space. Here are three common colour schemes.

Variations on these base colours are created by using different shades, tints

• Monochromatic: based on one colour in various shades, tones and tints.

• Complementary: complementary co­ lours (orange and blue, red and green, yellow and purple) are directly across

from each other on the colour wheel. In a complementary scheme, one colour serves as the dominant hue and the other as an accent.

• Analogous: based on three colours found next to each other on the co­ lour wheel. It’s more subtle than using complementary colours but more co­ lourful than a monochromatic interior.

Designers also consider colour tem­ perature. In general, warm colours, which contain more red and yellow, are thought of as more vibrant and cosy while cool colours, which have more blue and violet in them, are seen as calm and relaxing.

Five tips for surviving a home renovation Home renovation projects are almost always stressful, but with a little preparation, you’ll survive. Here are five tips for getting through your home renovation with your sanity intact.

Everything about the kitchen sink

1. Plan everything: make a timeline, buy all the materials you’ll need and line up all the contractors before starting.

To find the perfect sink for your kitchen, you need to deter­ mine what type of sink you want, what kind of material it should be made of and the size and configuration that will best meet your needs. Here’s what to consider regarding each of these key points.

2. Flexibility is key: projects almost always take longer and cost more than expected, and there’s always a chance that something won’t go according to plan.

TYPE There are two basic types of sink: topmount, which sits on top of your counter and undermount, which rests underneath.

3. Be ready for dust: it will get everywhere. Remove eve­ rything from the room, cover furniture and electronics and clean every day.

If you long for a country kitchen, choose a rustic farm­ house sink, which has a front wall that extends slightly past the cabinets.

4. Splurge on a dream item: whether it’s a professional gas range in the kitchen or the perfect soaker tub for your bathroom, a splurge like this is great motivation for getting through the renovation.

5. Make a construction free zone: you’ll need a place to relax that’s free of dirt and dust, especially if you live

with children or pets. If you’re without a kitchen for a while, include a bar fridge and microwave.

When all else fails, try to get out of the house for a weekend to take your mind off of what’s happening at home.

Three top reasons to convert to a bidet toilet seat Bidets are widely used in many countries, but they’re almost im­ possible to find in North America. That may be changing now that Japanese-style bidet toilet seats are gaining in popularity.

Here are three reasons to install a bidet toilet seat in your bathroom: 1. They’re environmentally friendly. A bidet toilet seat with an airdrying feature eliminates any need for toilet paper, which can save millions of trees.

2. They’re more hygienic. Cleaning yourself with water is more effective than wiping with toilet paper and can help stop the spread of bacteria.

3. They reduce plumbing issues. Using less toilet paper means there’s a decreased chance of clogging the toilet.

If you’re interested in having a bidet toilet seat in your home, there are many options available to you, from inexpensive nozzles that attach to a normal seat to high-end, heated seats with controls for the temperature and flow of water and even a dryer.

One thing’s for sure, once you’ve used one a few times, you’ll never want to go back to a regular toilet.

MATERIAL Most sinks are made of stainless steel but there are other options available. For example, farmhouse sinks are fabri­ cated from cast iron and there are integrated sinks that are made of the same material as your countertop (granite, quartz, soapstone, etc.).

SIZE AND CONFIGURATION Depending on the size of your kitchen, you can choose either a single or double bowl sink. Alternatively, you can install a single bowl that’s the size of a double.

By taking these things into consideration, along with your cooking habits, kitchen style and budget, you’re sure to find the perfect sink for your kitchen.

PAGE 38

automotive

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Is the hydrogen vehicle the car of tomorrow?

Bugatti bubbly?

We can easily foresee a future where roads are abuzz with electric vehicles: after all, new EV models are popping up every year featuring increasingly powerful batteries. In addition, an expanding network of charging stations is beginning to dot urban landscapes. However, we shouldn’t be too quick to dub the electric vehicle the car of tomorrow.

There’s another eco-friendly option that’s starting to make its presence felt: the hydrogen vehicle.

Hydrogen vehicles, also known as fuel cell vehicles, are all the rage in California. Just ask car manufacturers like Toyota and Honda, whose hydrogen models — respectively the Mirai and the Clarity — can increasingly be seen cruising up and down California roadways. These automakers, as well as a number of industry experts, foresee a future in which electric and hydrogen cars will share the road.

However, as things stand at the moment, electric vehicles have the upper hand on hydrogen ones. The quantity sold in North America practically doubles each year and the number of charging stations is increasing at a similar rate. As for hydrogen vehicles, California is their lone epicentre. The new technology is more or less confined to this state, which alone has the necessary infrastructure — specifically, hydrogen stations and hydrogen-generation facilities.

However, a small-scale production of hydrogen vehicles is set to begin in Quebec. In January of last year, Toyota Canada announced that their hydrogen model, the Mirai, would soon become available in the province, and the government has already tested a 50-car fleet. Quebec’s Ministry of Energy believes that the province is the ideal place for the technology, since its cheap and clean hydroelectricity can be harnessed to produce liquid hydrogen.

As it happens, Canada is at the vanguard of this new automotive technology. The B.C. company, Ballard Power Systems, is the leading global provider of clean energy fuel cells, the heart of the hydrogen vehicle.

HYDROGEN VEHICLES VERSUS ELECTRIC VEHICLES While they’re both eco-friendly options, hydrogen vehicles and electric vehicles have several important differences. Here are some key points to consider.

• Infrastructure costs. The infrastructure for hydrogen vehicles is more expensive to build and put in place: a single hydrogen station requires about a three million dollar investment, while a Level 2 EV charging station costs approximately $15,000 and a fast charging station $40,000. Whereas an EV charging station can serve about 20 vehicles a day, a hydrogen station can fill up several hundred.

• Recharging. Recharging a hydrogen vehicle takes no longer than getting gas, but filling up an EV is a lot more slow going. Level 2 charging stations (currently the most common option) take between six and 12 hours to supply a complete charge; fast charging stations take about 30 minutes.

• Range. Hydrogen vehicles get an impressive range of nearly 500 kilometres whereas the median range for EVs is 183 kilometres. However, certain EV models do match hydrogen vehicles for range, such as the Tesla, which delivers up to 539 kilometres before needing to be recharged.

While it’s too soon to tell whether the hydrogen vehicle or electric vehicle is the car of tomorrow — or whether they’ll share the title — either way, the future is looking greener.

With its price tag of a couple million dollars, few get the chance to get behind the wheel of a Bugatti. However, you might settle with sipping on some Bugatti — that is, on a glass of Bugatti champagne, a sparkling wine that the French carmaker has produced to mark its 110-year anniversary.

Bugatti sparkling wine combines iconic Champagne varietals, Chardonnay (90 per cent) and Pinot Noir (10 per cent). There hasn’t been any mention of the price yet; however, seeing as it’s a Bugatti, expect it to cost a pretty penny.

Bugatti created the bubbly with the champagne specialists at Champagne Carbon. The partnership between these two French companies is fitting. First, both businesses make use of carbon fibre: the former for car parts, the latter for bottles. Second, they’re practically neighbours. Bugatti is situated in Mulhouse, France (near the Swiss and German borders), while Champagne Carbon hails from nearby Champillon, in Reims.

Get ready for the Gladiator: the new Jeep pick-up The last time Jeep was selling trucks was in the early nineties, when it had the Comanche.

Now the automaker is once again throwing its trucker’s hat into the ring with the 2020 Gladiator. The specs? A chassis based on that of the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and a 3.6-litre V6 engine that delivers 285 horsepower. (There will also be the option of a 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 442 lb.-ft. of torque.)

gether new, like gator and hydro blue.

As it’s a Jeep, it can drive on, over, through and across just about anything. And the detailed specs back this up:

The Gladiator is on the pricier side, with the Rubicon model expected to sell for around $65,000. But judging by the buzz, expect to see Jeep-enthusiasts hitting dealerships in droves.

• Tru-Lok electric front- and rear-axle lockers • A Trac-Lok limited-slip differential • A segment-exclusive sway-bar disconnect system • 33-inch off-road tires Plus, it’s equipped with a 5-ft. steel bed and can tow more than 7,600 pounds.

MODEL CHOICES The 2020 Jeep Gladiator comes in four models: the Sport, the Sport S, the Overland and the Rubicon.

The trucks also come in a variety of colours — some of them alto-

The Sport models have soft-top removable roofs and the Overland and Rubicon models come equipped with Freedom Top three-piece hardtop removable roofs. The soft-tops are easy to open and close and the hardtops are simple to take on and off. Additionally, the hardtop models have manual rear-sliding windows making driving in the open air a breeze.

fun

Wednesday, February 20, 2019 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

PAGE 39

WEEK OF FEBRUARY 17 TO FEBRUARY 23 2019

ARIES

The luckiest signs this week: SCORPIO, SAGITTARIUS AND CAPRICORN

You’ll have a number of small tasks to attend to, both at work and at home. When you’ve fini shed everything, you’ll feel a sense of satisfaction.

TAURUS

You’ll be faced with some big household tasks. Your love life might take an unexpected turn following a good conversation. A family member’s pregnancy might be announced.

PUZZLE NO. 676 ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 676

HOW TO PLAY :

GEMINI

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

It’s going to be an exceptionally busy week for you. Before you can enjoy yourself, you’ll have to either put in some extra work at your job or deal with demanding family duties.

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

You’ll make changes around the house (they may involve either decorating or repair work). You’ll manage to find some good deals and your property will increase in value. Also, don’t hesitate to ask for a raise in your salary.

CANCER

LEO

PUZZLE NO. 939

You might have to deal with un­e xpected expenses. Fortunately, you’ll receive something lasting in return. With good negotiating skills, or by making proper ar­r angements, you’ll reach a favou­r able outcome.

VIRGO

50. Small bottles 53. Previous to, in verse 54. Promise 56. Cow sound 57. Farmland measure 58. Metal currency 59. Overnight accommodation 60. Coral structure 61. Party giver

25. Summertime forecast 27. Lapse 29. Large parrot 30. Overly 31. Barnyard pen 33. Thickly padded glove 35. Outlaw 38. Mountain lion 40. Opera star 43. Peace agreement

45. Snap 46. Cold-cut shop 47. Cast or wrought 48. Machinestitched 49. Unclothed 51. Floral necklaces 52. Had delivered 55. Ump’s cousin

ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 939

ACROSS

1. Floor washers 5. Includes 9. Hem’s partner 12. Milky stone 13. Support 14. Small number 15. Submarine equipment 17. Ante up

18. Put into effect 19. Fields 21. On an even ____ 23. Winter transport 24. That girl 26. Shake 28. Factions 32. Verse

composition 34. Wipe gently 36. Blow a horn 37. Topmost floor 39. Shoulder enhancer 41. Timid 42. Young child 44. Chip 46. Bother

LIBRA

Numerous changes will begin to make themselves felt in your life, both professional and perso nal in nature. You should teach your­self to relax so as to decrease your stress.

SCORPIO

Your social life will become much more active. A few friends will mo­tivate you to sign up with them for art lessons, a yoga course or some other wellness­based activity.

SAGITTARIUS

DOWN

1. Pine 2. Unbarred 3. Colorful bird 4. Bread piece 5. Circle segment 6. Terrible fate 7. Fools 8. T-bones 9. Tramp 10. In an updated way 11. Moistens 16. Hearty meat dish 20. Routine food 22. Lass’s mate 24. Resort hotel

You might have had a quiet week planned but the very opposite is what’s in store for you: there will be a lot of action and a number of unexpected events. Consequently, you will also experience conside­rable delight.

Your boss will offer you a promo­tion on a silver platter. Even if you’re maddeningly short on time, you’ll be extremely motivated to take on new professional as well as personal challenges.

CAPRICORN

EA trip will likely be added to your itinerary. You’ll finally feel like you’re in the mood to celebrate and you’ll organize a gathering of friends.

You’ll discover a new spiri­tual approach.

AQUARIUS

Several intrusions might disturb your sense of calm. If you trust your family and friends to help you, you’ll come into a newfound sense of wonder and happiness.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS USE AMERICAN SPELLING

PISCES

You’ll need to seriously consider the pros and cons before making a decision. It’s possible that others will pose numerous questions to which you won’t always have a response.

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real estate

PAGE 42

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Ice damming problems and solutions JAY BRIJPAUL brijpaul@carib101.com

REAL ESTATE PRO Winter is a cocktail of extremes.Temperatures fluctuate from warm to cold and the process creates thawing and freezing. This is one of the causes of ice damming which can lead to water damage. Ice damming is common when the snow melts and refreezes on top of roofs. One of the signs of ice damming is the icicles hanging from the eaves.

Ice dams are slabs of ice along the perimeter of the roof and, when frozen, are harmless like the icicles. On warm winter days, melting snow pools along the dam and seeps back upwards, under the shingles, sometimes as much as five

A+

to ten feet. With no barrier, it finds its way into soffits and along the walls. Water will travel in many directions and sometimes where the leak appears is not the problem spot. I recall in one of my client’s homes, we thought that it was a leaky basement. It turned out that water was traveling along a conjugate from the roof to the basement floor.

The first sign of water damming may appear as rust spots along drywall screws. Sometimes you will notice bulging paints and in extreme cases damp drywall. If undetected, it can result in mold infestation and poor air quality. Fortunately, there are cures for ice damming. Now is a good time to find problem spots. Take note where icicles are forming and tackle the problem on a dry summer day.

In many homes, heat escapes along the ceiling, into the attic and warms the wood and shingles.

Shingles are attached to plyboard with nails, a conductor of heat. Although the outside temperature is below freezing, snow melts along the warmer areas and the water runs down to the edge, refreezes and eventually forms a dam.

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The best way to prevent damming is to avoid heat loss. There are many benefits here because, with less heat loss, utility cost will drop and at the same time, you will prevent water from seeping into the attic. To keep the attic temperature cold, we need to make a few adjustments.

Air leaks into the attic usually result is around 30% of heat loss. Most of the air leaks are from around vent pipes, ceiling fans, access hatches, light fixtures and unblocked drywall gaps between the exterior walls. Large gaps can be blocked with extra insulation such as spray foam and a coat of silicone around washroom fans and light fixtures will certainly assist. Weatherstrip and insulate the access hatch. Kitchen vents should be vented directly to the side of the home and not through the attic and roof.

Washroom vents and fans should be vented with insulated vents to prevent condensation and heat loss.

Now that all the gaps are sealed, the next step is to check the level of insulation in the attic.

The recommended thickness is about fourteen inches. A few extra inches of insulation can save

money from consumption cost; in the winter with heating and in the summer with air conditioning. The blown-in insulation is better than the regular hand placed because of fewer disturbances and better coverage. It is best to hire a contractor for this job.

Ventilating the attic flushes out hot air and allows cool air to circulate freely. The attic and outdoor temperature should be around the same to prevent condensation. The best type of roof vents are roof turbines, known as whirlybirds. Vents should be installed around the soffit in every other rafter space as well. The rule of thumb is that one square foot of vent is good for 300 square feet of ceiling area. Make sure that the soffit vents are not covered with insulation.

This will block the air flow.

Water is unique in that it expands when frozen.

As it seeps into cracks and crevices, over time, they will grow. As the proverb goes “A stitch in time saves nine”. Our home is one of our best investments. An insulated attic is certainly worth the cost with monthly utility savings and expensive roof damages.

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PAGE 44

finance

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Markets make a significant comeback FAZAAD BACCHUS fazaad@carib101.com

FINANCE SPECIALIST

As you are all well aware by now looking at your 2018 investment statement, it was not a very good year. This was probably one of the worst years when it comes to returns since 2008. Yes, you have heard it before, that it’s all due to the China trade wars, NAFTA agreement, and rising interest rates. These are not things that anyone can predict, and no one could have prepared themselves for such a negative performance in 2018.

Matter of fact all the fundamentals looked quite good, housing starts were up, unemployment was low, GDP was high and all the right conditions for another great year. But remember I mentioned some time ago about a thing called exogenous shocks, things we cannot prepare ourselves for? Well,

those were culprits and the cause of such a weak market in 2018.

As we head into 2019, these fundamentals ever present in 2018 are still there.

Yes, there has been a cooling of sorts but still strong. Does that mean we are heading for a great year or another like last year? The truth is, no one knows, and no one can predict the stock market, it is a living breathing thing.

It heaves and pulls back just like a person breathes and perhaps if we understand it like this, we may come to terms with the way it operates.

The stock market is never stagnant, just like a tide that rises and falls. Then it is better to accept that this is the way it does what it does and there is absolutely nothing anyone can do about it. However, it is a given fact, if you stay in the market long enough, choose good investment managers and continue without the weight of the market on your shoulders, you would more than likely come out a winner.

To emphasize this point let me share what happened in the market in 2018. Not a single index made money; the TSX was down 8.9%, Russell 2000 was down 11.01%, DAX was down 22.16% etc.etc. Not a single stock

exchange reported positive gains last year.

So, at the end of 2018, some investors decided to liquidate their investments. This is a typical strategy for some investors referred to as loss aversion; they cannot afford to suffer any more losses. And then they miss the best days in the market!

I refer to the month of January 2019 where the stock market gains were so high that it has almost recovered all of the losses of last year. But if you were not in the market because you liquidated at the end of December, then you would never see those gains.

This is the way it works folks, you have to stay invested, but don’t get me wrong, you must also find a good advisor, a good fund manager and be invested in the right funds.

What does the market have in store with such a good rebound? Do we expect significant growth over and above the gains in January, it’s very hard to say, but for me, it’s not likely. January provided an average of about 8% and it’s not possible that we will see this happening every month from here on.

Therefore, I urge you to find a dedicated advisor to help you manage your investments.

Key Person Insurance is vital for small business ANDREW STEWART andrew@carib101.com

FAMILY ADVISOR

Without proper life insurance protection, the sudden death or disability of a founder could derail a company, resulting in layoffs, bankruptcy and possibly the collapse of the business itself. From the day an entrepreneur starts a business, he exposes himself to certain risks. Even before the first employee is hired, a business is at risk, making it important to have the right insurance in place.

When launching a business, entrepreneurs are supported by investors, teams and their families who all share in their company’s vision, but these groups are also the most at risk should that vision be cut short by an unforeseen event.

Entrepreneurs are natural optimists, but it is remarkably common for them not to take out life insurance. In fact, according to LIMRA’s Life Insurance Barometer study, 41% of business owners and individuals do not have life insurance, meaning they likely don’t have the necessary funds earmarked to

support their business, employees and their loved ones in the event that something happens to them. No one likes to think about the unexpected events that could occur, such as an injury, disability or even death, to yourself or a business partner, but a good business person should anticipate all possibilities whether they are positive or negative.

Key person insurance is simply life insurance on the key person in a business.

This person may be a partner, majority stockholder or someone with unique expertise or a business-critical skillset. These are the people who are crucial to a business, the ones whose absence would sink the company.

Here’s how key person insurance works: A company purchases a life insurance policy on its key employee(s), pays the premiums and is the beneficiary of the policy. If that person unexpectedly dies, the company receives the insurance payoff. The purpose of key person insurance is to help the company survive the blow of losing the person who makes the business work. The company can use the tax-free insurance proceeds for expenses until it can find a replacement person, or, if necessary, pay off debts, distribute money to investors, pay severance to employees and close the business down in an orderly manner. In a tragic situation, key person insurance gives the company some options other than immediate bankruptcy.

A key person policy is used to pro-

tect your business, not the key employee. If the key person becomes disabled, key person insurance coverage proceeds can be used by the company for any purpose. Premiums are based on several factors, including the key employee’s age, physical conditions, and health history. The amount of coverage also affects the premium.

If the company is a sole proprietorship and employs just you and no other employees or has no other people who depend on it, the key person insurance isn’t as necessary. You’ll notice I didn’t mention your family. Don’t confuse key person insurance with personal life insurance. If you have a spouse and/or children who depend on your income, then you should have personal life insurance for that purpose.

There is a wide range of insurance types that you have access to protect your business.

Here are some other types: • Professional liability insurance • Property insurance • Home-based businesses • Product liability insurance • Business interruption insurance Check with your insurer to find out what forms of insurance are advised for your type of business and put those plans in place as soon as possible.

New director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion named at Peel CAS “By reaching out and hearing from those we serve, we can build relationships and engage others in our work.”

At Peel CAS our work is guided by our commitment to diversity and anti-oppression and being respectful of others. Our job is to listen, respect and work with families to create strong and safe environments for children and youth. Recently, Peel CAS welcomed Chima Nsitem as the new director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

Chima has been working with Peel CAS for 15 years, first as a front line worker and then as a team leader. His has never wavered in his commitment to putting respect and fairness first when working with children, youth and families. It is his passion to ensuring families receive equitable services that led him to his new role at the agency.

“I came to Canada from Nigeria in 1986 and pursued a career in social work to champion the issues of social justice and equity for families,” says Chima. “I am committed to children’s advocacy and to building and strengthening families and communities. In this role, I look forward to working with staff and the community to enhance services to ensure they are equitable, inclusive and reflect the uniqueness of those we serve.”

With more than half of residents in Peel identifying as a visible minority, Peel is one of the most diverse regions in Ontario. “Issues such as racism, discrimination, marginalization, poverty and food insecurity impact families in our community,” says Chima. “I have faced some of these issues and want to work with others to make a positive change.”

Engaging the community in the work we do is a big area of focus for the agency. “Working with families to keep children and youth safe is a shared responsibility,” says Chima.” We have an opportunity to collaborate with organizations that serve families in our community. By reaching out and hearing from those we serve, we can build relationships and engage others in our work. At the same time, we want to take time to celebrate the cultures and diversity of those within the agency, and the families we work with, because it is our diverse voices that make us unique.”

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in action at Peel CAS As Peel CAS continues on its DEI journey, here are some highlights of ways we provide culturally safe and supportive services for the families we work with.

February 18 is

Family Day! Peel CAS is committed to working together with families to keep children and youth safe and well. Did you know that over 90% of our work is done with families in their homes? In 2017-18, Peel CAS worked with 11,300 families. A big thank you to the dedicated kin and foster caregivers and our volunteers who are key partners in helping us to do this work.

• The creation of an alliance between Peel Children’s Aid and Black Community Action Network Peel (BCAN) to lead the development of an anti-racism, community capacity-building and systems change initiative in Peel • The Village – a created space where youth of African and Caribbean descent in the care of, or affiliated with Peel CAS meet once a month to connect with mentors (staff members) who are sensitive to their needs and identity • South Asian Youth Alliance (SAYA) – a created space where youth of South/West and Arab heritage in the care of, or affiliated with Peel CAS meet once a month to connect with mentors (staff members) who are sensitive to their needs and identity

Chima Nsitem

• Ujima, Aawaz, Kinomaage Debwewin and the Asian Committee – groups of dedicated Peel CAS colleagues who work together to support children, youth and families of various cultural backgrounds through education and advocacy • Partnerships with key ethno-cultural community organizations providing services to children, youth and families in Peel such as Peel Aboriginal Network, Indus Community Services, South Asian Welcome Centre, United Achievers and more.

Black History Month activities at Peel CAS This year, Peel CAS’s Black History Month (BHM) theme is “Empowerment and Inspiration” as the agency focuses on its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and enhancing work with our diverse population to continue the journey of making our agency an inclusive and equitable work environment. Some highlights from the month include a BHM launch and activities including celebrations of traditional African drumming, spoken word, food, history, and culture with children and youth involved with the agency.

For more information, contact Peel CAS at 905.363.6131 or visit

www.peelcas.org

PAGE 46

sports

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, February 20, 2019

West Indies prepares for ODI Match KAYLA KARIM

kayla@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

After coming off of a win in the earlier Test Series against England at the end of January, West Indies is set to prepare for their upcoming ODI match on Wednesday, February 20th, 2019. The England tour of West Indies will continue at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.

West Indies are looking to continue to show the cricket world that they are more than just a previous empire. Ahmer Naqvi from ESPNcricrinfo reports that for about a decade, West Indies have been at the very outer limits of the game’s most cutting edge format. Naqvi also mentions that, despite the unsatisfying decline of West Indies cricket, players are more often than not blamed first.

Over time, they have created two very similar and extraordinary players, in Darren Sammy and Jason Holder.

Darren Sammy was vice-cap-

tain in the Bangladesh tour of the West Indies in 2009. He was then appointed captain, however, it didn’t sit well with many. Naqvi says “The men he replaced had at least carried the swag and strut of the Caribbean ideal”, whereas Sammy was a “yes man” who got lucky and secured a job he didn’t deserve. Fast forward to six years later, Sammy was adored by the cricket world after winning his second world title.

Jason Holder’s story is similar.

Although he was inexperienced like Sammy, he is significantly younger – even becoming the second youngest captain in West Indie’s history in Tests.

After being thrown into a position that he probably wasn’t completely prepared for, Holder ended up becoming a better version of Sammy’s “dignified trier” says Naqvi. He was a more talented cricketer and was able to assert his skills better despite having to deal with the similar lack of a full-strength squad.

His ODI teams have struggled but the Test side has started to reveal its identity. Holder’s first Test win was against Pakistan in Sharjan and since then, his team has a record better than that of any Asian side other than India.

As the team moves in the direction of young leaders and hoping to rebuild their own identity, both of the cricketers will look to continue

their remarkable story. The recent win against England and the appointment of the two has helped to ease the conversation of controversy and chaos surrounding both players. Naqvi analyzes the situation and comes to the conclusion that “it is time that we come to see this decade as a completely different chapter in West Indies’ history, which for better or worse has moved past the shadow of the golden age and lives in its own contradictions and achievements”.

He continues to share, “The tales of Sammy and Holder are about a new form of defiance and dignity which exist in the face of a new set of challenges to do not only with the domestic administration but the rapidly changing economic reality of the sport itself”. He concludes with, supporters and cricket watchers should learn to think of West Indies and remove the idea of replicating the past.

West Indies will face England in four ODI’s from February 20th until the 27th 2019.

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Get up to 2GB’s of bonus data on the Data, Talk and Text Plans (in-zone) available for a limited time, subject to change without notice. Once you reach your 3G speed data allotment, your data speed will be reduced until ™ Trademarks used under license ©2019 Taxes extra. Offer subject to change without notice.

Getanniversary up to 1GB of Only dataapplicable on the Talk, and Data Once you reach your license 3G speed your next date. to newText activations.

TaxesPlan. extra. ™ Trademarks used under ©2018data allotment, your data speed will be reduced until your next anniversary date. ™ Trademarks used under license ©2019

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Toronto Scarborough Woodside Square Bridlewood Mall 1571 Sandhurst Circle 2900 Warden Avenue Toronto ON M1V 1V2 Boardwalk Scarborough ON M1W 647-260-1392 Learn more at freedommobile.ca. Š 2018 Samsung Electronics Canada Inc.235 AllThe rights reserved. Samsung and Samsung Galaxy are registered Boardwalk 2S8trademarks 416-490-9463or trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., used with permission. Screen images simulated. Google, Pixel, the G logo, and related marks and logos are trademarks of Google LLC. The Freedom Mobile name and logos and other words, titles, phrases, marks, logos, icons, graphics are trademarks of, or are Kitchener, ON used under license by, Freedom Mobile Inc. N2N 0B1 Learn more at freedommobile.ca. Š 2018 Samsung Electronics Canada Inc. All rights reserved. Samsung and Samsung Galaxy are registered trademarks or trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., used with permission. Screen images simulated. Google, Pixel, the G logo, and related marks and logos are trademarks of Google LLC. The Freedom Mobile name and logos and other words, titles, phrases, marks, logos, icons, graphics are trademarks of, or are used under license by, Freedom Mobile Inc.