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The email came in from our partners at Finn Marshall, and Trish called me into the office. “Looks like we have a trip to take.” “Oh really!” I said. “Where are we heading to this time?” “Well, you are heading to Jamaica again.”

Hmmm, I thought as I walked back to the office. What was in store for me this time? It was only at the end of the trip was I able to truly give a name to what I experienced, and of course, I am going to share this experience with you Toronto. Over the next few editions, I am going to present to you a different experience than the one that I brought you last time. I would like to introduce to you Fitness, Food, and Flora; Health

and Well-being in Jamaica.

I am going to start from the end of the trip and work my way backward. It was about 5:00 am, and I was joined by Pat Montague, Leona Minto, Shaun Walsh, Lyndon Taylor, and Chris Collie, members of media hailing from Florida and New York. Leona (who I had met on the last trip), and Pat Montague were actually participating in the event, so as a group we made our way down Jimmy Cliff Boulevard into Old Hospital Park where even at 5:30 am, the park was buzzing with energy.

We all were there for the MoBay City Run, a 10K/5K Run and Walk that was established as a transforma-

tional activity for education in Western Jamaica. The main objective of this walk is to raise funds to support university students who are striving to attain their tertiary level education.

For those who do not know, tertiary education is equivalent to University or College here in Canada. It most definitely takes a lot of planning to pull off a fun and healthy family event that not only is great for the community but also has helped to transform the lives of so many young people in Jamaica.

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feature

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Living life the Wright Way

Pat Wright

“You could step outside now, and a bus hit you down and kill you. A lot of people are likely to die before I do.” ~ Pat Wright While in Jamaica, I had the opportunity to meet an individual who not only impacted the way that I look at life but also the way that I look at death.

As I write this woman-empowered story, I must be mindful to not give everything away. After sharing what I have learned, I would advise everyone to read the story of Pat Wright; the woman who beat cancer five times and won.

This incredible story gives an intricate look into the life of a woman who suffered in ways that are unimaginable, and yet, upon meeting her, you would never know that she has experienced a disease that h a s

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conquered many. I would like to take this time to introduce to you, Ms. Pat Wright.

After battling cancer for 40 years, Pat Wright is now the proud owner of Wright Life, Natural Products & Live Food Eatery.

Wright Life was introduced to Montego Bay in 2016 and is currently the only food restaurant in Montego Bay that specializes in raw, live food. Along with being a restaurant owner, she is the matriarch of her family and has two sons: Saj, and Peter, who have helped her in openly sharing her story. Everyone wanted her to write a book, but Pat was completely against writing another self-help book. She is not into the pity party, nor does she want to continue to live with the trials and tribulations of her past; she shares her story so that it serves as a guide and compass to help others find ways to love, forgive, and endure.

Jarrett, that at that time was a member of Jamaica’s number one band. She had married out of lust, not necessarily love, which is something that many of us can relate too.

She had her first son Saj with Esmond, but they did not work out, so Pat had to not only recover from colon cancer, she had to mend a broken heart, and take care of a newborn child. In her book, she speaks of the many mistakes she made as a new mother. One story that I found particularly interesting is when she threw her five-week-old son in the pool because she had read that the earlier you start children swimming, the better it is for them. She had also read that babies were natural swimmers, so in went Saj. After explaining to angry lifeguards why she had thrown her five-week-old son into a pool, she realized that she had a lot more to learn about parenting.

“If I die tomorrow, I have lived a good life!”

(Interview Quote)

“Mi nuh fight so hard fi live, for you fi come kill me!”

Pat speaks proudly of the fact that she had a really good childhood. Unlike other children she grew up with, she was gifted with wonderful parents who showered her with gifts and love, even though they were not her birth parents. Pat informed me that she was the second legal adoption in Jamaica, with her cousin Horace being the first. What made her adoption so unique is the fact that her adoptive parents were first cousins, which for many might be strange, but Pat does a great job of explaining how that came to be, and the love that she experienced with them.

Even on her now slender five-foottwo frame, you can see the diva that exists within. Being adopted by wealthy parents allowed her to experience a different lifestyle than most children her age; she traveled regularly, had beautiful clothes, and had help opening one of the fanciest, and prestigious hair salons in Jamaica. Even with her enviable lifestyle, there was hurt and pain that existed within, which is one of the reasons that at the age of 24, she was diagnosed with colon cancer.

In her story, Pat speaks vividly about her battle with: bone cancer, breast cancer twice, and a revisit of colon cancer. In total Pat has had 27 surgeries, and the only thing that I noticed when speaking with her was that she had a slight shake. It is no surprise after everything that she has had to go through. She had gone through: two divorces, the removal of her reproductive organs, the loss of both sets of parents (birth and adoptive), and yet Pat stands as a beacon of hope for many in Jamaica. People will call her when they find out that they have cancer and ask for help. During our interview, she told the group of journalists that after a few conversations with a cancer patient, she knows who is going to make it, and who is not going to make it. She emphasizes that a person has to be willing to make some changes in their life, or no number of radiation or chemotherapy will help them.

I hope I did my best highlighting how special this book is, and why reading this book could very well change your life.

At the end of the book, she reminds the reader that one must live in the moment, not in the past or in the future. Live from moment to moment and make the best of whatever circumstances God has presented you with. Her book, “The Wright Life; How I Fought and Beat Cancer More than Once,“ can be found on Amazon, and I can promise after reading Pat’s story, you will never look at life or death the same way again.

“I learned with shock and horror that the next thing that would happen would be bringing up feces through my mouth because my colon was completely blocked.” (Page 83, The Wright Life) The colon cancer appeared after her first marriage to a gentleman named Esmond

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Wednesday, May 15, 2019 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

PAGE 3

“I Want to Fly Away!” It’s Better in the Bahamas SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER “It is the place I go to be a human being. It’s the place I go to decompress. It’s the place where I go to hear myself and feel myself.” ~ Lenny Kravitz (Travel and Leisure) Our newsroom gets over 100 invites a week to go to events, attend conferences, and meet dignitaries, and each week, we go through the difficult decision of picking stories that will captivate our readers, and provide value to their lives.

Getting away from the everyday is an important aspect of surviving, and many of us have difficulty deciding where to go when we

do get the opportunity. In 2018, the Caribbean welcomed 29.9 million visitors, which happens to be its second-best year to date (Myers, 2019; Travel Weekly). Could it have something to do with the clear blue water; the bright blue sky; or possibly the incredible flora and fauna of the islands?

When the Bahamas invite came through, we had to go. I knew the Bahamas was beautiful, but I had no idea that there was so much more to this island. The Bahamas launch was held on the 43rd floor of the ritzy Bisha Hotel Toronto. The room swelled with people; the energy was light as you were instantly transplanted into what felt like a vacation; there were: designer cocktails freshly made, beautifully crafted foods, with just a taste of the islands, and a large screen with clips of the island and a very familiar face.

“We are excited about this campaign and honored to partner with Lenny Kravitz.” ~ (Dionisio D’Aguilar, Ministry of Tourism, Bahamas) For those who did not know, Lenny Kravitz hails from the luxurious island of Bahamas. That song,

“I Want to Fly Away,” was actually written about the Bahamas. Throughout the clips highlighting Lenny’s thoughts, you hear the emotion in his voice as he speaks of the island; it is no wonder.

The Bahamas is comprised of 16 unique island destinations, each which is meant to specifically satisfy any traveler’s needs. The island is known for its world-class fishing, diving, boating and thousands of miles of the earth’s most spectacular water and beaches. It is a destination that serves to delight families, couples and adventure seekers.

The beauty of the Bahamas is being recognized as the upward trend in international arrivals has steadily increased. The noticeable increase began in October 2017, as year-overyear and future bookings were growing, and the newer and renovated hotels including Baha Mar and Atlantis Paradise were seeing an increase in reservations. January of this year, the “Fly Away to the Bahamas,” campaign debuted in the U.S. and tourism saw an increase of 15%.

The evening was not short of entertainment; guests were able to experience authentic Junkanoo drumming and take in the lifestyle of those who live in the Bahamas. Each

video provided a powerful representation of a people who were not only independent but also fiercely proud of their island. Via large screen, we were introduced to personalities including Lady Di (aka Eleuthera’s “Pineapple Lady”), and Junkanoo, which links music and dance, mime and symbol, and is an early African traditional dance form that has survived in the Caribbean.

What sets the Bahamas apart from all other islands is the fact that it is comprised of 16 different destinations: Freeport, The Abacos, The Exumas, Andros, Bimini, The Berry Islands, Cat Island, Harbour Island and Eleuthera, Long Island, San Salvador, Rum Cay, Mayaguana, Inagua, Acklins, Nassau-Paradise Island and Crooked Island. The ability to island hop is possible, and it is no wonder the Bahamas was voted #1, #nofilterisland. Congratulations to the team who put this event together; it was truly inspirational to see the people of the Bahamas, their island, and the stories they had to share.

“Our country is blessed; take a moment and just fly away to the Bahamas.” ~ (Joy Jibrilu, Director General, Bahamas)

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Wednesday, May 15, 2019 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

Fitness, Food, and Flora; Health and Well-Being in Jamaica SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Continued From Page 1 -- Who is the person responsible for one of the biggest road races in the country? It is time to introduce the award-winning journalist turned philanthropist Janet Therese Silvera. Janet has undoubtedly made an undeniable contribution to Jamaica’s tourist industry in the last thirty years.

Honing her skills as a journalist for the infamous paper The Gleaner, Janet decided she would focus her attention on tourism and ways that she could benefit communities in Jamaica. Like many success stories, Janet has never been satisfied with mediocrity; she became a certified event manager and president of the Western Jamaica Media Association, 1st Vice President of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a former director of the Press Association of Jamaica and has served as a director of the Kiwanis Club of Providence.

She was named the Press Association of Jamaica ‘News Journalist of the Year’ 2009, for the thought-provoking piece ‘Dad Raped Us’ and again in 2014 for her investigative pieces on the ‘Mario Deane’ death. In 2006 she was the American Express/Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) awardee for Excellence in Tourism Reporting. As a philanthropist, her most important achievement to date has been the creation of the MoBay City Run, which was founded in 2014. This annual event has donated over 15 million dollars to students in the last four years.

Tertiary education is provided through five universities, and a variety of community and teachers colleges.

Universities include the University of the West Indies Mona Campus, The University of Technology, the College of Art, Science and Technology, the North Caribbean University, and the University College of the Caribbean. The Caribbean still has the lowest level of its population having access to tertiary education in the Western

Hemisphere. Only about 19% of Jamaicans aged 19-24 are currently enrolled in tertiary education, and only 15% of the workforce has a tertiary education (2018 Report).

It takes a village, and Janet quickly assembled people and organizations that could assist in helping these students. Her first partnership was with the UWI Western Jamaica Campus, and she admits that they have been a tremendous source of support. She has recently garnered support from Courts Jamaica Limited, which has funded scholarships and education grants for tertiary-level students to the tune of 19.5 million dollars over the past five years.

I was surprised to see people of all ages, genders, and nationalities at this event. The total number of runners this year was at 3,084, and everyone was in good spirits. They started with an upbeat warm up, and then everyone made their way to the starting line. The 10K runners were the first to start, then the 5K runners, and then the 5K walkers. This year’s winners are as follows: 5K Run Garfield Gordon 15:15:92 Kelly-Ann Beckford 18:55:04 5K Walk Duwell Allen 24:45:28 Patricia Young 31:02:45 10K Run Oshane Archibald 33:10:34 Shanise Gordon 44:03:92 Runners representing GC Foster College of Physical Education and Sport swept the races this year. GC Foster College continues to contribute to social and economic development through physical education and represented at the MoBay City Run. Janet and her team have done a wonderful job.

It has taken a lot of hard work and sacrifice, but when you see the proud faces of people who complete the race, it must be all worth it. We have just started our weekend adventure; be sure to check out our Women Empowered section, and stay tuned for more from our Fitness, Food, and Flora; Health and Well-being in Jamaica media trip.

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PAGE 5

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local news

Teaching people to fish, and giving them fish at the same time MICHAEL THOMAS michael@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Who knew that when he left Jamaica in the ’70s, he would return and create a legacy for himself that will be spoken of for the ages Ferdinand Mahfood is a man responsible for feeding and housing thousands of people throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. Even after he migrated to the U.S, he still wanted to do something for the people in Jamaica because he knew the socio-economic issues that many faced. He decided to connect with the churches so that those who had could help those who needed.

Today his organization has grown and involves helping the needy not only in Jamaica but throughout the Caribbean and Latin America as well. Food For Poor Canada helps with food, housing, education, livelihood, and feeds around 500,000 people each day. They have built more than 10,000 homes and are in the process of working on an early childhood project in Jamaica, which is proposed to build around 120 schools across the island, as well as helping support the government mandate to improve childhood education.

Eleven years ago, Mahfood’s niece Samantha reached out to her uncle asking if she could

bring the organization branch to Canada; he agreed, and she has been working ever since as the Executive Director of the organization building awareness and raising funds to get the work done. Mahfood said it was hard work in the beginning, “For seven years I did it all by myself from going to the diaspora events, educational events, doing the budgets, helping those who wanted to donate food with shipping, the taxes, fundraising, and one on one networking. Once you get the funds, you have to focus on what to do with it, so I decided to build homes and schools in Jamaica.”

She said as time went by, it has gotten a bit easier. “We don’t have to go to people as much now they come to us; we do around 4,000 containers per-year internationally, and about a quarter of that goes to Haiti. A lot goes to Guatemala, and Jamaica gets about 5-800 containers depending on the year. The rest is spread out in the region that we service.”

“These containers contain: food, medicine, educational supplies, and building supplies,” Mahfood told Toronto Caribbean Newspaper, “One of the things I have been able to do over the last few years is establishing a really strong executive board, because without a strong board giving directions, raising funds, and giving good governance it’s really like a ship without direction.” These days Mahfood’s work has scaled back, and she now has taken on a more managerial role, which includes mostly administration, human resources, and hiring the right people. When asked by Toronto Caribbean Newspaper if the organization plans to go worldwide? She answered, “No! People should do what they do well, and

there are others doing that already. We are concentrating on the Caribbean and Latin America.”

As to what she loves about Food For The Poor Canada? “It gives Canadians the opportunity to work with such a great organization that is doing such great work for Canada and that is (Brawta, aka adding more) because it takes a village to build a village. Everybody that works here does it for the passion they have about giving back. Nobody is there to make a lot of money because you don’t in the charitable industry; you are doing it because you know that it is benefiting other people, and that is a gift in itself. We are teaching them to fish, but giving them a fish at the same time.”

For anyone wanting to join Food For The Poor Canada, Mahfood advises that they take a look at the website foodforthepoor.ca. “There are so many different ways you can get involved: you can help build a school, build a well, you can help feed the poor, the work is endless.” As the Executive Director of the organization, Mahfood thanks all the volunteers and sponsors who give of their time, talents and treasures. In May, the organization honored their donors and partners, and The Globe and Mail who has given free advertisement to them for the last decade. At the event, CEO and Publisher Philip Crawley received the honor on behalf of the paper.

When she hears stories about young people who have received scholarships or have been helped by the work that is done by the organization, it is when she truly understands the significance of what her uncle started.

PAGE 7

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“Food Brings People Together” Chef’s Showcase Recognizes Women in Culinary SALINA McCALLUM salina@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Food and wine were in each corner of the room for attendees to sip and savor. George Brown College Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts was full of enthusiastic and hungry people for the Chef’s Showcase hosted

by The Junior League of Toronto (JLT). The event, now in its second year, took place on May 2nd.

JLT is a women based community organization, partnering with the George Brown College Foundation to bring the JLT Chef’s Showcase. The event brings together many of Toronto’s leading chefs for a night in support of culinary scholarships for women.

The theme of the night was celebrating women in food and wine. Melissa Ostrosser, the president of the Junior League says that she is happy to support women.

“Anytime we can look at empowering individuals in society, I totally support that,” said Ostrosser.

The Junior League of Toronto partners with many community organizations to address needs in the community. They implemented the Junior League of Toronto George Brown Culinary Scholarship to help individuals who have come from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and have been referred into the program. The scholarship goes to a graduate who can use the money to buy culinary tools to enter the professional workforce.

JLT donates $5,000 which is then di-

vided into smaller scholarships and given out to students at the school’s discretion.

“We really closed a gap. These students were graduating but when transitioning into the workforce, there were some barriers. So, our scholarships help to address those barriers,” said Ostrosser.

Donna Billeneube graduated in 2017 and now works at the catering company, Food Vendors. Not only did she share her Chicken Chow Mein with the hungry crowd, but her personal mental health story on how she struggled with anxiety. Something as easy as getting out of bed was hard for her most days.

She says that being in culinary school made her feel more confident and was a pivotal point in her life. “Being in this program turned my life around. If they didn’t have this program, people who have mental health issues or drug addiction would really suffer,” said Billeneube.

Billeneube says that this program defeats the stereotype driven into people’s minds that individuals with addictions or mental health issues cannot do anything.

“People with a mental illness still have a brain. We’re still just as good, we’re just a lit-tle different,” said Billeneube.

Canadian chefs, Christine Cushing, and Michael Fagan, who co-hosted the Chef’s Showcase pointed out that sometimes when people donate can still feel disconnected from the cause.

“Sometimes we are disconnected from what we are trying to support, but having a beneficiary speak shows what is the proof of what can happen. I was really moved by her,” said Cushing.

Christine, who is also a George Brown Alumni, has been teaching viewers how to cook for twenty years and was recently nominated for ‘Best Host in a Program or Se-ries’ at the 2018 Canadian Screen Awards.

Michael’s thirty-plus years in the

industry is backed by respected credentials such as the Wine and Spirit Education Trust Advanced Certificate and membership in the As-sociation Internationale des Maîtres Conseils en Gastronomie Française.

“We often forget the value in supporting good causes because we often don’t hear from the people who benefit from them.

To hear firsthand, your contribution to events like this has changed an individual’s life is amazing,” said Fagan.

Jenny Brizard, a Canadian actress known for her role in The Boys (2019), On the Ba-sis of Sex (2018) and The Disappearance (2017) was in attendance.

“I wanted to come just to support the event and helping women with mental health is-sues. It’s incredible to have such an event,” said Brizard.

Linda Sparling and Carolyn Whiteside have supported JLT for over twenty years.

Both are thrilled to be part of an organization that is determined to enhance women in the community.

“Women tend to do all the cooking.

We’re in the kitchen all the time, but when it comes to the high-end chef industry, it tends to be dominated by males. That’s changing a lot and events like this are helping make that happen,” said Whiteside.

“Every time JLT holds an event there is a purpose, it’s not just to have a good time but to support a good cause,” said Sparling.

Marsha Brown is a member of the JLT and has been on the committee for three years.

“I am thrilled to be part of this committee because food brings people together.

This or-ganization is geared towards empowering women and we come together because we believe in supporting women who are experiencing mental health. It’s about encouraging women to be the best they possibly can be,” said Brown.

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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, May 15, 2019

A RARE Experience; Welcome to the Underworld SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

“He took my hand and placed it on his genitals. I was shocked and removed my hands immediately. The rest of the night (while acting like I was drunk), I told everyone that would listen how inappropriate my professor had been. He came up to me and told me to stop telling everyone, and my response, “You will never silence my voice.” ~ Judith Thompson Judith Thompson has been renowned as one of Canada’s most prolific playwrights since her play The Crackwalker rocked the theatre scene in the 1980s.

Since then, her plays have been turned into feature films, television movies, and radio dramas. She has made such an impact in the world of Canadian theatre, that she was presented with the Governor General’s Award for Drama and also appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada. What has truly set Judith apart is her dedication to recognizing disabled performers and marginalized communities. Having lived with epilepsy all her

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life, Judith understands the fear, vulnerability, and isolation that can come living with a disability, and it is this understanding that has allowed her to deliver such powerful and meaningful work that can be appreciated by the larger audiences.

With her latest production Welcome To My Underworld, Judith presents a drama with a twist; she captivates her audience with the work of several playwrights, each playwright sharing a unique and interesting perspective that not only captivated but invited the audience into their world. Judith sees it as her responsibility to share the genius of others in a poetic fashion, and she did this by linking nine short stories exploring the lives of transgendered individuals, individuals struggling with their mental health, those living with physical disabilities, and individuals who have experienced sexual trauma.

I appreciated that at the beginning of the play, acknowledgment was given to the original caretakers and storytellers of the chosen land – the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Handenosaunee, the Anishinaabe, and the Huron-Wyndat First Nations. This was done to honor and celebrate their past, present, and future, and to explain that there was a time when it was illegal for the original people of Canada to tell their stories. Times have changed, and storytelling has now become the best way to share lessons on love, forgiveness, pain, and redemption.

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With a full house and a successful second night behind them, the team joyfully mingled with the audience which gave me an opportunity to speak with two members of the healing team: Sharmylae Taffe-Fletcher, and Simone Dalton.

In our short conversations, Sharmylae shared the difficulties of turning a concept into a finished product and ensuring the lighting uniquely enhanced each performer. “It’s really a play about love and humanity,” Simone shared and elucidated on how different it was writing a stage script, and the necessity of retraining your brain in order to produce great work.

The Toronto Caribbean Newspaper would like to thank Judith Thompson and the artists and staff of Soulpepper and the Young Centre for the Performing Arts for allowing us to be a part of the Underworld Experience. For those interested in taking a trip into the Underworld, the play runs from May 9th to May 25th at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts located at 50 Tank House Lane (Distillery District). You can also visit their website at www.soulpepper.ca.

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The healing team included: Bilal Baig (Performer & Playwright), Maddie Bautista (Performer & Playwright), Samson Brown (Performer & Playwright), Simone Dalton (Playwright), Nikoletta Erdelyi (Performer & Playwright), Carolyn Hetherington (Performer & Playwright), Radha S. Menon (Performer & Playwright), Ellen Ringler (Playwright), Olivia Shortt (Musician, Composer & Sound De-

signer), Grace Thompson (Performer & Playwright), Brett Haynes (Set Designer), Sharmylae Taffe-Fletcher (Lighting Designer), Monica Dotter (Choreographer), Jenna Borsato (Stage Manager), Greg Poulin (Production Manager), and Lauren Dowell (House Technician).

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From beginning to end, the playwrights kept the audience captivated with their authentic dialogue and eye-opening portrayals of people living their lives the best way they could. From the little girl who created an alter ego, to an elderly woman who underwent a traumatic reaction to medication, the audience was invited into the lives of the performers. We witnessed the lived experience of a transgendered individual and cringed alongside a young woman who was violated by her uncle in a car as her mother, and aunt sat there.

The main focus of the set was a painted white tree that stretched its branches up and outwards. Journalists Interpretation - The artistic and creative team was symbolized and represented by the tree with Judith being the base, and the performers, and the production team being the branches and roots. A tree provides healing, which is what is given when a person can speak their authentic truth.

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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, May 15, 2019 PHOTO: DSI PHOTOGRAPHY

A Taste of the Islands Closer than you think LEANNE BENN leanne@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Don’t we all crave for that taste of home, especially while living in the North? As part of an initiative by JAMPRO Trade and Investment Jamaica and Do Business Jamaica, there was a special event held in Toronto to promote and highlight different Jamaican and Caribbean food exporters in hopes of these island goods being found on the shelves of our local supermarkets in Toronto.

JAMPRO is a division of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture, and Fisheries of the Government of Jamaica and its main aim is to promote the export of local goods to the international market as well as create a multitude of business opportunities.

The benefit can be mutual for both exporters and buyers looking to invest and support local goods from the islands. The Jamaican diaspora in Toronto continues to grow and as such, it is not odd to find Jamaican cuisine, or Jamaican influence hitting the streets of the city, However, when it comes to food and home goods, sometimes the supply is not always there.

Some of the companies being promoted and hoping to invest in the Canadian marketplace as a supplier of goods through proper channels of distribution include, Caritas Jamaica Limited, Home Choice Enterprise Limited, Caribbean Dreams Jamaican Teas, Linga Ya Farms, Monymusk Plantation Rums, Scotch Boyz Jamaica hot sauces and Wisynco Group Limited a supplier for Bigga soft drinks and Tru Juice natural juices.

As some of the names suggest, these suppliers will offer a marketplace for condiments, rum, juices teas, dried goods and other easily preserved items available for export. Carita Jamaica Limited has been in the business of promoting and supplying Jamaican goods for over thirty years and are hoping to expand to Ontario as part of the Canadian market as some of their products are already in Quebec, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Their items include hot peppers, spices for cooking, soup mixes, gluten-free breadfruit, cassava, and sweet potato flour, curry seasonings and other various herbs that help to bring the taste of Jamaica on a global scale.

Home Choice, another supplier

on the Jamaican market for over twenty years specializes in unique and flavorful food items including ginger extract, curry powder, guava cheese, vinegar, and various other condiments. One stand out item already found on supermarket shelves is peppered shrimp, a popular Jamaican favorite, In this case, the shrimp is supplied fresh from Guyana, where it is then dried, preserved, spiced and packaged in Jamaica. The spicy brine of the shrimp will add that extra zest to rice, or even as part of vegetable stir-fries.

If you’re looking to cool down from all that spice with a refreshing and natural juice fresh from the island kitchens, Tru Juice as part of Wisynco Group Limited is part of one of Jamaica’s leading manufacturing and distributing enterprise. The company distributes over 110 brands and 2,100 different products in Jamaica, ranging from local ice creams to the distribution of other international bigger brands such as Coca Cola and Nestle among others. Tru Juices come in a variety of flavors including pineapple, orange and mixes like mango orange pineapple. This juice will always provide you with a fresh taste because it’s manufactured to have a shelf life that does not exceed ninety days.

It’s the story we all know if you’re from the islands. You always want to bring back a bit of home in your suitcase, even if it’s just a little snack because island food is after all the best food. This was the kind of situation, Anne and William Saunders found themselves in. As the owners behind Linga Ya Farms, the Saunders family moved to Jamaica in 2009 and have over 100 breadfruit trees. As they traveled overseas, they would package and seal fresh fire roasted breadfruit to share with their friends. Eventually, someone asked them why not export this product? As it is today you can be part of the fresh breadfruit crew by picking up a few packets of this product at local Jamaican supermarkets or at the airport on your way out. The breadfruit can also be frozen for up to nine months.

To top it all off with a nightcap, the sweet, smooth vanilla spiced Monymusk Rums will do just that. This rum is actually a joint ownership by Demerara Distillers Limited, Guyana, West Indies Rum Distilleries of Barbados and the National Sugar Company of Jamaica. This product is about three years old and is available at some select LCBO locations in Ontario, including Toronto, Brampton and Mississauga.

So, if you happen to cross paths with any of these brands or products just know that they will provide a taste of the islands wherever you go. For more information on the JAMPRO trade expo and to contact potential suppliers to the Canadian market, visit, sialcanada.com

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Wednesday, May 15, 2019 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

PAGE 11

Toronto Caribbean Newspaper’s first appearance at Canadian Music Week salina@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

This was an exciting week for the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper as we were invited to be involved in one of the largest musical events of the year. This past week has exposed Toronto, to artists from all over the world. Now in its 37th year, Canadian Music Week is recognized as one of the premier entertainment events in North America focusing on everything from the business, production and performance ends of music.

The week featured musical performances, conference, summit, and an award ceremony. The Canadian Music Week festival spans seven nights of performances, and hundreds of bands at more than thirty live music venues in downtown Toronto. All convention functions take place at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel. This year Canadian Music Week held a one of a kind Spotlight on South Africa, and all the great work coming out of there.

Organized by the Department of Arts and Culture for The Republic of South Africa in conjunction with their Canadian

engagement that Michael Moeti of Africa Digital Media City dropped a bombshell announcing that South Africa will be hosting their very own Music Week in 2020.

This will be another first for this beautiful nation, which has seen an increase of 89% of streaming revenues in 2017.

Along with conferences, individual artists were appearing in venues across the city. One such artist is Naya Ali, an upcoming female Hip-Hop artist from Montreal, Quebec. She performed on May 11th at Sneaky Dee’s. This was her first time performing in Toronto. Ali tells us that her love for writing verses started when she was a teenager. “Music has always been a part of my life, especially when I was a teenager. I wrote poetry, and then I slowly got into rhythmic poetry and then rap.”

Ethiopian born Hip Hop artist Ali has seen success in just a year. She burst onto the scene last year, with her debut single ‘Ra Ra’, which was won over by VICE media. On Spotify, she was featured on ‘New Music Friday’ and appeared on the Canadian Viral Chart. Apple Music also highlighted Ali on their ‘Hip-Hop Quebec’ playlist. Ali is in awe of what she has accomplished in a year just from following her dreams. “It’s crazy. It’s lifechanging. It changes your whole mindset and spirit.

You’re not always in a rush and running after something for someone. You’re after something for yourself,” said Ali.

She has also shocked many of her

family and friends with her early success.

“They have shown me complete support.

They have always known that I’ve loved music, but I really took it seriously a year and a half ago. So, when they saw everything happening in a year, it was just like, “Wow! How is that possible?” “Timing, that’s what it is,” said the Montreal hiphop artist. Ali is back in full force with her powerful brand new single titled ‘Out The Dirt’. It is a gritty pure rap track, which sees Ali in a new state, as she raps about not only trusting the process, but also falling in love with it, and completely committing herself to Hip Hop music.

Her new album is about timing, as she feels everything is falling into place. “I just try to stay as true to myself as possible, so my music has always got to be honest, and my style is always going, to be honest,” said Ali. “I’m never going to put myself in an uncomfortable situation just to please others. The hip-hop community in Montreal is mostly French, so it’s a little bit harder as an English artist.

As a woman, it’s a little harder as well because it’s a male-dominated industry but at the end of the day, I’m not in competition with women or men, I’m just in competition with myself. I’m striving to be the best that I can be.”

We thank the organizers of Canadian Music Week for giving us the opportunity to experience the industry at its finest and allowing us to showcase personalities, stories, and music.

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counterparts, over twenty delegates traveled to Canada; their first official mission to promote why South Africa - the world’s 31st largest market for recorded music - is the place to be.

Billy Domingo, Festival Director of Cape Town International Jazz Festival opened the panel discussion by saying, “We’re open for business.” Moderated by Alan Cross of Brain Dead Dog Productions, the panelists answered varied questions about government collaboration with festivals, visa requirements, to the usual, “Describe the music scene in South Africa.” Antos Stella, CEO of Content Connect Africa expressed, “The live scene is very robust in terms of international artists but there is a need to discuss the reciprocity for SA artists.” Theresho Selesho, CEO of HilltopLive/Oppikoppi, a company that organizes various festivals and concerts, including Black Coffee’s “Music Is King,” stated that, ”South Africa can produce any large scale event; however the most exciting space for me is exporting our artists and seeing them work with other international artists.”

With a population that is 11 times greater than Canada, it’s not unusual that the panelists of market specialists, record labels executives, publishers, managers, and industry decision-makers have set their sights on expanding the brand. The 45-minute panel discussion closed with a question and answer period from members of the audience. It was during this

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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Tobago Tourism believes Tobago is the destination of your dreams SALINA McCALLUM salina@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Imagine hiking to a beautiful waterfall and being the only person there. Then staying in a treehouse in the middle of a tropical forest listening to the wildlife and feeling the breeze on your skin. This is possible in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Tobago Tourism Agency, which was formed with a clear mandate to encourage visitors from around the world to discover the unspoiled island, has identified Canada as one of the new growth markets for destination Tobago.

On May 7th, the Tobago Tourism Agency Ltd. launched its new Tobago Beyond brand identity in the Canadian market. A series of launch events were held in Toronto, in a private home in Rosedale, to promote the island to Canadian press and influ-

encers.

In attendance were representatives from Tobago including Nadine Stewart-Phillips, Secretary for Tourism Culture and Transportation; Louis Lewis, CEO Tobago Tourism Agency and Sheena Des Vignes, Marketing Coordinator, Tobago Tourism Agency.

“We see enormous potential here in Canada for increased visits to our beautiful island home.

We have identified the four cornerstones of our island’s appeal: Sea and Beaches; Local Culture, People and Heritage; Eco Adventure and Nature; and Romance and Weddings,” said Lewis, CEO, Tobago Tourism Agency.

Everything that travelers have ever dreamed about the Caribbean can be found in ideal Tobago. The people of Tobago are welcoming and go the extra mile to make visitors feel truly at home.

It has secluded white sand beaches lapped by sky blue oceans, the distant sound of music drifting on a warm tropical breeze, breathtaking natural beauty and striking wildlife. Tobago is the unspoiled, untouched Caribbean island where the undiscovered waits around every corner.

Ann Layton is the Founder and CEO of Siren Communications. She is widely recognized as one of the world’s leading specialists in the field of travel and tourism communications.

“I have not been this excited about a new destination launch in years,” said Layton.

Four years ago, Ann chose Tobago for her own wedding, because to her, it represented one of the last truly undiscovered places in the Caribbean. It was like the fantasy of the blissful Caribbean that has been lost on other islands.

At Siren, they are honored to present Tobago in Canada, at the beginning of their Tobago Beyond campaign. They are targeting Canadians who are adventurous and seek an adventure outside of the walls of an all-inclusive.

The Beyond Tobago campaign highlights 101 things to do in Tobago focusing on the unique character of the untouched, undiscovered Caribbean destination.

There are also many events to attend that are coming up in the next few months. The Tobago Heritage festival in July, the Great Race Regatta in August, and the Blue Food Festival in October are just a few that many local and international people enjoy.

The launch was timely, with Tobago’s Main Ridge Forest Reserve recently being named Caribbean Nature Park of the Year in the Caribbean Journal’s Green Caribbean Awards 2019. The Green Caribbean awards recognize islands in the Caribbean that are doing their part to help the region

stay cleaner, greener, stronger, resilient and more sustainable for their people.

The beach in Tobago, Englishman’s Bay, was named one of the nine best beaches in the world by Kiwi Collection readers.

Kiwi Collection provides expert guidance on the best luxury hotels to book for a range of tastes and budgets, from extravagant tented camps in Africa to traditional Ryokans in Japan. The collection is curated by a team of travel experts around the globe, who carefully select properties based on a particular methodology to ensure the highest standards.

Englishman’s Bay is a secluded beach toward the side of the coast of Tobago, between Castara and Parlatuvier. It is considered one of the island’s most beautiful beaches but does not draw a large crowd.

“Tobago is the place where you can hike to a waterfall and have a very good chance that when you get there, you will have the mountain pool to yourself,” said Lewis, CEO, Tobago Tourism Agency.

Instagram: @visittobago • Twitter: @tobagobeyond • Facebook: Visit Tobago

Spelling Bee of Canada MICHAEL THOMAS michael@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

First word; convalesce! C-O-N-V-A-L-E-S-C-E The Spelling Bee Championship of Canada were held on Sunday, May 5th, 2019, in Richmond Hill, Ontario. This year, the three National Champions crowned were: Parnavdeep S. Kundi of Vancouver for Primary Division, Aiden Kwon of North York for Junior Division, and, Rishi Damarla of Windsor for the Intermediate Division.

Toronto Caribbean Newspaper spoke with winner Aiden Kwon, his dad and Director of Marketing and Media person for the Spelling Bee of Canada (SBOC) Saira Khan.

Khan told Toronto Caribbean Newspaper that

The Spelling Bee of Canada is a non-profit organization that is celebrating its 32nd national championship this year. “Some of the main goals of (SBOC) are to bring communities together, build literacy, boost education, bring families together, to build confidence in the art of spelling and to enrich our children in the love of learning.”

To date, the organization has seen over 50,000 children nationwide participate in the competition. “This year alone over 3,000 children registered who had to go through all the different hoops before they arrived at the finals; it has been really exciting. “Khan told Toronto Caribbean Newspaper, “It’s a pleasure to watch them develop from the beginning where they are trying to learn the words, right through the coaching sessions, and to the end. We really promote the philosophy that everyone is a winner, so whether you win or lose you are a champion.”

Kwon who has been in the competition for the last three years knows a thing or two about winning and losing. He told Toronto Caribbean Newspaper, “It’s been a long time coming, and it’s my first time win-

ning after a lot of preparation.” When asked how does he prepare for this competition, he said, “I look for hard words on the internet and in the dictionary. I study them vigorously, and I look at lots of letters; that’s how I study and won.” Kwon who beat 34 other competitors to emerge as the winner had this piece of advice for up and coming wannabe Spelling Bee competitors; “Just listen to your heart, persevere and never give up because you can always be a champion if you try hard enough.”

He said he would not compete next year in the Spelling Bee event but would love to try other things instead like entering a writing contest. When asked what are the words that got him the title the two winning words he said are (abrogate and ammunition).

Khan describes the 12-year old winner as a very confident, happy go lucky and humble student who is really looking forward to studying and getting ready for the years ahead. She gave Toronto Caribbean Newspaper some insights on the training it takes to compete; “The children can practice spelling a wide range of familiar words through an app on their mobile phone no matter where

they are. They are also given a new set of unfamiliar words to work on, this way, they can anticipate the hard words that they might get later on in the competition.”

K won, who took home $1,000 as part of his prize, said he would like the world to know that he is a person who never gives up, and will persevere in the worst possible position. Jay Kwon (Aiden’s father) told Toronto Caribbean Newspaper “I am very proud of my son; for the last two years I have watched him struggle to win this competition, he spends a lot of time spelling words and now he is the winner, I am so proud.”

When asked where she sees this competition going in the next five years, Khan answered, “The plan is to have a Canadian based global Spelling Bee competition and invite school-aged children from all countries to join us.”

The Toronto Caribbean Newspaper would like to congratulate all of the winners and thank Spelling Bee Championships of Canada for providing such a brilliant platform for our community.

Ford Government is failing our most vulnerable people SALINA McCALLUM salina@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Education in Ontario is about to look very different, and students, parents, and education workers are disappointed by the government failing them. The changes being made are online-only courses for every high-school student, thousands of teachers and education workers being laid-off, and rising class sizes.

Under the plan, the average class size for grades four through eight will rise from 23.84 to 24.5, while the average class size for grades nine through twelve will jump from 22 to 28.

Official Opposition NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says that families are bracing for the impact of Doug Ford’s budget when it comes to education.

“We all imagine an Ontario where public education is valued. Where schools are

in good repair, class sizes are manageable and every student has an opportunity to discover their gifts, whether they’re in math, music, trades or the arts,” said Horwath. “While Doug Ford is trying to drag us backward and take away education supports, New Democrats are standing with families and fighting to make our vision a reality.”

NDP Education Critic, Marit Stiles says that this will cause challenges for a lot of people in Ontario.

“It’s going to mean less one-on-one time with teachers for students, fewer adults in our schools, and more pressure on everyone,” says Stiles.

Teachers already do not get paid to stay after school to supervise clubs and sports.

With fewer teachers in schools, there will be fewer clubs for students to join and lead.

“Teachers are going to be overworked and I’m worried we’re going to see some of those after-school programs lost,” said Stiles.

In Toronto, about 1,000 redundancy notices have been sent to teachers and education workers, the precursor to lay-off notices.

At least 260 more notices have been sent to education workers in Windsor, Guelph, and Waterloo.

In York region, 300 notices have gone

out. In Peel region, 90 notices have gone out, in addition to over 50 in Kawartha and another 30 to 40 expected in Hamilton Catholic schools.

“Students will basically be fighting for attention from their teachers, and teachers know that that is a recipe for problems,” said Stiles. “A teacher said to me the other day, “Our working environment, is a student’s learning environment,” so you can’t really separate the two things.”

Stiles believes that this may affect the graduation rate. According to the Ministry of Education, in 2017, the five-year graduation rate was 86.3%, and the four-year graduation rate was 79.8%.

“Electives like art and skilled trade classes keep students in school, but with the potential of them being eliminated from the Ontario curriculum, this may affect the graduation rate,” said Stiles.

Horwath and the NDP have been bringing people together to voice their concerns and push back against Doug Ford’s education cuts by holding town halls in North York to hear from parents, students, teachers, and education workers.

A provincial student group called Students Say No has been holding protests against Ford’s education cuts across Ontario since the announcement was made. The most

recent protest was held in the afternoon outside Brampton City Hall on May 4th.

“What has been the most interesting to me is that the students have been organizing themselves in protest to the government’s cuts, and the government has been really insulting to the students,” said Stiles.

In response to the student-run protests, Ford called the students a “bunch of pawns”.

Students Say No issued a statement online against these claims. “We would greatly appreciate it if you stopped lying to the people of this province in order to discredit our work…To claim that this walkout was organized, orchestrated, or puppeteered by adults is not only false but extremely insulting to the young people of Ontario,” wrote one of the students of the Students Say No group.

Even with the backlash from students, parents and education workers, the Ontario government has not backed down.

“They’re cutting programs that affect our most vulnerable people — people with disabilities, students, children with autism. So, every time they attack the programs that support the most vulnerable people, we think that says something about what their priorities are,” said Education Critic. “The government needs to reverse this decision.”

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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Kamla Persad-Bissessar: Economy dead under PNM TRINIDAD -- The econ­o­my has gone from be­ing on life sup­port to to­tal­ly dead un­der the Peo­ple’s Na­tion­al Move­ment.

This was how Op­po­si­tion Leader Kam­la Per­sad-Bisses­sar summed up Fi­nance Min­is­ter Colm Im­bert’s pre­sen­ta­tion on the Mid-Year Bud­get Re­view yes­ter­day in Par­lia­ment, adding he did not put for­ward any pol­i­cy or plans in place for the coun­try’s re­al de­vel­ op­ment.

“They were all re­gur­gi­tat­ed. They were the same ole...same ole,� Per­sad-Bisses­sar said in re­ sponse to Im­bert’s 44- minute pre­sen­ta­tion, which she said was based on fig­ures but lacked sub­stance.

“We ex­pect­ed a plan but all we got was de­ flec­tion and dis­trac­tion.�

The Siparia MP scoffed at some of the sta­ tis­tics Im­bert used to demon­strate growth in the econ­o­ my. She said the pop­u­la­tion could not car­ry (num­bers) to the su­per­mar­kets.

“You can­not eat sta­tis­tics and you can­not car­ry it to the gro­cery. The UNC is about peo­ple-cen­ tred de­vel­op­ment,� she said.

Per­sad-Bisses­sar said the six-game chang­ ers - which in­clud­ed the To­ba­go San­dals project and the Drag­on Gas deal with Venezuela - which Im­bert had put for­ward in his 2019 bud­get last Oc­to­ber to stim­ u­late the econ­o­my had col­lapsed, while cit­i­zens have

been suf­fer­ing to make ends meet, peo­ple felt un­safe in their own homes due to ris­ing crime and poor health care was the or­der of the day.

She teased the Gov­ern­ment, telling them their game chang­ers plan had turned to “games� for the pop­ul­a­tion and come 2020 the Unit­ed Na­tion­al Con­ gress will as­sume of­fice again.

“Our econ­o­my has col­lapsed un­der this in­ com­pe­tent Gov­ern­ment. So what we see here to­day, mov­ing clos­er to the elec­tions, they have been ig­nor­ing the needs of cit­i­zens while re­ward­ing friends, fam­i­lies and fi­nanciers.�

Per­sad-Bisses­sar first trained her guns on Im­bert, say­ing he failed to men­tion any­thing about BPTT’s in­abil­i­ty to meet the nat­ur­al gas needs of Train One in 2020 and 2021, which the com­pa­ny an­nounced last Fri­day.

If Train One is moth­balled, Per­sad-Bisses­ sar said this would re­sult in sig­nif­i­cant short­falls in gas pro­duc­tion and rev­enues for the coun­try.

“The Gov­ern­ment owes some kind of ex­pla­ na­tion to the coun­try as to what could hap­pen or what should hap­pen with re­spect to Train One. This has se­ri­ ous and pro­found con­se­quences and ma­jor im­pli­ca­tion for every sin­gle sec­tor of our na­tion.�

She said the Gov­ern­ment had no con­tin­ gency plans in place to deal with this is­sue, as it had

treat­ed the en­er­gy sec­tor with con­tempt.

“As a re­sult, the en­er­gy sec­tor is now on life sup­port fac­ing a very un­cer­tain fu­ture. I know that we own shares in At­lantic LNG Train One and there­fore should this be moth­balled it is go­ing to af­fect the div­i­ dends we could have got from these,� she said.

“Does the Gov­ern­ment have a plan to keep Train One go­ing? We ex­pect­ed the Min­is­ter of Fi­nance to lay out a clear plan or speak to the re­quired ad­just­ ments for this new de­vel­op­ment, which on­ly came to light on Fri­day. No men­tion what­so­ev­er of this (Train One), which is a ma­jor is­sue now in our en­er­gy and gas sec­tors.�

Per­sad-Bisses­sar said she won­dered if Im­ bert had heed­ed the warn­ing of econ­o­mists for Gov­ern­ ment to re­duce its re­liance on the en­er­gy in­dus­try.

“Will we need to bor­row more next year if Train One is not pro­duc­ing rev­enue? Will that fi­nanc­ing be more ex­pen­sive due to Gov­ern­ment’s re­duced rev­ enues? Will the Gov­ern­ment raise tax­es again to make up for loss rev­enue? Is the Gov­ern­ment plan­ning to dip fur­ther in the Her­itage and Sta­bil­is­ a­tion Fund to make up for the po­ten­tial short­fall?�

The re­al­i­ty, Per­sad-Bisses­sar said, is that the is in a deep cri­sis, peo­ple have been hurt­ing and busi­ness­es bor­row­ing to keep afloat, as life un­der the Dr Kei­th Row­ley ad­min­is­tra­tion has been ex­treme­ly dif­

fi­cult.

“Take a look at who is get­ting the mega con­ tracts from this Gov­ern­ment?�

Per­sad-Bisses­sar ad­mit­ted that since demit­ting of­fice in 2015, the UNC had learned from its mis­takes, adding they have a trans­for­ma­tion mas­ ter plan which they would roll out as lo­cal gov­ern­ment elec­tions draw clos­er.

This plan, she said, hinges on di­ver­si­fy­ing the econ­o­my, cre­at­ing 50,000 jobs, ma­jor projects and boost­ing the agri­cul­ture sec­tor among oth­ers.

Per­sad-Bisses­sar said the shut­ting down of Petrotrin’s re­fin­ery al­so re­quires a foren­sic in­ves­ti­ga­ tion, as this con­sti­tutes a crim­i­nal act against work­ers and com­mu­ni­ties.

“Last year, I told you that the econ­o­my was sick and on life sup­port. To­day, the econ­om ­ y is dead be­cause of the ac­tions or in­ac­tions of this Gov­ern­ment.

To­day, the Gov­ern­ment is in­volved in a fu­tile ex­er­cise to try to re­sus­ci­tate the dead econ­om ­ y with all the mas­ sive bor­row­ings, debts to GDP ra­tio. This sup­ple­men­ ta­tion is like an in­stal­la­tion of a pace­mak­er af­ter the heart has stopped beat­ing,� she said.

- Trinidad Guardian

Ganja growers tackle Government over hemp cultivation JAMAICA -- The Ganja Growers Producers Association Jamaica (GGPAJ) says it is strongly opposed to the Government’s embrace of hemp cultivation here and has made a number of demands designed to protect the local cannabis industry from what the group sees as a threat.

The GGPAJ’s position is outlined in a letter sent to Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) CEO Lincoln Allen last Monday as a battle appears to be brewing between the association and its stakeholder groupings on one hand, and “some big corporate interests on the other hand�, regarding the large-scale cultivation of hemp in Jamaica.

In the letter to Allen, the GGPAJ said, while it was “totally unaware and uninformed� of the CLA’s position on the matter, it “wants to clearly and explicitly� express its “strong opposition to the Government’s apparent support for the growing of hemp in Jamaica, being indicated through the provision of Governmentowned lands and other recent supportive comments�.

Added the GGPAJ: “It is our understanding (rightly or wrongly), before any new crop is introduced, and certainly on a large-scale basis, as being contemplated, there should be an environmental impact assessment study. We would also wish to evaluate the study that would obviously have been carried out and evaluated by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Ag-

riculture, and Fisheries and, more likely, also by the Cannabis Licensing Authority.�

The GGPAJ — which comprises home growers who are entitled to grow five plants for their own therapeutic purposes; unlicensed traditional farmers who are in the process of transitioning to the legal industry; Rastafarians who have rights to grow sacramental herbs; and licensed ganja cultivators, as well as all other applicants to the CLA — outlined what it described as its interim position on the cultivation of hemp in Jamaica.

The Government and the CLA, the group said, must first and foremost promote and protect the interest of the cultivators and cultivation of ganja and, by extension, the regulated and traditional ganja farmers.

The association is also asking that indisputable scientific evidence be provided about the nonthreat or threat to the local ganja industry.

“It is our understanding that plants grown from chemically feminised seed and clones can, and will, revert to being hermaphrodite under stress conditions. This factor creates the greatest danger, that is the real and imminent possibility of cross-pollination and the impact on the genetics and quality of high THC [Tetrahydrocannabinol] ganja plants,� the association stated.

In addition, the GGPAJ wants “lands slated to be made available for the growing of hemp to be also made available to people wishing to cultivate ganja, and that this distribution be done in a fair, equitable and transparent manner, with the GGPAJ being consulted about that process�.

Also, the association is asking that a full cost-benefit analysis be done for the cultivating of ganja and hemp.

The group said its position is based on feedback it received from islandwide consultations over the past two months, culminating with the GGPAJ All-Island Growers Consultation held at Golf View Hotel in Manchester on May 1, 2019, as well as a National Strategic Review Consultation held on February 26 at The Liguanea Club in New Kingston.

The group also said it has received numerous anti-hemp comments on its two WhatsApp platforms — ‘The Ganja Forum’ and the ‘GGPAJ’s Rasta Rights. In addition, its position is informed by notes prepared by Hawthorne Watson, chairman of GGPAJ’s Scientific Committee and former CEO of the Scientific Research Council.

The association said that it has not been included in any consultation on the matter of hemp cultivation in Jamaica. At the same time, it said that its scientific team would be prepared to present its posi-

tions and answer questions on the matter.

“We want to assist the Cannabis Licensing Authority in coming to the best decisions in the short-, medium- and long-term interests of the local cannabis industry,� the group said.

Last year June, Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Audley Shaw said that Government was seeking to facilitate a top-tier motor vehicle company desirous of cultivating industrial hemp in Jamaica “for use as an alternative in the fabric and decoration of their vehicles�.

The possession and smoking of specified quantities of ganja, and its use for medical, therapeutic and scientific purposes were decriminalised through changes to the Dangerous Drugs Act in 2015.

Last month, Shaw told Parliament that the CLA was contemplating changes to the existing regulations in keeping with the development of the local and global medical cannabis industry. He said drafting instructions of regulations concerning import, export and transshipment are also to be completed in the near future.

Experts have estimated that the international cannabis industry will grow in value to US$150 billion in the next seven years..

- Jamaica Observer

Automated toll-collection system for Demerara Harbour Bridge GUYANA -- General Manager of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC), Rawlston Adams, has announced that the corporation has just completed its first round of testing for automated toll collection in Guyana.

He made the announcement on Friday while on a panel of engineering experts at the 8th International Road Federation (IRF) Caribbean Regional Congress in Guyana.

“We’re now at the point where we’ve just finished our first phase of testing in respect to automated toll collection. It’s the very first time that automated toll collection will be used in Guyana and we’ve just finished our first round of testing,� Adams stated.

Earlier in the year, the bridge corporation announced its collaboration with Smartware Solutions to create the automated toll system that will serve to improve traffic management and accountability.

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Joel Trotman, impressed upon the panel, the need for Guyana to begin thinking beyond the construction of roads to the construction of smart infrastructure.

“We’re at a very unique position where we can now do quantum leaps, because we’re now saddled with old technology; we don’t have any technology at all, so we can now move to the next level,�

Trotman said.

“We cannot expand some of our urban infrastructure anymore because widening roads and all of that wouldn’t make any sense, because there’s no space to do it. We need to look at how we can optimise what we have by introducing smart technology into the system.�

The project manager had also called for greater collaboration within the road transport sector so that equipment, such as CCTV cameras are not only used for the monitoring of traffic, but to gathering information origin and destination.

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It will allow vehicular users to purchase credit to pay for tolls, rather than utilising physical cash.

With vehicular traffic over the Demerara Harbour Bridge increasing in recent years, the corporation saw the need to improve receipt distribution and the collection system, which generally contributes to the slowing of traffic.

With plans towards this end progressing, Adams assured the audience that Guyana is slowly but surely heading in the right direction and towards the use of disruptive technology.

He was keen to add that the software being used to develop the automated toll system is being created by talented Guyanese engineers.

“Our first automated toll-collection system in Guyana is developed by our locals through our IT persons,� he said.

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In this regard, Adams stated that collaboration ongoing between the bridge corporation and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure will see the optimal utilisation of the traffic CCTV cameras.

“We’ve just taken over the responsibility for managing the cameras on the overpasses and one of the things we’re working [on] with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, is to share those information with respect to the collection of the videos. They have the software to do the traffic council and that information will be shared with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, because we intend to add some additional cameras,� he said.

Meanwhile, on the issue of security, Adams stated that collaboration with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) will allow this information to be shared for their use.

- Guyana Chronicle

PAGE 10

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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Epiphany Hospitality is a Business of Passion and Love!

SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

When you walk into a restaurant, you want to be treated like a human, not like a number, so it is important that when you walk into an establishment, you have a genuinely happy experience, and this happens if you are able to have a human experience. Since 1995, when Epiphany first opened its doors, Phyllis James, the visionary and owner of Epiphany Lounge has focused on providing this human experience for all who enter the door. Born on the island of Jamaica, Phyllis knows what it takes to deliver delicious tasting, wellseasoned Caribbean cuisine, as well as providing her clients with an experience straight from the islands. Toronto Caribbean Newspaper would like to present to you, the Epiphany experience.

When you initially arrive at Epiphany, one of the first vibes that is felt is a vibe of family and togetherness. It is no surprise the Epiphany logo is two hearts together; this symbolizes the coming together of friends and family in one place, eating great food and having a fantastic time. For Caribbean people, food is more than the sum of ingredients; it is what brings people together. During the mid- 1990’s to about mid-2000’s, Club Epiphany was not only a restaurant but also one of the hottest nightspots in Toronto. Staying true to the logo, Epiphany became the heartbeat of Toronto and everyone who was anyone frequented and spent time there. It has always been a good mixed crowd; you would have your blue-collar workers, white-collar workers, celebrities, and young people who would come to enjoy good music, and even better food.

Like any other entrepreneur, Phyllis has felt the brunt of starting and sustaining a business. The financial struggles were real from the very beginning; the startup finances were not available, and it was very hard at first to keep afloat. “They tell new restaurant owners that you should have at least six months expenses set aside, but let’s be realistic, most restaurant owners only have about two months set aside,” Phyllis confessed. If it were not for her supporters and the community, Epiphany would not have lasted, which is why she has stayed as loyal to her clients as they are to her.

The club began to consume Phyllis, which is why Club Epiphany had to close down for a while. When she became a mom, she wanted to be there full-time for her children and running a successful club like Epiphany became too much of a strain. With a restaurant opening at 9:00 am and closing at 2:00 am the next morning, it became difficult to juggle the two, so Phyllis then decided to become a full-time mom and put the business on hold. She completely understands the importance of a mother; she looks up to and highly respects the role her mother has in her life. Even with six children, Phyllis’s mom took the time to care for her children, and she taught them all how to cook, and how to run a business. Mom most recently celebrated her 80th birthday, and Phyllis says that her mom is still very active in helping run the restaurant. Although she is not mobile, Mom lends ideas and provides support to Phyllis, “God and my Mom are my biggest sources of strength,” Phyllis told Toronto Caribbean Newspaper. “I now know how hard it is to raise children; they consume your life, so I hold mom in high regard because she had to do this with six of us.”

The Epiphany Lounge has now branded itself as an after-work hotspot, which is a little different from the original club vibe that it offered before. They have now started to cater to business professionals who are looking to wind down after work and soak up some

good energy. At Epiphany Lounge, people are able: to interact in a friendly, authentic way, provide feedback and express their needs, feel like their needs are heard and met, create special moments, personalize their experience, and feel like everybody knows their name. They continue to strive for the highest quality in food, entertainment, and overall experience. With their “mama’s home cooking” style, and lively clientele it is no wonder that people feel driven to come back week after week. Of course, great food is absolutely critical to the restaurant experience, and the one special that Epiphany is known for is their wings and festival combinations. It’s more than the wings and festival that keeps customers coming back to Epiphany; it is the fact that when you go there, you are treated like a person, and your specific needs are catered to.

By 2020, Gen Z will account for 40% of all consumers, which makes engaging them a priority for business owners (Abravomich, CMO by Adobe, 2015). Phyllis has begun to tap into her children to get ideas on how to attract the younger population. She realizes that you have to find connection points between your brand and consumer.

This means connecting with them on their terms, not what you think is their terms. The core of all human relationships is connection, and if a brand can tap into a connection point, a strong relationship can be made with the target demographic. With attention spans plummeting to eight seconds, her children have taught her the power of having a strong social media presence and have begun helping her with her social media content. It is just another way that she has been able to keep it in the family and grow outwards.

There is no denying that after being in business for over 20 years, Epiphany has established itself as a staple in the Toronto Caribbean Marketplace. With their focus on developing, and connecting with people in the community, they are promised prosperous years to come.

Supporting. Protecting. Caring. Together.

905.363.6131 www.peelcas.org

May 14 is

Youth success a priority at Peel CAS

Child and Youth in Care Day!

“I’m now in a much better place than I was a year ago and working with Peel CAS has been a positive experience for me.”

Helping youth is a commitment and priority for Peel CAS. In January 2018, the age of protection was raised to 18, and now the agency can provide a full range of child protection services to youth 16 and 17 years old including initial assessment, ongoing services, kinship, and out of home protection services. Since the new legislation came into effect, the agency has been able to provide support to almost 800 youth in this age group. Oakley is one of these youth.

Last year Oakley was 17 and living in a shelter. A support worker at the shelter told her about Peel CAS and the services the agency could provide to a youth in her situation. She began to voluntarily work with the agency and was assigned a worker who was able to provide support in a number of areas. “My worker helped to me to find somewhere to live, made arrangements for school, took me to appointments and even got me some financial literacy training,” says Oakley. “I’m now in a much better place than I was a year ago and working with Peel CAS has been a positive experience for me.”

Committed to Education A big part of helping youth succeed is done through focusing on education and employment. Youth involved with Peel CAS are encouraged to stay in school and can apply for bursaries to pursue postsecondary education. Thanks to the generosity Peel Children’s Aid Foundation donors, in 2018/2019, youth received bursaries totaling more than $225,000. Tristan is one youth who will be receiving a bursary this year. Read how it has helped him to achieve his educational goals.

PeelCas_April2019_V6.indd 1

Tristan When I was in high school, I sometimes felt like I wasn’t the same as everyone else because I was involved with children’s aid. I had very different worries than other students. Instead of worrying about an upcoming test, I worried about where I was going to live in six months or how I was going to manage when I aged out of care. I definitely didn’t think that going to university was an option for me.

Getting an educational bursary changed that.

It actually made something that I felt was intangible into something that I could pursue. I’m currently in my third year of psychology at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia. I’m also a Community Advisor in residence and provide support for other students living on campus.

It is so hard to put into words the feelings of gratitude that I have to the donors who support the bursary program. You don’t even know me, but your generosity has truly opened up a whole new world. Instead of worrying about putting food in my fridge, I’m able to focus on my grades and be an active part of my university community. All I can really say is thank you. It really has made all the difference.

This day acknowledges the enormous contributions current and former Crown and Society wards make to the Province, as well as the strength, bravery and resilience shown by these children and youth in the face of adversity.

CELEBRATING

SOUTH ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH! May is South Asian Heritage Month, a month dedicated to commemorating the historic contributions of South Asian Canadians to our communities. The agency’s focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and enhancing work with our diverse population is part of our journey to make Peel CAS an inclusive and equitable work environment. Some highlights from the month include a launch with traditional South Asian dancing, presentations from community partners focusing on supporting mental health in the South Asian community and a guest speaker specializing in equity and inclusion.

2019-05-03 12:51 PM

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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, May 15, 2019

What do speech pathologists and audiologists do?

May is Speech and Hearing Month in Canada and is a time for raising awareness about communication disorders. Two types of professionals that are especially important for healthy communication are speech pathologists and audiologists.

SPEECH PATHOLOGISTS Speech pathologists specialize in all forms of verbal and written communication. They often help children who are delayed in developing oral and written language skills and individuals of all ages

who struggle with stuttering and articulation.

Speech pathologists can also work with people who have difficulty communicating because of stroke, brain injuries, learning or intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy and dementia. They also work with those who have swallowing disorders (dysphagia).

AUDIOLOGISTS Audiology is the field of study related to hearing. While audiologists mainly deal with communication issues stemming from hearing loss, they also treat a whole range of hearing-related disorders.

Some hearing disorders that audiologists treat include: tinnitus, which is defined as a ringing in one or both ears; hyperacusis, a condition that causes sensitivity to regular sounds and is often brought on by head injuries; misophonia, a strong dislike of specific sounds; and phonophobia, a dislike of loud sounds that is commonly associated with migraines.

Audiologists also help in the treatment of auditory processing disorders and balance disorders (like vertigo) that are associated with the anatomy of the inner ear.

To learn more about Speech and Hearing Month and its sponsor, Speech-Language & Audiology Canada, visit sac-oac.ca.

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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Vacation activities for bike enthusiasts

6 tips for safe cycling Biking on city streets presents dangers to cyclists, motorists and pedestrians alike. To ensure everyone’s safety, here are six guidelines bicyclists should follow.

If you love cycling when you travel, here are a few ways to incorporate biking into your next vacation.

WINE COUNTRY BIKE TOURS On a bike tour through wine country, you’ll enjoy sampling the local vino while exploring picturesque vineyards and countryside vistas.

Tours can be arranged in just about any wine region: the Niagara Peninsula, the Okanagan Valley, California, Argentina, Chile and Western Europe, to name a few.

Some bike tours are also ideal for sightseeing.

For instance, tours in Italy, France and Spain often include visits to historic churches, castles and villages.

BICYCLE CAMPING If roughing it is more your style, look for a campground that caters to cyclists. You’ll want a place that’s surrounded by bike trails and that offers the following services and amenities: • Secure lock-up areas for bikes • Cycling information, including route maps • Bicycle repair toolsets • Staff who are knowledgeable about local cycling routes and can supply weather information • Healthy food and beverage options

Some campgrounds provide bike rental facilities on-site. Alternatively, there may be a bike rental shop in the vicinity.

PARTY BIKES If you’re looking for a creative way to explore a new city with a large group, consider touring around on a party bike. Also known as a fietscafé, bierfiets, pedal crawler, pedal pub, beer bike or bierbike, a party bike is a vehicle resembling a trolley car that is powered by up to sixteen pedalling passengers. It’s a sort of pub-on-wheels and is always hired with a trained driver.

These are just a few of the ways that cycling and travelling happily combine, and there are bike tours suited to fans of gastronomy, shopping, visiting museums and more. Whatever your interests or budget, there’s a biking adventure that’s just right for your next vacation.

Bike tours: discovering the city by bicycle Bike tours are an increasingly popular alternative to more traditional types of sightseeing excursions like bus and walking tours. Whether you want to explore your own town or a foreign metropolis, cycling tours are a great way to discover a city.

SEE ALL THE BEST SIGHTS Most cities are bike-friendly and getting around them on two wheels is reasonably safe and straightforward. Plus, you’ll avoid getting stuck in traffic and be able to log more miles than you would if you set out on foot.

On a bike tour, accessing all the best a town has to offer is easy. Many restaurants, museums, theatres and shops provide secure lock-up facilities for bicycles. Additionally, you can visit off-the-beaten-track gems that buses can’t access such as parks, alleyways and outdoor markets.

A HEALTHY WAY TO GET AROUND Cycling is a great way to exercise and has many health benefits. What’s more, biking can be adapted to a range of fitness levels, so regardless of your current health status, you’re likely to find a bike tour suited to your needs and capacity.

Biking is also a great way to burn calories — no need to feel guilty about chowing

down on the local cuisine!

Additionally, engaging in physical activity helps to curb jet lag, so hopping on a bike is a great way to start a vacation in another time zone.

TYPES OF TOURS If you’re ready to explore the city by bicycle, then the next step is to decide which type of bike tour is right for you.

• Guided bike tours. If you’d like to have an expert guide show you around, you can schedule a trip with a bike tour company.

• Self-guided bike tours. If you’re looking for more independence, opt for a selfguided tour. You’ll ride on your own but with an itinerary created by someone else. Sometimes these can be downloaded online.

• DIY bike tours. If you’re keen on blazing your own trail, you can create your own itinerary. Unless you’re familiar with the city, research will be required.

Whichever type of tour you choose, discovering the city by bicycle is bound to be a memorable experience.

1. WEAR A HELMET In the event of an accident, wearing a helmet greatly reduces your chances of suffering a serious head injury. Make sure that your helmet fits well and that the straps sit snugly against the sides of your face and under your chin. Also, be sure to choose a helmet manufactured according to strict safety standards (look for a sticker from a safety standards organization such as Snell, ANSI, ASTM, BSI, SAA or CPSC).

2. INSPECT YOUR BICYCLE A well-performing and properly maintained bike is safer than one that’s run down and needs work. Regularly check the following be­fore hitting the road: • Tire pressure • The condition of the spokes • The alignment of the wheels and the forks • The tautness of the chain • The functioning of the brakes.

Only ride bikes that are the appropriate size. Ensure that the seat and handlebars are set at the right height.

3. MAKE YOURSELF VISIBLE If you cycle at night or when visibility is limited, make sure your bike is equipped with a white front light, a red rear light or

reflector, white reflective tape on the front forks and red reflective tape on the rear forks. As an extra precaution, consider wearing reflective clothing and equipping your bike with vertical and horizontal safety flags.

4. MAKE YOURSELF HEARD Bikes are extremely quiet, so it’s important to always announce your presence to other cyclists and pedestrians. Use a bell, horn or your voice to indicate that you’re passing or approaching.

5. COMMUNICATE YOUR INTENTIONS Know the hand signals for turning and stopping and always use them when changing lanes, making a turn or coming to a stop. This is for the benefit of motorists and other cyclists. Moreover, make sure to do a shoulder check before signalling and another one just before turning.

6. REMAIN ALERT Distracted cycling is as dangerous as distracted driving. Don’t ever text or talk on the phone while riding your bike. And avoid wearing earphones as it’s important that you hear what’s happening around you.

By following these recommenda­ tions and abiding by the local traffic laws, you’ll reduce the risks involved in cycling.

HAND SIGNALS When you’re cycling, you need to communicate with others on the road when you want to turn or stop. Here are the three main hand signals cyclists and drivers should know. (Figures represent cyclists as viewed from the rear.)

Right turn To signal a right turn, you have two options. One method is to simply extend your right arm horizontally. Alternatively, you can bend your left arm upward at the elbow so that your hand points up, with the palm forward.

Left turn To signal a left turn, simply extend your left arm horizontally (in other words, point left, but with an open palm).

Stop To signal that you’re stopping, bend your left arm downward at the elbow so that your hand is pointing to the ground and the palm is facing backward.

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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Marvelous “Mr. Mix”

JULIAN CUNNINGHAM industry. Marv spent time researching and concocting cocktails; like a chemist, he approaches his work humbly, and up until this very day he continues to learn ways in which to stimulate the taste buds of his clients. He loves working with all ingredients, especially Caribbean ingredients like coconut, mango, and seagrapes. One of his favorite spirits to work with is Vodka, and an interesting fact about Marv is that although his work is with the spirits, he himself is not a drinker. He actually never drinks his concoctions; he only tastes them to ensure that it is pleasing to the palette.

Within the last 20 years, Marv has established himself in the industry and is considered as one of the best mixologists in the Caribbean. He aims to hone his skills regularly and his: diligence, determination, and commitment have allowed him to not only excel at a competitive level but acquire the following accolades: • • • •

Written by Simone Smith Toronto Caribbean Newspaper “If you do not include God when you speak of the great things that you can do as an individual, you may just wake up one morning, and not be able to do them.”

(Marv Julian Cunningham) With his ability to finesse a crowd, his charming smile, and his pleasant demeanor, it is no wonder that Marv “Mr. Mix” Julian Cunningham has carved out a legacy for himself that will be herald for years to come. Mr. Mix Bahamas is an artist with a sweet tooth, and this sweet tooth is what had allowed him to make some of the most memorable cocktails in the Caribbean.

When I met Mr. Mix, I had made the mistake of calling him a bartender. One of his fans who happened to be within earshot overheard my comment and hastily corrected me; “Marv is not a bartender he is a mixologist”

I quickly took back my comment and set a reminder to learn the difference between the two. On further research, I learned why if Marv was not the man he

was, he could have taken offense to what I said. The difference between a mixologist and bartender is roughly the same as that between a chef and waiter. The distinction between the two has become obscured, so I did not feel too bad, but it is important that our readers understand why this man is classic. Being brandished as a mixologist is like tacking a “Ph.D.” after Marv’s name; he is an artist with all the flash and wonder of a great bartender. What distinguishes Mr. Mix is his burning passion for creating inspired flavor combinations that require a commanding knowledge of spirits and flavor pairings.

His love for cocktail mixing began in 1998 when he worked under veteran bartenders at Club 601 in the Bahamas. Trevor “Gubba” Major and Glenroy Rolle must be proud of the young man they took in under their wings. Marv used his position as a Bar Back at Club 601 to learn everything he needed to know to become a bartender.

Even at the very beginning, Marv knew he had something different to offer the

• • • • • • • • • • • •

2014 & 2015 Stolichnaya Mix Master Champion 2015 Hennessy Master Mixologist Champion 2015 Caribbean Journals Travel Awards Bartender of the Year 2015 Taste of the Caribbean Gold Medalist 2015 Hall of Fame Inductee 2015 Bartender of The Year 2016 Taste of the Caribbean Gold Medalist 2016 Bartender of the Year 2016 Hall of Fame Inductee 2017 Stolichnaya Bahamas Champion 2018 Bahamas Ministry Of Tourism Mixology Champion 2018 Rum & Rhythm People’s Choice Cocktail Winner 2017-2018 Stolichnaya Regional Ambassador Cocktail Artist Blue Curaçao Ambassador (CHTA) Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Associations Caribbean 305 Ambassador (CHTA) Mixology Judge

Giving back to his community is just as important to him as making them feel good at a party. He wants to share his knowledge and experiences with those who have the willingness and determination to master the art of mixology. It has become an integral part of who he is, and his goal is to elevate the concept of cocktail artistry. He

continues to take risks and go beyond what people’s expectations are of a well-mixed beverage. It is not about an ordinary experience when you are standing in front of Marv, it is about having an extraordinary experience. His work actually inspired Cocktail Artist® to create a premium Blue Caracao Syrup that brilliantly combines the clear, blue color of the Caribbean sea and the natural orange extract flavors in a lovely liqueur. At the very end of this Classic Man special feature, I will share one of his special mixes for our readers to try themselves.

His lesson for aspiring mixologists; trust your gut and instincts and never be afraid to fail. The ability to pull himself up after a defeat is what sets Marv aside from other mixologists in his field. His work has allowed him to meet people from all over the world including celebrities and athletes, but he never forgets his humble beginnings. His beautiful, supportive wife, daughters, and family keep him grounded and he always remembers to thank God for his many successes. Marv “Mr. Mix” Cunningham, Toronto Caribbean Newspaper salutes you!

Blue Caracao Syrup Mix Ingredient Essentials • 2 oz Orange Vodka • 3/4 oz Cocktail Artist® Blue Curacao Syrup • 3 Cucumber Slices • 3 Lime Slices Garnish: Cucumber Slice Material Essentials • Cocktail Shaker • Muddler • Jigger • Hawthorne Strainer • Mesh Strainer • Rocks Glass • Knife Mixology 101 • Place cucumbers and limes in bottom of shaker, and muddle.

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PAGE 26

food

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Simple Spring Salads Tips Recipes and

stead of being tossed together.

NOEL CUNNINGHAM noel@carib101.com

CULINARY EXPERT

A lot of people believe that salads are healthy but boring so therefore, salads are often overlooked because they’re assumed to be bland and not filling. But that is not true. I’m sure at some point we have all encountered some good salads as well as some not so good salads.

Salads can be eaten as an appetizer or a main dish. From tender grains such as quinoa, to hearty bean salad using kidney beans and chickpeas, to roasted veggies using up your zucchini, carrots and eggplants tossed with olive salt and pepper and roast until fully cooked with a drizzle of balsamic or a leafy green tossed salad that’s dressed with a fruity vinaigrette, or creamy dressing adding complex flavor and texture.

With the abundance of ingredients, spring brings it’s the perfect time to prepare simple, fresh and tasty show-stopping salads you can enjoy at home. Below I have prepared for you the three main types of salads, types of dressings along with seven tips to turn up your salad game. Oh, and my creamy green banana salad recipe.

Types of Salads: Composed Salads – Salads prepared with a number of ingredients that are all arranged neatly and symmetrically on the plate in-

Tossed Salads – Salads tossed together (Caesar Salad, Green Salad) Bound Salads Bound salads are generally made of hearty, non-salad leafy ingredients bound together by a thick mayonnaise-based dressing such as tuna salads, chicken salads, and potato salads.

Farinaceous Salads – Salads made up of starches like potatoes or pasta salads.

A farinaceous salad differs from a bound salad in that many farinaceous salads are not bound. Many pasta salads use combinations of light dressing and flavorful ingredients to bring it together.

Types of Dressings: Vinaigrette Dressings - Oil and vinegar based Mayonnaise-Based Dressings - Thousand Islands, Caesar dressing Emulsified Vinaigrette Dressings – Dressings that used an emulsifier to combine oil and water Tips and Tricks to fluff up your salads 1. Add fresh fruits or dried to your salad for additional nutrients and flavor 2. Add grains such as hemp heart for extra fiber, nuts and croutons are good too 3. Cheese is always great for toppings 4. Serve your salad in a mason jar or a party cup to take it to another level 5. Make your own salad dressings. This way you can adjust the flavor to your liking

Chef Noel’s Green Banana Salad “Green Banana is normally consumed as a side dish but this time I am serving it as a healthy alternative to potato salad. Green banana salad is also a great way to use up your excess green bananas. The taste and texture is very similar to potato salad, especially with the creaminess from the mayonnaise.”

Ingredients • • • • •

6 green bananas 1 can of mixed vegetables 1/2 cup mayonnaise Salt and pepper to taste 2 stalks green onion sliced

Directions 1. Bring a medium pot with water and salt to a boil over medium heat. Rinse bananas, trim the ends of each banana and slit the skin lengthways, leaving the bananas in their skins (this will prevent them from breaking).

2. Add to boiling water and cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until bananas are soft. Let bananas cool with an ice bath or quickly run under cold water.

3. Slice each finger of banana into seven pieces then season with salt and pepper. Add mixed vegetables and mayonnaise, toss to combine then put to chill and serve.

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health

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PAGE 29

Prevent workplace injuries!

DR. VIKAS PURI drpuri@carib101.com

HEALTH SPECIALIST

Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) are among the most common types of workplace injury and one in ten Canadian workers are affected. The emotional pain that accompanies the physical pain takes a psychological toll not only on the worker but also on their co-workers, families and loved ones.

Also known as musculoskeletal disorder (MSD), the term repetitive strain injury (RSI) refers to a number of injuries that affect the body’s muscles, nerves, and tendons. Some common RSIs include tendinitis, tenosynovitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

If you have ever developed a burning, aching pain while repeating the same movement for a long period of time, or shooting pains and weakness in your hands after scanning products, cutting meat or making beds, for example, you’ve probably experienced the early stages of repetitive stress injury (RSI).

According to Statistics Canada, some two million Canadians suffer from repetitive strain injuries and more than half of these injuries are caused by work-related activities.

If we ignore the symptoms of RSI and they are not treated in time, they can cause a great deal of suffering, and it is important to note that if nothing is done to address the injury or remove its cause, the damage could become permanent.

At the Intelligent Health Group, we offer “Intelligent Programs of Care for Repetitive Strain Injuries” that involves state of the art physiotherapy modalities such as lasers, shockwave treatment. Ultrasound, and TENS machines. These are designed to decrease inflammation, breakdown scar tissue and heal injured muscles. Our physiotherapists then begin an active exercise program to re-strengthen muscles and complete a full recovery. Throughout this program of care, specific chiropractic adjustments are performed that maximize spinal function and flow of nerve energy to the muscles to maximize healing potential and reduce recovery time. In addition, we educate you on proper workplace ergonomics to prevent injuries or reaggravations in the future.

Ergonomics is the science of matching the work to the worker. In an office environment, a major focus would be ensuring that employee workstations fit the worker – not the employee made to fit the workstation.

To design a healthy employee workstation properly requires an understanding of the limitations of the human body, especially in terms of muscle and soft tissue fatigue.

Here are some examples of the most common office ergonomic challenges. The first is the desk. The working height of a standard desk is 30 inches, for which we expect it to be comfortable for both the 5-foot-2-inch and a 6-foot-2-inch employee. But the reality is that this standard desk height is appropriate for the 6-foot-2-inch employee. The average female is 5-foot-4-inches, which would suggest that the standard 30-inch working height is too high for the majority of female workers in the office.

When the working height is too high, the employee will adopt a posture where the wrists are extended when keyboarding, the neck is extended, shoulders are hunched and back is flexed forward off the chair. These postures increase muscle and soft tissue fatigue, eventually leading to pain when the postures are sustained or repetitive.

Fitting the workstation to the employee would require lowering the desk to the appropriate working height so that the keyboard and mouse are on the desktop along with the monitor resulting in a neutral posture not only for the arms and shoulders but also for the neck and back.

This seated working height cannot be neglected when considering sit-to-stand workstations. It is important to investigate how far the workstation can be lowered in the seated position as many do not lower past 27-inches which is still too high for most women.

The second ergonomic challenge is the chair. The majority of employees who I assess have what would be considered an ergonomic chair based on its features of adjustability, arm, and back support. In order to acquire the health benefits of an ergonomic chair, it is necessary to consider the physical size of the employee.

For example, a seat pan that is too wide or too short results in the inability to engage the armrests and backrest, respectively.

The backrest and the armrest serve to take the load off the back, shoulder, neck and arm muscles. An improperly fitting chair is little better than sitting on a stool if the employee is not engaging the features of the chair meant to provide a break for the muscles and soft tissues of the body.

TIPS FROM YOUR CHIROPRACTOR Why continue treatments after the pain disappears?

Just because your pain disappears doesn’t mean you’re cured. In fact, pain is often the last manifestation of a deeper, more serious problem. In other words, symptoms appear because the problem was not treated quickly enough. When your pain disappears, you’re on the mend, but your body is still fragile.

That is why your chiropractor works not only to relieve your symptoms, but to detect the source of the problem and prevent a relapse.

Consequently, it is always advisable to continue chiropractic care until the prob-

lem has been corrected. If you don’t give your body time to stabilize, the symptoms may soon reappear. The number of treatments required to re­lieve symptoms and correct the problem varies from person to person and depends on several factors, including the severity of the condition and whe­ther the symptoms are chronic. Pre­ventive treatments, which are not as common as corrective treatments, help prevent the emergence of new problems. Your chiropractor can talk to you about the recommended frequency of this kind of treatment.

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health

PAGE 31

4 common eye conditions and their symptoms May is Healthy Vision Month, an event that serves as an important reminder for people across the country to guard their eye health. According to the 2016 National Health Interview Survey, 25.5 million Americans age 18 and older report experiencing some form of vision loss.

Over the course of a lifetime, vision changes dramatically. Early detection is critical to prevent problems from getting worse. Here are the warning signs of four common eye conditions that can cause vision impairment.

1. Astigmatism occurs when the front surface of the eye (the cornea) is slightly irregular in shape and therefore causes a refractive error in your vision. It can be

present at birth or occur due to disease or injury. Common symptoms of astigmatism include blurriness and double vision.

2. Glaucoma is the name of a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve. Symptoms include headaches, blurred vision, seeing rainbow halos around lights, red eyes, throbbing eye pain and nausea. Some forms of glaucoma show no symptoms, so it’s important to visit your optometrist regularly.

3. Macular degeneration involves the deterioration of

your retina and could severely impair your

capacity to see. Your vision may become fuzzy, straight lines could appear crooked and you may start to notice blind spots in your field of vision.

4. Retinal detachment happens when your retina becomes disconnected from the tissue around it. You may notice floaters in your eye, flashes of light and darkened or blurred peripheral vision.

Left untreated, these diseases can worsen and lead to blindness. They may also indicate other underlying health conditions.

Make sure to have your eyes examined by an optometrist every one to two years and to contact your doctor if you start experiencing eye pain or notice redness, irritation or discharge.

1. Smoking is bad for your eyes. Anti-smoking campaigns often focus on the fact that smoking causes increased blood pressure and cancer, but smokers are also at risk for vision problems. Uveitis, cataracts, dry eye and age-related macular degeneration are all more common in smokers than they are in the general population.

2. Exercise helps prevent vision loss. Exercise has many health benefits but it also helps with vision problems. Several studies have shown a connection between exercise and decreased risks for glaucoma, cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

3. A balanced diet is key for eye health. Those who consume diets high in fat and sugar have an increased risk for eye disease. However, those who have diets high in vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, healthy proteins and lutein have a decreased risk for eye diseases. Adding a supplement to your diet may be necessary to ensure you get the proper nutrients.

There are many reasons to consider making healthier lifestyle choices and preserving your vi-

If you’re an avid reader, you’ve probably been told to turn a light on while reading so you don’t harm your eyes. According to most ophthalmologists, however, while reading in the dark temporarily strains your eyes, it won’t permanently damage your vision. In other words, it’s safer than most people think to read under the covers with a flashlight late into the night.

The reason most experts believe that reading in the dark won’t cause lasting damage is because your eyes are naturally designed to adjust to different levels of light.

In the dark, your pupils dilate to take more light into your retinas through the lens. Photoreceptors in your retina then convey information about what you can see to your brain. That’s why when you enter a dark room or turn off the lights, you’ll notice that you’re gradually able to see more as your eyes adjust.

Your eyes also regulate when reading in dim light. The extra effort can place strain on the various components of your eyes. This can potentially cause you to experience eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision and back and neck sion and eye health is an important one. Additionally, mastrain. king healthy choices can help you avoid chronic conditions that put you at greater risk of vision loss such as cardiovasWhile these symptoms are unpleasant, they won’t cause cular disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. lasting damage and should go away on their own. If they don’t, you may have an underlying condition and should see your optometrist right away.

How a healthy lifestyle helps protect your eyes Did you know that many lifestyle choices that affect your overall health could also affect the health of your eyes?

Here are three facts about how lifestyle may impact your vision and eye health.

Can reading in the dark damage your vision?

PAGE 32

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How did the world arrive at its current state of crises; Religion Part 3 ERROL A. GIBBS errol@carib101.com

PHOLOSIPHER

How did the world arrive at its current state of crises, despite exponential growth in the religions of the world, academia, human knowledge, scientific and technological achievements in engineering and medicines, and material and financial wealth? Can religion help to manage or reverse the nature of the crises (Reference: Part 1. Paragraph 2.).

“This most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being” — Sir Isaac Newton (1643–1727) (Mathematician, Physicist, Astronomer, and Theologian).

There is a “spiritual hunger,” a sort of “spiritual starvation” that is occurring throughout the world. This spiritual starvation has underpinned each epoch, from premodern, to modern, and postmodern. It often manifests in a search for religion, but religion is a predicate of dogma, birthplace, race, color, heritage, and culture.

Religion is mainly a cultural system underpinned by moral codes of behavior and visible practices, as ways of life to their adherents. Billions throughout the world follow some form of religion, underpinned by God, gods, creator, and even earthly deities. Adherents.com, an independent, non-religious organization indicates that there are some 4,300 religions of the world.

Furthermore, nearly seventy-five percent of the world’s population are adherents to one of the five major religions of the world — Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism (alphabetically). It is also worth noting that Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, are three major monotheistic religions — a belief in one God.

Near universally, people believe that religion (faith) is essential to unify humanity. Paradoxically, religion has failed in its capacity to transform human behavior — communally, nationally, and consistently. Enlightened thinkers of the 18th century believed that the “reign of reason” could free human beings from superstition from religious tyranny.

Ironically, the “Age of Enlightenment” was an era that began at the close of the Thirty Years’ European War (1618 1648) and ended with the French Revolution (1789). It was a watershed moment in France, although it failed to achieve all of its goals and degenerated into a chaotic bloodbath (Reference: French Revolution - History).

The French Revolution played a critical role in shaping modern nations by showing the world the power inherent in the will of the people. Global authority and wealth have failed to satisfy an inner emptiness, a secret struggle, and innate hunger for a life of peaceful coexistence

among individuals and nations.

Although religion is not the principal agent of all wars, religions, up through the ages, have been the catalyst for incalculable violence in the world.

Religion is often polarizing, within, and amongst its denominations. Typically, Christianity with its 43,000 denominations (Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary), though they have placid agreement among them.

Many individuals that profess a religious heritage often find unity in support of secular wars. Religion plays a significant part in the breakdown of relationships in the global religious culture that belie any evidence of its potency to unify humankind. Consequentially, religion does not hold the key to the unity of the human family — the “oneness” of humanity.

What would it take to unify humanity? Despite the division among religions, most adherents would agree that their search is for God, regardless of how each religion personify God. Has God been overly personified by the religions of the world? Hinduism has 33 million personifications, Christianity has 953, Islam has 99, and Judaism has seven personifications, God.

The question then becomes, “Who is God?” Is God a person, a Spirit, or an infinite Spirit? Is God an intellectual probability? Nonetheless, most individuals would agree on the three dimensions to human existence — body, mind, and spirit. Therefore, our search for a connection to God should be in the spiritual realm, underpinned by a “life of spirituality.” What is spirituality? How would human beings know that we have attained a life of spirituality?

We can know a person who is spiritual — definitively by the lived “attributes of the spirit.” The evidence is in the consistent, practical demonstration of the life of the individual such as love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and selfcontrol (Galatians 5:22-23) (Circa CE 5758).

The essential foundation of spirituality is love (agape), which is absolute and unconditional. This form of love requires us to bring our “thoughts” (Reference Part 1. Para, 3-5) under subjection, to liberate us to a higher state of spirituality, humanity, and purpose. Likewise, from mere belief — to faith, belief, and practice.

The result is the liberation of human lives in the physical realm and the imposition of “new” enlightenment of the 21st century. A world, unified could then blossom into a “new” era of high civilization with social and economic equity, fairness and justice, and the sovereignty of nations. This path calls for a different form of spiritual awareness to broaden our belief systems from religion — to spirituality.

Follow us — as we briefly re-explore these five salient paths — Philosophy, Religion, Education, Authority, and Leadership for new understandings and solution perspectives that can lead to a better world for future generations.

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Thoughts, Feelings, and Actions; The Triad Understood SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

HUMAN SPECIALIST

Let us start with a visual exercise; so, you wake up in the morning, and your first thought is, “I really do not want to go to work today.” You crawl out of bed, and you realize that you have a massive headache. Your spouse did not throw out the garbage last night as promised, and now the entire kitchen stinks. You freak out because the smell is only making your growing headache worse. This causes an argument between yourself and your spouse, and now that headache is a migraine. You decide, “Forget it,” and call work to let them know you are not coming in. You had some sick days racked up so why not use them.

This is a very minute scenario, but believe me when I say that the connection between the negative thought: “I really do not want to go to work today,” the headache, and then the final decision not to go into work can occur on a larger scale, and in many different situations. This cognitive behavioral triad has been the basis of most of the suf-

fering that we feel, but because we are not aware of it, it happens repeatedly with sometimes devastating effects. This week I want to shed some light on this triad, which will hopefully shed some light as to why your life could be spiralling out of control.

Cognitive Behavior Psychology is the study of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Many of us have no idea how much our thoughts are affecting our day-to-day lives.

We just go through the motions, and hope for better days, not realizing that we are the ones who are responsible for creating better days. When I work with individuals in the community, I listen keenly to their presenting problem, which usually stems from a thought. I will let them speak for as long as necessary, and then I gently begin highlighting their thoughts and bringing them to the person’s awareness. One exercise that I start with is journaling. I will explain to them that we have our thoughts run away with us because we are not putting them into focus.

When we write our thoughts down, we can actually see what is going on in our heads. For many of the people I work with, the thoughts are not very good, and this is why they feel the way they feel. This exercise can last for about a week, and when it is time to review these thoughts, many are surprised at what they are saying to themselves unconsciously.

At this point, it is not my role to point out how faulty their cognition is; it is only to

have them realize that these thoughts exist and that they are affecting the way they feel.

Our feelings and emotions have a humongous impact on our outlook; you can look at your emotions almost like a default function.

When all else fails, our emotions take charge, and this can work against us. This is why it is imperative that we truly grasp why we must control our thoughts, if not our emotions always win, and not in the way that we want them to.

The last part of the cognitive triad is the behavior component; this is what happens after those feelings kick in. Now, if we are allowing our emotions to rule us, the behaviors that follow are not rational. This is why an anger management technique that is utilized is the art of walking away. When you can step away from a heated situation, your mind has time to process what really happened. You can then analyse if what you are feeling makes sense and is appropriate, and then you can act accordingly.

As a mental health specialist, my job is to continue exploring how to teach therapeutic techniques to the community, and to help them identify areas in their lives that they have never seen as being an issue before. If you would like more information on cognitive behavioral psychology, and how it works, feel free to email me, and I will provide information for you. Let’s get well together Toronto.

The early bird gets the worm

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EVERYTHING YOU NEED IN ONE NEWSPAPER

COLLEEN LINDBERG colleen@carib101.com

LIFESTYLE COACH

After studying many successful people over the years common themes show up amongst them. Of course, there is drive and never giving up, but one of them is waking up early and owning the morning. Robin Sharma says “Own the morning, own your life”. As I reflect and have done this in my life, I tend to agree but how changing this habit, for a lot of people (including myself ) has been a tough one.

When that alarm goes off for me, some mornings all I want to do is roll over and go back to sleep.

So, what keeps me motivated to align my morning? Over the years it’s changed, it used to be to prove a point, now

it’s because my life is aligning and I really want to keep moving forward into the best version of me. So, let me give you a synopsis of what I do in the morning to get my day going.

First thing, I turn my alarm off and I think about three things I am grateful for, right out of the gate. Then I get up and feed the animals and let Athena (my dog) out to go to the bathroom. I then will get into my meditation chair or back into bed lying down (this one though sometimes kicks me back into sleep, so it depends on my energy level that day where I go) where I then meditate.

Some days it’s 20 mins, others I might stay there for 45 mins, depending on how I feel.

After my meditation I then pick up my journal and write out some thoughts, I might review my affirmations and state those. I might write down my gratitude from that day. I allow flexibility in this time space for me to honor myself and my needs of the day. Then I will pick up a book I am reading and get at least 20 mins in to stimulate my brain and get me thinking of new things.

After that, it’s time for a workout.

I will either go to the gym or do a workout

at home. The minimum is 20 mins and I usually do a HIIT workout to get my body moving, blood pumping and a great sweat on.

Then it’s that magical time to put the coffee on. Showering and getting ready come next.

I will then eat breakfast, a shake or green smoothie and get to my desk. My most pivotal task for me being an entrepreneur is taking a look at my day and my to-do list and setting myself up to have a successful day. I know where I am headed, what I am getting done and making it happen. Then I get moving.

Your morning can be aligned in whatever fashion you want and that makes sense for you. The successful people of the world make sure to get a workout in, some form of mediation and self-connection and then learning. You could even make it a 20/20/20 fashion, so it’s one hour of work on you in the morning. Imagine how powerful your day will be if you get this in every day?

Consistency and habits in life are key to our growth and development. The more you can do this you will find that you will be more productive. So, are you joining the morning club?

Wednesday, May 15, 2019 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

High school is almost over and you’re also on the cusp of a new and exciting time in your life. Here are some words of wisdom to guide you as you move forward into the future.

• Be open to learning from others. This applies to all types of others, not just teachers.

You’re likely to learn more from people who are different from you than from those who are similar to you. Be curious about everything and ask lots of questions.

You’ve been planning prom for months, but have you thought of everything? Here are three tips to make sure your prom is truly perfect.

• In the face of uncertainty, engage in exploration. Don’t stress if you don’t know what you want to do in life. Many people take winding paths before finding their place. It’s okay to investigate your interests and passions before deciding.

1.

Break in your shoes. There’s nothing worse than wearing shoes that give you blisters. Let nothing stop you from dan­cing the night away by breaking in your new footwear before the big night.

2. Try on your clothes. Be sure to try on your outfit and accessories a couple of weeks before prom. If you need to make any last minute alterations, you’ll still have time to do so.

3. Don’t forget to eat. Make it a priority to pack away a healthy breakfast and lunch on the day of prom. You’ll ensure you have enough energy and stamina for the party to come.

The last prom tip we have for you is to have fun. The night will be over before you know it, so make the most of it.

PACK A PROM KIT Girls, turn your clutch into the perfect prom kit. Include essentials you might need like bandages, deodorant, bobby pins, safety pins, cab fare and breath mints.

• Be kind to yourself by taking care of your body. Keeping your body in peak condition is essential to living a happy and healthy life. Eat well, exercise frequently, get enough sleep and always wear sunscreen.

• Invest your time in building relationships. Speak with family members often and stay in touch with your high school friends. Make new connections and friendships where-

Prom night road safety • Have a designated driver. Keep in mind that the designated driver can’t drink any alcohol. Even one drink is too many.

• Plan B: take a cab. If your designated driver turns out to be unreliable, a backup plan for getting home safely is a good thing to

have. Download a taxi service app or save a cab company’s number in your phone.

Don’t forget to set aside money for your fare.

• Reach out to your parents. They want you to be safe. If you get stuck, call them.

Wake them up in the middle of the night if you need their help to get home.

• Use your judgment. Don’t get into a car

with some­ one who’s been drinking or doing drugs, even if they tell you they’re fine. And keep in mind that getting caught driving after having just one drink can be enough to lose your licence.

You have a bright future ahead of you.

Make sure it doesn’t end before it begins by getting home safely on prom night — and every other night.

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PAGE 35

Advice for high school graduates

3 tips for having the perfect prom night

Ensure your prom memories are good ones: follow these tips to get home safely.

life

Unit 11, 201 Spinnaker Way, Concord, ON L4K 4C6 Tel: 905-532-9288 | Cell: 416-452-8245 www.zvikashluper.ca | zvika@ozcapital.ca

ver you go, but maintain close ties with those who treat you well, those who inspire you and those who make you laugh.

• Achieve your goals by working hard. Slacking off won’t get you anywhere in the adult world. Success comes to people who work hard, who keep their promises and who hold themselves accountable for their actions.

• See as much of the world as you can. Travel will make you more independent and broaden your understanding of the world, especially if you’ve always lived in the same place. Exploring other cultures will teach you to see life through a different lens.

Congratulations, grads of 2019!

life

PAGE 36

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Bias Human Rights Tribunal Decision makes proving race and age discrimination almost impossible for Black Canadians.

Part II

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

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BRITTNEY CHANNER brittney@carib101.com

JUSTICE WARRIOR

Welcome Back, Readers!

For those of you who are just joining us for the first time, this week’s entry is a continuation of last week’s edition that focused on discrimination practices within the hiring process. To quickly recap, my last entry discussed Philton Moore, an established lawyer who had the unfortunate pleasure of dealing with discrimination amongst his legal peers as he applied for a legal position at a well-known personal injury firm in Hamilton, Ontario.

Mr. Moore then proceeded to file an application under the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario against the law firm in question citing that the firm was in violation of his rights under section 5 (1) of the code. Although it was proven in court that the firm was liable of discrimination against Mr. Moore, therefore allowing him to win his case, the ruling and reasoning given by the Vice Chair, is said to display a considerable amount of biases and did more harm for black Canadians, racialized lawyers, and minorities.

One of the decisions made by the Vice Chair surrounded the idea of racial discrimination and the law firms questioning of Mr. Moore’s educational background.

When Mr. Moore submitted his application for the junior lawyer position at the law firm in question, it was apparent that there were no concerns with the content of his cover letter. However, once the staff were able to see Moore in person and realized he was not white, nor did he match their highly assumptuous expectations; questions regarding the validity of his education and English background progressed.

During the interview, senior staff revealed that his extensive qualifications did not matter in terms of obtaining a position at the firm; what mattered was if Mr. Moore was a right fit for the company. To some, the statement made may not seem too alarming, nevertheless, Moore was then questioned on his literacy and the grade he received in English while attending university. It is evident that one can deem the entire interaction as contradictory for several reasons. Since the firm stipulated that qualifications did not matter in obtaining the position, why would the senior staff question Mr. Moore on his grasp of the English language unless it was something that candidates needed to make them “qualified” for the position?

Also, as the firm continued their interview with other candidates who were

white, it was determined that none of them were asked for their English grades or were under scrutiny about their knowledge of the English language. The senior staff in question admitted in court that she had no problems with Mr. Moore’s English, and yet, still found it necessary to question him on his abilities even though according to her, obtaining the job was strictly about “fit” and not about ones educational/linguistic qualification. It leaves one to think that race or racial stereotypical bias was the sole reason for her divergence into Mr. Moore’s’ education.

It is also important to note that Mr. Moore is an author for UK’s largest legal publishers, was offered to join Sweet & Maxwell’s editorial board, offered a book contract

by UK’s second largest legal publisher and contributed to the Human Rights Handbook which are all exemplary examples that attest to his elevated skills of the English language and yet, all these important facts were “coincidentally” left out of the Vice Chair’s ruling which could have had a significant impact on the case overall.

The decision made by the Vice Chair can be deemed harmful because it undermines an extensive amount of rulings that have made significant contributions towards the fight against discrimination of all kinds.

In my previous article entries, I have consistently spoken about the importance of precedent and how it has the potential to sway or influence a judge or someone of authoritative power, like a Vice Chair in this situation, in their ruling as it assists them in deciding on complex cases.

A prime example of this can be seen in the Peel Law Association v. Pieters, 2013 case where discrimination was also the dominant subject matter and the advancements proving if discrimination is the “determinative” or major factor, whether the discrimination needs to be intentional and reversal of burden of proof when relevant documents to a case are destroyed. The Vice-Chair did not apply or reference any substantial cases including the one above that could have benefited Mr. Moore and future legal candidates who come from racialized backgrounds.

Due to this, the decision he made notes a considerable set back at the significant advancements that have been made within the fight against discrimination and essentially allows the Vice Chair to refer to his recent decision in future cases. At the moment, Mr. Moore is appealing the decision made in hopes that this decision is overturned and the advancements made by the Peel Law Association v. Pieters case stands.

To learn more about Mr. Moore and his journey to appealing the recent decision of the Vice Chair https://www.lawtimesnews. com/

Wednesday, May 15, 2019 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

Reduce urban heat island effect with grass pavers Are you living on an urban heat island? This scientific term refers to metropolitan areas that are significantly warmer than surrounding areas. Unfortunately, the concentration of heat negatively affects humans, animals and the environment. One way it does this is by increasing the magnitude and duration of heat waves, thereby leading to a higher in­cidence of heatstroke, heat exhaustion and heat-related deaths.

ABOUT GRASS PAVERS Grass pavers are paver blocks with spaces or cells that allow grass and plants to push through. They can be used for driveways, walkways, paths, outdoor seating areas and a variety of other structures. By using grass pavers instead of concrete, asphalt or stone, you’re helping to reduce excessive heat retention on your property and in your town.

Urban heat islands are largely the result of how little vegetation and how much concrete there is in urban areas. It’s therefore important that urban dwellers do what they can to add more greenery to the city­ scape. One easy way to do this is with grass pavers.

But grass pavers are fantastic for a number of other reasons. For instance, because they’re permeable, they reduce storm water runoff and help prevent flooding.

They’re also easy to install and replace.

Lastly, they’re stylish and charming. Use them to turn your conventional backyard patio into a European-style terrace.

home & garden

PAGE 37

3 reasons to hire a professional landscaper Do you want to turn your yard into a personal oasis? How about boost the curb appeal and market value of your home?

Landscaping can do all this, but unless you have ample time, stamina and expertise, it’s probably best to hire a professional land­scaper to do the job. Here’s what you can expect.

1. GREAT IDEAS A beautifully designed yard begins with a well thought out plan. Landscapers, also called landscape designers, can help you create a great design from scratch or embellish on ideas you already have. They’ll evaluate your property and use their indepth knowledge of terrain and design principles to make recommendations specific to your yard. They’ll work with you to form a plan that suits your vision and budget.

each one will require in terms of soil, sunlight, water and general care.

3. SUPERIOR EXECUTION An experienced landscaper will have successfully completed a large number of projects and you can be confident that they’ll achieve good results with your yard too.

They’ll bring industry expertise to the job and know where to find the best talent and resources. Plus, they’re familiar with the different problems that can occur and the pitfalls that should be avoided.

If you’d like to hire a landscaper, look for one who’s experienced, certified and has liability insurance. Get ready to love your yard like never before!

2. HORTICULTURAL EXPERTISE Landscapers are deeply versed in horticulture.

They have extensive knowledge of plant life and understand how terrain and climate impact vegetation. You can therefore count on them to know which plants, flo­wers, trees and shrubs will thrive in your yard and what

The advantages of gardening with raised beds Do you want a garden but have poor soil?

Then gardening with raised beds is likely the best solution.

Raised beds are garden plots raised several inches or more off the ground and enclosed on all sides by a frame made of wood or rock. You simply fill your box with rich soil then start planting the desired fruits, veggies, herbs, flowers and plants.

Raised beds are different from planters because they have open rather than closed bottoms. Since raised beds are designed this way, they provide better drainage.

Plus, the roots can extend into the ground and seek available nutrients.

3 things apple trees need to thrive

Having a raised garden bed has a number of other advantages, notably: • It provides a strong barrier against weeds and pests • Its soil doesn’t compact or erode away in the case of heavy rain • It allows you to plant earlier in the season, since soil that’s above ground is warmer and drains better Lastly, gardening with raised beds is a great option for people with limited mobility or back problems. If the bed is high enough, you can tend to the garden without bending over.

Apple trees are grown worldwide, and with over 7,500 varieties available, undoubtedly there’s at least one that would make a good addition to your yard. But before reaching for your shovel, you should make sure that your slice of earth is a good place for planting. Here are three things every apple tree needs to thrive and bear fruit.

1. Slightly acidic soil. Apple trees grow best in soil with a pH level between 6.8 and 6.5.

Determine your soil’s pH with a soil test kit or by calling in a professional. If your soil isn’t within this range, there are strategies you can use to adjust the pH. 2. Lots of sunlight. Apple trees require at least eight hours of sun per day during

gro­ wing season. Make sure there’s a sunny spot in your yard where you can plant your tree.

3. A second apple tree. If you want your apple tree to produce apples, it needs to cross-pollinate with a friend. The second apple tree needs to be a different variety than the first and should be within 100 feet of your tree. If there are no apple trees in the vicinity, it’s up to you to plant the second one.

If these conditions are met, you’re in good shape. Just make sure to learn how to best plant and care for your apple tree. Your local nursery is a good place to turn to for advice and information.

PAGE 38

automotive

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, May 15, 2019

How to choose THE RIGHT MOTOR OIL There’s no test that can prove one brand of motor oil is better than another. However, there are certain criteria to consider if you want to be sure you’re purchasing top-quality oil for your car.

Choose oil that features the American Petroleum Institute logo on its packaging: this signifies that it was rigorously tested to ensure a high standard of quality before hitting the market. Also look for the SAE International emblem. In addition to these logos, you’ll notice a series of letters. If you have a gas engine, for example, look for the initials SN.

So which type is right for you? If you don’t mind spending a bit more, synthetic oil is your best bet. However, there is a way to get the best of both worlds: semi-synthetic oil performs better than conventional oil but is less expensive than fully synthetic varieties.

Finally, if you do your own oil changes, remember to bring the waste oil to your local recycling facility.

Do you really want TO PAY FOR YOUR CAR FOR EIGHT YEARS?

FOUR TYPES OF ENGINE OIL There are four main types of engine oil available on the market. The most common, conventional (or mineral) oil, works just fine, as long as it’s replaced every 5,000 kilometres and complies with all relevant quality standards. Regenerated oils are made from used motor oil that’s been collected, cleaned and purified, then mixed with additives and returned to the market. Purchasing recycled oil affords you the same quality product as virgin oil while giving a helping hand to the environment.

The highest quality motor oils currently available on the market are synthetic oils.

These lab-created oils are more chemically stable than conventional oil, making them more resistant to high temperatures, more effective at lubricating the engine, and less heavy on fuel consumption. Synthetic oil is more expensive, but for most experts, the extra cost is well worth the benefits.

Porsche could be FULLY ELECTRIC BY 2030 According to Porsche CEO Oliver Blume, every vehicle in the brand’s lineup could have an electric drive by 2030. While Porsche has no plans to do away with the internal combustion engine entirely in the foreseeable future, the automaker has been increasingly focusing its efforts on electrification and hybrid engines.

Porsche is getting ready to market a fully electric model, the Mission E, as well as bring hybrid powertrains to models as iconic as the 911. As is the case for most of the industry, this transition will be a gradual one for Porsche. The automaker isn’t ready to say goodbye to diesel quite yet, preferring to set its sights on 2030.

Ask any driver what they’re looking for in a new car, and many will answer “a price I can afford.” Automakers are well aware of this and have found a way to make vehicle ownership more affordable through financing. But is that really the case?

Back in the day, vehicle financing plans usually lasted two, three or four years, rarely more. Today, terms commonly extend over 84 and even 96 months. That’s eight years spent paying for a car. This strategy is pretty straightforward: the longer the term, the lower the monthly payment. But the monthly cost isn’t the only factor to consider.

Other things to keep in mind are the warranty and depreciation. Brand new vehicles are typically under warranty for three or four years, sometimes five. This means that once the warranty period ends, you’re responsible for all maintenance and repair costs, even if the vehicle is a lease. The rate at which the car depreciates is another significant factor: vehicles usually lose 40 to 50 per cent of their retail value in the first four years following their purchase. After seven or eight years, you’re likely to be left with more money to put on your car than its actual market value.

Also keep in mind that interest rates are generally higher on long-term loans than on short-term financing. The longer you pay for your car, the more it’ll end up costing you in the end. There is a way to benefit from a longer term, however: zero-interest financing. If you can find such a deal to take advantage of, keep the car until the term ends.

Bottom line: it’s a good idea to opt for a car loan that won’t last longer than the warranty. This way, you’ll be able to rest assured that your car will retain a worthwhile resale value.

fun

Wednesday, May 15, 2019 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

PAGE 39

WEEK OF MAY 12 TO MAY 18 2019

ARIES

The luckiest signs this week: SAGITTARIUS, CAPRICORN AND AQUARIUS

Making adjustments to who you include in your circle of friends would be wise. Some of them are parasites who only drain you. Try to put aside at least one day for relaxation and therapeutic treat­ ment.

TAURUS

PUZZLE NO. 682 ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 682

HOW TO PLAY :

Self­esteem is often a precursor of success. Tell yourself you can do it and you’ll manage to accom­plish a brilliant feat. Afterwards, you’ll be very proud of yourself.

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

You’ll devote a lot of time and energy to your family and home.

You’ll also be inspired to adopt a new perspective that will allow you to live in the moment.

GEMINI

CANCER

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.

Don’t worry about being at a loss for words, but be careful not to make indiscreet or inappropriate remarks. You might get in a con­frontation with someone who doesn’t speak English well.

LEO

You’ll gather the money you need to undertake an important project. Your speeches will cause people to flock to you.

PUZZLE NO. 945 49. Barnyard sound 51. Comply 52. Scheme 53. Beauty pack 54. Flatfish 55. Ditto 56. Breakfasted 57. Slippery swimmers

ACROSS 1. Night birds 5. Physique, for short 8. On a boat 12. Postpone 13. Corn unit 14. Bath need 15. Anytime

16. Exist 17. Decoy 18. Rejected 20. Puffs up 22. Snoop 23. Not he 24. Peeler 27. Intensifies 31. Sheep’s ma

32. Cherish 34. Go bad 35. Cravat 37. Journal 39. Suffer 40. Tall tree 41. Uncommon 44. Rest 48. Tiny bit

DOWN 1. Due 2. Signal farewell 3. Hold on property 4. Band 5. Small and round 6. Rowing tool 7. Bureau 8. Snoozing 9. Spirit 10. Nobleman 11. Acts like 19. Variable 21. Persuade 24. Ink holder 25. Wonderment

26. Family room 27. Fawn’s mom 28. Generation 29. Neither 30. Porky’s pad 33. Difficulty 36. Martial art 38. Intrude 40. Wear down 41. Samples 42. Soda

43. Small particle 45. Reed instrument 46. Auction 47. Potato buds 50. Absent

ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 945

VIRGO

You’ll feel enticed to go on an adventure abroad. If you take the plunge, don’t forget to attend to your passport in time for your sum­ mer holiday.

LIBRA

Tiredness is increasingly becom­ing an issue for you. Your body is telling you to slow down — don’t ignore it. In addition, make sure to get a full night’s sleep. Do these things and you should recover your energy.

SCORPIO

If you’re single, you’re going to experience love at first sight.

Although you’ll start putting more energy into your social life, you’ll quickly realize you also need some alone time.

SAGITTARIUS

At work, you’ll be saddled with new responsibilities. Even if you find them taxing at times, they’ll open up paths for advance­ ment and the possibility of a promotion.

CAPRICORN

You’ll start organizing a summer vacation with family and friends.

Fantastic experiences await you and you have every intention of making the most of them.

AQUARIUS

You might choose to break off a romantic or professional rela­ tionship without warning. You’ll feel impulsive and your thinking will be somewhat confused.

PISCES

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS USE AMERICAN SPELLING

It isn’t always easy to co­ordinate people or groups with opposing interests. You’ll manage to find the right words and get every­ one on the same page.

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real estate

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Winning the war on bidding JAY BRIJPAUL brijpaul@carib101.com

REAL ESTATE PRO

As of late, there has been a significant drop in the number of homes available in the Toronto real estate market, and as a result, buyers are facing the resurgence of bidding wars. Olivia, a first-time buyer lost out on seventeen offers. For a bidding war to start, two factors must be present; the price of the property must be low, and the property must have an offer presentation date. The lower price acts as a magnet and attracts more buyers. The buyer’s fear of losing their potential home steps in and the battle begins. If buyers are not careful, they can overbid, even giving up their right to a proper inspection of the prop-

erty or obtain financing. To win the war on bidding you need to take on the mindset of the seller.

When you think like the seller you have an advantage over other buyers. Eva used this technique and won. The property was vacant. Eva offered a fair price with a quick transfer date. The offer was firm; meaning that she bought the home without any conditions such as bank approval or inspection. Most buyers will purchase a home on the condition of proper financing and inspection. Sellers tend to dislike this as it creates uncertainty. A firm offer can be fatal if the buyer is not prepared.

Luck is when preparedness meets opportunity. The first step is to know how much money you can borrow. A mortgage broker can assist with this. Give them your employment information and pay stubs and ask them to check your credit. With the bank’s blessings, you can now flex your financial muscles and buy without a financial condition.

Buying without financing is a great option but many times the buyer can over

pay and the bank will only finance based on the appraised value. Joan bought a property for $500,000 with a solid down payment of $100,000. She required a mortgage of 80% or $400,000. The bank, before lending, appraised the property at $450,000. The bank loaned 80% of the appraised value, $360,000 and Joan must now increase her down payment by $40,000. Knowing what similar properties are selling for in the area at the time of purchase would have prevented this appraisal bombshell.

Many buyers forgo their right to inspect the property. Asher bought a home in Toronto. With ten offers on the line, his realtor advised that he remove the inspection condition. After taking possession of the home, Asher discovered an old oil tank in the basement. It turned out that the oil seeped from the rusted tank and affected the neighboring property. It was an expensive lesson. When an offer presentation date is set, arrange to conduct an inspection prior to the presentation date. Knowing what you are buying is critical.

To win the war on bidding, offer the

seller aspirin. Find out what the cause of their headache is and then give them the antidote.

Mary, a buyer, realized that the seller, an elderly man, had lived in the same home for over 20 years. He bought a newly constructed home and feared that there might be a delay on the possession date. If his current home closes before the new one is ready, he would need to pack his belongings in storage and find other accommodations. Mary offered a flexible closing date to match his and the seller choose her offer.

The idea of winning is to beat out your competition, other buyers. Offer a sizable deposit, secure a draft and present it with the offer. If there are two similar offers, the one with the draft is more likely to win.

Accompany your realtor and meet the sellers. This personal touch is warm and vitalizing. Sometimes you win the war by leaving the battleground. Establish your “walk away” price and stick to it. When it comes to bidding wars, it is better to walk away and be a living survivor than a dead hero.

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finance

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Trillium Drug Program can help FAZAAD BACCHUS fazaad@carib101.com

FINANCE SPECIALIST

Struggling with high prescription costs and don’t know where to go, perhaps Trillium might be your answer. If you have high prescription drug costs compared to your household income you might qualify for the Trillium Drug Program. So, what is Trillium? Well, it’s a drug program which covers more than 4,400 prescription drugs and it is only available to Ontarians to help pay for their high prescription drug costs.

You only are eligible to apply if you: • Have a valid Ontario health card number (that means you must have been living as a resident for at least three months in Canada).

• Do not already qualify for the Ontario Drug Benefit Program (for example, you are not enrolled in a program such as Ontario Works) • Do not have an insurance plan that pays

•

for 100% of your drugs Spend about 4% or more of your aftertax household income on prescription drug costs

So. it seems that most of the criteria is straight forward except for the last one which is calculating the 4% of household income. You can only apply for Trillium benefits on a household income qualification basis and the following persons must be listed as part of your household.

•

• • • •

Your spouse, common-law or same-sex partner, if you have lived together for at least one year, are parents together of a child or have entered into a cohabitation agreement together under Section 53 of the Family Law Act Children, parents and/or grandparents who live with you and rely on you, or you rely on them, for financial support Children who are students, who may not live with you but rely on you for financial support Spouse or partner who lives in another province or outside Canada Spouse or partner who lives in a longterm care home

If you satisfy the criteria above, then you are eligible to apply for benefits. Remember

though that your household income will be assessed every year to see if you continue to qualify for benefits. The program runs from August 1st to July 31st of the following year and the application can be found online. You will need to mail it into Trillium Drug Program, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care P.O. Box 337 Station D Etobicoke ON M9A 4X3.

Let’s suppose you are diabetic and have qualified for the program, you can ask for a three-month supply of your medication so that you pay less co-payments. Chronic drugs like high blood pressure medication and cholesterol medication are also available on a three-month basis. Not every drug is available for a three-month supply, so you will have to ask the pharmacist.

And what if you are traveling in your province, just like your regular medication, your pharmacist can send a copy to any other pharmacy so that your prescription can be filled, providing you have refills available.

But it’s not the same if you are traveling out of province and for a long duration. You would be better off taking a large supply at this time but there are requirements that you have to complete to be able to qualify for this large supply.

So here you have an opportunity to use this benefit, see if you qualify.

Do your debts live on after you?

ANDREW STEWART andrew@carib101.com

FAMILY ADVISOR

Ok, you might have worried about, asked a friend or family member, maybe even asked a lawyer this million dollar question. “Why should I worry about my bills if I’m dead?”

That to me is a very logical question to ask. The quick simple answer is; you don’t have to worry but your estate sure does. So, let’s start from the beginning. What is your estate? An estate is a property that you own or have a legal interest in like your home and vehicle. The term is often used to describe the assets and liabilities left by a person after death. Others may be on the hook for your debts if they co-signed with you, or in other cases.

No Way! If someone dies, can they leave their debts to you. Debts do not transfer by virtue of marriage or death – not without your signature. What does get transferred though is the emotional stress and headache of your family having to deal with them on your behalf. Any debts you leave behind when you die can eat up assets that you might have planned to leave to heirs. Things like jewelry, paintings, valuable collectibles might have to be sold to pay those bills. The process of paying your bills and distributing what money is

left is called probate. You might have heard some of the horror stories of celebrity’s estates being in probate for years.

Myth #1 Richard had heard that when parents die, their kids inherit their debts and are responsible for paying them.

What does happen to the debts when someone dies?

Well, that depends on if there is any money in the estate to pay the creditors and it also may depend on the creditor that the debt is owed to. The executor of your estate’s job is to distribute according to the directions in your will. When a person dies without a valid will (intestate), Ontario’s law on intestate succession requires specific distribution rules of the estate. This could mean your executor has to write checks from a bank account or selling of the property to get the money.

Some creditors may try to go after the spouse or family members of the deceased person.

However, most creditors will try to collect from the estate first. If the debt is “joint” the survivor will be required to pay the balance of the account. Let’s look at some of the most common types of debts people have.

Mortgage For most married couples, the process is straightforward. If both spouses own the home and applied for the loan together, the surviving spouse generally takes over everything. Under federal law, lenders must allow family members to take over a mortgage when they inherit residential property. If anybody co-signed for the home loan, that per-

son would be liable for paying off the debt— whether or not they live in the home or have an ownership interest. Non-owner co-signers are probably most at-risk if you die with outstanding mortgage debt.

Credit Cards Credit card debt is the borrower’s responsibility, not anybody else’s. If your estate does not have enough assets to cover credit card debts, then the creditors are out of luck. This debt is not secured by assets the way mortgages and car loans are. But any joint account holder would be responsible for the unpaid bills.

Car Loan Auto loans are secured loans where the vehicle is used as collateral. If payments stop, the lender can repossess the car. However, most lenders simply want to get paid, and they won’t repossess if somebody takes over the payments.

Do You Need Life Insurance?

Creditors typically can’t go after your retirement accounts or life insurance benefits, because life insurance payouts are protected from creditors by having named beneficiaries. You can use a policy to protect family members who would be responsible for your debts or simply to make sure you have money to pass on. In addition, life insurance payouts are usually not taxable. A common error is when people leave their estate as the beneficiary on the life insurance policy. Then it becomes available to creditors.

PAGE 46

sports

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Windies Players Shine in Women’s T20 Final KAYLA KARIM

kayla@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

The Women’s T20 Challenge hosted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India began on May 6th, 2019 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur.

A few familiar faces from the West Indies squad are participating in the tournament such as Stafanie Taylor, Hayley Matthews and Shakera Selman who have joined their international counterparts.

India is a special place for the women of the West Indies team as they won their first ever ICC Women’s World T20 title there

back in 2016.

Jimmy Adams, Cricket West Indies Director, congratulated the women on their selection.

“We’re delighted that Stafanie, Shakera, and Hayley have the chance to experience this tournament and showcase West Indies women’s cricket talent at the same time. It’s unfortunate that Deandra Dottin was not able to participate due to injury.

We’ll be watching out for the performances and welcome this initiative from the BCCI.”

Taylor of Jamaica and Selman of Barbados will play for the Trailblazers, captained by Smriti Mandhana. Matthews will play for Velocity, captained by Mithali Raj.

Taylor, who captained the championship team in 2016, is excited about returning to play in India.

“I’ve always enjoyed playing in India but this will be a new experience for me.

I’m looking forward to soaking up the atmosphere that I’ve seen in the IPL on TV and I’m

hoping that this season will be a catalyst to have an actual women’s IPL.”

She added that she is proud to be one of the three West Indies women chosen to participate and hopes to provide fans with the T20 excitement that they are used to.

Shakera Selman, another player on the Trailblazers, is excited for the opportunity to play alongside her captain Stefanie Taylor as well as other talented international players.

Selman said, “I’m grateful to be afforded the opportunity to take part in the Women’s T20 challenge, as it’s another chance to showcase my talent alongside some of the best female cricketers in the game. And I am hopeful that this challenge will be used to develop a women’s IPL.”

The Trailblazers recently faced Haylet Matthews and Velocity on May 8th, 2019, lost by three wickets in the match. Stafanie Taylor was scratchy during her 18-ball stay

and survived a runout chance at the nonstriker’s end.

It was the Shafali Verma and Danielle Wyatt show, where they played with aggression for their three-wicket win. Velocity started off well going 111 for 2, and the target being two runs away. However, in seven balls of spin from Rajeshwari Gawykwad and Deepti Sharma, they lost five wickets without scoring a run and Deepti picked up three in five balls.

On Thursday, May 9th, 2019 Velocity played again, against the Supernovas who edged them out beating them by 12 runs going 142 for 3. It was a picture perfect 48-ball 77 not out from Jemimah Rodrigues who took the Supernovas to victory.

Although all three teams finished with a win each, the Trailblazers who were spectators for the match were knocked out due to a lower net run-rate.

The Supernovas and Velocity will meet again in Sunday’s final in Jaipur.

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