Veteran's Gala 111517

VETERAN’S GALA

JELANI GRANT/TORONTO CARIBBEAN

The Black Veterans Affairs Council held their gala at the Toronto Plaza Hotel, fundraising to build a Black Veteran Memorial Garden in Toronto.

The dinner is also committing funds to growing and enhancing the black veteran’s database, expand research, and improve resources for veterans entering transition.

BVAC Representative Kerry Ann Thomas hosted the dinner and summit. Thomas led a discussion between veterans Dean Turner and Emille Bryant for the summit, and also hosted the gala.

During the summit, veterans

and guests with military connections swapped stories and insight into their own experiences. Before the two vets addressed the audience, guests were finding connections either by discussing serving or what it was like having loved ones who served. A guest, who asked not to be named, spoke about her connection to the tragic murder-suicide committed by Lionel Desmond in Upper Big Tracadie, N.S saying that her cousins and aunts are still struggling to cope with their loss. A challenge often found among veterans transitioning is coping with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. A 2015 study by Employment

and Social Development Canada, estimates 2,250 former soldiers use shelters on a regular basis, mental health issues being a common reason cited by veterans.

Recognizable names at the Gala were Church of God Sabbath

Keeping Scarborough Praise and Worship Leader Abigail Edwards, L.E.A.P

Branding Founder Dewitt Lee, and opening prayer by Grant AME Pastor

Canute Davis and entertainment by the Grant AME Church Band.

Continued On Page 7

Elizabeth Correia - Surviving Pain Through Finding Purpose

To endure is to discover an inner strength we didn’t know we were capable of, our resilience unwavering pushing forward to a bigger brighter future.

Forged in Toronto, on the streets of St. James Town, in Regent Park, Elizabeth Corriea’s story is one that continues to shock and inspire all those that hear it. Elizabeth was born to Portuguese immigrant parents, who instilled very traditional teachings and values in their children. Raised in government housing Elizabeth shares that her childhood was a mixture of both light and dark moments.

“I grew up in a very abusive household,” she shares, “My mom was physically, mentally and verbally abusive, and then my dad he was all of that, including sexual abuse.”

Elizabeth recalls life as a little girl to be very confusing, “There was a lot of pain, but there was also a lot of joy as well,” she says.

Growing up on the streets, much of her joy was found outside of her home, amongst the friends she had in the neighborhood. Whether it was playing games or playing the fool, Elizabeth found happiness in the time she spent laughing, away from those who would choose to hurt her.

Neither of her parents worked, nor were they able to speak English fluently. Her father had been born blind, he was a musician and he would sing at restaurants, events, and even weddings to make a little extra cash.

“It was tough growing up on welfare, there were things my siblings and I would want, sports we wanted to play, things we wished we could buy, but we would never

dare try to ask our parents for these things,” she explains.

Living in this environment, Elizabeth says that it never felt abnormal to her. The people that lived in her neighborhood led the same lifestyles as her own family, so she never knew there could be anything better. School was a challenge for her, seeing as her home life affected her mental well being tremendously.

“I would show up to class and have to pretend to be a different person,” she shares, “There was always something happening at home, and by the time I got to school I would have to behave as though I wasn’t being affected by it at all.”

The abuse she was dealing with at home was something that she was taught to never speak about outside the home. “At the time you don’t realize it’s a bad thing, it just happens,” Elizabeth says.

Throughout her rocky childhood, she spent time in and out of foster care, either running away or getting thrown out. She found herself caught up in the shady world of selling drugs, hanging out in the crowds and doing things she never thought imaginable.

“I got caught up in street life, and became a product of my environment,” Elizabeth admits. “I was selling drugs, but miraculously I never tried any myself. Two of my best friends became drug addicts, but it was never a temptation for me.”

By the time she turned twenty two Elizabeth had seen and experienced it all. She later went on to document her story in a memoir ‘If you Played in my Playground’ detailing the extreme circumstances of violence and abuse she dealt with at a young age. It

November 30 • 3 - 10 pm

Budget Chats

(informal interaction with City officials)

November 27 • 5:45 - 6:45 pm

November 28

• 8:15 - 9:15 am

Special Council Meeting for Budget 2018 Approval

December 13 • 7 - 10 pm

shares her story of love, tragedy, heartbreak, depression, becoming a teen mother and the journey she embarked on to heal and discover her faith.

“I was well aware of the choices I was making, but I wasn’t present to the pain I was feeling,” Elizabeth says.

Since her time on the streets, Elizabeth’s life has completely transformed. She is the founder of The D.e.v.a In You group, a personal development and leadership company for women and girls. She is a speaker and a life coach, hosting life development workshops and programs in order to help women and girls to build resilience and make healthier choices in order to fulfill their destiny

In her journey Elizabeth has found a way to harness the lessons she has learned through her own experiences, moving from victim to victor as a tool to help inspire women and girls to overcome obstacles and challenges in order to achieve their greatest potential.

“I led the kind of life that no thirteen year old should be caught up in, but it’s not the trials and tribulations of life that define us, but who we are at the core of our being.” Elizabeth states.

Elizabeth has and continues to experience incredible growth every day. She has learned to deal with her pain, and forgive the circumstances of her past.

“My legacy will be how I used my story to serve the world, until the day I take my very last breath I want to empower, lead and inspire people to live full lives, to believe they can create the life that they want to live.”

Written by Alyssa Mahadeo Toronto Caribbean News

The Green Dupatta Gala 2017

leanne@carib101.com

TC Reporter

The Green Dupatta Organization held their fourth annual gala and charity banquet on Nov 11th at the Shingar Banquet Hall in Brampton. With over 300 guests in attendance, this gala may be the most successful one yet according to CEO, Nirmala Ramprasad. The Green Dupatta is a non-profit organization focused on community building and development on an international scale. This all started just over four years ago when Ramprasad visited her father’s native land, Guyana.

There was a personal connection with the land almost immediately as Ramprasad noticed an old abandoned building in the village of Leonora in the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara. As fate would have it, Ramprasad was told by her parents that her grandfather once helped to build the now-defunct building. When Ramprasad returned to Canada, she was naturally drawn by her charitable character to do something about the space. Along with three other highschool friends, all with Caribbean heritage, they decided to take on the project of rebuilding this community space.

It was not an easy task, but every trip that Ramprasad made to Guyana, helped her to get a clear vision of what the community wanted. By engaging with the community, the restoration of the building was possible and not only that, space became vital. By looking at the needs of the community, Ramprasad was able to source local materials and village contractors to help with the process in an effort to keep the money.

Donations and community input here in Canada also helped this effort tremendously and now after four years, the

community center is in its final stages of being complete. The downstairs of the building is already being used as a community daycare, for women who need assistance once they are out seeking jobs.

“What our organization does, is we provide and fund the structure in a community. We provide help and guidance in bringing about programming but ultimately we want the community members to think about what they need,” Ramprasad said.

Ramprasad is amazed by the community effort, not just in Guyana but the entire West-Indian community in Toronto as well, where residents pride themselves as being whole, This effort by the Green Dupatta, is only the first of many international ventures in community development. Ramprasad’s commitment to the Leonora Community Center has helped her to interact with the local community and her work doesn’t go unnoticed. Their next project in Guyana will be a rec-center in a nearby village that noticed the outstanding change in the Leonora community and the village offered up an old abandoned school to be repaired and transformed.

Ramprasad is very hands-on with the community work and her volunteering efforts. She also gets a lot of help from her parents and her sister. The core of the Green Dupata Organization includes Ramprasad as CEO, Rhea Bhim, content and production manager, Keisha Singh, secretary and media director and Jasmine Suckhu, treasurer and finance manager. Outside of the core team, there are a growing number of volunteers every day.

The gala is the biggest fundraising event the organization hosts and they also go to community fairs in the summer in order to raise funds. Ramprasad knows that none of this would be possible without the community effort and continues to hope for expansion and development in other local areas and eventually other communities in the West-Indies.

To donate to this cause and to find out more about this organization, visit GreenDupatta.com

Leanne Benn

Veteran Emille Bryant Keynote Speaker at Black Veterans Dinner Gala

Jelani Grant

jelani@carib101.com

TC Reporter

Continued From Page 1 -- The Black Veterans Affairs Council held their gala at the Toronto Plaza Hotel, fundraising to build a Black Veteran Memorial Garden in Toronto.

The dinner is also committing funds to growing and enhancing the black veteran’s database, expand research, and improve resources for veterans entering transition.

BVAC Representative Kerry Ann Thomas hosted the dinner and summit. Thomas led a discussion between veterans Dean Turner and Emille Bryant for the summit, and also hosted the gala.

During the summit, veterans and guests with military connections swapped stories and insight into their own experiences. Before the two vets addressed the audience, guests were finding connections either by discussing serving or what it was like having loved ones who served. A guest, who asked not to be named, spoke about her connection to the tragic murder-suicide committed by Lionel Desmond in Upper Big Tracadie, N.S saying that her cousins and aunts are still struggling to cope with their loss. A challenge often found among veterans transitioning is coping with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. A 2015 study by Employment and Social Development Canada, estimates 2,250 former soldiers use shelters on a regular basis, mental health issues being a common reason cited by veterans.

Honorable

Recognizable names at the Gala were Church of God Sabbath Keeping Scarborough Praise and Worship Leader Abigail Edwards, L.E.A.P Branding Founder Dewitt Lee, and opening prayer by Grant AME Pastor Canute Davis and entertainment by the Grant AME Church Band.

Keynote speaker Bryant is the author of the self-development book Start With A Sparkle and created Awaken to Brazen Creativity, a course that takes students through lessons that amplifies their innovations, motivations, and self-development. Bryant shared parts of his lessons, reaffirming his belief that lives aren’t lived in straight paths. “We might want to go A-B-C-DE, and life says you can start at ‘A’ but here’s ‘R’, ‘Q’, ‘W’, ‘purple’, ‘7’, ‘D’, and now you don’t want to even get to ‘E’,” he said.

A part of this course includes Bryant encouraging his students to “find their North Star” with what they want to achieve. This way of thinking ensures that no matter where how their choices impact their life; they will be able to move in the right direction to become closer to their goals. Bryant commended his time serving as the portion of his life, which was the most eye-opening to the things he was capable of. “The military allowed me to have the right structure, [bringing out the best in me], even when I didn’t want it to,” he said.

Veteran Dean Turner was a part of the 2nd Infantry of a peacekeeping mission in Croatia in 1992. Turner recalled his introduction to the military, inspired by his desire to become a music star. He gave advice to those considering entering the military as well as tips for transitioning back to citizenship. “I show up on time, I always dress properly, I have respect for other people. These are things you learn while you’re in the military and you always do your

best to make sure you do the right job,” he said.

Turner said there are lessons learned in the military that cannot be found any where else.

According to Statistics Canada, the veteran population was close to 700,000 in 2014, including those who served in World War II, the Korean War, Primary Reserves and Regular Forces. Through each of these battles, black Canadians contributed significantly such as the Black Battalions in World War I. commitment to their country while facing the many challenges that came with being black.

Following the abolishment of slavery in Canada, black Canadians would serve in the Royal Navy, the Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837, the South African War of 1899 -1902, the First World War, and the other wars previously mentioned. For a number of decades, black Canadians would find a way to positively impact their country and communities until the Second World War, when they were accepted into regular units, fighting alongside white soldiers in Europe and back home.

In the current age of Canadian military, black Canadians continue to serve Canada. Since 2002, more than 150 Canadian Forces members have died in Afghanistan. Regardless of where or how a Canadian served, their dedication and work deserves to be recognized and compensated once they are ready to transition back to being a citizen.

The Black Veterans Affairs Council is recognized as stakeholders by Veteran Affairs Canada and is called upon by them for access related to black veterans.

Pledges can still be made towards the Black Veterans GoFundMe on Thomas’ page, with a goal of $25,000.

Ahmed Hussen, Harriet Thornill and Other Role

Models To Be Honored at the 2017 Black Business Awards

The Diversity Advancement Network will be hosting the Black Business Awards on November 12th, 2017 at the National Event Venue. This ceremony is a business and professional edition of the Black Canadian Awards. A unique focus on the economic contributions of Black Canadians as we celebrate Canada at 150.

An induction of Business and professional experts into the Black Canadian National Wall of Role Models. Previously honored by the Diversity Advancement Network are Police Chief Mark Saunders, Honourable Jean Augustine, Councillor Mohamed Salih, Dr. Aalvin Curling,

Orlando Bowen, Donovan Bailey and many others.

To be honored at this years ceremony are Canada’s minister for immigration, Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Vice President at RBC, Harriet Thornhill and much more. Both the Kenyan and St Lucia High Commissioners will be in an economic panel talking theme “Access to Global Capital”

This prestigious national ceremony is designed to showcase outstanding business owners, industry experts, professionals and entrepreneurial success stories. Various professionals, executives and industry experts will also be present. This is a rare

opportunity to learn and network with the best minds in our community. An initiative of the diversity advancement network.

The Diversity Advancement Network is a non-profit organization in Canada. They are responsible for the Black Business Summit, National Conference, Black Women Honors and Empowerment and several charitable initiatives in the Caribbean, Africa and worldwide. More information available on BlackCanadians.com, 416900-3640 or blackcanadians@gmail. com

Caribbean Airlines Told to Cut Non-Profitable Routes

TRINIDAD -- Parliament’s Joint Select Committee has recommended that Caribbean Airlines Ltd (CAL) immediately review the viability of some of its North American routes, as these have been unprofitable and resulted in an “unabated trend of declining passenger numbers and massive financial losses.”

At a press conference at Parliament Monday, JSC chairman Independent Senator David Small said the problem demanded urgent attention, adding that CAL needed to employ strategies to save such routes to prevent future financial leakages. He, however, declined to identify the routes, saying they did not want to damage the company’s image.

He also called on CAL to immediately cease all international recruitment of foreign pilots so as to ensure local pilots were instead hired.

Small said he was particularly aghast when the airline used the slogan, “Come fly in the sunny Caribbean” as part of its recruitment drive. He said what was particularly disturbing was that there are “hundreds” of qualified local pilots unable to find jobs with CAL despite applying.

“Given the many local pilots seeking jobs, a report on how this came to be should be provided to the committee, as well as the line ministry,” Small said.

He also urged CAL to recover the “huge sum” of money being owned by Venezuela, but when asked what was the figure Small said he preferred not to make this public as it may have negative repercussions.

But he described the Caracas route as one of the more profitable ones.

Small said during three meetings the committee “struggled” to obtain pertinent information from CAL, as partial sub-

mission of information was given, adding there seemed to be a challenge with CAL regarding the way it managed its operations. The JSC recommended that CAL immediately put a freeze on any salary increases until such time as its operation was sustainably profitable.

“CAL should immediately cease the practice of annual incentive or merit payments given the current unprofitable status of the company,” the JSC said.

On the issue of retired pilots who are on contract and still being paid premium rates and given seniority over other pilots, the JSC recommended this be stopped as Small said this only served to “keep down” junior pilots.

“CAL should undertake all necessary actions over the next six months to complete the process of retirement of all position holders over 60,” Small said, noting CAL should also introduce a mentorship programme between senior and junior pilots to ensure sufficient knowledge transfer.

He said CAL has also been advised to take immediate steps regarding the recovery of any taxes due to the BIR from staff members who have utilised the cockpit “jump seat” privilege in an excessive manner.

“The first 20 ‘jump seats’ uses for personal reasons must be deducted from that employees’ annual allotment for 20 free travel passes. Therefore, for pilots only, there will be a limit of up to 20 additional personal ‘jump seats’ trips allowed per year. This should be implemented with immediate effect,” the JSC recommended.

Despite all this, Small said he would not give the airline a failing grade since he believed CAL could be saved.

- Trinidad Guardian

Goats Found in Stolen Car

TRINIDAD -- Northern Division police investigating a report of a stolen car were inadvertently thrust into praedial larceny case after they found two stolen goats in the trunk of an abandoned vehicle over the weekend.

The livestock and the stolen car were recovered along Noriega Trace, Bye Pass Road, Arima, on Saturday, hours after they were reported stolen by their respective owners. According to a release from the T&T Police Service (TTPS), the green Toyota Yaris was stolen from its 51-yearold owner at his home at Demerara Heights, Wallerfield, around 10 pm on Friday.

The goats were stolen from a farm in the community shortly after. The animals’ limbs were bound when they were found in the locked trunk, but were not injured. They were later returned to their owner.

Hours later police received a report of a car-jacking at Woodford Street in Arima. Armed bandits robbed a 33-year-old man of his silver Nissan Tiida. The vehicle was found abandoned along Boys Lane, D’Abadie later that night. Police have not made any arrests in relation to both incidents.

- Trinidad Guardian

Family Wants Answers as Remand Prisoner Dies Suddenly

TRINIDAD -- Relatives of a prisoner who died behind bars sometime between Saturday and Sunday morning are seeking answers on his cause of death.

Murder accused Michael George, 29, of Indian Walk, Moruga, was remanded into prison custody on October 23 after he appeared in court charged with the murder of Aaron Goorachan.

Goorachan was shot dead at the Couva Extended Care Centre, where he was an employee, on September 21.

According to prisons officials, George was found unresponsive in his cell around 6 am on Sunday at the Extended Remand Facility at the Golden Grove Prison, Arouca. He was pronounced dead by the prison’s doctor Dr Vinod Mahabir. Prison

officials said George was mentally unstable and had been refusing meals for some time.

However, a relative of George told the T&T Guardian the former football player never had a history of mental illness. The relative said after he was remanded to prison relatives visited him and he appeared “normal.” The relative said they only knew of George’s death when an inmate contacted the family.

An autopsy was done on George at the Forensic Sciences Centre, St James, Monday but the results were not revealed to relatives. The relative who spoke to the T&T Guardian said they were told by prison officials that when they get the death certificate they will hand it over to the family. The autopsy will also be kept by the Prison Service

for their internal investigations, investigators said.

The relative, who did not want to be identified, said it was strange no “independent person” viewed the autopsy done by Dr Hughvon Des Vignes, as only a police officer and a prison officer were allowed to view the procedure.

Relatives said George had recently been hospitalised and was wearing adult pampers and using a wheelchair. They added that from the last time they saw George on October 25 to last week, it is unlikely a hunger strike would have caused him to deteriorate so badly that he lost mobility.

- Trinidad Guardian

Revenue Authority Can Bring in $5Billion Extra in Taxes - More Staff Will be Needed

TRINIDAD -- Finance Minister Colm Imbert is seeking to dispel Board of Inland Revenue and Customs workers’ fears about job loss when the Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority (TTRA) comes on stream. He insists “more staff is needed” at both divisions and is also optimistic tax collections will see a $5 billion jump with the advent of the authority, which he hopes will be operational by April next year.

Imbert estimates the country is losing between “$10 billion to $11 billion” annually because of leakages in tax collection at all levels, corporation, Value Added Tax and personal income tax and “if we get this right,” tax collection can increase, “by about $5 billion per year.”

Speaking on CNC3’s Morning Brew Monday, Imbert said the country has a $10 billion budgetary gap to fill.

“We have to spend $50 billion and we can raise with the best will in the world $40 billion. I need that five billion. The country needs that $5 billion we will get from the Revenue Authority. This country cannot survive unless we increase tax collection by $5 billion. This is the over-riding motivation for me,” he said.

The Public Services Association (PSA), which represents public officers at

both Customs and the BIR, is concerned about job losses with the advent of the TTRA.

But Imbert assured “we need more staff not less. Right now, as far as I am concerned the BIR is understaffed, it is missing 100-200 people. Customs is under staffed as well.”

He said for every person employed “there will be a benefit. If you spend $100,000 a year on one person they will earn $300,000 for the government. I am not of the belief that we need to cut staff.”

In addition, he said there are three options available to staff at both entitiesthey can transfer to the authority on terms no less favourable, they can stay in the public service in a position commensurate with their current position or they can utilise the option of retirement. He said those hired in the new entity will be offered “more attractive terms than they currently enjoy in the public service, with a proper incentive scheme based on performance.”

He said legislation to establish the authority should be brought to Parliament by mid-December and will be debated at the earliest opportunity. “So I would think by the end of January the debate will be over and the legislation passed. That is my expecta-

Calls for More Action

tion,” Imbert said, adding Government is working towards an April commencement in terms of proclamation on or before.

Imbert does not believe the legislation requires Opposition support either.

He said having read a Privy Council judgement in a matter involving TT Post in 2004, “it is crystal clear once the exercise is done properly and people have been given options there is no need for special majority.”

As to concerns from the PSA about political interference with the appointment of the board and the CEO, Imbert assured “Government will make these appointments properly. We will have to be very careful that the people we pick are recognised as experts in their field and also that they will represent the public interest as well.”

Imbert said there are “significant advantages” to bringing BIR and Customs together.

“You get a sharing of information, that does not happen right now. If you can match imports of products to declared revenue, then you can get a handle on what taxation should be. You will have real time sharing of information.”

- Trinidad Guardian

in Flood-Hit Areas as Leptospirosis Hits Another Victim

TRINIDAD -- Despite ongoing spraying in the communities of Woodland, Penal and Barrackpore, which were swamped by flood waters recently, yet another case of leptospirosis has been reported at the San Fernando General Hospital.

The latest case was confirmed by South West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) chief executive officer Gail Miller-Meade Monday.

However, with a total of 15 cases and two fatalities being reported at the institution since October, Miller-Meade assured the hospital has the resources and equipment to deal with the leptospirosis cases. Saying the disease was not communicable, she said once preventative measures are taken the number of cases of leptospirosis will decrease.

“We have been advising people from these areas to wear protective gear, don’t walk outside bare-feet and to spray their surroundings because this illness is preventative,” Miller-Meade said.

Contacted Monday, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said he too had spoken extensively about leptospirosis after the flooding.

“Any other information that you need you can call the Chief Medical Officer Dr. Roshan Parasram,” Deyalsingh said.

He said Parasram also had the latest statistics and knew how the issue was being handled. However, attempts to reach Parasram were unsuccessful as his secretary said he was out of office.

Penal/Debe Regional Corporation chairman Dr Allen Sammy said spraying has been ongoing aggressively since the floods.

“Our spraying programme has never stopped but we have limited resources. We would like to cover two areas in one afternoon but we can only do one area at a time because we have a few pieces of equipment and one gang,” Sammy said.

He added that the corporation has been working with the County Medical Officer of Health to ensure all areas are properly sprayed.

“We have done rat baiting as well as spraying. We spent quite a lot of time in Woodland and we found a lot of vermin generally,” Sammy said.

But Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal, whose constituency was worse-hit by the flooding, said the Ministry of Health should pump more resources into the exercise to ensure that the spread of the rat-borne illness is contained.

“The deaths of the two infected patients and hospitalisation of others have confirmed that leptospirosis could become a major health epidemic crisis,” Moonilal said.

Agricultural economist Omardath Maharaj also called on Government to have a campaign to educate the national community on flooding, food security, diseases such as leptospirosis, cholera and meningitis, as well as bacteria such as salmonella and E. Coli.

- Trinidad Guardian

JSC on $44bn State Enterprises Debt Boards Gone Rogue

TRINIDAD -- Joint Select Committee (JSC) member Wade Mark Monday described 39 State-companies which racked up a $44 billion debt as “rogue elements.”

JSC chairman Senator David Small supported this view at a press conference at Tower D, Port-of-Spain, which focused on the borrowing practices of state enterprises and the operations of Caribbean Airlines and the Vehicle Management Corporation of T&T. It came after a JSC report into the Stateenterprises unearthed the staggering $44 billion debt.

Small admitted a lot of the statesector debt was” not officially on the books.” Asked if the $44 billion debt was alarming or worrying, Small said the JSC enquired if the figure was normal, high or low.

“The response we got back along the lines was that $44 billion is probably about the highest it has ever been. From where we sit we are not sure if to be alarmed or otherwise,” Small said.

He agreed with Mark that some State companies have been operating as rogue elements.

“We have chairmen or boards of State enterprises and members of boards that have gone rogue…they are running their own show,” Small said.

Small said the Investments Division, which is charged with monitoring State enterprises, has also been woefully under-resourced. There are 117 State enterprises, of which 47 are State-owned, seven majority-owned and 67 indirectly owned.

Mark said the State-enterprise Government guaranteed debt has a ceiling of $45 billion. He said the committee discovered the State enterprise Government guaranteed debt stood at $19 billion, while the non-Government guaranteed debt accounted for $25 billion, bringing the total figure to $44 billion. He said it was also found that these State

enterprises did not use debt to revenue ratios for financial or debt management analysis.

The committee also found debt to equity ratios indicated the level of risk being adopted by an entity to finance growth, and in themselves, did not give an indication of the benefits gained from the debt. It was also unearthed that some of the State entities that borrowed did not have an updated strategic plan. Also many were unable to pay their debt or paid their debt at the expense of their statutory obligations.

“There were instances in the past where funds were borrowed without proper approval and some State enterprises had strayed from its mandate with minimal repercussions mainly because the State Enterprise Performance Monitoring Manual is not legally binding and does not have a penalty structure,” Mark said.

Some of the recommendations put forward were that the Investment Division should implement mechanisms to track returns on investments, to ensure that benefits of debt acquired outweigh the costs and the Finance Ministry should have an up-to-date strategic plan when processing loan applications of State enterprises. It was also agreed that if the State entities violate the rules they must pay a penalty, Mark said.

Stating that T&T was inching to a total debt of $100 billion, Mark said, “When I calculate that, $70,000 has to be found by every man, woman and child to meet this obligation.”

Asked which State enterprise was most worrying with its debt ratio, Small pinpointed Petrotrin, which he said required special attention for it to be fixed. He was unable to say which State enterprise was unable to pay its debt , but assured the committee will not sit as casual observers ad force the entities to take action or return to the JSC to give an account of taxpayers’ money.

- Trinidad Guardian

Stepfather in Court for Toddler’s Murder

TRINIDAD -- A man accused of murdering his two-year-old stepdaughter four years ago appeared before a magistrate Monday charged with her murder.

Murder accused Adrian Noel, who is currently in prison on a charge of killing the child’s mother Patricia Fletcher-Thomas, was unrepresented when he appeared before Chaguanas Magistrate Joanne Connor.

He is accused of beating twoyear-old Kimora Roopnarine to death in September 2013.

He was charged on Friday while in custody charged with allegedly slitting the throat of Fletcher-Thomas on May 16, 2016.

Noel will have to re-appear in court on November 24.

According to the child’s grandmother Erica Thomas, on September 16, 2013, the child was picked up from pre-school by a relative, who took her to the Chaguanas District Health Facility, and reported that she was having difficulty breathing.

The child was pronounced dead on arrival at the health facility.

On May 16, last year FletcherThomas of Phyllis Lane, Enterprise, Chaguanas, was killed one day after her 26th birthday.

- Trinidad Guardian

Syndicates Call for Removal of GGMC Head

GUYANA -- Miners who are part of the National Mining Syndicate believe Newell Dennison, Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), should be removed from his post.

The national syndicate which represents almost 1000 small miners from 12 subsidiaries, called on the Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman and Junior Minister, Simona Broomes to step in and remove Dennison.

Although the Ministry has been finding new ways to resolve the issues that affect the miners, Chairman of the National Mining Syndicate, Renwick Solomon said the leadership of GGMC has been less than straightforward. Last Friday at a stakeholders meeting at the Marriot Hotel, Minister Trotman approved 10 blocks in Parish Peak, Upper Berbice for miners who had applied for those spots earlier this year, but were told the land has been reserved for conservation.

At the meeting, Trotman said a letter was dispatched to the GGMC dated October 12 and addressed to Dennison, directing him to keep additional lands in reserve, pending a final decision. Applications for lands should

be limited to 10 blocks, the minister said. “We are happy that process has been done but the management of GGMC deliberately misled the Minister as it relates to Parish Peak… Dennison had said there are not active blocks and prospective licence (PL), but we checked and three licences were issued earlier this year,” said Solomon during a press briefing at the Girl’s Guide on Monday.

The Syndicate accused Dennison of trying to influence members of the syndicates to think that Minister Trotman does not know what he is saying. The chairman said they have “no confidence” in Dennison because he was disrespectful to the minister.

Other members of the syndicate who were at the press conference started chanting, “Dennison must go!” This is not the first time the National Syndicate has called for his removal. Earlier this year, they had filed a petition to Minister Trotman for the removal of the GGMC Commissioner.

Aside from the blocks at Parish Peak, President of the Berbice Mining Syndicate, Kester Wade had applied, on behalf of his members, for blocks in the Puruni, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) district and al-

though it was approved by Minister Trotman, GGMC’s Land Management section was not aware of the approval.

Solomon again blamed Dennison for that issue, reiterating that the GGMC Commissioner cannot be trusted. “We need someone there with integrity…we are on the stepping stone to the good life and we do not want no backstabbers,” said Cheryl Williams, a member of the national syndicate.

The members of the syndicate said they will continue to press for the removal of Dennison because they believe the industry can be greater without him. They said they will not be stalled any longer so they intend to start working on the new blocks during the course of this week. Minister Trotman reportedly advised the miners to proceed with their work.

“If there is a hold-up, it is not at the government’s end – you all are free; start mobilising and I know you will do well. This initiative will transform mining, it will transform Guyana and even when oil comes we are always going to be a mining people,” Trotman declared at the meeting on Friday, but cautioned the miners to follow the rules

Police Roll Out Christmas Security Plan

and regulations established by the mining authority.

“We have no desire to frustrate any syndicate. Some of us went over the Parish Peak area recently and saw nothing happening there and in fact, Mr Wade has written me and I sent some documents on it to him,” said Minister Trotman, who disclosed that he has since asked Dennison to respond to that which he (Trotman) had discovered.

“While I am telling you all one thing, I am seeing another. So if it happened through my office I have to acknowledge it and apologise for it, but it didn’t come from my directive. It was certainly embarrassing for me to see,” he declared, noting that he will share Dennison’s explanation with the syndicates. Trotman had said the glitch has to be found and corrected because he has been telling miners one thing and something contrary has been occurring. “It makes me look like a hypocrite and that I am discriminating against you,” he stated..

- Guyana Chronicle

GUYANA -- The Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Monday launched its Christmas security plan for Georgetown promising more beat duty ranks and greater management of traffic to cater for the yearend festivities.

The plan unveiled by ‘A’ Division Commander, Marlon Chapman, will cover Georgetown and the East Bank of Demerara. Although it was launched on Monday the plan will intensify from 15th November, 2017 for the Christmas Season until 15th January, 2018, in order to enable citizens to conduct their activities in a safe and secured environment.

Chapman made this disclosure on Monday during the Guyana Police Force Christmas Policing Presentation at Police Officers’ Mess, Young Street, Eve Leary, in Georgetown. At the event were members of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the Guyana Association of Private Security Organisations (GAPSO), amongst others.

Noting that there will be an increase in commercial activities in the city and its environs, Commander Chapman said beat police and patrols will be deployed to provide

a safe and secure environment for citizens, visitors, businesses and commuters.

He explained that Georgetown will be divided into six sectors in order to adequately police the city and its environs. Each sector will be commanded by an officer or an inspector. In addition to the heightened special operations by C.I.D and intelligence ranks around the Banks, the Assistant Commissioner of Police said there will be increased foot and vehicular patrols around the City, the Georgetown Prison, hotels, night spots, and places of business.

“Foot patrols will be conducted be-

tween 07:00hrs to 13:00hrs and 12:00hrs to 19:00hrs daily. Between the 22nd & 24th, 29th to 31st December, 2017 the foot patrol timings will be adjusted to accommodate late shopping,” the commander noted. He added that motor cycles and vehicular patrols will be conducted on a 24-hour basis in 12-hour shifts. Further, he said that regular road blocks will be conducted at strategic areas.

- Guyana Chronicle

Guyana Launches New Model Guidelines for Sexual Offence Cases

GUYANA -- Guyana’s Criminal Justice System is better equipped to adjudicate sexual offence cases now that the country has adopted the Model Guidelines for Sexual Offence Cases in the Caribbean Region – an initiative being rolled out under the Canadian funded Judicial Reform and Institutional Strengthening (JURIST) Project.

The model guidelines, launched at the Pegasus Hotel in the presence of distinguished members of the judiciary–local and international, ministers of government and officials from the security sector, are intended to ensure that re-victimisation of survivors is minimised.

Social Protection Minister, Amna Ally; Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence; Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Yonette Cummings-Edwards; High Commissioner of Canada to Guyana, Lilian Chatterjee; High Court Judge, Justice Navindra Singh; Judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice and Chair of the Sexual Offences Advisory Committee, Maureen Rajnauth-Lee; JURIST Project Director, Dr. Penny Reedie; and Director of Red Thread, Karen De Souza were among the officials present to witness the ground-breaking event.

Stating that Guyana fully embraces the model guidelines, Justice Cummings-Edwards explained that the are intended to provide internationally accepted best practices for the management of sexual offence cases. “We know that sexual violence in the Caribbean is a big problem. We know too that there is under-reporting of many cases involving sexual assaults and for those few cases that

have been reported, the complaint is, and justifiably so, that they have not been handled very well at times, be it at the investigative stage, (or) the trial stage,” Justice CummingsEdwards noted.

She also took note of the fact that some persons are afraid to report cases of sexual assault and even to testify in court, and for those who are brave enough to testify, they are sometimes re-victimised and traumatised. The chancellor said while there have been improvements in the Justice System response, more needs to be done, and the guidelines would aid in filling the gaps. “I think more can be done, and these guidelines would provide guidance to us within the Justice Sector, all stakeholders involved in the reporting, in the investigation, prosecution, and the adjudication of sexual offences,” the Chancellor told the audience.

The launch of the Model Guidelines for Sexual Offence Cases on Monday coincided with the opening of Guyana’s first Sexual Offences Court, and according to Justice Cummings-Edwards, the guidelines will provide the necessary requirements needed for the management of the court. “We are confident that the prosecution and adjudication of these sexual offence cases will take on a new level…These cases will see our witnesses/victims being able to give their evidence in court and seeing them having the support prior to and after giving their evidence and it will see an adjudication of cases at a different level,” the Chancellor assured.

Safeguarding Rights

Social Protection Minister, Amna Ally, in making her contribution, said the guidelines will complement the work being done to safeguard the rights of survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Minister Ally pointed out that the country is in the process of conducting a comprehensive review of its National Plan of Action for the implementation of the Sexual Offences Act and Domestic Violence Act. It has also reinitiated the resuscitation of the Task Force for the Prevention of Sexual Violence. “This inter agency task force will have specific responsibilities for the development and implementation of a national plan of action for the prevention of sexual violence,” she explained.

Significant emphasis, she added, is being placed on improving the quality of care and services being provided to victims and survivors of sexual violence. As such, protocols for medical practitioners, prosecutors and police officers have been developed and endorsed by the respective ministerial heads. Implementation of these ministerial protocols aims to strengthen the country’s national commitment towards the process of strategic and purposeful alliances that would result in the reduction and ultimately the elimination of sexual violence. Guyana, Minister Ally said, is pleased to adopt the model guidelines. “We will work to bring all perpetrators to justice; we will ensure that institutions are held accountable and effective support systems are in place for victims. The Government is fully committed to the implementation of these guidelines so that

we can ensure increase public confidence in the justice system as it relates to the handling of sexual assault cases,” the Social Protection Minister assured.

Ground-Breaking Document

CCJ Judge and Chair of the Sexual Offences Advisory Committee, Justice Maureen Rajnauth-Lee said she was pleased to be a part of a process that led to the development of the ground-breaking document. It was noted that the model guidelines were developed after a series of consultations with Justice Sector Stakeholders in several CARICOM countries. Discussions were also held with survivors, persons with disabilities and persons of indigenous populations.

The JURIST Project is a five-year regional Caribbean judicial reform initiative funded under an arrangement with the Government of Canada. The project is being implemented on behalf of Global Affairs Canada and the Conference of Heads of Judiciary of CARICOM by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

In May, 2015 the project established an advisory committee consisting of representatives from the CCJ, judiciaries of Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Barbados, UN Women, UNICEF, CARICOM Secretariat and UWI (Jamaica) to monitor the implementation of the initiative. A baseline study was commissioned through UN Women on the legislation, protocols and court systems for sexual offence cases conducted in five CARICOM Countries..

- Guyana Chronicle

Tourist Thrown From Out-Of-Control Horse on Negril Beach

JAMAICA -- At least one director of the Negril Chamber of Commerce is calling for the issue of illegal horseback riding on the white sand beaches of Negril to be addressed.

Sophia Grizzle made the call following an incident on Saturday in which a guest from Mississippi in the United States of America was injured in a horseback ride that went awry.

The guest, who was thrown from the horse, was assisted by a nurse and emergency medical technicians from the Emergency medical services of the Negril Fire Station, who transported her to the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital in Westmoreland. She is reported to have had a muscle injury.

On Saturday, the horse went on a wild rampage, sending guests on the busy beach scampering for cover while leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

“The incident could have been worse. There were children playing on the beach and the horse could have hit one of them in the head. It has been an issue we have had for many years, and it is some-

thing we have to deal with before somebody dies, as they had with the jet ski,” Grizzle said.

For years, stakeholders in Negril, which shares both the parishes of Hanover and Westmoreland, have been complaining about out-of-control youths offering horseback riding on the beach illegally. Hoteliers have also complained that tourists were riding the horses along the beach with little regard for their own safety or that of other beach users.

According to Grizzle, the police have tried to control the issue, but with little success, which she said is due to ageing laws.

“The police have tried, but the laws are very antiquated, and we need to start informing our guests of where there are beaches that horseback riding can take place, and where it is illegal to ride horses,” she said. “Negril beach is a public beach for families, children, and the elderly to enjoy it and it is too dangerous to have these horses galloping up and down the beach every day. It is only by the grace of God that somebody has not died yet.”

In 2014, the then head of the Negril police Deputy Superintendent Mercedes Currie had stated that, while arrests had been made in the matter, the police are not in a position to keep the horses.

“I can advise that as it relates to the horses, since the last meeting, two arrests were made and a horse was captured by the police,” DSP Currie said during an address to the now defunct Negril Resort Board.

She continued: “Unfortunately, we had to release the horse into the custody of the owner, because we were not able to adequately take care of the animal. The animal remained on our compound and was almost starving to death.”

“The owner went to court and got an out-of-court settlement for the horse to be returned to him and, in compliance with the judge’s decision, we had to release the animal to him. These matters remain before the court because the men pleaded ‘not guilty’,” DSP Currie said then.

- Jamaica Observer

Government Urged to Accept Recommendations to Root Out Corruption

JAMAICA -- Opposition Leader Dr Peter Phillips has urged the Government to act on the findings and recommendations of the entities set up to probe and root out corruption in the public sector in order to stem the loss of confidence in the political directorate and the country’s governance systems.

Speaking at a certification ceremony for integrity ambassadors at the Merl Grove High School in St Andrew on Sunday, Dr Phillips pointed out that despite the passage over the past four decades of important pieces of legislation, such as the Contractor General Act, the Corruption Prevention Act, and whistle-blower legislation, there is a general perception among Jamaicans that corruption persists at all levels of public life, and in the political sphere in particular.

He said Jamaica’s ranking on the global corruption perception index is an indicator that the situation is getting worse.

“It is becoming increasingly clear that all efforts of economic and social advancement and all efforts to arrest spiralling crime rate are being undermined by corrup-

tion at all levels of the system,” he stated.

The Opposition leader insisted that the political directorate must lead by example by acting on reports such as those from the Office of the Contractor General and other agencies. “This means activism at all levels; political system, in our political parties, and at all levels of the society… When no action is taken there is a general sense that spreads across the society that the authorities are either unwilling or unable to arrest the scourge of corruption. When that happens it weakens all our institutions,” he argued.

Dr Phillips noted that the effects are manifesting with the lessening participation of the electorate, loss of confidence in the leadership of the country, and mistrust of agents of the law.

Jamaica moved down 14 places on the 2016 corruption perception index published by Transparency International, ranking 83rd out of 176 countries. With a score of 39 out of 100 this means that, based on the survey, Jamaica is closer to the midpoint between “very corrupt” and “very

clean”, but having slipped from its 41 out of 100 score of 2015, the island remains among the 120 countries that scored below the 50 mark.

Transparency International noted that only a third of countries surveyed are above that mid-point. At the same time, it pointed out that a score of less than 50 means that a country has a “serious corruption problem”.

“In our index’s lower-scoring countries, people frequently face situations of bribery and extortion, rely on basic services that have been undermined by the misappropriation of funds, and confront official indifference when seeking redress from authorities that are on the take. In higher-scoring countries the situation may seem less obvious in the daily lives of citizens, but closed-door deals, illicit finance, and patchy law enforcement exacerbate many forms of corruption at home and abroad,” the report said.

- Jamaica Observer

Schoolgirl, Man Killed in Bizarre St James Crash

JAMAICA -- Tragedy struck on a Montego Bay road yesterday morning when a motor car being driven by a nurse ploughed into a group of pedestrians, killing a schoolgirl and a man.

The schoolgirl’s sister, who is eight years old, and the driver of the motor car have since been hospitalised, the police say. The girls’ mother also suffered minor injuries.

The deceased have been identified as 52-year-old Franklin Hylton and 15-year-old Shantae Rose, both of Glendevon addresses in St James.

According to an alleged eyewitness, the mother was accompanying her two daughters to get a taxi to school minutes to 8:00 am. While walking along the

pothole-riddled Felicity Road in their community, a white motor car travelling down the hill slammed into the group from behind, the alleged eyewitness said.

According to the eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the driver seemingly lost control of the motor vehicle and it careened further down the narrow road and also hit a man.

He was reportedly pinned underneath the vehicle which dragged him a short distance before coming to a halt.

He allegedly succumbed to his injuries immediately.

Meanwhile, the two siblings, their mother, and the driver were taken to hospital where the 15-year-old was pronounced dead.

Yesterday, irate residents hurled missiles on the wrecked vehicle and used whatever debris they could find to block the road. The blockage was, however, cleared by lawmen who were quick on the scene.

In the meantime, a group of curious onlookers who assembled at the scene of the crash used the opportunity to call on political representatives to rehabilitate the road.

One of the men on the scene blamed the bad road surface as the cause of an accident on that thoroughfare earlier this year. He did not, however, say what he thought led to yesterday’s fatal crash. The St James police are investigating..

- Jamaica Observer

Crowned Spice “Better Ingredients, Better Spices”

For those that know how to put together an exquisite culinary masterpiece, they understand that the spices they use can either make or break a dish. As with any food dish, the blend and ratio of spices used are designed to entice, appeal and satisfy the five senses. The combination of spices used determines the base for the flavor to be achieved, and these days many turn to a wide variety of spices to add flavor in order to decrease the fat and salt content of a meal.

Twenty-two year old business owner and founder of Crowned Spice Trading Company Leshan Patterson has always had a passion for cooking.

“I love to cook, my mom taught me how to cook since I was eight years old,” Leshan shares. “I do a lot of cooking, and I like to create a lot of new dishes, and introducing new flavors by using different ingredients and spices.”

Leshan’s passion for cooking has impressed even his own mother, who has asked him to recreate a new variation on his family’s Curry Chicken recipe in which he includes tomatoes that introduces a rich creamy consistency in the sauce, and adds a beautiful color mixed with the curry.

Leshan was born in Jamaica, and he has always adopted a very proactive and action driven mindset when it comes to business. When he was a young boy, his parents groomed him to

become a doctor, however by his first year of University he knew that was not the path he was destined to take.

“I come from a family rooted in entrepreneurship,” Leshan explains, my great, great grandfather, and his son and then his granddaughters were all entrepreneurs with their own visions and goals, and my dream is to take after him as well.”

Being raised in the Caribbean, Leshan recalls how hard his own mother had to work just to be able to put food on the table.

“She was very much an entrepreneur herself, working in the markets having to sell her own crops; these are all things that have really pushed me into the world of business,” Leshan shares.

Leshan has been living in Canada for fourteen years now, and since entering University, he has embarked on many various business ventures. “I was involved in about six different tech startup opportunities that didn’t amount to their potential,” he says. “It was a lack of contributions from the other people who were involved, but having gone through those experiences is what has allowed me to establish the Crowned Spice Trading Company.”

“Spices will never go out of business, and they are recession proof,” Leshan states. “There are people here in Canada who are looking for the products that we offer and we will continually be searching for more to bring to Canada.”

As a man of action Leshan commits to a plan and follows through. “If something is not available, and I truly need it I will go ahead and find it myself.”

After going to Jamaica, and taking the time to speak with ladies and gentlemen who have been in business for over twenty years who make their own organic seasoning and products he saw there was a potential market to break into.

“If I truly and really badly need these products then there must be someone in my area, in my community in Canada that may need it as well,” Leshan says. “I gathered my resources and reached out to suppliers, established vendor relationships and I was able to construct with the help of so many people our wholesale and distribution site online.”

Leshan explains that Crowned Spice products are unlike those currently found on the market.

or dirt from the factory that could potentially get into the product during the packaging process,” Leshan explains.

“I’ve seen the soil that my products grow in and the facility that it’s been packaged in. I have a great level of communication with the managers and the owners of the companies who package our products for us and I would never sell anything that I myself wouldn’t eat.”

The Crowned Spice Trading Company is located here in Canada, but they have plans on expanding into Jamaica, the US, as well as Africa. They are working to take action against the lack of healthy ethnic food alternatives offered for the ethnic population in the local communities and the availability and increasing demand for these products is the solution.

At Crowned Spice, they take their superior products to the consumers by catering to their favorite restaurants and providing them with easy access by distributing to their surrounding markets. Their mission is simple, by using the finest of ingredients, they produce the best and most authentic food products for the members of the local communities.

After months of research and meticulous planning, Leshan was able to pull together the legalities and establish a business plan for his company.

“The government allows 20% contaminants on some of the big name spice and seasoning companies which means that there are things like rat hairs

Written by Alyssa Mahadeo Toronto Caribbean Reporter

How Health Affects Your Work As An Artist

It’s interesting that the entertainment guy is writing about health, but along my journey as a traveling artist, I have come to learn a few things. Often times as artists we don’t always have the healthiest tendencies. Long days, sleepless nights in the studio, traveling and performing, and trying to be ready for every opportunity possible that may come our way. But we’ve all heard the saying that “Health is Wealth”. There have been a few times where I have come close to crashing because I didn’t always have access to the healthiest foods while on the road. Those that know me, know that I have often struggled with sugar and its addictive qualities. Over the last few weeks, I have been cutting my sugar intake and eating healthier. What have I learned? Health affects your breathing and energy, and it is often hard to go for your personal health goals by yourself.

As an artist, your stage show is important, you need to be able to have the stamina to perform and last, as well

be able to breathe and have clarity. I have seen many times where artists have struggled to get through a couple songs, and nearly passed out. While on stage it takes a lot of energy and breath control to put on an exciting, and interactive show. Keeping the audience’s attention often requires you as an artist to expend a lot of energy, which then solicits energy and feedback from the crowd. Nobody wants to see a show where it looks like the artist may not make it through. And to be clear it’s not just about weight, it’s about command over your breath control.

Health and touring almost sounds like an oxymoron, unless you are a bigtime artist, touring often means that you eat what is available to you at a stop on route to your next destination. Artists on a budget are usually trying to find the most affordable options, which usually means the fastest option. And the crazy part is a salad often costs the same amount as the regular meals. A tip that I often use when I’m traveling is to find the healthiest option. As well if my hotel room on the road has a kitchenette I try to do a little grocery shopping to get healthier options. I got tired of gaining weight while away on tour and then having to try and lose it when I get back home. Also remember to stay hydrated, drink lots of water, and coconut water if available. Remember the sugary drinks will give you temporary energy, but the crash from them can really bring you down while you’re on tour. Take it from a

recovering sugar addict.

One of the best ways I have found to get and maintain your health is to have a coach that keeps you accountable and helps you set and achieve your goals. I recently started working with a Wellness Coach, Sina Zar from Toronto Shape Up. It’s great having a coach because he calls or texts regularly to ensure that I keep to my goals, and also to eat healthily. Living a busy life often means some things may get overlooked in the hustle and bustle of an artist’s life, but Sina celebrates my achievements and helps me set new goals,

towards my personal health.

After being a size 44 waist in pants for a good portion of my life, it has been an amazing accomplishment to get down to a size 38. Which means I can now buy pants in most stores. I went from wearing a 4X t-shirt, to now being at a 1X size shirt. As you can imagine when I’m doing photoshoots and shooting music videos it feels good being able to wear the fly and flashy outfits. Keep up with me on my health journey.

Beautiful Bahamas

Like a scattered string of pearls, the islands of the Bahamas stretch from their most northerly point (less than an hour’s flight from Miami) south across 500 miles of the Caribbean Sea. As the site of Columbus’s first landfall in the America’s, the Bahamas have a long history to their beautiful beaches. With over 2,000 islands and cays, the Bahamas are home to some of the best beaches in the world. Explore historic and modern Nassau and World Heritage Sites, all while enjoying turquoise blue ocean views. Visit the Bahamas to relax on the most secluded white-sand beaches, take a boating trip to discover stunning islands and snorkel above coral reefs.

Things Not to Miss in the Bahamas

• Visit Arawak Cay

• An afternoon at Atlantis Waterscape

• Snorkeling off the coast

• Island hopping boat tours

• Trying the “goombay smash” drink

• Strolling through downtown Nassau and the pirate museum

• Visiting the Pink Sands resort

When to Go to the Bahamas

The temperatures in the Bahamas are generally ideal year-round, but most of

the rain falls in late summer and fall, often form hurricane season from June through October. Beware of March to Mid-April for spring break season, if large, partying groups don’t fit your style. Prices are steepest during the winter season, but the weather is also best during those months, as it is the driest season. Try to book 2-3 months ahead of time.

Don’t Miss:

• Getting out on the water—whether by swimming at Harbour Island’s spectacular pink beach, bonefishing off Andros, or whizzing through the

massive Atlantis waterpark on Paradise Island.

• Taking part in (or at least watching) the wild parades of Junkanoo, the islands’ most exuberant local celebration.

• Sampling fabulous Bahamian dishes like conch fritters, fried grouper burgers, and stone crab claws— along with bottles of the great local beer, Kalik.

- TravelAndLeisure

POLICING

... IT’S MORE THAN YOU THINK

BLACK RECRUITMENT FORUM

Are you interested in knowing more about a career in policing for yourself or a family member? Interested applicants and their families are invited to attend an information session to learn more about the various rewarding career opportunities available at Peel Regional Police. This event is open to anyone that might be interested in a future career with Peel Regional Police.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017 • 6:30 P.M. - 8:30 P.M. BRAMPTON CITY HALL - WEST TOWER• 41 GEORGE STREET SOUTH, BRAMPTON

Register: www.peelpolice.ca/recruiting

Roasting root vegetables define contemporary cooking! You can combine almost any vegetables you want, turning a simple dish into a dramatic one that’s low in fat, high in flavor, and that gets lots of vegetables into you. With roasting, the vegetables become sweeter, more intensely flavored, and the outsides are slightly crispy and brown. To add, it usually isn’t much more work to cook several vegetables at once. Choose vegetables that will soften all at about the same time.

What is a Root Vegetable? Simply put, a root vegetable is one where the root of the plant is eaten. They keep for long periods of time (sev-

eral months if stored properly) and are usually harvested in the fall. The list of root vegetables include yams; sweet potato; colorful beets and carrots; batata; parsnip; turnip; radish; garlic; onion; shallots; ginger; arrowroot; cassava (the root from which tapioca is made); fennel; rutabaga and turmeric.

Yam

The true yam is not a sweet potato. A yam is very bland, and when cooked, very dry. It is often used in meaty stews that contain plenty of liquid, wherever you’d use potatoes.

Parsnip

Sweeter than even carrots with a somewhat nutty taste, the highest and best use is pureed, but they’re also wonderful mixed with other vegetables in a roasting pan. When preparing parsnip, treat it as you would a carrot. You’ll know it’s done cooking when tender enough to easily pierce with a thin-bladed knife or a skewer. Overcooking makes parsnips mushy.

Beet

This root vegetable is crunchy, sweet, delicious, and can be eaten raw! Some varieties of beets are sweet enough to be used to make sugar.

They’re also quite simple to prepare. One good indication of freshness is the presence of greens, which can be cooked separately like chard. Juice together, 2 medium beets, 3 medium carrots and 2 apples for a natural, energizing jolt. Scrub well before cooking.

Honey-Roasted Root Vegetables

You’ll need

• 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes

• 3 parsnips, peeled and cut into 1-inch rounds

• 4 medium carrots, cut lengthwise or into 1-inch rounds

• 2 large beets, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes or wedges

For the dressing:

• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted or extra-virgin olive oil

• 2 tablespoons raw honey

• 1 tablespoon dried oregano

• 1/2 teaspoon curry powder

• 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt, or to taste (optional)

• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF.

2. Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.

3. In a small bowl, mix together the ingredients for the dressing.

4. In a large bowl, combine the sweet potato, parsnips and carrots. Add the dressing. Toss to coat the vegetables.

5. Spread the vegetables into a single layer on the baking sheets.

6. Add the beets to the large bowl with the leftover dressing and toss to coat. Spread into a single layer onto one of the baking sheets. The beets are prepared separately to prevent its vibrant color from turning the other vegetables ruby red.

7. Place the sheets in the preheated oven and bake the vegetables for 10 - 15 minutes. Turn them so they brown on the other side. Continue to bake the vegetables for 10 to 15 minutes more, or until brown and tender. Serve warm.

Food category: vegan, vegetarian

Prep and cook time: 45 minutes

Serves: 4 Difficulty: easy!

When you think Caribbean cuisine, beef short ribs probably aren’t one of the first ingredients to pop into your mind. Living in Toronto (or in our case, the surrounding town of Orangeville), fusing classic Caribbean flavors with popular well known dishes is important. It’s also kind of our thing. Take for example, these braised beef short-ribs. Particularly popular in Chinese and Korean cooking, not something closely associated to the islands. However, when you know the right blend of spices and the right liquid to

Braised Short Ribs

braise, you’re going to be dancing around your kitchen in flip flops and sunglasses.

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds beef short ribs (bone-in)

• 2 tbsp. oil

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 4 cloves garlic, diced

• 2 large carrots, chopped

• 4 stalks celery, chopped

• 1 bunch fresh thyme

• smoked paprika

• cumin

• salt & pepper

• 1.5 cups red wine

• 1.5 cups tamarind sauce

• 1 tbsp molasses

If you have a dutch oven, you are ahead of the game and this process should be a breeze. If you don’t, fear not! You will just require a heavy duty baking dish (porcelain works best, glass not so much) and the ability to form a tight seal with aluminum foil. It might take a little extra elbow grease, but the

seal is very important to the braising technique.

Crank your oven to 425, and let’s begin. Combine chopped onion, garlic, carrots, celery and a few sprigs of thyme into your dutch oven, casserole dish, pot, cauldron, whichever you decided on and toss with oil, salt and pepper. Season both sides of the ribs with salt & pepper, smoked paprika and cumin. You don’t want to assault the meat with seasoning, you want to make sure it’s fully covered. You can choose to let this sit in the fridge for a few hours or overnight if you have the time, otherwise feel free to get to cookin’ straight away.

Lay the ribs over top of the vegetables to keep the meat off the bottom of the pan. You don’t want any of this meat getting stuck! Into the 425 oven, uncovered. This will give you a nice caramelization and slight char on the meat and vegetables, bringing out a ton of flavor. After 15-20 minutes, take it out and turn the oven down to 325.

Add the wine (1.5 cups for the ribs,

1 cup for yourself), tamarind sauce (available at most Caribbean markets, or Soulyve of course) and molasses. You want the ribs the be covered, but not submerged and floating. This is cooking, not swimming lessons.

Cover with your lid, or if you’re using any of the aforementioned alternatives, tightly seal with two layers of aluminum foil. It’s very important air isn’t escaping during the braising process. Slide back into the oven and let them cook for two hours. When you take them out, leave them covered to rest for about thirty minutes. The meat should be fall off the bone tender. Practice patience and serve with rice and roasted vegetables or salad.

You’ll be shocked at how easy it is to turn beef short-ribs into a Caribbean flavor explosion while letting the ingredients and time do most of the work!

I’m sure many of you have used or have seen products from Vichy. Vichy is a great skincare line that offers great products for all skin types, and if you are familiar with Vichy’s products, you’ll probably know they are famous for the use of Thermal Water in their skincare. Added to the list of many amazing products is the Mineral 89 Skin Fortifying Daily Booster, which is being called ‘step 0’ in your skincare regimen.

So, what is Mineral 89? This product is a daily fortifying, plumping skincare product that offers twenty-four hours of moisturiz-

Vichy Mineral 89

ing benefit from one application. The formula contains a concentration of 89% Vichy Mineralizing Thermal Water. It has a light gel-like texture, which is lightweight, cool to the touch and absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving any greasy residue or stickiness. This daily booster works to reinforce skin’s natural barrier function, hydrate, strengthen and protect your skin from internal and external “aggressors” such as stress, fatigue, and pollution. With regular use, Mineral 89 will restore skin’s appearance and help minimize the signs of age, stress, or lack of sleep.

The primary ingredient in the Mineral 89 Booster is Vichy’s Thermal Mineral water. The 89 in the product name comes from the fact that the serum is 89% Mineralizing Thermal Water which comes from French volcanoes. The Thermal Water is enriched with 15 rare minerals including calcium and magnesium which work their way into the skin fortifying it from the inside out. The minerals in this product help to keep the skin moisturized and protected all through the day. Added along with its 15 minerals is an amazing little

ingredient called hyaluronic acid. Why is it so amazing? Because Hyaluronic acid can improve the health of your skin by promoting cellular regrowth. It is a powerful humectant, which means it pulls moisture from the air keeping your skin moisturized and hydrated longer. It also helps the product absorb into the skin much faster.

Using the Mineral 89 Booster is quite easy and can easily be integrated into your daily and nightly skincare regimens. Simply apply two drops into your hands and gently massage to the face and neck after cleansing using upwards movement ensuring all areas are treated, then follow with your usual skincare routine. Applying the Mineral 89 after cleansing helps the skin absorb each application thereafter more efficiently. This hydrating treatment creates a complete transport veil which instantly delivers a plumping and toning effect. With continued use, over time this product creates a protected layer over the skin that keeps it hydrated, makes it appear younger looking and gives it a more radiant appearance. With this product being

step 0 in your skincare regimen makes it the perfect base and can be used under any day cream, night cream, sunscreen and even under your makeup. Did I mention that Vichy Mineral 89 is free of parabens, alcohols, silicone, and fragrance? No? Well, it is! This is combined with only eleven ingredients makes this product ideal for all skin types, even those with sensitive skin.

If you are suffering from excessive dryness (like rosacea), have sensitive skin or oily skin then this product is for you. I use it day and night as part of my skincare routines and I’ve noticed a vast improvement in the overall health of my skin. My skin looks and feels healthy, more radiant and best of all hydrated. Vichy Mineral 89 is a gorgeous product to use and leaves the skin glowing, plump and healthy. Everyone can use and benefit from this product. At only $40 CAD for a 50ml bottle, Vichy Mineral 89 Booster is luxury skincare at what I consider a great price. Sold at Canadian pharmacies and online.

Saturday December 2 2017

A Holistic Approach for Gum Disease and Cavities

The American diet is highly acidic, high in inflammatory fats, high in sugar, and all-around toxic for many other reasons. When the blood is acidic, the body pulls minerals from anywhere it can find to correct the pH. This leaves fewer minerals for bones and teeth.

Fats are either inflammatory by nature or they have the opposite effect. Both are totally necessary, but the American diet is full of inflammatory fats, and to make matters worse, many are fats that do not occur in nature and are very toxic to us. So the average American is significantly inflamed throughout the body in many different ways. And of course, almost everyone eats too much sugar!

Foods to Avoid For Good Oral Health

• Refined Foods

• Sugar

• Acidic Foods

• Processed, prepackaged foods

To promote oral health eat produce, more vegetables than fruit, but whole, raw produce. That is what heals. Brown rice, quinoa, sprouted legumes, vegetable stir frys, and other whole foods have benefit, but raw, fresh, organic produce is what heals the body.

Balance the Gut

It is extremely difficult to have good oral health and poor gut health.

Anyone with serious mouth problems should consider a detoxification protocol that repairs the gut, kills Candida and other parasites, and balances the gut microbes. Good health starts in the gut, and so does bad health.

Stop Smoking Smoking anything - tobacco, marijuana - any-

thing, is very harmful to the mouth. So is vaporizing, but not as much so. If you want to have a healthy mouth, but you continue to smoke regularly, the best you can hope for with this regimen is for things to stay the same and not get worse. In my experience, those who do this and continue to smoke do notice that their mouth is not getting any worse, and generally symptoms will improve, but their mouths do not completely heal.

Lose the Toxic Toothpaste and Mouthwash

There are some decent toothpastes out there, but even if they are in the health-food section, make sure they do not contain any of the following ingredients: Sodium laurel sulfate (SLS), triclosan, artificial colors, flavors, or anything artificial, hydrated silica, alcohol.

Floss Every Day, and Floss Correctly

Most people do not floss correctly, if at all. Flossing is imperative for anyone with gingivitis because the sides of the teeth need to be cleaned so food debris doesn’t feed the bacteria.

Brush Your Teeth With Your Own Toothpaste

Brush your teeth three times a day with the following recipe.

Simple Natural Toothpaste Recipe:

• Equal parts of coconut oil and baking soda

• Add essential oil to taste

• Add stevia (if desired) to taste

For 6 tablespoons of oil to 6 tablespoons of baking soda, add 10-15 drops of essential oil. Try peppermint, eucalyptus, cinnamon, clove, lemon, orange, rosemary or any others or any combination that sounds good to you. Each es-

sential oil provides more than taste; each adds its own benefits. Add drops of one, or experiment with combinations. Be sure to buy your essential oils from a reputable source and be sure you are getting the right genus species. Many oils come from different species and contain different properties.

There is a third step in dental care for anyone who is struggling with gingivitis or wants to use a preventative treatment: Dr. Shillington’s Tooth and Gum Formula.

Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is a traditional Ayurvedic method of oral care that involves swishing oil around in your mouth for 15-20 minutes. Traditionally, sesame oil was used, but these days, coconut oil is more often recommended, and it’s my preference as well. To increase the potency of this protocol, use essential oils, such as peppermint, cinnamon, or clove. Tea tree oil and oil of oregano are two good options, but they can get really intense. Start off with just a small amount.

Swish the oil around in your mouth (like you would with mouthwash) and pull through the teeth, for 15 to 20 minutes. Don’t swish hard, or your cheeks will get sore very quickly.

Spit it out! Do not sallow it.

Conclusion

The protocol above is a complete and truly holistic approach to gum disease and cavities and most other mouth ailments, too. Holistic is the key; for the mouth to heal, the body has to be in good overall health. For the body to heal, the gut has to be balanced and healthy, too.

- Natural News

Sugar: Eight Times More Addictive Than Cocaine; Learn How to Break the Habit Now

“The $1 trillion industrial food system is the biggest drug dealer around, responsible for contributing to tens of millions of deaths every year and siphoning trillions of dollars from our global economy through the loss of human and natural capital,” asserted Dr. Mark Hyman in the article “Sweet poison: How sugar, not cocaine, is one of the most addictive and dangerous substances.”

Hyman has plenty of experience in the field, with 20 years as a practicing physician. He’s also chairman of the Institute for Functional Medicine, as well as founder and director of the Ultra Wellness Center in Massachusetts.

Hyman isn’t simply on a campaign against sugar; he’s on a mission to rein in our current health crisis of obesity, autoimmune disease, high blood pressure, inflammation, hormonal imbalance, depression, anxiety and sleep disorders. A monumental task, since he considers the sweet stuff to be as powerfully addictive as alcohol, cocaine or even heroin.

A health disaster

Secreted within a majority of processed and packaged food, sugar is a hidden health destroyer. Americans alone consume a staggering

152 pounds each year. According to Hyman, it’s eight times more addictive than cocaine. As a nation, we are sugar addicts -- true junkies in the clutches of an industrial food system.

And it doesn’t matter the type -white, brown or high-fructose corn syrup -- it all contributes to cancer, heart disease, diabetes and obesity. Research indicates that when an overabundance of sugar is consumed, the liver converts it to fat, which can lead to plaque in the arteries and tumor growth. As it turns out, certain tumors have insulin receptors that feed on glucose.

Since the 1970s, food manufacturers began stripping products of fat because it was believed to be unhealthy. But the food turned tasteless, so sugar was the go-to replacement. Now, the substance is in everything from Starbucks coffee drinks to salad dressings and bread.

Hyman believes that we “need a big solution that reaches deep into what is offered in our supermarkets, restaurants, schools and workplaces[.] We need a solution that addresses the policy roots in agriculture, food marketing, dietary recommendations and the way doctors are trained to diagnose and treat patients.”

But the first step is to take responsibility for our own health. And one way to do that is to detox from sugar.

How to break the habit

Getting off sugar isn’t just about avoiding desserts and sweets, although that’s an excellent start. We need to dig deep, read labels and give up processed foods as a whole. Dr. Hyman has developed a 10-day detox diet that is a solution for blood sugar disorders. During an episode of The Dr. Oz Show, Hyman recommends eliminating the following foods from the diet: Wheat and grains, as both are inflammatory and trigger hunger and craving.

Stop drinking “liquid death,” otherwise known as sugary drinks and soda, which drive up insulin and create belly fat. Dr. Hyman personally knows of one patient who dropped 75 pounds simply by removing soda from their diet.

Ditch convenience foods, since they are designed to be addictive with high flavor and sugar.

Finally, avoid dairy -- it’s another pro-inflammatory edible that promotes weight gain.

- Natural News

Who Got Da Props?

trishacurling@carib101.com

Not sure if you noticed my reference to one of my favorite hip-hop tracks, but we should all “have da props”. In this context, it’s yoga props of course. There is often an attitude when practicing yoga that using props means you are a beginner and/or not very good at yoga. I fully believe the opposite, props actually make you feel more successful. They are great to rely on. They don’t only make you feel better, but you will actually gain more success in your ability to execute poses and reap the benefits of the poses due to better

alignment. This better alignment can help to prevent injury and help to increase the benefits of lengthening and strengthening that we receive during our yoga practice. There are not only a number of different types of props to use, but there is also a variety of ways in which to use them. Attending a class and/or seeking the help from a private yoga teacher will help you to understand how to use your props in the most appropriate way for you.

Blocks

These are probably one of the most popular accessories associated with yoga. You can find them in different sizes and materials like foam, wood, and/or cork. Foam blocks are more cost effective especially when just starting out. These are props you can even buy at your local Winners store. They are quite versatile in that they can be used to create better alignment (i.e. longer, more neutral spine). Blocks are great for deepening a pose, in that you can use them to create some height or more length to allow you to deepen a stretch. You can stand on them to do drills

to create more stability and/or to work on balance. They can also be used as massage tools for Self Myofascial Release (SMR). SMR helps to release tissues in order for them to function to their full capacity and to also assist in recovery in order to continue to practice.

Bolsters

I had no idea what these were just three years ago, they look like large firm pillows, but they are so much more than that. These are often used in a restorative practice. There are different sizes and shapes (i.e. rectangular, cylindrical). They are excellent for side body opening (which aid in breathing). Bolsters are also very useful for chest/heart opening poses. These poses can help to access the deeper pectoral muscles in order to increase improved posture.

Blankets

Believe it or not, blankets are an amazing tool. Yoga blankets can offer more cushioning in certain poses. They can provide com-

fort and deeper relaxation in some poses. They are great because you can fold and manipulate them to a given height or shape that works perfectly for your body.

Having these props at hand during your yoga practice is one thing, knowing how to use them appropriately is another. They are great companions to have on your mat. Even in a Vinyasa class when you have a steady flow to follow they can be easily and quickly incorporated. It is always a good idea to seek support from someone that will be able to help you utilize them in order to get the most out of using them.

Being a private yoga teacher, I can help with the best and most useful ways to use your props for your individual needs ...“And I’mma let you know, who got the flow” Ok, Vinyasa flow, not the best rhymes! Now you “got da props”, so get on your mat!

Finally!! The one and only DJ Breadman bringing his talent to Caribbean coast, every Thursday @8pm. Come out enjoy some great food, drink & appetizers specials, great atmosphere and of course awesome music. It's open mic as well.

Valerie Dye Roles and Responsibilities of Trustees

valerie@carib101.com

Legal Matters

It is important to note that although trustees own and control assets given to them by a settlor, these assets are held for the benefit of the beneficiaries. As such trustees have a duty to act in a manner that will not jeopardize or prejudice the rights of the beneficiaries. Trustees have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of the beneficiaries. In that regard, trustees must manage trust property in an effective and responsible manner and not deplete the

The Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA) held a town hall meeting on Thursday, November the 9th and despite the frigid cold, ice and rain, people came out to participate. Several key issues were discussed including education, policing, and community engagement. It was refreshing to hear the attendees offer a wide range of strategies, solutions, and perceptions of the best way to remedy the negative experiences often encountered by the Black and Caribbean community. One recurrent theme that frequently emerged was the need for the community to be seen and heard. Such a concept is often foreign to members of the Black and Caribbean community. Perhaps it is a product of colonialism or even the ever-present tentacles of slavery.

The pain and anguish of a young university graduate was ever present as she revealed how she was told that she could never attend university. She recalled having discussions with her friends that she met in university and they all had the same narrative

trust property either for their own use or through carelessness. Trustees also have a duty to act honestly in that they should not profit from their role and to act impartially in that all beneficiaries should be treated in the same way.

Given the fact that trustees must perform their role in a certain manner one may question whether beneficiaries are stuck with a trustee or trustees once they are appointed. In Ontario, trusts are governed by the Trustee Act. Under that Act, a trustee or trustees may be removed by the court upon application to the court by a beneficiary or anyone else who has an interest in the estate. However, it is not to be assumed that beneficiaries can successfully make an application for the removal of a trustee if they simply do not like or get along with the trustee. Section 37 of the Trustee Act states that “the court may remove a personal representative upon

any ground which the court may remove any other Trustee and may appoint some other proper person or persons to act in the place of the Executor or administrator removed”.

In determining whether or not to remove a Trustee the court will be primarily concerned with whether the trust is being properly executed so as not to deplete the assets or adversely affect the rights of the beneficiaries. The courts will also inquire as to whether the trustee or trustees are acting in a fair and honest manner. While the courts are not overly concerned about the relationship between the beneficiaries and the trustee, where the relationship has deteriorated to the point where it interferes with the effective administration of the trust the courts may intervene to remove the trustee or trustees. For instance, in Bunn v Gordon the court found that the relationship between the trustee

Show Up! Be Present! Let Your Voice Count!

“We were all told at some point in our secondary school years that we don’t belong in university”. She was relieved to hear about the Peel District School Boards (PDSB) We Rise Together Action Plan to help students in the Black community.

Stories of discrimination, oppression and any violations of the human right code always and must be documented. The stories are not to remain buried. Each infraction should be brought to the attention of the proper governing bodies be it teachers, principals or boards. Peoples of the Black and Caribbean community must not settle for status quo. Under the Human Rights Code of Ontario, the community has a right to a discrimination-free education. Quite simply put there is no justifiable reason to discriminate against a student. When you couple this with the teacher’s professional duty to care, parents need not be apologetic for advocating for their children’s needs.

I can confidently say that within the PDSB most of our staff are caring loving professionals that truly have all students best interests at the center of their practice. It is really mind-boggling the work and research as well as the accommodations and resources that goes into improving the educational outcomes for students. I can now confidently say that the PDSB truly are working to improve the outcomes for all students including our Black and Caribbean students. That being said we as a board will not be complacent. In fact the outgoing Director of Edu-

and the beneficiary had broken down to such an extent that the hostility between the parties would affect the proper administration of the estate . Notwithstanding, the power of the court to remove trustees and appoint new trustees, the overriding principle that guides the courts is that of respect for the wishes of the settlor or of the testator. In Bunn v Gordon the court stated that: “The Courts....are reluctant to exercise its discretion to interfere with the discretion exercised by a testator in choosing his or her trustee or executors and thus only in rare circumstances will the Courts intervene to remove a trustee.”

While the court will not easily interfere with the wishes of the settlor or testator, it will do so where the welfare of the beneficiaries is at risk.

cation, Tony Pontes said “I commit that we will act on this report – together. We will be unflinching in response to the findings, and not resort to defensiveness,” (Mr. Pontes was referring to the Peel board report entitled, Perspectives of Black Male Students in Secondary School).

Any teacher, administrator or staff member at the PDSB that negatively impact students by their actions or words will be held accountable. Parents, this is where you come in. You are the gatekeeper of sorts. If your child comes home and relates an incident that a racist or derogatory comment, in fact, any inappropriate comment is made to your child by a student or staff member, you, as your child’s guardian, have a duty to advocate for your child. Whether it means speaking with a staff member, principal, the superintendent or your trustee; you have a duty to advocate for your child. Remember regardless of the scenario, the board and its employees should not discriminate against you or your child.

So, parents, if a teacher declares a child is dumb because they are Black or tells another student they are not acting like an Indian child, you are obliged to speak up. (These are not random examples these are statements that have been recently been said to students). When important decisions are being made at the board table that potentially has life-changing consequences for your children, you must speak up. When promises are made and if you are not satisfied that

they are being kept, do not despair, you must speak up. Do not become disengaged or apathetic, speak up. Hold us accountable. It is your right and your duty as a parent. Most elementary students across the province went home with their progress report card today. Parents, this is the best opportunity to have meaningful conversations with your child’s teacher. Pay close attention to the comments made about your child’s strength and next steps for improvement. Read and reread the section regarding the learning skills and work habits. Discuss any concerns or areas for growth with the teacher. Establish what criteria you use to determine if your child is progressing with difficulty, progressing well or progressing very well. You may be surprised how subjective. such terms can be. Your child’s Individual Educational Plan (IEP) is a legal document. Read it. Remember attend when every possible all discussions pertaining to your child’s achievement.

Don’t only engage with the school when there is a problem. Be visible. Communicate via written correspondence, email or other electronic means if you are unable to physically go to the school. There are copious amounts of research that proves that a child’s outcome in school is enhanced by parent engagement. So, come on in and partner with your child’s school and school board as together they make all kids rise. So come and journey with me. Walk Good. Belle Marché.

Quotes To Help Live An Easier Life

start with. We are unaware of the power of our words; we don’t know the strength that they carry. The idea of self-fulfilling prophecies come from the act of telling someone something good or bad, and the person then fulfilling what has been said. Be mindful of what you say to people; comments like, “You’re so good for nothing,” or “You’re worthless,” can be damaging to a person’s psyche, and they will, in turn, become everything that you claimed them to be.

brings on more stress. In times of stress, we have to get to a point where we are viewing the stress as an opportunity for growth; an opportunity for learning. One great thing we can learn from our stressful situation is how to deal with our stress better.

“The quickest way usually takes a long time to discover.”

Do you notice that some days, all it takes is the kind words of a person to set your day back on track? This is the reason for the explosion of quotes, and motivational posts that are now found all over social media. Words have the power to move us; to help us think past our issues and problems. Words have the power to overcome science as we know it; this is why they are so important to many of us. As a writer, I am familiar with the power of words; I use them daily to empower my clients, my students, my family member and myself. This week, I would like to share with you some quotes along with an accompanying analysis. These words are meant to inspire, to generate thoughtful introspection and to motivate you to do more for yourself. Let’s begin….

“Words can be the most damaging weapon- guard your tongue.”

I thought that this might be a good one to

“The easiest person to fool is yourself.” You know when you tell yourself, “Oh, I will just do this later,” and then you never get around to doing it. This is a perfect example as to how easy it is to fool yourself.

“Examine what is said, not him who speaks.”

Interestingly enough, I have learned the most from people who you would not think would have the wisdom they have. This includes children; we think that children are unable to teach us because they have not been on this earth as long. Let me be the first to tell you, their purity is what gives them wisdom. They have not been shrouded by the negativity of our world, and they speak from a place of truth. Stay open.

“Our goal should not be to eliminate stress from our lives, rather learn how to manage it.”

We focus a lot of our time running away from stressful situations, which in turn only

I am sure we have all had that experience of staring at a project and being unable to figure out how to get it done. All of a sudden, someone comes by, takes one look and the problem that was faced is solved. It’s okay; once the issue has been solved, you can use the same technique in similar situations.

“A weak spot anywhere in the structure can ruin the whole.”

This quote is for my business owners and entrepreneurs; if you wonder at times why you are not as successful as you could be, take a look at the team that surrounds you. All it takes is one person who does not hold your dream or vision as strongly as you do. That person could be working against consciously or unconsciously.

I want to end this issue with a final quote which I will leave for your interpretation; “Simplicity is a terribly complicated thing to try and understand.”

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts Toronto! Have a great week!

Following Your Intuition

Have you ever felt like you have heard a little voice inside of your head or you get that gut feeling inside of you that’s telling you to do something or to not do something? That’s what we call your intuition.

It happens in circumstances all throughout our day. Sometimes we don’t even recognize or realize that it’s happening. One of the more predominant feelings when it comes to intuition is when you’re about to get into some trouble. So, let’s just say you get that “irky” feeling when you’re walking down a back alley, or you have a feeling about someone and you’re like, “Oh, maybe I should turn the other way.” That is our intuitive feeling coming out, teaching us or helping us to be able to see things before

some stuff happens. It happens all the time in our personal lives and also in business. If you take a look at certain circumstances that we go through, certain questions we have about life or certain circumstances that we have when it comes to decisions we need to make, our intuition is the thing or the feeling that comes up first. It’s that, “Should I or shouldn’t I?” and it’s usually, almost always, like 99%, I would even be close to saying 100% of the time, the first intuitive feeling that we have. The more that we can follow that feeling, the more that we can honor it and the more that we can bring it forward will allow us to make more decisions and better decisions in alignment with our purpose and plan in life. Intuition shows up in all different aspects. It shows up with how we relate to people, it shows up with how we relate to clients and how we relate to our job. The more intuitive we are the better connected we can become. So, when you hear that, “Maybe you should write that paragraph,” or “Maybe you should finish that report,” or “Maybe you should send out that email to that client” it will allow you to move in flow and align things.

You know, some of the key things

that show up for me is when I think about somebody that I haven’t seen or talked to in a long time and it says, “You should reach out to them,” and sometimes in my day I go along and just go, “I’ll get to that later,” instead of sitting and just sending them a message. It takes five seconds to send out that message because usually when that happens to me, those people need some help, they’re looking for assistance, they have been meaning to reach out to me, all of those things start to happen.

So, the more we can start to feel and follow that feeling, the more we can be in alignment with our overall goals and plans and be more in connection with what we’re here to do and our community that we’re supposed to outreach to.

So, like every week, and every time you read my article; I challenge you to adjust or to add this to your space and start following that little voice inside your head. That little voice will start to get stronger and stronger and those feelings more dominant the more that you start to listen. And trust me, life with intuitions makes it a whole lot easier. Here’s to another great week!

Simone Smith

Love Like a Soca and Reggae Song

kezia@carib101.com

Letter from a reader from the last article on situationships.

“Hey, I’m a first-time reader of your column and I’m so happy I picked up the paper this week. This is eye opening and as a matter of fact, I knew something was wrong with them but didn’t know what they were. These “situationships” I’ve been in for years was all they were now that your article has shed light on it. I’m very grateful that you saw this in your own life and decided to share it with your readers. Thanks a million, no more “situationships” for me I’m so tired of them. I always ended up getting used, abused and refused especially financially, sexually and emotionally and not to mention how much time I’ve wasted on all those sick, inconsiderate losers. Thanks again. Dian, Toronto.”

Love Like Soca and Reggae Songs

Television shows, commercials, social media, movies are some of the avenues digital media has a significant influence on society and specifically romantic relationships. Don’t get me wrong I don’t want fairytale love, but I do want a love like soca and reggae songs. I’ve long gotten over the fact that Disney movies version of love is a fantasy based version of what love looks like. I’ve even gotten over the fact that my love life will never look like love on Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, Queen Sugar, Big Bang Theory or other television drama where love and relationships are displayed. I understand that television dramas are always meant to have some resolution within a segmented time frame of either thirty to sixty minutes. If not the resolution can be found sometime within the twelve weeks that the show airs during its season. Unfortunately, a lot of real romantic issues cannot be resolved with thirty to sixty minutes or even twelve weeks.

So. I’ve come to an understanding that anything I see on television or in movies is not a realistic representation of love; but how about soca and reggae songs. Every time I listen to certain soca

and reggae songs I think I want this kind of love, I want a man to love me like this. For example, Machel Montano in his new song Fast Wine he says “Baby…I have traveled through the stars and many moons to find you. I’ll travel a million miles just to look upon your smile… Baby, I see you as a Queen, A love that’s made for me, baby, when you put on your crown, I kneel down to the ground, girl.” All of the things I would love for a man to profess and tell me. And the reggae artist Tarrus Riley is very romantic himself. He has many songs professing his love, commitment, and respect for women. Tarrus Riley’s song Superman he says “I will be there when you need me, I will be there when you cry baby; I will be there when you need someone to tell you that you’re beautiful baby. I’m your lover till the sky turn gray girl ‘Cause you’re beautiful baby.” A man is promising to always be there for his women even in hard times. This is the kind of love I think any woman would want. So, I’m wondering if the representation of love in soca and reggae songs is another example of unrealistic depictions of love just like in Disney movies and television shows?

Infamous reggae artist Chronixx’s song Majesty he calls the women he loves a Queen, tells her that she deserves the crown upon her head and compares her to other great Nubian Queens like Sheba and Nefertiti. It has become a trend to refer to Black women as Queens as a form of endearment, but are men calling and treating women like Queens? Are women in return treating and respecting their men like Kings? And if yes, how can the average person be a part of this royal relationship experience?

I understand that no relationship is perfect, every relationship has it’s ups and downs as that is the Ying and Yang of life, but the respect these artists appear to have for women is impressive to see. I am happy to see these male feminist love and show respect to women through their artistry as pop culture, and other music genres have often promoted unhealthy, unrealistic representations of love and relationships. Now to find my own Canadian version of Machel, Tarrus or Chronnix… Men e-mail me at Kezia@carib101.com and let me know how you treat your woman like a Queen and ladies email me and let me know how your man treats you like a Queen, and you treat him like a King in return. Also feel free to send in any questions, comments or stories you may have about love and relationships. Love and Light, Kezia

Tips for Television Shopping

Whether as a gift to a loved one or to yourself, a new TV might be at the top of your holiday purchase list. Here are five simple tips to help you avoid walking out of the store with a bill and TV that are both too big:

1. Choose the right size for your viewing space. Bigger isn’t always better. Salespeople will often recommend dividing your average sitting distance in inches between your seat and the screen by 1.5 to determine your screen size. However, this will usually skew you towards a larger, more expensive television. Manufacturers and experts agree that dividing your viewing distance in inches by 3 is the best formula.

2. Resolution for size. The resolution you need depends mostly on the size of your screen. If you choose a 40-inch HDTV or smaller based on the formula above, you probably won’t see the difference between 720p and 1080p. If you’re looking at a 50inch screen or larger, you will notice a significant difference and should look for a television with at least 1080p resolution.

3. Compatible with modern features. Compatibility with modern technology is crucial. You need to be able watch whatever you want to watch without hassle. You can even use something like Shaw BlueSky TV to aggregate your growing list of available on-demand options, including live cable, on-demand cable programming, pay-perview and even your Netflix account. Check out Shaw.ca/BlueSkyTV to find out more.4. Quality brands at discount prices. Quality brands offer price breaks with door crasher sales, clearance sales and limited-time online flash sales more frequently around the holidays. Doing your research and avoiding a Boxing Week impulse buy will help you find a dependable name brand at a great price.5. Stand your ground. Do your research, make up your mind and stick to it. Box stores are often much more spacious than your living room and a tempting bigger model will always be positioned next to the one that’s a better fit for you.

- News Canada

Connect the Digital Dots in Your Business During the Holidays

The festive season is an important period for many small businesses. Demand for goods and services tends to be at an all-time high, and if you can deliver a great experience during a peak period, you may wind up with some very loyal customers. Getting this right is more vital than ever — just look at all the reports of high-profile businesses closing their doors. How can small businesses ensure you’re going to make it through to the new year and beyond?

These is a question that keeps many small business owners up at night. In a recent Salesforce report, 47 per cent of small business owners said meeting customer experience expectations would pose a challenge for their business’ ability to grow over the next couple of years. Technology can help, of course, but 40 per cent said finding the right tools to meet their needs is tough.

Here’s an easy tip — the smartest businesses don’t just try to increase the number of purchases from customers, they try to form a close relationship with them. The best tech tool to achieve this is called customer

relationship management, or CRM. Think of CRM as the system where you can record every important piece of information about a customer as your relationship with them develops. This includes not only what you sold to them, but why they wanted it, what other products and services might interest them, and how they like a company to communicate with them. This last area is really critical — you don’t want multiple people chasing after the same customer at once.

Investing in technology like Salesforce, the global leader in CRM, provides small businesses with a sort of “blowfish effect.” Just like a blowfish can inflate to take up more space in the water, CRM can make small businesses look larger and more competitive. It also means they can get more done when business suddenly gets a lot busier, like the holiday season.

Delivering a connected experience will keep customers satisfied and business doors open this season and beyond.

- News Canada

ARIES

March 20 - April 19

It’s shaping up for you now, and you can expect it to keep going. Hitting peak on Saturday, Saturn/Uranus place you at the gateway of so much more to come. Saturn gives you something more tangible to go on. Uranus serves as a rekindle and heat-up influence. Enhancing creativity, intimate relationships, and moneymaking potentials, the week ahead keeps you on a total immersion program.

GEMINI

May 20 - June 21

Now through the weekend, the stars set up a productive, lucrative, or social backdrop. Take your pick or combine all three. Saturday, conversation and good ideas are on the ready dial-up; inroads are easily made. Venus/Jupiter extends good timing and easy going for the entire week ahead. Watch for plans and goals to take on a natural life of their own.

LEO

TAURUS

April 19 - May 20

For the past two-plus years, Saturn in Sagittarius has likely pushed you through a tough move-along. While substantial loss has been in the mix, what’s most important is what you’ve gained in the process. Saturn/Uranus helps you to move from hanging on to holding steady while you continue to build and grow. Sunday/Monday, Venus/Jupiter sets money and relationship matters into fuller swing.

CANCER

June 21 - July 22

It’s going to be a smooth-going weekend for working it out, solution-finding, or getting the job done. Improvement projects, enrichment efforts, and necessary upgrades are well timed. Over this next week, you can gain favour with a lover or one in charge. You’ll also see progress regarding a health issue, job hunt, legal matter, or approval process. Venus pumps up creativity, romance, lust, and desire.

VIRGO

Across 4) Bright and ____ 5) Light snow

7) Overcast 8) Temperature scale 11) Loud claps

13) Light wind

15) The study of weather 17) White-out

Down 1) Major Atlantic storm 2) Twisting windstorm 3) Liquid precipitation 4) White stuff

6) Electricity from the sky

9) Mix of rain and snow

10) Freezing point in C

12) Falling ice pellets

14) Barometric ____ 16) Usually from the west

July 22 - August 22

You can coast and enjoy the ride or take charge, apply yourself, and gain even more. Saturn/Uranus keeps progress, profit, and opportunity on a steady flow. A new interest, plan, investment, or initiative is likely to prove a natural fit. Travel, a move, a renovation project, or a new moneymaker is well timed. Venus/Jupiter starts the new week with a bonus or an extra.

LIBRA

September 22 - October 23

Business and pleasure are a great combination through the weekend. A trade show, weekend workshop, open house, sports event, or social get-together delivers the goods. Spontaneity can too. Sunday/Monday keeps you totally immersed. Venus/Jupiter pumps up everything to do with feelings, trust, relationships, renovation projects, and money (investment, earning, spending). The week ahead is great for creative projects, sales, and marketing ventures.

SAGITTARIUS

November 22 - December 21

Thursday can be a turning point regarding a relationship, a future plan, or a budding prospect. A piece of news or something you run across can put a smile on your face or a glow in your heart. Saturn/Uranus, Venus/ Jupiter, and Venus/Neptune keep you making the most of it through the week ahead. Monday, pump up on vitamins. Mercury/ Neptune can make you vulnerable.

AQUARIUS

January 19 - February 18

Uranus continues in retrograde motion until January, but rather than hold you up, it stokes a good fire. At peak with Saturn, now is an optimum time to get it/yourself up and rolling, to restructure or reprioritize as is warranted. Even the tough stuff comes easy. This next week is optimized for career, marketing, money matters, and relationships.

August 22 - September 22

There’s no need to sweat it or to force what isn’t coming naturally. Go by feel, by heart. If you aren’t certain on which choice is best, take a pause and watch for time to reveal your right play. For the most part, the stars set onto a smooth and productive sail through the week ahead. Saturn/Uranus enhances relationships, problem-solving, and communication tracks.

SCORPIO

October 23 - November 22

Saturn/Uranus, at peak on Saturday, keeps the work and the working it out on a natural rollout. Things can fall into place quite readily. It doesn’t take much to get a good idea or plan up and running. Looking good, feeling good; the Midas touch. Venus teams with Jupiter at the start of the week and Neptune near the end.

CAPRICORN

December 21 - January 19

When it comes to anything new, you often need to spend time with it before you establish your comfort zone. In the works for this past year, Saturn/Uranus at peak now speed up your process. They produce a right-time, right-place feel. They also assist you to entertain, explore, or segue with natural ease.

PISCES

February 18 - March 19

This past year of Saturn/Uranus has kept personal reinvention at the forefront. New priorities, interests, and prospects have cropped up along the way. What’s next? At peak on Saturday, Saturn/Uranus has you in good position and timing it right. The week ahead enriches the heart or the wallet. Venus enhances inspiration, luck, and reward.

FOR SALE FOR SALE

BARATARIA - TRINIDAD: Freehold

2 storey 5500sq.ft. 4 bdrm concrete house with all approvals. Can be separated into 3 suites. Enclosed workshop and garage. Asking 625K CDN. Call 416-671-9862

TRINIDAD: “ 5 acres of Land for sale located in East Trinidad, Sangre Grande. Lights, Water and Telephone. Good investment for now or the future.” Call cell 752 7537.

SALES REPS

We are in the process of expansion and constantly looking for the best of the best! Call - 647-722-6298

SERVERS: Palm Palace is hiring servers with a smart serve for full/part-time workers. We’re also looking for busers/hostesses for the weekends. Tel 905-497-8882

FOR SALE HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS, VEHICLE WRAPPERS, PROJECT MANAGER, AND ADMINISTRATIVE POSITION. ALL INTERESTED CANDIDATES MUST BE PUNCTUAL, DETAILED, HAVE A PASSION FOR EXCELLENCE AND NOT AFRAID TO WORK. CALL (416) 907-9491

JUKEBOX REPAIR: I service vintage jukeboxes, pinball, slot machines, quarter horse, cherry, poker boxes and etc...I have over 50 years experience 416-357-1303

CLEANER: Experienced Cleaner for Hire to clean offices in Mississauga, Brampton and surrounding area. Call 905-452-9303 or 647-336-1967.

SUNDAY SERVICE: Fountain of Truth

EVENT: Learn about, commemorate and join C5 to improve the Caribbean-Canadian economy and community. A celebratory, informative and networking event for professionals and leaders. Vendor and sponsorship opportunities. Limited seats. http://c5ontario.com/events

POST YOUR CLASSIFIED - UP TO 30 WORDS FREE! Subject To Space Availability - Call 647-722-6298

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

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

P:

According to Daniel Goldstein from Market Watch, “Plastic surgery might improve one’s looks. But so, might a little makeup. When it comes to making your house more attractive to prospective buyers, home staging is definitely in the makeup category.” Home staging changes the appearance of a home with accessories. Beautiful furniture and art can give the perception that the home is much more appealing.

Most sellers place their attention on the inside of the home. However, the first place to concentrate is on the outside. Curb

How To Stage Your Home

appeal should give the best first and last impressions. A well-manicured lawn with plenty of flowers will create those impressions. Clean the windows, doors and entrance way; reseal the driveway and paint where necessary, especially the front door. LED lawn and exterior lights will help to create an attractive curb appeal. If it is winter, then, clear driveway and sidewalk.

Professional stagers first look at what they will need to remove from the home. A room will look larger with less furniture. A cluttered home will prevent buyers from seeing the beautiful features. You can start by getting rid of clutter and unwanted items. Closet and drawers should be halfemptied. Remove fake plants and flowers and any distractions from the home. Personal photos should be removed as well so that potential buyers can see themselves living there. Now that the home is decluttered, it’s time to take care of other details. Staging does not have to be expensive if you do it yourself.

A fresh coat of paint will always

bring out the beauty. Always choose modern tones. Rooms will look larger if the adjacent room is painted with the same color. Spend some time and money in the kitchen and bathrooms. An old kitchen can be transformed with new knobs, countertops, and a lovely tap. New calking in the washroom and around the counters will make a difference as well. Modern light fixtures will certainly enhance the beauty of a home. These fixtures do not have to be expensive. Choose warm, soft lights, think candlelight dinners. Remove heavy window coverings and allow the daylight to shine through. Window coverings should be the same color as the paint, giving the perception of spaciousness. Open the shades and flood the room with natural light. Remove floor mats and garbage bins from the washrooms and always keep the toilet lids down during showing. Nothing smells better than a fresh clean home. When it comes to pets, cedar chips will absorb most of the unpleasant odors. Carpets should be steam cleaned prior to listing. Baking soda sprinkled onto sofas

and rugs will remove the unpleasant smells. Vinegar left inside a room for a few days will remove smoke odors as well. Candles, plugins, and sprays work well in moderation. Now it’s time to put the final touches. Arrange the furniture to create space. Mirrors can make a room look bigger. If the furniture is too large, then consider removing a piece or two and store it in the garage or use it to stage the basement. Rent a few good pieces of furniture for the main floor. When preparing your home, think about themes that suggest entertainment or warmth. For example, a bottle of champagne, two glasses and a few lovely soaps and towels at the edge of the bathtub. A fresh bowl of fruit on the kitchen counter will appeal to the senses and plants will add warmth and beauty. Staging a home to sell doesn’t have to be expensive. Most of the work involved in decluttering, deodorizing, depersonalizing and decorating. A home that shows well will attract the right buyers and will result in a higher selling price.

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Guaranteed Income For Life - Part Two

Fund (LIF) which has a minimum and a maximum withdrawal every month or year. A LIF does not guarantee a lifetime income as the investment is subject to what happens in the market, so if the market falls, so too could your money. Also, if you withdraw the maximum amount every month you will soon have very little left.

In the last issue, we talked about retirement income and making sure that one does not outlive their retirement income

Today we will look at three more options available to you.

Upon receiving your lump sum from your employer, it will be in the form of a Locked-In Retirement plan (LIRA).

The main reason it is LIRA is the fact that your employer contributed part of the investment and wants to make sure that the money is used for your retirement if not then many would be tempted to spend as much of it as possible and possibly run out of money at an early time. At a chosen retirement date your LIRA can be converted to a Life Income

Life insurance. Just the term itself can put people on edge and run the other way. Some people might think they are wasting time and money if they sign up for life insurance or if they buy or believe in it, that their lives will be shortened. Life insurance is not a simple product. Even term life policies have many elements that must be considered carefully in order to arrive at the proper type and amount of coverage. Term life insurance is generally the simplest and cheapest form. You buy coverage for a specific time period, and it can usually be renewed, but premiums will increase based on age and health factors. All other types of life insurance are permanent, but there are two other varieties, whole life and universal life. Each type is slightly different, making each one ideal for certain types of people.

The myths listed below are just a few of the largest misconceptions individuals have regarding the necessity of life insurance.

Myth No.1: I Don’t Need Coverage, I’m Single With No Dependents

2. Another option is split your LIRA where 50% would be converted into an RRSP. Why would you do that you might ask? Well here is your answer; an RRSP does not have a minimum or maximum amount that you can withdraw in any given year. You will have to pay taxes on whatever you withdraw, but there are no limitations on the amount. So, let’s say for example you retire and need some extra money to enjoy the first few years of retirement, this would be a source that you can now utilize. Be careful not to use all, but at least now you do have access to 50% of your LIRA. The other 50% which was left in the LIRA will now be converted into a LIF and that will provide you with a monthly income.

3. So far, if you noticed there are no guarantees in any of the previous options.

So, let me take you to a guarantee: You can use all or part of your money to buy an annuity. An annuity is a series of payments which you will receive for as long as you live. The way it works is that you hand over your investments to an insurance company and they are now responsible for the investment growth. This means that you will never ever run out of money no matter what the market does. This action provides great peace of mind but does have certain drawbacks for example, what if you need to access some of your money for an emergency? Well in an annuity, no extra money is available, only your monthly payments, so you have to cater for extra elsewhere. Another major drawback would be if you were to die soon after start receiving payments and there was no spouse to receive the lifetime benefit. The annuity will pay to your beneficiaries for a specified time but it may never amount to the money you have invested.

Retirement planning is pretty complex and by yourself, you may not know what the best solution is. Next week we will look at my favorite option when it comes to retirement planning. In the meantime, if you have any questions, feel free to drop me a line.

Even single people need at least enough life insurance to cover the costs of personal debts, medical and funeral bills. If you are uninsured, you may be leaving a legacy of expenses for your family to deal with on top of the emotional shock. Being young also usually means you’re more active and probably putting yourself at risk more often than the older generation by traveling, clubbing, hiking, boating, driving long distances and staying out later. Your body may be younger and less likely to break down on you, but your high-risk activities put you in the same boat as older, less healthy people.

Myth 2: I’m a stay-at-home parent. There isn’t a need to replace my income since there isn’t an income to replace. Have you ever stopped to think just how much would it cost to replace a stay-at-home mom or dad? Average income for all the work a stay-at-home mom or dad accomplishes equates to about $113,000 if your family had to outsource it all. Insurance for a stay-at-home parent is unique because you’re not replacing income. Instead, you’re replacing services that he or she provides on a daily basis. One of the biggest, longterm expenses your family will face without you is the cost of childcare. You can leave a small nest egg behind to help your children when they’re grown. Your family won’t be saddled with funeral cost.

Myth No.3: Your Employer-Provided Life Insurance Coverage Is Enough

If you make $75,000 per year, your employer might provide $75,000 or $150,000

in coverage at little or no out-of-pocket cost to you, and the premiums will come straight out of your paycheck. If your premature death would be a financial burden to your spouse and/or children, you probably need coverage worth five to ten times your annual salary. You’ll lose your coverage if your job situation changes and you are not entitled to getting back the premiums you paid while there. Some policies do allow you to convert your group policy to an individual one, but it will likely become much more expensive. Speak with a family advisor to discuss more about your personal situation.

Myth 4: My kids are all adults and my house has been paid off, so what do I need life insurance for?

Everyone has daily living expenses. Just because the home is paid off doesn’t mean there aren’t other financial obligations for which your spouse would be responsible, such as owning multiple cars, a boat, an RV or another large purchase you both made later on in your lives. Also, consider this: If your spouse outlives you by 10, 20 or even 30 years, he or she might not be able to afford to stay in an assisted living center when he or she can no longer take care of him- or herself. Are estate taxes a concern?

Do you want to leave a large portion of your estate to charity? Do you own a business? If you answer any of these “yes”, you may need life insurance well beyond the time when your kids are grown.

Gayle Snubbed in Auction But Bravo Brothers Snapped Up

PAKISTAN -- West Indies superstar

Chris Gayle was stunningly overlooked in Sunday’s Pakistan Super League draft, as brothers Dwayne and Darren Bravo both landed contracts for the third edition of the tournament slated for the first quarter of next year.

The 38-year-old Jamaican, one of the most sought-after names on the international T20 circuit, was one of 308 overseas players up for grabs but found no takers from among the six franchises, in perhaps the biggest surprise of the auction.One franchise owner, who requested anonymity, told Wisden India that Gayle’s partial availability for the PSL coupled with his poor form in the last Indian Premier League, had made him an unattractive option.

“We were told that Gayle is partially available so that was one of the reasons, but even if he was available we would not have picked him because he is no more the Gayle force he once was,” the official said.

Gayle has had two unflattering seasons in the PSL, managing only 103 runs from five outings in the 2016 edition and 160 runs from nine innings last year.His poor run of form coincided with paltry returns for Royal Chal-

lengers Bangalore in the IPL, where he scored 227 runs in 10 matches, with just two half-centuries.

Gayle is the only batsman to have passed 10 000 runs in T20s and still boasts the records for the highest score – an unbeaten 175 – and for the most centuries with 18. His partial availability for the PSL is believed to be owing to his commitment to represent West Indies in their World Cup qualifier in Zimbabwe next March.

That event is expected to clash with the PSL which has issued tentative dates to franchise owners of February 23 to March 24, 2018. All-rounder Dwayne Bravo had no such issues as he was quickly picked up by the Darren Sammy-led Peshawar Zalmi while his brother Darren, a stylish left-hander, was nabbed by the Multan Sultans.

Darren’s selection raised further speculation over his West Indies future, following his protracted fall-out with Cricket West Indies which subsequently led to his non-selection for the international team.Sultans also went for West Indies left-hander Nicholas Pooran while Quetta Gladiators moved once again to pick up West Indies T20 captain, Carlos Brathwaite.

At Sultans, Darren Bravo and Pooran will join fellow Trinidad and Tobago and West Indies teammate, Kieron Pollard who was retained by the franchise.

Attacking Windies limited overs opener, Evin Lewis, and Andre Fletcher, were claimed by Peshawar Zalmi as their supplementary players –those who can be called on in case other players become unavailable.

- Trinidad Guardian

BRAMPTON

83 Kennedy

83 Kennedy Rd S 905-460-9463

Shoppers World 499 Main St S 905-453-9463

Rexall Plaza 10015 Hurontario St 905-840-9464

Chinguacousy 10671 Chinguacousy Rd 905-840-3388

Bramalea & Sandlewood 10635 Bramalea Rd 905-458-9464

MISSISSAUGA Burnhamthorpe Road 1100 Burnhamthorpe Rd 905-615-8788

Sheridan Centre 2225 Erin Mills Parkway 905-822-9463

Westwood Mall 7205 Goreway Dr 905-671-9463

BURLINGTON Appleby Village 5111 New St 905-635-0584

Walkers Line 3505 Upper Middle Rd 289-427-5260

OAKVILLE

Oakville Smart Centre 261 Oak Walk Dr 289-291-3261

KITCHENER

Stanley Park Mall 1005 Ottawa St N 519-954-2923

Laurentian Hills Plaza 720 Westmount Rd E 519-954-2923

WATERLOO Shops at Waterloo 75 King St S 519-880-9463

SCARBOROUGH Woodside Square 1571 Sandhurst Circle 647-260-1392 Bridlewood Mall 2900 Warden Ave 416-490-9463 Parkway Mall 85 Ellesmere Rd 416-444-9463

NORTH YORK Centerpoint Mall 6464 Yonge St 416-222-9463

THORNHILL Shops on Yonge 7181 Yonge St 905-597-9463

ST CATHARINES St Catharines Smart Centre 420 Vansickle Rd 289-479-5496