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Thursday, December 31, 2009

African Leadership Academy - William Kamkwamba

Read this story of a young African boy who brought electricity to his village because he was curious about the nature of things. His ingenuity has brought him a little fame and big universities are now courting him. An inspiring story

African Leadership Academy - William Kamkwamba

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Check out your Horoscope for 2010 - Fun but true

This is the real deal. Try ignoring it, and the first thing you'll notice is having a horrible day starting tomorrow morning . . . and it only gets worse from there.

ARIES - The Aggressive

Outgoing. Lovable. Spontaneous. Not one to mess with. Funny.. Excellent kisser EXTREMELY adorable. Loves relationships, and family is very important to an aries. Aries are known for being generous and giving. Addictive. Loud. Always has the need to be 'Right'. Aries will argue to prove their point for hours and hours. Aries are some of the most wonderful people in the world.. 16 years of bad luck if you do not forward.





TAURUS - The Tramp

Aggressive. Loves being in long relationships. Likes to give a good fight. Fight for what they want. Can be annoying at times, but for the love of attention. Extremely outgoing. Loves to help people in times of need. Good kisser. Good personality. Stubborn. A caring person. They can be self centered and if they want something they will do anything to get it. They love to sleep and can be lazy. One of a kind. Not one to mess with. Are the most attractive people on earth! 15 years of bad luck if you do not forward.







GEMINI - The Twin

Nice. Love is one of a kind. Great listeners. Very Good at confusing people... Lover not a fighter, but will still knock you out. Geminis will not take any crap from anyone. Geminis like to tell people what they should do and get offended easily. They are great at losing things and are forgetful. Geminis can be very sarcastic and childish at times and are very nosey. Trustworthy. Always happy. VERY Loud. Talkative. Outgoing. VERY FORGIVING. Loves to make out. Has a beautiful smile. Generous. Strong. THE MOST IRRESISTIBLE. 9 years of bad luck if you do not forward.







CANCER - The Beauty

MOST AMAZING KISSER. Very high appeal. A Cancer's Love is one of a kind.. Very romantic.. Most caring person you will ever meet in your life. Entirely creative Person, most are artists and insane, respectfully speaking. They perfected sex and do it often. Extremely random. An Ultimate Freak. Extremely funny and is usually the life of the party. Most Cancers will take you under their wing and into their hearts where you will remain forever. Cancers make love with a passion beyond compare. Spontaneous. Not a Fighter, But will kick your ass good if it comes down to it. Someone you should hold on to! 12 years of bad luck if you do not forward.







LEO - The Lion

Great talker. Attractive and passionate. Laid back. Usually happy but when unhappy tend to be grouchy and childish. A Leo's problem becomes everyone's problem. Most Leos are very predictable and tend to be monotonous. Knows how to have fun.. Is really good at almost anything. Great kisser. Very predictable. Outgoing. Down to earth. Addictive. Attractive. Loud. Loves being in long relationships. Talkative. Not one to mess with. Rare to find. Good when found. 7 years of bad luck if you do not forward.







VIRGO - The One that Waits

Dominant in relationships. Someone loves them right now. Always wants the last word. Caring. Smart. Loud. Loyal. Easy to talk to. Everything you ever wanted. Easy to please. A pushover. Loves to gamble and take chances. Needs to have the last say in everything.. They think they know everything and usually do. Respectful to others but you will quickly lose their respect if you do something untrustworthy towards them and never regain respect. They do not forgive and never forget. The one and only. 7 years of bad luck if you do not forward.







LIBRA - The Lame One

Nice to everyone they meet. Their love is one of a kind. Silly, funny and sweet. Have own unique appeal. Most caring person you will ever meet! However, not the kind of person you want to mess with...you might end up crying. Libras can cause as much havoc as they can prevent. Faithful friends to the end. Can hold a grudge for years. Libras are someone you want on your side. Usually great at sports and are extreme sports fanatics. Very creative. A hopeless romantic. 9 years of bad luck if you do not forward.





SCORPIO - The Addict

EXTREMELY adorable. Loves to joke. Very Good sense of humor. Will try almost anything once. Loves to be pampered. Energetic. Predictable. GREAT kisser. Always get what they want.. Attractive. Loves being in long relationships. Talkative. Loves to party but at times to the extreme. Loves the smell and feel of money and is good at making it but just as good at spending it! Very protective over loved ones. HARD workers. Can be a good friend but if is disrespected by a friend, the friendship will end. Romantic. Caring.. 4 years of bad luck if you do not forward.







SAGITTARIUS - The Promiscuous One

Spontaneous. High appeal. Rare to find. Great when found.. Loves being in long relationships. So much love to give. A loner most of the time. Loses patience easily and will not take crap. If in a bad mood stay FAR away. Gets offended easily and remembers the offense forever. Loves deeply but at times will not show it, feels it is a sign of weakness. Has many fears but will not show it. VERY private person. Defends loved ones with all their abilities. Can be childish often. Not one to mess with. Very pretty. Very romantic. Nice to everyone they meet. Their Love is one of a kind. Silly, fun and sweet. Have own unique appeal. Most caring person you will ever meet! Amazing in bed..!!! Not the kind of person you want to mess with- you might end up crying. 4 years of bad luck if you do not forward.







CAPRICORN - The Passionate Lover

Love to bust. Nice. Sassy. Intelligent. Sexy. Grouchy at times and annoying to some. Lazy and love to take it easy. But when they find a job or something they like to do they put their all into it. Proud, understanding and sweet.

Irresistible. Loves being in long relationships. Great talker. Always gets what he or she wants. Cool. Loves to win against other signs especially Gemini's in sports. Likes to cook but would rather go out to eat at good restaurants.

Extremely fun. Loves to joke. Smart. 24 years of bad luck if you do not forward.







AQUARIUS - Does It In The Water

Trustworthy. Attractive. Great kisser. One of a kind, loves being in long-term relationships. Can be clumsy at times but tries hard. Will take on any project. Proud of themselves in whatever they do. Messy and unorganized. Procrastinators. Great lovers, when they're not sleeping. Extreme thinkers. Loves their pets usually more than their family. Can be VERY irritating to others when they try to explain or tell a story. Unpredictable. Will exceed your expectations. Not a Fighter but will Knock your lights out.. 2 years of bad luck if you do not forward







PISCES - The Partner for Life

Caring and kind. Smart. Likes to be the center of attention. Very organized. High appeal to opposite sex. Likes to have the last word. Good to find, but hard to keep. Passionate, wonderful lovers. Fun to be around. Too trusting at times and gets hurt easily. VERY caring. They always try to do the right thing and sometimes gets the short end of the stick. They sometimes get used by others and get hurt because of their trusting. Extremely weird but in a good way. Good sense of humor!!! Thoughtful. Loves to joke. Very popular. Silly, fun and sweet. Good friend to other but needs to be choosy on who they allow their friends to be. 5 years of bad luck if you do not forward.

The Humane Society of the United States:

It's two days before Christmas, and I wanted to share this story of hope with you. It's about a dog named Fay, a dogfighting survivor whom The Humane Society of the United States helped save this year during one of their biggest raids ever. Watch Fay's inspiring story. If you can, then please make a holiday donation to help The HSUS keep up the good fight against animal cruelty.

This is sent on behalf of Alternet. It is wrong to be cruel to any animal.  We are their guardians and they provide a valuable service to all mankind. How could any human treat animals so poorly.

Community Places Grant Available - Kerri Irvin-Ross

December 23, 2009

PROVINCE ANNOUNCES COMMUNITY PLACES GRANT APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE
Grant applications for Manitoba’s popular Community Places program will be available today and will be accepted until Feb. 15, Housing and Community Development Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross said.

“By continuing to expand and improve the facilities that provide leisure, recreation and wellness initiatives across the province, this government is continuing to improve the quality of life for Manitobans,” said Irvin-Ross.

The Community Places initiative provides funding and planning assistance to non-profit community organizations for facility construction, upgrading, expansion or acquisition projects. Eligible projects must provide sustainable recreational and wellness benefits to communities, the minister said.

Non-profit organizations can apply for assistance for critical building repairs, energy-saving initiatives and user-related improvements.

Eligible projects can receive up to 50 per cent of the first $15,000 of total project costs and up to

one-third of costs over that amount; the maximum grant is $50,000. Applicants must contribute to project costs by providing additional resources from local fundraising, grants from local governments and other sources, and donated labour and materials.

In 2009, the provincial government invested $4.5 million in Community Places grants to support 306 neighbourhood construction projects provincewide in both rural and urban communities ranging in size from $1,757 to $9.6 million, Irvin-Ross said. These grants have leveraged $46.8 million in infrastructure improvements. Examples of projects approved in 2009 include:

· $40,000 to construct a skateboard, BMX and in-line skate park in Gimli;

· $40,000 to expand the Anola Community Club;

· $36,000 to reconstruct an old Winnipeg street car for display at the Winnipeg Railway Museum; and

· $22,000 to convert the heating system to geothermal in the Brunkild Memorial Recreation Centre,

To receive a grant application or for more information on the Community Places program, contact the program office in Winnipeg at 945‑0502 or 1-800-894-3777 (toll‑free), e-mail mcpp@gov.mb.ca or visit www.gov.mb.ca/chc/grants.



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My Presentations on SlideShare

My Presentations on SlideShare

Communism threat to St. Vincent - Wade Kojo

WAKE UP VINCENTIANS


In the December 18 Dominica General elections, Prime Minister Skerrit and his Dominica Labour Party raced home to victory and trouncing the UWP (3 seats) and Dominica Freedom Party (o seats) 18 seats to 3 seats. Both opposition leaders lost their seats.

So while Son Mitchell - who himself received an honour from Cuba - continue to scare Vincentian voters into thinking that "Communism taking over" under Dr. Ralph Gonsalves because of his progressive foreign policy and ties with countries like Cuba, Venezuela, etc., Dominicans see that type of scaremongering as dotishness, political fraud and intellectual dishonesty on the part of Son Mitchell, Eustace, Leacock and the rest of the NDP.
Dominicans continue to embrace Prime Minister Skerrit and his Labour government, Dominicans continue to choose progress over backwardness. Dominicans value the benefits of their country's participation in the ALBA, PetroCaribe Agreement, Vision Now Eye Programme, as well as the other developmental assistance realised from their close relationship with countries like Cuba and Venezuela.

Wake up Vincentians!!! Communism died a long time ago. Comrade CANNOT resurrect it.

Cde. T. Wade Kojo Williams, Sr.
Phone/Fax: (204) 487-2407;
Mobile: (204) 296-1781

Monday, December 21, 2009

End of Year Soul Work



There comes a point in your life when you realize:




Who matters,

Who never did,

Who won't anymore...

And who always will.

So, don't worry about people from your past,

There's a reason why they didn't make it to your future.

Give these flowers to everyone you don't want to lose in 2010

Including me, if that's what is in your heart.

Family: Brittany Murphy was ill days before death - USATODAY.com

Everyone is talking about the sudden death of Brittany Murphy whom we all learned to love in her "Clueless" role and coining of the term "whatever".
How sad. It is only hoped that there was no foul play or any of that stuff involved. Her parents have enough to worry about. May God rest her soul. What a loss.


Family: Brittany Murphy was ill days before death - USATODAY.com

Happy Winter Solstice!



An email gem I thought I'd share with you
Welcome Winter Solstice—The picture below was taken this morning on Lake Winnipeg at sun rise. The little black specks in the distance are fishing shacks. There were several underground thunderings as the lake cracked in the cold. Enjoy the shortest day of the year. However you celebrate this “Saturnalian” season, may it be the best!
 Rose

CBC Manitoba | Programs | The Weekend Morning Show

CBC Manitoba Programs The Weekend Morning Show

Manitoba serious about climate change

MANITOBA, WISCONSIN PARTNER ON CLIMATE CHANGE: SELINGER, DOYLE


Expert Climate-change Workshops to Focus on Green Jobs, Economic Growth in Low-carbon Economy, Bioenergy and Agriculture, and Watershed Management

COPENHAGEN, Denmark—Premier Greg Selinger and Wisconsin’s Gov. Jim Doyle agreed to next steps in their partnership on climate change at the United Nations Climate Change Conference here today.

In October, Wisconsin and Manitoba formalized their strong economic and energy relationship by signing a memorandum of understanding to enhance skills, technology transfer and research partnerships in common key sectors such as renewable energy and environmental industries, water treatment and management, biosciences and life sciences, agricultural and human-health research and development, and transportation.



“Gov. Doyle and I have agreed that, as a first step in implementing our co-operation agreement, we will host a series of workshops involving experts from within the Midwest region in an effort to increase private- and public-sector relationships and to maximize opportunities for growth,” said Selinger.

“Today’s agreement builds upon Wisconsin’s and Manitoba’s leading efforts to promote new technologies in agriculture and clean energy,” Doyle said. “Our continued commitment to collaboration will lead the future innovation and grow our economies.”

The workshops will address topics of shared importance to Manitoba and Wisconsin including green jobs and green economy, regional climate economic modelling, agricultural economics, and watershed consequences.

Manitoba and Wisconsin share many perspectives in common related to climate change and renewable energy measures and work together as partners in the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Accord.

Both Selinger and Doyle are in Copenhagen with other sub-national leaders to participate in the Climate Leaders Summit. They are encouraging world leaders to reach a political agreement on climate change and to recognize the role of sub-national governments in climate-change actions.

Speeding is going to cost you more money in Winnipeg

The new year will bring changes to the way fines for speeding are calculated in Manitoba, Attorney General Andrew Swan announced today.

Rather than slotting ranges of speed into one of 10 set fine categories, people will be charged a base fine of $7.70 for every kilometre they speed over the posted limit.

“The change will make every ticket better reflect the actual offence and provide greater incentive for individuals to slow down,” said Swan.

Fines for extreme cases of speeding require a court appearance for the fine to be assessed and the threshold for that will drop to 100 from 120 km over the limit.

The majority of the base fine goes to municipalities that issue the tickets to support their policing costs. It is one of four components of the amount paid on such tickets. The other three parts are court costs, the justice services surcharge and the victim surcharge. Starting in January, the court cost portion of tickets will increase to 45 per cent from 35 per cent of the fine to better reflect the expense of administering these tickets by the courts.

Manitoba Justice expects to recover roughly 14 per cent of its expenditures from fees and fines due to these changes.
“Those who break the law should bear more of the cost to taxpayers for administering the law,” said Swan. “Speeding costs our communities more than dollars and cents, and I hope this change will encourage safer behaviour, preventing tragic events and saving lives.”

Thursday, December 17, 2009

BBC NEWS | Africa | South African rapist: 'Forgive me'

Dumisani Rebombo and his friend raped a young girl in their village in South
Africa when they were teenagers.
Years later, he returned to the same village to find the woman he attacked
and begged for her forgiveness.
Mr Rebombo, 49, is one of thousands of men in South Africa who admit to
having carried out a sexual assault - one in four, according to a recent
survey.
He told BBC News why he feels so many young men in his homeland engage in
the ill-treatment of women.


When I was 15 years old, I took part in a gang rape.
Before the incident, I was constantly jeered for not being man enough.
At the time I was not ready to have a girlfriend when all my friends did.
I did not tend the cattle or sheep, nor did I attend the initiation school
[where South African teenagers are circumcised in traditional rites of
passage].
This fuelled my daily jeers.
" My friends sang and clapped as if we had done something right "
Dumisani Rebombo
A friend and my cousin pressured me to prove that I was man enough, by
taking part in the rape of a teenage girl in the village.
This was termed "straightening her up", since she did not want to go out
with any of the local boys.
I succumbed to this daily pressure and on the day of the incident, when they
saw me trembling with fear, they ordered me to take marijuana and beer to
defeat my fears.
I did just that and the two of us [my friend and I] proceeded to rape the
girl.
Guilty and scared
Afterwards, I was terrified.
I felt guilty but also scared that the news could reach my mother who had a
high standing in the community.
The following day, when we went for our soccer practice, this incident was
reported to all the other football players.
On hearing the news, they sang and clapped as if we had done something
right.
This helped to stop the jeering somewhat and I was allowed to associate with
the other boys.
I still felt guilty, at least partially so, especially when I saw the girl
in the village. Sometimes I tried to avoid meeting her.
But slowly, over time, I began to think less and less about the incident.
I left my village in Limpopo Province and went to live in the city and
joined a religious group from which I learned a lot about love and respect
for all.
Strangely, I did not think much of the incident - I just went on with my
life.
I started work with an NGO (non-governmental organisation) where I mostly
worked with unemployed mothers.
Every Monday morning, the women reported incidents of abuse in different
forms.
" Every time I heard of a negative act by a man, I was forced to go back to
my own incident "
Dumisani Rebombo
As they did this, I could not help it but give way to introspection.
It was as if every time I heard of a negative act by a man, I was forced to
go back to my own incident.
I then asked my employers to train us in a methodology which would target
boys and men.
They did this and very soon, I felt challenged, self-consciously, to set an
example to the men I was teaching.
Seeking forgiveness
I took a decision to go back to find the woman I raped.
I realised that the woman needed justice.
But also, I wanted to ask for forgiveness, now that I understood the effects
and consequences for someone who has been raped.
I went to my pastor about this. His response was: "You are saved now, you
were once in the mud, but now you know the truth and you are therefore OK."
He also asked me if I was ready to go to jail. He said: "What if the woman
went to the authorities?"
My answer was: "If I go to jail, that would be justice for that woman."
I therefore took the journey to the north.
I wanted her to know that I felt bad about what I had done to her, that I
was a changed man and I was working with other men to prevent rape.
When we met, she showed a wry smile on her face.
Since we were at a public clinic, she thought I was a doctor or someone from
the Ministry of Health.
I related my story to her. She looked at me and revealed that she had since
been raped on two other occasions.
" She told me how she often cringes when her husband touches her "
Dumisani Rebombo
She started crying. She told me how she often cringes when her husband
touches her.
She told me that her life was never the same emotionally following these
incidents.
Worse still, she was not ready to tell her husband of what had happened.
Finally, she said that she forgave me, and thought that I had meant well
with all that I had said.
I left that room with a new burden - to do something about rape in my
community and my country.
Machismo feelings
If you asked me: "What motivates so many men in South Africa to engage in
un-consensual sex?" I would say that it is the machismo feelings and
beliefs, coupled with patriarchal processes and tendencies.
I think that we raise boys in the wrong way, but later on in their lives we
want to see them as different men who care and love.
My advice to young men who feel under pressure to rape, is to surround
yourselves with good friends.
Learn to talk to someone about what is going on inside.
For with this, one can teach the young men to have other means of solving
conflict.
And above all, to grow up respecting girls.

Dumisani Rebombo is a community development worker and public speaker,
working for the Olive Leaf Foundation, in Johannesburg.

Share your thoughts with us: What do you think about this story and what it says about manhood

BBCPreview and purchase Maiko Watson's new album "Sweet Vibration" here:http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/maiko-watson/id316648191

 NEWS Africa South African rapist: 'Forgive me'

A boy, a vampire and Susan Boyle: YouTube's top videos of the year - Headlines - News - News1130 - ALL NEWS RADIO

A boy, a vampire and Susan Boyle: YouTube's top videos of the year - Headlines - News - News1130 - ALL NEWS RADIO

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Be wary of something that looks too good to be true

Protect your computer and your company's computer from being hacked or compromised by viruses and hackers:  Here are some things that might help you:
Why viruses are created


Most of today's viruses are created by cyber-criminals for profit. Many viruses are designed to steal or copy your personal data for financial gain. The goal may be to access passwords or credit card details; to use your Internet connection to host scams or to send spam from your computer.

Virus attacks via the Internet

E-mail attachments are not the only method of attack for virus writers. Criminals have quickly realized that search engines like Google, AOL, or Yahoo, can be used to reach large pools of potential victims.

For example, if you search for the term "lyric," nearly 15 out of 100 search results would take you to risky web sites.

The 20 most dangerous words to search for on the Internet (reported by McAfee – 2008 Report)word unscrambler


lyrics


myspace


free music downloads


phelps, weber-gale, jones and lezak win 4x100m relay


free music


game cheats


printable fill in puzzles


free ringtones


solitaire


miniclip


make money


viva la vida (coldplay) lyrics


touch my body lyrics


love song lyrics


lollipop lyrics


my life (lil wayne) lyrics


weather.com


lowes


the price is right

Other dangerous search term categories are online games, screensavers and "work from home".

Search terms involving online games are among the riskiest because online games often prompt you to install plug-ins or register with a name or e-mail address.

How to protect your computer from dangerous Internet searches


Although the security restrictions on government desktops and network security systems protect the majority of government computers from web based viruses; users should still be aware of the dangers and be cautious when using the Internet at work and at home.

Advice for Home Computer Users


Keep your computer’s operating system, anti-virus software and other programs up to date to fix any flaws that hackers could exploit

Adjust your Internet browser settings to Medium or Medium-High

Stay away from suspicious web sites, and only download files from trusted sources

Be suspicious of anything that sounds too good to be true. If a link promises free downloads of the all the latest hit songs, chances are it's leading you to a risky Web site

Security Software for Home Users

Some security software includes an Internet filter that warns you of suspicious web sites. An example of this kind of program is McAfee Site Advisor http://www.siteadvisor.com/.

SiteAdvisor software adds small site rating icons to your search results as well as a browser button and optional search box. Together, these alert you to potentially risky sites and help you find safer alternatives. The program is free and is simple to use. When you search the Internet you will see ratings for each search result (see screen shot below). The ratings indicate Safe, Caution, Warning, and Unknown.

Tis the season to be happy



This picture is about the colorful life in the tropics. I love it. May our spirits maintain its brilliance over the season so that it may shine on others.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

YouTube - Xpress Yoself GY - Bobby Fernandes

YouTube - Xpress Yoself GY - Bobby Fernandes

Twelve Days of Christmas - The real meaning

I just found out through an email that was circulated to me, I thought I should share it with the world of course:



12 Days of Christmas









If you did not already know this you may find it quite interesting.





There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?





This week, I found out.



From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were

not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone

during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.

It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning

plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each

element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality

which the children could remember.



-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.



-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.


-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.


-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.


-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.


-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness,

Gentleness, and Self Control.

-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol...so pass it on if you wish.'
Merry (Twelve Days of) Christmas Everyone

Monday, December 14, 2009

Guyanese Banditos in Bajan territory


Somwattie Persaud, Lemme Michael Cambell, Rohan Shastri Rambarran





Dianne Bacchus and Gavin green

These five crimminals will be spending the rest of their lives in a jail for committing the most heinous crime in Barbados's history ever and it took a Guyanese to break the record.

Guyanese commit egregious crimes in Barbados

Drugs-in-logs Guyanese sentenced to 428 years

Posted By Stabroek staff On December 12, 2009 @ 5:30 am In Local News | 56 Comments

Six Guyanese, convicted in the biggest drug bust in Barbados’ history, were yesterday collectively sentenced to a historic 428 years in prison for the 28 drug offences for which they were found guilty earlier this year.

[1]
Lemme Michael Campbell

Their sentences will run concurrently and two men from the group, deemed to be ‘the brains behind the operation,’ will spend 30 and 25 years, respectively, at HMP Dodds while their four compatriots will each serve 15 years.

Justice Kaye Goodridge, in handing down her sentence in the No. 5

[2]
Rohan Shastri Rambarran

Supreme Court yesterday morning, said that illegal narcotics wreaked such havoc that could lead to the erosion of the social fabric as well as the creation of a myriad of social problems.

Anyone caught will feel the full weight of the law, she warned.

Lemme Michael Campbell, 45, his wife Somwattie Persaud, 40, both of 106 New Garden Street, Queenstown, Georgetown; Christopher Bacchus, 43, and his wife Dianne Bacchus, 37, both of Bay Gardens, Bayland, St Michael; Wayne Gavin Green, 38, of North Ruimveldt, Georgetown and Bridgefield, St Thomas; and Rohan Shastri Rambarran, a 43-year-old businessman of Georgetown, Guyana, were convicted of six counts relating to a police seizure of hundreds of kilos of both cannabis and cocaine at a house in Bay Gardens, St Michael on June 4, 2009.

[3]
Somwattie Persaud

All six had denied possession and trafficking in 91.3 kilos of cannabis and 119.4 kilos of cocaine on November 30, 2005, while Campbell and Rambarran had denied importing both cannabis and cocaine on November 29, 2005.

The sentences, all of which started from yesterday, are as follows:

•Campbell, whom Justice Goodridge said played a “major role” in the incident was sentenced to 115 years in prison – 15 years for importing, 15 years for possession and 20 years for trafficking in cannabis; 20 years for importing, 20 years for possession, and 25 years for trafficking in cocaine.

•Persaud, whom the judge said played a “subordinate role” in the

[4]
Christopher Bacchus

incident and who was told that “immediate release was not an option” was sentenced to 47 years in prison – ten years for possession of cannabis, 12 years for trafficking of cannabis; ten years for possession and trafficking in cocaine 15 years.

•Christopher Bacchus was sentenced to 47 years in prison – ten years for possession of cannabis; ten years for possession of cocaine; 12 and 15 years for trafficking in cannabis and cocaine respectively.

•Diane Bacchus was sentenced to 47 years in prison – ten years for possession of cannabis; ten years for possession of cocaine; 12 and 15 years for trafficking of cannabis and cocaine respectively.

•Green was sentenced to 47 years in prison – ten years for possession of cannabis; ten years for possession of cocaine; 12 and 15 years for trafficking of cannabis and cocaine respectively.

•Rambarran was sentenced to 125 years in prison – 15 years for the importation, 15 years for possession and 25 years for trafficking cannabis; 20 years for importation, 20 years for possession and 30 years for trafficking of cocaine.

[5]
Dianne Bacchus

The judge told Rambarran he was the “mastermind behind getting the illegal drugs” and making sure they were shipped to Barbados and noted the high level of sophistication involved. She also told him that he would have profited greatly from the deal and that he was motivated by greed and therefore the custodial sentences were justified.

Because the sentences will run concurrently, Campbell will serve 25 years, Persaud 15 years, Christopher and Diane Bacchus 15 years each, Green 15 years and Rambarran 30 years in prison.

The sentencing brought to a close the longest trial in recent history in a case that started on February 23.

There was also a marathon four-day summation and more than 5,000 pages of evidence, submissions, arguments and defences which were taken during the trial.

Lawmen, who testified, said they got a tip and started surveillance at a construction site in Rowans Park, St George, where they saw a container of logs being off-loaded.

They then secretly followed a truck, after some of the logs were loaded onto it, to a house at Bay Gardens, St Michael.

When they raided that house, they said, they caught Campbell, Green, and Christopher Bacchus

[6]
Gavin Green

unpacking parcels from hollowed-out logs and the women packing those parcels into suitcases.

Drugs were also on the kitchen table and by the backdoor.

They then picked up Rambarran from Hilton, Barbados after Campbell called his name as the ring leader.

In their defences, Rambarran, Green, Campbell and Persaud denied any knowledge of the drugs, but Christopher and Dianne Bacchus said they were used and set up by Campbell, and tied him, Rambarran and Green to the drugs at their house.

Director of Public Prosecutions Charles Leacock, QC, led the prosecution’s team of Principal Crown Counsel Anthony Blackman and Principal Crown Counsel Wanda Blair.

Sir Richard Cheltenham, QC, and Shelly-Ann Seecharan appeared for Rambarran; Vonda Pile represented Christopher and Dianne Bacchus; Vincent Watson and Desmond Sands appeared for Green; while Ralph Thorne, QC, and Arthur Holder represented Campbell and Persaud. (Barbados Nation)

Upcoming Events - Ghanian Union of Winnipeg - December

Ghanaian Idol 2009

Date: Tuesday December 22, 2009
Time: 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Next reminder: The next reminder for this event will be sent in 6 days, 23 hours, 46 minutes.
Location: Deaf Center 285 Pembina Hwy, Winnipeg
Street: 285 Pembina Hwy, Winnipeg
City State Zip: Winnipeg
Phone: 918-8453 (Kwesi)
Notes: The FIRST EVER Ghanaian Idol 2009 is going to be a healthy competition to find the most talented Ghanaian youth singer in Peg City. It will be an enjoyable evening that simulates reality TV's American & Canadian Idols, respectively. The only thing different is that there will be no audition ... so, WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET, for fairplay :) !!!

Thursday, December 03, 2009

MAIKO GOT RAVE REVIEWS IN THE UPTOWN MAGAZINE - WINNIPEG



Sweet Vibration  A

(Independent)
Website: http://maikowatson.com/ Who says you can't do R&B and soul in Winnipeg? Recorded and produced here by several of the Moses Mayes crew (Mark Penner, Julian Bradford, Ben Reimer and Nathan Reimer), Sweet Vibration is a profound showcase of Maiko Watson's singing and writing skills. Unlike most contemporary 'urban' albums, which feature walls of sound produced by committees, this is a living, breathing document of rootsy, classic soul performances, pure and simple. Maiko wrote nine of these 10 songs on her own (the 10th is a co-write with her former husband, Remy Shand) and, to paraphrase her own song, everything should be lookin' up for her with this release.

— John Kendle
I think John Kendell gave an accurate assessment of the Album. It is a great album as you will see. Every song could stand on its own. It's not like some CD
 
Get your copy of Maiko's CD at HMV - if not available ask them to get it for you asap.

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

Bill Moyers & Jane Goodall: What Chimps Reveal About Human Brutality, Violence, Compassion and Hope | Environment | AlterNet

Bill Moyers & Jane Goodall: What Chimps Reveal About Human Brutality, Violence, Compassion and Hope Environment AlterNet
November 30, 2009


2009 THRONE SPEECH HIGHLIGHTS

The Economy

· Organizing a 2010 economic summit to focus on skills, training and investment.

· Saying no to a harmonized sales tax (HST) due to $400-million impact on Manitoba families.

· Anticipating Manitoba’s economic performance to decline slightly, but still outperform the rest of the country.

· Increasing stimulus spending by more than 50 per cent over the previous year, supporting 1,500 projects and creating more than 12,000 direct and 10,000 indirect jobs.

· Eliminating both the corporation capital tax and the small business tax in 2010.

· Investing in new projects such as the Polar Bear Conservation Centre and Exhibit to launch the Assiniboine Park Arctic Attraction.

· Investing $545 million in roads and 28 bridges in 2010.

·

Education and Training

· Providing portions of tuition rebate up front for post-secondary education students.

· Extending the Co-op Tax Credit to include high-school students.

· Investing $310-million in the schools capital program for new schools and needed renovations.

· Investing in capital projects at the University of Manitoba, University of Winnipeg, Brandon University, Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface, University College of the North, Assiniboine Community College and Red River College.

· Committing to work with federal government and First Nations leadership to assist students on First Nations.



Health Care

· Committing to proceed on important health capital projects including:

- building a new women’s hospital at the Health Science Centre site,

- building a new birthing centre for the south end of Winnipeg,

- providing access centres for St. James and northwest Winnipeg,

- building a new cancer centre for Brandon and the Westman Lab in Brandon,

- building a new emergency medical service station at West St. Paul, and

- expanding dialysis capability in Gimli and Russell, and Berens River and Peguis First Nations.

· Proceeding on suing tobacco companies in the upcoming year in co-operation with other provinces.

· Establishing a new tax credit for women receiving fertility treatment.



Families and Communities

· Phasing in an adult fitness tax credit.

· Establishing a consumer protection action plan.

· Introducing legislation to establish Upper Fort Garry as historic site.

· Offering more cottage lots.

· Introducing legislation to assist cottage owners facing assessment increases.

· Providing capital improvements to mark 50th anniversary of provincial parks system.

· Establishing a new strategy to help older Manitobans re-enter the workforce.



Justice

· Committing to assist the Winnipeg Police Service to acquire a helicopter.

· Hiring gang prosecutors.

· Introducing new legislative tools to stop gangs such as giving the province a stronger role in denying or revoking licences of businesses that are a front for gangs, creating a list of known gangs to simplify court proceedings and preventing the introduction of gang armoured vehicles in Manitoba.

· Increasing maximum fines for workplace, safety and health violations.

· Providing tools to help parents prevent teens from getting involved in gangs.

· Improving maintenance enforcement.

· Increasing protection for victims of domestic violence.

· Expanding Tracia’s Trust to stop sexual exploitation of children.

· Continuing leadership on the tragedy of murdered and missing Aboriginal women.



Environment

· Establishing new protected areas.

· Restoring Netley and Delta marshes.

· Introducing legislation to establish Pimachiowin Aki World Heritage Site Trust Fund.

· Modernizing the Sustainable Development Act.

· Instituting methane capture at Manitoba’s large landfills.

· Enhancing building codes to improve water and energy efficiency.

· Adding recycling of electronics and hazardous waste to program for recycling of paper and packaging.



Rural and Northern Manitoba

· Extending the successful organics incentive program and supporting farmers’ markets.

· Investing in a buy local program to support quality Manitoba food.

· Streamlining services to municipalities.

· Providing support for municipalities on water and waste-water projects.

· Committing further to an East Side permanent road.

· Investing $42 million to rehabilitate 18 orphaned mines.

Canadian Human Rights Museum Needs your Stories

Greetings,
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights will be holding public roundtable sessions and they would like to invite you to participate. The purpose of these sessions is to gather Canadian human rights stories, perspectives and ideas that can be used to develop the content of the Museum.

The public roundtables which will be held on the evening of December 1, from 7pm-9pm at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and December 2, from 7pm-9pm at Burroughs Hall in Scarborough. You may have already received an invitation to this event- and we encourage you to extend the invitation to others in your networks.
There are subsequent meetings across Canada.
Upcoming meetings are on December 3rd- Thunder Bay, December 7th- Vancouver; January 11- Quebec City; January 13- Chicoutimi; January 14-Montreal; January 26- Winnipeg; February 2, Moncton and February 4-Charlottetown.
If you or any other members you think should attend these events, please ask them to contact the Museum at rsvp@humanrightsmuseum.ca, or 1-877-295-6639 and they'll make sure to get in touch with them.

Spread the Word

Invite your friends, family members, colleagues and members of your community to this public roundtable session. This is an opportunity to contribute to the development of Canada's fifth national museum, due to open in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 2012.

To attend, please RSVP to rsvp@humanrightsmuseum.ca, call 1-877-295-6639, or register online at www.humanrightsmuseum.ca/share-your-story.

Visit www.humanrightsmuseum.ca for more information.

In solidarity

Vinay Sharma
The Army Cadet League of Canada (Manitoba)


NEWS RELEASE

LOCAL ARMY CADET HITS DOUBLE GOLD

November 30, 2009


WINNIPEG, Manitoba: A Winnipeg Army Cadet from St. Norbert has earned two of the top honours bestowed by the Army Cadet movement in Canada.
Cadet Chief Warrant Officer Dallas Buhr of the 2701 Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Cadet Corps has been awarded the President’s Trophy, presented annually to the top cadet in Manitoba. Cadet Dallas Buhr, age 18 is a first year student at the University of Winnipeg and has been an Army Cadet for 5 years.

To be considered for the President’s Trophy a cadet must have achieved Master Cadet status, hold the rank of at least Master Warrant Officer, achieved success in academic standing and completed volunteer service in his/her community, among many other criteria.

If that was not big enough news she also received official notification that she is one of only 16 Army Cadets from across Canada that will participate in a two-week long expedition in the backcountry of New Zealand along with cadets from other nations.

Dallas will spend Christmas day with her family but will fly to New Zealand on Boxing Day. This year’s International Expedition will take place in New Zealand from December 27, 2009 to January 10, 2010.

The Expedition will take participating Cadets and civilian instructors from Auckland (the country’s largest city) to the Southern tip of the North Island to the capital city of Wellington and on to various areas around the country. The Expedition will include Tramping, known elsewhere as hiking or bushwalking, off-road cycling, and rock climbing, as well as the chance to observe the exotic local wildlife. Cadets will also have the opportunity to interact with the New Zealand cadet Forces and experience the rich and vibrant Maori culture from New Zealand’s indigenous population.
Each year exceptional Army Cadets from across the country are selected to take the International Expedition. This adventure-based activity has previously been held in several locations such as the French and Spanish Pyrenees, Italy, Costa Rica, South Korea, New Hampshire and Morocco.

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For further information, or to arrange an interview with Cadet Buhr, please contact:Brian Koshul, Director, Army Cadet League of Canada (Manitoba)Telephone: 770-3574

Saturday, November 28, 2009

parentsunderground123

parentsunderground123
gig-ga
(Jing Lou)

Lou Jing Shines for China but the Chineses with low intelligence created a hugh rukus. Never mind those bullies Lou they are just jealous! You belong to China as any Chinese American belongs to America or Canada of wherever.

SHANGHAI -- As a mixed-race girl growing up in this most cosmopolitan of mainland Chinese cities, 20-year-old Lou Jing said she never experienced much discrimination -- curiosity and questions, but never hostility.

So nothing prepared Lou, whose father is a black American, for the furor that erupted in late August 2009 when she beat out thousands of other young women on "Go! Oriental Angel," a televised talent show. Angry Internet posters called her a "black chimpanzee" and worse. One called for all blacks in China to be deported.

As the country gets ready to welcome the first African American U.S. president, whose first official visit here starts Sunday, the Chinese are confronting their attitudes toward race, including some deeply held prejudices about black people. Many appeared stunned that Americans had elected a black man, and President Obama's visit has underscored Chinese ambivalence about the growing numbers of blacks living here.

"It's sad," Lou said, her eyes welling up as she recalled her experience. "If I had a face that was half-Chinese and half-white, I wouldn't have gotten that criticism. . . . Before the contest, I didn't realize these kinds of attitudes existed."

As China has expanded its economic ties with Africa -- trade between them reached $107 billion last year -- the number of Africans living here has exploded. Tens of thousands have flocked to the south, where they are putting down roots, establishing communities, marrying Chinese women and having children. Not one child according to Chinese law.



“As it was in the beginning, so shall it be in the ending” The new Shang Dynasty. The EXODUS was FROM Africa--NOT TO AFRICA



The first major Dynasty of China was the Black Shang Dynasty. There are over 100 thousand of these original black chinese remaining. UNESCO is begging china to protect there heritage. Chairman Mao slaughtered millions between 1940 - 1960.

The skeletal remains from Southern China are predominately Negroid. The people of that era practiced single burials which is an African ritual. In northern China Blacks founded many civilizations. The three major empires of China were the Xia Dynasty (c.2205-1766 BC), Shang Yin Dynasty (c.1700-1050 BC) and the Zhou Dynasty. The Zhou dynasty was the first dynasty founded by the Mongoloid people in China called Hua (Who-aa). The founders of Xia and Shang came from the Fertile African Crescent by way of Iran . Chinese civilization began along the Yellow River . By 3500 BC. Blacks in China were raising silkworms and making silk. The culture hero Huang Di is a direct link of Africa . His name was pronounced in old Chinese Yuhai Huandi or "Hu Nak Kunte." He arrived in China from the west in 2282 BC and settled along the banks of the Loh River in Shanxi . This transliteration of Huandgi, to Hu Nak Kunte is interesting because Kunte is a common clan name among the Manding speakers. The Africans or Blacks that founded civilization in China were often called Li Min "black headed people" by the Zhou dynasts. This term has affinity to the Sumero-Akkadian term Sag-

Gig-Ga "black headed people.”

China was occupied predominately by Blacks from West Asia to China . Blacks were forced from East and Southeast Asia by the expansion of the Thai, Annamite, Bak and Hua Mongoloids. Blacks ruled China until around 1000-700 BC. Blacks of China were known in historical literature by many names, including Negro, Austroloid, Oceanean, etc. by the Europeans. The East Indians and Mongoloid groups had other names like Dara, Yneh-chih, Yaksha, Suka, K'un-lun, Lushana and Seythians.



Wednesday, November 25, 2009

etalk : Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009 : Maiko’s move - AOL Video

etalk : Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009 : Maiko’s move - AOL Video
etalk : Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009 : Maiko’s move - AOL Video
CD Sales for Christmas

Jazz singer, pianist, composer June ‘Pepper’ Harris hooked up with saxophonist bluesman Deano Deane and his Fat Chance Blues Band as a part of the talented Manitoban musicians who performed for the ‘Hurricane Katrina’ fundraiser held at the Lyric Theatre this past fall.

Deano and June share a common heritage. “My father Simon Harris was from Rustin Louisiana and all of Deano’s family lived in Baton Rouge.” The two decided that it was the only way they could pay homage to the survivors and victims of the tragic event. “Blues and gospel are bases from which jazz was originated. So we played one of my latest compositions, “The Day The Rains Come Down.”

“June ‘Pepper’ Harris, All Original” CD features Walle Larsson, alto sax and flute; Chris Birti, Bass and drummer Chris Gillies. The 13-song compilation CD has four original smooth jazz tunes plus, a bonus track on which Harris plays solo piano called “You Better Run, Run,

Run” (an American Civil War code song). The compilation disk is available in Winnipeg at ThePianoShop, 170 Moncton Avenue, Chapter’s and McNally’s Bookstore (Grant Park Location) and online at www.musicalinstrumentsdirect.com . Sam The Record Man’.June Pepper Harris

www.musicalinstrumentsdirect.com
SUNRISE CEREMONY, MWAC

The Manitoba Women’s Advisory Council (Status of Women) invites you to a sunrise memorial to mark twenty years since 14 young women were killed in Montreal on December 6, 1989 and to commemorate Canada’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
Monday, December 7, 2009
8:00 a.m.
Manitoba Legislative Building
refreshments to follow
This year, we are collecting new, unwrapped toys for children. Contributions are welcome.

Please RSVP by Friday, December 4 to 945-6281.
November 24, 2009

PROVINCE SEEKS COMMUNITY FEEDBACK TO STRENGTHEN ALL ABOARD POVERTY-REDUCTION STRATEGY
– – –
Process Building on Earlier Initiatives That Have Cut Child Poverty Rate in Half Since 2000: Mackintosh, Irvin-Ross

The Manitoba government has launched a series of public consultations on its new strategy to reduce poverty called ALL Aboard, Family Services and Consumer Affairs Minister Gord Mackintosh and Housing and Community Development Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross announced today.

Based on consultations already piloted with Manitobans living in poverty and with community organizations, the province is seeking advice on priorities for action as well as advice on the best key indicators to track annual progress. It is expected that more than 50 organizations and hundreds of individuals will be engaged through a series of meetings and roundtables. The general public is also invited to provide comment by visiting the ALL Aboard website at www.gov.mb.ca/fs/allaboard.

The latest figures from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, which can be found on their website, indicate that considering purchasing power and government income supports, Manitoba has the third-lowest child poverty rate in Canada at 10.1 per cent. Additional background information can be found at www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/cs/comm/news/2003/030527.shtml.

The ALL Aboard poverty reduction strategy was launched on May 21, based on an annual investment of more than $744 million including $212 million of new investments. Initiatives fall under four pillars:
· safe, affordable housing and supportive communities;
· education, jobs and income support;
· strong, healthy communities; and
· accessible, co-ordinated services.

To measure progress, a set of key indicators from the four pillars was proposed including the
market-basket measure of income, which considers purchasing power, direct government
anti-poverty income supports, as well as 14 other indicators.

“National figures show that from 2006 to 2007 Manitoba has reduced poverty more than any other province outside Newfoundland. That gives us confidence that provincial measures can make a difference,” said Irvin-Ross. “We also know that co-ordinating services enhances the impact of annual increases to the minimum wage and initiatives such as HomeWorks!, which includes our new homelessness and mental-health housing strategy.”

The ALL Aboard booklet is available in print or online at the above website. Consultations are now being scheduled beginning with the United Way’s Poverty Reduction Council in early December and will be concluded by March 2010.

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ATTACHED
Upcoming Events
St. James Assiniboia neighbourhood Network and Parent Association
Invites you to Lunch and Refreshments
at Westwood Community Church
401 Westwood Drive
Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm
RSVP swalters@wrha.mb.ca by December 8, 2006

******
POLYTENIQUE - The Film - December 6th
Eckhardt Grammate Hall, University of Manitoba

Twenty years ago, 14 women were murdered in Montreal
because they were women.
Polytechnique is a film dramatization of
that tragic event.
University of Winnipeg
Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall
3 pm,Sunday, December 6th
DON't MISS THIS ONE

Monday, November 23, 2009

Entertainment News: Celebrity gossip blogs, photos, videos & stories - USATODAY.com

Entertainment News: Celebrity gossip blogs, photos, videos & stories - USATODAY.com
November 23, 2009

GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA, MANITOBA AND WINNIPEG MARK NATIONAL HOUSING DAY WITH FUNDING FOR 10 MORE AFFORDABLE HOMES FOR WINNIPEG'S INNER CITY


Winnipeg MB, November 23, 2009 – The Government of Canada, the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg are making a joint investment to create new affordable homes for Aboriginal families in Winnipeg.

The Honourable Kerri Irvin-Ross, Minister of Housing and Community Development, and Councillor Mike Pagtakhan on behalf of mayor Sam Katz, marked National Housing Day with a celebration of this partnership that will develop 10 new homes for low-to-moderate income Aboriginal families in Winnipeg.

Today’s announcement includes more than $1.4 million in funding through Manitoba Housing’s HOMEWorks! Een Dah Aung Aboriginal Housing Program, which is jointly funded by the Government of Canada and Province of Manitoba. The City of Winnipeg is also contributing nine lots in the Dufferin, West Alexander, St. John’s and William Whyte neighbourhoods.

“Building new affordable housing makes a great impact because it does more than just provide housing,” said Irvin-Ross. “Initiatives like this breathe new life into the neighbourhood by helping to strengthen communities while providing a foundation for families.”

Kinew Housing Inc. will oversee the construction of the 10 infill homes, and will also manage them as rental units for urban Aboriginal families. Kinew Housing Inc. is a non-profit Urban Aboriginal housing group that already owns and manages about 400 units of housing in Winnipeg.

Representing Mayor Sam Katz, Councillor Mike Pagtakhan said, “The City of Winnipeg is proud to be a partner in the development of these 10 new homes. Shelter is a fundamental need for everyone in the community – meeting that need will open up new opportunities and new hope for the families who live in these homes.”

All 10 units have been designed to incorporate a wheelchair accessible, visitable main floor and all homes will have R-2000 certification for energy efficiency which will reduce operating costs. These homes will be targeted at low-to-moderate income Aboriginal families, with rent geared to income and be supported with additional funding through Manitoba Housing. It is estimated they will be completed in spring 2010.

“Access to affordable housing is a struggle for many people, and Kinew is proud to be able to help 10 more families find a home in the inner city,” said Lawrence Poirier, General Manager of Kinew Housing Inc. “A lot of people have put a lot of work into this effort, and we look forward to seeing Aboriginal families move into these homes.”

This investment is being delivered through the Winnipeg Housing and Homelessness Initiative (WHHI), a partnership between the Government of Canada, the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg. The partners work together to deliver funding provided through each level of government for affordable housing, to address homelessness, and to assist in the revitalization of Winnipeg's older neighbourhoods.

Through Manitoba’s Long-Term Housing Strategy, HOMEWorks!, the Province of Manitoba and Government of Canada are contributing $327 Million over two years for housing initiatives in Winnipeg and across the Province. Manitoba is contributing $227 Million and the federal contribution is close to $100 Million. This funding will result in the development of new affordable housing, and significant investment in the renovation of public and private sector housing for low to moderate income households.

To find out more about HOMEWorks! and Manitoba Housing projects visit www.gov.mb.ca/housing.
Government addresses Homelessness in Manitoba
November 23, 2009

MANITOBA BUILDS ON COMMITMENT TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS WITH STREET OUTREACH


Manitoba will increase supports and services that will help move hundreds of people struggling with homelessness into transitional or long-term housing, Housing and Community Development Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross announced today.

“We want to make every effort to reach out to the people who are on the street or in emergency shelters,” said Irvin-Ross. “By partnering with community resources, we can have a real impact in the daily lives of Manitobans struggling with homelessness by assisting them to connect with culturally appropriate support services and housing.”

Manitoba has committed $357,000 to fund seven outreach mentors, who will work collaboratively on behalf of homeless individuals, helping them to connect to supports that are available in Winnipeg, Thompson, The Pas and Brandon. The mentors will work closely with the Canadian Mental Health Commission of Canada project on homelessness that is also supported by Manitoba.

“Resource Assistance for Youth (RaY) is honoured to partner with the Province of Manitoba and the other agencies in a project that recognizes the street outreach and housing expertise of these organizations,” said Kelly Holmes, executive director RaY. “This new program will provide capacity to help individuals experiencing homelessness access the necessary services and resources needed to make a difference in their lives.”

As a team, the outreach mentors will work with vulnerable individuals in their community and help guide them through day to day activities in a holistic manner.

“The foundation of healthy living is good housing. Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Westman is proud to be part of this new strategy that will connect homeless people and those with mental health challenges to stable, secure housing and support services,” said Glen Kruck, regional manager of CMHA Westman. “We believe this strategy can improve lives while at the same time reduce demand on other services such as emergency rooms and crisis services.”

The team of outreach mentors will work out of the Main Street Project, Salvation Army, RaY and Spence Neighbourhood Association in Winnipeg, and CMHA Westman in Brandon, CMHA Thompson, and The Pas Friendship Centre. Each of the agencies brings significant experience and demonstrated community partnerships in dealing with individuals experiencing homelessness, the minister said.

This project was developed under All Aboard, Manitoba’s poverty-reduction strategy.

Friday, November 20, 2009

SweatFree Communities: 2010 Shop with a Conscience Consumer Guide
Shop with a Conscience Consumer Guide

Check out this year's Sweatshop Hall of Shame


We have worked hard to pull together the good, bad and the ugly of the apparel industry. The Shop with a Conscience Consumer Guide sponsored by the International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF) and SweatFree Communities (SFC) highlights companies that are transparent, pay a decent wage, and promote workers’ right to organize. The Sweatshop Hall of Shame, sponsored by ILRF, is a list of “bad and ugly” companies that are flouting international core labor standards and basic worker rights.

The Shop with a Conscience Consumer Guide features clothing produced in shops where workers are organized into democratic unions or worker-owned cooperatives and have an effective, collective voice in deciding their wages and working conditions. The companies highlighted produce clothing in adherence to international core labor standards, pay decent wages, maintain healthy and safe working conditions, and treat workers with respect and dignity.

The 2010 Guide features the following brands: Autonomie Project, DeMoulin Apparel, Donnelly/Colt, Fair Trade Sports, Justice Clothing, Just Shirts, Kenneth Gordon, Leather Coats, Maggie’s Organics, Metro Sportswear, Nicaraguan Garment Workers Fund, No Sweat Apparel, Rage Baby, SterlingWear, Traditions Fair Trade, and The Working World. There is also a wholesale guide for ordering t-shirts or other items for your book club, sports team, place of worship, or school.

Sweatshop Hall of Shame inductees are known for paying workers poverty wages to toil for excessively long hours under hazardous working conditions. This year's official inductees are: Abercrombie, Gymboree, Hanes, Ikea, Kohl’s, LL Bean, Pier 1, Propper International, and Walmart. Most of this year’s Hall of Shame inductees use suppliers that practice illegal tactics to suppress workers’ rights to organize. And, some even use cotton riddled with child and forced labor.

For those of you not into shopping, check out a list of other ways you can make sure the clothing you are wearing doesn't come at the cost of worker exploitation.

Happy holidays,

International Labor Rights Forum

google sweat shop hall of fame for more information

SweatFree Communities: 2010 Shop with a Conscience Consumer Guide
Academic and Professional Bridging Program for Internationally Educated Teachers

Announces a fourth cohort to begin September 2010

Applications available December 1, 2009

Contacts: Dr. Lee Anne Block, program coordinator, 474-9368 or blockla@cc.umanitoba.ca.

Ms. Mandy Mou, program assistant, 474-6411 or moum@cc.umanitoba.ca

What the program provides for internationally educated teachers (IETs): a way to attain Professional Certification in Manitoba and qualify to practise their profession in Manitoba schools.


The Bridging Program is a 10 month academic and professional bridging initiative designed for internationally educated teachers who require additional university coursework for Manitoba teaching certification as determined by the Manitoba Professional Certification Unit.

Orienting teachers to the cultural, social, and political contexts of Manitoba schools, the program includes courses on educational foundations, the Manitoba curriculum, language development for non-native, English-speaking teachers, and 12 weeks of supervised practicum in collaboration with mentor teachers.



How the program accomplishes this:

· Program curriculum is designed so that IETs can make a successful transition into the Manitoba school system

· All courses and seminars take place in the Faculty of Education, University of Manitoba

· Core program of 30 credit hours includes the practicum

· Twelve weeks of practicum (2 blocks of 6 weeks) in Winnipeg schools

· Language development seminars integrated with course curriculum

· Participants work as a cohort and support each others’ learning

· Professional Development workshops where IETs have an opportunity to integrate and network with B Ed students, faculty, mentor teachers and school division administrators.

· Possibility of a “cost of living allowance” from Professional Immigrant Pilot Program (Employment Canada), Employment Insurance, and Income Assistance



Who is eligible for the program?

· Internationally educated teachers with a teaching degree from an accredited university in their home country and a minimum 2.0 grade point average

· IETs who have a written evaluation of their credentials from the Manitoba Professional Certification Branch

· IETs who have achieved a 3.0 on their Can-TEST

· IETs who are permanent Manitoba residents

· Must be available to be full time students
YouTube - Miracle At St. Anna: A Look Inside

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

How Much Did the American Indian Population Grow? - DiversityInc.com
NEWS ADVISORY

For immediate release

Toronto, November 12, 2009: The Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) is accepting nominations for its Award of Excellence (AoE) from public, private and non-governmental organizations, agencies and individuals who have demonstrated excellence and innovation in combating racism and discrimination. This AoE has six categories: Aboriginal, Education, Community, Corporate, Government/ Public Sector and Youth. Submissions for all categories are to be received no later than December 15, 2009.
The Award of Excellence program was created to recognize best practices in antiracism by institutions and individuals and is presented every two years. Adjudicated by an independent group of well-respected antiracism and human rights activists, the 2009 presentation will be made at the CRRF conference “Is there a New Paradigm for Understanding, Unlearning & Addressing Bias in Society” in Montreal, Quebec, May 17-19, 2010. Past winners include Carrefour BLE (Quebec), Darren Lund (University of Calgary), AMSSA ( Vancouver), Canadian Pacific, and Media Awareness Network.



"The Award of Excellence symbolizes national recognition of commitment and success in combating racism,” said Dr. Ayman Al-Yassini, the CRRF’s Executive Director. “Over the years, Canadian institutions—federal and provincial, government, NGO, private sector, and individuals—have communicated the message that racism is not acceptable in our society. The AoE provides the opportunity to share the best practices of those who demonstrated leadership in eliminating racism and racial discrimination.”
Details on submissions and nominations, including application forms, are available at www.crrf-fcrr.ca.
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The Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) was founded as part of the Japanese Canadian Redress Agreement to shed light on the causes and manifestations of racism, to play a leading role in the elimination of racism and racial discrimination, and to bring about a more harmonious Canada. The CRRF has registered charitable status and has Special NGO Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the UN.





For more information, please contact:



English: Aren Sarikyan, Project Associate 416-952-8360

French : Dominique Etienne, Media Relations 416-952-8171











INVITATION À SOUMETTRE DES CANDIDATURES

AU PRIX D’EXCELLENCE 2010

DE LA Fondation canadienne des relations raciales (FCRR)



AVIS AUX MÉDIAS

Pour diffusion immédiate



Toronto, le 12 novembre 2009 : La Fondation canadienne des relations raciales (FCRR) invite les organismes publics, privés et non gouvernementaux, et les particuliers ayant fait preuve d’innovation et d’excellence dans la lutte contre le racisme et la discrimination raciale à lui soumettre leur candidature à son Prix d’excellence. Ce Prix est décerné dans les six catégories suivantes : engagement autochtone, éducation, engagement communautaire, secteur privé, secteur gouvernemental ou public, et jeunesse. La date limite de dépôt des candidatures est le 15 décembre 2009.

Le Prix d’excellence de la FCRR, décerné tous les deux ans, a été créé pour reconnaître la mise en Å“uvre, par des organismes et des particuliers, de pratiques modèles en matière de lutte contre le racisme au Canada. Comme par le passé, les lauréats de 2009 seront sélectionnés par un groupe indépendant de défenseurs reconnus des droits de la personne et militants de la lutte contre le racisme. Leur nom sera annoncé au Colloque de la FCRR, organisé à Montréal (Québec) du 17 au 19 mai 2010 sur le thème « Existe-t-il dans notre société un nouveau paradigme pour comprendre et désapprendre les préjugés et y faire face? » Au nombre des anciens lauréats du Prix d’excellence, mentionnons Carrefour BLE (Québec), Darren Lund (université de Calgary), AMSSA (Vancouver), Canadien Pacifique, et le Réseau Éducation-Médias.

« Ce Prix d’excellence symbolise la reconnaissance nationale de l’engagement et du succès à combattre le racisme », souligne M. Ayman Al- Yassini, directeur général de la FCRR. « Au fil des ans, des institutions canadiennes – qu’elles soient fédérales ou provinciales, gouvernementales ou ONG, entreprises du secteur privé – et des particuliers, diffusent le message que le racisme n’est pas acceptable dans notre société. Le Prix d’excellence fournit l’occasion de faire connaître les pratiques modèles de ceux et celles qui font preuve de leadership dans l’élimination du racisme et de la discrimination raciale ».



Pour en savoir plus sur le processus de sélection des lauréats ou vous procurer un formulaire de mise en candidature, rendez-vous sur le site www.crrf-fcrr.ca

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La Fondation canadienne des relations raciales (FCRR) a été créée dans la cadre de l’Entente de redressement à l’égard des Canadiens japonais afin de mettre en lumière les causes et les manifestations du racisme, d’agir à titre de chef de file dans l’élimination du racisme et de toute forme de discrimination raciale, et de promouvoir des relations harmonieuses. Organisme de bienfaisance enregistré, la Fondation est dotée du statut consultatif spécial auprès du Conseil économique et social des Nations Unies à titre d'organisation non gouvernementale (ONG).





Pour plus d’information, veuillez communiquer avec :

Français : Dominique Etienne, Relations avec les médias 416-952-8171

Anglais : Aren Sarikyan, Assistant de projet 416-952-8360
YouTube - What is the Colour of Her Dress?

Monday, November 16, 2009

November 13, 2009

INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK PROMOTES BENEFITS OF WORLDWIDE CO-OPERATION– – –
International Students Bring $74 Million to Manitoba Economy, Promote Harmony Among Diverse Cultures: Province, Council


International students contribute over $74 million to the Manitoba economy while fostering cross-cultural friendship and economic opportunities between the province and the world, Advanced Education and Literacy Minister Diane McGifford, minister responsible for international education; Labour and Immigration Minister Jennifer Howard; and Manitoba Council for International Education president Garry Dyck announced today.

To help Manitobans appreciate these benefits, the provincial government and the Manitoba Council for International Education (MCIE) are proud to support International Education Week from Nov. 16 to 20, the three said. International Education Week is celebrated in over 85 countries.

“International education enhances cultural understanding, broadens the scope of learning for all students and helps develop trade opportunities and partnerships that add to Manitoba’s multiculturalism,” McGifford said. “International students contribute to our economic well‑being and community development.”

“Manitoba’s diverse history combined with the tripling of new immigrants over the past decade mean we already have a multicultural environment that international students find welcoming,” said Howard. “Some students choose to make this province their permanent home, while others return to their countries of origin across the globe as goodwill ambassadors for Manitoba.”

“The number of international students in Canada has more than doubled since 1998 – but as their numbers grow, so does competition to attract them to different jurisdictions,” Dyck said. “MCIE was created in 2000 to encourage more students to choose Manitoba as their international education destination, and we hope to see the international student population continue to grow over the coming years.”

MCIE is a not-for-profit organization comprising 27 member institutions, ranging from elementary to post-secondary level, public and private, in both rural and urban areas.

Members share resources and information, collaborate on joint marketing initiatives and advocate for international education. MCIE’s members work with the Manitoba and federal governments to streamline the issue of study permits and monitor market trends; they also help international students gain valuable work experience during their study term, which in turn helps local employers meet labour market needs.

The number of international students in Manitoba has grown to 4,815 in 2006 from 2,380 in 2000, a 102 per cent increase, the largest percentage increase of all Canadian provinces during this time period.

More information can be found at www.education-excellence.ca.

For more information about MCIE, visit www.mcie.ca.
November 11, 2009
Editorial
The Trouble With ‘Zero Tolerance’

Congress took a reasonable step in 1994 when it required states receiving federal education money to expel students who brought guns onto school property, but states and localities overreacted, as they so often do. They enacted “zero tolerance” policies under which children are sometimes arrested for profanity, talking back, shoving matches and other behavior that would once have been resolved with detention or meetings with the students’ parents.

This arrest-first policy has been disastrous for young people, who are significantly more likely to drop out and experience long-term problems once they become entangled in the juvenile justice system. It has led to egregious racial profiling, with black and Hispanic students being shipped off to court at a higher rate than white students. And it has been a waste of time for the police to haul off children to the courts when they should be protecting the public from real criminals.

School officials who want to back away from the failed zero tolerance policy are looking to a farsighted model developed in Clayton County, Ga., a fast-growing enclave south of Atlanta. Its juvenile courts were nearly overwhelmed by students referred from their schools — mainly for minor offenses like fistfights and disruptive conduct.

Juvenile court officials met with the schools and explained the dangers of criminalizing what are essentially normal childhood behaviors. They also helped to retrain school counselors and cooperated with the schools to create a three-strikes system for dealing with minor offenses.

Under this system, the student receives a warning after the first offense. After the second offense, students and parents are required to attend a mediation session or a school conflict workshop. The third offense leads to a court complaint.

The number of children referred to juvenile court dropped by about half after the new system went into effect. With fewer low-risk students being referred to the courts, probation officers were able to focus more closely on high-risk young people, driving down felony numbers as well. Graduation rates have risen steadily since 2004, the year the new protocol was introduced.

According to the juvenile court official who helps to oversee the program, police officers have a better and more effective relationship with the students, now that they have stopped dragging them off to court for every little spat.

Impressed by these results, the court and school officials in Birmingham, Ala., recently adopted a similar protocol. Clearly, more school systems need to follow suit.

(NYT article)

Could this have implications for students in our schools in Manitoba? especially visible minority, immigrant and refugee students?

Thursday, November 12, 2009


Michaelle Jean stood beside the King in Waiting on Remembrance Day

Michaëlle Jean stood at the National War Memorial Wednesday in full army uniform, the first time in her four years as Governor-General that she'd worn military garb to Remembrance Day ceremonies.

It was a senior Canadian Forces official working on leave at Rideau Hall who convinced her earlier this year that donning an army uniform would be a fitting way to show respect for the men and women under her formal command, the Governor-General's office said. And now she in intends to wear one to all major military events.

Ms. Jean's sudden embrace of the Forces uniform is in keeping with other developments this week that further cement the military at the heart of Canada's identity – from new Sacrifice Medals for killed or wounded soldiers to new citizenship questions announced by the Conservative government.

“For the Governor-General, wearing the uniform is a way of paying tribute to the Canadian Forces,” said Marthe Blouin, a spokesperson for Ms. Jean.

She has every right to do so as commander-in-chief of the Canadian Forces. The uniform was created for former governor-general Edward Schreyer, and on the shoulder substitutes the governor-general's office insignia for a formal military rank. The tradition had been abandoned by Ms. Jean's two predecessors, Romeo LeBlanc and Adrienne Clarkson.

Commander Hubert Genest, a spokesman for the Forces, said he was not aware of any request made to Ms. Jean regarding uniforms. However, he said he was pleased to see her in uniform for Remembrance Day.

“I think it's great,” he said.
JAZZ at the Park Theatre
Hello friends!
Winnipeg might not be Harlem in the 1920s, but dig! magazine is rolling back the rugs and inviting the whole Winnipeg neighborhood to join us for our first annual Rent Party on Sunday, December 6 at the Park Theatre, 698 Osborne.
The party kicks off at 7:30 pm with the high octane sounds of the U of M Jazz Studies faculty—Steve and Anna-Lisa Kirby, Larry Roy, Jimmy Greene, George Colligan, and friends. The second set will feature the Retro Rhythm Review, a band of younger musicians who bring some sass to tunes from the last three decades or so. Tickets are $20, available through Jazz Winnipeg and McNally Robinson, or at the door.
We’re assembling some great prize packages with recordings, concerts, books, gift certificates, and various treasures. We’re also firming up a few high-end auction items as well—you might take home a piece of art, or a private concert over the holiday season.


If you have something you wish to donate as an auction item, please contact Anna-Lisa at kirby@cc.umanitoba.ca at any time!

From the beginning, it’s been our vision to make dig! magazine available—for free—throughout the city, sharing the news about jazz in the Jazz Capital of Canada. We depend on the support of Jazz Winnipeg and revenues from advertisers, but it’s the community itself that makes dig! possible. We are absolutely indebted to our sponsors, donors, and voluntary subscribers—you help us pay the bills!
Many of you have approached us about supporting our community-building work in the Jazz Capital of Canada. If you’re in a position to give us a hand, consider joining one of these categories:
· groovin’ ($50+)

· steppin’ ($100+)

· swingin’ ($500+)

But of course, if you find you cannot attend, we will gratefully receive contributions of any size at any time!

In return for your support, we’ll acknowledge you in the magazine and on our website, and as part of the Jazz Winnipeg family, we’ll issue you a charitable tax receipt. You’ll receive a ticket to the Rent Party and a 2010 subscription. Visit www.digmagazine.ca or www.jazzwinnipeg.com, or talk with us in the Park Theatre lobby on December 6.


A rent party pays the proverbial landlord, but more than anything, it’s an excuse to be in the company of friends—and to let music renew our spirits and our community. See you there!
Steve Kirby, editor
Charlene Diehl, associate editor



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