United Relief Effort......

Canadian Gov't to match donations dollar for dollar

Government of Canada to Match Generosity of Canadians in Response to the Devastating Earthquake in Haiti

2010-01-14

Ottawa―The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, today announced that Canada will match individual donations to registered Canadian charitable organizations to support humanitarian and early recovery assistance to people affected by the earthquake in Haiti on January 12^th.

"Many Canadians are deeply concerned about the suffering and loss of life as a result of this catastrophe in Haiti," said Minister Oda. "Canadian citizens have shown time and again their generosity with countries in urgent need, and our government is prepared to match their contributions dollar for dollar."

The Government of Canada will match the contributions of individual Canadians to eligible Canadian charitable organizations in support of humanitarian and recovery efforts in response to the earthquake in Haiti, up to a total of $50 million. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) will allocate these funds to Canadian and international humanitarian and development organizations.

Donations made by individual Canadians to eligible Canadian charitable organizations over the period of January 12 to February 12, 2010 will be matched by the Government of Canada through the CIDA-managed Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund. The Fund will support Canadian and international humanitarian and development organizations with significant in-country capacity to deliver humanitarian, early recovery and reconstruction assistance in Haiti.

Check this link for FAQs and further info regarding the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund: http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/acdi-cida/ACDI-CIDA.nsf/eng/ANN-114115719-MVV

Haiti.......How to help

For those readers interested in helping the victims of Haiti's earthquake here is some info from Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (http://international.gc.ca)

The best way to help: Donate money - not clothing or food - to experienced humanitarian organizations

Why should you donate cash instead of goods?

Because cash donations are quick, efficient and adaptable

• Cash donations are the fastest, most efficient way to get help to people living in a disaster zone. They allow relief agencies to purchase quickly supplies based on the specific needs of the affected population.
• Cash donations allow relief agencies to purchase goods and services in the affected country or neighbouring areas. Your financial contribution, in other words, is helping to 1) get aid to affected populations as quickly as possible, and 2) regenerate the local economy, which may have been seriously affected by the disaster.
• In most cases, it is more cost-effective to purchase goods locally than to airlift supplies from far away, as fuel and aircraft costs can be very high. In addition, local goods can be purchased in much less time than it takes to organize the logistics of an airlift from a distant country.
• Culturally familiar goods can respond to humanitarian needs, as well as provide a small sense of comfort or normalcy to traumatized and displaced populations, which foreign, unfamiliar goods may not.

The following is a list of reputable aid organizations currently seeking cash donations for relief efforts in earthquake-ravaged Haiti. Donations can be made at the web pages or by calling the
appropriate phone numbers.

Canadian Red Cross (www.redcross.ca)
Toll Free @ 1-800-418-1111

Humanitarian Coalition (CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Quebec,Save the Children Canada) (www.thehumanitariancoalition.ca)

Plan Canada (www.plancanada.ca)

Salvation Army (www.salvationarmy.ca)
1-800-725-2769
Rogers Wireless and Bell Mobility customers can make $5 donations by texting "Haiti" to 45678.
Donations can be mailed to Army Territorial Headquarters, Canada and Bermuda, 2 Overlea Blvd., Toronto, Ontario M4H 1P4.
Donations can also be dropped off at local Salvation Army units. Specify "Haiti Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund"

Unicef Canada (unicef.ca)

World Vision Canada (worldvision.ca)

Corinne Bailey Rae

Maxwell......Sade........and now Corinne is back!!! I love good music......her new album "The Sea" is to be released January 26, 2010.

http://www.corinnebaileyrae.net/

Tribe Toronto in 2010

Well, well, well readers......It appears that Tribe (that infamous Trinidad Carnival Band) is set to make an appearance here in the Tdot!!!

Check the media release:

Toronto, ON – Monday January 11, 2009 - Every summer thousands gather to celebrate Toronto’s Caribbean Carnival (CARIBANA) festivities. To no surprise 2010 is shaping up to offer the most illustrious surprise yet. As if the multitude of upcoming festival events was not enough to stir excitement, a long awaited band will be making its first ever appearance down the Lakeshore. The Trinidad Mas band known as TRIBE has announced its grand entrance into the festivities for CARIBANA 2010.

Bringing their inimitable Carnival experience from the streets of Trinidad, TRIBE challenges Toronto to envision a Carnival which redefines the possibilities and offers the unexpected. From prestigious parties, flavorful concerts and luscious costumes, TRIBE has come to reshape the very essence of CARIBANA. Although launch dates have yet to be released, the anticipation is in the air.

Accepted worldwide as one of the most prominent Mas bands, the ‘TRIBE experience’ remains one to be rivaled. There is no question as to why TRIBE is such a hot commodity during the Trinidad Carnival season, selling out each year and leaving many hopefuls on extended wait-lists. The TRIBE family prides itself on offering nothing less than a "total experience". Placing the masquerader as their first priority, each costume is professionally tailored and made to custom fit the individual. Adding to the excitement, are the enticing and almost majestic themes envisioned year after year; 2008 ‘Myths and Magic’, 2009 ‘Birds of a Feather’, and arguably the most sensual thus far, 2010’s ‘The Secret of Silk’. It is difficult to truly comprehend all that is TRIBE without firsthand indulgence! Luckily, Toronto will have its chance during CARIBANA 2010.

The architects behind the Toronto launch are management team members Andre De Freitas, Aneil Persad and Michelle Persad. For more information and sponsorship opportunities regarding Toronto’s 2010 TRIBE experience, contact Aneil Persad at 647-295-5453. To join TRIBE contact Andre Defreitas 416-660-9154, Aneil Persad 647-295-5453 or fax 905 683 9034.

Recognizing that all things are made possible through the generous support of their sponsors, TRIBE graciously acknowledges Toronto-Lime.com, CCSI, Ventures Car Rentals, IAC Printing, Commercial Lift Truck Ltd., Speedy Pickering and King Precision Welding.

For more information visit http://www.carnivaltribe.com/

For Media Inquiries please contact media@toronto-lime.com

I notice that Andre Defreitas is a part of this venture....not sure what that means for All Spice Carnival though since he was a member of that team last year.

So what will the Tribe Toronto Ultimate Experience mean for Caribana 2010? Will registration in our other bands suffer as masqueraders flock to the Tribe brand? Will Tribe attract a whole new masquerader both local and foreign who has never played mas for Caribana? What kind of costumes are we going to see......Trinidad Carnival recyclables or a whole new presentation altogether? If its a new presentation will the designs be done locally or by Tribe's Trinidad designers? As a new band, Tribe Toronto may be in the dreaded "last position" on the parade road route.....will this deter potential masqueraders??? We shall see.....exciting times ahead for Caribana 2010!!!!

Tribe Toronto: http://www.tribeto.com

Sade is BACK!!!

Wow.....first the return of Maxwell and now Sade is set to release a new album on February 8, 2010......Soldier of Love......can't wait.

Snowflakes on Steel