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STAND BY ME AND KAREN GIBSON

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  The Kingdom Choir Brings Gospel Spirit and Holiday Cheer to Toronto By Stephen Weir Halloween has come and gone, and with it, all the skeletons and wispy ghosts have been packed away. What's next? A quick visit to any store reveals the answer: Christmas! Stocking stuffers and tree decorations are already on display, and holiday music is making its way into the airwaves. For many, the festive season means the return of a unique tradition—celebrating with music. And this year, one of the most beloved gospel choirs is coming back to Toronto. Too soon? Maybe so, but people are already eager to purchase tickets to see and listen to Karen Gibson, aka the godmother of British gospel, and her 15-member Kingdom Choir are coming to town. It is an early evening of of Gospel music and Christmas carols at the George Weston Recital Hall. Don’t recognize the name? Think back. Remember the Royal Wedding. Were you one of the 2 billion people who watched the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Mark

WILL THERE BE A 2025 CARIBANA PARADE? BROKE AGAIN

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Mayor Chow and councillor Michael Thompson officially open the 2024 Grand Parade  at the start line in front of a sea of empty bleachers Shared with Public Broke Again! Sign the petition Stephen Weir Well, the rumour mill that I reported on last week turns out to have been churning out the truth. Apparently, it’s official—the Toronto Caribbean Carnival is broke, with numerous bands, performers, and creditors still waiting to be paid. How much is owed? A cool $2 million—and perhaps more. And how do we know? The Festival Management Committee (FMC), the organization responsible for putting on the annual summer carnival, has just launched an online petition addressed to the three levels of government, calling for the “Immediate Emergency Funding of $2 million to cover the operational costs from the 2024 Carnival.” And, in that petition the ask for $1.5 million for the next couple of years to keep the parade going. When my article about the carnival’s financial issues appeared in print and

CAVE DIVING IN BERMIDA 23 YEARS AGO

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  A Return to Bermuda Deep Caves. Little Islands. Big Thrills By Stephen Weir Photographs by Jim Kozmik On a square mile basis there is no other country that has devoted as much of its land to golf as Bermuda. While the likes of Ross Perot and Michael Douglas spend their days slapping a white ball around Bermuda’s terrraformed greens, one wonders if these famous duffers have ever lain down on the manicured grass and listened to the other side of Bermuda.   If their timing is right, and if the tin cup is deep enough, they will hear the sound of Andrew Mello’s bubbles percolating through the ground.   When the president of the Bermuda Cave Diving Society isn’t building period furniture he is underwater mapping and studying the environment beneath the cleated feet of the well heeled!   Bermuda is a 181-island chain, 600 miles east of North Carolina. The British Colony is best known as a holiday haven for the well-to-do. It is so popular more than 95% of the 22-mile long group of islands h

CHATgpt WILL PUT HALLMARK OUT OF BUSINESS.

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 WHO NEEDS A BIRTHDAY CARD  COMPANY FOR CREATING A BIRTHDAY LIMMERICK? By Stephen Weir My sister-in-law turned 60 today. she lives in Peterborough and I live in Toronto. Much too late to buy a card and mail it off.A happy birthday on Facebook is oh so  My sister-in-law turned 60 today. she lives in Peterborough and I live in Toronto. Much too late to buy a card and mail it off.A happy birthday on Facebook is oh so passe and absolutely unoriginal. Bet she gets 100 or more Facebook Happies.  My sister-in-law turned 60 today. she lives in Peterborough and I live in Toronto. Much too late to buy a card and mail it off. A happy birthday on Facebook is oh so passé and absolutely unoriginal. Bet she gets 100 or more Facebook Happies. What to do? As is done in 2024 I turned to AI and asked CHATgpt to come up with a clean limerick. Thirty seconds later, Mr CHAT came through. Its below. And the illustration? It is  a 20 second creation by Mr CHAT. And so as they say, "read" it an weep

The 25th anniversary of International Men’s Day

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For one evening it will be a man’s world By Stephen Weir The city is gearing up to celebrate the 25th anniversary of International Men’s Day (IMD) on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, with a special event in Toronto. The Consulate General of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago will be hosting the milestone celebration at their Toronto headquarters at 185 Sheppard Ave West, North Toronto. IMD, founded in 1999, is now observed in over 80 countries worldwide. This year's event in Toronto will focus on the theme of positive male role models, an important issue in today’s society. Dianne Ojar, an organizer for IMD Canada, shared that the evening will bring together inspiring leaders, advocates, and supporters dedicated to addressing the well-being of men and boys. “This year, we are focusing on the theme of positive male role models," Ojar explained. "The event will bring together leaders who are committed to discussing the issues that affect men and boys in our communities, helping

WHERE WERE THE CROWDS? WHERE IS THE MONEY?

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The Same Old Story About FMC Finances By Stephen Weir It has been a few years, but here I am in October, and once again, the Caribbean Camera is running this story I have written about the financial woes of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival. This time, it’s based on rumours and innuendos because the Festival Management Committee (FMC) isn’t talking—for now. Word on the street is that the FMC doesn’t have the money to pay off its stakeholders: the Mas Bands, the Steel Drum orchestras, and Calypsonians who took part in the 2024 annual festival. The band leaders have apparently received letters telling them of this year’s cash crunch. The FMC managed the 57th annual Toronto Caribbean Carnival, which they touted as “North America’s largest celebration of Caribbean culture.” According to their website, “The Toronto Caribbean Carnival remains a key economic driver, generating nearly half a billion dollars in economic impact. We are calling on the government, the business community, the broader