Stephen Weir articles, editorials and popular social media weir postings

  Going With The Flow. Neeti Ray's CINA Radio Group Eyes Acquisition of Bell Media's AM Stations in Windsor and Hamilton In a significant development for the Canadian radio landscape, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has announced a pending application by Neeti P. Ray's CINA Radio Group to acquire three AM stations from Bell Media. The stations in question are CHAM and CKOC in Hamilton and CKWW in Windsor, for the bargain basement total price of $445,000. The CRTC disclosed the application on November 16, 2023, stating that CINA Radio Group, led by Neeti P. Ray, aims to continue operating the stations under the same terms and conditions as the existing licenses. CINA Radio Group already owns several stations across central Canada, including FLOW in Toronto. The application is scheduled for final consideration in early 2024. Bell Media had previously expressed its intention to sell the three AM stations in Hamilton and Windsor back in Ju...

 TORONTO TAKES SPICER, COLORADO GRABS FREDERICK Trinidad and Tobago delivered a shocking one two punch to Major League Soccer, when two local players, Tyrese Spicer and Wayne Frederick were named the top two players chosen in this week’s Super Draft. It was a sporting earthquake that sent shockwaves through Toronto, Port of Spain and the world of Major League Soccer (MLS), the Toronto FC announced Trinidad and Tobago’s forward ç as the Number One overall pick in the highly anticipated 2024 MLS Super Draft. Spicer, a 23-year-old native of Trinidad and Tobago, emerged as a standout talent after an impressive 2023 season at Lipscomb University, where he notched 14 goals and 3 assists in just 16 games. Spicer's stellar performance in the 2023 season earned him accolades such as First Team All-American, Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) Player of the Year, and MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist honors. With a total of 29 goals and 18 assists in 57 appearances for Lipscomb, Spicer's goal-s...

The Book That Had To Be Written And Now Has To Be Read Just in time for Christmas, the autobiography of Dr. Howard D. McCurdy has arrived at Canadian bookstores. Published some five years after the death of the founder of the National Black Coalition of Canada, "Black Activist, Black Scientist, Black Icon: The Autobiography of Dr. Howard D. McCurdy" is a book that had to be published and now must be read. Dr. McCurdy, the first Black tenured professor, a founder of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, the person who named the New Democratic Party, and the second Black elected to Parliament, was working on the book when he passed away in 2018. Not ready for print, Toronto author and poet George Elliott Clarke stepped in to complete the story. I’m working with Toronto author George Elliott Clarke on his latest book, "Black Activist, Black Scientist, Black Icon: The Autobiography of Dr. Howard D. McCurdy" by Dr. McCurdy – George was Dr. McCurdy’s House of Commons ...

BIG ACE HAS A NEW E-BOOK Acie Earl, also known as Big Ace, has just delivered his latest literary slam dunk in Toronto, perfectly timed for the 50th anniversary celebration of the art of Hip Hop. Co-authored with his good friend Hans Haks, "135 Of The Most Influential Hip Hop & Rap Songs Of All Time And Why" is trending well on Amazon and other e-book sites.. A former professional basketball player with an impressive career of eight years overseas and four years in the NBA, including stints with the Celtics, the Toronto Raptors, and the Bucks, Acie Earl played in 12 countries, earning three MVP awards in places such as Turkey, China, and Kosovo. While this marks his eighth book, this particular one has been co-written by Hans Schmitter, also known as Hans Solo and Haks 180. The Caribbean Camera obtained an advanced copy of the book late last week, revealing a captivating journey into Acie's personal connection with Hip Hop. Beyond exploring the music, the former NBA R...

  November 1969 STEPHEN WEIR HAD A WEEKLY COLUMN BACK IN 1968, Probably missed a lot of deadlines. Thrust of the column was to report on the entertainment that appeared at the  THE MILL, a 100 year old former Mill that had been turned into a coffee house, just off Raglan St ( the main drag). June 1973 Norm Wilson, the editor/publisher of the Mercury wrote this letter to the Journalism department at the Ryerson Polytechnical Institute.  June 1973 Bruce Paton, the administrator of the History of Renfrew Opportunities for Youth project this letter of support for the Journalism department at the Ryerson Polytechnical Institute.  October  1 974    Chapter of my OFY project - History of Renfrew. The Ryerson Eyeopener used it! Full page feature 1979 My first issue of Intercom. Circulation 3,500 2015 After 3 months, Yoko Ono's promised chapter introduction had shrunk to a free form one page poem 1969 - Queen Elizabeth Hotel, Montreal. Ritchie Yorke sits on th...

The dangers of drinking bat shit! Diver Caves Into Bat Infested Waters!  Mayan River Runs A Small Price to Pay for Cenote Diving By Stephen Weir This picture, taken in a freshwater Yucatan Cenote (cave) was snapped at the exact moment in time that I realized that in 48-hours I was going to be sick. Really, really sick. Montezuma Revenge. Aztec two-step. GI's. Dysentery. And, let's now forget: flux, loose stools, runs, tourista, trots, and the one I coined after I got back from sink hole diving in Akumal, Mexico, the Mayan Riviera Runs. Not dissing Mexico's Mayan Rivera water system, the cleanliness of their eating establishments or the quality of the ice cubes. This was something self-inflicted and it could have happened in any "fresh" water cave in the world. Blame it on the sanitary habits of flying animals or Cenote diving being just too amazing for my own good. The east coast of Mexico’s Yucatan State is a flat, dry land void of rivers, lakes or much vegetati...

Don’t be shocked when you get Tim Bits in your stocking this year If you run into Kente Claus at a party or a fundraiser before Christmas and he asks what you want under the tree, tell him a Double-Double and a bag of Tim Bits and you may just get your wish, provided there is a Tims close by. DeWitt Lee, a Toronto businessman and long-time community volunteer and supporter of worthwhile causes here in the city, the Caribbean, and Buffalo, NY, has a not-so-well-kept secret: he is Kente Claus! Kente Claus, thanks to a new Tim Horton’s 30-second TV commercial, is probably becoming the best-known Black Santa Claus in the country. “It's running all month,” he told the Caribbean Camera yesterday. “I'm the 2023 Tim Hortons Christmas Claus!” The spot isn't pushing a product; it is a good news advertisement for Christmas. Kente Claus has a big role in the ad as viewers are asked, “Where do you believe Santa's magic comes from?” Spoiler alert: the answer is, “Maybe Santa magic is...

  Celebrate the Spirit of the Caribbean at Carnival Winter Market and Parang Extravaganza on Saturday, December 2nd Princess Trinidad “The Carnival Winter Market and Parang Extravaganza is the work of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival,” explained the newly reconfirmed President of the Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes (OCPA) Henry Gomez (aka King Cosmos). “We are providing the evening’s entertainment.” Hosted by the charismatic King Cosmos, the Parang Extravaganza features performances by some of OCPA's artists, including Caribbean Monarch Macomere Fifi, Guney Cedeno, Princess Trinidad, and DJ Red X. In addition to his MC duties, King Cosmos will also be performing during the evening. Expect a joyful sound from the singers on stage because it has been a joyful year for the Calypso organization who have seen a rebirth to performing in the city. “We held the first Calypso Monarch competition this summer since 2016,” continued Gomez, “It was a sold-out event. There was also a C...

 Concert cancelled ticket agency returns refunds It is Friday evening, and the last thing you want to see on your Facebook or Instagram account just appeared. The upcoming Sunday festival for which you have tickets has been canceled! This happened last Friday afternoon. In a shocking turn of events, concert promoter Ian Andre Espinet announced the sudden cancellation of the highly anticipated Toronto Soul Music Festival just 2-days before it was set to take the stage at the Rebel Nightclub on Polson Pier. Scheduled for last Sunday, November 19th, the festival promised a stellar lineup featuring renowned artists such as Jully Black, Glen Lewis, DVSN, and several other acts. The Toronto Soul Music Festival aimed to be a multi-disciplinary, multi-faceted celebration of Soul music and its associated genres and culture, specifically highlighting and honoring Black music and culture. In an email sent out at 7 pm Friday evening, Espinet conveyed the difficult decision to pull the plug on...