Thursday 29 July 2021

Two short stories - marketing and travel - Slim Jim and

 Sports Marketing Short Bite

Slim Jim And Tall Chris


Saint Lucian Canadian basketball player Chris Boucher hasn’t been spotted much around Toronto these days. But, that could because we are looking in all the wrong places.

Don’t watch for the Toronto Raptor player on the court (he is taking it easy this summer) but check out the snack counter at any local food store!  Earlier this week the Mississauga based Conagra's Snacks Company announced that it has hired the Power Forward to becomes the ambassador of it’s Slim Jim meat snack!

"When we learned Chris' love of Slim Jim, we couldn't wait to work with him," said Andrea Stodart, Marketing Director for Conagra Brands. "With the snacking industry continuously growing, we saw this opportunity as a game changer. We are so excited to partner with one of the greatest athletes in Canada and to reach the next generation of fans!"

 

As the Slim Jim ambassador Boucher’s image will be used in advertising materials, including social media and in-store displays at retailers across Canada.

The 28-year was born in Castries, St Lucia. He moved with his mother, to Montreal when he was five years old to see his Canadian father. His mother raised him on her own in Quebec. He dropped out of high school at age 16 and worked as a cook and dishwasher in a St. Hubert restaurant. In 2012, he was offered his first basketball gig – a spot on a Canadian tournament basketball team. 

Boucher, who played with the Toronto Raptors in the 2020/21-bubble season, is entering the second year of a $13.5 contract. 

The 6 ft. 9 in (2.06 m) basketball star has the time to promote Slim Jim, he is taking the summer break seriously – he did not join the Canadian National team this year to recover from an injury.  

In late May he posted the following note to his fans on Instagram: “To all my Team Canada fans asking why I’m not on the roster,” posted Boucher. “ I’m disappointed that I won’t be playing this summer, but, I’ve decided to take the time to continue rehabbing my knee to make sure I’m 100% next (Raptor) season.”

 

Tourism Short Bite


Jet Service, Miami to Dominica, just in time for the Christmas rush

 

Tickets have already gone on sale for a new jet service to the island of Dominica. American Airlines for the first time will fly direct between Miami and Dominica starting December 8th

 

The service will operate twice weekly on Wednesday and Saturday, departing Miami International Airport at 11am and arriving at Douglas-Charles Airport at 3:21pm. The return flight will leave Dominica at 4:24pm and arrive in Miami at 6:55pm

 
Dominica Airport Terminal (right)

This route decision by American Airlines comes after a successful proving flight, which occurred last month. The airline used an Embraer jet for the test run, and it will be the South American made plane that will be used when the new service kicks off. The Embraer will have both business class and economy seating. 

American Airlines will be offering a similar service to the island of Anguilla beginning in December.

Monday 26 July 2021

Celebrating Freedom on Toronto's Bloor Street one street corner at a time

 EMANCIPATION ON BLOOR STREET - AUGUST !st

Sunday on Bloor St - Sign Says It All - sweirsweir

Emancipation on Bloor

August 1st  1-3 pm

 

WHAT Emancipation on Bloor is an animation of the Bloor Street Cultural Corridor from Yonge and Bloor to Christie and Bloor adding to the August 1st Emancipation Day activities. The animation takes place at key intersections on Bloor at Yonge, Bay, Avenue Rd, St. George, Spadina, Brunswick, Bathurst, Palmerston, and Christie Pits with a number of artistic expressions.

 

Emancipation on Bloor takes passersby through a series of “statements” through artistic expression including the liberation from chains, masquerade, spectrums of beauty, stereotypes, something of textiles, respect, resistance, and resilience.

 

WHERE:  Pannists will be stationed at the intersections mentioned above as an anchor for the “statements”. The “stage” for performers is located on the sidewalks along Bloor from Yonge to Christie in areas are that spacious to ensure passersby and artists can adequately socially distance.

 

We are asking the Bloor Street Corridor Collaborators to make their own “Statement of Emancipation” on the pavement at their respective intersections which will weave the artistic expressions down the road.

 

WHEN Emancipation on Bloor will take place on Sunday August 1st, 1pm to 3pm. This initiative is led by A Different Booklist Cultural Centre in collaboration with the Festival Management Committee (FMC), and the Carnival Arts Community.

 

Why? Emancipation on Bloor commemorates an important milestone for descendants of Enslaved Africans marking the abolition of slavery and honours the many contributions and resilience of African peoples throughout the Diaspora. With Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent declaration that August 1st will be recognized as Emancipation Day in Canada, it is important to mark this year’s Emancipation with a visual expression and statement.

 

WHO:  ADBCC - THE PEOPLE’S RESIDENCE - CONTACT SHANNON ASHMAN - 647 880 3072

 

How: Through a heritage instrument, statements on the sidewalk and portraits of Canadians.

 

Pannists stationed at intersections

 

1. Yonge & BLOOR -

2. BAY & BLOOR

3. AVENUE ROAD

4. ST. GEORGE 

5. SPADINA

6. BATHURST

 

7. Christie - Drums 

 

THE STORY - Through groups and animation

 

They Came BEFORE COLUMBUS - THE SCHOLARS  - Nigel Barriffe - Educators

Africa - Timbuktu is the seat of Knowledge - T-Shirts.

 

THE BEAUTY OF BLACKNESS - Nasa - 647 207 7395

 

THE ENSLAVEMENT PERIOD - Family - Yes - Nicole Osbourne - taking off chains at Christie Pits  

 

THE RAPE OF AFRICA  - Gold and Uranium - Akua 3-5

 

THE RESISTANCE  - SPIRITUALITY - Martin

 

THE RESILIENCE  - Carnival Masqueraders - Carnival public expression of emancipation

 

THE LIBERATION MOVEMENTS  - GROUPING

 

Rebellions - shirt short / hoe

Garvey movement - General

Pan-Africanist movement

Independence movement

Harlem Renaissance

Civil Rights movement

Rastafari movement

Black Lives Matter

 

Contact : Shannon at shannonashman@gmail.com

Or

Wendy@casper.wj56@gmail.com


Friday 23 July 2021

Dr. Lynn Jones, an African Nova Scotia leader will blow the whistle

Annual Emancipation Day Underground Freedom Train Ride (Virtual) July 31st., 10.45 PM

 


Dr. Lynne Jones


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  National Emancipation Day is coming as Dr. Lynn Jones, an African Nova Scotia leader, educator, community activist and trade unionist, blows the whistle to start the 2021 virtual Toronto Underground Freedom Train ride at 10:54 PM on July 31st.

 

Each and everyone is welcome to join us on our annual Toronto Freedom Train ride as we recognize the challenges and opportunities provided by Canada’s proclaimed Emancipation Day. The ride will be an incredible journey and experience about the Underground Railroad, the route enslaved Africans used to escape American slave plantations, seeking freedom in Canada and ultimately Emancipation Day on August 1st.

 

The theme of this year’s Freedom Train ride is ‘The Fire Within’ as we focus on the element of fire and its power to re-kindle, transform and inspire. The train ride will feature a national declaration of Emancipation Day by Senator Wanda Bernard one of the Train Ride’s previous “Conductors” and an advocate for Canada’s national recognition of Emancipation Day. 

 

Also featured this year will be performances by Randell  Adjei, the first Poet Laureate of Ontario, award-winning composer  Andrew Craig,  musicians Eddie Martinez, Amani Woods, Phoenix, the Freedom Train Ride Choir, and various pulsating voices from around the country and across the seas. 

 

Notables confirmed  to participate during the Freedom Train Ride include:

1) Mayor John Tory

2) Chief Diversity and Culture  Officer TTC - Keisha Campbell

Everyone is welcome to join us on the virtual Underground Freedom Train Ride to celebrate National Emancipation Day by tuning in to YouTube channel ADBCC - The People’s Residence - 10.45 PM

 

Please contact Louis March at 416 577 3908, kingtut@sympatico.ca  for further information. Information is also available on social media, twitter, Eventbrite, and instagram platforms under FreedomTrainTor.



Wednesday 21 July 2021

Prescott house for sale - 300 metres to the wreck of a 19th century paddlewheeler SCUBA Heaven

 SHAMELESS PLUG TO SELL A HOUSE WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE (in your gear) OF ONE OF CANADA'S MOST DOVE SHORE DIVE SITE.



Selling my late father's home just outside of Prescott Ontario. 300 yards from the St. Lawrence River directly adjacent to the wreck of the 19th Century wooden twin side wheeler Rothesay.
Other wrecks nearby. 3-bedroom house with indoor hot tub. Outdoor in ground pool (installed new pump last week) - total privacy from 12 ft tall living fence.Workroom in basement suitable for a compressor. We suit up in the huge garage.

Just outside of Prescott, Ontario, home is at 22 Sunnymeade, located in the sought after Riverview Heights subdivision. Upon entry you are greeted by a large foyer, off the foyer you have interior access to the double attached garage, up a few stairs you have a living room, dining room and eat in kitchen. Down the hallway you will find a 4 pc bathroom, 2 good sized bedrooms, a 3rd room that is currently being used as a hot tub room, could make a great master bedroom as it has a 2 pc en suite bathroom, 2 closets and patio doors leading to the back deck.  
House is 40 minutes from Ottawa, 10 minutes from Brockville and 5 minutes from Ogdensburg NY. The asking price? $319,000 Cdn. 

The lower level consists of a finished rec room, a utility room and a large workshop area. This home is situated on a large corner lot that hosts a private hedged in yard with stunning inground pool. Put in a new pool pump last week.
Check out the listing that went up yesterday. You can always contact me at stephen@stephenweir.com. Unique location for divers and anglers.
Divers suit up to dive the Rothesay. This park is 200 meters south of our garage!