Stephen Carroll’s Installation

Hello Friends and Family,

I hope you are all doing well.

I want to invite you to an opening that I am having for a piece that I’ve been working on for 6 months and an accumulation ideas I’ve been developing the past three years.

CIL Paint Colour Forecast: Blue Skies Ahead for 2010

Concord, Ontario – December 8, 2009 – The sky’s the limit in home décor for the coming year. That’s because blue is forecasted to be the hottest colour in the 2010 palette, says leading Canadian paint brand CIL Paints.

Sale Until December 31st

Get 20 per cent off everything on Donna Kakonge’s estore! No minimum order required. Enter code HOHOHO upon checkout. Store site is: http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged.

All the Goliaths against the Davids: The Benefits and Burdens of a Merger Between Ticketmaster and Live Nation

By: Alex Young

Ticketmaster is the single largest concert ticket printer and ticket distributor in North America. The company’s control over the market for tickets to musical performances, sporting events and live comedy is unparalleled. Other than the short-lived anti-industrial revolutionary protest against Ticketmaster that was spear-headed by Pearl Jam in 1995 , there has not been any large scale protest against the choke-hold Ticketmaster has over live entertainment in North America. Until now.

Books Now on Amazon Kindle

Donna Kakonge’s books are now on Amazon Kindle. You can choose from a selection of 28 books. Check it out at Amazon Kindle today! The website for the store is: http://www.amazon.com/kindle-store-ebooks-newspapers-blogs/b?ie=UTF8&node=133141011.

One Day Only

Buy one paperback book and get shipping free. Buy at: http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged. Use the code MAILSHIP1.

UrbanEdge Yoga

Dear friends,

Don’t forget to join us tonight, Dec 7 @ 6.30 PM, for a special Mantra meditation workshop with our visiting guest and travelling monk His Grace Vaisesika Dasa who has been practicing Kirtan Yoga for over 35 years. Join us for soul stirring Kirtan – It is a must have musical meditation event of the year! Don’t forget the yummy feast that awaits you. Check details and RSVP at http://urbanedgeyoga.com/index.php?d=current&p=current&event=miEvent2

Expanding Self-Publishing Ventures

I am someone who loves self-publishing. I have spent this entire weekend, with the exception of a bit of marking, expanding my self-publishing pool.

December Book Sales

Another Lulu.com sales contest is underway! You can receive 10 per cent off all of my books and audio material by entering the code HUMBUG on checkout. This is a great time of year to buy a gift for the ones you love, and even buy a gift for yourself. Enjoy the magic of the holiday season with one of my 32 books.

You can select your books at: http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged.

Offering Feedback on Stories

I am now starting to offer feedback on people’s writing from around the world. With the help of the internet and for a small fee – I will offer coaching to anyone in need of feedback on their writing. Please do contact me at: dkakonge@sympatico.ca for details.

The Cost of Education

As a teacher, I really admire anyone who goes to school. School is so important. It teaches you not only the basics about reading, writing, math and a concentrated area of study – it also teaches you a lot about yourself. It is a shame though that the cost of education often makes it difficult for some people to take the route of enlightenment.

Urban Edge Yoga

Dear friends,

We want to invite you to two extremely special events in the coming weeks.

R E P E A T — It’s A Whimsical Weekend for Thousands of Children at Downtown Yonge BIA’s Kidzfest/

- Big birds, cool cats and cartoon celebrities entertain at Yonge-Dundas
Square -

TORONTO, Nov. 27 /CNW/ – A mob of teeny toddlers will descend on Yonge-Dundas Square for a fun-filled weekend of kid-friendly rides, face-painting, crafts and interactive performances at the Downtown Yonge BIA’s Kidzfest – a free two-day event with guest appearances from cartoon celebrities Max & Ruby, Dora & Diego and Spongebob Squarepants on his 10th anniversary tour. On November 28th and 29th, adventurous tots will swing around the square in a colourful swing carousel, whirl around on the ladybug ride and take their ‘coverkid’ moment posing in a faux magazine shoot. Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs pack prehistoric fun into the first performance of the weekend, followed by a slew of musical guests including David Archibald and Maggie G. Fun will ‘let fly’ with Birds of Prey on Saturday, and Jungle Cat World brings a rip-roaring good time to Sunday.

From Worldwide Freelance Writer

FEATURE ARTICLE

Five Ways To Shine As A Professional Writer

By Dana Blozis

With the growth of social media and marketing techniques like
online article marketing, it seems that everyone is a writer of one
sort or another. In fact, I've read a handful of articles that
assure the reading public that anyone can write. While this may be
technically true, those of us who write for a living know that it
isn't as easy as it sounds. There is much more to the craft than
meets the eye.
 

The Temptation to Buy a Car

Living in Toronto is difficult without a car. With all of this H1N1 flu virus talk going around, you cannot even cough on a bus without someone thinking you have been infected. Plus with the way the TTC has been running over a long period of time now, it seems ridiculous that now TTC wants to hike up the fees to $3 CDN, from $2.75.

You Can Find MBT At Treasure Trove Anytime

Theatre at UrbanEdge Yoga

Dear friends,

Thank you for your participation and great response for the InSpirit events from Nov 10-12 with Devamrita Swami. Please check out the pictures at http://www.urbanedgeyoga.com/index.php?p=gallery&albumId=InSpiritNov09. These capture a few glimpses of the beautiful time we all had.

Writing Workshops and Self-Publishing Offered at Aangen Community Centre

Hello everyone in Toronto!

Please check out this site and scroll to the bottom for workshops I will be offering starting on February 21st and happening once a month. Here is the link: http://www.aangen.com/workshops.asp. Join in the fun!

Make Setting up an Effective Home Office Part of Your Pandemic Plan H1N1 is here. Is your home office ready?

TORONTO, Ontario – November 17, 2009 – H1N1 is here and causing havoc at home and in the office. Ensuring employees can remain productive by working from home is a critical piece of any business continuity plan. Health Canada suggests that as many as 35 per cent of Canadians could become ill during the H1N1 pandemic. They recommend that if you feel at all sick or are infectious (with H1N1 this can be up to ten days after the onset of symptoms) you should stay home. Add to this time needed to tend to children who are sent home due to illness or school closures, and employees feeling well enough to work could be out of the office for days or weeks leaving offices understaffed and productivity down.

Authors Access Interview Featured

Donna Kakonge’s interview with Viktor Volkman and Tyler Tichelaar is featured on Irene Watson’s Reader Views. Check it out:

http://readerviews.com/

Authors Access Interview

 

 

Each week Loving Healing Press and Reader Views bring insightful interviews from people around the world who can help you get your work published, and if already published, noticed!

Rawle James Entertainment

E REECE

Engine Gallery

Please add info@enginegallery.ca to your Address Book to ensure delivery of our e-mails to your In-Box. If you have trouble viewing this e-mail click the URL below or copy and paste the URL into your browser’s address bar. http://www.inbox-ads.com/cgi-bin/collector.cgi?linkID=4&CID=CID1258144164&rule_cell=&RID=144164367

Great Podcast

Here is another great link to listen to a great podcast – featuring Donna Kakonge discussing journalism: http://www.bloggingauthors.com/

Treasure Trove Birthday

Yoga Event Finally Here!

Join us this week as we launch our Yoga lifestyle festival ‘InSpirit’ with Devamrita Swami from Nov 10 to 12. A Monk for 40 years, Yale graduate and author of several spiritual texts, Devamrita Swami is stopping over in Toronto as part of his world tour to take us through some not-to-miss workshops:

Sesame Street Anniversary with Google

I have been thoroughly enjoying the Google themes for the Sesame Street anniversary. Sesame Street was a big part of my childhood with my brother and sister. It is wonderful that it continues on to this day.

Authors Access Interview

On November 5th, 2009 Tyler R. Tichelaar and Victor R. Volkman spoke
with Toronto-based educator and print, radio, and TV journalist Donna
Kakonge about how any writer can successfully refocus their work into
the freelance journalism marketplace.
 

How to Turn Your Writing Career into Journalism

I’ve been interviewed with Authors Access – where authors get published and published authors become successful. To listen to the show, visit:

http://authorsaccess.com/archives/163

Add Donna Magazine To Google Alerts

Find out what is going on in the world of Donna Magazine. Include this magazine to your Google Alerts and be reminded to check the magazine daily. You can access Google alerts from this site: http://www.google.com/alerts. Thank you visiting the site to see what is new every day.

 

 

The Ladies Anthem

The ladies anthem

UrbanEdge Yoga

Dear friends,

One week from now, Nov 10 we launch our Yoga lifestyle festival ‘InSpirit’ with Devamrita Swami, a Monk for 40 years, Yale graduate and author of several spiritual texts. He stops over in Toronto as part of his world tour to take us through some not-to-miss workshops:

Aires Entertainment

J-Mar

ROLL WIT ME

If you are not redirected to the files page, click on cut and paste this URL into your browser:
http://fblz.in/YAB8

Devamrita Swami presents at Urban Edge Yoga

The newest non-profit Yoga Studio on the block promises
a unique Yoga experience with music, food and great company!

Toronto, ON – Urban Edge Yoga, a unique Yoga Lifestyle Centre, has opened its doors to the budding yoga community in Toronto. A grand opening event is planned on November 10 to launch its annual Yoga Lifestyle festival, InSpirit, featuring Devamrita Swami – A Monk of 40 years, Yale graduate and author of several books.

Yoga Festival

Dear friends,

Almost 15 days from now, Nov 10 we launch our Yoga lifestyle festival ‘InSpirit’ with Devamrita Swami, a Monk, Yale graduate and author of several spiritual texts. He stops over in Toronto as part of his world tour to take us through some not-to-miss workshops:

Freestylin’

FREESTYLIN’

VOL. 1

BANKRAFT’s OBSESSED

Mahdi

Mikel Guillen is the Director of Mahdi, Produced By PickPocket Media Films - Photo Courtesy of Mikel Guillen

The director of Pickpocket Media Films rings my doorbell several times and adds some knocks for emphasis. I know he is here.

Coming Up on Donna Magazine

Director Mikel Guillen - Photo Courtesy of Mikel Guillen

Coming up on Donna Magazine – Interview with Director Mikel Guillen from Pickpocket Media Films on his latest project.

Airport Flirt – Excerpt from Do Not Know

Do Not Know is One of Donna Kakonge's 31 books - Photo Courtesy of Stockexpert.com

It took an old man to touch my young breast to wake me up. I did not hear him come up to me as I sat in a plastic waiting chair because my Walkman blasted “Keep on Moving” from my Soul II Soul CD. I was in concourse E of Miami’s airport, waiting for my flight to Barbados. I was coming from Montreal in the February winter wonderland and did not know how to dress. I wore a beige cotton knit ensemble with my black winter jacket curled over my arm. I was also wearing the burgundy slightly padded bra I got for Christmas from my sister. The old man had touched more foam than flesh.

Torontonians wise to vehicle theft but not auto insurance, sources say

Rachel Muenz Writes About Car Thefts - Photo Courtesy of Stockexpert.com

By Rachel Muenz

A little education can go a long way. It can vault someone into a higher-paying career, help people understand different cultures and keep them off the streets. It can also help reduce car theft.

Excerpt from Digital Journals and Numerology

Digital Journals and Numerology is One of Donna Kakonge's 31 books - Photo Courtesy of Dreamstime.com

Introduction

This book is meant to emphasize how powerful keeping a journal can be with the aid of numerology. I started writing one at the age of seven and keeping a journal has been a constant for me – more than some friends, some jobs and some family members. I used to get a thrill selecting my journals to write in. Now I have decided to try something new by using the computer that I already spend so much time on and money on to show how powerful keeping any journal…even a digital journal can be. Using the principles of numerology can also help in chronicling your life.

To buy this book, please visit http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged.

Negative North American media beat by Russia’s?

Rachel Muenz Writes About the Recession in Russia - Photo Courtesy of Stockexpert.com

By Rachel Muenz

For some dumb reason I thought Russia had been hit much harder than Canada in the global recession. On Oct. 13, I happened to be reading the Moscow Times and almost all the front page news was about the recession. Canadian papers, in contrast, haven’t had much about the recession on their front pages in a while.

Excerpt from How to Write Creative Non-fiction

Donna Kakonge Includes an Excerpt from How to Write Creative Non-fiction - Photo Courtesy of Dreamstime.com

Chapter One Forms of Non-fiction Writing

Welcome to your first chapter! As you go through each chapter you will be asked to complete optional assignments.

New! Dropouts Published

Donna Kakonge Just Published the Book Dropouts on Sale Now - Photo Courtesy of Dreamtimes.com

Fiction and journalism stories about the mind is hot off the presses. You can buy for today only with a 14.92 per cent discount at: http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged. Just enter the code PINTA. Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!

Author profile: James Valitchka

One of James Valitchka's Nine Books is Superheroes Don't Have Dads - Photo Courtesy of JamesValitchka.com

By Rachel Muenz

James Valitchka’s writing has put him on an ambitious road.

Warm gadgets for a cold winter office

Rachel Muenz Writes About Computer Gadgets - Photo Courtesy of Stockexpert.com

By Rachel Muenz

With winter on the way and a colder than normal fall already here, drafty offices can be a frozen Hell for any worker. But there are plenty of gadgets out there to help anyone stuck at a computer all day cope with the cold.

Five child authors who have stayed successful

Rachel Muenz Writes About Child Authors - Photo Courtesy of Stockexpert.com

By Rachel Muenz

It’s a common story: An author gets published at a very young age. For a few weeks, she is the centre of media attention, people rave about her talent, her book may sell well, but then she vanishes from the literary world, never to be heard of again.

Ontario strongest wind power in Canada

Rachel Muenz Writes About Wind Power - Photo Courtesy of Stockexpert.com

By Rachel Muenz

Ontario continues to outpace other Canadian provinces and territories in the wind energy sector. The province has eight new wind power projects lined up, some of which are already under construction, according to the Canadian Wind Energy Association.

Fall movie season perfect for seeing the fall of humankind

Rachel Muenz Writes About End of the World Movies - Photo Courtesy of Stockexpert.com

By Rachel Muenz

If you’ve thought there have been a lot of movies about the end of the world coming out lately, you’d be right. Based on data from About.com, September has the highest number of films dealing with apocalyptic themes out of all 2009.

Harry Potter theme park has company

Rachel Muenz Writes About the Harry Potter Theme Park - Photo Courtesy of Stockexpert.com

By Rachel Muenz

When the new Harry Potter theme park opens in Orlando in spring 2010, it may end up being the most popular park based on either a single book or series of books. But it won’t be the first.

Canadian content making its mark on U.S. media

Rachel Muenz Writes About the Impact Canada Has on the U.S.

By Rachel Muenz

There’s been a lot of talk lately about how many Canadian TV shows have been picked up by U.S. networks this fall. But while U.S. TV has the most Canadian content, Canadians are having a decent impact on other areas of U.S. pop culture as well.

The Best of Donna Magazine Published

The best from this online magazine is now packaged in hardcover, paperback and ebook format so you can take it with you anywhere. On the bus, in a canoe, wherever and whenever. Check it out at: http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged.

Canada stuck-up about its writing, but not too much

Rachel Muenz Writes About the Giller Prize - Photo Courtesy of Stockexpert.com

By Rachel Muenz

Canada has often been criticized for being too snobby about its writing.

William Deverell recently wrote in the National Post that in Canada “there is a push to reward insipid stuff that will never sell” and Canadian publishing is suffering because of this.

I partly agree.

The Writer’s Life Writer’s Book List

Wally Bock Has His on Website on Writing Tips - Photo Courtesy of Wally Bock's Website

@ Copyright 2003, Wally Bock

Here are some books about writing that I really like. They are offered subject to the following qualification.

Over the years I’ve read a ton of books about writing. What I have not done is make a comprehensive survey of the literature on writing. I’ve read what looked interesting to me.

Dropouts (Excerpt From Soon to Be Published Book)

The Publisher Writes About Some of Her Days at the CBC - Photo Courtesy of Stockexpert.com

When I first started working in radio I had a lot of dropouts

Poor reception of radio quality on the reel-to-reel

I would bike down to the CBC building on Front Street with my red Yakota bike

That bike was “stoked”

The saddest thing was a light being stolen

Why can people be so mean?

The Best of Donna Magazine to be Published Soon

There are now more than 400 posts on Donna Magazine. Updated from Journalism Stories Collection, The Best of Donna Magazine will incorporate the publisher’s personal favourites from this online magazine in a hardcover, paperback and ebook format that you can take with you anywhere such as any magazine you would  find off the racks. Look out for it coming soon to be sold at: http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged.

Get 20 Per Cent Off My Books

Old Cover Design for My Roxanne

You can get 20 per cent off my books this Labour Day weekend only. Please enter the code “WHITE” when you checkout. Choose from a variety of books, a CD and two audio downloads in hardcover, paperback and ebook format.  The online store is at: http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged.

Working and living at home can sometimes cost you

Rachel Muenz Navigates Through Living at Home - Photo Courtesy of Stockexpert.com

By Rachel Muenz

In this tough job market and with a load of student debt to deal with, many college and university graduates like me have had to move in with parents to survive.

When I tell people I’m living and working from home, they always say something like, “That’s great! You must be saving a lot of money.” This is true, but I’ve found it can also lose you money as well.

Bob Phillips: Canadian

Bob Phillips was the editor of a bilingual newspaper in Aylmer, Quebec. This tells of his story as a sensitive man who tried to bridge the gap between two language communities in the place where he lived:

done

Economy Affecting Colour Choices

The Economy is Affecting Paint Colour Choices - Photo Courtesy of Gail Bergman

By Gail Bergman and Indira Tarachandra

Toronto, Ontario – September 1, 2009 – The economic recession is affecting more than people’s pocketbooks.  It’s also influencing their choice and use of colour.

That’s the finding of CIL Paints, following a detailed study of colour trends by its international team of colour experts.

Grad School Public Affairs Class

Here is a recording of a public affairs class I took while doing my grad studies at Concordia University. The main important information is at the beginning.  For more stories by Donna Kakonge, visit her online store at: http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged:

done

Two New Books Published

Donna Kakonge Has Two New Books Published - Photo Courtesy of Stockexpert.com

The first book is My Mind Book which features an example of creating a book that will be inspiring and bring the things you want into your life. It is based on the law of attraction, as well as inspired by Mind Movies that were sent to me.

The second book is called Stories in Red and Yellow: Digging Up Work Done in Yesteryear. This is a literary collection of non-fiction and fiction work.

Both can be bought, as well as other books at: http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged.

Other Donna Magazines

The Idea of This Magazine is Truly an Original One - Photo Courtesy of Stockexpert.com

The question of copyright is a tricky one. I subscribe to Google Alerts and one of them is under the subject title of Donna Magazine. I have noticed two other Donna Magazines out there. What to do?

Voice Class For Actors – Walter Alza Acting Studio (Defunct)

Former Work Done With Alza Acting Studio - Photo Courtesy of WalterAlza.com

You’ll be Happy You Opened Your Mouth!

This course will give you a powerful voice, instructing in diction, pacing and inflection for performances in voice-overs, TV and film.

What Happened to the Afro?

My hair obsession that has turned into a hair acceptance also turned into a book called What Happened to the Afro? Here is some video taken in Uganda in 1996 or 1997 of a braiding session going on in Kampala. You can buy the book at: http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged.:

done

Power of the Third Eye Geomancer and Feng Shui Expert

Paul Ng Addresses a Crowd with his Feng Shui and Geomancer Expertise

Paul Ng is a geomancer and feng shui expert that helps to improve the lives of others, as well as former corporate manager. He has worked with Ernst & Young that was the largest accounting firm in all of Canada at the time as a data processing manager. He has been vice-president manager of a subsidiary of Canadian Pacific called Marathon Realty. This was the largest company in Canada. He became a director at CIBC and then gradually owned his own company.

Not to Be Boxed In Always Wanting to Try Something New

Hyacinth Harewood Continues to Live a Full Life - Photo by Donna Kakonge

Hyacinth Harewood is a civil servant with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) working from home, former college professor, former businessperson, former volunteer and mother of five living in Toronto, Canada. She worked as a sessional lecturer with Carleton University in Ottawa, as a professor with Algonquin College in Ottawa for 16 years, has been working with CRA since the late 1980s, and once had her own sole-proprietorship business focusing on communications and written work. This consummate professional used to get up at 3:00 a.m. to work on her business, and then take care of five children to get them ready for school. She would continue working on her business while her children were at school and tend to their needs once they were home. She played the role of a superwoman well. This impressive woman who was educated at the University of Western Ontario where she studied French and Spanish, then received her master’s degree at the University of Ottawa in applied linguistics managed to juggle a life of work, family and children. She has been a terrific role model for her five children.

Varda

Varda Etienne is now a Host of a Radio Show in Quebec

As she bops and moves looks real pretty and talks a fast game on Canada’s French music station, Musique Plus, Varda Etienne, 27 and a VJ, works on two shows: Bouge (the highest rated show on Musique Plus) and Groove. She does not like music that lacks movement, but, she has other things on her mind.

“What bothers me is how corrupted the world is today,” she says.

Channel Zero (Originally Published in the Queen’s Alumni Review)

Stephen Marshall Traveled Around the World for a Video Magazine - Photo Courtesy of Stockexpert.com

By Mary Luz Mejia and Donna Kakonge

He’s been dubbed “guerrilla film maker,” “boy wonder” and “video artist” – titles he doesn’t seem to mind and takes in stride as he charges toward the goal: “to establish and alternative universe to that of broadcast television.”

Stories in Red and Yellow to be Published This Week

Potential Cover Art for Stories in Red and Yellow - Photo Courtesy of Stockexpert.com

I am currently working on a collection of stories that have been dug up from past work called Stories in Red and Yellow. It should be published this week. Look out for it! It’s going to be as fantastic as red and yellow. Look for the stories for free viewing on this website.  For my books, CD and audio stories, you can purchase them at:  http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged. For the month of August there is a 10 per cent discount and the code to enter upon checkout is: README.

Financial degradation at Site 52 puts species at risk: Part three of a five-part series

Rachel Muenz Continues With Part Three of Her Series on Garbage - Photo Courtesy of Stockexpert.com

By Zema Luncher

Protests at Site 52 are putting a severe strain on the financial ecosystem, damaging the habitats of taxpayers and politicians, says Comise County Warden Tom Gudgeon.

Blockades at the proposed dump site in Teeny Township are not only harming these species but the protestors as well, he added.

Kiddie Card Whiz (Originally Aired on CJOH-TV)

This story aired back in 1993 with CJOH-TV in Ottawa, Canada while I was doing my undergraduate work in journalism at Carleton University. I was on internship there and found out about a 7-year-old at the time who had his own business:

done

BC Woman Loves Shea Butter Market Products

BC Woman's Favourite Shea Butter Market Product - Photo Courtesy of Shea Butter Market.com

A 71-year-old woman in British Columbia (who preferred not be named) loves the Shea Butter Market products that Gifty Serbeh-Dunn owns. “I love them,” she says. “I’ve used pretty well everything that she’s had out. First of all I’ve used her shea butter and the moisturizing cream and the body lotion and the foot cream.”

Listen`in (Defunct Proposal to the CBC) – Selections from Upcoming Book Stories in Red and Yellow

Paul da Silva and Donna Kakonge Worked on a Creative Concept Called Listen'in - Photo Courtesy of Stockexpert

A proposal for a thirteen part series exploring issues of race,

culture, and identity. The series will provide a forum for discussions on these topical issues through a Documentary approach as well as through discussions in an informal, and relaxed setting amongst people who are both well informed and passionate about these issues. The setting could be in a community, a cultural setting.

Rookies

A Rookie's Story is Told by Rachel Muenz - Photo Courtesy of Stockexpert

By Rachel Muenz

Jo Henday, Sister:

I should be proud of you but I’m not. Not of a single shot.

Your first goal came off my stick, remember? The puck was pinned to the boards by a couple pairs of skates and there were five of us from both teams working at it in a clatter of wood. Some kid kept cross-checking me in the back – no penalty – but I fought my way through the press of jerseys and dug the puck out. I flung it towards the net because I knew you were there.

Study Finds New Technology For Fossil Fuels Can Cut CO2

EPRI Did a Revealing Study on Electricity - Photo Courtesy of Stockexpert

A study by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has found the replacement of fossil fuels technology with electric ones would result in energy savings. The energy savings are as high as 71.7 quadrillion BTUs.

These savings would cut CO2 by 4,400 million tons between 2009 and 2030.

Twenty-Four Hour Toronto

Nick Goodwin Writes About 24 Hour Toronto That Can Help You Find a Late Night Snack - Photo Courtesy of Morguefile.com

By Nick Goodwin

Are you ever awake late at night and can’t find something to do? Sometimes people want to get out on a weekend but can’t find something creative enough to maintain their interest. This site is full of interesting places that you may not know exist within the city of Toronto.

Practicality. What is practical?

Nick Goodwin Knows that Being a Freelance Artist is For Him - Photo Courtesty of Morguefile.com

by Nick Goodwin

I think one of the hardest things about trying to be a successful artist is the reality that your ability to serve your community isn’t entirely practical. I have experienced many types of work apart from art-related jobs and they have helped me to become at least more practical than I would be had I decided to be strictly an artist.

Remix Fundraiser

The Remix Project Has Changed Nick Goodwin's Life

by Nick Goodwin

Just recently The Remix Project had a fundraiser at Circa nightclub for their “Give Money Make Change” campaign. At this fundraiser members of the project (including myself) were granted the opportunity to showcase their artwork at the event. I had three of my paintings on display at this momentous gathering. The Remix Project put together a great art show as well as a silent auction. The artists came through with beautiful photography, computer artwork, creative paintings, and more.

Clothing Line

Nick Goodwin Adds His Own Designs to Clothing - Photo by Nick Goodwin

By Nick Goodwin

I love to create original clothing. I am a design guy. Not too long ago I took the time to hand paint a whole bunch of plain clothing that I picked out. For some of the garments I created stencils so I could reuse my choice of design. For other items I simply created something one of a kind.

It’s A Great Deal

This is the Cover Art for the Book The Write Heart - Photo From Dreamstime.com

Can you imagine that I am offering free life coaching on any of your life’s challenges for the low, low cost of one book sale from you? Yes – this is not a gimmick – it is true.

We can do the life coaching through email if you are long distance, or we could do it over the phone if you are local. We can also use such services as MSN and Yahoo Messenger if you prefer a more instant approach to the life coaching. I look forward to hearing from you. Make your dreams come true!

Books You Can Buy With Free Life Coaching

Cover Art for Story Ideas - Help For Writer's Block by Donna Kakonge - Photo from Dreamstime.com

Donna Kakonge has written 25 books that you can choose from along with FREE  life coaching for your challenges in life. You can contact her at: dkakonge@sympatico.ca to find out more.

Appreciation

Discovering Appreciation Can Be Difficult in Our Busy Lifestyles - Photo Courtesy of Morguefile.com

By Nick Goodwin

Sometimes the hardest thing is being able to appreciate something when you know you have it the best. People can be insatiable and often the truth is that you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. If people could appreciate the “now” to a greater extent they could be more conservative, creative, and intelligent.

Courses Offered at New Opportunties Learning Centre

Starting July 5, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Isabella and Church Streets in Toronto, I will be offering a writing course costing $40.00 for nine weeks. This special course will also include elements of self-publishing.  If you would like to attend the nine-week course, please contact me at: dkakonge@sympatico.ca ASAP. Space is limited to the first 10 registrants.

The shoemaker and the “magic box”

The Shoemaker and the Magic Box - Photo Courtesy of MorgueFile.com

By Rachel Muenz

I take off my shoes and socks, roll my pants up to my knees, pull on a pair of thin nylon stockings and put my left foot into what Ken Brubacher calls “the magic box.”

Brubacher is one of only a handful of custom shoemakers left in North America and, once he’s gone, his knowledge would have been lost. Until now.

Brubacher says shoemakers are vanishing partly because the trade is looked down on by the general public and because it is not being passed on to family members, who tend to go to university instead. But, with such a large aging population, there are more foot problems than ever.

Luckily, the box can help.

The “magic box” is the Otabo foot scanner and, in tandem with computer aided design and manufacturing systems and an exhaustive database, is the most sophisticated way of making custom shoes in existence.

Brubacher is showing me how the unit works from his shop, Brubacher Foot Comfort, in Collingwood.

He closes the lid of the box, which has a circular hole on top for my leg.

“It [the scanner] doesn’t like outside light so what we do is bundle the baby up,” Brubacher says, wrapping a blue towel around my knee where it emerges from the box.

He clicks a button on the monitor attached to the box and the scanner emits a high-pitched hum. Cameras move along a track beneath the glass, capturing data from 200,000 points on my foot using laser video technology.

A grey, 3D image of my foot begins to appear onscreen from heel to toe.

Brubacher repeats the process with my right foot and checks the data. There’s a hole in my left foot, which Brubacher says was caused by light.

“If a bit of light got in, and it [the scanner] doesn’t like that, then it will lose a bit of the data in the shaft of your leg,” he says.

Brubacher fills in the missing section with a quick stroke of the mouse, then clicks back to the grey model to show me the hole has disappeared.

A customer’s scans are then sent to the computers on his desk where Brubacher makes some more adjustments before the data is emailed to a factory in Guangzhou, China. Here, a plastic model of each foot, called a last, is made in a CNC milling machine and from those models, near-perfect right and left shoes are made. The shoes are sent back to Collingwood where Brubacher does the finishing touches and makes more adjustments based on feedback from the customer.

“It’s as close to perfection as anything that has ever occurred on the face of the earth, by far,” Brubacher says of shoes made from the scans.

Perfection comes at a price of around $1000 for the shoes, depending on what inserts and fine-tuning are required. But, the grey-haired craftsman says, if it is a case of “it’s either me or the wheelchair,” the shoes are a worthwhile purchase.
The new technology is also helping a small number of shoemakers tackle the public’s growing need for custom shoes by allowing them to serve more customers at a higher speed, says Rob DiFelice, a custom shoemaker in the Niagara region.
“With doing things by means of computers and all this new technology it’s going to totally be able to take over what the shoemaker had done . . . at a faster pace,” says DiFelice whose father taught him shoe repair. “And the product looks beautiful.”

DiFelice says he got into custom shoes because of the huge demand in his area.

Brubacher taught DiFelice how to use the scanner and computer systems in Collingwood and DiFelice still goes there frequently for more training.

He says Brubacher is a very enthusiastic and meticulous teacher.

“You can tell he really loves what he does,” DiFelice says. “He’ll tell me things in his teachings that he’s already told me five times over again.”

“He doesn’t even realize it . . . and he’s as enthused about it as he was from the first time he told me about it,” the younger shoemaker adds. “He likes to make sure you understand what he’s talking about, so he’s very thorough in his teachings too.”
Though Brubacher grew up watching his own father repair shoes, he taught himself how to make shoes and use the scanner and computer systems later on.

“My teacher is fixing my mistakes at night, for free,” he says, looking down his nose. “That’s a stern teacher. You listen to that teacher.”

Brubacher is also passing those teachings on to his daughter, Angela.

She agrees new technology like the foot scanner will replace the dying shoemaker but someone with shoemaking and orthopaedic knowledge and experience, like her father, will still be needed to properly serve those with foot problems. Technology will bring those skills to more people, she says on the phone from the family’s Elmira location.

“It’s much easier for him to teach somebody new, like myself, in a shorter period of time how to use all of that knowledge and the technology,” Angela says.

Brubacher says he’s lost a lot of money investing in the new technology, but he says the greater ability to help people walk in comfort has made up for the loss.

“It’s cost me my fortune but it’s worth it,” he says. “People come in, after the fact and they say, ‘You know, it’s just been an amazing, amazing, miraculous difference.’”

“We’re not dealing with covering up the feet here. We’re dealing with the quality of people’s lives.”

Need help? Just give me a call with tobacco

Rachel Muenz Writes About Tobacco - Photo: MorgueFile.com

By: Rachel Muenz

Before I climbed to the third floor of the North Borden Building on Spadina, I thought tobacco was bad. But now I know that it can be good, depending on how you use it. Tobacco can help students like me get the confidence they need to make their dreams soar.

It is here at the University of Toronto’s First Nations House where I meet Grafton Antone, one of two Aboriginal elders there, to talk about the work he does with students at U of T. In exchange for that information, I must give him a tiny packet of tobacco wrapped in yellow cloth.

Antone explains tobacco is sacred in Aboriginal culture because it is how natives communicate with Creator, their supreme being, when they need guidance.

“The smoke carries our prayers up to Creator and Creator said, ‘if you want anything, just give me a call and here’s my telephone,’ says Antone, holding up a piece of dried tobacco and laughing. This is why elders are given tobacco in exchange for information and counselling. It’s a way of asking for help.
Students can also bring the elders other gifts. Antone shows me the large block of pink salt stone he got from a student earlier that day who told him it came from Pakistan. He turns it in his hands so I can see the hole in the top where a candle can be put inside and lit to make the stone glow.

Just like lighting the salt stone, Antone helps feed the fires of students’ dreams with his booming laugh and encouraging words so they can shine with success.

“I work with people’s dreams and make them happen,” says Antone, who’s been an elder at First Nations House since about the year 2000.

Antone shows me how he does this by asking students questions and learning what their dreams are. Knowing a bit more about students, he can then bounce ideas off them for how they can go about achieving those dreams.

“That’s where we build; we build on our relationship,” Antone says. “We build on our conversations and that’s what I do. I dialogue with you and in dialoguing with you I’m able to work with you.”

But there’s only so much Antone can do to help a student. Overall, the student needs to have a goal and has to want to achieve that goal in order for Antone to give them guidance.
“A bird needs to have a dream to fly,” he says.

Kathy Marsden agrees. She’s been the native counsellor at the Aboriginal Resource Centre at Georgian College in Barrie for the past 12 years.

“If they’re [the students] not internally motivated, nobody can motivate them to change,” Marsden says. “The support services are about empowering, helping them to work things through themselves, not doing things for them.”

Like Antone, Marsden also uses Aboriginal teachings to help native students at the college. Her main way of helping students is by using what she calls “the medicine wheel approach.”

The medicine wheel is another important symbol of most First Nations, though it differs from group to group. It is a wheel divided into four sections: red, black, white, and yellow. The wheel stands for many different things, but Marsden’s counselling methods focus on the four parts of the self the wheel symbolizes: spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental.
Marsden mostly deals with the emotional part in her counselling but she says the four areas overlap.

“If someone’s under emotional stress, it’s affecting them in all those other areas,” she says. “It’s affecting them mentally, so they can’t concentrate on their academics. It’s affecting them physically; oftentimes they can’t sleep, so I don’t just deal with the emotional part.”

Balance is the aim of Marsden’s approach. She has students fill out a medicine wheel chart to show which of the four areas they need to work on. Eating well and getting enough exercise are some of the things she might help a student with in the physical part, while self-confidence issues could be a part of both the emotional and spiritual sections of the wheel.
“Depending on how lengthy the sessions are we may just deal with one specific aspect,” Marsden says. “But that’s OK. If it helps them get on with their lives, then that’s great.”

Helping students with those emotional problems can be hard.
Antone says that every single student that comes to see him is a difficult case in its own way, but it’s especially hard when the student is angry. Surprisingly, to help students get past their anger, he eggs them on to make them angrier.

“Sometimes when people are angry, it sometimes requires you to get a little bit more angry ‘til you realize that maybe that’s not really the right thing,” he says. “They catch themselves, they calm down and then I’m able to talk to them and maybe bring them down the good path.” The good path can mean forgiving people and treating them better instead of being mad, Antone adds.

Marsden agrees that anger shouldn’t be ignored even though most people see it as a negative emotion.

“The way we look at it is, all our emotions are given to us by Creator so we have to honour all those emotions and it’s how we deal with them that counts,” she says.

Smudging ceremonies are also a way that elders and native counsellors might help students deal with stress and other problems.

In his tiny office at First Nations House with the window open a crack, Antone shows me how smudging is done.

He takes a large shell from a table at the back of the room and sprinkles some grey-white sage leaves into it. He lights them on fire and smoke begins to curl up to the ceiling. I sweep the smoke over myself with my hands three or four times as Antone says for me to do. It has a spicy sweet smell and, as Antone says, “it makes you want to start cooking turkey.”

Aboriginals believe everyone has an energy surrounding them. The smoke from the sage or other plants First Nations use in smudging, such as sweetgrass, works like a shower to wash away negative energy, Antone says.

“What it does is it works with the thinking. It’s good for people and it’s supposed to bring understanding and it’s supposed to clear your mind,” he says. “And in the clearing of the mind it gives a new space, a new time, a new beginning for you to be able to walk the future.”

I feel calmer after bathing myself in the sage smoke and wish I had known about smudging during my last set of assignments.
But smudging doesn’t work for everybody.

“You only get out of it what you put into it,” Antone says.
He adds that postsecondary education is a kind of smudging, because by gaining knowledge, the energy around people changes too.

Learning about the Aboriginal worldview helps students with their personal growth, says Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, an Aboriginal studies professor at the University of Toronto.
Unlike mainstream society, the native viewpoint focuses on the success of everyone as a group rather than the success of one person, Wesley-Esquimaux says.

“When it’s all about you and all you’re concerned about is getting to the top of the game, then you don’t care who you step on,” she says. “Whereas with the Aboriginal worldview it’s not like that, it’s not competitive, it’s about trying to help each other get to a good place.”

By thinking of helping other people instead of just themselves, students not only become better people, they also become part of a community, Wesley-Esquimaux adds. Because of this, they avoid the loneliness and homesickness students often experience when they first get to university or college. Taking part in native community activities like potlucks and feasts means that students gain the support of many people and aren’t left on their own to deal with the transition to university or college.

“They [the students] seem to enjoy the inclusive nature of it. They like being involved in putting together feasts and spending a lot of time with each other,” she says. “They like that part. They don’t feel so isolated.”

Marsden says this idea of community and getting students involved is important at Georgian College as well. Though her counselling services are just for native students, the Aboriginal Resource Centre, like First Nations House, also has events and activities for all students and they have an elder on campus who everyone can visit for help.

“We’re not exclusive, we’re inclusive and that’s a huge factor,” Marsden says.

Changing students’ ways of thinking either through seeing an elder or learning more about Aboriginal culture can help them overcome seemingly impossible challenges at school, Antone says.

“It is not impossible, it’s only the space that you’re sitting in or the environment that you’re engulfed in . . . if we move you over just that much,” he says, holding his hands about an inch apart, “All of a sudden you say, ‘Oh I can see it, I understand it now.”

With a bit of nudging, students see solutions to problems that they were blind to before.

Talking with students and hearing their stories is what Antone enjoys most about working at First Nations House.
“I like to listen to people and I hear their stories. That’s how I can get a story.”

But it also makes him happy when he sees students carrying on what he’s taught them by performing various First Nations ceremonies themselves.

Passing on knowledge is what he really seems to love.
“I changed you,” he says with a laugh. “I smudged you. You’re no longer the same person as you were when you came in here.

You now have an access to the Aboriginal understanding.”
It’s true.

When I first climbed to the third floor of the North Borden Building on Spadina, I was nervous and scared. I didn’t know what First Nations culture was, though I’d read a lot about it.
Now I know a little something, and as I walk away from First Nations House, up the dreary wet street, I’m happy and confident. I know more about who I am.

All because of a little bundle of tobacco wrapped in yellow cloth.

SHEA BUTTER MARKET – BRINGING GIFTS TO THE MASSES

Shea Butter Market is the Brainchild of Gifty Serbeh-Dunn

I CALLED GIFTY SERBEH-DUNN AS SHE WAS FEEDING HER CAT. HER BOYS WALKED BY THE CAT WITHOUT FEEDING HER. HER BIG BOY IS HER HUSBAND WAYNE DUNN WHO HAS A BUSINESS DEGREE FROM STANFORD. HER SMALL 7-YEAR-OLD BOY IS HER SON KABORÉ. SERBEH-DUNN HAS MANY THINGS TO DO SUCH AS FEEDING HER CAT AND RUNNING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS SHEA BUTTER MARKET.

A collection of Management Common Sense

By Duncan Gunputrav

Management is the voluntary control of your self and or a particular situation, to achieve a desired result.

All actions in any situation have a subsequent result (both direct and indirect); even non-action is an action. The right action taken at the wrong time will not have the same result if taken at the right time.

Working at the Writer’s Life (Published in Australia’s MetroSeven)

I’ve wanted to be a writer ever since I was 7-years-old. I told my mother and she told me that I would never make any money. But I think that so far, at 31, I have proved her wrong. Although I’m not rich, I don’t live on the streets either. But, that’s thanks to the support of my parents – even if they would prefer me to be a doctor. In my heart, I first knew that I wasn’t meant to be a doctor when I wrote my first book at 17 that I definitely plan to get it published.

People who make a difference

There are so many people who make a difference on your journey through life. My parents and siblings have always been there for me, cheering me on and believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself. Sometimes when my self-esteem was so low, I needed extra support.

French Lessons with Dominique

You are more likely to make more money with your existing work if you know French. As well, if you are looking for work – knowing French increases your chances of getting a job and opens doors and opens opportunities for you.

Dominique is just the person to help you reach your goals with French. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced  – or even if you are fluent and just want someone to practice your written and spoken French with so you do not lose it in a city like Toronto – Dominique is your tutor.

She offers tutoring services in French. She is Quebecois, educated in Quebec at the bachelor’s level in translation and has several years of experience at this work. Her rate is $21.00/hr., however this can be negotiated if you are short on funds.

Do yourself a favour and learn French today with Dominique. She can be contacted at (416) 760-4635. Leave a message and she will get back to you right away.

School Works Series is Published

Cover Art for School Works – Other Essays

I have taken a selection of my undergraduate and graduate essays and compiled them into three separate books. The first is called School Works. The second is called Yes, School Works and the third is called School Works – Other Essays. They can be bought at the Lulu.com website as a download or print on demand copy. The website for order is: http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged. Order early and order often. There are many other books there too.

Some Salons Really are a Cut Above

Imagine a professional salon that is donating their earnings to help cancer survivors with their hair loss.

Cutting Back on Hair Care Expenses

I had my days when I used to spend more than $100 CDN at the salon in the 1980s and once spent about $300 CDN on a weave back in the 1980s too. There are many ways you can cut back on your hair expenses.

Even More Media Research

Here is more research on the auto industry done with the Media Research Institute:

More on Media Research

Here are more summaries of articles on the auto industry:

Media Research Continued

Here is more research on the automobile industry done with the Media Research Institute:

More Media Reasearch

Here is some more media research on cars done when I worked for the Media Research Institute taken from August 2005:

Media Research Institute

I used to work as an auto journalist with the Media Research Institute. In an ode to the failing auto industry, here are some of the summaries. This one dates back to August of 2005:

Donna Magazine’s Updates

Donna Magazine has another site called Donna Magazine’s Updates at: http://kakonged.blogspot.com/. There you can find information on education matters. I also have another site at: http://donnasalonutopia.blogspot.com. This site is about beauty issues.

Donna Kakonge, owner of Donna Magazine, also has five new books out called School Works – Other Essays , Yes, School Works, Honest Psychic Chats, The Write Heart, Story Ideas: Help For Writer’s Block, Listening to Music, This is How the Egyptians Fell and Natural Beauty.  You can find out more about these books, as well as her others at http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged and Amazon.com.

For other entertainment related to Donna Magazine, you can check out her podcasts at: http://kakonged.podomatic.com.

Look out for more video on this site soon.

Morning English Lessons Excerpt

This is an excerpt from the book Morning English Lessons that was published in December, 2008. To check out the book, please go to: http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged.

Eight Must-Have Books for Finances

Attorney Will Chen browsed the web to find eight personal finance books that will come in handy for you:

U.S. Department of Education Gives Money

More than a million dollars will be shared between schools in Kansas, Florida and New York. The money will be given by the U.S. Department of Education to help character development and citizenship responsibilities in students. This was announced by the U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings on Friday.

New South Wales Gives Money to Schools

The government of New South Wales is spending a record amount on the education system.

Miracle Makeover

On my way to Urban Textures Salons on 44 Gerrard St. W. I lost the hat that was covering the recent and awful weave I had received. It was an afro weave, done with synthetic hair, but I came with great expectations to put my head in the hands of Urban Textures’s owner Christos Cox and his team.

Human Resources Education

There are many schools that offer education in human resources, although a degree is not always necessary.

How Does State Funding Effect Children in Schools?

Kitsaps’s public school districts, schools in Washington, have cut their budgets by hundreds of thousands of dollars over the past seven years. The needs for the schools are still great. State funding pays about 70 percent of the total public school funding is based on a formula from 30 years ago.

Corporation Gives Computers to School

A leading global talent development corporation will be providing computers and computer aided education to more than 2,005 schools in Andra Pradesh in India. The value of this funding is Rs 1728 million.

Medical Transcription

Medical transcription involves transcribing the voice recordings of dialogues between a doctor, or group of doctors and the patient. Skills in understanding different kinds of accents, as well as knowledge in English as a Second Language can be extremely useful in this field. These requirements are just secondary to knowing how to type really, really fast.

Dental Hygienist

A dental hygienist is a specialist when it comes to oral hygiene. He or she helps the dentist provide the client with preventive dental care. US statistics report that the median hourly wage for a dental hygienist is about $30.00 USD.

Paralegal

A paralegal does the administration work for a lawyer, working under the lawyer’s direct supervision. Everything from criminal to corporate to family law – you can find paralegals. They are hard at work to make sure the multiple and time-consuming tasks of a lawyer are handled well.

Ways of Making Money With Real Estate

If you start to see your money grow, one of the best ways you can see it grow even further is through real estate investment.

Mutual funds

Mutual funds are clusters of investments that can be made that tend to earn a higher rate of return than Registered Retirement Savings Plans.

Financial Planning Tips: Retirement

Retirement really is right around the corner. Starting to save early for retirement is the key to make sure that in your older years you will have a comfortable one. Here are some tips to get you started:

It Makes Cents: Shopping Tips

Shopping – everybody has to do it at some point. It is hard to go through life without the material things in life. Here are some suggestions on how you can save on those things you need:

Income Increase

There are many ways you can make sure that you have the income of your dreams in just a matter of a few years. About two years ago I was making about a third than what I currently make. How did I manage to triple my income in two years?

It Makes Cents: Saving Money on Getting Around

Sometimes the Smaller the Car - the Easier to Get Around

Getting around can be an expensive thing to do. Even if you take public transit – there are many ways to save on getting around your town. Here are some tips that make getting around easier and less expensive:

It Makes Sense: tips on how to save money with food

There are so many ways you can be saving on your daily expenses to put more money in the bank or to spend on things that really mean something to you. Some of those ways could start with just keeping a list of how you spend your money and looking at ways you could cut back. Here are some suggestions:

Bargains Can Make You Poor

By Kathy Tapley-Milton

Bargains are a double-edged sword. They can save you money, but they can also make you poor. If you are trying to stick to a budget grabbing up bargains can easily blow that budget.

It Makes Cents: Affordable Entertainment

Most people need to have some entertainment in their lives to feel complete. Here are some tips on how you can save money with some forms of entertainment, as well as avoid expensive ones:

New Donna Magazine Online Community

Archive Your Own Work -The above artwork is by Megan Leonard. You can see more of her work at: http://meganleonard.carbonmade.com/.

Upload video, audio and blog. Promote your business. Get involved with a more intimate online community. Follow this link to join The Community of Hope – a new online community associated with Donna Magazine:

http://www.kickapps.com/The Community of Hope

It Makes Cents: Low Cost Ways to Afford a Home

There are two major expenses most people make in their lives. The second is owning a car – the first is owning a home. Home ownership is a dream for many and can be an attainable goal, regardless of your current income, by using some of these tips:

Gloria Jones: Aiming for 150 per cent in Banking (Past Publication Attempt)

Gloria Jones. Photo by Donna Kakonge

Gloria Jones, vice-president of cash management services at the BMO Nesbitt Burns doesn’t know why it was that easy. The position she came into about 30 years ago was a junior clerical position. She worked there for a little while and then went off and had some babies.

Gaining the Competitive Edge: Web Site Design Companies (Originally Published with AssociatedContent.com)

Fortunately, I have my own website at www.donnakakonge.com and although I know how to do one, I didn’t have the time. I’m not alone. Many small and large businesses with extremely capable people to do a site will outsource this work to save time and money. An article in the business section of Wednesday’s star actually mentions the growth in this area.

K2 Contracting Ltd. (Originally Published in Canadian Builders Quarterly

Kevin Fairweather manages the business K2 Contracting Ltd. that does about $3.5 million to $5 million dollars a year.

Gaiser Construction (Originally Published in Canadian Builders Quarterly)

Bruce Gaiser got into a pinch back in the late 1980s and 1990s when he started doing business with Native reserves in Manitoba. The cash flow of the business dried up, “I decided I would work for more credible companies, like school boards, government, provincial boards, municipalities, cities, now we’re getting more into the design build,” says Gaiser. “You solicit the general contractors which is what we do, this is how the owner decides which builder to go with. Competitive build is what it is called. Back in the early 90s you would get 10 and 11 guys bidding on a job, now you would get about three. You can be more selective about who you deal with. Honing in on what we are good at.”

RSS Feeds

Register for RSS Feeds on this site and find out the latest updates!

RSS stands for “Really Simple Syndication.” You can get updates of this website sent to any mobile device or to your computer that will support it.

Corporate advertising to blacks (Originally Published with Suite101.com)

Many companies do not feel it necessary to create advertising aimed specifically at Black communities. Sometimes Trevor Campbell, president of Porter Novelli, is asked in his public relations practice whether he has experience in ethnic media outreach? He says it is hard to measure the media that reaches ethnic communities.

Tips on buying gifts (Originally Published with Triond.com)

I have not ever found it too difficult to find gifts for people, with the exception of my Dad who is impossible to buy gifts for. Mainly because he does not tend to even accept them. Recently, I found myself in a situation of needing to buy a gift for a special person in my life – my niece.

Books For Sale

Everything from the politics of black hair to short stories to interracial relationships, plus some conversations with psychics and information about the education industry can be yours on my e-store: http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged. There are even more books available. Check it out, find something you like and buy something today.

Heathwood Homes @ the 407 (Originally Published in New Dreamhomes and Condominiums Magazine)

From top to bottom – Heathwood Homes has what you need. From towering nine feet ceilings to more than two inch thick hardwood flooring – these are homes you can feel proud to own in the Mississauga and Brampton area – all with easy access from the 407.

Tips on Shopping for a Bike

A bike is a terrific way to get around, especially when the weather gets warmer. Some people even ride their bikes during the winter and this can save on lots of money when it comes to transportation. Here are some of the ways you can save on buying a bike:

Working From Home as a Professor

Professors that work in traditional settings sometimes need to work from home. Also there are professors that are teaching online education courses that also need to work from home. Here are some ways you can make sure you get your work done.

Keeping Your Office at Home and Work Organized

A professor needs to have an office that is organized to stay on top of all the work you need to do.

Professional Development for Professors

Professors receive many perks of their jobs such as free books, extended vacation time and paid vacations to conferences. One of the things that become a vital part of professor’s work that is often volunteer work to improve their skills is professional development.

Getting a Job in Academia

For many of you working on a graduate degree, you can turn that into a lucrative career by teaching. There are some things to keep in mind if you are going after an academic job.

Understanding Part-time Professors

Some of the professors you may have in university and college may be part-time and there are special things you need to keep in mind about having professors as this. There are advantages and disadvantages.

The Big Business of Education

Education is big business. Many new programs that schools come out with are designed to raise the profile and to raise the profits of the school. This is why it is important to get your money’s worth.

Professor’s Perspective: Teaching in the summer

Some professors work through the fall and the winter just waiting for their time off in the summer. Other professors really enjoy teaching in the summer.

Private Versus Public Education

In many countries, the public education system can seem so under-funded that when it comes to primary and secondary schooling – there seems to be no other choice but to put your child through private school. Here are some things to consider about a public school you may want to put your child into.

Transunion Has a Better Way to Prevent Bankruptcy

Transunion now has something called the Bankruptcy Score. This score helps lenders in making the difficult choices in granting loans to you.

Top 10 Mistakes in Choosing a Career

1. Our parents love us dearly and they mean well, however choosing a career because your parents have forced you into one is not the wisest thing to do. You really have to do what you love because you are not your parents and life changes in such a way that you will not live the life they have lived. They may have good advice, yet make sure the final decision on what you are going to do with your life is yours.

Street Meat

New Street Eats

This story explores expanding the kinds of street meat you can have in Toronto. In a talk tape done with Marc Montgomery with Radio Canada International, I interview different people to discuss adding such foods as Asian cuisine to the streets of Toronto. Have a listen and enjoy.

Electronic Receipts

One way you can save on money is doing away with paper in your record keeping. Making use of this idea is as easy as using the power of the Internet.

It Makes Cents: Low Cost Ways to Afford a Home

There are two major expenses most people make in their lives. The second is owning a car – the first is owning a home. Home ownership is a dream for many and can be an attainable goal, regardless of your current income, by using some of these tips:

Voice Class at Alza Acting Studio

Alza Acting Studio is located at Yonge and Bloor in Toronto

www.walteralza.com Find out more about Walter Alza at this link

http://www.walteralza.com/v1/content/classes/

Find out more about the classes at the link above.

Look forward to seeing you there!

January 29th – Teaching New Voice Class at Alza Acting Studio

Alza Acting Studio is located at Yonge and Bloor in Toronto

Sign up everyone! I will be teaching a voice class at Alza Acting Studio starting January 29, 2009. The class has three levels and runs over 12 weeks. The school is owned by award-winning actor Walter Alza (“Get Rich or Die Tryin’” and Metropia). For more information on how you can sign up for classes, please visit this website: http://www.walteralza.com/v1/content/classes/index.php?page=times.

I look forward to seeing you there and meeting new and old friends!

The future of home building (originally published in New Dreamhomes and Condominiums Magazine)

Courtesy of Morguefile.com

While driving a rented car on his way to get his two boys their first movie ever, Antonio Gomez-Palacio, the chair of the Toronto Society for Architects, discussed his work and vision for the future of home building in the Greater Toronto Area.

Getting from A to B in home building (originally published in New Dreamhomes and Condominiums Magazine)

Courtesy of Morguefile.com

From acquiring the land to build a home, to choosing its tradespeople, to the time it takes to build a home and good and bad stories about building – Townwood and Baywood Homes share their knowledge on getting from A to B in building.

Hot home Office for Resale

Courtesy of Morguefile.com

The second floor office had books everywhere floor to ceiling and a little laptop. It was part of a house going on the market for re-sale.

Hushing People to Try on Clothes (originally published in Pride Newsmagazine)

Owner of Hush Boutique, Stephen Phillips stands by his creations

He was one of those people who answer his phone, but you get put on hold a lot because he has so many calls coming in. After three tries, I was finally able to set-up an interview with African-Canadian Stephen Phillips.

Where I Was Just Published

Cover Design for Where I Was

Check out Donna Kakonge’s latest book at her online store that can be found at: www.donnakakonge.com. You can find other books there too.

First Summer Job

My Dad told me that at my age I would never be able to find a job. At 14, I was determined to prove him wrong. Plus, I was a well-seasoned worker. I delivered newspapers when I was 10 years old – but would that be enough to get me the job and financial freedom I needed?

Merging business and art – Imani Enterprises

Anne-Marie Woods started Imani Enterprises in 1994. The company started by focusing on youth arts and culture in Nova Scotia.

Morning English Lessons Just Published

Cover Design for Morning English Lessons

Welcome to Morning English Lessons! To help you with your English langauge skills – go to http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged to find out how you can buy it. As well, you can check out the other books offered there. My official website at: www.donnakakonge.com has been updated too.

Closet Shopping

With little funds and a closet stuffed with clothes, I decided to shop in my own closet.

Finding the Perfect Car

My Very First Car Driving With My Family

Ever since I was in high school, my dream car was a Jaguar. Although I was driving a standard Russian Lada at the time that was white, with a blue stripe and black interior, I always dreamed of owning a Jaguar.

Creating a Canvas (originally published for Pride Newsmagazine)

Guess what? That beautiful mane on the head of Miss Universe, Natalie Glebova – it is a weave.

Christos Cox and his team at Urban Textures Salons created the winning look for Miss Universe like any artist creates their canvas.

The Self-Publishing Solution

Getting Through the Publishing Maze by Self-Publishing

There are so many self-publishing sites that can help you to finally get that novel or your dissertation published the way you want to.

Guelph-Humber Student – Akim Burke’s Work

Akim Burke is a University of Guelph-Humber Media Studies Student

Over the last few years there has been a significant shift within the automotive industry, and its big three superstars Ford Motor Company, General Motors (GM), and Chrysler. These three major auto retailers have hit a financially devastating pothole that has seemed to not then out quite yet. GM, Ford, and Chrysler have been the big men on campus for what may seem as forever within the halls of the auto production. Their sky-high sales and stock ratings are now a thing of the past, and have come to an abrupt stop after the start of the recession. The recession has put a heavy damper on the Big 3’s sales and has substantially strained the financial capabilities, forcing GM to let go roughly 10,000 workers in the U.S and Canada combined, with Ford and Chrysler following suit.

In My Pocket Just Released

Cover Art for In My Pocket

This book is about how to help yourself during the perilous times we live in.

Tips for Reducing Expenses in Small Business

Even the big businesses are scaling back by selling off properties like in the current situation of GM or cutting employees. For small businesses, saving money becomes important. Here are some tips on how to save money in your small business or the one you dream to own someday.

The Twelve Days of Xmas on the Cheap

Christmas time is near and you have to buy for your true love. Keep these tips in mind for giving during the 12 days of Christmas on the cheap:

The Joys of Having a Cat without Expense

Hubert Selby Jr. III is the deceased author of Requiem to a Dream, but it’s also the name of Laina Dawes white cat. Dawes named her cat after her favourite writer who did his craft without punctuation marks and looked at the bad side of human behaviour.

Smart Ways of Playing the Real Estate Game

Home ownership is a dream of many and can be made a reality if you know how to play the game right.

Reading for Less

At the time I was really young, I used to love buying books. I think in some ways I had more money then. I didn’t pay rent and my food was free. Everything is cheaper when you’re a kid, so for those reading, enjoy it while you can.

Movies on the Cheap

With the rise of Paramount theatres and movie ticket prices, finding cheap places and ways to see films is important.

Montreal: Quelle Ville!

What a great city Montreal is – quelle ville! If you buy your bus ticket in advance like I did from Toronto to Montreal for $89 with the tax, you can pay very little for your travel. There are other cheap ways to travel, but please see my Free Ride article for more information on your options.

Making Coffee on the Cheap

You can save a bundle just making coffee or coffee alternatives at home and still get that warm toasty feeling from having your first to last sip.

How to Get Fall Clothing on the Cheap

The best deal I ever got for fall was one time when I was in Sudbury shopping with the mother of a friend of mine. I was up there for an interview and she was kind enough to take me to the Value Village. What a great place!

How to Get Dressed for Bed on the Cheap

If you have the money, then it’s really nice to invest in bedtime clothes. There are all kinds of beautiful things you can wear to bed, like silk, satin or good quality cotton on a hot night.

How to furnish your home on the cheap!

Trust me, it’s worth the investment.

Rent a truck for a weekend, bring a strong friend along and get ready to load up on all the free stuff.

Culture in Toronto on the Cheap

September is the biggest tourist time in Toronto and if you’re headed this way, there are many cultural things to do for free.

Cold Weather Heating Tips

As we battle the snowy storms outside and ignite the furnaces inside, sometimes keeping a place warm can be a real challenge. If you are the type to pump up the heat, you will probably end the month with heating bills that leave you cold.

Coffee on the Cheap

Some people can spend anywhere from $200 on coffee a month buying it outside of the home. But, there are lots of great ways to brew coffee right in your own abode and save a lot of money.

Avoiding Pitfalls of the Scam Artist

You can find scam artists big and small every where you look in the world today. It may be a telemarketer offering you a trip that sounds too good to be true. It might be a car mechanic that overcharges you for an oil change. It can even be a friend who offers you a great job in a business that is basically shrouded in fraud. It can even be advice from a tarot reader.

Crystal Clear Maids

crystal-clear-maids

The mother and son team of Crystal Clear Maids have been in business for six months. The business is helping them to realize their Canadian dreams as a family originally from Grenada. Listen to what Sharon who gets things clean says.

16 Handy Tips on Cheap Car Maintenance

Next to owning a home, cars are the second biggest expense you can have in your life. Here are some tips, from lowering car insurance prices, gas prices, car maintenance and a whole more to help you save a bundle of cash.

Audio Downloads Now Available on e-Store

Church Sunday is just one of the downloads available on my e-store

Digital Journals and Numerology Just Published

Use numerology to express yourself to yourself

This book is meant to emphasize how powerful keeping a journal can be with the aid of numerology. I started writing one at the age of seven and keeping a journal has been a constant for me – more than some friends, some jobs and some family members. I used to get a thrill selecting my journals to write in. Now I have decided to try something new by using the computer that I already spend so much time on and money on to show how powerful keeping any journal…even a digital journal can be. Using the principles of numerology can also help in chronicling your life. It can be bought at http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged.

Artwork from Salon Utopia

Here are four pieces of the artwork I did for a website I had called “Salon Utopia” that I did as part of my graduate studies at Concordia University in Montreal.

Betsy was the receptionist of the virtual Salon Utopia

Example of people talking in online forum

Portrait of myself as a baby

Example of people who would come to virtual Salon Utopia

Matoke (excerpt from the book Spiderwoman)

You can find the audio version of this story on my e-store

In the early 1980’s, when I was 10 years old, things changed at my school with the arrival of a new vice-principal. At O’Connor Public School in Toronto, Mr. Goldberg set up a close-circuit television studio. The show the students and Mr. Goldberg produced was called OCTV News.

Pictures Worth a Thousand Words

Here is something that looks interesting for those of you in the business of selling ideas:

http://www.worthathousandwords.com/

Gas Prices

It amazes me how high gas prices are now a days. I remember the time when I used to drive a white Lada and the gas prices were .45 cents a litre. That was back in the mid to late 80s. Anyone would be hard pressed to find gas prices like that anywhere.

The Struggle of Writing

Writing really is a wonderful thing. I would recommend for anyone to do it if this is what they want to do. I also do some radio when I have the chance and I am looking to either borrow a digital recorder from one of the places where I work so I can work on a private project or save up enough money for one. I have a mini-disc, which used to be the industry standard – however, everything is going digital

New Book – Journalism Stories Collection

You can buy journalism stories through my e-store

I have come out with a new book of journalism stories I have written over about a span of five years, most since I have been back from Montreal to Toronto. You can buy Journalism Stories Collection at this website: http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged. I have eight other books I have written there titled, What Happened to the Afro? How to Write Creative Non-fiction, Spiderwoman, My Roxanne, Being Healthy: Selected Works from the Internet, Do Not Know, My Story of Transportation and eSpirituality Chats. You can buy them all.

How to buy food cheap (orginally published on The Shoestring.com)

How to Buy Food Cheap

Food, as you all know, is something that we need to survive. Whether you eat too much, too little or the right amount for your body type, here are some tips on how to cut down on your grocery expenses without starving.

Getting around for less (originally published with The Shoestring.com)

Getting Around for Less

With high gas prices now it helps to know how to get around for less money. There are so many options; all you have to do is choose.

Etienne Lapointe

Etienne Lapointe

This unique individual has an unusual way of making a living and living his life. The story was originally aired on Radio Canada International.

Black History

Black history

Black people have been a part of Canadian history since the creation of the country. Educate yourself with this radio story originally airing with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Career Switches

Career switches

Here are some success stories of people who have made switches in their career. The story originally aired with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

What Happened to the Afro?

What Happened to the Afro?

Here is a commentary radio piece that aired with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. To find out more about this topic, you can also visit my website where a book is on this topic at: http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged.

Black Female Taxi Driver

done

Have you ever seen a black female taxi driver? I was a virgin to this and saw one and could not help but capture it on video.

Kelly Willougby

Kelly Willoughby can help to change your life. Find out more at: http://www.kellyharrington.net/

2008

Happy New Year! I hope everyone who reads this has a smashing year ahead. Also…get ready for cultural new year celebrations too.

Cheers,

Donna

http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged

dkakonge@sympatico.ca

Pathways to education (originally published with Pride Newsmagazine)

Pathways to Education

Regent Park is the oldest and largest public housing project in Canada. The average income is $18,000 per year, 50 per cent that of other Canadians. Over 80 per cent of residents are immigrants, many of who hold professional training diplomas, degrees and certificates from other countries that are not recognized in Canada. Englis is a second language for nearly 60 per cent of Regent Park adults and the region ahs twice the number of single parent families as the rest of Toronto. To top it off, there are no high schools in the community. It is no surprise that prior to Pathways the drop out rates was 56 per cent, twice Toronto’s average.

The Master Weaver (originally published with Pride Newsmagazine)

Rose Hibbert and Christos Cox creates magic with Donna Kakonge’s hair

The Master Weaver

With her 1992 red and black Volkswagen Jetta, Hibbert drove me up to Hair & Wigs on the Danforth in Toronto to get the 150 per cent real human cuticle hair for the makeover. Her sister Ingrid Hart, who is an actor and had a long-running role on “Train 48,” was seated in the back.

Options for homes (originally published with New Dreamhomes and Condominiums Magazine

Mike Labbé – President of Options

Options for Homes – Making Home Ownership a Reality – October 2005 – published in New Dreamhomes and Condominiums Magazine

Bring a community together from the ground up and give them what they need to own a home seems to sum up the Options for Homes belief system.

How to make your mall experience a free one (originally published with The Shoestring.com)

How to Make Your Mall Experience a Free One

Being in a shopping mall can be an overwhelming experience – especially when you don’t have cash to spend. But, there are ways to have a good time without spending a cent.

Winterize your skin (published on Canoe.ca in 2001)

Winterize your skin

Did you know that the sun can cause damage to your skin in the winter, as well as in the summer?

If you said yes, great. For those of you who said no, there can be grave consequences to not using sun protection in the winter. Even more damage can happen to your skin in winter than in the summer.

Perfume has gone to the dogs (published in Canoe.ca in 2001)

Whoof! Whoof!

Perfume has gone to the dogs

Oh my dog! Now pet owners can get even more intimate with their loved ones by wearing the same perfume with their cat and dog.

Kay McConney (originally published for Pride Newsmagazine)

Kay McConney

Kay McConney: leaving for other opportunities

Published in Pride Newsmagazine – June 29, 2005

By Donna Kay Kakonge

Kay McConney, the Consul General of Barbados, is leaving her post for other opportunities at the end of July. She has been the longest-running Consul General the consulate has ever had, beginning her diplomatic assignment on May 3^rd, 1998.

A sprint to a clothing line (originally published for Pride Newsmagazine)

he has reached the finish line

A Sprint to a Clothing Line

Published in Pride Magazine – June 29, 2005

Ben Johnson, the fastest man in the world according to a 1988 World Record time of 9.79 seconds, is now in the clothing business.

Art for the fifth wall (originally published for New Dreamhomes and Condominiums Magazine)

by Donna Kakonge Alan Pourvakil’s accomplishments are luxurious, award-winning, and good for your health. He is the owner and designer of W Studio—a large, impressive building that houses fine carpets. He was born in Iran, a country famous for its Persian rugs. He came to Canada in 1988 at the age of 20 and started working in the carpet business a year later. He had no experience at the time, but learned about the art of carpet making at the International Academy of Design. In 1990, he started a rug warehousing business in Richmond Hill and hired a handful of designers. Six years later, he opened his own retail business. He started out selling mainly Persian rugs, but after about a year he realized that people were tired of repetition. “We looked for things that were softer on the eyes, more open, that would fit into today’s lifestyle, things that were not necessarily made in Iran,” says Pourvakil. “My approach was different; I wanted to find out what someone needed and try to find that carpet. We have to…find out what they like and what is right for the room.” Pourvakil says each rug has a soul; he calls it art for the fifth wall. “It’s the largest piece of art in a room. It’s the most important piece of art in a room. A carpet can take months, if not years, to be done…It does have lots of personality. It not only has to reflect the user, it has to be right for the space.” W Studio seems to be accomplishing its mandate. It has garnered over 30 national and international design awards. Another big project it has been involved in is the expansion of the new Royal Ontario Museum, with an exhibit on China, Korea, Japan, and the First Nations peoples. Pourvakil also been involved with the Textile and Carpet Museum and National Ballet School, and his charity work includes Fashion Cares, Reach for the Rainbow, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, and the Sick Kids Foundation. Pourvakil has also made several television appearances including on HGTV, Life TV, and CityTV. Pourvakil uses only wool, silk, and cotton in his carpets—no synthetics. “We believe in the air quality of a room,” he says. “Sick buildings are a concern for [us]. It’s a healthy choice and people are so concerned about the air that we breathe. If you have young children you should stay away from broadloom or synthetic fabrics. Also the artistic part of the value is lost. You lose the soul of the rug. This is a craft that has been carried on for thousands of years.” Nowadays people have a need for a big area rug and Pourvakil says that size is very important. A lot of floors are hardwood, granite, slate, or tile and you need something to cover the space in order to bring life to the room. One of the most appealing things about carpets is their ability to reduce noise. “You definitely need that,” says Pourvakil. “For many people that’s exactly the reason [they buy a carpet], to reduce sound pollution.” Pourvakil has high ambitions for his craft. “When I first started out I worked with a PR woman who asked me where you want this company to be, and I said I want this to be the biggest carpet business in the world with locations all over the world,” says Pourvakil. “Her jaw dropped and she said I have big dreams. Yes, I have big dreams…You can’t mass produce something and expect to be the best. I want to be the best design house and the most socially conscious business.”

Story Behind MyRoxanne – Donna Kakonge’s First Book

You can buy My Roxanne on my e-store

One of the books I will publish for 2008 was written when I was 17 years old. I spent a lot of my youth reading Danielle Steele, Sweet Valley High books and Stephen King. I also spent a lot of time while I was in English class writing and reading classic literature. MyRoxanne is a culmination of many years of work and expresses some of the dis-ease I felt at that time.

MyRoxanne (excerpt)

Chapter One

Roxanne has always been attracted to white men. There, she admits it. Maybe it came from watching all those movies and television shows when she was younger, where the good-looking men were always white. But, she does remember being fascinated with the show Fame and thinking Leroy was very sexy. And she does think black men are sexy. But, there’s something about them she has never been able to achieve, and that’s love. Life is hard for black men. And life for black women is even harder. She has never been able to find a black man who compared to her father. That’s why she always fell for the white ones.