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Help Generations help kids generationsfoundation.com O 514-933-8585 FEBRUARY2010 www.theseniortimes.com VOL.XXIVN 4 INSIDE 100 years of Young Union United Church life Gifted celebrated p. 5 and HIV/AIDS Black a growing concern for single boomers p. 7 Ronald Melzack, pain researcher, honored with U.S. award p. 16 Protecting yourself from online scams p. 24 Montreal theatre miracles pp. 27, 28, 29 The center of Morocco: the famed Jemaa El-fna p. 30 DELUXE BUS TOUR Josette still feels the earth move beneath her Rideau Carleton/ Raceway Slots (Ottawa) $25 Kristine Berey 1,250 Slot Machines from 1¢ to $5 Weekly Saturdays Departures Tetchena Bellange says that following the Hait- Feb. 6, 13, 20 • March 6, 13, 20 ian earthquake, it was as if the world stopped for Bonus, $15 per person several days. 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In 2003, the shooting made a difference were once young, deaths of four young men shook gifted and black is interesting and il- Montreal’s black community. As a luminating to most people. But if community organizer who works you’re a young black kid yourself,just with kids “from all over,”George was starting out, this knowledge could acquainted with three of the four inspire you to reach, just a little young men and says they were basi- higher, for the stars. cally good kids. This is why the Oscar Peterson Con- “It was a feeling of desperation,” cert Hall was the first and only venue George recalls, explaining how he felt considered for what has become an the need to balance the negative news annual Montreal celebration kicking coverage with the reality of many off Black History Month.Young, Gifted kids he knew. and Black showcases the talents of “I said: ‘OK, what about the posi- black youth through drama, music, tive things?’ There are so many young dance, and spoken word. kids doing wonderful things.” “The name Oscar Peterson is some- Inspiration came in the form of a thing that instills pride,” says Kevin song, Donny Hathaway’s rendition George, the community organizer of Young, Gifted and Black, as George who first made the show happen, six was sitting in his car listening to the years ago.“There are not too many radio. Continued on page 4 WILLIAMS & ESBER INC. 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I booked the hall right away. By December, I was in a panic.” For FREE information The responsibility and expenditure created some Rainer Schmalhaus anxiety, which George shared with Rev.