On 8 December, Composer Bohuslav Martinu was born.  On the same day, legend musician John Lennon was killed.  It was 1890 that Martinu was born and 90 years later to the date, that Lennon was shot.

Martinu was best-known for being the 20^th century’s leading Czech composer.  He studied violin at Prague Conservatoire but was dismissed for his bad attitude.  Later on though, he ended up touring with the Czech Philharmonic and thereafter to Paris to study with Roussel.  Martinu also got very into Parisian culture.  His principal works include: Julietta, Double Concerto, Fantasies symphoniques.

John Lennon – probably the most famous of The Beatles – on the same day in history 90 years later was killed.  Just a few months after his 40^th birthday, the musician was shot a few times on entering his apartment in the upper west side of Manhattan, across from Central Park.  It was a man called Mark David Chapman who fired the five bullets that hit Lennon four times in his back.  He immediately pled guilty at the scene and sentenced to 20 years to life at the Attica Correctional Facility, Attica, New York prison where he remains today.  His parole has been denied six times. John Lennon was an excellent songwriter and had a stunning melodious voice – he was a true natural and an asset and is still missed and mourned today by his fans and family, Yoko Ono (his wife) and Julian Lennon (his son).

From Barber to Rolls Royce Owner

Yes it’s true.  Today’s very wealthy  Ramesh Babu used to earn a mere 5 Indian Rupees ($0.10) a day!  But time has changed a lot of things and now the man is the owner of a staggering 67 luxurious cars!  Included in this mix is a BMW, Mercedes and Rolls Royce, the latter of which is valued at close to $2m.  He purchased this one just a few months ago.  Clearly therefore, the now-41-year-old man has come a long way.  Bangalore isn’t exactly known for its worth and only five other people in the whole of Bangalore own such cars.

But even though he has come so far, it is important to Babu that he not forget his humble beginnings.  He still works as a professional barber, styling the hair of his regular and loyal customers, who have been there with him from the start.  This, of course, is not where he makes his big bucks though; it is his car rental business that is raking in the Rupees.  Still, Babu did need to take out a loan for his Rolls Royce.

Good Business Move

But the loan was a business move – and a smart one. Should a client want to use it for the day, Babu charges 75,000 Indian Rupees (almost $1,500!).  These individuals are usually Bollywood stars or top models like former Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

The Last Three Decades

Things have changed a lot for Babu since 1979.  His father had just passed away and this led to the entire family being homeless, living on the streets. Babu was just 9-years-old at the time and his 5 Indian Rupees per day weren’t exactly cutting it for the family (he was making this by working in his father’s salon – at such a young age).  Thus, pretty soon after his father’s death, he didn’t have a choice but to leave school and become a full-time barber. 

Fifteen years later, however, things started looking up.  He got the idea to start a car rental business.  He initially purchased a Maruti omni van which he rented out and still has today. The rest they say, is history! 

Still, no matter how well he does, he’ll keep his saloon on Bowring Institute; it’s just a part of him.  Indeed, if he goes to bed without having cut someone’s hair, he won’t be able to sleep!  Good for him.  Clearly, Babu won’t be forgetting his difficult beginnings in a hurry; maybe it’s this that will keep him motivated and ensure he is never forced to live on the streets again.

Or, that should really be, two dogs with two happy tails.  Only two eyes though – between the two dogs – since one of them relies 100 percent on the other one to be her eyes, as she doesn’t have any.  That is why when they ended up in a shelter in England as their owner was unable to take care of them.

The two Great Danes – 7-year-old Maddison (who has both eyes) and 6-year-old Lily (who is eye-less), ended up in Telford, UK, at the Shrewsbury Dogs Trust Care.  The shelter thereafter sent out a request looking for a good home for both of these dogs, figuring it would be pretty bad to separate them, especially as Lily’s handicap had rendered her totally dependent on Maddison.  But the shelter was somewhat concerned about finding a good home, as taking care of such a dog without eyes would not be an easy feat. 

The shelter was thus shocked and delighted that the response was so incredibly overwhelming!  Indeed, thousands of individuals made contact with the shelter, asking to take on both of the dogs.  Much research and investigative work was carried out and Len and Anne Williams were chosen for the task. The couple intends to take the dogs on long walks and even on their vacations to France!

The Tale of Annie Akavak

It’s no wonder Annie Akavak was an addict most of her life. She pretty much went through every type of abuse throughout her distraught childhood…and then some, giving birth to the first of her four children at the tender age of 14.  Bustled around from one foster home to another, she eventually ended up on the streets.  It’s taken a long time, and there have been many setbacks, but right now, she is ever so slowly – one step at a time – on the long road to recovery thanks to some incredible help and support from an amazing Canadian organization.

Jean Tweed Centre

Situated in the west end of Toronto, it was the Jean Tweed Centre and all its programs which really gave Akavak the first sniff of hope of a normal life.  A decade ago, the Pathways to Healthy Families outreach program began to give pregnant women and mothers help with their kids from birth ‘til 6-years-old.  They offered substance abuse counseling, assistance in finding housing and prenatal care, and more.  Thereafter the Moms and Kids Too program (MK2) was established which also helped Akavak get her life back on track.

It’s definitely been a long road for Akavak and there’s still a lot of work to be done, but the Jean Tweed Centre has really given her the tools she needs to at least start.  When her daughter was taken from her she was determined to get her back.  Turning to the programs run through the Centre, was what saved her. “I stopped relapsing and started learning some coping skills,” she said. Ultimately she won the custody battle and got her daughter back.  “Jean Tweed taught me how to be a better mother and a healthy mother.”  In a sense, her story is a rags to riches tale, in the sense of how well she lives emotionally these days.  Her dream is to have her own home.  In time, there’s a good chance this will happen.
 

The Tale of Annie Akavak

It’s no wonder Annie Akavak was an addict most of her life. She pretty much went through every type of abuse throughout her distraught childhood…and then some, giving birth to the first of her four children at the tender age of 14.  Bustled around from one foster home to another, she eventually ended up on the streets.  It’s taken a long time, and there have been many setbacks, but right now, she is ever so slowly – one step at a time – on the long road to recovery thanks to some incredible help and support from an amazing Canadian organization.

Jean Tweed Centre

Situated in the west end of Toronto, it was the Jean Tweed Centre and all its programs which really gave Akavak the first sniff of hope of a normal life.  A decade ago, the Pathways to Healthy Families outreach program began to give pregnant women and mothers help with their kids from birth ‘til 6-years-old.  They offered substance abuse counseling, assistance in finding housing and prenatal care, and more.  Thereafter the Moms and Kids Too program (MK2) was established which also helped Akavak get her life back on track.

It’s definitely been a long road for Akavak and there’s still a lot of work to be done, but the Jean Tweed Centre has really given her the tools she needs to at least start.  When her daughter was taken from her she was determined to get her back.  Turning to the programs run through the Centre, was what saved her. “I stopped relapsing and started learning some coping skills,” she said. Ultimately she won the custody battle and got her daughter back.  “Jean Tweed taught me how to be a better mother and a healthy mother.”  In a sense, her story is a rags to riches tale, in the sense of how well she lives emotionally these days.  Her dream is to have her own home.  In time, there’s a good chance this will happen.
 

Santa Claus is Coming to Town…

Soon it will be Christmas, and already the Christmas season is pretty much here.  Well, at least it will be once all the Thanksgiving fuss has died down.  Santa is hard at work and his helpers are getting in on the act as well.  And everyone is trying to remember the people in need.  And that is exactly what the Christmas Basket and Giving Tree programs are engaging in. 

Every year prior to Christmas, thanks to the generosity of local businesses and individuals, these packages are put together for the needy in the communities of Boring and Damascus.  As well, money is given so that additional food can be purchased to ensure a really delicious, nutritious meal can be put on the Christmas table and thereafter.

A Community Affair

All different segments of the community are getting involved in this worthy, charitable event.  Students are donating canned foods (in 2010, 22,000 cans were collected at the school food drives) and there is even a competition as to which class donates the most cans.  They are also donating gifts that can be put under the trees which are being sent to these families as part of the package.