GuyanaTimes Sunday Magazine

Sunday

Times September 13, 2015

Star Times Bollywood:

Kangana Ranaut ashamed of celebs who promote fairness creams See story on page 13

Magazine

FREE DISTRIBUTION

Page 8

Page 3

Stanwyck Cromwell creates art work “from a cultural point of view” Page 16

2 Times Sunday Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

September 13, 2015

Times Feature

S

ome ten years ago, deaf persons in Guyana mainly faced a life in isolation, while persons without the disability remained essentially uniformed and unaware of their difficulties.

Today, from a modest office on Norton Street, Wortmanville in Georgetown, chairman for the Guyana Council of Organizations for Persons with Disabilities and director of the Support Group for Deaf Persons, Leon Walcott, has seen first-hand the progress over the years, as well as the remaining – and new – constraints regarding deaf awareness in Guyana.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Walcott says he is “very optimistic” with the progress that has been made for deaf awareness and education over the years, and is also optimistic that more will be made. What needs to be done now, he suggests, is to take this success to a higher level.

He mentions the work of Sabine McIntosh, president of the Deaf Association of Guyana, who runs the Deaf Special Needs School in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, as one example of the progress made and continuing to be made in the deaf community.

McIntosh, he says, is

years has been quick, building on what others had already put down.

Constraints

Leon Walcott

using culture to promote and encourage deaf awareness and education through cultural activities such as dance and drama. She has held successful shows, presented by the disabled, over the past three years.

Currently, though few sign language interpreters are available, they are often called upon at police stations or in the courts to lend support to deaf persons in terms of interpreting for them.

This ensures deaf persons are provided with their right to adequate representation, regardless of the legal issue.

While there is still a need for more deaf persons to access jobs, more deaf persons are employed than before and are income earners.

The University of Guyana had also signalled its intention to cater for students with disabilities in its Disability Equality Policy plan; a goal Walcott is happy to lend support to.

In addition, Walcott notes the more sensitive attitude among schoolchildren as well as among the general population, for the disabled.

They are some of the groups the organisation has targeted over the years to educate about deaf awareness.

“Things are being done, which is an improvement from…let’s say…10 years ago,” Walcott declares. He adds that since disabled organisations “don’t have to reinvent the wheel” the progress made in the 10

Walcott notes too that while there has been progress in many areas, in some areas that progress has been limited.

He mentions for example that while deaf persons are being employed, promotions are less forthcoming. This he adds is usually as a result of their inability to communicate effectively with other staff because communication has to be done in sign language, and few or no other staff would have such an ability.

In addition, while there is often an initial demand to learn sign language, persons, he says, view it as a “hobby” and learn the foundation stage but go no further. Often this is because there are no financial gains or economic benefits from learning sign language. As such, sign language users who are proficient in sign language are relatively few.

Also, while more per-

it is linked to what he calls the “export of Guyana: the brain drain.”

With a certificate proving training in special education fields, when these persons go to the Caribbean or western countries “…we’ve lost them…That is a fact… we have suffered from that,” he reveals, slowing shaking his head.

Walcott also feels there is still a great need for raising more awareness as a public service from the media, government and private sector.

He also reveals that due to a lack of funding, which usually comes from the local business community and individuals, The Support Group for Deaf Persons, of which he is its director, will not be organising its yearly Deaf Awareness Week of activities, held at the end of September.

However, the Guyana Deaf Mission Church, located near Vlissingen road, on Dhanraj Street, will have its usual rally and march, as well as a church service. The church, which is

fective communication with government and private office and business staff when they interact with them.

The police, nurses and the public service need to be more able to communicate with deaf persons without the need for the few sign language interpreters presently available.

Walcott feels that once these groups are involved there will be what he calls “a spin-off effect, or ripple effect”. If a friend of someone is a nurse, he suggests, and sees her communicating in sign language with a deaf person, there is the possibility that that person would be encouraged to also learn.

To avoid miscommunication and misunderstanding, police need to be sensitive to deaf persons and taught sign language to help when communicating legal matters to the deaf, Walcott believes.

Misunderstandings and frustration can result as neither can understand the other, which though resolved eventually, can traumatise

Walcott in his mobilised wheelchair leading the group for Deaf Awareness Week 2010

sons, including parents of deaf persons, have been exposed to deaf awareness programmes, many are still not significantly more aware to change their attitudes towards the deaf.

He cites this as an example of why awareness-raising activities need to continuous; something that he says is done, tragically, only in spurts. Funding for deaf awareness programmes may be provided for a few months then nothing for several years.

“Parents need continuous assurance,” he maintains, something that is not possible when there is a lack of funding and few resources for ongoing awareness activities.

“We need a lot of resources,” he states. “We need personnel, and we need money to train them.”

But there is also a caveat with trained personnel, and

run by Mary and Lawrence Hallahan, conducts sign language classes as well as church services in sign language.

A bit discouraged with the lack of funding, the group this year decided, as they did in 2014, to focus instead on International Day for Persons with Disabilities, which is scheduled for year end and consists of a week of activities encompassing all forms of disabilities.

Stumbling block

For Walcott, the biggest stumbling block to more success for the deaf in Guyana is that there are too few persons who can communicate in sign language. If more people knew sign language “life would be much easier for deaf persons,” he states.

Persons who regularly interact with the public should be competent in sign language to assist the deaf.

Deaf persons need to have ef-

a deaf individual.

Guyana statistics

According to ‘Sociolinguistic Profiles of Twenty-four Deaf Communities in the Americas’ by Elizabeth Parks and Holly Williams, (SIL 2011) there are reported to be some 4,000 (Cholmondeley 2010, citing the 2000 census) to 8,000 (Hallahan and Hallahan 2010, suggesting the number of deaf persons using sign language) deaf persons in Guyana.

Cholmondeley, they write, says that there was no sign language use in Guyana before 1980. Currently both Guyanese Sign Language (GSL) and American Sign Language (ASL) are being used here.

Both Tracey Cholmondeley and the Hallahans are active among the deaf community in Guyana.

guyanatimesgy.com

September 13, 2015

Times Sunday Magazine

3

Times Feature

By Lennox J Hernandez

I

t is generally accepted that the mainland of South America has been occupied by humans since 30,000 BCE, and that northern South America, including Guyana, has been occupied by indigenous peoples for more than 6,000 years.

In what is called preColumbian times (before the arrival of Christopher Columbus and the Europeans), the Arawak people, for example, inhabited the river basins of the Orinoco River and the northern Amazon, living in “thatched huts, made of bent branches, covered in leafy boughs.”

Over thousands of years, indigenous buildings would have evolved slowly, and a study of the contemporary building forms of the

Interior of the gable end of the hall at the Sophia Indigenous Village, Georgetown, showing details of the construction of the dhalibanna “roofing units”

al so as to shed water away from the underside of the roof, and hence from the indoor space itself.

It is a roofing method traditionally passed down

smaller ones for the sloping rafters.

The dhalebanna leaves are sorted out and the best selected in preparation for plaiting into a number of

Several of the dried dhalibanna “roofing units” - exterior side shown here (St Cuthbert)

nine indigenous peoples in Guyana is now most desirable.

Indigenous buildings utilize materials readily available, and are a mixture of various types of thatched roof; walls of leaves, earth, saplings or, in more recent times, rough-sawn boards.

The structure is usually of timber poles using the postand-lintel structural system.

While the coastal and forest peoples would use timber materials mainly, the savannah peoples of the Rupununi make much use of earth as a wall material.

Contemporary indigenous building

Indigenous buildings have their own aesthetics, especially the underside of the roof which, depending on the thatching used, display artistry comparable and sometimes better, than modern and western ceilings.

Thatching is the craft of building a roof with dry vegetation such as leaves, reeds, etc., which are plaited, and laying the materi-

from generation to generation, and numerous types are known, depending on the materials available and the tradition of the community.

The major vegetation used by the indigenous peoples for roofing in Guyana includes the troolie palm, the cokerite palm and the dhalebanna leaf.

This article will look at the dhalebanna (Geonoma spp) type roofing, mainly from a study done by the writer at the Pakuri Lokono-Arawak Territory (St Cuthbert’s Mission, Mahaica River) some years ago. (See “Arawak Houses” in Encyclopaedia of Vernacular Architecture of the World, edited by Paul Oliver and published

by Cambridge University Press.)

Dhalebanna (or dhalibanna) is a low growing palm found in swamps, which when used for roofing gives a distinctive look both externally and internally. The roof frame is made of round poles, usually wallaba, larger ones for the horizontal tie-beams and

what one may call a “roofing unit.” The roof is made up of a series of these dhalebanna “roofing units” placed,

like roof tiles, in horizontal bands from the bottom (the eaves) up to the ridge, fixed to the rafters and overlapped adequately to ensure no rain penetration.

The dhalebanna “roofing units” are made on the ground while the leaves are still green, as dry leaves are difficult to work with.

Three other elements are required to make the roofing unit: a runner for hanging the leaves, a thin lath to hold the leaves to the runner, and a vine for strapping the leaves to the runner and lath.

The runner is of stripped and quartered manicole (a palm) over which the dhalebanna leaves are folded, each leaf overlapping the previous. A thin strip (lath) of the turu (or tooroo) palm is then placed against the leaves, pressing them to the covered manicole runner, and the three strapped with vines of another palm called mukru.

These roofing units are then left to dry before they are fitted to the roof; this allows them to “fluff” out and give an impression of thickness. A roofing unit could be about 2 metres (6.5 ft.) or

more, long.

The dhalebanna “roofing units” are placed on the roof with the turu lath visible on the underside of the roof, giving distinctive thread-like bands running horizontally across the leaves when viewed from inside the building.

This decorative outcome of a construction technique is even more impressive when viewed in a circular building as in the case of the Umana Yana which was destroyed by fire in 2014.

On the exterior of the roof the strips of the roofing units are not seen separately and the entire roof appears to be a single mass of dried leaves.

Rectangular roofs may have

separate roofs at the gable end forming a ventilation opening or the roofs may be neatly joined to form a hip roof; in the latter case the roof would have an opening at the ridge for ventilation.

As mentioned before, indigenous buildings would have evolved over thousands of years. The present high level of sophistication of these roofs meets decorative, environmental, and constructional requirements, making them ideal for our warm-wet climate even in contemporary times. (Cover photo: The roof of the hall at the Sophia Indigenous Village, Georgetown, showing hip roof construction and ventilation opening at ridge)

The interior side of the dhalibanna “roofing unit:” overlapping green leaves are folded over the manicole runner with the turu lath fixed against them, all tied in place with mukru vines (St Cuthbert)

4

Times Sunday Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

September 13, 2015

Times Feature

G

oogle “Guyana garbage” and a heap of news pages on the garbage situation in the city and its environs is revealed (note the word “heap”). But it is no funny matter.

Littering is too mild a word to describe the amount of trash Guyanese toss on the roads, along the seawalls, in drains and empty fields, including government reserves.

Some entrepreneurial sorts have taken to collecting and disposing (often by burning) garbage, despite its illegality and polluting side effects. No one has ever been arrested for the now blatant “business” activity (which one such businessman calls his “lil hustle”).

The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are, among other things, tasked with looking after the interests of Guyanese with regard to waste disposal and its polluting potential.

Waste disposal problems have been an issue in the city and certain areas of the country for years now and have yet to be satisfactorily approached and corrected. It isn’t for lack of trying.

There have been huge investments in garbage collection, public awareness, new landfills and recently, prose-

skin conditions can be attributed directly to polluted air that we may never know of because there are simply no systems working to monitor such public health issues here in Guyana.

Indeed, there is almost no focus on monitoring pollution-related illnesses, and much less focus on medical documentation of pollution-related health issues to be made available for public scrutiny.

Businesses and the environment

cution for those at fault - but the situation hasn’t abated. It has in fact become worse.

In the renewed zeal after elections, a vigorous clean-up campaign was initiated. In the end it fizzled and was discarded by Guyanese the same way they discard their trash.

“Cleanliness and Citizenship CommunityLed Total Sanitation”

Now, a new “national conversation” aims once again to tackle the issue. Even more international help has arrived:

Trash along the coast of Guyana

PAHO (the Pan American Health Organization) and Georgetown’s City Council recently met to hold a three-day Cleanliness and Citizenship CommunityLed Total Sanitation (C&CCLTS) programme.

The programme is reported to be aimed at encouraging communities to help reduce traditional open garbage disposal practices, as well as to initiate clean-up community exercises in Georgetown.

It also hopes to change citizens’ attitude and behav-

iour on sanitation and environmental issues influencing the garbage crisis. In a press release, the M&CC Public Relations Department stated that social solidarity and cooperation are important and essential for C&C-CLTS. An earlier UNDP project, in partnership with the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Fund, aimed at “strengthening capacities to improve solid-waste management” has already been implemented here.

In less official jargon,

Last year, EPA’s director, at an environmental awareness seminar, told local companies “there is a complex but direct relationship that exists between developmental activities and the quality of the environment.”

This was with regard to the increasing commercial activities in the country of which, he also pointed out, the EPA is well aware that local businesses over the years have been operating with strategies largely driven by cost effectiveness and profit, with little regard for environmental consequences.

Businesses are often called out for their waste disposal practices which would include hiring non-registered “garbage collectors”

shut down last month with no ready alternative.

This led to the creation of the You Stink movement, which blames political paralysis and corruption for the failure to resolve the crisis.

The crowds have since demanded the resignation of that country’s environment minister.

The Lebanon cabinet has also since failed to reach agreement on a way forward, saying the fees quoted by private waste management companies were too great. So the situation there remains stagnant.

Guyana you stink

Like Lebanon, Guyana’s garbage mess is apparently also stagnant. According to one available account, though quoting City Hall documents from six years ago, (statistics and documentation are usually lagging or absent), approximately 83,000 tonnes of waste is generated annually in Georgetown.

Close to 50 per cent is organic food and garden waste; 21 per cent comprise plastic bags and 10 per cent other plastic containers; three per cent plastic bottles; six per cent disposable diapers and two per cent Styrofoam.

It is anyone’s guess on the increase of those figures

An illegal garbage disposal “business” in Georgetown burning garbage about a block away from the EPA’s Sophia headquarters

the projects plans to acquire new machinery and vehicles to be used to tackle the garbage heaps around the place as well as manage the vendor issue (considered one of the main causes for the trash pile ups) and of course “raise public awareness” of responsible garbage disposal.

It has all been done before, but the ever-optimists around can continue to hope once again for a renewed and revitalised capital city and other towns around the country.

Pollution and public health

The lack of properly managed garbage disposal poses a serious public health risk. Meanwhile, there is little available data in Guyana on pollution-related illnesses among its population.

Who knows how many flu-like symptoms, lung or

who arrive on horse carts or in trucks to carry the garbage anywhere they choose without question from the business employing them to do so.

Drains around some business places are also clogged with trash and heavily polluted.

today.

Meanwhile, as has happened before, the blame game is currently being played among City Hall and politicians. Even the economy is being blamed for the amount of trash being created.

An international movement

A culture of ‘stinkness’?

The recent local push comes on the heels of a vast grassroots movement currently underway in Lebanon called “You Stink”, which began as a citizens’ protest against their government's failure to solve its garbage disposal crisis.

According to a BBC report, one protester told AFP that he had come to protest “because the country has all become garbage.”

Rubbish has been piling up on the streets of Beirut since Lebanon's largest landfill

Many social commentators, heads of environmental organisations and politicians speak of a culture of untidiness and disorder that has created and continues to create the garbage problems around the country.

Even with the recent addition of more bins around the city, the situation remains the same – for some it has worsened. The garbage around us is generated by citizens and as such citizens have a major responsibility to avoid littering and adding to the current crisis.

guyanatimesgy.com

September 13, 2015

Times Sunday Magazine 5

Times Women

E

Elsa Goveia (1925-1980)

lsa Goveia’s 1956 publication, “A Study on the Historiography of the British West Indies to the End of the Nineteenth Century” is considered the “first substantial work” to study the writing of Caribbean history.

She is celebrated as a pioneering Caribbean history research and teaching individual, and acclaimed for her “sensitivity to the racism of the time”: writing to provide a balanced apprais-

Goveia in her earlier years

al of historical studies once usually conducted by whites only.

Elsa Vesta Goveia was born April 12, 1925 in the former British Guiana, one of two daughters. Mixed with African and Portuguese heritage, she was described then as “coloured”.

At the time when only a minority of non-whites of the former colony could benefit from anything higher than an elementary education, Elsa won a scholarship to St Joseph’s High School, Convent of Mercy, in Georgetown, and matriculated with her Higher Level Certificate.

She became the first woman to win the prestigious and much coveted British Guiana Scholarship in 1944, (there were only two such awards available in the colony) and arrived in Britain to study history at University College and the Institute of Historical Research in London.

She later won the Pollard Prize for English history while earning her BA First Class honours in 1948, the first West Indian to do so.

While working for her PhD, she was appointed lecturer in 1950 at the University College of the West Indies (now known as UWI), and earned her doctorate in 1952. Her thesis, "Slave Society in the British Leeward Islands at the End of the Eighteenth Century", was eventually published in 1965.

She rose to prominence as Professor of West Indian history in 1961 when she taught until her death.

Mary Chamberlain, author of ‘Elsa Goveia: History and Nation’, writes that Sister Mary Noel Menezes (who was once a fellow student of Goveia) in her presentation, ‘The Intellectual Legacies of Elsa Goveia’, Proceedings of a Commemorative Symposium in Honour of Professors Elsa Goveia and Walter Rodney, 15 May 1985, University of Guyana, Turkeyen, Guyana. (History Gazette 66, March 1994, pp.

9–12) recalled Goveia “staggering under a large pile of books, as she passed our classroom en route to solitary study in the Sister Superior’s office. It was unusual for a girl to be swotting for Higher Levels and even more unusual for her to be reading history.”

A chapter by Franklin W. Knight entitled, “A Caribbean quest for the muse of history” in the book “Becoming Historians”, edited by James M. Banner, Jr. and John R. Gillis, (University of Chicago Press, 2009) states that she was the first female professor in the history of British higher education. She was also the first female and West Indian to be awarded a chair, it adds.

Goveia is described in the chapter by Knight, who was a former student of hers, as an “extraordinarily rigorous scholar, as well as an original thinker…” with “a beautifully modulated voice generously infused with equal proportions of contagious charm, engaging wit, and matchless erudition…”

Goveia’s eventual publications include “A Study on the Historiography of the British West Indies to the End of the Nineteenth Century” (1956, reprinted 1980), which is considered a “landmark study in this field related to the West Indies.”; “Slave Society in the British Leeward Islands at the End of the Eighteenth” (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1965) pp. xii, 370, “The West Indian slave laws of the 18th century” (1970) with C. J. Bartlett and “An introduction to the Federation Day exhibition on aspects of the history of the West Indies”.

Goveia’s historiography is considered a comprehensive survey and commentary of important pre-1900 books

on the British West Indies, located at the University College of the West Indies and the Institute of Jamaica.

In 1961 she began suffering from a “debilitating illness” that is said to have “severely limited her scholarly input”, resulting in no more publications after 1965, though her reputation as a renown historian and challenging teacher did not suffer. The illness would remain for the rest of her life.

Elsa Goveia died March 18, 1980 in Jamaica at the age of 55.

The Association of Caribbean Historians today sponsors the 'Elsa Goveia Book Prize', which is awarded every two years in recognition of research excellence in the field of Caribbean history.

The University of West Indies also has a student

A prestigious occasion. From left to right: Professor Ishenkumba Kahwa-Deputy Principal of The UWI Mona, Dr Kathleen Monteith: Head, Department of History and Archaeology, Presenter Emeritus Professor Patrick Bryan: Department of History and Archaeology, Dr Swithin Wilmot: Dean Faculty of Humanities and Education and Emeritus Professor Sir Roy Augier at the 31st Annual Elsa Goveia Memorial Lecture

prize in Goveia’s name for the best result in courses related to Caribbean history,

and conducts an annual Elsa Goveia Memorial Lecture by the UWI Department

of History, Mona Campus.

April 7, 2015 marked its 31st annual presentation.

6 Times Sunday Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

September 13, 2015

Times Book World

The Shaping of Guyanese Literature

By Petamber Persaud

“A Dictionary of Guyanese Amerindians (and other South American Native Terms) An A-Z Guide to their Anthropology, Cosmology, Culture, Exploration, History, Geography, Legend, Folklore and Myth” compiled and edited by Lal Balkaran There are many endearing characteristics of the indigenous people of Guyana.

Some of those features are captured in “A Dictionary of Guyanese Amerindians (and other South American Native Terms)” compiled and edited by Lal Balkaran.

Most fascinating for me are the legend, folklore and myth, notwithstanding the other interesting features of the people.

Here are a few samples:

A creation story Amalivaca and his brother, Vochi, created the world according to Carib folklore.

But the legend bears more on Amalivaca who was sent to earth to restore peace and harmony which was disrupted by their father while attempting to be like a human being singing and dancing.

The origin of pain and suffering It is said that Yurokon went to a party with her child where she was served pepperpot that was extremely peppery. In order to ease the burning in her mouth, she went to drink water from a nearby creek. Returning, she discovered someone had thrown her child into the pot. Consequently, Yurokon put a curse on the tribe that would see the men hunting

Author Lal Balkaran

Stephen Campbell

the hard way and the women having pain in childbirth, and their offspring suffering many diseases.

ing. They tried but failed to uncover the secret of the tapir. However a forest spirit named Tamosi appeared and advised the people ‘to cut the tree down and distribute its parts to everyone who planted them from which spring cassava, sweet potatoes, corn, bananas, papayas and a variety of tropical fruits’.

The origin of fruits and vegetables ‘A tapir once found the mythical tree that bore a variety of fruits and vegetables’ on which he fattened himself while the Amerindians were starv-

Sister Mary N. Menezes, author of “British Policy towards the Amerindians in British Guiana, 1803-1873”

How so stories

There are many entertaining “just/how so”, like how the frog comes to be croaking from the forks of trees; how alligator got its scale; how come birds got their colours; how come owl likes darkness, and how come kiskadee got the white bandage on its head.

That’s about legend, folklore and myth of the Indigenous peoples – but what are the facts about these peoples?

According to the introduction to the book: “Amerindian culture… is a process of accommodation with nature…they never hoard…nothing is wasted… their concern for ecology and the environment and the balance of nature is part of their belief system…ecology is woven seemingly into the fabric of their culture.”

Other facts can be found in sections of the book marked “Time Chart of Amerindian Related Events” showing “chronologically all major Indianrelated events in Guyana …from 18000BC right down to 2001 AD”; “Map of Guyana showing distribution of the current nine Amerindian Tribes” which are Akawaois, Arawaks, Arekunas, Caribs, Makushi, Patamona, Wai Wai, Wapishanas, and Warrau; “Map of Guyana showing distribution of some extinct Amerindian tribes”; “Amerindian villages in Guyana” numbering 131; “Amerindian population in Guyana between 1891 – 1968”.

Some of those facts are substantiated through the profiles of men and women who contributed to the well-being of the indigenous people and the shaping of their way of life, such as Gravesande, Schomburgk brothers, Brett, Hilhouse, Waterton, Cary-Elwes, MacLintock, Peberdy, McKenna, Brett, Im Thurn, Roth, the Melvilles, Ogilvie, Hart, Stephen Campbell, John Bennett, Basil Rodrigues, Guy Marco, George Simon, Stephanie Correia, David Campbell and Jean La Rose, among others.

There are many books attesting to the above facts, such as “British Policy

George Simon

Towards the Amerindians in British Guiana, 18031873” by Mary N. Menezes; “The Animism and Folklore of the Guiana Indians”

by Walter Roth; ‘Canoe and Camp Life in British Guiana” by Barrington Brown; “Indian Notices” by William Hilhouse; “The Marches of El Dorado” by Michael Swan; “Wanderings in South America” by Charles Waterton and “Uncle Basil: An Arawak Biography”

by Justin Greene-Roesel, among others.

Under ‘expectations’, the compiler hoped that this work makes an ‘important contribution to global culture in general and …a greater understanding of Guyanese Amerindians’.

Which brings us to the main reason for the making of this book – which is to serve as a guide to “[s] how the broad historical, anthropological and geographical setting of…indigenous peoples” and to “profile the events, people and issues that have shaped their lives over the years.”

“A Dictionary of Guyanese Amerindians (and other South American Native Terms): An A-Z Guide to their Anthropology, Cosmology, Culture, Exploration, History, Geography, Legend, Folklore and Myth” compiled and edited by Lal Balkaran, did just what it set out to do and for this it is a commendable work.

But too few indigenous people are highlighted against the overwhelming focus on non-indigenous people. The focus on the contribution of the non-indigenous people is not a bad fixation but there are many outstanding indigenous people who have since built on the contribution of others. And as such their names deserve mention.

Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@ yahoo.com What’s happening: The Guyana Annual Magazine 2014-2015 issue in now available at Guyenterprise Ltd., Lance Gibbs and Irving Streets, Tel # 226-9874, the National Library, Austin’s Book Service and from yours truly.

guyanatimesgy.com

September 13, 2015

Times Sunday Magazine 7

Times Heritage

T

he Dutch West India Company or West India Company (WestIndische Compagnie) was a Dutch trading company that, according to the Britannica encyclopaedia, was established in 1621 mainly to carry on economic warfare against Spain and Portugal by striking at their colonies in the West Indies and South America and on the west coast of Africa.

In North America, its charter was to establish colonies there in part to prevent the growth of rival empires.

The company also established several colonies in the West Indies and Guyana between 1634 and 1648.

According to PBS.org, the Dutch West India Company was more powerful and successful than Microsoft, IBM, or General Motors today. It was one of the great international companies of its time.

Its annual profits reached as high as 200 or 300 per cent. (In comparison, a strong stock today might return yearly profits of 20 or 30 per cent.) In the pursuit of profits, the Company traded commodities such as spices, sugar, and fur.

More significantly, it also took part in the slave trade, taking slaves from the west coast of Africa to the West Indies and South America.

In North America, dur-

50 to 150 kilometres upriver. The marshy coast flooded at high tide and did not appear conducive to European settlement. The prospect of large profits for tropical agricultural products, especially sugar, led to the reclamation of coastal lands in the second half of the 1700s.

The Dutch were eminently suited to this task, having originated the polder system, a technique by which a tract of usable land is created by damming and then draining a water-covered area. Using this sys-

Europeans. The Dutch West India Company turned to the importation of African slaves, who rapidly became a key element in the colonial economy.

The decline of the WIC

Gerard Koot of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth History department, writes in his essay, “The WIC, The Dutch West India Company” that the military costs of its imperial infrastructure in the Western Hemisphere, political opposition from oth-

The West India House on the Herenmarkt in Amsterdam, headquarters of the WIC from 1623 to 1647

ing the 1620s, the Company sent over some thirty families as colonists and workers. They called the new colony "New Amsterdam."

Later renamed New York, it would grow into one of the greatest cities in the world.

Seeing the gains of the Portuguese with sugar in Brazil, the Company captured the towns of Recife and Olinda in 1630 and later appointed Johan Maurits van Nassau governor-general of Brazil.

When the Portuguese retook Dutch Brazil in 1654, the Dutch moved on to Surinam to set up sugar plantations there.

While attaining its greatest success against the Portuguese in Brazil in the 1630s and ’40s, the company depleted its resources and thereafter declined in power.

Guyana legacies

When the Dutch first settled in Guyana in 1616,

states countrystudies.us/ Guyana, they established a trading post 25 kilometres upstream from the mouth of the Essequibo River. Other settlements followed, usually a few kilometres inland on the larger rivers.

In 1621 the government of the Netherlands gave thethen newly formed Dutch West India Company complete control over the trading post on the Essequibo.

This Dutch commercial concern administered the colony, known as Essequibo, for more than 170 years.

The Company established a second colony, on the Berbice River southeast of Essequibo, in 1627.

Although under the general jurisdiction of this private group, the settlement, named Berbice, was governed separately.

Demerara, situated between Essequibo and

Flag of the Dutch West India Company

tem, the Dutch created a coastal plain that remains one of Guyana's most productive plantation areas.

The polder system entailed the use of a front dam, or facade, along the shorefront. This dam was supported by a back dam of the same length and two connecting side dams, which formed a rectangular tract of land known as a polder.

The dams kept the salt water out, and fresh water was managed by a network of canals that provided drainage, irrigation, and a system of transportation.

The labour for the ““polderization”” of Guyana's coast

er Dutch merchants, and its failure to establish a trade monopoly in the Atlantic resulted in the liquidation of the original Company after its loss of Dutch Brazil and New Netherlands (near today’s New York).

In 1674 a new and second WIC was formed, whose major task was not war, but focused instead on safeguarding Dutch trade and shipping in the Atlantic, the administration of its slave and gold forts in West Africa, the plantations on the north coast of South America and in the Caribbean, and its Caribbean trade centres.

While it also contin-

Harvesting Rice, British Guiana (1924)

The storehouse of the Dutch West India Company in Rapenburg, Amsterdam Netherlands. It was built in 1642, and became the headquarters of the board in 1647 because of the company’s financial difficulties after the loss of Dutch Brazil.

Tram Car on Middle Street, Georgetown, British Guiana (No date)

Berbice, was settled in 1741 and emerged in 1773 as a separate colony under direct control of the Dutch West India Company.

One of the most significant Dutch legacies in Guyana was the method of land management.

Settlement and agriculture initially were limited to a belt of land extending

was provided by the Dutch colony's African slaves.

As the agricultural productivity of the Dutch colonies increased, a labour shortage had emerged.

The indigenous populations were poorly adapted for work on plantations, and many people died from diseases introduced by the

ued its trading activities, its mounting debts and political pressure from other Dutch merchants interests forced the Company to give up its last trading monopoly in 1734 and it existed thereafter only as the governor and protector of Dutch colonies and trade in the Atlantic world.

It was dissolved in 1794.

8 Times Sunday Magazine

September 13, 2015

Times Travel & Tourism

Your Guyana adventure

At the Baganara Resort beach. Quiet stretches of beach along Guyana’s many rivers and creeks take you from your hectic routine

guyanatimesgy.com

I

f you want to experience relaxed living and authentic wildlife along with adventure in an ever increasing stressful and artificial world, then Guyana is as natural as you can get.

From its many old heritage buildings on the coast to its sprawling jungles and savannahs in its interior, nothing is left out from your adventure.

You cannot come to Guyana without experiencing the remote and truly natural Kaieteur Falls, considered the world’s largest single drop falls by volume and height, or leave without visiting St George’s Cathedral, a historic A Harpy Eagle or “flying wolf” in the Iwokrama Rainforest Reserve. icon of the capital city, argu- The Guyana jungle is not for the faint-of-heart but its almost prisably the world’s tallest wood- tine state is perfect for bird watching en building and just one of the many stately heritage buildings along the coast. (Cover photo: Sport fishing in the calm waters in Essequibo)

A jaguar walks near Karanambu Ranch, Rupununi. Known as the “Land of the Giants”, Guyana is home to some of the most powerful predators of the rainforest

Encountering an anteater. The vast expanse of the Rupununi Savannahs allows for long horse rides through natural wildlife habitats

Waiting for a bite. With Guyana’s many waters nurturing among the richest populations of fish in the world, it’s only natural for sports fishing to be a highlight of your trip

guyanatimesgy.com

September 13, 2015

Times Sunday Magazine 9

Times Healthy Living

Empty promises in a jar: Chemist debunks beauty cream claims

J

udging by the huge selection available in the cosmetics aisle, it seems there is a product promising a solution for almost any beauty problem. But chemist Perry Romanowski wants consumers to know that most of what’s in those bottles and jars amounts to little more than fairy tales.

Romanowski spent 17 years in the cosmetics industry formulating beauty products. But he says it always occurred to him that many consumers were getting duped into believing things about their beauty products that simply weren’t true.

“Cosmetic products do work, but they don’t work in the way that is advertised,” Romanowski told CTV’s Canada AM from Chicago.

Most expensive skin creams are really just simple moisturizers, Romanowski says.

That’s fine, he says, since moisturized skin does feel good and look good. But when these creams promise that they can make wrinkles disappear or “reverse time” to bring back youthful skin, “that’s really just an exaggeration of what these products can actually do,” he says.

Many drug stores and department store products use fancy terminology, promising clinically proven "cell renewal," or cream that will “rewind the visible signs of aging.” But Romanowski says it’s all just creative marketing.

“These are words they use to get you to think there

is extra technology in the creams, but the reality is these are just moisturizers,” he said.

Since most creams are essentially the same, Romanowski says they try to distinguish themselves by creating stories describing how the creams are the result of years of research or “ground-breaking discoveries” about “nature’s secrets.”

In the end, consumers are really just paying for these marketing stories, and the price on the label is more reflective of the brand than the quality.

Romanowski has even seen products that claim to contain stem cells. He says there is no way that stem cells that are topically-applied -- meaning rubbed onto the skin -- could have any

measurable effect.

“It’s just a word,” he says of stem cells. “People have heard of that technology and they’ve heard there’s some good promise to it, but when it’s in a cream of a lotion, it’s really not having any effect.”

One technology that does work is retinoic acid, which can actually reduce wrinkles. But it can only be obtained by prescription and is many more times as potent as retinol-containing products sold over the counter.

The one thing consumers should remember, Romanowski says, is that cosmetics, by definition, are not supposed to interact with the biochemistry of your skin. If they did, they would be re-classified as drugs.

Cosmetics can only ad-

Exercise for a Healthy Heart Y

our heart is a muscle, says Melinda Ratini, DO, MS of WebMD, and it gets stronger and healthier if you lead an active life. It's never too late to start exercising, and you don't have to be an athlete. Even taking a brisk walk for 30 minutes a day can make a big difference.

Once you get going, you'll find it pays off.

People who don't exercise are almost twice as likely to get heart disease as people who are active.

Regular exercise can help you burn calories, lower your blood pressure, reduce LDL "bad" cholesterol and boost your HDL "good" cholesterol.

How to Start Exercising

First, think about what you'd like to do and how fit you are.

What sounds like fun? Would you rather work out on your own, with a trainer, or in a class? Do you want to exercise at home or at a gym?

If you want to do somet h i n g that's harder t h a n what y o u can do right now, no problem. You can set a goal and build up to it.

For example, if you want to run, you might start by walking a n d then add bursts of jogging into your walks.

Gradually start running for longer than you walk.

Don't forget to check in with your doctor.

He'll make sure you're ready for whatever activity you have in mind and let you know about any limits on what you can do.

Types of Exercise

Your exercise plan should include: Aerobic exercise ("cardio"): Running, jogging, and biking are some examples. You're moving fast enough to raise your heart rate and breathe harder, but you should still be able to talk to someone while you're doing it.

Otherwise, you are pushing too hard. If you have joint problems, choose a low-impact ac-

tivity, like swimming or hiking.

Stretching: You'll become more flexible if you do this a couple of times a week. Stretch after you've warmed up or finished exercising. Stretch gently -- it shouldn't hurt.

Strength training: You can use weights, resistance bands, or your own body weight (yoga, for instance) for this. Do it 2-3 times a week. Let your muscles recover for a day between sessions.

How Much Should You Exercise and How Often?

Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderateintensity activity (such as brisk walking) at least 5 days a week. If you're just getting started, you can slowly build up to that.

I n time, you can make your workouts longer or more challenging. Do that gradually, so your body can adjust.

When you work out, keep your pace low for a few minutes at the start and end of your workout.

That way, you warm up and cool down each time.

You don't have to do the same exact thing every time. It's more fun if you change it up.

Exercise Precautions

You'll probably be able to exercise with no problem if your doctor says you can and if you pay attention to how you're feeling while you're working out.

Stop and get immediate medical help if you have pain or pressure in your chest or the upper part of your body, break out in a cold sweat, have trouble breathing, have a very fast or uneven heart rate, or feel dizzy, lightheaded, or very tired.

It's normal for your muscles to be mildly sore for a day or two after your workout when you're new to exercise. That fades as your body gets used to it. Soon, you might be surprised to find that you like how you feel when you're done. (WebMD)

dress surface beauty issues.

They aren’t allowed to promise medical results.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is forced to regularly issue letters to cosmetics companies warning them to stop making claims that cosmetics are “biologically active” or can perform like a drug.

While Romanowski says he loved working in the cos-

metics industry, he also wants to debunk some of the mythology cosmetic companies create around their products.

“As a scientist, you always want to get the truth out there about things,” he said, “…I think it’s important that consumers know what they’re buying and what they can and cannot do.” (CTV)

10 Times Sunday Magazine

September 13, 2015

Times Fashion

guyanatimesgy.com

The glitz of Rave Designs D

esigner Deborah Mathias’ artistic journey began when she took over her father’s advertising agency where she honed her graphic art skills as well as her marketing and customer relations talents.

Rave Designs was later created mainly as a costume company which, to date has produced several prize winning bands at the annual Mashramani Parade.

Mathias, of Rave Designs, last year presented a collection of hand-made jewellery as part of Sonia Noel’s Style Mission at the Pegasus Hotel.

The collection, named “Aspire”, was created entirely from local semiprecious stones (quartz and agates). While some of the pieces were bold, others were sophisticated and elegant.

Most importantly, the entire collection

Designer Deborah Mathias

showcased the beauty of our local semi-precious stones, natural seeds and coconut. The “Aspire” collection was very well received by the audience.

Along with local semi-precious stones, coconut shells and natural

seeds, presently Rave Designs has expanded, and is also producing jewellery made from leather.

Rave Designs is now setting its sights on the commercial and domestic décor market as it moves forward.

guyanatimesgy.com

Times Sunday Magazine 11

September 13, 2015

Star Times Hollywood

Michael Ealy M

ichael Ealy, born Michael Brown on August 3, 1973 in Silver Spring, Maryland, is an American actor. He is known for his breakout role in “Barbershop” (2002) and followed up with its sequel “Barbershop 2: Back in Business” (2004), “2 Fast 2 Furious” (2003), “Their Eyes Were Watching God” (2005), “Seven Pounds” (2008), Takers (2008), “For Colored Girls” (2010), “Think Like a Man” (2012), “About Last Night” (2014), and “Think Like a Man Too” (2014). Ealy starred as Dorian the android in the Fox TV science fiction police drama series “Almost Human”. Once featured as one of People magazine's "Sexiest Men Alive", Ealy is currently starring in “The Perfect Guy” (2015).

12 Times Sunday Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

September 13, 2015

Times Hollywood

Amandla Stenberg Justin Bieber throws tantrum on ‘Today’ creates comic book J to empower young black women

A

t just 16 years old, Amandla Stenberg is quickly becoming one of the most inspiring young voices of our generation, thanks to her fearlessness and eloquence when calling out fellow celebs for cultural appropriation and sharing her thoughts on intersectional feminism.

“The Hunger Games” actress and activist has now teamed up with Stranger Comics to create a new series called “NIOBE: She Is Life,” which features a young black protagonist.

In the series’ official summary, the heroine, Niobe, is described as an “orphaned wild elf teenager and wouldbe saviour of the vast and volatile fantasy world of Asunda. She is running from a past where the Devil himself would see her damned… toward an epic future that patiently waits for her to bind nations against the hordes of hell.”

In a statement to the

Huffington Post, Stenberg explained her connection to the character, saying she strongly identifies with Niobe and her journey toward self-discovery.

ustin Bieber was on Today to perform some music for the folks in Rockefeller Plaza, but in an unplanned moment started complaining on-mic about a camera he felt was too close to the stage during his performance of “What Do You Mean.”

As Matt Lauer was tossing to commercial, the Biebs started bellyaching: “Next time I won’t dance, because the camera’s right here the whole time.

Might as well not even dance. So what do I do this for…” The shot then went to the commercial.

When they came back from the ad break, no mention of the outburst was made. That makes sense: This would really get in the way of Justin’s new brand of humble, chilled-out nice guy.

He got back on message later in the show.

Tamron Hall said, “I love that they say you’re back — you never left.

You’re Justin Bieber.”

Bieber replied, “Well, I didn’t really leave, but I took some time to just do some soul-searching for sure.” (Yahoo Celebrity)

Jessica Simpson says marriage to Nick Lachey was one of her worst financial 'mistakes'

J Amandla Stenberg

“I was drawn to give voice to Niobe and co-write her story because her journey is my journey,” she said. “I connect to her mixed racial background and quest to discover her innate powers and strengths, to learn who she truly is. There’s never been a character quite like her, one who shatters the traditional ideal of what a hero is. We need more badass girls!”

“NIOBE: She Is Life” is expected to be released Nov. 4. (mtv)

essica Simpson's clothing and accessories line celebrated its 10th anniversary this week. The 35-yearold fashion mogul, whose company is valued at over $1 billion, sat down with CNBC's Closing Bell on Thursday, and revealed that her worst financial decision might have been getting married to Nick Lachey.

When host Kelly Evans asked Simpson to name one of worst professional missteps of her life, Simpson laughingly replied, "Biggest money mistakes? I don't know.

For some reason I thought of my first marriage!"

Evans replied, "That's actually a common answer, believe it or not."

After all, divorce can be quite expensive.

Simpson, who is now married to 35-year-old

former NFL pro Eric Johnson, tied the knot with Lachey in October 2002. The couple an-

nounced they were separating in November 2005, and Simpson filed for divorce the next month.

During their time together, Simpson and Lachey starred in the MTV reality show Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica, which chronicled aspects of their marriage.

Simpson and Johnson -- who have two children, 3-year-old daughter Maxwell and 2-year-old son Ace -- got engaged in 2010 and tied the knot in July 2014.

Lachey, 41, also got remarried to Vanessa Minnillo, 34, in 2011, and the couple have two children, 2-yearold son Camden and infant daughter Brooklyn.

(ETOnline)

guyanatimesgy.com

September 13, 2015

Times Sunday Magazine 13

Times Bollywood Kangana Ranaut ashamed of celebs who promote fairness creams

M

egastar Amitabh Bachchan and businessman Ratan Tata on September 10, supported the government's "Call to Action for a TB-Free India" initiative.

Big B and Mr Tata attended an event to launch "Mumbai Dialogue: Towards a TB-Free India" which aims to bring in the strong support of corporate companies for the cause.

Richard Verma, US Ambassador to India, was one of the main voices behind this initiative. He had also approached Mr Bachchan for the cause.

"I had already worked on tuberculosis in Mumbai for the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai. We have started the campaign and several films have been made and the propaganda is on. So when Mr Verma talked about this initiative, I felt morally, socially, individually attached to it," Mr Bachchan said.

"I think during the time that we launched the campaign, I spoke to the media and told them that I myself was a sufferer of tuberculosis in the year 2000. It was detected quite by accident. But the fact is that I did undergo a certain course of action. It took about

K (Photo posted on Twitter by Amitabh Bachchan

a year with heavy dosage of tablets and medication but the fact is that I stand before you cured of tuberculosis.

If it could happen to me, it could happen to anyone," added Mr Bachchan.

"To me, it is more than just a campaign. It's an issue being involved in a national cause. TB has been a silent

killer in the country and has assumed proportions that most of us should be extremely concerned about. As a citizen of the country I feel very committed to play my role, however big or small it might be to help in this partnership with the government," Mr Tata said. (movies,ndtv)

Bharti Singh calls Athiya Shetty a 'hockey stick'

C

omedian Bharti Singh, who appears on new TV show “Comedy Nights Bachao”, poked fun at actress Athiya Shetty's sleek physique by calling her a “hockey stick”.

Daughter of actor Suniel Shetty, Athiya, who has made her Bollywood debut along with Sooraj Pancholi with “Hero”, will be seen in the forthcoming episode of “Comedy Nights Bachao” along with Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, who is co-producing the film along with veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai.

Bharti, along with her co-star Krushna Abhishek, was seen poking fun at the guests.

When she went around to meet Athiya and Sooraj, she said: “For the first time on Colors, a hockey stick and a football are seen together.”

It was clearly a joke on her own rotund frame.

After that, Krushna called Bharti and Athiya a “perfect 10”, with Athiya being the one and Bharti the round zero.

The episode featuring the “Hero” stars will air on Saturday. (zeenews india)

angana Ranaut is right now in Paris for her “Queen” premiere, and is also promoting her upcoming film “Katti Batti”. In an interview with France24, when asked about celebrities endorsing fairness creams, Kangana replied saying it is very sad and that she finds it really humiliating because India is a country of beautiful people.

She further stated that women shouldn’t be subjected to this kind of discrimination. According to her women are being stripped off their confidence or self-worth by endorsement of such creams called fairness creams.

She stated that she opposed it and that she is very ashamed that many celebs propagate it and endorse fairness creams.

Kangana Ranaut further explained how the advertisements in India depict darker skinned people as having great difficulties in terms of employment, marriage prospects and relationships.

“Then they find this cream and they apply it. And they

become whiter and suddenly the world is nicer to them.

It is so painful that you can’t sit through it. I call it criminal but many actors and models endorse them,” said Kangana.

Kangana Ranaut has also been getting on the wrong side of people due to her candidness and straightforwardness, especially with regard to marriage and wage equality.

“I don’t know how to be any other way because I’ll just be myself. It’s a shame that you’re called out for being outspoken.”

She went on to say that if a man does it, he is seen as being ‘cool’ or ‘maverick’, but if a woman behaves in the same way, she comes across as being opinionated.

N

eetu Chandra was born in Patna, Bihar, India on June 20, 1984. She is an Indian film actress and model, and holds two Dan black belts in Taekwondo.

She started modelling after completing her undergraduate education at Delhi's Indraprastha College. She appeared in several advertisements and videos for firms and represented India in the 1997 World Taekwondo Championships in Hong Kong. She has appeared in a number of Hindi and Tamil movies and with every film, she leaves an unforgettable impression of her immense acting skills. She entered Hindi film industry in 2005 with “Garam Masala� in which she portrayed Sweety, an airhostess.

14 Times Sunday Magazine Star Times Bollywood September 13, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

guyanatimesgy.com

September 13, 2015

Times Sunday Magazine

15

Times Trends

Trending Now

Star of the week

Nail colour trends: From moody to merry

F

all 2015 runway nail colour manicures ranged from dark and moody with deep plum and ruby, to merry and bright with rust and disco sparkle. A nod towards artistic manicures alsotrended on the runways. (Harper’s Bazaar)

Essie in Aruba Blue, a metallic hue, played Audacity a deep wine shade was a choice at up against minimalist make up at Costello Derek Lam’s Fall collections Tagliapietra

Christian Leboutin’s nail colours Whatever and Ni Toi Ni Moi were appliqued in squares then glued to the base of nails for Madeline Poole

T

Delpozo added a thin strip of gold glitter nail Desigual chose a grey setting for paint splatpolish for a dramatic but not overpowering tered nails, inspired by the brushstrokes and effect colour swatches on an artist’s mood board

wenty-four-year-old Alanzo Nicholas Greaves is the youngest of five children. Growing up in Garnett Street, Kitty in Georgetown, Greaves attended JE Burnham Nursery School then FE Pollard Primary School. He earned a place at Queenstown Secondary but later transferred to the Business School where he wrote CSEC. Though he experienced different sports events while growing up, cycling found a special place. He would successfully represent his school zone at the National School’s Championship during his primary level years.

That gave him more confidence to begin his cycling career.

Greaves has participated in several local competitions; his first professional achievements include wins at the National Three Stage in 2009 and the National Championship and the National Five Stage in 2007. He has since gone on to win both local and overseas events. Alanzo sees cycling as a sport that keeps one fit and gives one self-control, and advises youths to stay disciplined and be serious if they want to make a career cycling.

16 Times Sunday Magazine

September 13, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

Times Art

S

Stanwyck Cromwell creates art work “from a cultural point of view”

tanwyck E. Cromwell was born 1948 in Georgetown with the artistic talents of both parents. This talent, he says, was nurtured by another noted Guyanese artist, who is also his cousin, Maurice C. Jacobs, who helped him develop that talent.

Cromwell attended the former British Guiana Educational Trust High School, and graduated with high honours in art and foreign language. He worked for several years as a graphic artist at the Guyana Lithographic Company, working alongside wellknown Guyanese artist Angold Thompson, before migrating to the U.S.A.in 1970 at 22 years-old, in search

The artist with his assemblage of “John Doe” (2005)

“Self Portrait With American Influences” Mixed media collage (2005)

of a career in art.

Cromwell went on to earn a Bachelors of Arts degree in Applied Arts from Charter Oak State College, and a Master of Fine Arts degree with a concentration on painting from the University of Hartford.

He has lived and worked in Bloomfield, Connecticut for more than 40 years.

Cromwell has been described as a contemporary visual artist and art educator. He creates works of art through painting, drawing and collages/ assemblages, which have been exhibited throughout the U.S. Of his collages,created with old newspapers, tin and other everyday discarded items, he notes, “These discarded objects, reflect suffering, joy, and hope.”

And of his paintings he says, “The images in my paintings are reflective of both my Caribbean heritage and African ancestry.”

In an interview, Cromwell said that he has rich and abundant memories of Guyana that are referenced in his art. He noted too that there are “striking... physical and aesthetic distances between the cultures of Guyana and the United States of America”.

Speaking to Hunter Editions he points out that his usage of the black-eye pea and other seeds are very frequent in his drawings and paintings: “The black-eye pea has dual meaning. It represents part of our national cuisine and cultural linkage to Africa, and is also symbolic of the racial makeup of America.” (Photos of artwork from www.flickr.com/ stancromwell)

“Watermelon Vendor”

“Folklores from Guyana (2)”Coloured Pencils (2006) “[Folklores] have been embedded in my subconscious, thus allowing me to create works of art, from a cultural point of view,” says Cromwell

guyanatimesgy.com

September 13, 2015

Times Sunday Magazine 17

Times Tech

Apple unveils iPhones, iPads, Apple TV A

t its annual showcase of new products in San Francisco, Apple Wednesday unveiled its larger iPad that starts at US$799 with 32 gigabytes of memory and a revamped Apple TV settop box.

The larger iPad Pro, measuring 12.9 inches, compared with 9.7 inches for Apple’s iPad Air, blurs the lines between tablet and notebook computers.

Apple also introduced a “smart keyboard” and a pressure-sensitive stylus

called Apple Pencil.

Apple also offered two new phones—the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus— which are the same sizes as the large-screen phones introduced last year.

“While they may look familiar, we have changed everything about these iPhones,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s chief executive.

The biggest new feature is Apple’s “3-D Touch,” a new way of manipulating the phone depending on how hard you press.

Apple also unveiled a program to finance purchases directly to users and make it easier to get a new iPhone every year, wading into the domain traditionally reserved for mobile carriers.

Apple also offered its first major overhaul for its Apple TV set-top box since its introduction in 2007.The new device can run apps, meaning that third-party developers can create programs for the device(Excerpted from The Wall Street Journal)

The new iPhones for 2015(Photo credit: Apple)

Apple's new iPad Pro has a huge 12.9-inch display, optional keyboard and "Apple Pencil" (Photo credit: Apple)

Tech news

N

Pokémon coming to your smartphone

intendo, its subsidiary The Pokémon Company, and former Google division Niantic will release an augmented-reality Pokémon game for smartphones in 2016, the companies announced Thursday.

Pokémon Go players will be able to seek and catch Pokémon, trade them and get into battles with other trainers through their smartphones as they visit real-world locations.The game will be free to play with in-app purchases.

The announcement comes just two months after the death of Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, who resisted calls to

Tech news

M

Bullet-proof luxury: The Range Rover Sentinel

move Nintendo games over to mobile for years, instead preferring that the company make games for its own devices.

Before he died, however, he announced a deal with the Japanese mobile game firm DeNa, saying that the two companies would make five games together.

Another revenue generator: Nintendo itself has developed and will release a companion device called the Pokémon Go Plus, a wrist-worn device that connects to your phone via Bluetooth and lets you capture Pokémon without having to get out your smartphone.

Microsoft confirms Sept 22 for Office 2016 release

icrosoft has confirmed a September 22 release date for Office 2016, alongside plans for monthly feature updates through Office 365.

The release date had previously appeared in a leaked image from Microsoft’s employee intranet.

In a blog post, Microsoft’s Julie Whitementions monthly feature and security updates for Office 365 subscribers, starting in October.

Just as Windows 10 will offer regular updates (which are mandatory for all Home users), the Office team will be doing the same for consumers. Businesses on Office 365 ProPlus will instead get cumulative feature updates every four months, along with monthly security patches.

Office 2016 isn’t a major departure from previous versions, and the biggest changes involve new ways to collaborate in real-time. The productivity suite will

Tech BYTE

also offer new colour themes—taking a page from Microsoft’s free Office mobile apps—and a “Tell Me” feature that helps dig up hard-to-find menu items.

Microsoft still hasn’t announced pric-

ing for Office 2016 as a standalone product. An Office 365 subscription starts at $70 per year for personal use, and includes free updates to Office 2016 and beyond. (pcworld)

R

ange Rover's first armoured vehicle, the Sentinel, is based on a standard wheelbase Range Rover Autobiography.

The Range Rover Sentinel is built at Land Rover's Oxford Road facility and is the first armoured Land Rover to be fully engineered in-house by the company's Special Vehicle Operations division.

Based on a standard wheelbase Range Rover Autobiography, to the casual eye, it looks almost identical. However, underneath the enamel there's a steel-plated armoured passenger cell and windows of optical-quality multi-laminated armour privacy glass with a 100 mm (3.9 in) opening in the driver's window for passing documents and very small takeaway orders.

The Sentinel is certified to VR8 standard against ballistic threats by QinetiQ, which means it can withstand 7.62 mm high-velocity, armour-piercing incendiary rounds, 15 kg (33 lb) TNT explosions, and DM51 grenades going off both beneath

the floor and on the roof. In addition, there's an anti-tamper exhaust, a selfsealing fuel tank, and an auxiliary backup battery with a split charging system.

In the event of an attack, the special 20-in (50.8-cm) split-rim alloy wheels have run-flat tires as well as 380 mm front and 365 mm rear ventilated disc brakes with high-density pads. If the doors are blocked, there's an emergency escape system behind the rear seats.

"The Range Rover Sentinel is one of the most extraordinary Range Rovers ever produced," says John Edwards, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations. "It has been expertly engineered by Special Vehicle Operations to provide class leading levels of protection to occupants against extreme attack, whilst retaining the Range Rover's luxury and refinement with off road capability."

It's set to go on sale in the UK, Europe, South America, Africa, and the Middle East for €400,000 (US$446,000), with orders being taken this month. (Gizmag)

18 Times Sunday Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

September 13, 2015

Times Home & Cooking

Recipe of the Week

A bathroom may be the smallest room in the house but that doesn't mean it can't have big style.

Antique or vintage accessories can bring the classic and sophisticated look of a by-gone era

Ingredients 60ml (1/4 cup) fresh lemon juice 60ml (1/4 cup) olive oil 2 tbsps finely chopped fresh dill Salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 green lettuces, leaves separated,

washed, dried, torn 3 ripe avocados, halved, stones removed, peeled, thinly sliced 60 (about 1kg) cooked tiger prawns, peeled leaving tails intact, deveined

Method

Place the lemon juice, oil and dill in a screw-top jar and shake until combined.

Taste and season with salt and pepper.

Place lettuce, avocado and prawns on plates and drizzle with dressing to serve.

Makes 12 servings

GREATEST KITCHEN TIPS

M

ake a fluffier omelette by adding ½ teaspoon baking soda for every three eggs.

Wash lettuce from the leaf side down the stem side. If there’s dirt on the stems—where dirt usually is, of course—you’re spreading the dirt to the leaf if you're doing it the other way around.

While not technically a spice, citrus juice or zest, such as lemon or lime, can perk up poultry, vegetables or meat by adding a bite similar to salt. This lower-sodium alternative is easy and livens up a boring chicken dish. Tip: Be sure to use a citrus zester to extract just the zest of the peel without the bitter-flavoured, white pith found underneath.

Add potted plants for a luxurious look

G A claw-foot tub can bring luxury to your bathroom

HOME HELP

ive chandeliers a quick cleaning with a blow-dryer (set on low) or a feather duster. For tougher jobs, fill a spray bottle with one part vodka to five parts water, spritz on fixtures and blow-dry.

To remove old paint, place brushes in a pot with vinegar. Soak for an hour, then turn on the stove and bring the vinegar to a simmer. Drain and rinse clean.

To brighten a dull floor finish, dissolve ½ cup baking soda in a bucket of warm water. Mop and rinse for a shiny floor.

Soak toothbrushes in a mixture of ¼ cup baking soda and ¼ cup water; let brushes stand overnight for a thorough cleaning.

To remove water stains from wood, dab a bit of mayo on the area with a towel. Let sit for a few minutes and then wipe off.

guyanatimesgy.com

September 13, 2015

Times Sunday Magazine19

Family Times

PARENTING

Helping a child who is struggling in school

C

I O

JOKES

f you want to find out who loves you more, stick your wife and dog in the trunk of your car for an hour.

When you open the trunk, who is happy to see you?

n the day of my first big job interview I woke up late.

Frantically I threw on a suit. “Ohno!” I thought. “Mytie!”

My Dad was out of town and wasn’t there to help me, and for the life of me I did not know how to tie a tie!

I grabbed a tie and ran out the door. “Excuse me sir,” I said to the crossing guard, “I have an important job interview, can you please help me make this tie?!”

“Sure” said the guard, “just lie down on this bench.”

Well if someone was going to help me I wasn’t going to ask any questions.

After he finished and the tie looked good I just had to ask why I had to lie down.

“Well in my previous job I learned how to tie tie’s on other people when they were lying down,”he replied.

What was your previous job? I asked incredulously.

“I ran a morgue,” was the reply.

O

nce upon a time the government had a vast scrap yard in the middle of a desert.

Congress said, "Someone may steal from it at night."

So they created a night watchman position and hired a person for the job.

Then Congress said, "How does the watchman do his job without instruction?" So they created a planning department and hired two people, one person to write the instructions, and one person to do time studies.

Then Congress said, "How will we know the night watchman is doing his tasks correctly?" So they created the Quality Control Department and hired two people. One to do the studies and one to write the reports.

Then Congress said, "How are these people going to get paid?" So they created a time keeper and a payroll officer position. Then hired two people.

Then Congress said, "Who will be accountable for all of these people?" So they created an administrative section and hired three people: An Administrative Officer, Assistant Administrative Officer, and a Legal Secretary.

Then Congress said, "We have had this command in operation for one year and we are $18,000 over budget, we must cutback overall cost." So they laid off the night watchman.

Funny puns Why did the scarecrow get a raise? He was outstanding in his field.

Parallel lines have so much in common. It’s a shame they’ll never meet.

Someone stole my Microsoft Office and they’re going to pay.

You have my Word.

I'd tell you a chemistry joke but I know I wouldn't get a reaction.

I couldn't quite remember how to throw a boomerang, but eventually it came back to me.

I'm no photographer, but I can picture us together.

Wise wisdoms Only a widow can say exactly where her husband is.

If a man gives you flowers without any reason, it means there is a reason.

Team work is important; it helps to put the blame on someone else.

You only see that the money is not the most important thing in life when you have it.

Q&A Q: Why wouldn't the shrimp share his treasure?

A: Because he was a little shellfish Q: What do you call the security guards who work at the Samsung store?

A: Guardians of the Galaxy.

Q: What do you call a fake noodle?

A: An impasta Q: What do you get when you cross fish and an elephant?

A: Swimming trunks.

Q: What's easy to get into but hard to get out of?

A: Trouble Q: Why did the yogurt go to the art exhibit?

A: Because it was cultured.

Q: What's the difference between ignorance and apathy?

A: I don't know and I don't care.

hildren who struggle in school year after year have a harder time getting back on track once their learning problems are addressed.

You need to get to the root of the problem to learn how to help your child.

Ask yourself: Does your child struggle to see the blackboard? He could need glasses. Is he anxious about going to school? Maybe there's an underlying emotional issue. It is hard for him to sit still and focus? He could have a problem paying attention.

Talk to your son to see what may be getting in the way of learning. Then, schedule appointments with his paediatrician and principal.

The doctor can evaluate your son to see if there's a physical problem (for instance, with his vision or hearing) or whether he might have a developmental or behavioural problem, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Tell your child's principal about your concerns and request a referral for an educational evaluation. An ed-

ucational evaluation can assess your son's strengths and weaknesses and pinpoint any learning disabilities.

One you've identified why your son is struggling, take steps to help support him.

Some children with learning disabilities meet with a tutor for a few hours a week to learn study skills that

can help them compensate for their learning disability. Others take medicines to help cope with a behavioural problem, like ADHD. With the right support, your child can adjust to any differences he may have and learn new strategies that can help him improve and succeed.

STORY TIME

Reflections

How a sparrow came to grief

Closed Path

A

couple of sparrows lived on the branches of a huge tree, deep in the jungle. They had worked very hard in building their nest, and it was a comfortable home that protected them in all weathers.

One day, as they were enjoying the comforts of their nest, it started raining outside.

Sometime later, a monkey came to take shelter under the very same tree. The monkey was all drenched in the rain, and his teeth were chattering in the cold.

When the female sparrow saw this, she felt pity on him and said from her nest, "O Monkey, You have hands and feet similar to humans. You can use them for many reasons. Why don't you make yourself a protected home?"

The monkey was already suffering from the rain and the cold, and was in no mood for an advice. He replied,

"You wicked sparrow! Why can't you keep your mouth shut?"

But the female sparrow continued her advice. She explained how she was able to enjoy the comforts of her home, and how she did not suffer from either heat, or cold, or rain. This made the monkey very angry.

The monkey thought, "What a wicked female bird!

She talks as if she has mastered all sciences and philosophies, and simply won't stop chirping. She is making

me so angry, that I might as well kill her. I am already suffering from this rain and cold, I do not wish to hear any advice."

The female sparrow, however, continued chattering and did not cease to advice.

At one moment, the monkey became so angry, that he climbed up the tree and tore up her nest to pieces.

The wise indeed say:Give your advice only to those who deserve it, else you will come to grief.

By Grammar G

A mouthful of words

W

hile most persons get by on an everyday English vocabulary, there are those who love “big words”: the type few ever heard of, much less use. Today you can become a linguist, writer, language specialist (or just one of those who likes to use fancy words) by learning about these words, some of which aren’t even in dictionaries.

1. Man of few words. When someone uses as few words as possible when speaking it can be called being pauciloquent. The Oxford Dictionary states that its earliest use was by Thomas Blount (1618–1679), who was an antiquary (collector) and lexicographer (dictionary editor).

2. On the tip of your tongue. Ever had that moment when who couldn’t recall the specific word for something?

It’s called lethologica (According to the American Psychiatry Association, "9 out of 10 Westerners will suffer some form of Lethologica during their lifetimes." —Carl Jung) 3. Oh, @#&*! Ever stumped your toe so hard,or got impatient enough to yell bad words? There is a word for that.

Lalochezia is the use of foul or abusive language to relieve stress or ease pain. The American Heritage Medical Dictionary states that it is “emotional relief/release gained by uttering indecent or filthy words.”[G. lalia (speech) + chezo (to relieve oneself)] 4. Word fight. You may have heard of food fights, fist fights and pillow fights but never perhaps logomachy, which is fighting about words – using words only, of course. From Greek logos(words) + makhe (battle) it occurs

I thought that my voyage had come to its end at the last limit of my power, -- that the path before me was closed, that provisions were exhausted and the time come to take shelter in a silent obscurity.

But I find that thy will knows no end in me.

And when old words die out on the tongue, new melodies break forth from the heart; and where the old tracks are lost, new country is revealed with its wonders.

Rabindranath Tagore

when an argument perhaps on the use or meaning of a word begins 5. Logomachy might begin if one person finds a particular word antipriscianistical, meaning “ungrammatical”. The word is considered a nonce word (aword coined for one single occasion only).

It can be found in a work called “Coryate’s Crudities” (1611). Coryate meets a man whom he (Croyate) thought spoke “uncongrual and disjointed” Latin with“…such antipriscianistical eloquence…” that “were grave Cato [politician and statesman in the late Roman Republic, and a follower of the Stoic philosophy] alive… he should have more cause to laugh [Cato it seemed hardly laughed] if he could hear this fellow deliver his mind in Latin…”

20 Times Sunday Magazine

September 13, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

Times Sunday Puzzle

Find the odd ones out in the groups of words. But there's a catch. Each group of words has TWO words which do not belong. Can you find them both?

EXAMPLE: Lily - Jane - Tulip - Rose Jane does not belong as it's the only one which is not a flower.

Tulip also does not belong because it's the only one which is not a girl's name.

1. Aqua - Hazel - Willow - Cherry 2. Cat - Sword - Hamster - Dog 3. Prince - Double - Queen – King see solution on page 23

see solution on page 23

see solution on page 23

guyanatimesgy.com

September 13, 2015

Times Sunday Magazine 21

Times Kids

Creature Corner

T

he Giant Waxy Monkey Tree Frog (Phyllomedusa biocolor) is the largest in the family Phyllomedusa - hence the "giant" in the common name – more commonly known as leaf frogs.

They are native to the rainforests of Brazil, Colombia, Peru and the Guianas.

Because they live high in the trees where they are exposed to wind and the conditions are quite dry, they produce a waxy secretion to prevent dehydration which they carefully spread all over their bodies (hence the "waxy"

in the common name).

Unlike most frogs, they can grasp objects with their hands and feet, and instead of jumping, they climb from branch to branch like monkeys (hence the “monkey” in the name).

These frogs are nocturnal, and spend the day sleeping perched on thin branches.

It is said that the waxy secretions that the frog rubs over its body contain hundreds of bio-active compounds that fight infection, and analgesics that provide pain relief.

Colouring Fun

GEOZONE

S

tars are hot balls of gas that are held together by their own gravity. Stars give out light of their own due to nuclear reactions within them.

The nearest star to the Earth is the Sun. The life cycle of a star is determined by its mass. The larger the mass of a star the shorter will be its life cycle. Depending on the mass, the life of a star ranges from a few million years to a billion years.

It is believed that stars are born in nebulae. Huge clouds of dust and gas collapse under gravitational forces, forming protostars. These young stars undergo further collapse, forming main sequence stars.

Stars expand as they grow old. As the core runs out of hydrogen and then helium, the core contacts and the outer layers expand, cool, and become less bright.

Stars die in explosions called supernova. Its fate is determined by the original mass of the star: it will become either a black dwarf, neutron star, or black hole.

Spot the Difference

Find the 10 differences in the two pictures

please see solution on page 23

The objective of the game is to fill all the blank squares in a game with the correct numbers. Every row of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order.

Every column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Every 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all digits 1 through 9.

See answer on page 23

22 Times Sunday Magazine

September 13, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

guyanatimesgy.com

September 13, 2015

Times Sunday Magazine 23

World Times

L Local Daniel Moon, said: "We have no idea who is responsible or why they've done it, but it's quite amusing. People have been going around trying to find all ten

Spot the Difference Answer

Brain Teaser Answer 1. Aqua does not belong as it's the only one which is not a tree. Willow does not belong as it's the only one which is not a colour.

2. Sword does not belong as it's the only one which is not a family pet. Hamster does not belong as it's the only one which is not a type of fish.

3. Double does not belong as it's the only one which is not a person of royalty. Prince does not belong as it's the only one which is not a bed size.

SUDOKU

KID SUDOKU

CROSSWORD

ocals living in Peacehaven, East Sussex in England have got no idea who painted their bins to look like Minions - and even attached trademark goggle-eyes and arms.

Residents are scratching their heads after ten of the popular yellow characters from the smash hit film “Despicable Me” showed up overnight.

The rubbish bins, dubbed Binions, have been spotted everywhere – from outside shops to park benches and bus stops.The bins were painted the distinctive Minion yellow faces and blue dungarees.

Nobody knows who is behind the prank which came to light Monday morning.

Peacehaven Town Council have no clue where the colourful bins have come from but said they "admire" the creativity of the person who did it.

A spokesperson from Lewes District Council added:"These bins have certainly drawn attention and brought comments and smiles from people passing by.

"Anything that encourages people to use the litter bins provided is a good thing as we want to keep the district clean and tidy for all to enjoy."

A

n international team of scientists have dated a species of fossil monkey found across the Caribbean to just over one million years old.

The discovery was made after the researchers recovered a fossil tibia (shin bone) belonging to the species of extinct monkey Antillothrix bernensis rom an underwater cave in Altagracia Province, Dominican Republic. The fossil was embedded in a limestone rock that was dated using the Uranium-series technique.

In a paper published this week in the well international journal, the Journal of Human Evolution, the team use three-dimensional geometric morphometrics to confirm that the fos-

sil tibia does indeed belong to Antillothrix bernensis, a primate that we now know existed on Hispaniola relatively unchanged for over a million years.

This monkey, roughly the

size of a small cat, was treedwelling and lived largely on a diet of fruit and leaves.

Dr Helen Green, of Melbourne University's School of Earth Sciences, a lead researcher involved in

Antillothrix bones and skull are displayed.

Credit: Journal of Human Evolution

the dating of the limestone surrounding the fossils, said the question of the age of primate fossils from this region has puzzled scientists since the days of Darwin and Wallace.

Teen charged with mischief for bomb-shaped alarm clock in carry-on ‘…what did he think was going to happen if he packed something like this?’ - Police

A

teenager has been charged with mischief for packing a bombshaped alarm clock in his carry-on at Canada’s Toronto Pearson airport.

Peel Police said that at around 4:50 p.m. Saturday, the 15-year-old, who was en route to Vancouver, was pulled aside after a screening officer noticed the object in his luggage.

Const. George Tudos said the explosive disposal unit was dispatched to Terminal 3, the screening area was shut down, and the surrounding area

was evacuated for about three hours.

Tudos said the teen was charged, not for bringing the faux bomb, but for "interfering with the lawful use, enjoyment or operation of property," which is a mischief offence.

"The moral of the story is make sure the items you pack are allowed on a plane," Tudos said. "I mean, what did he think was going to happen if he packed something like this?"

The alarm clock looks similar to one that is made by nootropic design LLC, a small technology and design compa-

ny based in Minneapolis. The company sells its "defusable clock" for $45.95 US. On its site, the company says, "Dear Pranksters: Yeah, you. I know you are excited to scare your friends and coworkers with a phony bomb, but use your head. This kind of device can make people freak out and call the authorities.

"So don't bring this to school or to work, and certainly don't bring it anywhere near an airport! Seriously, don't get yourself into trouble."

THE PHILONOIST

Q: How does a mirror reflect me?

A

ccording to the laws of reflection, light is known to behave in a very predictable manner, andwhen photons (light particles) hit the surfaces of certain objects, they bounce off at the same angle at which they hit.

A mirror’s operation is based on reflection. Because a mirror’s surface is smooth it reflects back a stable reflection of the image in front of it (- you) as photons rebound off its surface.

Not all smooth surfaces do this however because some surfaces absorb rather than reflect photons, while rough surfaces don’t reflect because the photons bounce off in many

directions and become scattered.

With a mirror, in particular household ones, the glass has a thin layer of smooth aluminium applied to the back, to prevent light from being absorbed and to help in reflection.

This is known as a back-silvered mirror and it reflects light through the clear glass to produce your “mirror image”.

The rear side of the aluminium is usually painted black to seal and protect the aluminium coating to allow the mirror to reflect.

It is said that mirrors reflect some 80 per cent of the photons that hit their surfaces.

24

Times Sunday Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

September 13, 2015

Fun Times

Archie

Your health and well-being must be given top priority (March 21April 19) if you intend to remain fit to tackle upcoming challenges.

Employ a rigid schedule that will ensure you don't fall behind.

ARIES

Spice up your social life.

TAURUS Give yourself a chance to re(April 20May 20) lax and have fun with the people you enjoy being around most. Remember to include young and old alike.

Don't be deterred by negaGEMINI tive opinions. Others are not (May 21likely to share your vision June 20) at first, but the people who count will come on board once they understand what you are doing.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Dilbert

Your consideration for others will cause a rift in family dynamics. As long as you are doing your part at home, there should be no cause for you to feel guilty.

LEO Self-discipline will ensure (July 23- your continued advancement.

Aug. 22) If you don't already have one in place, adopt a strict budget to reduce debt and improve your financial status.

Don't let romantic dreams VIRGO intrude on your agenda. You (Aug. 23will accomplish a great deal if Sept. 22) you stay focused, leaving you plenty of time for more pleasurable activities later on.

LIBRA Lady Luck is in your cor(Sept. 23- ner. Change is in the air, Oct. 23) making today the perfect time to tackle any alterations to your living space that you have been considering.

Peanuts

Make positive changSCORPIO es that help alleviate one of (Oct. 24your concerns.

Plan or host an Nov. 22) event that contributes to a local charity or school. You will gain leadership experience and your popularity will grow.

Someone will try to ruin SAGITTARIUS your reputation. Jealousy is (Nov. 23Dec. 21) probably to blame for the assault. Use your charm, intelligence and standing to put an end to any rumors.

Calvin and Hobbes

Important connections will CAPRICORN be made in the most unlikely (Dec. 22Jan. 19) places. A trip to an out- of-theordinary location will connect you to someone who can turn your life around.

An enjoyable night of enAQUARIUS tertainment should be sched(Jan. 20Feb. 19) uled. By completing responsibilities or projects ahead of time, you will find it easier to enjoy your evening plans.

Your free time will be diPISCES (Feb. 20- vided between two different March 20) groups of people. Family and old friends both deserve your loyalty, but today it's essential that you make time for your peers as well.