Guyana Times Sunday Magazine

Sunday

Times February 28, 2016

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2 Sunday Times Magazine

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FEBRUARY 28 , 2016

Times Feature

T

he event “Mashramani in New York” affords the Guyanese diaspora an opportunity to, in typical “Mash” carnival-like atmosphere, come together to celebrate the nation’s golden jubilee independence anniversary with a costume band parade, masqueraders and a sea of Guyanese nationals displaying renewed national pride, patriotism and national unity in artistic and cultural splendour.

Mashramani, said to be an Amerindian word meaning “celebration after hard work,” will live out its true meaning in New York with “Mashramani in New York”, to be held June 12, 2016, depicting various aspects of our culture and stages of our national journey under the theme: “Celebrating 50 Years Of Nation Building”.

The parade will comprise marching bands, floats of various sizes, masqueraders in costumes choreographed to depict various themes that reflect our nation’s rich cultural heritage, vast natural resources – like El Dorado – as well as its natural beauty.

The Mashramani Parade will commence with a march led by

committee members, government of Guyana officials, U.S. federal,

state and city officials. Costume bands with their marvellous

floats and colourful, energetic masqueraders, interspaced with large, wrapped music trucks, will follow.

Nationals will be organized in T-shirt and costume band formations representing the three geographical counties of Guyana: Berbice, Essequibo and Demerara, to give the parade a Labour Day feeling.

The parade will commence at the intersection of Church and Bedford Avenue, proceed east along Church Avenue, South into Ralph Avenue and east into Flatlands Avenue into South Shore High School Park, U.S.A. The rally will start around 4pm and is expected to attract about 25,000 nationals.

The program will include musical entertainment by several Guyanese celebrities.

For more information, call 212-947-5115 or email guyanaconsulate@hotmail.com (Information from Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. online Magazine)

Dr. Brian Seymour has been a pioneer in the research of allergies and asthma

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rowing up in impoverished beginnings in Guyana, Dr Brian Seymour vividly recalls his childhood clash with severe allergies.

Consequently, much of the biology professor’s work revolves around his desire to improve the health of others from poor communities. His personal health challenges as a youngster drove him to study biology and pursue work in research, which ultimately led to a career in higher education.

Proudly displaying his HBCU Award 2015

Seymour has nearly 20 years of experience in the field of biotechnology and has authored and co-authored more than 20 scientific publications.

His distinguished work in the fields of allergy and asthma has been published in several leading journals, including Science and Nature. His

Seymour conducts an experiment in his laboratory at Edward Waters College

A notable Guyanese - Dr. Brian Seymour

pioneering work on the effects of second-hand smoke on animal models of allergic asthma was influential on the legislation that banned smoking in public places in California.

Seymour conducted studies to understand the causes for the high morbidity and mortality from asthma in the African American community of Jacksonville, USA. The death rate from asthma in African Americans is 165 per cent higher than in Caucasians. These studies are being funded by the Henry C. Mcbay research fellowships.

“Throughout all of my studies, I was very inquisitive — very curious — because of how I suffered from allergies as a kid,” said Seymour, who directs the Edwards Waters College’s Centre for the Prevention of Health Disparities. “And fortunately for me, I landed a job where I was able to do research and learn more about allergens.”

Seymour received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Southern Illinois University and a Master of Science in Clinical Science from the Centre for Advance Medical Technology at the San Francisco State University. In 1996 he received his PhD in Immunology from the University of California, Davis.

He brought to Edward Waters College 17 years of experience in the field of biotechnology.

Last year, HBCU Digest named Seymour as the 2015 Historically Black College or University Male Faculty Member of the Year. The honour was based on Seymour’s study that found major variations in allergic antibodies among economically challenged African-Americans in Jacksonville. The doctor hopes the award will help his ongoing efforts to advance public health in Jacksonville.

Over the last 10 years he has dedicated his efforts in bringing his knowledge and experience to students in the classroom. His passion for the classroom led him to the Sonoma State University in Sonoma California and now to Edward Waters College.

Dr. Seymour is the proud father of two and enjoys physical fitness, travelling and reading.

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FEBRUARY 28 , 2016

Sunday Times Magazine

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Times Feature

The Beacon of Hope provides essentials and spreads joy to less fortunate children me to start Beacon of Hope.

My mom is the real reason behind my charity drive; she is my motivation,” expressed the philanthropist.

Meleesa stated that she plans outreach initiatives with other charitable groups and volunteers in with popular charity organisations in and out of Guyana.

Using the media to her advantage, Meleesa raise funds for her organisation.

She is thankful to individuals and organisation that have helped her, especially the Massy Group, which has donated twice to Beacon of Hope’s Christmas project.

Donating kites to the Hadfield Street Drop In Center

T

he charitable organisation Beacon of Hope was founded in 2000 by popular model and designer Meleesa Payne and her mother Ismay Payne.

In an interview with Sunday Times Magazine, Meleesa mentioned that the organisation provides food, clothing, toys, school items and some amount of medical attention for less fortunate children.

Beacon of Hope seeks to give back through its projects such as Give a Child a Kite, which happens around Easter. Kites are donated to over 100 children around Guyana. Another notable project is Back to School, which happens in July/ August where donations of school supplies, uniforms and shoes are distributed.

‘Santa didn’t forget you at Christmas time’ is another applauded project where the children get to attend

Christmas parties, are given gifts, enjoy different meals and are given clothing.

Meleesa pointed out that funds are raised for children who need overseas medical attention.

“We have given back to children who are sometimes forgotten by society. I like to believe we have accomplished our motto: ‘Bringing smiles to tomorrow’s children’. As a child, my mom would always celebrate my birthdays and my brother’s with children I didn’t know and would often stop to give food to people who were on the street. I questioned her every time as to why they did not live in homes like ours or why the children did not have their own birthday parties. As I grew older, I understood that some were not as fortunate as I was and so it taught me the importance of making children happy. I wasted no time. This inspired

Meleesa Payne with kites to be distributed among children across Guyana

Additionally, she is grateful to designer Sonia Noel “who has also played a huge part in donating”. However, Meleesa disclosed she mostly provides funds for majority of the organization’s projects.

“All my sacrifices and hard work is worth it when I see the amazing smiles on the faces of the children we help. It takes me way back to my days when I would receive gifts. I feel like a kid again when I am with the children. This gives me real joy,” she declared.

Although she has busy schedules for her careers, Meleesa plans to be “more

effective; to give more; to share not only gifts, but talents; to be able to reach out to organisations that focus on children’s well-being and to have a positive impact on the growth and development of our nation’s children”.

She urges the public to donate kites, books, shoes, clothing or anything that will help to improve the lives of less fortunate children.

For more information, visit Beacon of Hope on Facebook or call Gailann Eastman on Mondays to Fridays between 10am to 2pm on 592-2182776 or email 592keron@ gmail.com

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Sunday Times Magazine

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FEBRUARY 28 , 2016

Times Feature Black History Month Guyana 2016

T

here are hundreds of ethnic groups in Africa, each with its own language and tradition. One of these traditions include hairstyling in various designs.

Hairstyles are often determined by the social position of the family and the artistic talent of the hairstylist. Among them there are hairstyles for ceremonies such as circumcision; when a girl is becoming a woman, and the celebration of marriage.

In early African civilizations, hairstyles could indicate a person's family background, tribe and social status. When men from the Wolof tribe (in modern Senegal and The Gambia) went to war they wore a braided style, while a woman in mourning would either not “do” her hair, or adopt a subdued style.

It is estimated that 11,640,000 Africans left the continent between the 16th and 20th centuries due to the transatlantic slave trade.These slaves took many of their African customs with them, including their specially-designed combs. Many of them came to Guyana and have passed on their customs to us, one of which is traditional hairstyles.

The “afro” hairstyle, which emerged in the 1960s during the civil rights movement, was “a symbol of rebellion, pride and empowerment”. Another fascinating fact

Adama

Afro-Pyramid

Angel's Arch

Interestingly, African hairstyles have special meanings as outlined at the exhibition currently being hosted at the African Cultural and Development Association

for “breadth and comfort”.

The ‘Adama’, meaning “queenly”, is similar to a traditional West African style. It works best on women with short to medium

through the influence of Amenhotep, an early African architect noted for his step pyramid. Although not exactly a pyramid shape, this traditional hairstyle is still worn in

Ayanna

Twana

Wisdom's Crown

is that of the methodology and practice of cornrow hairstyles, which date back thousands of years to ancient civilizations in Nigeria and Egypt for example.

Detailed braiding can be found among hieroglyphs and sculptures as old as perhaps 500 B.C. and can be seen etched into the back of the head of the Sphinx pyramid.

(ACDA), 9 Thomas Lands, Georgetown, under the theme, “Honouring 50 years of African Guyanese Nation Builders”.

The "Twana" is based on an African hairstyle commonly called “trees”. This style is most popular in West and Central Africa.

Twana means “alive”; and this style allows

length hair.

‘Ayanna’, which means “beautiful flower” in Yoruba, is most ideal for women with long, thick hair.

A variation of the traditional Ethiopian hairstyle is ‘Wisdom’s Crown’. To create this style you will need bobby pins, a comb, a brush and perhaps a hair piece. Begin by parting the hair for a large cornrow to be made around the head. The remaining hair should be pulled back for braiding.

Complete a circle of cornrows (any number desired, as long as there is ample hair for picking out). Now take the remaining hair out and part once again. (By now you should be at the crown of the head.) Section off four more cornrows, creating one large cornrow at the top. Take out the sectioned off hair, comb and pick. You my now put hair into desired shape. For height, a hair piece may be attached or a small hat or crown.

The Peul women of Upper Volta (Ghana) often wear their hair twisted and combed into a fan effect at the centre of the head. A more contemporary version of this hairstyle is the ‘Angel’s Arch’.

The Afro-Pyramid was conceived

Comb from the Akan people, Ghana.

This artefact is housed at the Museum of African Heritage

West Africa.

To learn more about African hairstyles, visit the exhibition at ACDA. The exhibition will end Monday, Feb. 29, 2016, at 5pm.

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 28 , 2016

Sunday Times Magazine 5

Times Women

O

verseas-based Guyanese designer Dianne Bennett

D'Aguiar recently visited Guyana on a mission to empower women in her

homeland.

Dianne grew up in the small village of Edinburgh,

Some of Dianne's designs

Dianne Bennett (left) in Guyana with the women who attended her recently held cake decorating workshop

Making a difference in the fight against cancer

K

aren Godette, MD, is an overseasbased Guyanese who has been making significant contributions in the treatment of cancer, ultimately saving lives.

Godette is a board certified radiation oncologist in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA. She practices general radiation oncology and specializes in breast and gynaecological malignancies, prostate cancer and soft tissue sarcoma.

Within these areas, her expertise is brachytherapy (an advanced cancer treatment).

She treats patients at Winship at Emory University Hospital Midtown where she has served as medical director since 2001.

Winship Cancer Institute is Georgia’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated cancer centre and has more than 250 active clinical trials. Winship is ranked among the top 25 cancer hospitals in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report.

Godette has been featured in the news for her use of an implantable radiotherapy device that enables radiation treatment to be more precisely delivered as well as intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) for early-stage breast cancer. She played a central role in creating a radiation oncology residency program at Emory. She served for ten years as director of the residency program. Additionally, she has served as the medical director and advisor for the Grady Radiation Therapy Technology School since 1998.

Actively involved in the community, Godette participates in health fairs, educational workshops, multidisciplinary panels and support groups. She is also active in the international arena, working in partnership with colleagues in developing countries to advance the delivery and standard of cancer care.

She received her MS and MD degrees from Howard University in Washington, DC, where she also completed a year-long transitional internship. She completed residency in radiation oncology at Columbia University New York-Presbyterian Hospital, where she served as chief resi-

Karen Godette, MD

dent.

Godette is a member of the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology, Connective Tissue Oncology Society, American Medical Women’s Association, American Board of Radiology and National Medical Association, where she served as chair of the radiology section from 2005-2007.

In 2002, for her commitment to teaching, she was awarded the Woodruff Fund Clinical Teaching Support Award in Radiation Oncology.

The doctor participates in national clinical trials of breast, cervical, and prostate cancers along with soft tissue sarcomas.

Her research focuses on improving the multidisciplinary care of these malignancies.

Godette is a manuscript reviewer for the “International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, and Journal of Surgical Oncology”. She has written or co-authored many articles, abstracts and book chapters, and has spoken at both national and international meetings.

She enjoys spending time with her family, travelling to exotic destinations, watching foreign and independent films and eating international cuisine.

Dr. Karen Godette is indeed a notable Guyanese. (Information from http://radiationoncology.emory.edu)

on the East Bank of Berbice. She migrated about ten years ago to the United Kingdom and currently lives in a little town called Melksham, UK. Speaking with Sunday Times Magazine Dianne said that fashion designing has always been a passion.

Since childhood she has been into fashion, designing handbags; adult clothing; baby clothing - just to name a few. Notably, Dianne has become the doyenne of fashion designing and cake decoration.

“I recently wrapped up

a six-day cake decorating workshop here in Guyana – particularly, in Berbice and Georgetown. I have seen a favourable turn out, which gave me great encouragement. This is the first of many more workshops to come. I am also in the process of establishing a women's organisation in Guyana with the aim to empower vulnerable women in Guyana,” she disclosed.

Upon hearing about the upcoming Guyana Golden Jubilee celebrations, Dianne revealed that she

and her husband decided to visit their “country of birth to give back” and are “happy to do so and will continue to give back”.

“I was also recently promoted as a pastor of the Redeem Christian Church Of God. Consequently, I am even more motivated to support and empower young women. From time to time, I will be returning to oversee the operations of my women’s organisation and to hold workshops, among other projects I plan to host,” she outlined.

6 Sunday Times Magazine

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FEBRUARY 28 , 2016

Times Book World

The Shaping of Guyanese Literature

By Petamber Persaud

A

few years ago, I wrote an article on suicide entitled ‘Writers are not suicide proof’. It was prompted by the suicide of an excellent Guyanese writer of children’s literature who had just broken into the regional spotlight and the world (Commonwealth) stage. His writings did not indicate any defeatism; he was writing for children and there was almost always a happy ending (with a moral).

I am revisiting this subject of suicide due to the spate of lives lost to suicide. I am revisiting this subject of the writer and suicide with the hope of adding some insight and solution. In this article, I will share the thoughts of writers who explored the subject of suicide, writers who experimented with suicide, writers who committed suicide and some of whom survived. I will juxtapose those thoughts in order to show divergent perspectives.

“The thought that I might kill myself formed in my mind coolly as a tree or a flower.” Sylvia Plath.

Credited for ‘advancing the genre of confessional poetry’, Plath committed suicide by sticking her head in an oven and dying of carbon monoxide poisoning.

“Killing myself was a matter of such indifference to me that I felt like waiting for a moment when it would make some difference.”

Fyodor Dostoyevsky.

“The only difference between a suicide and a martyrdom really is the amount of press coverage.”(my emphasis) Chuck Palahniuk.

“I have had to experience so much stupidity, so many vices, so much error, so much nausea, disillusion-

Sylvia Plath

ment and sorrow, just in order to become a child again and begin anew.

I had to experience despair, I had to sink to the greatest mental depths, to thoughts of suicide, in order to experience grace.” Hermann Hesse “Let them think what they liked, but I didn’t mean to drown myself. I meant to swim till I sank - but that’s not the same thing.” Joseph Conrad.

This reminds me of Eric Roach of Trinidad and Tobago who swam out to sea (Quinam Bay) to his death, leaving behind a suicide note ‘Finis’ and a poem, “At Quinam Bay”, among other writings.

“Suicide is a form of murder premeditated murder. It isn’t something you do the first time you think of doing it. It takes getting used to.

And you need the means, the opportunity, the motive. A successful suicide demands good organization

and a cool head, both of which are usually incompatible with the suicidal state of mind.” Susanna Kaysen (my emphasis) “It is not seen as insane when a fighter, under an attack that will inevitably lead to his death, chooses to take his own life first. In fact, this act has been encouraged for centuries, and is accepted even now as an honourable reason to do the deed.

How is it any different when you are under attack by your own mind?”

Emilie Autumn “But in the end one needs more courage to live than to kill himself.”

Albert Camus “Sometimes even to live is an act of courage.” Seneca “Killing oneself is, anyway, a misnomer. We don’t kill ourselves.

We are simply defeated by the long, hard struggle to stay alive.” Sally Brampton “People pontificate, “Suicide is selfishness.” Career churchmen like Pater go a step further and call in a cowardly assault on the living. Oafs argue this specious line for varying reasons: to evade fingers of blame, to impress one’s audience with one’s mental fibre, to vent anger, or just because one lacks the necessary suffering to sympathize. Cowardice is nothing to do with it - suicide takes considerable courage. Japanese have the right idea. No, what’s selfish is to demand another to endure an intolerable existence, just to spare families, friends, and enemies a bit of soul-searching.” David Mitchell “We cannot tear out a single page of our life, but we can throw the whole book in the fire.” George Sand.

“A book is a suicide postponed.”

Emil Cioran.

Here I think of Edgar

Mittelholzer, Guyana’s most famous novelist. He died by self-immolation – burning himself to death as foretold and described in his writings.

And the death of Jean Amery was similar, in some ways, to the death of Mittelholzer in that Amery wrote a book on suicide and enacted his writing to the death.

“There was a footpath leading across fields to New Southgate, and I used to go there alone to watch the sunset and contemplate suicide. I did not, however, commit suicide, because I wished to know more of mathematics.” Bertrand Russell …“a man who has decided upon self-destruction is far removed from mundane affairs” Vladimir Nabokov.

“The real reason for not committing suicide is because you always know how swell life gets again after the hell is over.” Ernest Hemingway “If I had no sense of humour, I would long ago have committed suicide.” Mahatma Gandhi “Women are constantly trying to commit suicide for love, but generally they take care not to succeed.” W. Somerset Maugham “God surely did not create us, and cause us to live, with the sole end of wishing always to die. I believe, in my heart, we were intended to prize life and enjoy it, so long as we retain it. Existence never was originally meant to be that useless, blank, pale, slow-trailing thing it often becomes to many, and is becoming to me, among the rest.”

Charlotte Brontë “Life is short enough, there is nothing worth here to take your life, and those things we do gain can never be taken to our grave.” Anthony Liccione

“When you feel like giving up, just remember the reason why you held on for so long.” Unknown “Suicide doesn’t end the chances of life getting worse, it eliminates the possibility of it ever getting any better.” Unknown “A lot of you cared, just not enough.” Jay Asher. Hoping this is not an indictment on our society.

There’s the rub as Shakespeare would exclaim.

Responses to this author tele-

Edgar Mittelhotlzer

phone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com What’s Happening “An Introduction to Guyanese Literature” by Petamber Persaud, available at Austin’s Bookstore and the National Library.

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 28 , 2016

Sunday Times Magazine 7

Times Heritage

Koker operator Charles Blair stands in front of a koker at Hopetown Village (1952) Koker at Vergenogen, East Bank Essequibo

A

legacy from the Dutch, who are said to be Guyana’s first European settlers, sluices, or kokers as they are more commonly called in Guyana, dominate much of the flat coastland landscape. Kokers were built during the 18th century at points where irrigation canals and the Demerara estuary met, to be opened for

water to be released into the Atlantic Ocean at controlled periods. They were put in place to protect Dutch farms along the fertile coastlands after these early settlers moved to the coast from some parts of the interior of the country.

Closed during the high tides to protect the low-lying farming coastland that is below sea level, the kok-

ers were opened during the low tide to release accumulated water.

A system adopted by the subsequent colonists that is still in place today and which has become part of our infrastructural heritage. Kokers, or sluices, are still being built, though some have been abandoned, standing as silent witnesses to our dynamic

history.

According to Richard Allsopp in his Dictionary of Caribbean English Usage (1996) a koker is a large sluice mechanism that consists of a heavy, tarred, watertight floodgate made of wood that is raised or lowered by the chains of a pulley system, operated by two huge spoked wheels, and which are turned by hand.

He continues to note

that in the 18th century, the term box-koker referred to “an underground pipe or culvert for the draining or intake of water” - a meaning that is still the same in Suriname, but from which the Guyanese term koker is derived. Today, koker includes the tall structure that stands so prominently on the Guyanese coastal landscape.

As testimony to its iconic status in the Guyana landscape, the koker has also been featured in

Guyana’s literary works through a Guyanese poet’s collection of poems.

Rooplall Monar’s “Koker” uses the common coastlands vista as a symbol of the East Indian experience as labourers on the sugar estates created from land reclaimed from the sea, made possible by these kokers that remain vital structures for the country. (Cover photo: Koker on Camp Street said to be one of the oldest in the country).

Water Street, Georgetown, British Guiana circa 1920s

Black Bush Polder koker. It is said to have been illustrated on the now obsolete Guyana one dollar bill

Brickdam, Georgetown 1912

8 Sunday Times Magazine

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FEBRUARY 28 , 2016

Times Travel & Tourism

K

atoonarib is a Wapishana community of about 400 people located in the South Central Rupununi, Region Nine, in a “bush island” region south of the Kanuku Mountains.

The name Katoonarib is Wapichan for “bush islands”. The founders of Katoonarib were of mixed tribes: Utarad, Wapichan, Arawak and Makushi. They built the first school in September 1977.

Inhabitants of the village practice mainly small scale agriculture within the bush islands, with some fishing and hunting.

As in many Makushi and Wapishana communities, cassava is the staple food.

It is widely grown and processed into cassava bread, meal and wine.

Other crops such as peanuts, banana and sweet potatoes are also cultivated on small crop fields.

There is a nursery and primary school, a health post, a village office and a church in the village.

Katoonarib is governed by a Toshao.

Entrance to the village (Photo by Chickadeee on Flickr)

A thatch roof house in the village (Photo by Project Cobra)

Scenic landscape in the vicinity of Katoonarib (Photo by James Broscombe)

Road to Katoonarib (Photo by Chickadeee on Flickr)

Students admiring a rainbow over the village (Photo by Chickadeee on Flickr)

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 28 , 2016

Sunday Times Magazine 9

Times Healthy Living

M

ost women want to feel good about their bodies, and very often, most women would do anything to get what they believe is their ideal body.

With celebrity idols posing in body-hugging outfits displaying the perceived ideal figure, additional pressure is put on women to “look like” a sexy celebrity.

And so the waist trainer was introduced. A trend that has already lean celebrities like Jessica Alba and Kim Kardashian singing its praises, the waist trainer is extolled for flattening tummies and adding curves to their silhouette for maximum sex appeal.

But there is a reason why

corsets went out of style centuries ago. Such restricting devices – and that’s essentially what a waist trainer is – can cause severe internal body injury.

What is a waist trainer?

A waist trainer is a corsetlike device that is claimed to permanently decrease your waist size when worn over a period of time (some marketers suggest 10 hours a day).

In weight loss marketing terms, it is suggested to be able to “compress your core”.

When women wearing one started complaining of dizziness and fainting, bruised and fractured ribs and lung problems, it revealed just how much of their “core” was being compressed.

Waist trainers can distort the body internally

Representation of rearranged organs from wearing waist compression devices: This illustration demonstrates the movement and position of the abdominal organs. The torso on the left shows a body that has never worn a corset. (Uterus and ovaries are not shown, but are located in front bottom of the small intestines.)

The right torso represents a body that has been corseted showing a 6” to 8” reduction. The different colours indicate: Green – Diaphragm; Dark Blue – Liver; Light Blue – Stomach; Red - (transverse) Colon; Yellow - Small Intestines.

Keep in mind that “natural” position varies between the male and female anatomy.

According to a USAToday report, some of the most common problems with waist trainers are decreased abdominal muscle tone, visceral displacement and atrophy of the abdominal walls. Other health risks include deformation of the stomach, liver and lungs and decreased breathing capacity.

Your diaphragm, colon, liver stomach, and small intestines can all be shifted around inside your body after wearing one for too long.

Doctors all over rubbish the idea of a device that can shrink your waist by wearing it for hours a day. Instead they warn that the device can “strangle your organs”.

“Medically, it doesn’t make sense that cinching your waist tightly will make it permanently smaller,” Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., clinical professor of ob-gyn at Yale School of Medicine tells Women’s Health. “Once you take the garment off, your body will return to its usual shape. It’s also uncomfortable, restricts your movements, and if you wear it really tight, it can even make it difficult to breathe and theoretically could cause rib damage.”

Caroline Apovian, M.D., professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine and a spokesperson for The Obesity Society, tells Health News that waist trainers won’t have any lasting effect on waist size, shape, or appearance. But it will cause discomfort and health risks.

Holly Phillips, MD, a New York City internist, explains to Yahoo Health that “wearing a waist trainer for a long amount of time makes it hard to breathe, so you’re taking more shallow breaths.”

Those shallow breaths can cause an oxygen shortage, leaving you feeling dizzy and lightheaded. This can happen at a micro level (your thoughts may seem scattered or hard to follow) or macro level (you can lose conscious-

ness).

It can also “lead to fluid in the lungs,” putting you at risk for pulmonary oedema or pneumonia.

Philips says it is a myth that the waist trainer can change your bone structure and so help reduce the waist.

Some women just have larger rib cages than others, a waist trainer won’t slim down a wide rib cage — it’ll

just leave it bruised, or worse.

“For [adult] women, your bones are formed. You can bruise them and harm them, but you can’t change them,” Phillips says.

It can also lead to acid reflux. “Your stomach might get pushed up beyond the diaphragm, which could cause reflux,” says Dr. Apovian. “If you’re wearing one and you experience those symptoms, that’s a definite sign that you need to loosen it or take it off.”

Andrew Miller, MD, a plastic surgeon in New York City, tells Yahoo Health that wearing a waist trainer can also “decrease blood flow in your veins, cause problems with blood clots, and put more pressure on your heart.”

“It just crams all of your organs together. So over a long period of time, wearing it too much and too frequently, it can cause damage too,” health and wellness expert Dr. Tasneem Bhatia, an Atlanta physician, says in the USAToday report.

Some experts believe that regularly wearing a waist trainer can actually decrease core strength—something that celebrity trainer Nicole Glor tells Health News is exactly the opposite of what you want if you’re aiming for a sexy stomach, While shapewear companies like the ones who adver-

tise waist trainers say this only happens if the device is worn tightly; opponents say the point of such shapewear is that they have to be worn tightly or they would be useless.

According to The Science of Eating, believers say that the tightness of the garment makes you sweat a lot. But it’s not possible to perspire so much that you shave inches off the midsection in a permanent way.

However, for those in the medical community who see some temporary benefits in a waist trainer, such as the advantage of back support and posture control because of the binding and cinching effect, waist training should be an addition to your healthy diet and consistent exercise regimen, not a substitute for one.

In addition, many suggest that a waist trainer and other such shapewear devices need to be worn briefly (if you must wear one) such as on special occasions, then removed as soon as possible, bearing in mind that any discomfort means it should not be worn at all.

The bottom line though is that everyone agrees that to safely shed pounds around your belly you need a lifestyle regimen where you eat healthy and work out on a regular basis.

10 Sunday Times Magazine

FEBRUARY 28 , 2016

Times Fashion

I

f you want to look patriotic and stylish at the upcoming 50th independence anniversary events in May 2016, designer Sonia Noel’s bespoke designs are ideal.

Noel recently launched her full collection that offers men and women several pieces showcasing the colours of the Golden Arrowhead and adorned with the Guyana’s 50th independence anniversary logo.

The collection includes stylish t-shirts, jumpers, dresses, skirts, bandanas and scarves.

Call 226-3099, 609-8388 or 694-1620 for more information on this collection.

guyanatimesgy.com

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 28 , 2016

Sunday Times Magazine 11

Star Times Hollywood

J

ennifer Lopez, born July 24, 1969, is an American actress, author, fashion designer, dancer, producer, and singer.

She became interested in pursuing a career in the entertainment industry following a minor role in the 1986 film “My Little Girl”, to the dismay of her Puerto Rican parents, who believed that it was an unrealistic career route for a Hispanic. Lopez received her first leading role in the Selena biopic of the same name in 1997. Lopez became the first Latina actress to earn over US$1 million for a role the following year, with the film “Out of Sight”.

She ventured into the music industry in 1999 with her debut studio album, On the 6. With the simultaneous release of her second studio album J.Lo and her film “The Wedding Planner” in 2001, Lopez became the first person to have a number one album and film in the same week. She is regarded as the most influential Hispanic performer in the United States, as well as its highest paid Latin entertainer.

Beyond entertainment, Lopez enjoys a highly successful business career, consisting of various clothing lines, accessories, fragrances, a production company, television shows and a charitable foundation among other business interests. She is also seen as a judge on reality show, “American Idol”. In 2015, she played the leading role in the thriller, “The Boy Next Door”. On the small screen, Lopez co-stars in the police drama “Shades of Blue”, which debuted in 2016. Lopez has two children for ex-husband and singer Mark Anthony.

12 Sunday Times Magazine

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Times Hollywood

Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence top Forbes' ‘HighestPaid Oscar Nominees’

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eonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence have been named Forbes' Highest-Paid Oscar Male and Female Nominees.

Leonardo earned an estimated US$29 million pretax from June 2014 to June 2015, thanks to upfront compensation for "The Revenant", residuals from older movies and a Tag Heuer endorsement.

The only other highlypaid Oscar male nominee is Matt Damon, who earned an estimated US$25 million pretax from June 2014 to June 2015. He was nominated in this year's Oscar for his role in "The Martian".

Jennifer, meanwhile, earned an estimated US$52 million pretax from June 2014 to June 2015, thanks to her paychecks from "The Hunger Games" film se-

ries, upfront compensation for "Joy" and lucrative Dior contract. The 25-year-old actress earned her fourth Oscar nomination for her role in "Joy".

According to Forbes, not a single one of the other fe-

male Oscar nominees in the Best Actress or Supporting categories earned more than the US$6 million cut off to make the HighestPaid Actress ranking.

(AceShowbiz)

I

t seems like Lady GaGa didn't feel that one tweet was enough to support Kesha (formerly Ke$ha) amid her legal battle against Sony and music producer Dr. Luke, whom she claimed had sexually assaulted her.

The "Born This Way" singer uploaded a sweet snap on Instagram featuring herself and the "Tik Tok" singer holding hands.

"Free Kesha," she captioned the photo. In the picture, Kesha was seen smiling while closing her eyes as she wore a gray T-shirt under a plaid shirt which she left open. Meanwhile, GaGa wore a red velvet dress with both hands holding Kesha's hand.

GaGa also shared on Snapchat a video of herself kissing the "Crazy Kids" singer. "Free Kesha, she makes me smile," GaGa captioned the video, adding a heart emoji.

Another celebrity who recently showed her support for Kesha was Adele.

The "Hello" singer publicly supported the "Die Young" hitmaker during her acceptance speech at the BRIT Awards 2016. Meanwhile, Anne Hathaway, Reese Witherspoon, Lena Dunham, Ariana Grande and Demi Lovato have taken to social

media to tell everyone that they're on Kesha's side.

All of the support came following Kesha's devastating court ruling which denied releasing her from her contract with Luke.

On Tuesday, February 23, Kesha took to Instagram to thank fans for their support, declaring that she loved them all. (AceShowbiz)

Michael Jackson's US$1.5M ‘Gone Adam Levine debuts giant back tattoo With the Wind’ Oscar missing

W

hen Michael Jackson died in 2009, his assets were immediately taken into account by executors of his estate. However, nearly seven years later, it has been discovered that one of Jackson's most prized possessions has gone missing.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the

Oscar for Best Picture awarded to Gone With the Wind producer David O. Selznick – which Jackson had purchased in a Sotheby's auction – is nowhere to be found.

"The estate does not know where the Gone With the Wind statuette is," Jackson's attorney Howard Weitzman told THR. "We

would like to have that Oscar because it belongs to Michael's children. I'm hopeful it will turn up at some point."

Jackson's three children, Michael, 19, Paris, 17, and Prince, 14, as well as his mother Katherine Jackson, were named beneficiaries of the trust he established and to which he left all his assets, according to the terms of his 2002 will.

The legendary King of Pop, who was known to have had a passion for films, bought the 1940 statuette for US$1.54 million in 1999.

According to THR, the sellers of the Oscar had estimated its worth at a mere US$300,000.

Though it is unclear where Jackson kept the Oscar – either at his Neverland estate near Ojai, California, or at his Los Angles home where he died – the whereabouts of the statuette remain unknown.

(People)

Kendall Jenner reportedly says ‘Harry Styles has smelly armpits’

I

n the latest episode of "Keeping Up with the Kardashians", the 20-year-old model Kendall Jenner reportedly tells her sister Kylie Jenner that she had to ask Harry Styles to "shower more" because he had smelly armpits.

The Victoria's Secret Angel, who was once linked to the British singer, reportedly asked him to use deodorant to overcome his sweating problem.

A rep from Sony music clarified that Kendall did not call the One Direction alum smelly in the show's season finale. In fact, he says she never mentioned

him at all, explaining: "Harry wasn't mentioned at all in the Kardashian finale last night… he hasn't been mentioned on her show at all this season."

This is not the first time

that Harry has been accused of having bad hygiene. His ex-girlfriend Taylor Swift, who dated him in 2013, claimed that she couldn't kiss him because he had "the worst breath." (AceShowbiz)

A

dam Levine took to Instagram to show off a huge tattoo on his back. The Maroon 5 frontman back faced the camera and went shirtless to put his tattoo of a winged mermaid on full display.

According to the cap-

tion of the photo, it took six months to finish the massive tattoo. "6 months in the making. Thanks @bryanrandolph for absolutely blowing my mind with this one!

Woooo hooooo!!!!" Levine wrote. The tattoo was done

by Bryan Randolph from

Spider Murphy's Tattoo in San Rafael, California.

The mermaid, known as Siren from Greek mythology, cradles a skull as she rests on the seashore. She is surrounded by a group of birds with a ship far away in the middle of the ocean.

Back in November 2015, Levine shared on Instagram a photo of his back with a mermaid tattoo, which turned out to be the unfinished version. If you compare the photo to the new one which was just uploaded by Levine, you will notice that the giant piece has covered up some of the singer's previous works, including a tattoo of a lady on his left shoulder and a paw print on his right shoulder.

His wife, Behati Prinsloo also uploaded a similar photo on Instagram. "Some serious art happening between @bryanrandolph @milodecruz and @adamlevine," she captioned the photo.

(AceShowbiz)

Kim Kardashian shares first photo of son

K

im Kardashian has shared the first official picture of her son Saint West. Kanye West's wife took to her official website kimkardashianwest. com on Monday morning, February 22 to post the picture of her newborn son to mark her late father Robert Kardashian's birthday.

"Today is my dad's birthday," the "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" star wrote alongside the picture, "I know there's nothing more in the world he would have wanted than to meet his grandchildren. So I wanted to share this pic of Saint with you all."

In the photo, Saint can be seen sleeping with his tiny hands clenching above his head. He wore a white long sleeved tee.

Kim also shared a throw-

back picture of her late father on Instagram. "Happy Birthday dad!" the mother of two captioned it, "So much has gone on in our lives since you've been gone, and I know you have been my guardian angel seeing it all unfold!

I love you and miss you so much!"

Kim and Kanye welcomed Saint on December 5, 2015, but they had not released any images of the infant until now. The powerhouse cou-

ple are also parents to North West.

On Sunday, February 21, Kim posted a funny photo of Kanye and Nori falling asleep during their shopping trip. "So today we went baby shopping with @johnlegend & @chrissyteigen Kanye & North were a little too quiet. We found them passed out in the middle of the store. #TheRealLifeOfPablo," she wrote alongside the shot.

(AceShowbiz)

Sunday Times Magazine 13 FEBRUARY 28 , 2016

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Star Times Bollywood

T

usshar Kapoor is an Indian film actor and producer, known for his works in Bollywood. Son of veteran actor Jeetendra and younger brother to Ekta Kapoor, Tusshar is the co-owner of Balaji Telefilms and Balaji Motion Pictures.

He made his debut in 2001 with the blockbuster “Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai”, alongside Kareena Kapoor. He received the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut for his work in the film.

Tusshar appeared in “Jeena Sirf Merre Liye” (2002), “Yeh Dil” (2003) and “Gayab” (2004). In 2004, the actor was seen in hits such as “Khakee” (2004), “Kyaa Kool Hai Hum” (2005), “Golmaal” (2006), “Shootout at Lokhandwala” (2007), “Shor in the City” (2012) and “Shootout at Wadala” (2013), establishing himself as one of the most successful actors of Bollywood.

14 Sunday Times Magazine

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Times Bollywood

Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt released from jail

T

he Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt has been released from jail after serving a sentence for illegal possession of firearms he purchased from men linked to the 1993 Mumbai bombings.

Dutt’s return to freedom was covered live by a number of Indian news channels as friends and family turned up to shepherd him from Pune’s highsecurity Yerwada Central jail on Thursday. He kissed the ground outside the prison before being driven to a nearby airport, where he was due to fly home to Mumbai.

“I am out here because of their [fans’] support. There is no easy walk to freedom, my friends,” he told reporters for the AFP news agency.

The 56-year-old actor was initially sentenced in 1993 after buying

three AK-56 rifles and other weapons from terrorists linked to the bombings which killed 257 people and injured 713. In his defence, he said he needed the weapons to defend his family due to Muslim-Hindu tension in Mumbai.

The star of 2014 comedy blockbuster “PK”, 2003’s “Munnabhai MBBS”

and its 2006 sequel has been in and out of courts over the past 23 years.

He spent 18 months behind bars in the early 1990s before being bailed, and was jailed once again in 2007 for six years on the same offences, though he did not serve the time until 2013.

Even then, India’s Supreme Court reduced his sentence from six to five years. Dutt was finally released ahead of schedule after serving around four years, due to good behaviour.

The son of a Hindu father and a Muslim mother, veteran actors Sunil and Nargis, Dutt is considered one of Bollywood’s best-known stars, with billions of rupees riding on his movies. He is expected to resume his film career and has been cast in the comedy-drama “Kapoor and Sons”, out this year.

(The Guardian)

Amitabh Bachchan undergoes medical tests

M

egastar Amitabh Bachchan, who is recovering from a mild ailment, says he has undergone “some medical tests”.

The 73-year-old took to Twitter to give his wellwishers an update on his health.

"Begging apology again tonight...I have had some

medical tests and need to rest. Ok? so see ya later," he tweeted.

Amitabh, who was last seen in action thriller film “Wazir”, will next be seen in debutant director Ribhu Dasgupta's “Te3N”. “TE3N” will also feature actors Vidya Balan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in pivotal roles.

(IANS)

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan meets BSF soldiers

F

rom dancing at army camps to engaging in long conversations with military officers, of late, many Bollywood stars have taken time out to interact with the Indian soldiers. The latest one to do so is Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who is currently shooting for her next movie in Punjab.

We have been told that the actor met the Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers in Amritsar earlier this week.

A source close to Aishwarya

says, “When the BSF jawans realised that she was shooting in a village, which is very close to the border, they expressed their desire to meet her. When Aishwarya finished her schedule for the day, she interacted with them.”

The actor also clicked pictures with them. And apparently, the soldiers presented a gift to the Bollywood star.

“They were so overwhelmed that they gifted a military cap to Aishwarya,” adds the source. (Hindustan Times)

Shah Rukh Khan: ‘I may need new knee, shoulder in 10 years’

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ollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan recently got “scared and paranoid” when he was asked about his plans after ten years.

During his recent interview on CNN’s Fareed Zakaria GPS, when the 50-year-old actor was asked what he would be doing ten years from now, he said, “I thought more 30 years, so when you say 10, I’m a little scared and paranoid it’s going to end so early.”

The “Dilwale” star added, “Yes, I may need a new

knee and a new shoulder and stuff. But they tell me they are finding new body parts, so I’m yes, I would always tell everyone my last shot and I love acting for whatever amount I know, my last shot should be on a you know, when they say cut.”

Further, talking about his namesake on the American terror watch list that created a lot of buzz, SRK said, “Now it’s OK. I’ve been told -- I don’t know how true it is, but that gentleman has been caught, or has been found out. So he’s off that list, and that’s why I’m off that list. So, I’m OK. I’m coming in and going very freely in America.

I’ve been there two or three times, I’ve been trying to look at some universities for my kids, and I came for a tour, and it was all fine. And I’m back in America.” (ANI)

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Sunday Times Magazine

15

Times Trends

Trending 2015

Star of the week

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he right accessory can mean the difference between an average outfit and a downright jaw-dropping ensemble. Below are said to be some of this year’s coolest accessories.

A statement neck accessory is all you need for a fashionable look.

Shoulder-skimming earrings are this year’s hottest trend.

R Pair a chic outfit with a graphic print bag for a perfect ensemble.

2016 statement look - shades with something extra.

Chunky sandals are back. Pair these with shorts or flowing skirts for a casual look.

ecently crowned Miss Global International Guyana 2016, popular songster Poonam Singh is set to represent Guyana on the international stage. Poonam was born Feb. 19, 1995, and grew up on the West Bank of Demerara. She graduated from the University of Guyana with a diploma in Communication Studies and is presently pursuing a degree in law from the University of London, through Nations University of Law. One of her notable achievements was placing second in the GT&T Jingle & Song Competition (2011/12) at the age of 16. Now, she has added another achievement to her list: being crowned Miss Global International Guyana, a title she plans on using to help eradicate suicide in Guyana. Poonam aims to create a group where people who were once suicide victims could reach out to others, and would visit various schools to sensitize students on suicide. Her motto is: “In life no matter how many bricks are thrown at you, the famous singer Taylor Swift, always says, you take those bricks and build castles with them.” The 21-year-old added that her advice to youths is to “always remember to stay good, be good and do good. Nothing can stop you from shining once you are steadfast, focused and determined.” For more information on Poonam’s journey in the pageant, visit Miss Global International Guyana. (Photo by Saajid Husani)

16 Sunday Times Magazine

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FEBRUARY 28 , 2016

Times Art

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ahirih Gerrard finds solace in art, a “portal” she has used in her most challenging times to create her “perfect world”.

“My passion for art is purely intrinsic. I have been drawing since my mother taught me how to hold a pencil correctly. I was raised in a single parent home. My mother, sister, brother and I lived in a small wooden house with no electricity. Back then, drawing was a portal through which I was able to create my perfect world. The thought of drawing made me ridiculously excited.

My family has always been supportive of my artistic journey. They recognised my talent and encouraged me to develop my ability by purchasing art materials for me as I grew older,” the artist said in an interview with Sunday Times Magazine.

Tahirih wrote Visual Arts (Drawing and Graphic Design) for CSEC and gained a grade two in the subject. She then went on to study at E. R. Burrowes School of Art for three years where she majored in Painting and minored in Graphic Design (drawing was compulsory). Tahirih graduated with a Diploma in Fine Art/Painting in 2014 from the Institute of Creative Arts.

Fascinated by the human figure and portraits, Tahirih enjoys “rendering the delicate features of women and children of different ethnicities”. She mentioned that she loves different skin tones and is interested in having an in depth course in colour theory.

Tahirih pointed out that her interest lies in painting portraits rather than landscape, seascape and still life paintings – although she has done quite a few paintings on these.

The artist described her work as “encompassing a bit of realism, surrealism and social commentary”.

“I am inspired by the world around me. My ideas stem from topics such as prevalent societal ills to the wonders of life. I am obsessed with the concept of surrealism.

According to the free dictionary.com, surrealism is ‘a literary and artistic movement of the 1900's that attempts to

One of her most applauded drawings

express the workings of the subconscious and is characterized by fantastic imagery and incongruous juxtaposition of subject matter’. I believe that the concept of surrealism is one that fosters the essence of creativity by introducing different perspectives of familiar objects in ways that allow the viewer to understand the world through the mind of the artist. On an international level, I am inspired by the work of René Magritte, Salvador Dali, Frida Kahlo and Edgar Degas. Regionally and locally, I am impressed by the work of Boscoe Holder, Dominique Hunter, Josefa Tamayo, Carl Anderson, Campton Babb, Lori-Ann Jacobs and Ivor Thom,” she outlined.

In 2014, Tahirih exhibited her work, along with some of her colleagues, in the foyer of the National Cultural Centre (about three weeks prior to their graduation from Burrowes). It was the first time Tahirih’s work was displayed in an exhibition of that nature. She said she received positive remarks on her work.

A few weeks later, she was invited to exhibit her work at a function for women in the compound of the Regional Democratic Council, Region Four. It was there that her first painting was bought by a former government minister.

“I was quintessentially happy: not only for the finan-

One of her pieces on display

cial gain, but more towards the fact that an esteemed member of society recognised my talent and was able to connect with that painting on a level that was not just superficial,” she recalled.

For Tahirih, art is a form of self-expression. With her brush and canvas, the artist is able to convey messages, questions and even evoke various emotions in the mind of her viewers in a way that words may not be able to adequately express.

Besides teaching art, Tahirih does commissioned paintings, teaching aids, face painting and anything that concerns traditional graphic design.

She said she would like to make a contribution towards the art in our society by painting murals with a few of her colleagues in the city of Georgetown.

Tahirih believes art reflects culture and if “we are to create/develop an identity as Guyanese citizens, then more emphasis must be placed on our art, not just visual art, but art as it relates to our music, food, clothing, architecture, dance – just to name a few”.

The artist is convinced that “we have a rich heritage, but unfortunately it is poorly reflected in our culture because we fail to realise the importance of art as a society”.

Now, Tahirih’s ultimate

goal is to become a fulltime artist. She mentioned that “it is a reality that seems farfetched”, but she is confident and has “enough faith in God who makes all things possible”.

“There is a quote my sister often says, ‘You don't have to be great to get started, but you have to get started to be great’.

This quote applies to any aspect of our lives. Too often we think that we are not good enough to venture into certain areas, and even if we make an attempt at doing something, we often give up the first time we are criticized or if we fail.

Failure, criticism and self doubt should never hinder you from achieving your goals. I firmly believe that you should always strive to do what you love. If you are passionate about art, pursue it because your passion is the fuel that will drive you towards success.

“A general misconception that most individuals have as it relates to art is that they believe art is an alternative for individuals who cannot cope with academic work. Art, on the contrary, is for the intellectual. Artists are inventors, problem solvers, designers and creative thinkers. Before any product, clothing, automobile, house etc is produced, the artist (in most cases) is the one who conceptualizes draws and brings that idea to life. Before the camera was invented, it was the artist who captured the image of the world; vivid landscapes and lively portraits among a wide range of subjects. The advent of the camera did not and still does not make the work of an artist obsolete.

Technological advancements make the reproduction of work easy, but it will never replace an artist,” she declared.

To contact the artist, email tahirihdawngerrard27@gmail. com

Artist Tahirih Gerrard

"Recurrence" 2014

Her "Life is a Vacation" painting

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Sunday Times Magazine 17

Times Tech

Netflix on iPhone is about to get a lot better A

fter expanding its reach to over 130 more markets, and after completing its full transition to the cloud, Netflix is looking to improve the mobile experience of its users, starting with the iPhone.

Netflix revealed at Mobile World Congress 2016 (MWC 2016) that customers who’re using iPhones and iPads to stream movies and TV shows will get an improved experience starting Wednesday, Business Insider reports.

The update includes the

Tech BYTE

E

ability to auto-play the

next episode of a show, and a “more fluid” design.

The idea is, apparently, to “make things really, really stupid simple,” according to Netflix vice president of product innovation Chris Jaffe.

Understanding w a t c h i n g Netflix using cellular data when WiFi is not readily available is a sure way to chew through the data allowance of mobile phone plans; the streaming giant is working on a solution.

Later this year, Netflix will be tweaking the settings

BMW launches new Mini Convertible

ntering showrooms in March 2016, BMW has unveiled a new MINI Convertible with an automated top and four trim lines.

Highlights include a fully electric retractable roof, more cargo space, and new exterior design.

As the best selling convertible in the United Kingdom, the MINI Convertible was introduced in 2009 and is still the only four-seat

convertible small car on the market.

For this new model, though, BMW decided to expand its girth.

Most of this size expansion was done to improve boot (trunk) and passenger space.

Sportier options include the MINI Cooper S Convertible with its 1,998cc (2.0L) engine turbocharged to produce 192 hp (141 kW) and 207 pound-feet (280 Nm) of torque.

One of the new additions to the new MINI is its invisible rollover protection, with safety cage elements hidden behind the rear seats on automatically-deployed actuators.

The two protection bars deploy when the car detects a risk of rollover.

The new MINI Convertible has a starting price of £18,475 (about US$25,700).

Yamaha details specs, pricing for 160-hp MT-10 streetfighter

Y

amaha Motor Europe has released its full spec-sheet to reveal the 2016 MT-10, and can now add its name to the list of brutally powerful streetfighters.

The R1 is the latest to join the ever-expanding ranks of naked superbikes.

Yamaha stated that this would be the most powerful naked bike it had ever built and the newly-released specs support this statement in full.

The MT-10 is effectively based on the basic R1S version of Yamaha’s superbike, meaning that it comes with top-of-the-line brakes and suspension, and a comprehensive electronic arsenal that includes riding modes, adjustable traction control, slipper clutch, cruise control, but not the Inertial Measurement Unit of the R1 and R1M. The Yamaha MT-10 is expected to hit European showrooms in May this year, with prices varying from US$14,000 to US$29,400, depending on country.

The Yamaha MT-10 in Race Blu colour (Credit: Yamaha)

to give users the option to stream in HD or switch to a data saving mode, which will play content in a lower bit-rate.

Android users will also get the same features, but an unspecified date later this year.

Tech NEWS

Apple developing unhackable iPhone technology: Report

A

pple, which is fighting an order to help hack the phone of a shooter in the deadly terror attack in San Bernardino, Calif, is reportedly working on an unhackable iPhone.

Citing people close to the company and security experts, the New York Times reports that Apple engineers are developing new security measures that would make it impossible for the government to break into a locked iPhone using methods like those at the centre of the current court battle.

A senior executive, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the New York Times that Apple had started work on the security upgrade before the San Bernardino attack.

The New York Times reports that if Apple succeeds in upgrading its security, which experts say is likely, the company will create a long-running

technical headache for law enforcement, even if the Obama administration wins the fight over the San Bernardino shooter’s iPhone.

The report suggests that if the FBI wanted to access other iPhones in the future, Apple would need to create more so-called “backdoors” into its iOS software, fuelling more legal battles.

In an interview with ABC News on Wednesday Apple CEO Tim Cook defended the iPhone maker’s position in its encryption dispute with the feds.

In his first interview since the controversy erupted last week, Cook said that if his company complied with the FBI’s demand to unlock Syed Rizwan Farook’s encrypted phone it would be “bad for America.”

“Some things are hard and some things are right, and some things are both.

This is one of those things,” Cook said.

18 Sunday Times Magazine

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Times Home & Cooking

Recipe of the Week

A

curbless walk-in shower is a bathing area that has no curb or lip to step over (step up) before entering or leaving, so that your shower space and the rest of the bathroom present a seamless look.

But it has its cautions for homeowners, one of the most important being the absolute necessity for qualified and experienced designers and plumbers to create your shower.

It also has its pros however, when done right, such as its seamless look, as well as its functionality for older or disabled persons to easily enter and exit.

Ingredients

24 medium shrimp with tails on, peeled and deveined 2 tbsp. plus 2 tsp. olive oil, divided ¾ tsp. Caribbean jerk seasoning ¼ cup plus 2 tbsp. guava jelly, divided 1 tsp. fresh lime zest 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened 24 small round rice crackers 2 tbsp. finely chopped eshallots

Method At first considered only for those with limited mobility, today curbless showers are enjoying a wider popularity, and are even thought of as a luxury

In a small bowl, toss shrimp with 2 tablespoons olive oil and jerk seasoning until coated.

Add remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil to a large non-stick sauté pan, and heat over medium-high heat. When oil begins to shimmer, add shrimp, and cook until they are pink and opaque, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Remove shrimp from pan.

Reduce heat to low, and add ¼ cup guava jelly and lime zest to pan, whisking until jelly is melted. Remove pan from heat, and add shrimp, stirring and tossing to coat with sauce. Set aside.

In a small saucepan, melt remaining 2 tablespoons guava jelly over low heat, stirring until smooth. Let cool slightly.

In a small bowl, combine cream cheese and melted guava jelly, stirring until smooth. Place cream-cheese mixture in a piping bag fitted with a large open-star tip (Wilton #1M).

Pipe a rosette onto one side of crackers. Drain shrimp, and place upright on cream cheese star. Sprinkle evenly with chopped chives.

Serve immediately.

Makes 24

GREATEST COOKING TIPS

Water spill concerns are a significant issue with curbless showers so its design must consider floor space, water splash and drainage

The design element can allow for various types of showerheads and seating styles

T

omato ketchup has a high acid content (due to both the tomatoes and vinegar in it) and therefore does not have to be refrigerated after opening.

It is safe to store it at room temperature, but it will taste better if kept refrigerated.

Papayas (or papaws) can be used to make a hot and spicy salsa. In addition, blending papaya with milk, yogurt, or orange juice makes a nutritious breakfast smoothie. Puree papaya to make a delicious salad dressing or base for ice cream or sorbet.

When you use a garlic press or crush the garlic cloves, you get a stronger flavour than when you mince it fine with a knife. This is only noticeable when using the garlic raw.

B

HOME HELP

aking soda can be used as an abrasive to clean baby bath tubs without worrying about harsh chemicals. Baking soda in a baby’s bath water can help alleviate diaper rash as well.

Instead of using a store-bought fabric softener, add baking soda during the rinse cycle. It’s gentler for those who have sensitive skin and acts as a natural softener.

Soak greasy dishes and pans in your favourite dish soap plus two teaspoons of baking soda as an alternative to harsh abrasives. It’s a scratchless scouring powder.

Make a paste with baking soda and use in lieu of store-bought silver polish to get heirlooms looking their best. Buff with a dry cloth.

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FEBRUARY 28, 2016

Sunday Times Magazine19

Family Times

PARENTING

Teaching your child to care about the environment Part IV

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JOKES

Wooden spoons One day during cooking class, the teacher, Mrs. Jones, was extolling her secrets for preparing perfect sauces. When she ordered us to the stoves to prepare our assignments, she said, “Now don’t forget to use wooden spoons.”

As I stirred my sauce, I contemplated the physics behind the mystery of the wooden spoon and decided it must have something to do with heat conduction. I approached Mrs. Jones to test my theory.

“Why wooden spoons?” I asked.

“Because, she replied, “if I have to sit here listening to all your metal spoons banging against metal pots, I’d go nuts!”

Points to Ponder 1. Should you do the right things or should you do things right?

2. At a movie theatre, which arm rest is yours?

3. If an ambulance is on its way to save someone, and it runs someone over, does it stop to help them?

4. In the word scent, is “S” silent or “C”?

5. Why is it called a building when it’s already built?

6. Why is there a ‘D’ in fridge, but not in refrigerator?

7. Who knew what time it was when the first clock was made?

8. If you drop soap on the floor, is the floor clean or the soap dirty?

9. Who took the picture of the first camera? And how was it taken?

10. Is sand called sand because it’s between sea and land?

Witty Signs On a Plumber’s truck: Don’t sleep with a drip. Call your plumber.

On a Septic Tank Truck: Yesterday’s Meals on Wheels In a Chicago Radiator Shop: Best place in town to take a leak Complaints and solutions After every flight, UPS pilots fill out a form, called a “gripe sheet” which tells mechanics about problems with the aircraft. The mechanics correct the problems, document their repairs on the form, then pilots review the gripe sheets before the next flight.

Never let it be said that ground crews lack a sense of humour. Here are actual maintenance complaints submitted by UPS pilots (“P”) and solutions recorded (“S”) by maintenance engineers: P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.

S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.

P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.

S: Evidence removed.

P: Suspected crack in windshield.

S: Suspect you’re right.

P: Target radar hums.

S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.

P: Mouse in cockpit.

S: Cat installed.

P: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer.

S: Took hammer away from midget.

ater is our planet’s most valuable natural resource.

In fact, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2016, four billion people – twothirds of the global population – are facing water scarcity, so the value of using water sparingly is a crucial message to deliver to our children.

Water conservation practices start at home so it’s important that parents take an active role in teaching their child to reduce water use in the home.

When brushing teeth or scrubbing soapy hands and faces, teach children to turn off the tap (tightly to avoid water wastage) so they do not let water simply run down the drain.

For safety reasons, babies should only have about

an inch or two of water in their bath anyway. There is

no reason to use much more than that. When they are old enough, switch from baths to quick showers that use less water than filling up a tub.

Encourage children to collect “old” water from leftover water bottles, half-drank cups or boiling eggs, (after the water has cooled) and use it to hydrate your grass and bushes instead of turning on the hose.

Make sure they understand why it’s so important to reuse water when possible instead of simply pouring what we consider our ‘unwanted’ or ‘old’ water down the drain.

Use buckets or tubs to bathe pets or wash vehicles, which reduce leaving the taps running while encouraging less water wastage.

(TO BE CONTINUED)

STORY TIME

Reflections A prayer on going into my house

K

ing Solomon’s servant came breathlessly into the court, “Please! Let me borrow your fastest horse!” he said to the King. “I must be in a town ten miles south of here by nightfall!”

“Why?” asked King Solomon.

“Because,” said his shuddering servant, “I just met Death in the garden! Death looked me in the face! I know for certain I’m to be taken and I don’t want to be around when Death comes to claim me!”

“Very well,” said King Solomon.

By Grammar G

M

nemonics (pronounced NEEMON-ICKS) is defined as memory devices that help us remember information. They are particularly useful for learners but professionals also find mnemonics helpful, to recall different types of information.

There are said to be nine basic types of mnemonics: music, name, expression or word, model, ode or rhyme, note organization, image, connection and spelling mnemonics.

Let’s look at a few, such as the more familiar ode or rhyme mnemonics in the form of a poem: A commonly used rhyme mnemonic for the number of days in each month is: 30 days hath September, April, June, and November.

All the rest have 31 Except February my dear son.

It has 28 and that is fine But in Leap Year it has 29.

The Expression or Word mnemonic, also known as List Order Acronym, is one of the most widely used mnemonics. To

“My fastest horse has hoofs like wings. Take him.” Then Solomon walked into the garden. He saw Death sitting there with a perplexed look on its face. “What’s wrong?” asked King Solomon.

Death replied, “Tonight I’m supposed to claim the life of your servant whom I just now saw in your garden.

But I’m supposed to claim him in a town ten miles south of here! Unless he had a horse with hooves like wings, I don’t see how he could get there by nightfall . . .” (A Hebrew Folktale)

God grant a blessing on this tower and cottage And on my heirs, if all remain unspoiled, No table or chair or stool not simple enough For shepherd lads in Galilee; and grant That I myself for portions of the year May handle nothing and set eyes on nothing But what the great and passionate have used Throughout so many varying centuries We take it for the norm; yet should I dream Sinbad the sailor’s brought a painted chest, Or image, from beyond the Loadstone Mountain, That dream is a norm; and should some limb of the Devil Destroy the view by cutting down an ash That shades the road, or setting up a cottage Planned in a government office, shorten his life, Manacle his soul upon the Red Sea bottom.

William Butler Yeats

Remember, remember… make an Expression or Word mnemonic, the first letter of each item in a list is arranged to form a phrase or word.

Mnemonic for remembering Roman Numerals: I Value Xylophones Like Cows Dig Milk where I= 1; V=5; X=10; L= 50; C=100; D=500; M=1000

Mnemonic for recalling the order of colours in the rainbow, or visual spectrum: Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain, where R=red; O= orange; Y=yellow; G=green; B=blue; I=indigo; V=violet.

There are also name mnemonics where the first letter of each word in a list of

items is used to make a name of a person or thing – which some would categorise as expression or word mnemonics.

ROY G BIV, where R=red; O=orange; Y=yellow; G=green; B=blue; I=indigo; V=violet Music mnemonics help recall important musical information such as the notes in the treble clef: The lines of the clef: Every Good Bird Does Fly (E, G, B, D, F) and the spaces of the clef: FACE. Finally, we look at spelling mnemonics which, of course, help us remember how words are spelled. For example, some persons may have trouble remembering that potassium has two esses (ss): Remember the mnemonic one tea, two sugars; that is, one “t” and two esses (ss) in “potassium”.

Similarly with “desert” and “dessert”, a popular mnemonic advises remembering that the sweet one has two sugars (two esses).

And for the unusual word “rhythm”, it is considered best recalled as Rhythm Helps Your Two Hips Move.

20 Sunday Times Magazine

FEBRUARY 28 , 2016

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Times Sunday Puzzle

The following sentences have two blanks that can be filled with two words that are anagrams of each other. (Anagram is the rearranging of letters of a word or phrase to produce a new word or phrase, using all the original letters exactly once.)

1. Mark’s math __________ was a mildmannered man. But one thing he would not tolerate was a __________.

2. The patient __________ his pain through physical therapy. He had seen enough __________ surgeries to know that too many people elected surgery when they shouldn’t have.

see solution on page 23

see solution on page 23

see solution on page 23

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Sunday Times Magazine 21

Times Kids

Creature Corner

GEOZONE

Map Facts

T

he Amazonian lungfish (Lepidosiren paradoxa) lives in the swamps and slow-moving waters throughout much of the Amazon River as well as some other river basins on the continent, and preys on fish, shellfish and amphibians; it will also consume plant matter.

It is also known as the South American Lungfish, Scaly Salamander-fish and American Mud-fish, and has the ability to extract oxygen from the atmosphere as well as water. Able to grow up to just over 4 feet (125 cm) in length, the Amazonian lungfish is an ancient fish that has changed little for millions of years.

During the dry periods, when most of the water has dried up, the Amazonian lungfish burrows into the mud, closing off the opening with mud balls. During this hibernation, its metabolism will decrease greatly, allowing it to survive for months underground. When the rains come again, it will come out of the mud to resume its life as a fish.

Spot the 5 Differences

Answer 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 please see solution on page 23

digits 1 through 9.

1. North may be at the top of maps today, but that wasn’t always so. During the Middle Ages, most Western maps had east at the top.

2. Cartography is the study of maps and map making. Someone who makes maps is called a cartographer.

3. Modern mapmakers often incorporate fake towns into their maps; if they come across another map with the same fake town, they know it is a copy 4. In 1798, cartographer James Rennell drew the first map of Africa featuring the massive Mountains of Kong, an enormous mountain range that stretched thousands of miles east to west across Africa. The only problem was that the Mountains of Kong didn’t exist. Even so, the Mountains of Kong would be placed on maps of Africa for the next 100 years.

5. There are two Norths: true north and magnetic north. True north is the direction of the geographic North Pole. Magnetic north is the direction the north end of a needle in a compass point.

Maze Daze

Help the spider get to the fly

Colouring Fun

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Sunday Times Magazine 23

World Times

Disney films send wrong message to children: study

D

isney films send the wrong message of social class and equality, a new study suggests, and“downplay struggles of the poor”.

Researchers looked at 32 Disney films to determine whether they portray realistic social values, norms and equality.

Movies such as The Little Mermaid, The Lion King and Mulan were studied alongside classics such as The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins.

The researchers discovered that rather than sending a good message to their child viewers, they 'erased' the problems endured by the working class.

The US researchers from Duke University looked at 32 films that were rated G and had grossed more than

The Lion King: One of the films researchers looked at

US$100 million worldwide.

They included Beauty and the Beast, Cars, Monsters Inc., Mulan, Ratatouille, The Little Mermaid, Wall-E and The Santa Claus 2.

The researchers put the characters in the films into classes based on their job, as upper class characters were defined as royalty, chief executives and celebrities.

Snow White: Most of the movies studied were Disney classics

Brain Teaser Answer

1. teacher, cheater 2. lessened, needless SUDOKU

KID SUDOKU

CROSSWORD

Upper middle class included managers, mayors and, surprisingly, Santa.

Middle class characters had jobs like mid-level managers whilst the working class had jobs like soldiers, sailors, miners and chimney sweeps.

The other category was poor, defined by not having a job or connection to royalty.

Their analysis showed that in most cases the main character in the films was wealthy and that 56 per cent of the characters were in the top two classes.

Compared to the real world distributions of wealth,

this meant that poorer characters were under represented.

The depictions of working class people was also unrealistic, the study said.

Authors wrote that “rather than experience their jobs as problematic, nearly all working-class characters perceive their jobs as invigorating, fun, and allowing substantial autonomy and authority.”

Snow White was criticised as for having the seven dwarfs to sing: 'To dig dig dig dig dig dig dig is what we really like to do' - when they actually worked in a mine.

Another issue with the film is that Snow White marries a rich prince after meeting him just once, whereas the lower class dwarfs who she sees more often are considered “unthinkable romantic partners”.

The study also says that, unlike in real life, upper class lifestyles were often the ones under threat, whereas poor ones were depicted as highly secure.

Three quarters of the films showed wealthier characters defending their class position against “individuals or groups trying to usurp them”.

Working class lives are often portrayed as so fun and cosy that rich people will voluntarily go down the class ladder to join them.

Poor people are also portrayed as happier too - In ‘The Sound of Music’, Maria is seen as so warm and loving that she teaches her upper class employer how to love

Spot the difference answer

F

or those who don’t know, Limerick is an Irish county whose newspaper has seen its fair share of weird headlines that routinely stun the worldwide web.

Their recent ones continue that tradition, to be tweeted, retweeted and shared across various social media.

The UK’s Daily Edge pointed out a few that won Headline of the Week awards:

When Limerick’s crime of the century took place

When the pun game was strong

Other such headline capers include, “County Limerick Cemetery ‘a death trap’”; “Limerick Council breathe new life into Mount St Lawrence Cemetery” and “Killer spiders go bananas in Limerick”. their children.

Another problem with the films is that whilst the primary poor characters are often upstanding and brave, the secondary characters are framed as “morally corrupt”.

In The Lion King, the hyenas are 'immoral and unintelligent' and serve as accomplices to murder, the study says.

The film is also cited as an example of the rampant homophily in children's films - Simba and Nala marry because they are from the same class and have known each other for years.

Researchers say that this kind of stereotyping limits the chance for poor people to mar-

ry up and portrays inequality as “the result of true love rather than discrimination”.

Researchers concluded that overall, children's films made poverty and class distinctions as seem like a case of “just deserts”.

The study said the films made class divisions seem “legitimate by erasing, downplaying, and sanitizing their effects - by portraying poverty and inequality as benign”.

It added: "This metaframe erases, downplays, or sanitizes poverty and class inequality, implying that poverty and inequality are not particularly problematic as few people suffer from them."

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Fun Times

Archie

If you have a solution, speak up. Don’t hesitate to (March 21ask for help. Don’t let your ego April 19) stop you from accepting assistance. Money will come from an unusual source.

ARIES

If you cannot change someTAURUS thing, move on. Put your en(April 20ergy into matters that show May 20) promise. A step in a positive direction will pay off. Don’t linger.

GEMINI You can excel if you take (May 21- charge. Not everyone will be June 20) on your side, but once you realize where people stand, you will be unstoppable.

Spice up your appeal. Do something unusual that will (June 21make you stand out. Get inJuly 22) volved in events or activities that encourage you to head in an unusual direction.

CANCER

Dilbert

LEO Express your views openly and make changes that suit (July 23Aug. 22) you. Don’t worry about those who dislike your choices.

Move forward with those who are heading in the same direction as you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Turn your plans into a reality. Participate in networking functions and share your ideas. Decipher who is worth collaborating with and who isn’t. Take on a challenge and play to win.

Show an interest in what LIBRA others are doing. Make a ro(Sept. 23mantic gesture. A personal Oct. 23) improvement will result in unexpected compliments and encouragement.

Peanuts

SCORPIO Emotions will surface if (Oct. 24- someone challenges you. If Nov. 22) you think outside the box and respond with something unexpected, you will capture attention and put yourself in the driver’s seat.

If you are too quick to make SAGITTARIUS a decision or take action, you (Nov. 23will face uncertainty. Pause Dec. 21) and let others make the first move in order to avoid being put in a vulnerable position.

Calvin and Hobbes

Show your ability to lead.

CAPRICORN Whether you are challenged (Dec. 22personally or professionally, Jan. 19) taking charge will enhance your reputation. If you set the standard, you will make a contribution and a difference.

AQUARIUS Stay on course. Don’t give (Jan. 20- in to emotional blackmail. Do Feb. 19) something that leaves you feeling and looking good.

PISCES An opportunity will come (Feb. 20- to you through someone you March 20) have worked with in the past. Attend a gathering that brings back memories and sparks renewed interest in an old idea.