Guyana Times Sunday Magazine

Guyana’s Wellness Warriors

The Ministry of Health, in its effort to fight non communicable diseases and other life threatening health situations, has organised a group of vibrant young people called the Wellness Warriors.

The National Health and Wellness , “Wellness Warriors” is geared at targeting in-school and out-ofschool youths for the purposes of promoting social and economic conditions that address the determinants of chronic diseases, and empowering people to adopt healthy and active lifestyles.

Wellness Warriors was launched Sept. 12, 2014 by Director of PAHO/WHO Dr. Carissa Etienne. This was done at the launch of the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Strategy at what is now the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

The peer-helping group conducts peer-helping programmes and activities aimed at creating an environment that allows and encourages individuals, families and communities to become conscious about their health and wellbeing, and to take action to prevent illnesses, through adaptation of healthy lifestyle practices and choices.

Nationally, the Wellness Warriors would consist of 10 ‘Wellness Warriors Chapters’ established in each of the administrative regions of the country. However, currently, only Regions Four and Five are confirmed. Membership for each club is drawn from schools, youth groups, community-based and professional organisations from

within the respective regions.

Members undergo structured training by professional health care providers and tutors of the Ministry of Public Health, (MOPH) in basic non-invasive testing techniques such as blood pressure and blood sugar testing.

Activities of the Wellness Warrior Club include increasing and raising health awareness and educating communities on the benefits of healthy active lifestyles; providing information and education on risk factors that predispose ill health; providing peer support and being an integral part of helping individuals and families cope with social and emotional barriers and stay motivated to reach their health goals; supporting the development of skills to foster behaviour change; training in

basic techniques of health screening; providing basic screening services for select health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and others; acting as focal points for health literacy, and interfacing with professional services within their respective communities.

All of these activities would be done in support of the activities of the MOPH and its strategic partners, and under the close guidance of the MOPH.

The Wellness Warriors would execute its mandate through participation in medical outreaches and screening by MOPH and its strategic partners; sponsoring health literacy activities among large bodies of young people –such as in schools, youth camps – through debating and sporting activities and workshops; sponsoring environmental health activi-

Wellness Warrior, an individual has to complete a registration form, attend the training programme and pass with no lower than 55 per cent. Thereafter, he/ she would graduate and complete the membership forms.

At present, the club has 54 official members ranging from ages 15 to 25 with CXC the minimum achievement and MD the highest.

To date, the club’s achievements include the founding of a “trainer of trainers” programme; the expansion of its membership; conducting successful awareness campaigns (including walks, workshops

riences of the traditional school health clubs and challenge its members to expand their contribution into the community – beyond the confines of the school environment – by using their competencies acquired through specific training and nurturing.

Upon leaving school, students would be expected to sustain the active contacts and networking with their school environment, their newer spaces of employment and tertiary study. Additionally, the club is looking to expand its membership and to establish clubs in the other eight regions.

ties and being active environmental agents – for example, in clean-up campaigns and environment enhancement activities such as tree planting; and conducting awareness drives at public activities such as fairs and similar gatherings.

In order to become a

and medical outreaches); early medical intervention (identifying persons who are at high risk for HBP, diabetes and TB); establishment of health clubs in schools; and increased partnership with NGOs.

Wellness Warriors plan to expand the usual expe-

For more information on the club and how you can become a member, visit Wellness Warriors on Facebook. (Information provided by Tamica Noel) (Cover photo: Wellness Warriors ready to do their part in the fight against diseases)

A Wellness Warrior (left) demonstrating in a costume how diseases affect the body

Youths being inducted as Wellness Warriors

The tuma pot

During the September Amerindian Heritage Month, you may have heard of the “tuma pot”. As explained by Michael Patterson, CEO of Tuma Sàlà Restaurant, described as Guyana’s first ever indig-

be it fish or wild meat – and is stocked with the hottest pepper in the community. The meats in a tuma pot would usually include various “wildmeat” – wild hog, deer, wild cow, labba, agouti and all other meats that are edible by a

Wapishana people will use farine. The Warrau will use the fresh cassava bread referred to as “arasuka”. Fresh cassava juice or “belltarie” will be used as the beverage. Other freshly made juices are also served with the tuma in-

enous restaurant, the tuma pot is not an actual pot, a misconception by many, but a variety of meat in a pot.

“The tuma pot refers basically to the meat in the pot, but instead of using cassareep, the cassava water is used. Cassareep is produced after the refining process, where the cassava water is discoloured until dark brown with a more molasses taste and texture. On the other hand, the cassava water is the broth that’s developed on the surface of the water before it’s turned into cassareep. That broth is scooped off to make the sauce for the tuma pot. Very similar to the pepperpot, the tuma pot also includes a variety of meat that is used mainly by the Machusi, Wapishana, Patamonas and the other groups indigenous to Guyana. On the other hand, the pepperpot is used mainly by the Arawak people of the Lokono nation,” Patterson explained in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine

“Tuma” refers to meat/ fish cooked in the cassava water. The cassava water is referred to “kada” or “kadakura sauce”. So if someone invites you for “labba tuma” then that meal will be labba cooked in “kada” sauce. It is light “cream” in colour with a thinner texture to that of the cassareep. It, however, serves the same purpose of cassareep. Both are self-flavoured and are natural preservatives.

Most Guyanese are familiar with pepperpot rather than tuma pot. The pepperpot is made from cassareep, while tuma pot is prepared in cassava water.

Sometimes a special pot is assigned for the tuma. Traditionally, this pot remains at the fireside and would always have meat or fish inside. Because the tuma pot sauce is a preservative, freshly trapped meat/fish are continuously placed in the pot.

Patterson mentioned the tuma pot always has meat –

Cassava for the tuma pot

He noted that if the tuma pot is not cooked and refined adequately it can cause stomach ache and diarrhoea, even to the extent of death.

The cassava water is a lethal poison “equally” potent as cyanide. So it is very important that all the poison from the cassava water is refined by heat – fireside – until it is properly cooked.

“To prepare the cassava water, one must follow and carry out the process of extraction in detail in order to have a refined product. After grating the cassava, it is then placed into the matapi to extract the poison – the same process of making the cassareep. The extracted juice, cassava, is potent at this stage and should be treated with all care as to storage, as animals can pass by the kitchen area and sip/drink the liquid. They were many cases where animals – mostly cattle - were found dead after drinking the cassava water. After the water is extracted, it is then placed into a container and allowed to ‘settle’, eventually forming starch after a while. The settled water is now cooked – refining the sauce for consumption. While cooking, a broth is formed at the top of the boiling water. That portion is scooped off and placed into another container as the kada sauce. This process can be done to accumulate adequate sauce for the tuma pot. The remaining cassava water is further processed under heat to produce cassareep. This process takes time with fire modulation –meaning not having more or less heat than expected,” Patterson outlined. Side order

Tuma is usually served with cassava bread or farine, depending on the preferences of various indigenous tribes. The Arawaks will use cassava bread, while the Machusi and

Patterson noted that work is done collectively as a community in indigenous villages and is referred to as “kaiyap”. He said if work is being done as a community project, then in most cases a tuma pot is prepared. Tuma Sàlà (pronounced as Tuma-zarah) is a Patamona word meaning “come let us eat”.

When it is time for the meal, the person responsible for preparing and presenting the food usually shouts out “Tuma Sàlà” and everyone knows it is time to eat. This brings everyone in a village together. According to Patterson, it is always a pleasure to do community work as the meal time was special.

a few.

“Tuma is a national dish that Guyanese can be proud of. The tuma pot is an authentic indigenous cuisine, just as pepperpot is. The introduction of the first ever Amerindian restaurant,

Tuma Sàlà, established over a year ago, was founded on the tenants of cultural preservation, awareness, and the promotion of indigenous foods and beverages. In addition, to sustain growth, Tuma Sàlà, as an indigenous business venture, also embraces the concept and the promotion of art and craft and community-based tourism. Presently, this venture is experiencing a downturn in business that

is affecting our country as a whole, but is still coping by providing a catering and delivery service to our many customers. It is expected to re-launch on November 14, 2015 at the first ever Jungle Marathon in Santa Mission,” Patterson disclosed. Check out Tuma Sàlà on Facebook for more information on the tuma pot. (Cover photo: Tuma fish with hot peppers)

Variety of meats in a pot is known as a Tuma Pot

particular indigenous group. Wild fish or freshwater fishes are also included in the tuma pot.

cluding fly, piwari, and parakari - just to name

Tuma Labba

Guyana’s six ‘tigers’

None of which are actually tigers

By Matt Hallett Part II

Guyana is home to six species of wild cat – each with unique natural histories, beautiful physical attributes, and interesting behaviours. Each of the six species plays an important role in the vast forests and savannas of Guyana, a niche that evolved over millions of years.

Whether it is as the top predator or feeding on rodents in the tree tops, the astonishing diversity of the landscape allows for all six of these species to share space, find enough food, and pass their genes on to the next generation, while each role plays an important part in the functioning of the landscape itself.

In a world where forests are being cut and overturned for short-term economic gain and species are being hunted to the brink of extinction, Guyana has managed its resources with

a global perspective and an eye for the future. And while wild cats have been vilified as dangerous nuisances that are a threat to public health recently in the press, maybe getting to

know your wild neighbours might help all Guyanese realize what how special it is to share space with these unique creatures before it is too late.

Let me introduce to you

the remaining ‘tigers’ of Guyana, none of which are actually tigers at all.

The puma (Puma concolor), also known as the deer tiger, cougar, mountain lion, panther, or catamount, is the widest ranging terrestrial animal in the New World with populations existing throughout North and South America from the Canadian Yukon to the Southern Andes.

The fourth largest cat in the world, puma body size can vary across their range with the physically largest individuals on the northern and southern edge of their ranges and the smallest individuals in the tropics. Pumas are plain in coloration, with tawny-brown or tan base coat and white underbelly. Juvenile pumas are paler in coloration with spots on their flanks.

Despite the term ‘black panther’ being attributed to this species, melanistic (all black) pumas have never been documented. Pumas might be almost as tall as

jaguars, but are less muscular and not as powerful, and are much larger than similar looking small cats.

While their North American cousins may focus primarily on large prey, pumas in South America have shown a preference for preying on small to medium sized animals, including deer, capybara, agouti, labba, armadillo, and even livestock (calves, small adult cows, pigs, and sheep).

Preying on livestock causes conflict between pumas and ranchers and many pumas are killed each year in retaliation for predation on livestock. As large predators, pumas play a critical role (along with jaguars) in helping to keep large and medium herbivore populations in check, thus balancing ecosystems.

Considered common and widespread, pumas are still very secretive and highly elusive, making them very difficult to observe in the wild. Although considered a ‘Least Concern’ for conservation efforts, pumas play an important complimentary role that helps to maintain the amazing diversity found in Guyana.

The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), also known as tiger cat, labba tiger, chicken tiger, dwarf leopard, tigrillo, and manigordo, is a small wild cat that is somewhere similar in appearance to jaguars, but is much smaller in size with rosettes that appear much more like long streaks than circular prints.

The ocelot is the largest of the small cats found in Guyana, with a cream to reddish-brown or tan coat and black rosettes. Ocelots are probably the most common of all the small cats, ranging across tropical forests, swamps, and savannas below 1,200 m in elevation, and distributed extensive-

ly across Central and South America from south Texas to Northern Argentina.

Ocelots seem to prefer habitats with relatively dense vegetation, but will hunt in more open areas at night. They are known to inhabit areas close to human habitation, which can cause conflict if they begin to prey on chickens.

Ocelots are known to be fiercely territorial (only coming together to mate) and will fight, sometimes to the death, to defend their home ranges. Like all of Guyana’s cats, ocelots mark their territories with urine or faeces and scent markings left by leaving scratch marks in trees or on the ground. However, ocelots maintain hard boundaries between their territories, while other cats may have overlapping home ranges that include individuals of both sexes.

Ocelots feed on a wide variety of prey within these defined home ranges, including small mammals, lizards, small turtles, frogs, crabs, birds, and fish. While they will take on prey closer to their own size (labba and agouti), the majority of the ocelots diet is made up of rodents. As rodents can reproduce rapidly and cause extensive environmental damage, ocelots are a critical small mammal predator that helps keep forest systems in balance.

Ocelots were once classified as ‘Vulnerable’ because of a reduction in their populations that occurred as a result of heavy hunting for trade in their fur that occurred in previous decades. However, banning of trade in ocelot fur and other products has allowed this species to bounce, and today it is considered a species of ‘Lease Concern’ for conservation. (TO BE CONTINUED)

Ocelot captured on camera traps near Yupukari village

Oncilla captured on cameras traps near Karanambu Ranch, Region Nine (Photo courtesy of Panthera)

International fashion, TV idols of Guyanese heritage

If you were a fan of the ABC Family teen drama ” Twisted”, then you’re familiar with Kylie Bunbury who played Lacey Porter, a popular teenager on the show. Kylie is a talented actress and model, born in Ontario, Canada in 1989 to a Polish and Swedish American mother, Kristi Novak, and Guyaneseborn Canadian father, Alex Bunbury.

Kylie Bunbury

Kylie’s father was a professional football player who won the sixth most caps all time for the Canadian men’s soccer team. She has two younger brothers, Teal and Logan. Teal followed in his Guyanese father’s footsteps and is also a professional football player for the New England Revolution.

Prior to her acting career, Kylie spent two years in London and then seven years in Portugal, where her father played profes-

which also starred one of Hollywood’s biggest actors Jonah Hill. Kylie later landed the coveted role of Lacey Porter in the ABC Family series “Twisted”. In 2015, Kylie joined the cast of CBS drama se-

sional football. Her family then moved to Minnesota where she developed an interest in modelling. In 2007, while a senior in high school, Kylie began her modeling career. She quickly became a successful commercial model, securing regular stints for top brands such as Target, Vanity Clothing and Abercrombie & Fitch.

After three years, Kylie decided to move to Los Angeles and pursue an acting career. She studied acting at the highly regarded Playhouse West School and Repertory Theater in Los Angeles under Robert Carnegie.

She made her acting debut in 2010 at age 21 as Kathleen on NBC’s longrunning soap opera “Days of Our Lives”. In 2011, she appeared in the Disney feature film “Prom”. That same year Kylie played a supporting role in Fox’s “The Sitter”,

ries “Under the Dome”. She played Eva, a beautiful and intelligent woman who comes to Chester’s Mill with her boss, Lucy.

In her latest role, Kylie

played Suhad, the strongwilled winsome warrior, in SPIKE TV’s limited series, “TUT”. In the three-part series, which was filmed in Morocco, Suhad is a beautiful and endearing girl of Mitanni descent who developed a strong bond with the young Egyptian king, despite the fact she was not of royal bloodlines.

The multitalented actress and model also possesses the talent of singing and playing the guitar, and can be seen on her Instagram page @kyliebunbury performing Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds”.

Olayinka Noel

Another iconic figure of Guyanese heritage is Olayinka Noel, better known as Olay. Noel is an international fashion model and was born in Atlanta Georgia to Guyanese parents.

Noel is currently a sophomore studying business management at Kennesaw State University, while she pursues her modeling career.

The successful international fashion model praises her Guyanese mother, Donna, for being her biggest inspiration and for pushing her to follow her dreams.

Noel has graced the pages of top fashion magazines such as Ebony, Knot, Cosmopolitan and Edgars Club Magazines. She has also done campaigns for Dillards Beauty and Crème of Nature Hair, and has walked many runways around the world, including New York Fashion Week.

In a 2015 interview with The Otism Magazine, Noel shared her story about her modeling career and spoke highly of the support she received from her mother.

“My mother inspires and motivates me to do better

everyday! She left her entire family and came to America to give my sisters and I a better life; therefore I feel it is my duty to give her a better life and pay her back for all the sacrifices she’s made for me. No matter what obstacles face her she always gets through it and that shows me nothing is impossible as long as you stay focused and determined,” expressed Noel. (www.guyanesegirlsrock.com)

International model Olayinka Noel

Hollywood actress Kylie Bunbury

Kylie's Guyana born father Alex (left) and brother Teal

Noel on the runway at a past Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week show

The Shaping of guyaneSe LiTeraTure

‘Indian Opinion’ – a local journal

By PetamBer Persaud

My reading is such that I see red, green and amber sojourning through a book. I usually change gears, automatically – speeding up, slowing down, and reversing. Sometimes, I stop. Often, I would go into neutral. Neutral may be my favourite position when reading. I go into neutral at any inter-textual references which do not give up their meaning/s readily especially references to other books.

While wading through Gandhi’s “The Story of my Experiments with Truth”, which I am re-reading as we celebrate International Literacy Day, I had to pause at many such references, some of which I would like to share.

Mohandas K. Gandhi was born Oct. 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat, India. He was shy at school, shying away from sports and games but managed to win prizes and scholarships. His formative days and adulthood were fraught with challenges to be untruthful, disrespectful to elders, to eat meat, to drink alcohol and smoke, among other things, all of which

he overcame mostly by experimenting with each subject/issue. He experimented with frugality and economy, social norms, Eastern thoughts and Western philosophy, discrimination, nutrition, cooking, hygiene, caring for the sick/elderly, language, religion, all of which helped him in his season of discovery, eking

out the truth for himself and plotting the way forward. Books played a major role in his life – “[m]y books and my lessons were my sole companions.”

I love reading history, biography, monogram, autobiography, creative nonfiction, letter, diary and fictionalized semi-autobiography, notwithstanding my interest in other genres

was made to a journal named “Indian Opinion” (1903 – 1961) founded by Gandhi, which was a tool to fight against discrimination, and for civil rights. With this tool Gandhi was able to put an end to oppression in South Africa, colonialism in India, resulting in the country’s Independence, and an end to indentureship in the British Empire of which British Guiana was a part. We, in Guyana, now enjoy May 5 as a public holiday – Arrival Day.

understand each other is to appreciate each other, and to know, understand and appreciate each other is to bring about that unity and co-operation so sadly needed to strengthen our position in the Colony and to ensure the success of all our future plans that are dependent on collective action.”

of writing. Gandhi’s autobiography is fascinating, totally absorbing and is an experiment. I have read many autobiographies and reread a few but Gandhi’s would not let me go because it is so innocent, so truthfully written in a most engaging manner(the Mahadev Desai translation).

Two early influences in Gandhi’s life were, one: a book version of the play “Shravana Pitribhati Nataka”, which tells the story Shravana’s devotion to his parents, in one instance carrying both of them on a pilgrimage by way of a sling fixed to his shoulders.

Two: was the enactment of a play, “Harischandra”. Harischandra was always truthful; never telling a lie and always honouring his promises, no matter what – as king he gave up his kingdom, suffered separation from his family whereby he was forced to sell his son and his wife and eventually himself in order to pay his dues. Separated, they lived in poverty, going through many trials and tribulations until the three were reunited. But the reunion was not a happy one because the son had died and the wife who brought him to be cremated couldn’t afford to pay the tax and the father who was the tax collector for the crematorium did not recognize his wife and son, all which increased the testing and trial of the mother and father...eventually there was a happy ending mainly due to the father’s steadfastness to truth.

I am familiar with the story of Harischandra due to research for an article on centenary of Indian film industry celebrated in 2013. “Harischandra” was the first full length feature film of India, released in 1913. “Indian Opinion”

The other reference that caught my attention

I have a limited knowledge of the local “Indian Opinion” that was patterned after Gandhi’s “Indian Opinion”. The local “Indian Opinion” was a platform for the Indian voice seeking, in the first instance,to publicize its culture and lifestyle in order to break down certain barriers, and then to publicize its aspiration and to address issues related to its aspiration.

Some of those issues

That buttressed an earlier call made by his brother, Joseph, who popularize the word, ‘Guyanians’, long before Guyana became an independent state and the word, ‘Guyanese’, was coined.

“Indian Opinion” was the official organ of the British Guiana East Indian Association which was founded by Joseph Ruhomon in 1916. Joseph Ruhomon, his brother, Peter, and other intellectuals of the day, made good use of this outlet for Indian opinions.

There were other platforms for the Indian voice, like the column called

Indian Opinion, newspaper published by Gandhi in South-Africa, 1913

included establishment of housing schemes, the establishment of a labour bureau, education for children, scholarship for promising students, and respect for religion, among others.

Importantly, there was a call for unity by Peter Ruhomon in “Indian Opinion” Vol II, No.12

“I would like to see more social intercourse among us...To meet each other is to know each other, to know each other is to understand each other, to

Indian Intelligence in the Sunday Chronicle, edited by Peter Ruhomon during the 1930s, and The People, a Berbice newspaper, edited by Joseph Ruhomon.

“Indian Opinion” of Guyana achieved some of its objectives, setting the stage for succeeding generations to fulfil the others.

Responses to this author telephone (592) 2260065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com

Mohandas K. Gandhi (From “In Pictures: Rare moments from Mahatma Gandhi's life”. dnaindia)

Part I

Following the declaration of war between France and the Netherlands in 1689, French privateers routinely pillaged Dutch and British settlements in the West Indies.

During the earlier peace time, both England and France had tried to supress piracy. France also had no significant navy during this time so when war was declared, French authorities encouraged the raiding operations of the French corsairs, as the privateers – more familiarly known as pirates –were called.

One such French privateer was Jean Baptiste du Casse, who, after years of plundering in the South Sea, had settled in Cayenne intending to set up plantations. However, when the war between France and the Netherlands broke out, he and his fellow settlers were only too willing to return to their former pastime.

He began by attempting to raid the Dutch settlement of Paramaribo in Surinam but after several unsuccessful attempts over the course of three days, he retreat-

ed and turned his attention to the colony of Berbice, which fell easily after he pillaged then destroyed its plantations, demanding the Berbice governor pay a ransom of some 20,000 guilders to save the colony from further ruin.

It was the Surinam governor who intervened and, by negotiating to release French prisoners, was able to get the ransom reduced to

6, 000 guilders and several hogshead of sugar. Appeased, du Casse and his men departed. Meanwhile, in Essequibo, the Kyk-over-al fort managed to escape such looting but the settlement of Pomeroon was not so lucky.

On April 30, another French privateer appeared in front of the small fort in Pomeroon. The Pomeroon settlement leader, known as

De Jonge, was unable to defend the settlement and fled to Kyk-Over-al, leaving it and its plantation to be looted and razed by the privateer, who later established a settlement in the Barima with the help of the Caribs whom it is said disliked De Jonge.

Eventually, on Nov. 15, the Dutch West India (DWI) Company made a declaration to abandon the settlement and remove whatever was salvageable to Kyk-over-al, though they retained a small Post with the company’s flag flying, run by three men.

For a while at least, there was less pirate activity in the colonies; however, when France declared war against England and the Netherlands in 1702 following their peace treaty of Ryswick in 1697, the privateers returned.

Despite the belief of the Essequibo commander Abraham Beekman that the area was too remote to be worth the trouble of reaching, on Oct. 18, 1708, the watchman at the guard-

ing that were not of Dutch origin.

Suspecting they were privateers, he and his two other companions swiftly embarked a corial to inform the commander of the event.

A reconnoitre vessel was deployed that not long after returned with the news that the Brandwagt was taken and the vessels were heading towards them, filled with armed men.

The news spread panic among the settlers and some collected as much of their property as they could carry, including their slaves, and retreated into the bush.

After sending to Kyk-overal for reinforcements, others made whatever hurried preparations they could to defend the settlement.

Burning and looting several small indigenous villages along the banks, the privateers, led by the Frenchman Antoine Ferry, arrived at the Vryheid plantation located at Bartica point. The settlers, which included several plantation owners, were no match for the size and strength of the privateers

Ferry then commandeered the Vryheid plantation from where he would send out raids on neighbouring plantations. After he had pillaged everything he could from these settlements, he turned his attention to Kykover-al.

He never attacked Kykover- al but instead threatened its commander to surrender and pay a ransom or else all sugar cane and provision fields, sugar mills and planters’ homes would be destroyed.

Under pressure from the settlers and plantation owners who had taken refuge in Kyk-over-al, and with just some 40 soldiers, the commander of the fort was obliged to accede to their demand. On Oct. 25 an agreement was signed whereby Ferry agreed to leave the colony upon receipt of 50,000 guilders.

He received this in the form of 112 slaves, meat and other provisions, and 1,000 pieces of eight in cash for himself and his officers. One third of the ransom was paid by settlers and planta-

house (Brandwagt) near the mouth of the Essequibo River was surprised to notice three vessels approach-

and, with no support coming, were eventually driven into the bush, though not without some casualties.

tion owners while the DWI Company paid the remainder. (TO BE CONTINUED)

St. Philip's Church circa 1905

War Memorial & Georgetown Club, British Guiana circa 1928

Map of Berbice in 1720

Jean Baptiste du Casse

Times Travel & Tourism

Located some eight miles from the Maipaima Eco-Lodge in Nappi, the 900 ft. Jordan Falls cascades down a series of steep steps.

Getting to the falls requires an arduous five-hour hike, going up and down many hills, crossing slippery rocks and wading through flowing waters.

The return journey does not have to be made in one day since a satellite camp has been built at the base; so unless you are incredibly averse to sleeping in hammocks, an overnight next to the falls should not be missed.

A more leisurely hike can be enjoyed at the falls, which includes more time for bird watching (including the white bellbird) and wildlife. In the evenings, meals are enjoyed on the open rocks where the stargazing is superb.

If you are fit and enjoy a good trek, Jordan Falls is not to be missed. It is definitely one of the most spectacular areas around Nappi – if not in all of Guyana. (Information by Kirk Smock; “Guyana/Bradt Guide”, Second Edition)

Breathtaking view at the top of the Falls (Photo by Lynn and Kitch)

Cascading waters (Photo by Lynn and Kitch)

Watery trail close to the Falls (Photo by Lynn and Kitch)

Creek near the Falls

(Photo by David Morimoto)

Hammock camp (Photo by Lynn and Kitch)

World Mental Health Day Oct 10

Iwas a happy outgoing teenager girl who was happy about life and just graduated high school in May. I was happy and real-

Often, it’s not about becoming a new person, but becoming the person you were meant to be, and already are, but don’t know how to be.”―

Heath

L. Buckmaster,

“Box of Hair: A Fairy Tale

ly excited about starting college. I couldn’t wait to start college. College came and I was glad that I was in college and I was liking my classes and instructors and that was only the first week. Then the second week of college came and I was start-

ing to feel like that college was starting to hit me and I could feel the pressure coming on of all the hard homework.

I was starting to think to myself I can’t do this so that second week I was thinking about dropping out of col lege because I couldn’t do it and it was wearing me out. I kept telling myself that I am going to drop out of college. I did drop out of college be cause it was too stress ful for me to handle with and also the traveling ev eryday was getting to me. I don’t think college was for me.

high but it was high so they had to keep checking it every 2 hours.

After I was done with the E.R. I was sent up to the 5th Floor of

On September 1st, 2015 I overdosed on my medication. I took 4 pills one night and 4 more pills the next night. I was just really sad and upset that night that I was crying out for help. I was starting to get tired so I told my mom that I overdosed and she took me to the hospital out of town. I was in the Emergency Room for 8 hours because they had to draw blood work and my blood work wasn’t terribly

Most of us have some - thing we don’t like about our appear - ance — a crooked nose, an uneven smile, or eyes that are too large or too small. And though we may fret about our imperfections, they don’t interfere with our daily lives.

But people who have body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) think about their real or perceived flaws for hours each day. They can’t control their negative thoughts and don’t believe people who tell them that they look fine. Their thoughts may cause severe emotional distress and interfere with their daily functioning. They may miss work or school, avoid social situations and isolate themselves, even from family and friends, because they fear others will notice their flaws. They may even undergo unnecessary plastic surgeries to correct perceived imperfections, never finding satisfaction with the results.

Characteristics of BDD

BDD is a body-image disorder charac -

Psychiatric Unit where I stayed for 13 days to get help. I was really glad I was there to get help because it was time for me to get help. The first full day I was there I was already making friends and already having a good time there. I thought I was going to be scared and it wouldn’t like it but I did like it. I was taught how to cope with skills and how to talk in group therapy. Group therapy really

terized by persistent and intrusive preoccupations with an imagined or slight defect in one’s appearance.

People with BDD can dislike any part of their body, although they often find fault with their hair, skin, nose, chest, or stomach. In reality, a perceived defect may be only a slight imperfection or nonexistent. But for someone with BDD, the flaw is significant and prominent, often causing severe emotional distress and difficulties in daily functioning.

BDD most often develops in adolescents and teens, and research shows that it affects men and women almost equally.

The causes of BDD are unclear, but certain biological and environmental factors may contribute to its development,

Times Healthy Living

helped me understand my feelings and how to open up about them. Getting to meet people that were going through similar things was amazing and we were all basically one family while we were I even got put on new medicine that was why I was there for 13 days to watch me and my medicine and how I react to it. While I was there my relationship with God got stronger and it made me realize God is putting me through this to show me how much he really cares and how he is there for us no matter the situation or the outcome. And when we have problems go to him instead of overdosing on medicine. I also was able to read my bible every day and pray to God every day. That has made me who I am today.

Now here I am out of the hospital going to counselling

2 types of different medicines. I am not afraid that I have a mental illness now. It’s making me stronger and wanting to raise awareness for my mental illness.

Ma bad life.’ This is my story of how I overdosed. (OK2TALK is a community for teens and young adults struggling with mental health problems.)

Suicide

ore than 800, 000 people die due to suicide every year.

For every suicide there are many more people who attempt suicide every year. A prior suicide attempt is the single most important risk factor for suicide in the general population.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds.

75 per cent of global suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries.

Ingestion of pesticide, hanging and firearms are among the most common methods of suicide globally.

Prevention and control

Suicides are preventable. There are a number of measures that can be taken at population, sub-population

including genetic predisposition, neurobiological factors such as malfunctioning of serotonin in the brain, personality traits, and life experiences.

Symptoms

People with BDD suffer from obsessions about their appearance that can last for hours or up to an entire day. Hard to resist or control, these obsessions make it difficult for people with BDD to focus on anything but their imperfections. This can lead to low self-esteem, avoidance of social situations, and problems at work or school.

People with severe BDD may avoid leaving their homes altogether and/or even have thoughts of suicide or make a suicide attempt.

BDD sufferers may perform some type of compulsive or repetitive behaviour to try to hide or improve their flaws although these behaviours usually give only temporary relief.

Your favourite stars’ inspiring quotes on body acceptance

“You have to stand up and say, ‘There’s nothing wrong with me or my shape or who I am; you’re the one with the problem!’” –Jennifer Lopez

“Everyone tries to look a cookie-cutter kind of way, and actually the people who look different are the ones who get picked up.” – Meryl Streep

“I want to enjoy life, and I can’t if I’m not eating and miserable.” – Kate Upton

“I would only lose weight if it affected my health or sex life, which it doesn’t.” –Adele

and individual levels to prevent suicide and suicide attempts. These include:

Reducing access to the means of suicide (e.g. pesticides, firearms, certain medications)

Reporting by media in a responsible way

Introducing alcohol policies to reduce the harmful use of alcohol

Early identification, treatment and care of people with mental and substance use disorders, chronic pain and acute emotional distress

Training of non-specialized health workers in the assessment and management of suicidal behaviour

Follow-up care for people who attempted suicide, and provision of community support

These behaviours may include camouflaging (with body position, clothing, makeup, hair, hats, etc.); comparing body part to others’ appearance; seeking surgery; checking in a mirror; avoiding mirrors; skin picking; excessive grooming; excessive exercise; changing clothes excessively.

BDD and other mental health disorders

People with BDD commonly also suffer from the anxiety disorders obsessivecompulsive disorder (OCD) or social anxiety disorder, as well as depression and eating disorders.

BDD can also be misdiagnosed as one of these disorders because they share similar symptoms. The intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviours exhibited in BDD are similar to the obsessions and compulsions of OCD. And avoiding social situations is similar to the behaviour of some people with social anxiety disorder. (ADAA)

Fashion

Fashion designer Kodzo Wilkinson has paid keen attention to comfort and visual aesthetics in creating chic, revitalised fashion for the stylish man.

In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Wilkinson noted that fabrics were selected based on breathability, tactile and visual texture, stretch and colour. He added that the pieces (with the exception of the poncho/dashiki piece) were designed to be body fitted. The male outfits are designed to be worn with ease – no buttons – which are present only for style.

“For this reason, fabrics were to be breathable and able to accentuate the male body. It is my perception that men are subconscious about body image as much as women are said to be, if not more. I don’t believe most men ‘don’t care’ about fashion, some just don’t know how to, or don’t give it much time and give up. The male image was revi talized; hence my newest collection, NEWED, was born. The theme was played with on both levels: showing a bit of skin or as close to the skin possible and be ing a new beginning in fashion,” the designer explained.

For more information on these designs, visit NEWED on Facebook.

Kodzo Wilkinson

Lea Michele is an American singer, actress, and author. She is known for her role as Rachel Berry on the Fox television series “Glee” (2009–15). Michele's performance received critical praise, earning her a Satellite Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, three consecutive People's Choice Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award nomination. In 2015, she began portraying Hester Ulrich in Fox's hit serial, “Scream Queens”. Michele began working professionally as a child actress on Broadway in productions such as “Les Misérables”, “Ragtime”, and “Fiddler on the Roof”. Michele, with her label Columbia Records, began her solo music career in 2012. Her first single, "Cannonball", was released on December 10, 2013. Her debut album, Louder, was released in 2014, debuting at number 4 on the Billboard 200. Michele released her first book, “Brunette Ambition” on May 20, 2014, which debuted on The New York Times Best Seller list.

Times Hollywood

Justin Bieber videotaped smoking weed, drinking alcohol onstage

Having apologized several times earlier this year for his bad behaviors in the past, Justin Bieber shows signs that he hasn't really changed. The 21-yearold singer was recently caught on camera smoking weed and drinking liquor onstage in New Zealand.

The "What Do You Mean?" hitmaker joined Rae Sremmurd at the latter's show in Auckland on Thursday night, October 1. During their performance, he held a joint and puffed away. In a video obtained by TMZ, he's also seen taking a gulp of Hennessy before pouring the beverage out on stage.

Accoding to the show's promoter, Bieber was in New Zealand on a promotional tour and "decided to drop into the show to catch up with his friends." The Canadian star joined Sremmurd for several Sremmurd numbers and a rendition of his own latest hit, "What Do You Mean?"

Bieber reportedly left New Zealand on Friday morning, October 2. (AceShowbiz)

David Beckham to return to football

David Beckham is set to put his football boots back on again as he makes a return to Old Trafford. The former Manchester United star is set to return to his old club for a special charity match on

November 14 and will be managed by noneother than Sir Alex Ferguson, with whom he famously fell out with in 2003 after the Scot accidentally kicked a boot at his head.

David will captain the Great Britain and Ireland XI team - with other players being announced over the next month - as they take on a Rest of the World XI, led by Zinedine Zidane and managed by Carlo Ancelotti. The match will raise money for UNICEF, the charity for which David is an ambassador.

"I want a world where children can grow up safe from violence, free from poverty and protected from preventable diseases.

"This match gives me the perfect opportunity to raise awareness and vital funds to help reach the children who need it most. I am delighted that my friend Zizou (Zidane) will join me in leading two teams, full of our friends and team mates, at the best stadium in the world."

Tickets are now available on the Manchester United website. (Glamour)

Harry Styles wants to become real estate agent

One common question that crossing almost everyone's mind on what the boys in One Direction would do if the band split up has been answered. At least one of the boys, Harry Styles, has known for sure what he would do once they split up.

In an interview with Beats 1 Radio, he shared, "I'll go from singer to estate agent." He continued saying, "I like the little ones (houses) because then you throw in 'it's romantic', which means it's tiny, while 'it's cute' means it has a window."

Band mate Liam Payne then jokingly added that he was sketchy about going solo after a career advisor warned him against it."My career adviser said to me, 'put singing last as you're more likely to be a fireman'," he revealed. As for Niall Horan, he stated, "I'd like to be a DJ, I'll be raving it up."

Previously, it has been reported that One Direction would be taking an extended hiatus next year. The band's producer has confirmed the hiatus would be started after the band completed their fifth studio album which is set to be released this fall.

(AceShowbiz)

Katie Holmes, Jamie Foxx not planning to 'start a family together in the new year'

Katie Holmes and Jamie Foxx are not planning to "start a family together in the new year" despite a report published by National Enquirer. Representatives for Katie and Jamie separately told Gossip Cop that the entire report was "not true" and "completely inaccurate," respectively.

National Enquirer recently claimed that the rumored couple was entering into a "trial marriage" and going to marry in the new year. The publication quoted a so-called "insider" as saying, "While Katie and Jamie have tried to keep their romance on the downlow since her split from Tom [Cruise], they're soon going to be ready to make it public."

The source even cited Suri as the reason why they wanted to get married and had a baby soon. The pair "want to start a family so Suri can have another older

brother and sister," said the source before adding, "She's already become a 'sister' to Jamie's 7-year-old daughter Annalise."

Rumors of Katie and Jamie dating first emerged in 2013. Nevertheless, the two kept denying that there's anything romantic between them. "[The rumors] are one hundred percent not true,"

Jamie said after the dating reports first emerged, "In

fact, it's quite hilarious because we simply danced at a charity event along with a lot of other people."

Despite denying dating rumors, Katie and Jamie had a secret meetup in L.A. last month. At that time, the "Dawson's Creek" alum wore a disguise for the secret meetup with the actor. A source said that she "put on a wig and hat to meet him at a hotel." (AceShowbiz)

Taylor swift denies buying US$25M mansion, but reports say she did

Taylor Swift took to Twitter on Tuesday, September 29 to deny report she purchased a US$25 million mansion in Beverly Hills.

"What the press says I'm doing: Buying a Bev Hills mansion, getting married in an

English castle. What I'm doing: Playing a show in St. Louis," she wrote. But according to a new report by TMZ, the "Shake It Off" hitmaker did buy it.

The site claims they checked tax records of the Samuel Goldwyn estate on Thursday, October 1 and found out that the paper trail lead to Taylor's address. The title of the lavish mansion has reportedly been transferred from the seller to a Nashville-based business which address leads to the "Bad Blood" singer's home.

Variety previously reported that Taylor "shelled out $25 million in cold hard cash for the Tinseltown pedigreed Samuel Goldywn estate in Beverly Hills."

According to the site, the property sits on almost two acres in the celebrity enclave. The elegant mansion includes "a nearly 11,000-square-foot main house with six bedrooms and at least five bathrooms plus a two-room guest apartment above the garage, extensive gardens, sunken tennis court, swimming pool, and pool house with kitchenette." (AceShowbiz)

Nick Jonas dodges question about Kate Hudson romance rumor

Nick Jonas remained silent on Kate Hudson romance rumor. "I'm also not gonna talk about it," the youngest Jonas Brothers member responded when he was quizzed about the dating report during a radio interview at his Maryland concert.

"You don't kiss and tell?" the reporter pressed, to which he replied, "I keep some things to myself. It's a strange place where a little thing can turn into a lot, but it's about how much of that you kind of want in your world and just living your life and knowing that people will have their opinion."

Nick Jonas, 23, sparked

dating rumor with Kate Hudson, 36, after they were spotted having a trip together to Disney World in Orlando this past weekend. While he refused to talk about the rumor, Nick did

reveal his favorite rides at the theme park. "There's a few. Tower of Terror is always a good time. I love that one," he said. "And Rock 'n' Roller Coaster is really fun." (AceShowbiz)

AArjun is an Indian film actor, director and producer known for his work in Telugu cinema. Arjun was born in Chennai, India. He has won three Filmfare Best Telugu Actor Awards for various films, two Nandi Special Jury Awards, and CineMAA Award for Best Actor Male. Arjun produced and acted in the short film “I Am That Change” (2014) to spread awareness on individual social responsibility.

llu

Akshay Kumar courts controversy with 'Singh is Bliing'

Kangana to attend event in London alongside Hollywood actress Meryl Streep

With more than 130 films under his belt, an enormous fanbase, and a wealth of cinema records and accomplishments, Bollywood star Akshay Kumar is at a point in his career where he doesn’t need to take risks to attract the spotlight of national attention.

But with his latest film, the action comedy “Singh is Bliing”, Kumar and his filmmaker colleagues attracted a great deal of unwanted attention from India’s film Censor Board and from the country’s religious community. Sikh organization leaders had taken issue with several scenes they considered offensive, and it was only after a few cuts were made that the film was cleared with a ‘U/A’ certificate for its national release on October 2.

The film, about a turban-wearing Punjabi named Raftaar Singh who falls in love with a foreign woman (played by British beauty Amy Jackson) despite not being able to speak her language, originally contained images that sparked controversy in India’s religious circles. According to sourc-

es close to the picture, there were two scenes to which Sikh organizations objected and which the censor board decided to delete from the film.

To his credit, Akshay

Kumar handled the issue adroitly, calling leaders of various Sikh organizations from Punjab and Delhi to Mumbai for a private screening of “Singh Is Bliing” to discuss their con-

cerns. A source said, “Rather than face protests a week before release Akshay wisely decided to take Sikh organizations into confidence now himself.”

Coincidentally and rather curiously, Kumar faced similar controversy with his 2008 action-comedy “Singh is Kinng”, which, despite the similar title, genre, and identically named lead character, is in no way related to Singh is Bliing. According to a report in India Today, Akshay said, “I’ve taken care of all things that I had not done during ‘Singh is Kinng’. I don’t want to show anything that would hurt the Sikh community or any other Indian community, like they were during Singh is Kinng. I had said ‘sorry’ then as well. This time, I had one person from the committee keep a check on the movie.”

Also featuring Lara Dutta and Kay Kay Menon as the villain, “Singh is Bliing” is expected to perform extremely well with Kumar’s fans, especially the northern Hindi speaking audiences. (Excerpted from Forbes)

Sonam Kapoor: ‘Salman Khan started the trend of extending arms’

Tsions his signature pose. But if Sonam Kapoor is to be believed, it was Salman Khan who started the trend and others have merely followed. At the trailer launch of “Prem Ratan Dhan Payo”, Salman Khan was asked about the pose with arms extended and his back facing the camera. Salman quipped that if it was his back in “Prem Ratan Dhan Payo”, it was his pose of arms extended that made it to the posters of “Maine Pyar Kiya”. Almost immediately, Sonam Kapoor, who was standing next to Salman remarked, “He was the one who started it.”

Sonam has shared screen space with Salman Khan in her debut film “Saawariya”, but the actress says she was intimidated to act romance scenes with the superstar in Sooraj Barjatya’s “Prem Ratan Dhan Payo”.

“I feel privileged to be a part of the film. I have been a huge fan of Salman Khan for a long time. I was a bit nervous…It was intimidating for me to be on the sets, but I was excited as well. After a few days, I got comfortable as Sooraj sir gave me lot of love. I cherish it. I had an amazing experience,” Sonam said.

Recalling her first meeting with the “Bajrangi Bhaijaan” star, Sonam said the 49-year-old actor , Salman, was generous enough to sit and talk to her.

“I was 14 when my dad [Anil Kapoor] and Salman were working together in a film. I was never allowed on a film set, but for this movie I requested my dad to take me there. Salman sat with me for an hour and I think I would have traumatised him,” she said. (Indian Express)

Kangana Ranaut has a packed schedule. Recently, she walked the ramp to launch her fashion line. Soon after the event, she flew to Paris, France, to attend the Paris Fashion Week as a frontrow attendee.

And now, reports say the actor will be flying to London, UK, from the French capital, to attend the prestigious Women In The World summit on October 9. Interestingly, Kangana will share the stage with global icons like Meryl Streep, Carey Mulligan and Queen Rania of Jordan, among others.

Kangana is the first-ever female star from Bollywood to participate in the summit, which will take place in London for the first time.

“Since the purpose of the event is to bring together stories from inspiring and courageous women from across the world, the organisers felt that Kangana fit the bill perfectly, as she represents today’s young India,” says an insider.

Apparently, Kangana has been invited to talk about the entertainment industry’s obsession to impose “artificial and unrealistic images of women” on screen.

“The conversation will also explore how Kangana, as an actor, has boldly resisted that pressure, and defined a new kind of role model for young women in India,” adds the insider. Although Kangana couldn’t be reached for a comment, sources close to her insist that the actor is “extremely excited to share her story” on such a reputed stage. The summit, in the past, has had guests like politician Hillary Clinton, actors Angelina Jolie, Helen Mirren and former USA presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter. (Hindustan Times)

Sussanne Khan: ‘Influential people are spreading lies about me’

Ever since she separated from her husband and Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan, rumours have been rife about Susanne Khan dating Arjun Rampal. Recently, reports even claimed that the two plan to tie the knot soon.

The interior designer, however, has refuted the rumours saying she is a “proud single mother”.

It is speculated that Bollywood actor Arjun Rampal, who is married to former model Mehr Jessia, was the cause of Susanne’s split from Hrithik Roshan in 2013 after 13 years of marriage. The former couple has two sons: seven-year-old Hrehaan and five-year-old Hridhaan.

Earlier this week, it was

reported that Sussanne and Arjun were spotted at a coffee shop in Mumbai. Rubbishing the rumours, Sussanne said, “Persistent speculation in the media has made me realise that idle Bollywood gossip mongers, who are influential, are insistent on spreading rumours and lies about me. Stories are fabricated on upcoming weddings and meetings in coffee shops.”

“It is irresponsible press if incorrect stories are published. There are families and human feelings involved and it hurts people when false gossip is passed off as true. I am a single working mother and take tremendous pride in the way I live,” she further said in her statement. (PTI)

John plays himself in Dhoni biopic

John Abraham will play himself in Neeraj Pandey's “MS DhoniThe Untold Story”. It's a special appearance which he agreed to do, since, the current ODI and T20 cricket captain is a buddy. "I'm glad a film is being made on Mahi's life. I respect the vision of the director and I'm sure Sushant (Singh Rajput) will be fantastic," asserts the actor, who is cur-

rently in Budapest filming the “Force” sequel. In January, following his exit from Test cricket, Dhoni and John took off on a threeday outing. The two did a fun photo-shoot when they came together to launch a salon in Bandra, laughingly styling each other's hair. Speaking about the cricketer, the actor had said, "Mahi is strong and resilient. When a film of mine gets a poor opening, he

smiles and tells me that I've had a bad year but the next one will be better. He knows how to receive the brickbats with the bouquets. He's one of the most balanced guys I know."

In the past, the two promoted the English Premier League too. And John, who has his own team in the upcoming Indian Premier League-style football league, has found a partner

in Dhoni too. "They're both crazy about bikes and football and may come together to buy a football franchise in the future," a source close to the actor told Mirror. John, who also shares a great rapport with Dhoni's wife Sakshi, will take time off to shoot for the biopic, which will chronicle their friendship and some of the fun moments. (Times of India)

he Bollywood actor whose name is synonymous with his arm ex-

tensions is Shah Rukh Khan. For years now, SRK has made those famous exten-

Trending now

Pinky Rings

When it comes to the human hand, the thumb is the indisputable hero. The three fingers down the line carry their own importance - the dexterous index finger; the middle finger (elemental to the universal language of road rage); and the ring finger, where the symbolism of a gold band - or its absence - bears enormous weight.

So where does this leave the humble pinky? For centuries, only signet rings were relegated to the pinky, worn as a

discreet emblem of family standing and noble status. During the 20th-century rise of the American Mafia, pinky rings became the de rigueur jewellery for many prominent gang members.

The fifth-finger ring makes a surprisingly large statement on the diminutive digit, and the newest pinky rings have been re-imagined beyond the simple signet.

Find inspiration from the featured pictures on how to make your pinky look fashionable.

STar of The week

Recently crowned Miss Indigenous Heritage 2015, Sherica Ambrose hails from Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo). The 21-year-old attended Central High School and holds an Accountancy diploma from the University of Guyana. Ambrose enjoys highlighting her culture through dance and music. At the Miss Indigenous Heritage 2015 she won the audience with an interpretive dance and melodies played on a bamboo pan flute. The indigenous beauty is the founder of a fitness group in Lethem and an advocate for a healthy lifestyle. She plans to host an indigenous fashion show in her region, which she hopes to accomplish soon. Additionally, she plans on visiting villages within her community to address issues affecting residents, and engage relevant authorities in finding solutions to those issues.

Selena Gomez opts for something simple for her pinky

Jay-Z shows off his pinky ring

Justin Bieber's pinky bling

Prince Charles wearing a pinkie signet ring - a symbol of family and status for kings and queens of Europe and the aristocracy

JLO is a huge fan of the pinky ring

Pinky fingers decked out with fashionable rings on the hands of Hollywood's biggest actresses

Travell Blackman was admitted to the E R Burrowes School of Art in 2001, as the youngest student due to the excellent portfolio he was able to present to the interview panel, since the age for admission to Burrowes was 18 years at that time. This ambition, displayed at a young age, has been constantly showcased in Blackman’s art.

Blackman was a major in Painting and minor in Textiles at Burrowes. He graduated from the art institution in 2004, copping the awards for Best Student in Painting and Best Graduating Student.

After graduation, Blackman started teaching at President’s College in the Visual Arts department from 2004 to 2006. He also taught Drawing for the Modular Programme at Burrowes in 2006 and taught Visual Arts at ISA Islamic School for six months in 2007.

From 2002 to present, Blackman has participated in several drawing and watercolour competitions held by Castellani House, winning several awards. In 2002, he won the only prize in the 16 to 18 years old category with his piece “Active”. In 2004, at the Fifth Biennial National Drawing competition, he won the silver medal for “Holly”. In 2005, at the 4th Castellani House National Watercolour Competition, he won gold medal for his piece “In the Midst of Life”. Other noted works include “Midday at the Market”, among others. He has taken part in exhibitions both at Burrowes and at Castellani House.

Since early 2008, Blackman has been the Creative Director and layout artist for the Guyana Shopping Guide. Later that year, a collection of his work was on exhibition at Castellani House under the title, The Colour of Truth.

In addition to being an artist, Blackman is an application/web developer, and graphics designer.

In 2014, he graduated from the University of Guyana with a degree in Computer Science.

“So I am still in the realm of creativity, since fine art is about creating something tangible while computer science is about creating something intangible. And my experience in fine arts has proven to be an invaluable asset in my computer science projects,” the artist said in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine

The artist admires the work of surrealist painters Salvador Dali and Max Ernst, as well as Vermeer and others of Dali and Ernst period. Strong influences in his life have been his supportive family and his former painting and drawing tutor and mentor, the late Chekama Skeete.

Blackman is inspired by the experiences of life; as a result, his artworks depict a celebration of life, which becomes visual through play of colour, emotion and symbolism.

The artist shares his knowledge and talent via art and craft classes for children, and drawing and painting classes for teens and adults.

For more information on the art classes, visit Travell Blackman Fine Arts on Facebook.

"Midday at the Market" (2007) Watercolour

"In the Midst of Life" (2005) Watercolour

"Caribbean Wash Down"

Artist Travell Blackman

"Sunday Afternoon Gaff" (2008) Oil Pastels on Paper

"Relic" (2012) Watercolour

"August Feast" (2008) Oil Pastels on Paper

"Anguish Beaten" (2009) Acrylic on Canvas

Apple Ring: Patent application from Apple Inc. reveals finger-worn computing device

Apple may be moving beyond the wrist in its next piece of wearable tech. And it could be as small as a ring, according to a new invention from the Apple Watch maker.

An Apple Inc. patent application published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Thursday, titled “Devices and Methods for a Ring Computing Device,” reveals a device that would take the touchscreen computing from the wrist to the finger.

This “Apple ring” would be able to communicate wirelessly with other devices and it would be packed with a rechargeable power source, such as a battery.

In some iterations of the invention, Apple proposes a built-in microphone for Siri voice commands and a two force feedback motors to convey various notifications and directional information. The ring could also be used to control external devices such as a computer’s mouse cursor, a camera’s shutter or a vehicle’s entertainment and climate control system. For gaming, the ring could be used as an external controller. Handwriting could be another application for the ring. In other forms of the invention, Apple says users would draw characters on the ring’s

touchscreen, which would then be transmitted to a paired external device, such as an iPhone. The addition of a biometric sensor could also enable Apple’s ring to be used in a similar manner as Touch ID for user authentication and Apple Pay mobile payment authorization. Other

LG unveils smartphone for selfies

South Korean smartphone maker LG Electronics Inc. unveiled a new smartphone Thursday with an additional screen and a camera that can capture a wider scene when taking a selfie.

"The ability to take group selfies without a selfie-stick has never been easier," LG said in a statement.

The V10 comes with another screen above the main 5.7-inch display. The small second screen can stay on to display weather, time and date when the main display is turned off. It has room for frequently-used apps and can receive notifications while using the main screen to

watch a video.

The V10 smartphone is LG's latest attempt to make headway in the premium mobile phone market. Its flagship G series phones were edged out by new phones from Samsung and Apple.

The new phone's front camera is equipped with a standard 80-degree lens and a 120-degree wide-angle lens option. That means a larger group can fit into a selfie shot taken with the V10.

The V10 phone will go on sale in South Korea later this month for 800,000 won (US$678) without a contract from a carrier, followed by the U.S. launch next month.

iterations of the product propose a built-in camera.

A wearable ring isn’t necessarily out of the realm of other technology companies.

One startup called Ringly, makes a line of smart jewellery and rings that light and vibrate to alert its wearer of incoming calls, messages and app notifications.

Apple filed the pat

ent application on April 1,

and credits

As this isn’t a design patent, the illustrations of the invention don’t necessarily reflect how the final product will look like. But as with many of Apple’s patent application filings, it’s unknown if or when it plans to bring an Apple Ring to market.

ibtimes)

BYTe Tech

If there's one market segment where Honda has been notably absent, it would be tilting three-wheelers. That's about to change, though, as the new concept model that Honda plans to unveil in Tokyo undeniably demonstrates its intent to enter this relatively new vehicle class.

Honda calls its tricycle the Neowing, evidently pursuing a connection to the company's touring icon, the Goldwing.

BYTe

ISign Language Glove gives voice to hearing and speech impaired

n an effort to further open the lines of communication for people with hearing and speech disabilities, a university student in London is developing a smart glove that converts sign language into text and spoken dialogue.

Dubbed the “SignLanguageGlove”, the wearable device features a handful of sensors to convert hand and finger movements into words, with its creator now looking to add real-time language translation to the mix.

Designer and student at Goldsmiths, University of London Hadeel Ayoub is currently on the third iteration of her smart glove. Equipped with five flex sensors to monitor the bends and curves of each finger and an accelerometer to detect the orientation of the glove, the first experimental version took signs and turned them into visual letters on a screen.

She soon followed up with an improved model that was faster and more robust, featuring smaller, more discreet hardware and text that scrolled on a screen. The latest model features a text-to-speech chip with the hardware sewn into the lining of the glove.

She is now hard at work integrating a language translation function into the system. An Arabic, French and English speaker herself, Ayoub is looking to add Wi-Fi to the glove so that its motion can be relayed wirelessly to smartphones or tablets, where an app would handle the translation. She also plans to add a motion sensor for better mapping and develop a smaller version for children.

Gloves that turn sign language into au-

Ayoub is looking to build Wi-Fi into the glove so that its motion can be relayed wirelessly to smartphones or tablets, where an app would handle the translation

dible dialogue is a concept that has been explored before. Back in 2009, the opensource AcceleGlove, which was intended for, among other things, interpreting sign language, was released. Then in 2012, a similar set of gloves took out the Microsoft Imagine Cup. But smartphones and tablets have come some way in that time, allowing for fresh takes on the concept.

Goldsmiths says that several companies have approached Ayoub with a view to mass producing the SignLanguageGlove, which would have an estimated cost of around £255 (US$385). But Ayoub says if it does come available as a commercial product, she hopes that schools and businesses will buy them for students, patients and employees with hearing and speech impairments.

The greatest assets of these three-wheeled vehicles are the safety features incurred by their tilting front suspension systems.

Piaggio initiated this market segment with the MP3, based on a patented system by Studio Marabese Design. Every vehicle that followed suit – namely the Quadro 3D, Peugeot Metropolis and Yamaha Tricity – relied on its own

exclusive design, so we should expect Honda to innovate as well.

The press release is rather scant of information, confined to just a few lines carefully selected to magnetize our attention until the official unveiling that will take place in late October, when the 44th Tokyo Motor Show opens its gates.

-

2015

designers Marcos Regis Vescovi and Marcel van Os as the inventors.(Luke Villapaz,

A patent drawing illustrating how an Apple ring touchscreen could be used. USPTO/ Apple Inc.

Sometimes you don't have to buy a whole room full of accessories or furniture to get the look you want; all it takes is just one thing. Here are some pieces that can totally transform the look of your space.

One really big, bold piece of art. Just hang up that giant painting and you're done

Some really dramatic lighting.An attentiongetting piece makes the room (Vertigo Pendant Lamp by Constance Guisset, 2010)

Recipe of the Week

Method Preheat oven to 400°F. Prepare pasta according to package directions; drain, rinse and keep warm.

Make Sauce: Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat until hot. Add shallot and garlic; cook 4 to 5 minutes or until shallot is translucent and garlic is fragrant.

Add undrained tomatoes, tomato sauce, red pepper flakes, salt and black pepper. Simmer covered 20 minutes while preparing

Barbecuing

shrimp. Make Shrimp: Combine lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, pepper sauce, oil, Italian seasoning and black pepper in 13x9inch baking dish. Add shrimp and toss to coat. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until shrimp are tender and bright pink in colour. Combine cooked pasta with sauce. Top with shrimp and grated cheese, if desired. Serves 4

is a very popular cooking method in the Caribbean and is a healthy alternative to frying as you omit most of the oil. Coat your lean meat, skinless chicken or pork in a jerk seasoning or a Caribbean rub for great flavour and barbecue to perfection. Coconut milk is a great way to add a creamy taste to Caribbean food but beware, it is fairly high in calories. When you grate a fresh coconut, blend with water and add to curries, stews and more of your favourite dishes for a healthier option.

A good tasty marinade will give your food plenty of depth, avoiding the need for added fats like cream and butter for a good taste. For a Caribbean influenced, easy and healthy marinade, juice and zest a lime, grate some ginger, chop a Scotch bonnet chilli and combine with a little olive oil, salt and some Caribbean hot sauce.

Keep rooms free of flies by putting a vase of lavender by any open windows.

To make cut flowers last longer, add 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 1 teaspoon of sugar to the water. Remember to change the water every couple of days.

Place a few briquettes of charcoal under the seat of your car to absorb odours and keep it smelling fresh. Make sure to use the type without the starting fluid on them or your car will smell of fuel.

Place a button at the end of a sticky tape roll so the end will be easy to find.

Unclog a drain by pouring in a cup of baking soda followed slowly by a cup of white vinegar – cover and let it sit for five minutes then pour down four litres of boiling water.

JOKES

Think fast

One evening an old farmer decided to go down to the pond at the back of his property, as he hadn't been there for a while, and look it over. He grabbed a five-gallon bucket to bring back some fruit from the fruit trees around it.

As he neared the pond, he heard voices shouting and laughing. As he came closer, he saw it was a group of young women skinny-dipping in his pond.

He made the women aware of his presence and they all went to the deep end. One of the women shouted to him: "We're not coming out until you leave!"

The old man frowned, "I didn't come down here to watch you ladies swim naked or make you get out of the pond naked."Holding the bucket up, he added, "I'm here to feed the alligators!"

WSenior Special

e went to breakfast at a restaurant where the ‘Senior Special' was two eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast for $499.

"Sounds good," my wife said, "but I don't want the eggs."

"Then I'll have to charge you $599 because you're ordering a la carte," the waitress warned her.

"You mean I'd have to pay more for not taking the eggs?" my wife asked incredulously.

"Yes," said the waitress.

"I'll take the special, then," my wife said.

"How do you want your eggs?" the waitress asked.

"Raw and in the shell," my wife replied.

She took the two eggs home and baked a cake.

Bible story

Afather was reading Bible stories to his young son. He read, "The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city, but his wife looked back and was turned to salt."

His son asked, "What happened to the flea?"

Limited Knowledge

As we were putting out cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve, I accidentally dropped one.

"No problem," I said, picking it up and dusting it off before placing it back on the plate.

"You can't do that," argued my fouryear-old.

"Don't worry. Santa will never know."

He shot me a look. "So he knows if I've been bad or good, but he doesn't know the cookie fell on the floor?"

The Cowboy

This was printed in a Texas newspaper:

The oldest cowboy in Texas died this week at the age of 106. On his birthday he was asked his secret to longevity and he said that for the past 50 years he has sprinkled a little gunpowder on his cereal each morning. He left behind 8 children, 21 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and a 15-foot hole in the crematorium.

Negative parenting behaviours that keep children from becoming leaders

Part 3

Dr. Tim Elmore is a best-selling author of more than 25 books on children and founder and president of Growing Leaders, an organization dedicated to mentoring today’s young people to become the leaders of tomorrow.

He had this to share about the seven damaging parenting behaviours that keep children from becoming leaders – of their own lives and of the world’s enterprises:

5. We don’t share our past mistakes

Healthy teens are going to want to spread their wings and they’ll need to try things on their own. We as adults must let them, but that doesn’t mean we can’t help them navigate these waters. Share with them the relevant mistakes you made when you were their age in a way that helps them learn to make good choices. (Avoid negative “lessons learned” having to do with

Tsmoking, alcohol, illegal drugs, etc.) Also, kids must prepare to encounter slip-ups and face the consequences of their decisions.

Share how you felt when you faced a similar experience, what drove your actions, and the resulting lessons learned. Because we’re not

the only influence on our kids, we must be the best influence.

6. We mistake intelligence, giftedness and influence for maturity

Intelligence is often used as a measurement of a child’s maturity, and as a result parents assume an intelligent child is ready for the world. That’s not the case. Some professional athletes and Hollywood starlets, for example, possess unimaginable talent, but still get caught in a public scandal. Just because giftedness is present in one aspect of a child’s life, don’t assume it pervades all areas. There is no magic “age of responsibility” or a proven guide as to when a child should be given specific freedoms, but a good rule of thumb is to observe other children the same age as yours. If you notice that they are doing more themselves than your child does, you may be delaying your child’s independence. (To be continued)

Reflections STORY TIME

The cave that talked

here was a lion who ruled over a certain part of a jungle. One day, he could not prey upon a single animal after wandering

cave and wait for my dinner to arrive."

The cave was the home to a jackal, who arrived a while after the lion had hidden himself

around the jungle in search of food. It was almost sunset, and the lion started returning in spite of being very hungry.

On his way, he saw a big cave, and thought to himself, "It is for sure that some animal must be living in this big cave. Such a nice cave cannot be uninhabited. At sunset, whatever animal lives here is bound to return. I shall hide inside the

inside. While entering he noticed the footprints of the lion leading into the cave, but could not find any footprints coming out.

He thought, "If a lion is indeed entered, I will be dead as soon as I enter. But, how can I be sure? There is no reason for me to stay away from my home if there is no lion inside. I must find out a way to confirm if the

lion is still inside."

The jackal thought of a plan, and standing in front of the cave, began to shout, "Hello Cave! Hello Cave! Can I come inside?"

For some moments, he waited in silence and shouted again, "Hello Cave! Have you forgotten our understanding of all these years? I always wait for your reply before I enter. Why are you silent today? I shall then go to some other cave if you do not reply."

On hearing this, the lion thought, "The cave must reply to the jackal when he returns at sunset. It is because I am inside that the cave is not replying today. I must invite on behalf of the cave, or the jackal will go away."

So, the lion replied from inside the cave, "Hello Jackal, you may enter. It is safe inside."

The reply was even more frightening due to the echo from the walls of the cave.

The jackal at once knew that the lion was waiting for him to enter and make a meal out of him. He ran off, as fast as he could and saved himself.

The wise indeed say:Use your tactics to protect yourself from destruction.

By Grammar G

Fear not

A phobia is defined as an irrational fear, loathing, aversion or horror. The word is said to have first come into the English language in the late 18th century, though in its psychological sense by the late 19th century. Its roots can be traced from various ancient languages meaning “flight”, “to flee”, “ put to flight or frighten”, before becoming the Greekphobia, from phobos, meaning “fear, panic fear, terror, outward show of fear; object of fear or terror”.

While phobia is Greek, often, especially in the medical fields, a Latin prefix forms the name of a medically recognized phobia. Not all phobias are medically recognized however.

(Mixing Greek with Latin iscommon in our

English language. One such I recently learnt of was tele - Greek for “distance” and “vision” –Latin for “seeing”).

Discovering phobias is a common pastime for wordplayers, and Grammar G. is no exception. Here are a few that I thought I’d share with you (M in italics means it is a medically recognized phobia).

A fearful list

Ablutophobia – fear of bathing Aerophobia: fear of flying in planes. (M) It also means an irrational fear of fresh air or drafts of air.

Bacteriaphobia – fear of germs. (M ) Blennophobia –fear of slime.

Things Work Out

Because it rains when we wish it wouldn't,

Because men do what they often shouldn't,

Because crops fail, and plans go wrongSome of us grumble all day long. But somehow, in spite of the care and doubt, It seems at last that things work out.

Because we lose where we hoped to gain,

Because we suffer a little pain, Because we must work when we'd like to playSome of us whimper along life's way. But somehow, as day always follows the night, Most of our troubles work out all right.

Because we cannot forever smile, Because we must trudge in the dust awhile,

Because we think that the way is longSome of us whimper that life's all wrong. But somehow we live and our sky grows bright, And everything seems to work out all right.

So bend to your trouble and meet your care, For the clouds must break, and the sky grow fair. Let the rain come down, as it must and will,

But keep on working and hoping still. For in spite of the grumblers who stand about, Somehow, it seems, all things work out.

Edgar Guest

Demonophobia – fear of evil supernatural beings in persons who believe such beings exist and roam freely to cause harm. (M)

Deipnophobia – fear of dining or dinner conversations.

Scolionophobia – fear of school.

Xeniaphobia – a fear of foreign doctors, usually having to do with strong foreign accents making it difficult to understand their English; the fear that they may have inadequate medical skills.

Zoophobia: fear of animals, in general, or sometimes used to refer to fear of a specific animal if there is not a specific phobia word for that particular fear. (M ) There are many others as well. Go online to find long lists of them.

Sunday Puzzle

A number of children are standing in a circle. They are evenly spaced and the 7th child is directly opposite the 18th child. How many children are there altogether?

CrEaturE COrNEr

The Maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) is considered the largest of its family (Canid: dog-like mammals) in South America. It is not a true wolf, and though its red coat gives it the look of a big fox, it isn’t a true fox either.

Standing about three feet tall at the shoulder and weighing around 50 pounds, the maned wolf derives its name from the characteristic mane on its neck.

It lives in central and south-eastern Brazil, Paraguay, eastern Bolivia, and northern Argentina, on open forest, savannah, and marshland. They are omnivorous, eating small mammals, insects, reptiles, birds, bird eggs, fruits, and vegetation.

Habitat destruction is the main threat to maned wolves, while people kill them for their body parts, believed to have magical properties.

South America

South America has a land area of 6,880,000 sq. mi (17,819,000 sq. km) and extends from the Caribbean Sea in the north to the islands of Tierra del Fuego to the south. Its climate varies from steaming tropical jungles to snow-capped mountains; from savannahs to desert. It is most famous for its longest river, the Amazon River, (4,000 mi or 6,437 km) which carries the largest amount of water in the world into the Atlantic Ocean. It is also famous for its Amazon

Rainforest.

The continent’s highest point rises 22,834 ft. at Cerro Aconcagua in Argentina; its lowest point is at Laguna del Carbón (-344 ft.), also in Argentina. Its largest lake is Lake Titicaca (3,200sq. mi or 8,290 sq. km), at the Bolivia-Peru border.

South America has 12 independent countries of which Brazil is the largest and most populous; Suriname is its smallest and least populous. It also has one French territory – French Guiana.

Colouring Fun

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.

Lake Titicaca

ribbon at the bottom of the seal’s symbolic scenic images.

Exploring the realms of history, science, nature and technology

MONTANA

What’s in a name?

The name Montana comes from the Spanish word “montaña,” which means “mountain.” Montaña del Norte was the name given by early Spanish explorers to the entire mountainous region in the western part of the state.

Montana has several official and unofficial nicknames. It has been called the “Big Sky Country,” “The Treasure State” and “The Land of the Shining Mountains.”

Way back when

Montana was home to many native people, long before French fur traders from Canada arrived in the 17th century. In 1803, the Louisiana Purchase gave the United States much of the land that is now Montana. The Lewis and Clark expedition (1804-1805) added more land. In the mid-1800s, a gold and mining boom also saw a population boom. Conflicts ove r land between settlers and the indigenous people were often violent. The region became the Montana Territory in 1864. Montana became the 41st state in 1889.

Did you know?

More gem-quality sapphires are produced in Montana than anywhere else in North America.

The most visited place in Montana is Glacier National Park.

Montana is home to seven Native American reservations. These reservations are home to 11 Indian tribes. The Crow reservation is the largest in Montana, comprising 2.2 million acres.

Thought to be extinct in the Rockies south of Canada in the 1900s, Montana’s moose populations now number more than 8,000.

By Laurie Triefeldt

Located in the northwestern United States, Montana is the largest of the eight Rocky Mountain states. Forests cover about a quarter of this mountainous state, and its many rivers are home to a huge variety of plants and animals. Millions of tourists annually visit Glacier National Park, the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument and Yellowstone National Park.

Yellowstone

Mourning cloak butterfly

The cutthroat trout is the official state fish. This popular game fish got its name from the distinctive red coloration on the underside its jaw.

The Rocky Mountain columbine has a sweet aroma that attract bees, hummingbirds and butterflies.

agate is

state

The Western meadowlark grows to about 8.5 in (22 cm) long. It nests on the ground of open grasslands.

Bitterroot is the state flower. This small perennial prefers dry rocky or gravelly soils.

Just the facts

Total

Population 1,023,579

Capital city Helena Largest

Lowest elevation Kootenai River 1,804 ft. (557 m)

Agriculture Organic wheat, barley, peas, lentils, rye, oats, flaxseed, sugar beets, potatoes, sweet cherries, honey, hay, beef and dairy cattle, sheep, hogs and chickens

Manufacturing Petroleum, lumber and wood products, food products and machinery

Mining Coal, petroleum, gold, silver, copper, lead and talc

sheep can found on cliffs, mountain slopes and rolling foothills.

The ring-necked pheasant can be found in the open grasslands and undisturbed brush cover of Montana.

Trout can found in a few areas of western Montana. Populations are on the decline, and they have been designated as a threatened species.

Duck-billed dinosaurs (maiasaura) are a kind of “hadrosaur.” This dinosaur had a long, flat snout and a crested skull. Fossils found in Montana at Egg Mountain have provided a wealth of information. The site had remains of maiasaura at different stages of development and included the first unhatched dinosaur embryo ever found in the United States.

14 species of

Montana has one of the largest grizzly bear populations in the United States.

large brown bears weigh up to 790 pounds (360 kg).

The Yogo sapphire is the official state gem of Montana.

Montana’s flag was adopted in 1905. The state seal sits on a deep blue field with “Montana” written above in yellow.

The state motto “Oro y Plata” (“Gold and silver”) sits on a

The

Montana’s official

rock.

About

lupine grow in Montana.

Bull Trout Montana range

Bighorn

New Orleans takes steps to turn down the music

In the U.S. city of New Orleans, a city synonymous with music and raucous revelry, government officials are launching a public health campaign aimed at turning down the volume.

The city this week announced the start of "Sound Check," the latest attempt to address residents' complaints about excessive noise and 60-year-old sound standards city attorneys say are unenforceable.

Health inspectors will monitor decibel levels in the French Quarter and trendy Faubourg Marigny neighbourhood, where noise has long been an issue of conten-

tion between residents and music venues that operate close to homes.

The new initiative will focus initially on educating musicians and club owners about the negative health effects of loud music, such as harm to hearing, rather than enforcement, the city said.

Residents frustrated by the city's lax enforcement of its noise ordinance have resorted to filing lawsuits against music venues, causing some to drop live entertainment, Ellestad said.

Lorelei Cropley, a public health professor who once sued a bar near her home in the Marigny neighbourhood

Brain Teaser Answer

22.

In half of the circle there are 11 children because 18-7=11.

Multiply 11x2=22

SUDOKU

KID SUDOKU

over excessive noise, also welcomed the city's latest effort to tone down its tunes.

"New Orleans is a city where the buildings are very close together, and in the Jazz Age, (music venues) didn't have the amplification they have today," she said.

Finland scraps sweets, ice cream tax

Finnish government announced the removal of a tax on confectionery and ice cream from 2017, says a BBC report.

Finland imposed the tax of 95 cents (70p) per kilo in 2011 in an effort to curb sugar consumption, and the government says it is expected to bring in about 109m euros (£81m) this year.

But now the European Commission has told ministers that the tax system unfairly favours Finnish producers, because imported sweets have to pay it on top of import duties, public broadcaster Yle reports.

The Taxpayers Association of Finland has worked out that the changes will knock about 50 cents off a litre tub of ice cream, but it's not yet clear whether the savings will be passed on to customers.

"Any possible drop in price will depend from the industry and shops' pricing decisions," says Merja Sandell, a finance ministry official.

Dog drives pickup truck into lake

While some Finns on social media are worried about the effect cheaper sweets will have on the nation's health, many are sceptical that there will be any price change at all.

"In Finland prices go up even when taxes go down," one person commented on the Ilta-Sanomat newspaper website. "Don't worry - prices won't fall," says another. "The shops will pocket the price difference and so will take care of the citizens' health. Focus Information Agency)

Canada police 'arrest' goat for loitering

Police said the pickup was fished out of the lake by a towing crew, but the vehicle was considered a total loss.

Police in Maine, USA said a small dog was to blame for driving its owner’s pickup truck into a lake by knocking the vehicle out of gear.

The Ellsworth Police Department said the Yorkie's owner had been walking the dog around Branch Lake Saturday afternoon and he put the canine back into his pickup truck while it was idling.

Lt. Harold Page told the Ellsworth American the dog

"knocked the truck out of gear and it rolled down the parking lot into the lake."

The Ellsworth Police Department said in a Facebook post the dog was rescued from the submerged pickup by a woman who is a friend of the owner.

"The truck was fully submerged and without the quick response of the family friend the man would have lost his companion. She is a hero in my book," the post said.

Police in Saskatchewan said an unruly goat that insisted on sleeping in the entrance to a Tim Horton's was "arrested" while officers sought to find its owners.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police of Saskatchewan said two Warman officers were called to the Tim Horton's early Sunday by employees who said they repeatedly led the goat out of the eatery, but the animal would just come back in through the automatic doors and try to take a nap in the entrance.

The PhilonoisT

Indigenous snacks

He was very unhappy with this so the members decided to take him home instead of to holding cells at the detachment," the RCMP said.

The RCMP members went door-to-door but were unable to identify the goat's owners and Animal Control officials told them the agency doesn't typically deal with goats.

The wayward goat was taken to a local animal hospital, where it was later reunited with its owners.

"The [RCMP] members believed he was just cold and he decided to lie down and wanted to sleep in the entrance. He was 'arrested' and escorted into the police vehicle.

(UPI)

Q: What other foods (besides barbecue) have indigenous peoples passed on to the world?

As with other cultures around the world, indigenous people of North and South America and the Caribbean– or First Nations as some are called – helped shape international cuisine with their local foods after contact with Europeans.

One such food, or snack, was chewing gum, originating from the Aztec who chewed chicle, a latex from the sapodilla tree native to their region.

Another was chocolate, which, some 2,000 years ago, the Maya made chocolate drink from cacao beans.However, it was without the sugar since that crop was not present at the time in the Mesoamerican world.Sugar was added later by the Europeans who found the natural

taste too bitter. In what is Mexico today, indigenous people used the pods of the vanilla orchid to flavour their food, of course, with vanilla. Some flavoured their chocolate with vanilla as well.

Some indigenouspeople roasted corn cobs over the fire to make their own brand of popcorn. According to National Geographic, the Moche peo ple in South America made popcorn poppers out of pottery.

Potatoes from which we get potato chips (invented later), so common in dishes around the world today, originated in the Andean region of South America before contact with Europeans helped spread its many varieties around the world.

There are many other indigenous foods –both cooked and raw – that have been spread around the world over time.

Musicians, Frenchmen Street, Faubourg Marigny, New Orleans, Louisiana

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police captioned this photo of the goat removed from a Tim Horton's eatery in Saskatchewan Sunday morning Photo courtesy RCMP Saskatchewan

Times

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

You will be easily upset. Make a point to do something that will challenge you physically or intellectually. You need time to consider your options before making a decision.

Don't waste time. Your list of accomplishments will grow if you stay on track. Avoid anyone who wants to slow you down or hold you back.

Remember your past dreams and aspirations. Consider whether a change in strategy is needed to get you back on course or if you should pursue a different direction entirely.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)

(Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

PISCES

(Feb. 20March 20)

If you take a close look at the people who inspire you, you'll see that perseverance and determination are what will drive you to success. There is money to be made.

Love is in the air, so make the most of it. You will enhance your personal life if you make a point to share your aspirations with a special someone.

Worrying about what others think or say is pointless. You know in your heart what is right for you, so make decisions based on your needs and not what others expect of you.

Travel for business or pleasure will open up new possibilities. Pursue avenues of interest in order to find a way to make some extra cash on the side. A residential change should be considered.

Resourcefulness and ingenuity will bring rewards your way. Your instincts are right on the money, so put your effort into a project that you feel comfortable pursuing.

An unlikely encounter will work out to your advantage. Don't say no when asked for assistance. The services you offer will boost your status. Celebrate with someone you love. Rigidity will not work in your favor. The more accepting you are, the more opportunities you will encounter. Let things unfold naturally in order to make progress.

Making money should be your goal, and professional opportunities will open up. Update your resume or sign up for a course that will enhance your skills or qualifications.

Take a break from your regular routine. Put aside your to-do list and make special plans with someone you love or a friend you haven't spent enough time with lately.

Peanuts

Calvin and Hobbes Archie

Dilbert

AQUARIUS

CANCER