Guyana Times Sunday Magazine

Sunday September 6, 2015

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Street Scene, British Guiana

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‘Traditional Games’ looking to become an indigenous centrepiece Page 4

2 Times Sunday Magazine

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SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

Times Feature

ised

been demon al? Cats have lic ge an or il Ev ory roughout hist and deified th

G

oing through the pet section of supermarket aisles, I noticed a reduced number of options for pet cats among the many options for pet food, medications, toys and treats.

“Hmmm,” I mused, “does that represent a reduced demand for all things cat that in turn means a reduced number of cat lovers as opposed to dog lovers in Guyana?”

My knowledge, time and resources to conduct a nationwide poll is essentially nil, so I opted to go online as well as in person and ask some Guyanese about their preferences for cats as pets compared to dogs.

A brief cat history

Firstly though, when did cats become domesticated?(George F. Will is credited with saying “The phrase 'domestic cat' is an oxymoron.”)

That domestication period continues to be revisited by scientists because archaeological records themselves keep being revised.

In 1983, according to the Smithsonian Magazine, archaeologists found a cat's jawbone dating back 8,000 years, suggesting that domestication occurred before 8,000 years ago.

The unearthing of an even older site at Cyprus in 2004, in which a cat had

been deliberately buried with a human, pushed the domestication date back at least another 1,500 years.

Then in 2007, in a study published in the research journal Science, it was suggested that through genetic analysis, cats were first domesticated in the Near East.Some of the study authors speculate that the process began up to 12,000 years ago.

The Smithsonian sees a logical correlation between cat domestication then and the time the first agricultural societies began to flourish in the Middle East's Fertile Crescent.

Wild cats arrived in human habitats when surplus grain, which was beginning to be stored, attracted mice pests.

“The cats were delighted by the abundance of prey in the storehouses; people were delighted by the pest

control,” the Smithsonian writes on its website.

Later, cats would become deified – and demonised.

While the ancient Egyptians, and to some extent the ancient Romans, revered cats, in the Far East they were treasured for the protection from mice of valuable manuscripts. It was in Europe during the Middle Ages that cats became associated with evil, and many were slaughtered.

(Some scholars now believe that this practice helped to spread the plague – which was carried by rats.)

The tide of European public opinion turned in the 1600s, and cats developed a better reputation that essentially continues today.

According to the Smithsonian, today in the U.S., cats are the most popular house pet, with about 90 million domesticated cats in 34 percent of U.S. homes.

Guyana’s love for cats

While my survey is anything but scientific here, dog lovers seem to lead the way.Especially regarding a dog’s loyalty, affection and protection.

The Outdoor Store, a city pet store, suggested that because of a cat’s temperament, not everyone can own a cat. Other respondents’ statements essentiallyagreed with that when those who preferred cats stated that the furry felines suited their personality – no over exuberance.

Instead,cats are described as clean, quiet and “stately”.

On the other hand, sev-

Dogs are ofte n preferred fo r their loyalty and protectio , affection n – as well as cuteness fact or

eral dog lovers suggested that their outgoing personality was better suited to having a dog.

The pet store also mentioned that in their experience, sometimes there was a rise in the demand for kittens/cats and at other times no one is looking for kittens. Dogs/puppies however,often carry a high demand.

Cats were also called lots of not-so-nice names among respondents: selective, diva-like (not in the good sense); scornful, thieves, unlucky, practically useless, destructive, selfish, standoffish, snarky and less trustworthy – among others.

But it must be pointed out that not all those who preferred dogs disliked cats – they just would rather dogs because they feel dogs are more “in tune” with them than cats could ever be.

Some persons though, had bad childhood experiences with cats that has remained with them in adulthood, helping to create their seemingly lifelong aversion to cats. No one I spoke with communicated a bad dog experience.

Though I’m sure there are those out there.

Others preferred dogs in relation to their usefulness to humans: dogs are much more helpful than cats. A few respondents believed that a dog’s ability to work for humans, i.e. guard dogs, hunting dogs,

sniffer dogs (medical and anticrime) etc. made them far more preferable than cats.

On the other hand, others stated that cats are more independent and less demanding than dogs, making them better pets.

In addition, in some households that had a cat and a dog, the dog was mainly for security and it was the cat that received most of the cuddles and affection most of the time – I am presuming that’s perhaps because the cat is the indoor pet in this instance whereas the dog is outdoors.

A few younger respondents said cats are so much cuter than dogs, which was why they preferred them; older respondents were much more practical.

Animal care

I currently have four dogs and a cat, but throughout my life I’ve always had dogs and cats in my household – it was like an obvious essential.

As such, I am a “cat person” and “dog person” – but then again, if I could, I would also keep horses, goats, cows, ducks, lions, tigers, elephants, fish...

(Did I mention I also have a little turtle called Ninja?)

No doubt there are many “cat people” out there (I’ve heard of homes with more than a dozen cats living within) just as there are many “dog persons”; but with the unsatisfactorily high incidences of cruelty to cats and dogs and the extraordinary number of strays in Guyana, there remains an urgent need to sensitise and educate many Guyanese about caring for animals.

The Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) recently earmarked funds for an animal awareness campaign geared towards primary school-aged children, as well as to revitalise its nationwide spaying and neutering programme.

The society is also in need of volunteers. For more information, call the GSPCA on 226-4237 or visit its office at Robb Street and Orange Walk in Georgetown, near to Bourda Market.(A.Ally)

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SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

Times Sunday Magazine

3

Times Feature

By Lennox J Hernandez

S

and Creek is an indigenous community (population of 712 in 2009) located in the south of Region 9, about 96 km (60 miles) roughly southeast of Lethem, with the Kanuku Mountains to the north and east, and Sand Creek (after which the village is probably named) to the west, snaking around on the south of the village.

The Rupununi River, into which Sand Creek flows, is further west of the creek. Sand Creek is translated as Katiwau in Wapishana, the language of the people of the area.

Though dating the origins of the village may be difficult, Dorothy Faria a long-time resident of the village, estimates it could be more than125 years old.

Villagers are predominately subsistence farmers, and the area has adequate fishing sites.

Picturesque in its savannah setting with a mountainous background and much vegetation, Sand Creek appears serene.

The village today is a mix of old and new; traditional and contemporary, as expressed by the buildings located there.

Whereas the village centre has a number of contemporary style buildings, including the Medical Centre, the primary school, the new Catholic Church and the Office of the Village Council, houses outside the centre are of the traditional thatched roof with mud walls, and a few with brick walls and galvanized iron roofs.

On higher ground, about a 20-minute walkfrom the centre of the village, is the newly built secondary school, which opened in 2012, along with a students’ dormitory and teachers’ quarters, to cater for students from nearby areas.

The age of the village is seen in buildings such as the Storage bond (previously a shop for many decades) and the old Catholic Church, and the huge mango trees, estimated to be more than 100 years old, which line both sides of the

Contemporary style building. The new secondary school, opened in 2012.

main road to the village centre.

A more recent amenity in the village is the solar panel, used for lighting and electrical power.

Early Sand Creek accounts

From the publication “Rupununi Mission” (1985)

by Fr John Bridges SJ, which highlights “the story of Cuthbert Cary-Elwes SJ among the Indians of Guiana 1909-1923,” we

learn that the first church in Sand Creek was built by the villagers in 1918 at the insistence of FrCary-Elwes, who will later become the village’s first priest.

On his visit to the village in early 1919, the church of leaves (roof and walls) was ready.

He,however, suggested replacing the leaf walls with mud, and the book gives Cary-Elwes’ delightful description of the happy disposition of the villagers during their conduct

of this project.

On Fr Cary-Elwes visit to Sand Creek in February 1922, he records that “we moved the church to a site nearer the water.” This may be a reference to a then existing large pond; however, there is no mention if the building was new.

The first mention in the book of the name of the church at Sand Creek -St John Francis Regis – is when Fr Cary-Elwes’final visit there in January 1923

was noted.

The outward features of the church has changed over the years, the existing dilapidated remains being somewhat different to that of the church portrayed in a 1956 publication by Edwina Melville (“This is the Rupununi”).

A new church has been built and the old one would likely be demolished. (Cover photo: Sand Creek Secondary School Dormitory )

St John Francis Regis Catholic Church (March 2014) interior from front

Decades-old building, formerly a shop, now a storage bond, off the village “square” in the village centre

Brick wall house with galvanized roof

Traditional indigenous houses: mud walls with thatch roof (solar panel in centre on tall pole)

4

Times Sunday Magazine

SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

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Times Feature

O

‘Traditional Games’ looking to become an indigenous centrepiece

n Saturday, Aug. 16, 2015 the second CARICOM inter-tribal games ended at the Pakuri LokonoArawak Territory(St Cuthberts’ Mission) in Guyana.

In terms of news reports, the event was quietly held; for the tribes from Guyana and Dominica who attended, it was a small but successful endeavour, and the notion revealed a potential for becoming a truly international experience.

Events for the first CARICOM intertribal games were held in 2012 when found-

Valmond, of the Kalinago-Carib tribe of Dominica. The other athletes were from several different tribes in Guyana.

Valmond won a gold medal in archery and a bronze medal in the Ladies’ 3km distance race, the latter in which Guyana Lokono-Arawakathlete Roshelle Dundas received the gold.

Ziggy O'Selmo, a Guyana LokonoArawak athlete,earned his gold medal in the men's archery.

In the Men's nine-lap race, five LokonoArawaks, and two Makushi runners, all from Guyana, competed for the gold. The two Makushi runners earned gold and silver.

Sylvester 'Balo' Paulin - of the Makushi tribe of Guyana, and also a member of the Guyana Defence Force, took the gold at that event, successfully defending the title he won at the 2012 inaugural event.

Winners of the 2015 CARICOM Inter-tribal Games’ Men's nine-lap race.Gold medallist Sylvester 'Balo' Paulinho is at right in black

Damon Corrie

er of the event, Barbadian Lokono-Arawak Damon Corrie, who hails his ancestry in Guyana, sponsored 90 per cent of all associated costs for holding the games.

Since that time he has brought KalinagoCarib athletes from Dominica to Guyana so that there would be a minimum of two

countries and three different indigenoustribes taking part. Prior to that, from 2007, he was already sponsoring a series of sporting events annually for the Lokono-Arawak people of Pakuri.

The idea of a regional inter-tribal sporting event began for Corrie after the 2012 London Olympics when, for the first time in history, a member of his Lokono-Arawak tribe in Guyana was present as a competitorat the occasion.

According to a report by the Pan-Tribal Confederacy of Indigenous Tribal Nations, Corrie declared,“I wanted to ride on the wave of sporting enthusiasm and goodwill that the 2012 London Olympics brought to my tribe and share it with other tribes, and at the same time bring tangible benefits (medals & prize money) to Amerindian athletes who competed in my games which would ALSO be the first CARICOM InterTribal Games ever held in history – as a way to give the youth something positive to aspire to instead of the destructive bad habits of illegal drugs, alcohol, and promiscuity – which idle souls with no positive recreational outlet tend to gravitate towards… to the detriment of themselves and

From left, Pakuri Toshao Lenox Shuman, Mervyn Williams, special adviser to the of Indigenous Affairs minister, and Steve Campbell,who allawarded prizes at the final day’s events

wider society in general.”

That year, Corrie had invited Amerindian athletes from five CARICOM countries outside Guyana with Amerindian populations to participate, but due to short notice and lack of sponsorship to assist them in covering the expense of return air fare to Guyana from their respective countries, only the Kalinago-Carib Tribal Nation (through sponsorship from the Touna Development Agency run by Kalinago exChief Irvine Auguiste) of Dominica was able to send twoathletes.

Corrie is reported to have said that he dedicated the inaugural games, held Sept, 26-28, 2012, to his deceased first daughterAderi Corrie who lived for only three days: Sept. 26th-28, 1994.

This year, the sole athlete from the other CARICOM countries was Arkeyshar

Other events at the games, dubbed the “Traditional Games”, included traditional dancing around bonfires and drumming.

Pakuri Toshao, Lenox Shuman, told one news agency in an interview that while there is room for improvement,“we intend to use this [the games] as one of the primary building blocks in the community.”

“It is my hope and dream that my small scale efforts will catch the attention AND interest of the new government, and they will one day be able to hold a truly professional and large scale CARICOM Inter-Tribal Games somewhere in Guyana, perhaps even at the National Stadium...”founder Damon Corrie stated on his blogspot.

(Photos from damongerardcorrie.blogspot. com) (Cover photo: Ziggy O'Selmo of the Lokono-Arawak tribe)

The four Guyana Lokono-Arawak and Dominica Kalinago athletes at the start of the Ladies’ 3km cross country race. Eventual winner Roshelle Dundas is at centre

guyanatimesgy.com

SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

Times Sunday Magazine 5

Times Women

In India, there is generally a silence around the issue of women's health - especially around menstruation it. It works in 21 out of 30 states in India.

The organisation is also making cheap sanitary towels from recycled cloths to help those 70 per cent of Indian women who don't have access to safe and hygienic pads.

Other thriving initiatives are also trying to break the taboos around menstruation.

Menstrupedia, a website run by four Indians, aims at "shattering myths and understandings surrounding menstruation" and features comic books and succinct guides on puberty, menstruation and hygiene management.

It receives more than 100,000 visitors a month.

A school dropout from

B y R upa J ha

"I

will never let my daughter suffer the way I do when I have my period. My family treats me like an untouchable....I'm not allowed into the kitchen, I can't enter the temple, I can't sit with others."

There's a sense of determination in 32-yearold Manju Baluni's voice. I met her in a remote village in Uttarakhand, a hilly state in the north of India.

A deep-rooted taboo feeds into the risible myth-making around menstruation: women are impure, filthy, sick and even cursed during their period.

People believe that menstruating women should not take baths and are anaemic.

A recent study by a sanitary towel manufacturer found that 75 per cent of women living in cities still buy their pads wrapped in a brown bag or newspaper because of the shame associated with menstruation.

They also almost never ask a male family member to buy sanitary towels or tampons.

I grew up in a house full of women, but we still never discussed openly one of nature's most normal rites of passage.

My mother used to cut up old bed sheets and hide them in a box, ready to be used by her four young daughters.

The biggest challenge was to dry those pieces of cloth. I have vivid memories of feeling tense and worried about the whole process.

Culture of shame and silence

I was taught the trick by my elder sisters - how to slip these stained clothes under other clothes without any men noticing them. We could not risk

putting them out in the open under the sun to dry completely.

The result was that they never got properly dry, leaving a horrible stench. The unhygienic cloth got used over and over again. Lack of water made the cleaning process even more cumbersome and unhygienic. The story has not changed much since then for many Indian women.

Many recent studies show that these practices constitute a serious threat to health. It's reported that at least one in five girls in India drop out of school due to menstruation.

Fifteen-year-old Margdarshi lives in a remote village in Uttarakashi.

She loves going to school though it means a long difficult trek through very hilly terrain. She never misses her classes, except for last year when she almost gave up her studies after she got her period for the first time.

"The biggest problem

was managing it. It still is.

I feel embarrassed, angry and very dirty. I stopped going to school initially."

She wants to be a doctor and wonders why boys in her biology class laugh so much when the teacher explains the process of menstruation.

"I hate it. I wish we could be more relaxed and feel comfortable talking about it. This happens to every woman so what is there to laugh about?"

Anshu Gupta, founder of a non-governmental organisation, Goonj, feels that the problem lies in the fact that this has been made into a women's issue.

"It's not a women issue.

It's a human issue but we have just isolated it. Some of us need to come out of this culture of shame and silence. We need to break it."

Breaking taboos

Trying to ending the silence around the issue, Goonj is one of several groups that are running campaigns to educate people about menstruation and the myths around

the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu was among the first to start making cheap sanitary pads using simple machines.

A Muruganatham says the sanitary towel has to be "brought out of the closet".

It is tough being a woman of modest means in India, and it's not going to change any time soon.

But gradually women have started to take charge of their lives. Many of them are not stuck at home during their period they can choose to go out, work, or continue with their studies.

Most importantly, they are beginning to talk about it. Without feeling embarrassed. (BBC Hindi)

6 Times Sunday Magazine

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SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

Times Book World

The Shaping of Guyanese Literature

Story of the heroes Part IV

By Petamber Persaud

A

lthough I have already planned this series examining the treatment of Guyanese ‘heroes’ in old books, I cannot constrain myself from presenting a new book, hot off the press as it were, gifted to me by someone of such humility who would want to be acknowledged as just a friend.

There are many reasons for this little shift in intention but, above all, I am beginning to become too embroiled in the story of heroes - the making of outstanding men and outstanding women, the elements of success, the reception of heroes, their impact on their society and their impact on the course of history.

This book, “The Excellent Decade 2005-2015”,produced by the ANSA McAl Foundation, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, tells the story of contemporary heroes of the Caribbean,including seven exceptional Guyanese men and women: Professor David Dabydeen, Annette

Professor David Dabydeen

Arjoon-Martins, Sydney Allicock (now the Hon. Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs), George Simon,Karen de Souza, Dr. Paloma Mohamed-Martin and Professor Suresh S. Narine*.

Professor David Dabydeen is “an academic and writer of poetry and fic-

tion… Dabydeen has won both the Guyanese and Commonwealth Awards in the past for his contribution to arts and letters. He has played a vital role in promoting the literature, life and culture of the Caribbean at Warwick University in the

Minister Sydney Allicock

UK.”(Taken from the book) Annette Arjoon-Martins “is a conservationist whose pet project is the 100-mile ecosystem in the northwest coastal region of Guyana where four species of turtle nest. She leads the Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society as well as her own business.”

(Taken from the book) Sydney Allicock “is from the North Rupununi …

Guyana and is widely accepted as a pioneer of community-based tourism in Guyana. He led the Surama community in implementing a sustainable tourism project that has been copied by other Amerindian communities in Guyana and is considered a model for development of the country’s interior.” (Taken from the Awards website) George Simon “is a visual artist and archaeologist who has recently (in 2011) made an archaeological discovery in Guyana that might cause history books about the pre-Columbian past of the Americas, and world civilization, to be radically rewritten.”(Taken from the book) Simon believes in travelling, and since his formative days at St. Cuthbert's Mission on the Mahaicony River, Guyana, he has

Dr. Paloma Mohamed-Martin

moved from place to place, accumulating knowledge, honing his skill, and sharing; but always returning to his homeland, Guyana.

During his sojourns, Simon has founded organizations in service to all humanity but particular to the upliftment of indigenous peoples and minorities.

Karen de Souza“is a women’s and children’s rights activist from Guyana. She is the cofounder of Red Thread, an advocacy organization which provides service and support, education, and advocacy for victims of rape and domestic and other forms of violence and for the lowest-waged sectors of women. Ms de Souza is also a pioneer in public education.” (Taken from the Awards website) Dr. Paloma MohamedMartin“is one of the most prolific academics (communication and behavioural studies) and creative writers (playwright, script-writer and poet) in the region. A key figure in Guyana’s culture and academe, she has been producing creative work since the age of 13, and has, to date, won the Guyana Prize on three occasions.” (Taken from the Awards website) Professor Suresh S. Narineof Guyana “is one … who has created the rare bridge between scientific research and commercial application, and in many cases, lessened environmental impact…His work as a researcher has led to an enviable 138 peer-reviewed publications, two books, 22 patents, and the creation of environmentally friendly economic activity in Guyana, Canada and beyond.” (Taken from the Awards website) The Anthony N. Sabga Caribbean Awards for Excellence was established in 2005 and the book cap-

tures ten years of the Awards. The book offers varied perspectives on excellence.

Sir Shridath Ramphal says that “striving for excellence is not new…our deepest roots lay in conditions of deprivation from which we were compelled to escape. The urge to excel is the very essence of that compulsion for selfimprovement.”

Professor E. Nigel Harris says that “excellence and the ever moving target of attaining perfection were omnipresent… so was the need to …challenge oneself…as well as the status quo.”

Former President of Guyana, Donald Ramotar says that “this quest for constant improvement… is present in almost every facet of life in the Caribbean…is not an exclusive club…also found … in simple folk…is also not just about the goal, it is also about the process.”

The goal of the Caribbean Awards for Excellence is to recognize significant Caribbean achievement, to encourage and to support the pursuit of excellence by Caribbean persons, for the benefit of the region. *All biographical information quoted from the book, the Awards website, and from my work as a past researcher for the Awards.

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

guyanatimesgy.com

SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

Times Sunday Magazine 7

Times Heritage

Toucan Matchbox label

Matchbox label illustration. No date.

British Guiana matchbox label. No date

The Guiana Match Factory

A

ccording to one source, the Guiana Match Factory was founded in Georgetown, British Guiana in 1910.

In the book “Igniting the Caribbean's Past:

Fire in British West Indian History” by Bonham C. Richardson, it is stated that the match factory opened in British Guiana in 1883.

Juanita De Barros, in her book “Order and Place in a Colonial City: Patterns of Struggle and Resistance in Georgetown, British Guiana, 1889-1924” states that there were two match factories near Georgetown in the late 19th – early 20th century.

In a 1903 Hansard report of a British parliamentary discussion on British Guiana’s protective duty on matches, it was stated that there is only knowledge of one such factory.

A 1955 report on the factory later noted that by then there was only one match factory.

In April 1932, the Guiana Match Factory Limited began manufacturing cigarettes under the ‘Lighthouse’ brand, named af-

ter Georgetown’s famous lighthouse landmark located in the Kingston area, near the Demerara River.

In 1966, when the country became independent, the name of the factory was changed to the Guyana Match Company Limited, which was by then located at 25 Vreed-en-Hoop, West Bank Demerara.

It closed down sometime later. The building, which was partially destroyed by fire in 2009,is now owned by Demerara Distillers Limited.

Matchbox covers or labels of the company have since become scarce collectors’ items. A phillumenist is a collector of matchboxes, matchbox labels and/or all things related to it.

Early Guiana Match Company matchbox label

Vintage matchbox label,called The Winner, said to have been made in British Guiana The Guiana Match Company Lighthouse brand independence commemorative cover

Shipping rum, British Guiana 1910

8 Times Sunday Magazine

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SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

Times Travel & Tourism

View of the surrounding rainforest

Tourists look at birds and other wildlife from one of the platforms

S

uspended some 33 metres above the rainforest floor on the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway is a breathtakingly incredible experience that you can never forget.

A series of suspension bridges and four spacious platforms provide views of birds and other wildlife you simply won’t get from the ground.

Those who have experienced the walkway speak of being “eye to eye” with the birds and other wildlife.

Constructed of aluminium and suspended by steel cables, the canopy, built to Canadian outdoor construction standards, is the only tourist canopy walkway in the Guiana Shield.

The Iwokrama Canopy Walkway is situated at Mauisparu, near the southern boundary of the Iwokrama Reserve in central Guyana, about 300km (190 mi) south of Georgetown.(Source: iwokramacanopywalkway.com)

A bird perches on the canopy along the walkway (Leon Moore photo)

The canopy among the trees

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SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

Times Sunday Magazine 9

Times Healthy Living

Stress-related health issues Your stress itself could be making you sick

"S

tress doesn't only make us feel awful emotionally," Jay Winner, MD, author of “Take the Stress Out of Your Life” and director of the Stress Management Program for Sansum Clinic in Santa Barbara, Calif. tells WebMD, "It can also exacerbate just about any health condition you can think of."

Studies have found many health problems related to stress. Stress seems to worsen or increase the risk of conditions like obesity, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, depression, gastrointestinal problems, and asthma.

Before you get too stressed out about being stressed out, there is some good news. Following some simple stress relief tips could both lower your stress and lower your health risks.

Some of the most significant health problems related to stress

1.

Heart disease.

Researchers have long suspected that the stressedout, type A personality has a higher risk of high blood pressure and heart problems.

Stress can directly increase heart rate and blood flow, and causes the release of cholesterol and triglycerides into the blood stream.

It's also possible that stress is related to other problems -- an increased likelihood of smoking or obesity -- that indirectly increase the heart risks.

Doctors do know that sudden emotional stress can be a trigger for serious cardiac problems, including heart attacks.

2. Asthma. Many studies have shown that stress can worsen asthma. Some evidence suggests that a parent's chronic stress might even increase the risk of developing asthma in their children. One study looked at how parental stress affected the asthma rates of young children who were also exposed to air pollution or whose mothers smoked during pregnancy. The kids with stressed out parents had a substantially higher risk of developing asthma.

3. Obesity. Excess fat in the belly seems to pose greater health risks than fat on the legs or hips -- and unfortunately, that's just where people with high stress seem to store it. "Stress causes

higher levels of the hormone cortisol," says Winner, "and that seems to increase the amount of fat that's deposited in the abdomen."

4. Diabetes. Stress can worsen diabetes in two ways.

First, it increases the likelihood of bad behaviours, such as unhealthy eating and excessive drinking. Second, stress seems to raise the glucose levels of people with type 2 diabetes directly.

Headaches. Stress is considered one of the most common triggers for headaches -- not just tension headaches, but migraines as well.

5. Headaches. Stress is considered one of the most common triggers for headaches -- not just tension headaches, but migraines as well.

6. Depression and anxiety. It's probably no surprise that chronic stress is connected with higher rates of depression and anxiety.

One survey of recent studies found that people who had stress related to their jobs -- like demanding work with few rewards -- had an 80% higher risk of developing depression within a few years than people with lower stress.

7. Gastrointestinal prob-

lems. Here's one thing that stress doesn't do -it doesn't cause ulcers.

However, it can make them worse. Stress is also a common factor in many other GI conditions, such as chronic heartburn (or gastroesophageal reflux disease, GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Winner says.

8. Alzheimer's disease.

One animal study found that stress might worsen Alzheimer's disease, causing its brain lesions to form more quickly. Some researchers speculate that reducing stress has the potential to slow down the progression of the disease.

9. Accelerated aging.

There's actually evidence that stress can affect how you age. One study compared the DNA of mothers who were under high stress -- they were caring for a chronically ill child -with women who were not.

Researchers found that a particular region of the chromosomes showed the effects of accelerated aging. Stress seemed to accelerate aging about 9 to 17 additional years.

10. Premature death. A study looked at the health effects of stress by studying elderly caregivers looking after their spouses -- people who are naturally under a great deal of stress. It found that caregivers had a 63 per cent higher rate of death than people their age who were not caregivers.

Fight back against stress

1. Breathe deeply. Just a few minutes of deep breathing can calm you and tame the physiologic stress response, Winner says. While building in a specific time to relax each day is a good idea, one advantage to deep breathing for stress relief is that you can do it anywhere -- at your desk or in your (parked) car, for instance.

Winner recommends that as you breathe out, you relax a specific muscle group. Start with the muscles in your jaw. On the next breath out, relax your shoulders. Move through the different areas of your body until you're feeling calm.

2. Focus on the moment.

When you're stressed, you're probably living in the future or the past. You're worried about what to do next or regretful about something you've already done. To get some stress relief, instead try focusing on what you're doing right now.

"You can calm yourself by bringing yourself back to the present moment," says Winner. "If you're walking, feel the sensation of your legs moving. If you're eating, focus on the taste and the sensation of the food."

3. Reframe the situation. So you're already running late and then find yourself stuck in terrible traffic.

Getting worked up is a natural reaction, but it won't help you at all. Rather than swearing and pounding the

steering wheel, get a different perspective. Look at that time as an opportunity -- a few minutes to yourself where you don't have any other obligations.

4. Keep your problems in perspective. It might seem Pollyannaish, but the next time you're feeling stressed out, think about the things for which you're grateful.

"We get stressed when we focus so much on a specific problem that we lose perspective," says Winner. "You need to remind yourself of the basic ways in which you're lucky -- that you have family and friends that you can see, that you can walk."

It can be a surprisingly effective method for stress relief.

While these stress management techniques can help in the moment, you can also make a few larger changes to your way of life. Regular exercise is key to long-term stress management, says Winner. People who exercise tend to have better moods and more energy than people who don't. What's more, regular exercise will independently lower your risks for many health problems.

Learning some relaxation techniques, meditation, or yoga will help with stress management, too.

Getting good at any of these approaches will take a little time and practice, but the payoff -- for your short-term mood and long-term health -- could be substantial.

Suicide-risk behaviour patterns identified – study

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epressed people who display "risky behaviour", agitation and impulsivity are at least 50% more likely to attempt suicide, a study has found.

Research by the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) concluded that the behaviour patterns "precede many suicide attempts".

The study said effective prevention measures were "urgently needed".

The World Health Organisation estimates that there were more than 800,000 suicides worldwide in 2012.

The ECNP study evaluated 2,811 patients suffering from depression, of whom 628 had previously attempted suicide.

Researchers "looked especially at the characteristics and behaviours of those who had attempted suicide", and found that "certain patterns recur" before attempts.

They said the risk of an attempt was "at least 50% higher" if a depressed patient displayed: "risky behaviour" such as reckless driving or promiscuous behaviour "psychomotor agitation" such as pacing around rooms or wringing their hands impulsivity - defined by the research-

ers as acting with "little or no forethought, reflection, or consideration of the consequences" Dr Dina Popovic, one of the report's authors, added: "We found that 'depressive mixed states' often preceded suicide at-

tempts.

"A depressive mixed state is where a patient is depressed, but also has symptoms of 'excitation', or mania."

Michael Mansfield QC, whose daughter Anna took her own life earlier this year,

said her death came "out of the blue".

He said she had two children and a successful career, and no one suspected she was at risk of suicide.

Speaking about the new research, he said: "We want to know more. We want somebody to correlate all this and make sense of what seems like a senseless situation.

"So I would welcome anybody who's spent the time and bothered to assemble the pattern of behaviour because in Anna's case there was a pattern of behaviour and I for one didn't really spot it."

'Indicators' Paul Farmer, of mental health charity Mind, said 6,000 UK people a year take their own lives - and "we don't know enough about why that happens".

He said the ENCP research had an "important message" about the "indicators that people should look out for" if they are worried about someone.

Factors already established included people being very withdrawn or very anxious, he said.

The study's findings are being presented at the ENCP conference in Amsterdam on Sunday. (BBC News/Health)

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Times Fashion

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egendary designer Patricia Coates, or “Pat” as she is more fondly called, is a well known name in the fashion industry not only in the Caribbean but also internationally.

Pat emits a particular quality and style only associated with “legends” and over the years she has built a “legacy”. Known for her sophisticated, classy and discerning look, her creations have taken local and international runways by storm.

Pat’s designs have been showcased at numerous fashion shows throughout the world. In 2009, she was nominated for the prestigious Guyanese Designer of the Year

Award, and in 2011 Pat received Karib Nation’s Award of Excellence for her outstanding and remarkable contributions to the Caribbean Fashion.

The Village Couture, home of Pat Coates Designs, is located in Georgetown and offers a wide selection of stunning ready to wear men and ladies designs or custom fit. (Photos from Pat Coates Collection – 2012 Caribbean Style & Culture Awards & Fashion Showcase with text excerpted from: Patricia Coates, Legendary Fashion Designer/ Owner of The Village Couture, by Cloyette. Guyanese Girls Rock)

Pat Coates and model

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six on the UK Albums Chart, spawned five consecutive top twenty singles, and sold over 1.5 million copies.

Lott's second album, Young Foolish Happy, was released on 14 November 2011. The lead single, "All About Tonight", debuted atop the UK Singles Chart, becoming her third UK number-one hit. The album also produced the top ten singles "What Do You Take Me

For?" and "Kiss the Stars".

Her self-titled third studio album was released on 1 August 2014. Its lead single "Nasty" released on 7 March 2014 peaked at number nine on the UK Singles Chart, making it her sixth Top 10 single in the United Kingdom.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

ixie Lott. Victoria Louise "Pixie" Lott (born January 12, 1991 in Bromley, England), is a singer, songwriter and actress. Her debut single, "Mama Do (Uh Oh, Uh Oh)", was released in June 2009 and went straight to number one in the UK Singles Chart. Her second single, "Boys and Girls", also topped the UK chart in September 2009.

Lott's debut album, Turn It Up, was released in September 2009. It reached number

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Star Times Hollywood

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Times Hollywood

Celebrity chef ordered to pay ex ‘The Muppets' Drama: New girlfriend husband monthly child support Denise slams Kermit the Frog for lying

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iada de Laurentiis is now officially divorced from her ex of over 11 years, Todd Thompson.

E! News has obtained a copy of the divorce docs, which show that the worldfamous chef has been ordered to pay her former husband US$9,000 dollars in monthly child support.

The papers also detail how the exes have divided their assets, including their US$3.2 million dollar home in Pacific Palisades—which Thompson will get to keep.

The estate is also said to include over US$300,000 worth of furniture and artwork, which again will stay in Thompson's possession.

Additionally, the Food Network star's ex will keep his membership at the BelAir Bay Club, which is located near his mansion.

But that doesn't mean that De Laurentiis is stepping away from the marriage empty handed.

She will keep all of the rights to her soon-to-be released and currently untitled Italian cookbook as well as her own production company, Linguine Pictures.

The two never signed a

prenuptial agreement when they tied the knot, which is why De Laurentiis was ordered to give Thompson half of the unpaid advances to multiple cookbooks that she currently has in the pipeline which includes— Weeknights with Giada for $2.5 million, Giada's Feel Good Food for $2.3 million, and Everyday Pasta for US$757,000.

Both parties involved are independently wealthy—she has an es-

timated net worth of $20 million while he is said to be worth an equally impressive US$15 million— and the former couple is said to be divvying up their various bank accounts that total upwards of US$2 million dollars.

The two will share joint custody of their daughter, Jade Marie De Laurentiis Thompson, who is 7-yearsold.

TMZ was the first to report the story. (eonline)

t appears that Kermit the Frog has found himself in drama already with his alleged "new girlfriend," Denise. The Muppets are already going at it! MStars News has learned that Denise slammed her man, claiming that he's lying about their relationship.

What does Miss Piggy think of this drama?

In the Instagram post, Denise called Kermit out for what he's been saying.

Kermit previously stated: "Sheesh. I can't believe I already have to do this again...

Here is the official statement on my relationship status:" The statement then read: "While I prefer to keep my personal life private, this is Hollywood, so who am I kidding? It is true that I am dating again. However, at this time no one woman-pig or otherwise- - is my of-

ficial 'new girlfriend.' We are simply close friends."

After that statement, Miss Denise didn't agree and wrote in the comments section: "Just so you know @ kermitofficial is lying tries to not act like the bad guy.”

We also learned that Denise the Pig has been talking a lot to Miss Piggy as well.

Bond writer says sorry for calling Idris Elba 'Too street' to play 007

Jessica Alba's The Honest Company sued for being not so honest

J

essica Alba's billion-dollar The Honest Company is under fire after one angry customer says the company isn't too honest when labelling its products as "natural" ... according to a lawsuit.

The class action suit -- filed by Jonathan Rubin targets the brand's dish soap, hand soaps, surface cleaner and diapers. Rubin claims all of the products contain synthetic preservatives and should not be considered "natural" like THC claims.

Rubin backs up his claims with studies from an environmental group who says the ingredients were considered to be potentially hazardous.

And as one final burn ... Rubin says THC's sunscreen is ineffective after multiple users posted on blogs saying they became sunburned and blistered.

He's asking for all profits generated from

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n September 2, Anthony Horowitz, writer of the new James Bond novel “Trigger Mortis”, apologised on Twitter for stating that Idris Elba is "Probably a bit too street" to play the fiction-

those products to be refunded to people who have purchased them -- a minimum of $5 million. (TMZ)

LeVar Burton: 'Roots' reboot to be updated for young audience

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ctor LeVar Burton says the upcoming reboot of “Roots” has been made keeping in mind the younger audience.

Burton said Malachi Kirby, who has been cast as Kunta Kinte in upcoming ," was hired after a "really exhaustive", reported New York Post.

"Just as exhaustive as it was the first time," said Burton, who originated the role in ABC's landmark 1977 miniseries (and is a coexecutive producer on the A&E version).

"We even got to the end (of the search) and wanted to make sure we hadn't left any stones unturned. At the end of the day, Malachi really revealed himself to be...

The best choice - the actor

that really had the best opportunity to deliver what we acknowledge is a very difficult role," he said.

The British-born Kirby, 25, has appeared on the UK soap EastEnders and on the big screen in Gone Too Far and Kilo Two Bravo.

50-year-old Burton, who

was 20 when he played Kunta Kinte, says A&E's reboot will be slightly retooled for a younger audience.

"One of the decisions we took into consideration in remaking Roots for a new generation was the reality that a lot of Americans, a new generation, are unfamiliar with the story and somewhat resistant because of the perceived dated nature of the storytelling.

"When I m honest with myself I can't disagree.

There's new scholarship available that we're taking advantage of including that the Mandinka culture (in West Africa) was a horse culture, so Kunta Kinte's origins will have different underpinnings," Burton added.

(TOI)

She claimed that Miss Piggy is okay with Kermit being the new man in her life.

Denise wrote: "Miss Piggy just called me. She told me that Kermit and I look adorable together."

Denise even claimed that she already had haters adding a photo that Kermit allegedly sent. (mstarz)

al British spy.

Horowitz, in his tweet apologized for his “poor choice of word” and stated he was “mortified to have caused offence.”

The “Luther” star has long been touted as the fans' choice to become the first black Bond. However for some, the reference by Horowitz to the “Pacific Rim” actor as "too street" was reportedly code for "Too black".

Horowitz, whom Bond creator Ian Fleming chose to take over the 007 books, said that his issue with Idris Elba for the role has nothing to do with the actor's race.

"Idris Elba is a terrific actor, but I can think of other black actors who would do it better," the writer said.

As for the silver screen, actor Daniel Craig will return as James Bond in Sam Mendes' “Spectre”, which is slated to release in November later this year.

Meanwhile, Elba in response posted a remark on his Instagram page, next to a screen grab of the Daily Mail article: “Always keep smiling!! It takes no energy and never hurts!

Learned that from the Street!! #septemberstillloveyou.”

Venus Williams gets her Business Degree

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enus Williams graduated last month from Indiana University East with a Bachelor in Business Administration. It’s her second college degree, after she earned an Associate from the Art Institute in Fort Lauderdale in 2007.

Williams, 35, did not previously have a lot of time for college, as she made her professional tennis debut at the age of 14.

In the years since, she has won seven Grand Slam titles, as well as serving as CEO of her interior design firm V Starr Interiors and creating a fashion line called EleVen. Williams also owns a couple Jamba Juice franchises.

“I’ve learned so much.

It was always my dream to have a business degree and I ended up going to art school so many times, but in the back of my head I felt like I needed the tools to be a better leader, to be a better planner, to be better at all of

the things I wanted to do in my businesses because I’m so hands-on,” Williams said in a statement.

Indiana University East is located in Richmond, Indiana; Williams completed her coursework online. IU East maintains a partnership with both the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA)

and the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) to give professional tennis players the chance to earn their degrees, as so many start playing at a professional level either before or during the time that most people attend college.

Venus is currently competing in the US Open.

S

idharth Malhotra is an Indian actor and former model who appears in Bollywood films. At the age of 18, Malhotra began a career as a model.

Dissatisfied with the profession, he quit and subsequently assisted Karan Johar in the 2010 film “My Name Is Khan”. He made his acting debut with Johar's comedy-drama “Student of the Year” (2012), for which he received a Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut nomination. In 2014, Malhotra portrayed leading roles in two commercially successful films—the romantic comedy “Hasee Toh Phasee” and the thriller “Ek Villain”. He is currently starring alongside Akshay Kumar in the mixed-martial arts action-drama “Brothers”.

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14 Times Sunday Magazine

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Times Bollywood

Amitabh Bachchan: Celebrity is an insecure individual

I

n further trouble for actor Saif Ali Khan, the complainant in the 2012 Taj Hotel brawl case has refused to settle the matter mutually out of court.

"I have moved an application before the mediator saying that the complainant (Iqbal Mir Sharma) doesn't want to go for mediation but wants trial to go ahead in the case," public prosecutor Wajid Sheikh told PTI. The matter will now be referred to a trial court, he added.

The court had in June this year referred the brawl case to a mediator.

Mr Khan and his two friends - Bilal Amrohi and Shakkel Ladak - were arrested following a complaint filed by Mr Sharma, an NRI businessman, after an alleged fight at a restaurant inside Taj Hotel on February 22, 2012.

The three were later released on bail.

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According to police, whenSharma protested the raucous chatter of the actor and his friends, Khan allegedly threatened him and subsequently punched Sharma in the nose, fracturing it.

The businessman also accused Khan and his friends of hitting his father-in-law

Raman Patel.

Saif, on the other hand, said that Mr Sharma made provocative statements and used abusive language against the women accompanying him which included his wife, actor Kareena Kapoor, and her sister Karishma. (ndtv)

Sunny Leone breaks her silence, responds to critics

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ot too long ago, Communist Party of India`s national secretary (CPI) Atul Kumar Anjan had claimed that Sunny’s steamy condom advertisement will incite men to commit rapes. The CPI leader added that he is not anti-condom, but the language used in the advertisement is not right.

Here’s what Sunny had to say in response to the minister’s remark: “Sad when people of power waste their time and energy on me, instead of focusing on helping those in need!!!!! #SHAME #EPICFAIL” Adult film actress Sunny became a household name soon after she made her presence felt on Indian TV by appearing in “Bigg Boss” a few years back.

She has been working in Bollywood mainstream cinema since then and has been endorsing various brands.

Since the zeenews report, Anjann has apologized to the supporters of Sunny Leone for his controversial remark. "I apologize but I don't stand for such ads," Anjan said.

Confirmed! Rani Mukerji is pregnant

A

fter multiple speculations on the matter, there's finally a confirmation that Rani Mukerji is indeed pregnant. The actress, who's currently on holiday with her husband, Aditya Chopra, is due to deliver in January.

Sources say that the reveal was made by Rani's sister-in-law, actress Jyoti Mukerji, who accidentally confirmed saying "Yes, Rani is pregnant."

Sources also say that the actress, who was earlier holidaying in London with her husband, also got prenatal massages there. The parents to-be are presently holidaying at an undisclosed location.

Confirming that the delivery will take place in Mumbai only, sources add on to the news by saying that Rani has no profession-

al commitments lined up and neither is she helping out at Aditya Chopra's studio, YRF. Seems like she's

completely devoted to starting a new family and is looking forward to motherhood. (filmfare)

egastar Amitabh Bachchan believes being a celebrity means living in isolation and insecurity.

The 72-year-old actor, who has been in the Hindi film industry for more than four decades, said "repercussions or pressures" sometime affect celebrities' career.

"Celebrity is an insecure vulnerable and utterly isolated individual... They shall agree because of repercussions or pressures that may upset the flow of one career one opportunity... And so they do...," he wrote on his blog.

The "Piku" star said the actors also go through the pressure of being in news everytime. "But the need to at-

tend such is also challenged by them that need to be recognised, need for their mission to be acknowledged, to be seen in media, to be talked about. But this can effectively happen when they

get noticed with someone who shall be talked about.

Irrespective of the real reason they have been called out to do. The celebrity then is the obvious choice...," he added. (mid-day)

corded for it but will be coming down to Mumbai on Sunday, September 6, for the same.

Revealing about how he received this opportunity, Raina added that the producer of this film Shoeb Ahmed is a family friend of

his, who insisted that the cricketer should try singing for his film.

Directed by Z e i s h a n Q u a d r i , “Meeruthiya Gangsters” is slated to release September 18.(bollywoodhungama)

A

midst many sports personalities who have tried their luck in Bollywood, it is cricketer Suresh Raina who will be entering the glamour industry now.

However, Raina is not interested in acting but he definitely has a penchant for music.

Reminiscing about the previous matches and how music plays an important role in a cricketer's life, Suresh Raina has decided to take up playback singing in Bollywood.

The cricketer will be crooning for the upcoming crime comedy “Meeruthiya Gangsters” and the song in question is titled as “TuMili Sab Mila Aur Kya Chahiye...”,which is composed by SiddhantMadhav.

The cricketer hasn't re-

Salman Khan to return as ‘Bigg Boss’ host

B

ollywood superstar Salman Khan will return as the host of popular reality show “Bigg Boss” in its upcoming ninth season, a top official from Colors channel has confirmed.

“Colors welcomes #BhajrangiBhaijaan @ BeingSalmanKhan to #biggboss9 Presented by @ Snapdeal Powered by @ Oppomobileindia This October @ColorsTV,” Colors CEO Raj Nayak tweeted on Friday.

In fact, the actor is already at work for the controversial reality show. A source told IANS that he’s shooting a promo for the new season on Friday. Salman Khan, 49, hosted the last season of the show, but later stepped down from its extended edition “Bigg Boss HallaBol”” which was host-

ed by choreographer-filmmaker Farah Khan. At that time, he had to attend to his other film commitments.

Thereafter, there were reports that Salman Khan might not return as the host of the show due to his busy schedule. However, now it’s clear that he will be back!

The “Dabangg” star has hosted a total of four sea-

sons of the show, which is an Indian version of internationally acclaimed reality format “Celebrity Big Brother”. The show involves celebrity contestants locked inside a purpose-built house for three months under constant camera surveillance and with no luxury and limited amenities of life. (indianexpress)

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September 6, 2015

Times Sunday Magazine

15

Times Trends

Star of the week

Trending Now

2015 is all about the obi

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orget your skinny leather belts or your traditional buckled styles, the obi is feminine, minimal, and actually easy to pull off. For those unaware, the obi is a broad sash worn round the waist of a Japanese kimono.

The accessory has popped up on western runways for 2015 and the trend is inspiring the street style stars as well.

Brazilian model Martha Graeff sported the street style trend with a pair of relaxed high-waist pants that cinched tight around her waist

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ardella Hamilton is a confident beauty who sees herself as an ambassador for the values and principles that embody a sophisticated, determined woman. The 24-year-old Hopetown, Berbice native, who grew up in Georgetown, wants to be an entrepreneur and is a final year student at the University of Guyana majoring in Public Management. She also freelances as a model and is enthusiastic about fashion. Not new to the pageant scene, Cardella is Miss Guyana Jamzone 2015 and was a 2014 Miss Guyana Universe contestant in which she shared the Miss Congeniality award.

Her advice to current and aspiring delegates is not to enter pageantry for its “glitz and glamour” but rather to use the opportunity to spread awareness of any life- changing experiences or personal platform that they represent.

Diane Von Furstenberg‘s Fall 2015 runway look features the obi

SSENSE website presents Studio Nicholson’s White & Navy Gingham Toshima Top, mirroring the obi trend

Alexander Wang presents the 2015 trend wrapped tightly and woven in and out of his blazer creation

16 Times Sunday Magazine

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September 6, 2015

Times Art

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Donald Locke Guyanese painter and sculptor (Sept 17, 1930 –Dec 6, 2010)

onald Cuthbert Locke was born in the West Coast Demerara village of Stewartville, and began painting in 1947 under ER Burrowes, MBE. Locke was awarded a British Council Scholarship in 1954, and studied at Bath Academy of Art in Wiltshire, England.

In 1959 he was awarded a Guyana Government Award to Edinburgh University, Scotland.

He returned home to become involved in the Independence artists of the era before migrating from Guyana

A piece from his 2009 UK exhibition, “Pork knocker Dreams”. Along with international showings, work of the late artist has also been exhibited at Castellani House

Ceramics is said to have been his first love, one he returned to four years before his death

in 1970.

It is said that he became disillusioned with the British art scene and arrived in the United States in 1979 when he was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in Sculpture. He was artist-in-Residence at Arizona State University for

one year; becoming a permanent resident in 1980.

After working as a correspondent as well as an art critic for several years in Southwest US, Locke returned to painting in 1989, and moved to Atlanta in 1990.

For five years he was one of the resident studio artists at the Atlanta Contemporary Arts Center, and a member of the part-time faculty at Georgia State University and Atlanta College of Art. He retired from teaching in 1996. For three years he wrote a weekly review for Creative Loafing, Atlanta and was a member of the Advisory Board of Art Papers.

Some of the public and private collectors of Donald Locke’s work around the world include the Victoria and Albert Museum, London; the Guyana National Collection here in Guyana; and The Studio Museum in Harlem, New York.

He has also done solo shows in Sao Paulo, Brazil; Medellin, Colombia; Cuenca, Ecuador; Budapest, Hungary; Faenza, Italy; V&A Museum, Whitechapel Art Gallery, Hayward Gallery, London, UK; Nottingham, UK; Aljira Art Gallery, Newark, NJ; Biennial Atlanta, GA; Master Artist Series, Atlanta, GA, and Studio Museum of Harlem, NY. Exhibitions of his work have also been featured at Skoto Gallery in New York, New Jersey, Solomon Project in Atlanta, and City Gallery East, located in Atlanta City Hall East, in the US. Locke experimented with various art media and methods over the years, including metal and pen and ink, creating mixed media sculptures and paintings.

On Dec. 6, 2010 Donald Locke died of cancer; he is survived by Leila Locke his wife of 30 years, who is also an artist, his children: Hew, Jonathan and Corinne, and five grandchildren.

“Queen”

“Timehri Rock # 2” ceramic (2008)

“Abstract Rice Field” oil (1967) From the National Collection

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September 6, 2015

Times Sunday Magazine 17

Times Tech

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ews of scary new iPhone malware dubbed "Key Raider" is trending online, but there's a caveat — it only hits phones that are jailbroken.

"The average iPhone user is not affected by this," said Tyler Reguly, manager of the vulnerability and exposure research team at Tripwire, a Portland, Ore.based security company.

Jail breaking refers to removing the op-

Tech BYTE

S

erating system hardware restrictions on an Apple device such as an iPhone, iPad or iPod. It's done to allow downloads of non-Apple approved apps.

The malicious software was reported by security firm Palo Alto Networks earlier this week.

The malware steals Apple account usernames, passwords and device information by intercepting iTunes traffic on the user's device.

I t g e t s on the phone w h e n the user d o w n -

Self-healing bioplastic – inspired by squid sucker teeth

cientists at Pennsylvania State University have created a mouldable polymer that heals itself when exposed to water, based on squid sucker ring teeth.

Led by Professor Melik Demirel, the researchers started by studying sucker ring teeth collected from squid in various locations around the world. Although the exact composition of the teeth varied between species, it was found that the same proteins which allow them to self-heal were always present.

The yield of these proteins were quite low per squid, however, meaning that many animals would have to be processed in order to obtain a usable amount. Instead, the scientists used bacteria to produce those same proteins in the lab, for use in their polymer.

Tech BYTE

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A sample of the self-healing polymer. Things like undersea cables or medical implants could simply heal themselves back together if severed –easier than having to go in and fix them

The result is actually a copolymer, as it consists of two parts – a structured portion made up of strands of amino acids connected by hydrogen bonds, and the actual self-healing portion which is more amorphous.

In lab tests, a sample of the material was first cut in two, and then had warm water and slight pressure applied at the severance point. This caused the two pieces to join back togeth-

er into one. When subjected to weight-suspension tests, the healed sample was found to be just as strong as it was before being cut.

"Maybe someday we could apply this approach to healing of wounds or other applications," says Demirel. "It would be interesting in the long run to see if we could promote wound healing this way so that is where I'm going to focus now."

loads an infected app — one that didn't come from Apple's App Store, said Apple spokesman Ryan James.

"To protect our users from malware, we curate App Store content and ensure all apps in the App Store adhere to our developer guidelines," James said. "This issue only impacts those who not only have jailbroken devices, but have also downloaded malware from untrusted sources."

Files discovered by the researchers found at least 225,000 Apple account had been compromised.

Most will not be in the United States. By some estimates, about 8% of iPhones globally have been jailbroken, often in Asia. It's uncommon in U.S. iPhones outside of very technically proficient circles.

The malware is actually a good example of how well Apple's built-in security works, as long as users don't disable it, said Nicko Van Someren, chief technology officer with mobile security company Good Technology.

Tech news

A

"Users wanting to run unauthorized application, or wishing to innovate in their apps beyond the bounds that Apple defines, need to consider carefully if the additional functionality is worth the additional risk," he said.

While staying inside Apple's walled garden of apps grates on some, Key Raider reminds users that "the world outside of Apple's universe isn't always so safe," said Tim Erin, director of risk strategy at Tripwire. (USA Today)

YouTubers paid thousands to promote Xbox One

US investigation has found that YouTubers were secretly paid thousands of dollars to promote the Xbox One launch.

News of the scandal first emerged in January of last year, after details where leaked of what YouTube group Machinima described as a “typical marketing partnership” where YouTubers were paid to say nice things about the Xbox One but not “anything negative or disparaging about Machinima, Xbox One, or any of its games.”

It quickly emerged that this was relatively common practice amongst games publishers, with more honest YouTubers admitting they were constantly approach to do (secretly) paid advertising.

Microsoft has always maintained it didn’t know what its advertising agency Starcom was doing, and

forced the videos to indicate they were paid advertising once they found out.

Nevertheless, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) initiated an investigation, which discovered that YouTube channel Syndicate was paid US$30,000 for two videos.

SkyVsGaming was paid $15,000 and other assorted YouTubers a total of $25,000. All of which required them to not only say nothing negative about Xbox One but also keep secret the fact that they were being paid to do so.

This is definitely ille-

gal in the UK, but although it’s more of a grey area in America the FTC described the activities as “false and misleading”.

“In numerous instances, [Machinima] has failed to disclose, or disclose adequately, that the individuals who posted the reviews were compensated in connection with their endorsements,” reads their report.

“This fact would be material to consumers in their purchasing decisions regarding Xbox One and the launch titles. The failure to disclose this fact, in light of the representations made, was, and is, a deceptive practice.”

Despite this nobody involved seems to be getting more than a slap on the wrist, with the FTC basically just warning both Machinima and Microsoft’s advertising agency not to do it again. (Metro UK)

The biggest games due out before the end of 2015

owadays, the last three or Halo 5: Guardians four months of the year are usually packed with quality game releases, and this year looks like it's going to be no different. The problem is that it can be difficult to know where to spend your hard-earned cash.

Gizmag takes a look at 10 of the best games set to arrive before the year is done.

1. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain Over-the-top tactical espionage is the name of the game here, with third person stealth, gadgets, guns and a large world to sink your teeth into.

Release: September 1 (Xbox One, PS4, Xbox 360, PS3, PC) 2. Super Mario Maker The only Nintendo title to make this list. The idea is to allow players to create their own side scrolling Mario courses, with more and more items and tools unlocking the more you play the game. Create a course you think is great and you can share it for other players to download, play and rate. Release: September 11 (Wii U) If you're not in the mood to search through and find a highly rated course, you can get the game to pick a set of levels for you, tasking you to make it through with a set number of lives.

Others include Halo 5: Guardians; Forza 6; Destiny: The Taken King; Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection; Fallout 4; Rise of the Tomb Raider; Star Wars: Battlefront and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Siege.

Go to www.gizmag.com/biggest-upcoming-games-2015/39020/ for more information.

Star Wars: Battlefront Super Mario Maker

18 Times Sunday Magazine

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September 6, 2015

Times Home & Cooking

Recipe of the Week

Chicken biryani When it comes to bedroom décor, teen girls have their own sense of style for their private space. From those who like quiet colours to those who prefer bright hues, here are some ideas for your teen girl’s haven.

Ingredients: 300g basmati rice 25g butter 1 large onion, finely sliced 1 bay leaf 3 cardamom pods Small cinnamon stick

1 tsp turmeric 4 skinless chicken breasts, cut into large chunks 4 tbsp. curry paste 85g raisins 850ml chicken stock

Themed bedrooms can be a reflection of a teen girl’s interest. One guess as to this teen’s interest

Method: Soak the rice in warm water, then wash in cold until the water runs clear.

Heat butter in a saucepan and cook the onions with the bay leaf and other whole spices for 10 minutes.

Sprinkle in the turmeric, then add chicken and curry paste and cook until aromatic.

Stir the rice into the pan with the raisins, then pour over the stock.

Place a tight-fitting lid on the pan and bring to a hard boil, then lower the heat to a minimum and cook the rice for another 5 mins.

Turn off the heat and leave for 10 mins. Stir well, mixing through half the coriander.

Serves 4

Paint is an inexpensive way to make a big impact in a room. Windows treatments and bed linens can also influence its look

GREATEST COOKING TIPS

Vegetable oil is typically a blend of many different refined oils; it is neutral-tasting and -smelling, and has a smoke point of about 400˚ (although it can vary, depending on the oils used in the blend). Because it doesn’t add much flavour, it is good for high-heat sautéing and frying.

Extra Virgin olive oil has a lower smoke point (about 325˚), which means it’s not great for cooking. Save it for vinaigrettes and finishing oil—it’s been known to go into plain yogurt as a dipping sauce. However, many persons love the taste of eggs fried in Extra Virgin olive oil.

Light (“Pure” or “Regular”) olive oil has a smoke point of 465-470˚ Fahrenheit, which makes it ideal for high-heat cooking. It can also be used in vinaigrettes. (Bon Appétit)

HOME HELP

A statement piece such as a large painting, mural or framed photograph can make a great impression in a teen girl’s room. Here the dramatic curtain swag does the task

If you lose your coffee table under piles of mail, newspapers and magazines, place a magazine rack next to your favourite sofa or chair.

Make wooden furniture shine by polishing it with a solution of two parts olive oil to one part lemon juice.

Remove burnt-on food from a saucepan by boiling a cup of cola for a minute or two.

Regularly coat your chopping board with vegetable oil to make it last longer.

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September 6, 2015

Times Sunday Magazine19

Family Times

PARENTING

Advice on parenting advice (Continued from August 23)

I JOKES Empathy While I sat in the reception area of my doctor's office, a woman rolled an elderly man in a wheelchair into the room. As she went to the receptionist's desk, the man sat there, alone and silent.

Just as I was thinking I should make small talk with him, a little boy slipped off his mother's lap and walked over to the wheelchair.

Placing his hand on the man's, he said, “I know how you feel. My mom makes me ride in the stroller too.”

Life Out bicycling one day with my eight-year-old granddaughter, Carolyn, I got a little wistful.

“In ten years,” I said, “you'll want to be with your friends and you won't go walking, biking, and swimming with me like you do now.”

Carolyn shrugged. “In ten years you'll be too old to do all those things anyway.”

The arrival His wife's graveside service was just barely finished, when there was a massive clap of thunder, followed by a tremendous bolt of lightning, accompanied by even more thunder rumbling in the distance. The little, old man looked at the pastor and calmly said, "Well, she's arrived."

A question A wife asked her husband: “What do you like most in me, my pretty face or my sexy body?”

He looked at her from head to toe and replied: “I like your sense of humour!”

Too late Paddy was driving down the street in a sweat because he had an important meeting and couldn't find a parking place.

Looking up to heaven he said, "Lord take pity on me. If you find me a parking place I will go to Mass every Sunday for the rest of me life and give up me Irish whiskey."

Miraculously, a parking place appeared. Paddy looked up again and said, "Never mind, I found one."

New Stock Market Terms CEO -- Chief Embezzlement Officer CFO -- Corporate Fraud Officer Market Correction -- The day after you buy stocks.

Broker -- What my broker has made me.

Standard & Poor -- Your life in a nutshell.

Profit -- An archaic word no longer in use.

Recently divorced I tried to talk my wife into buying a case of Miller Light for $14.95. Instead, she bought a jar of cold cream for $7.95. I told her the beer would make her look better at night than the cold cream.

My wife and I were sitting at a table at my high school reunion, and I kept staring at a drunken lady swigging her drink as she sat alone at a nearby table. My wife asked, "Do you know her?"

"Yes," I sighed, "She's my old girlfriend. I understand she took to drinking right after we split up those many years ago, and I hear she hasn't been sober since."

"My God," said my wife, "who would think a person could go on celebrating that long?"

I took my wife to a restaurant. The waiter, for some reason, took my order first. "I'll have the strip steak, medium rare, please."

He said, "Aren't you worried about the mad cow?"

"Nah, she can order for herself."

t's a weird way to look at things anyway: parents as program managers, kids as important projects with growth targets and deliverables.

Nothing is more likely to make parents miserable than that kind of illusion of control, the idea that they can or should be managing their kids' development, shaping, directing, and maximizing it.

Those expectations make parents and children both anxious and unhappy.

The alternative to man-

aging your kid like a project is not giving up. It's not lack of interest, or neglect. Quite the opposite. The alternative to viewing childhood as preparation is viewing it as life, to be savoured and enjoyed.

Life is just a series of moments, and it's amazing how many of them we miss, rush past, or disrupt because our minds are elsewhere, anticipating the future or dwelling on the past.

But a moment of joy or connection is its own justification, not a means to an end. Play can just be fun.

Daydreaming and wasted

time don't have to be framed as developmental tools; they're just nice.

The top piece of advice I'd give fledgling parents (which I wish I could follow better myself) is just this: Be aware of those moments, and never turn one down. If you face a choice — a moment or a chore, a moment or bedtime, a moment or work obligations, a moment or your iPhone — always choose the moment.

They seem abundant, sometimes too abundant, in those early years. But child-

STORY TIME

Reflections

The lad and the Deil

Do not stand at my grave and weep

O

nce on a time there was a lad who was walking along a road cracking nuts, so he found one that was worm-eaten, and just at that very moment he met the Deil.

"Is it true, now," said the lad, "what they say, that the Deil can make himself as small as he chooses, and thrust himself on through a pinhole?"

"Yes, it is," said the Deil.

"Oh! It is, is it? Then let me see you do it, and just creep into this nut," said the lad.

So the Deil did it.

Now, when he had crept well into it through the worm's hole, the lad stopped it up with a pin.

"Now, I've got you safe," he said, and put the nut into his pocket.

By Grammar G

I

hood isn't linear; it seems to accelerate faster and faster as it progresses, and when it's over that set of memories will be all too finite. (Source: Vox: Science and Health: Most parenting advice is worthless. So here's some parenting advice, by David Roberts)

So when he had walked on a bit, he came to a smithy, and he turned in and asked the smith if he'd be good enough to crack that nut for him.

"Ay, that'll be an easy job," said the smith, and took his smallest hammer, laid the nut on the anvil, and gave it a blow, but it wouldn't break.

So he took another hammer a little bigger, but that wasn't heavy enough either.

Then he took one bigger still, but it was still the same story; and so the smith got wroth, and grasped his great sledge-

hammer.

"Now, I'll crack you to bits," he said, and let drive at the nut with all his might and main. And so the nut flew to pieces with a bang that blew off half the roof of the smithy, and the whole house creaked and groaned as though it were ready to fall.

"Why! If I don't think the Deil must have been in that nut," said the smith.

"So he was; you're quite right," said the lad, as he went away laughing.

(From "Popular Tales from the Norse," by Sir George Webbe Dasent, D.C.L)

Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there. I did not die.

Mary Elizabeth Frye

Chronograms

f Roman numerals themselves aren’t confusing enough, there There are said to be several ways to compose a chronogram; are chronograms. A chronogram is a sentence in which specific one is in which you compose a sentence with all the letters letters are converted or interpreted as Roman numerals to doubled as a Roman numeral which when added together gets stand for a particular date or epoch. the desired result.

The word, using Greek chronos (time) and gramma (letter), For example take the sentence, “ELECTION DAY CARRIES literally means “time writing”. They were especially in fashion BARRACK OBAMA TO OVAL OFFICE.” In chronogram it would be read as: “ELeCtIon Day CarrIes during the Renaissance when chronograms could be found on tombstones and foundation stones to mark the date of BarraCk ObaMa to OVaL OffICe.” Using the Roman numerals: the event being commemorated.

L+C+I+D+C+I+C+M+V+L+I+C Recently, a Hebrew chronogram was discovered that This would be interpreted as: 50+100+1+500+100+1+ pre-dated the earliest known Latin chronogram by five 100+1,000+5+50+1+100, which would equal 2008, the years. year Obama was first elected.

Another type of chronogram maintains a strict left-toLet’s look closely at the motto of a medal struck

by Gustavus Adolphus (credited as right order, using only the Roman numerals the founder of Sweden) in 1632: that appear in the date itself. One such “CHRISTVS DVX; ERGO TRIVMPHVS” was composed for Queen Elizabeth’s Read as a chronogram it would 1603 death.

“My Day Closed Is In Immortality”: be seen as: “ChrIstVs DVX; ergo trIVMphVs” (the letter V was once MDCIII (1,000+500+100+1+1+1) which read as U today) which, using the equals 1603.

Roman numerals would be: C + I + V + An especially interesting D+V+X+I+V+M+V chronogram is an inscription on a medal This would be interpreted as: 100 + 1 + 5 + 500 + 5 + 10 that commemorates a 1709 battle in which the French were + 1 + 5 + 1000 + 5, which would equal 1632. defeated by the British Duke of Marlborough: “LILICIDIVM”.

You would need to remember that in Roman This actually spells lilicidium translated from Latin as “the numerals, I=1, V=5, X=10, L=50, C=100, D=500 AND slaughter of the lily”. The lily, or fleur de lis is a French M=1,000. symbol. The Roman numerals add up to 1709.

The fleur de lis

20 Times Sunday Magazine

September 6, 2015

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Times Sunday Puzzle

One day a really rich old man with two sons died.

In his will he said that he would give one of his sons all of his fortune. He gave each of his sons a horse and said they would compete in a horse race from Los Angeles to Sacramento, but the son whose horse came in second would get the money.

So one day they started the race. After one whole day they had only ridden one mile. At night they decided they should stop at a hotel.

While they were booking in they told their problem to the wise old clerk, who made a suggestion. The next day the two brothers rode as fast as they could. What did the clerk suggest that they do? see solution on page 23

see solution on page 23

see solution on page 23

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September 6, 2015

Times Sunday Magazine 21

Times Kids

GEOZONE

Creature Corner

The Mesozoic Era: The Age of the Dinosaurs

Savanna Hawk

T

he Savanna Hawk (Buteogallus meridionalis) is a common raptor of open country habitats throughout the lowlands of tropical and subtropical South America, as well as in Panama and Trinidad.

A Savanna Hawk frequents wooded and palm savannahs and swamps’

edges in tropical and subtropical regions. It is also found at forest edges and in mangroves, and often near water.

It is described as an opportunistic feeder, feeding on varied prey such as snakes, fish, lizards, frogs, small mammals, birds, large insects, caterpillars and spiders.

As well as flying through the air to catch prey, the Savanna Hawk can hunt prey on the ground thanks to its long legs that can easily walk through savannah landscape. It frequently follows grass fires, hunting for escaping animals.

The species is not considered threatened.

S

cientists have divided the geological time scale of Earth into different eras: Precambrian Time (encompassing about 90 per cent of Earth's history), Palaeozoic Era, Mesozoic Era (popularly called the Age of Reptiles) and Cenozoic Era (present era; known as the Age of Mammals).

The Mesozoic Era is divided into three periods: the Triassic (245-208 million years ago), Jurassic (208-145 million years ago), and Cretaceous (145-66 million years ago).

Scientists place the “Age of Dinosaurs” during the Mesozoic Era. After existing for 163 million years, the dinosaurs disappeared at the end of the Cretaceous Period, 66 million years ago.

Connect the Dots

please see solution on page 23

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

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

22 Times Sunday Magazine Gorillas can live about 35 years in the wild and more than 50 years in captivity.

GORILLAS

By Laurie Triefeldt

These fierce-looking beasts are actually very shy and smart apes. Closely related to humans and chimps, gorillas share 98 percent of the same DNA. This largest species of primates was unknown to the world outside of Africa until 1847.

Gorillas tend to walk on all fours, with feet flat on the ground and the upper body supported on the knuckles. This is called knuckle walking. Gorillas do stand up, but they only take a few steps in this position.

Growing up gorilla

There are two main species of gorillas: the eastern lowland and western lowland.

The gestation period of a female gorilla is 8.5 to 9 months. Mothers usually give birth to one baby, but twin births do happen. A baby gorilla starts to crawl around 2 months and walks at 5 to 9 months. Babies ride piggyback until about 3 years old. The youngsters stay with their mothers for three to four years.

Young male gorillas usually leave their family group when they are 11 or 12 years old.

Most males have their own family group by the age of 15.

Young female gorillas join a new group at about 8 years old.

Eastern gorillas live in the tropical forests of Democratic Republic of the Congo and along the borders of Uganda and Rwanda.

Mountain gorillas are a subspecies of eastern gorillas.

Western gorillas live in the forests of Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Angola and Nigeria.

Cross River gorillas are a subspecies of the western gorilla.

Territory

Gorilla range 2013

Mountain gorillas Eastern lowland gorillas

A newborn is carried by the mother who holds her baby close to her chest. After about three months, the baby is strong enough to hold on and ride on its mother’s back.

Communication

Gorillas communicate with vocalizations (grunts, barks and roars), gestures (chest slapping), body postures and facial expressions. Gorillas move low to the ground and approach from the side when being submissive. They approach directly when confident.

Each gorilla troop has its own range that covers an area from 2 to 15 square miles (5 to 39 sq. km). They forage this area slowly, never staying more than one night in the same place. Territories may overlap, but troops usually avoid each another.

Gorillas are usually very quiet. Adults grumble softly, while babies whimper.

Angry males have a load roar.

Gorillas seem to need companionship and attention. The first gorillas kept in captivity were isolated and did not live for long.

It is possible that they died from loneliness.

How smart are they?

At a weight of about 3 pounds (1.36 kg), humans have the largest of primate brains, and gorillas have the second largest, weighing in at about 1.1 pounds (500 g). But brain size in itself does not reliably indicate intelligence. When body weight and brain weight are taken in comparison, the gorilla actually has the smallest of primate brains.

Gorillas rank among the most intelligent animals.

In captivity, they have been taught to use tools and sign language. Compared to chimpanzees, gorillas are calm and patient, but less outgoing, less curious and less eager to perform tricks.

Scientists disagree on whether gorillas are conscious of their own identity.

SOURCES: World Book Encyclopedia, World Book Inc.; http://www.sciencekids. co.nz; http://animalstime.com;http://kids.sandiegozoo.org; http://nationalzoo.si.edu; http://www.berggorilla.org; IUCN Red List of Threatened Species website; http://www.defenders.org/

Like us on Facebook — www.facebook.com/worldofwonder2014 © 2015 Triefeldt Studios, Inc. Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

Gorillas are usually peaceful, but they can be aggressive if threatened. When a gorilla is excited or wants to drive off intruders, it stands up and slaps its hands against its chest and roars. Dominant gorillas have killed other males and, in rare cases, baby gorillas.

Female gorillas usually mate when they are about 8 years old, and males reach full adulthood at about 12 years old.

Where in the world?

Western lowland gorillas

Males over the age of 12 develop silver fur on their backs and hips; they are called silverbacks.

Exploring the realms of history, science, nature and technology

Gorillas’ arms are longer than their legs.

Cross River gorillas

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September 6, 2015

Dinnertime

Gorillas are primarily herbivores, feeding mostly on leaves, berries, plants, fruits, flowers, shrubs and vines, but they also enjoy termites and other insects. Occasionally, they will eat small animals. Adult male gorillas eat about 45 pounds (20 kg) of food per day.

Life in the forest

Gorillas are ground-dwelling and live in groups of six to 30. Called a band or a troop, each group is dominated by an older male called a silverback. Gorillas forage for food in the morning and evening.

The afternoon is spent sleeping, playing or grooming. At night, gorillas sleep in nests made of leaves and branches. They never sleep in the same nest twice.

Facing extinction Gorillas face an uncertain future.

Many are critically endangered, largely due to habitat loss and commercial hunting. Humans are the gorillas’ only predator.

There are only about 700 mountain gorillas left. They live high in the mountains in two protected parks in Africa. Cross River gorillas have an even smaller population, with about 300 individuals.

A large male gorilla living in the wild may weigh 390 pounds (177 kg). Standing up on its legs, it may be 6 feet (1.8 m) tall.

Female gorillas tend to be shorter, weighing about half as much as males.

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September 6, 2015

Times Sunday Magazine 23

World Times

The Philonoist

Resurrecting spiders I Q: Is it true that spiders can survive drowning?

A weird question which, surprisingly, has an even weirder answer. Scientists from the University of Rennes in France have discovered that spiders can enter comas to survive for hours under water.

A number of spiders have long been known to be resistant to drowning, so scientists wanted to find out how. In particular, they wanted to find out whether spiders in flood-prone areas had evolved to survive longer underwater than forestdwelling spiders can.

The experiment began when the spiders were immersed in water. Every so often, scientists would brush them to prompt a response. After 24 hours, the forest-dwelling spiders

“drowned”; the salt-marsh spiders followed, “dying” 28 and 36 hours later.

The scientists then took them out and left them to dry so that they could weigh them later. What occurred after, stumped the group.

Hours later (some two hours for the flood-prone areas spiders that were also the last to die) the spiders began twitching “back to life” and were soon on their (eight) feet.

The researchers speculate that the spiders depend on a switch to metabolic processes that do not require air. They are still not sure how this is done exactly but believe there could be other species with the same ability.

So the next time you find a spider and think of drowning it in a tub of water…

Brain Teaser Answer The clerk told them to swap horses. The father said that whoever's horse crossed the finish line second would get the money. He didn't say that the owner of the horse had to be on it.

SUDOKU

t's a tough time to be a polar bear. The Arctic predators, which depend on constantly diminishing amounts of sea ice to catch marine mammals such as seals, are declining in number, and fast.

There are fewer than 25,000 polar bears left in the wild, according to the nonprofit organization Polar Bears International. Near the southern Beaufort Sea (map), for instance, the population has dropped about 40 per cent between 2001 and 2010: from 1,500 to 900 bears.

And as their habitat shrinks, they've have been acting strangely. On Wednesday, five bears surrounded a team of scientists at a weather station in Russia, trapping the people inside.

On the same day, elsewhere in the Arctic, scientists representing Canada, Denmark, Norway, Russia, and the United States announced a ten-year plan to prevent polar bears from going extinct. Actions include preserving polar bear habitat and working with policymakers and the public to address climate change.

But combating climate change doesn't happen overnight, and the lack of food and habitat means polar

A polar bear examines a camera trap in Svalbard, Norway.

(Photograph by Paul Nicklen, National Geographic Creative)

the snow to save for later, it was surprising on a lot of levels.

For one thing, polar bears generally prefer to eat seals. What's more, scientists had never observed the predators eating this species of dolphin. And though other bear species, such as

lucky for polar bears.

In a 2011 study published in the journal Oikos, vertebrate zoologist Robert Rockwell found that these eggs provide a backup food source for the polar bears.

Downing one of these eggs is like "eating a stick of butter," Rockwell said in an in-

KID SUDOKU

CROSSWORD

Bears surrounded a team of scientists at a weather station in Russia

bears are getting creative to stay alive.

Here are four strategies polar bears are using to weather our changing planet.

1. Putting leftovers on Ice

When a research team in Svalbard, a group of islands in the Norwegian Arctic, recently observed a starving polar bear eating a dolphin and burying the leftovers in

grizzlies, store food for later, sticking leftovers into what amounts to a refrigerator is unusual behaviour for polar bears.

2. Surf and Turf on the Menu

Each year, snow geese come to Canada to breed.

Females typically lay four eggs to a clutch. While they were once endangered in the United States, the species has rebounded—which is

terview at the time.

3. Walking Hibernation?

Not So Much

Rising global temperatures and Arctic ice’s natural variability have led to longer annual ice melts in the summer, and incomplete re-freezes in the winter. This makes it harder for the polar bears to find food, since they depend on ice sheets to hunt seals that

also use them for rearing pups.

“We’re seeing a greater proportion of bears come on shore in the summertime during the sea ice minimum, and they’re spending longer times there,” Rode says.

4. Eating People Food

Polar bears are "very opportunistic eaters,” Rode says. “They’ll eat anything, and sometimes to their detriment.”

That includes the food and waste that people store in their towns.

In 2014, the town of Arviat in Nunavut Territory, Canada, had to cancel regular trick- or-treating and hold Halloween indoors due to concerns that children wandering outside would be at risk of a polar bear attack.

To reduce polar bear's temptations in Arviat, WWF has been handing out bearproof metal bins to store food. The non-profit also hired a polar bear monitor, who uses spotlights and bear bangers—a type of instrument that makes a loud noise—to discourage the bears.

Ewins says that polar bears are going to have to keep adapting as they forage for food.

Until climate change is a little more under control, "it’s going to be a few more decades of these problems for animals that are dependent on ice,” he says.

“We’re trying to help polar bears and local people survive through that transition.” (Source: News.

National Geographic)

24

Times Sunday Magazine

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September 6, 2015

Fun Times

Archie

Multicultural events or gatherings will fulfill your de(March 21sire to learn more about difApril 19) ferent philosophies and lifestyles. Open your mind to new experiences. Plan a journey that will help you implement positive personal change.

ARIES

Use your time wisely.

TAURUS Reorganize personal papers (April 20and eliminate any stress May 20) caused by clutter or deadlines.

Set up a realistic budget that will ensure greater cash flow.

GEMINI You will experience emo(May 21- tional turmoil. Take a break June 20) and do something that makes you happy. An excursion to a calming place will help you find answers.

CANCER

Home decorating projects will encourage you to host (June 21an event that includes a mix July 22) of younger and older people.

Make a point to mingle, socialize and make new friends.

LEO Don’t be so negative about (July 23- your prospects. You have talent, Aug. 22) knowledge and strong intuitive reasoning. Your unique ability to help others will bring you added confidence and satisfaction.

Dilbert

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Don’t be pressured into doing something that makes you uneasy. If you allow yourself to be intimidated by someone unscrupulous, you will open the door to further exploitation.

LIBRA Staying informed and in(Sept. 23- volved will keep your options Oct. 23) open. Keeping abreast of current trends will give you the insight to make your move at the right time.

Peanuts

SCORPIO Don’t take on someone (Oct. 24- else’s responsibilities. You Nov. 22) have enough to contend with, so try not to take on more tasks, especially if the rewards or returns are low. Romantic opportunities look promising.

Nurture an important relaSAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23- tionship. You may have a difDec. 21) ference of opinion, but don’t let that discourage you from being affectionate and compassionate. Truth and trust will win out over doubt or suspicion.

Calvin and Hobbes

CAPRICORN Make a beneficial lifestyle (Dec. 22- change. Don’t stay trapped in Jan. 19) a stale or unhappy situation.

Get motivated to take control.

You are in charge of your own happiness.

You will be granted faAQUARIUS vors by friends and neighbors.

(Jan. 20Include in your plans the Feb. 19) younger people in your life.

Youth-oriented activities will offer new challenges and perspectives.

PISCES You have an agenda, but (Feb. 20- don’t try to force your will on March 20) others. Be honest and aboveboard in all your dealings in order to get the support you need.