Guyana Times Sunday Magazine

Sunday

Times December 13, 2015

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Radio PAIWOMAK

Page 2

‘The first community radio’

2 Sunday Times Magazine

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DECEMBER 13, 2015

Times Feature

Radio PAIWOMAK

R

adio PAIWOMAK was set up for improving communication, maintaining Amerindian culture, educating people and keeping communities entertained.

Radio PAIWOMAK 97.1 Bina FM is located at Bina Hill in the Annai district, North Rupununi, Region Nine. It was established Sept.

19, 2000, after members of the early broadcast team attended radio production workshops in Trinidad. Some amount of training was also provided by the-then Guyana Broadcasting Corporation, now National Communication Network (NCN).

Radio PAIWOMAK 97.1 Bina FM is a partnership between NCN, UNESCO, Iwokrama and the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB). Through this partnership, the communities were given a license to operate. NCN provides technical and other support to the radio.

The NRDDB is a non-governmental organisation that supports the radio station by ensuring programme schedules.

This is the first and only community radio station in Guyana that provides a unique service to the hinterland communities of the North Rupununi District and some of its surrounding communities.

PAIWOMAK Radio Station in Bina Hill

Virgil Harding in the studio

Broadcast started with volunteers Virgil Harding, Ellen Davis and Adam Nash, who pioneered the programming for Radio PAIWOMAK 97.1 FM. The word PAIWOMAK is an acronym of three mountains' names: PA from Pakaraima; IWO from Iwokrama and MAK from Makaranpan. These mountains are located where the people of the North Rupununi live, hence PAIWOMAK means serving the people living at the foot of these mountains. The radio’s motto is

“Today's First Community Radio for the Development of Tomorrow’s People”.

The members of the communities have a hand in putting programmes together, and are entirely involved in planning and making sure that the programmes are aired by the announcers. They also help to bring these programmes to life in the studio.

Some programmes aired include School/Children's Story Time, Road Safety Tips, Amerindian Stories, Health Word, Makushi and You, Know Your Language,

Healthy Lifestyle, What's Up To Date (news), Eye on the Environment, Farmers’ Corner, Youth Vision, Village Talk, What the People Think and Easing into Bedtime – among others.

Radio PAIWOMAK keeps communities informed through newscasts. It educates in many areas, including health, education and environment. Through radio PAIWOMAK, communities have been able to learn from each other.

Additionally, it also serves to educate and empower

young people. The station accommodates students from the surrounding communities making visits to the studio.

These students may sometimes give performances in song and poetry, which are broadcast live.

The radio station broadcasts to villages of the North Rupununi such as Annai, Shulinab, Surama, Massara, Toka, Wowetta, Aranaputa Valley, Yakarinta, Rewa, Apoteri, Crash Water and Kawatamang.

In an interview with Sunday Times Magazine, Virgil Harding outlined the many challenges that the station faces on a daily basis. These include the need for more electricity to power

a bigger transmitter of about 1,000 watts; about 100ft more of the tower and some directional antenna; training in I.T. to support the other radio training that is needed, and funding for payment for those who work there.

“There is no directed funding that is given to this radio station. Its daily services are done through four volunteers who get a stipend from NCN. Even though Radio PAIWOMAK continues to face some issues, it carries on being the main medium of communication. The radio station is a tool for communities to send and receive information in addition to the daily programmes,” Harding declared.

Inside the studio

Villagers participate in the radio's programmes

Sign announcing the station

The building that houses the radio station

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 13, 2015

Sunday Times Magazine

3

Times Feature

T

he brilliant team at Kross Kolor Records (KKR) has put together a festive album, “Christmas With Us”, to ring in the holiday the best way they know – giving their fans and supporters the gift of music.

The album is a collaboration of Guyanese talents, and a project aimed at youth empowerment and showing the importance of working together.

Stemming from a previous album by the recording company, “Christmas With Us” features some of the seasoned artistes signed to the label, along with some new additions to the team and a few friends.

Unlike the previous album, “Christmas With Us” is a compilation of 14 original tracks – all written, arranged and produced locally. The 15th track is a remake of Dave Martin’s “Not a Blade of Grass”.

B52, VANiLLA, Ossie O, Tennicia De Freitas, Jovinski, Gavin Mendonca, Shawn English, Randy Kirton, T’Shanna Cort, Shivanie Bhola, Sueann ‘China’ Campbell, Romichelle Brummell, Daniel Dondre, Shaundelle JP Alleyne courtesy of Vizion Sounds, poet Leeanna Alleyne, steel pan player Andrew Tyndall and producers/arrangers Burchmore Simon, Simeon’ LilJay’ Browne and Drew Thoven are the performers.

The album was done to showcase the talent of Guyanese artistes when they work collaboratively. It also became a project to give the youths a sense of empowerment, and for them to use their voices to make a difference in the

years. King works closely with Kross Kolor’s producers and artistes.

In an interview with Sunday Times Magazine, Melissa “VANiLLA” Roberts noted, “Christmas With Us album is one of those projects where you are presented with an opportunity to create a difference in the lives of people: whether directly, in the aspect of working with and nurturing younger talents, or indirectly through the arrangement and messages of the songs that music lovers cannot resist.”

She added that when people listen to the album they will “experience a roller coaster of emotions.” The singer also said it is “one of those projects that when you listen to it you can’t help but smile and be happy to be associated with it and be proud of fellow Guyanese.”

“Kross Kolor Records have always invested in talents over the years. Before Adrian Dutchin, Jumo, VANiLLA and youths like The group of talented Guyanese artistes who contributed to the album

way we experience music when it comes to Christmas in Guyana.

Instead of hearing how it is snowing and how Santa Claus will bring us gifts after creeping down chimneys, the album gives a taste of what Christmas is really like in Guyana. On it you will hear about the hustling on Regent Street on Christmas Eve, spending time with family and friends, missing loved ones and, of course, the famous black cake.

Kross Kolor Records has

always been a front runner in Guyana’s music industry and with the festive season quickly approaching, what better way to celebrate it than with the sounds of sweet Guyanese tunes. After all, the season just would not be complete without some good vibes.

Mixing R&B, Reggae, Pop, Dancehall, Jazz, among others, the album has something special for everyone. It is produced by Burchmore Simon, Simeon Browne and Andrew King, better known as Drew

From left are Simeon Browne, Burchmore Simon and Andrew King

Thoven. Each producer has diligently produced outstanding music. They have teamed up this year to work on making the Christmas album a success – which it already is!

Producers’ profiles

Album cover

The founder of Guyana’s Music Network and the CEO of Kross Kolor Records, Burchmore Simon was given the name “man with the golden touch” because of his cultural influences and artiste development skills. Simon got into music at the tender age of six. He formed a band called the EC Connection and has survived almost 16 years as a professional musician.

Simon is known for his significant contribution to the development of Guyanese music.

Kross Kolor Records has

officially been ranked as one of Guyana’s top recording studio and has thus far been the crowning glory of Simon’s achievements.

Simeon Brown, known as Lil Jay, is a gifted producer.

Browne got into music from a very young age where he began singing at church and developing his musical writing skills. The self-taught keyboardist joined KKR in 2011. Since signing on to Kross Kolor as an arranger and producer, Browne has worked with some of Guyana’s top artistes. The avid songwriter hopes to become one of Guyana’s leading producers.

Andrew King is a young producer, musician and songwriter. He started producing professionally about a year ago, arranged tracks over the past three years and has been involved in film scoring for under two

Jovinski, Gavin Mendonca and Tennicia Defreitas, they were people like Miriam Williams, Sydney Chester and Kkode Redd.

The investment in this Christmas album amounts to a lot of dollars, sleepless nights, special engineering skills, dedicated writers and artiste development. This eventually led to a product that we are extremely proud of,” Roberts declared.

This Christmas we want to encourage all to focus more on appreciating our local talent. Let’s blast our radios and stereo sets with melodious Christmas music sung by our very own Guyanese artistes.

For more information on where you can purchase the album go to Kross Kolor Records on Facebook, visit www.krosskolor.com or call 226-6273.

4

Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 13, 2015

Times Feature Feed a Child for the Holidays

F

eed a Child for the Holidays is a vibrant group of humanitarians who enjoy giving back to their communities and spreading Christmas cheer.

Established in December 2007, Feed a Child for the Holidays is a private nonprofit group dedicated to making a humanitarian effort to share the spirit of Christmas. The group endeavours to bring gifts, food items, basic necessities, encouragement and love to the less fortunate children in Guyana.

Feed a Child for the Holidays objectives are to raise awareness of the plight of orphaned children in Guyana and to provide assistance – whether emotional, financial or physical – to under-privileged children, wherever they may be.

The group is made up of young professionals and students, Tannylee Fung, Schemel Patrick, Natasha Backer, Teisha Milner, Keisha Assanah, Rhonda Bourne, Maren Oxford, Dionne Cush and Alana Lowton, who are determined to continue to bring joy and love to children who really need it.

In an interview with Sunday Times Magazine, Schemel Patrick said every year herself and team endeavour to put smiles on children’s faces by extending their love, time and support.

This year the humanitarians hope to reach even more children.

Additionally, they wish to garner as much support as possible for the children and their homes.

Over the past eight years, they received tremendous support from a number of individuals and organisations, and hope this year will be no different.

“The best gift at Christmas is not one that’s received, but it’s in the hap-

cheer to many more homes in and around Guyana.”

Feed a Child for the Holidays operates entirely on donations from publicspirited citizens and corporate Guyana. Through its Facebook page, the group is able to connect with individuals who want to contribute.

“We encourage persons to message, call or reach out to one of the members of the group if they’re desirous of contributing to one or more of our activities.

We also partner with youth organisations, including the Guyana Girl Guides Association, and last year the Caribbean Youth Environment Network – Guyana (this group has expressed interest in work-

form for persons to make worthy donations to various children’s groups all in the spirit of giving. I think it is important that we express heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has assisted us in one way or another over the years. Our corporate sponsors over the years have been German’s Restaurant, Sterling Products and Edward B. Beharry and Company.

Some people ask about our activities even before we announce them,” Patrick noted.

Apart from Christmas gifts, Feed a Child for the Holidays welcomes food and school supplies, basic necessities and clothing for children. Visit Feed a Child for the Holidays on

Children are happy with their gifts at a past Feed a Child for the Holidays event

piness and joy we see on the faces of those children when we visit and time spent with them,” expressed Patrick.

Last year, the group focused on two children’s homes. This year they are reaching out to three: the Red Cross Convalescent Home, the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre (with the assistance of DIGICEL and their ambassador Christopher Barnwell), and the Sophia Care Centre.

Feed a Child for the Holidays enjoys lunch or snacks with the children and present them with gifts and other goodies. The group is also trying to collaborate with a new group or personality to expand their outreach work.

“The passion of giving comes naturally. It is fully realised when smiles are shared between Feed a Child and the children,” Keisha Assanah said.

“For me, it’s not just about giving back but knowing that you’re giving with a heart filled with kindness and love. Knowing that

you're able to play a part in putting a smile on a child’s face and that you're able to contribute to their happiest and development even in the smallest way possible. And what better time to do that than Christmas, a season filled with peace, love and goodwill,” Teisha Milner declared.

“I am extremely passionate about helping the less fortunate and atrisk youths. Not only at Christmas, but throughout the year, I do this through my involvement as a peer educator of voluntary school clubs and the volunteerism support platform.

Spreading cheer is embedded in me, it’s my happiness, it’s my good deed each day, it’s the reason I am as cheerful as I am, and it’s the fuel that propels me to want to be a part of this amazing activity of bringing smiles to the faces of children every Christmas,” Dionne Cush revealed.

Maren Oxford said: “It’s always better to give than to receive especially

Gifts to put smiles on children's faces

The humanitarians

at Christmas, since giving is the reason for the season. The smiles, cheers and laughter are heart-warming and ignite in you the desire to want to do more for them. It is for this reason that I hope Feed a Child can one day expand its wings to spread Christmas

ing with us this year). The response is always overwhelming. At Christmas, persons are always looking to participate in one goodwill activity or another.

As an already established group, Feed a Child for the Holidays provides that plat-

Sharing out goodies at a past party

Facebook, or call 687-5363 and 699-7704.

“We also would like to encourage more persons to take part in random and simple acts of kindness, not only at Christmas, but throughout the year,” Patrick encouraged.

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 13, 2015

Sunday Times Magazine 5

Times Women

U

S-based Guyanese Enna Morgan is a military girl turned model, designer and actress, who holds her Guyanese roots in high esteem, something she credits for the successes in her life.

Enna was born in La Penitence, and grew up between Agricola and Kitty.

Her travelling adventure began around the Caribbean and South America at age 16, but she kept returning to her homeland. She then left for Canada at 21, but again returned for several months.

Later, she migrated to the US at 21, to reside first in Los Angeles, then on to other states and countries.

In Guyana, she spent one year at South Georgetown Secondary School, three years at North Georgetown Secondary School, then Queen’s College for two years where she did GCE O' Levels. She also attended the Brazilian Cultural Centre for studies in Brazilian culture and language (Portuguese).

In the US, Enna attended The Art Institute of Seattle (Associate of Applied Arts in Fashion Design); the University of Washington for a Bachelors of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Arts (concentration in International Relations); and then a Master of Arts in Public Policy (minor in International Relations).

She also attended a variety of non-matriculated courses and programmes, which included arts, drama, military

An international fashion model

Some of Enna's stylish hats

and medicine.

In the US military, Enna was trained at the Academy of Health Sciences (Texas) in Laboratory Technology, and later at the Presidio (Monterey, California) in Arabic, then on to intelligence training.

“My first enlistment was in medicine, where I worked as a laboratory technician for three years. The second enlistment was in Military Intelligence for four years, where I worked as a linguist interrogator. What I learned in the military, was what I needed most - the beauty and benefit of family - never had much of that!” Enna disclosed in an interview with Times Sunday Magazine.

Enna was greatly influenced by her homeland’s festivities and gala events, with the colourful dresses, lights, and general merriment and dance. These events congealed the nation and during these times all differences were forgotten. The harmony of lights, colours and gaiety remained with her throughout her life. These inspired her to get involved in pageantry, modelling, acting and designing.

A staunch advocate for women, children and the under-represented, Enna has spent her lifetime being a voice for the unheard. This has been the reason for most of her travels around the world, especially her continued support and connection with the Navjeevan Centre in Mumbai India, where she

Enna Morgan

spent much time with the women and children of the

Red Light District.

Receiving numerous

awards throughout her life and appearing on international magazines’ covers, Enna has proven to be a resilient individual, which she credits to her Guyanese upbringing.

“I am Guyanese in heart, soul, body, and mind. Every aspect of my life, thoughts, and personality was shaped by my early life in Guyana. I sustained the transgressions because I am Guyanese; we are industrious and resilient people, and I survived the elements due to the solid foundation of the Guyanese ethics. I succeeded educationally because I am Guyanese, we are a nation that elevates academics above acquisitions, and that helps to establish the standards for one's efforts. I am successful in all my endeavours because I am Guyanese. I survived the odds in my life because I emphasised community above individualism. I am where I am today, standing in these shoes, because of a Guyanese upbringing, and that can never be denied or subordinated,” she expressed.

Enna recently designed a wonderful collection of hats, bags, and gloves – for the holiday season. The primary purpose of this collection is a fundraising effort to help defray the costs of being a Face of the Globe pageant finalist representing Guyana in April 2016. Face of the Globe is an annual international beauty pageant hosted in London.

“My future plan is to pursue film and TV acting, nothing more. This goal is a distillation of my curriculum vitae. I will always continue all the accompanying activities, such as blogging (travelinglite.co), dancing (argentine tango, west coast swing, belly dance, salsa and other Latin dances), travelling and studying cultures, and designing, as these are an integral part of who I am, but the ultimate and driving goal is acting for film and TV. I plan on returning to LA after the pageant in London and settling in for the long haul (getting into the big game is not an easy task),” Enna noted.

6 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 13, 2015

Times Book World

The Shaping of Guyanese Literature

The Guyana Prize winners II: Subraj Singh

they get to promote their work and themselves, and it creates that opportunity to get feedback from the audience and for you get to hear what they think of the work; and that helps you to go back, revisit the work, edit, modify and try it again. So it is very important for writers/ artists to display their work.

By Petamber Persaud

(Extract of interview with Subraj Singh in Georgetown, Guyana. December 2015)

T

he results of the 2014 edition of the Guyana Prize for Literature were announced Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015. Subraj Singh was the winner in the First Book of Fiction category with his manuscript “Rebelle and Other Stories”.

PP I have been working in literature, particularly in Guyanese Literature, for a long time: over two decades, and I am getting the feel that the literature-scape is changing.The change is noticeable.

In the previous outing of the Guyana Prize, there were four local writers winning in various categories. Four local resident Guyanese writers!

For the 2014 Guyana Prize [awarded in December 2015], you – Subraj Singh – have been crowned the winner in the First Book of Fiction Category; congratulations. But that is just one part of the success story; one part of your achievement in this competition.You have also become the youngest winner of the Prize….

SS Actually, I just found out that Ruel Johnson remains the youngest writer to win the Prize; this is according to a Kaieteur News article, which was confirmed

by Ruel on social media. This

Guyana Prize for Literature winners from left to right: Subraj Singh, Stanley Niamatali, Maggie Harris, David Dabydeen, Barbara Jenkins, Eddie Baugh and Al Creighton who received Harold A. Bascom’s awards in his absence.Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo (centre) presented the awards

means I’m the second youngest writer to have won the Prize….

PP Oh, thanks for the update…

SS But second youngest is still a big deal and I am so honoured.

PP Indeed. For a moment, let’s refer to my articles on the Prize where I have stated, time and again, that each writer on the shortlist has the potential to be named the winner. So indeed you are a winner; we may discuss the degrees and margins later.

I have not seen much of

your writing; even now, we do not have a book to showcase because your entry was in manuscript form…which was entertained by the committee managing the Prize and considered by the panel of judges.

SS I think that goes to show that there are many talented writers who have neither sought out the opportunity for publishing nor were granted the opportunity for publishing. I think having your book published is a big deal – but in Guyana, publishing is [a] complicated and complex issue. But there are talented people who, for one reason or the other, have not been published as yet –

and this does not mean that those works are not as good as the published ones.

PP Good point. Writers will always write whether the climate is right or not, in fact, some of the best writings come out of periods deemed to be not conducive.

The climate for publication is another concern because publishing is precarious business where the publisher thinks about making a profit on his/her investment.

Marketing a book is no easy job. Your book should not be too difficult to market now it is a big winner in the Prize. When you get around to marketing your published book, I will offer my help through my television programmes and my columns.

Still on marketing: during all my work on Guyanese Literature, I encourage young writers, emerging writers, please market yourself, meaning market you work – let the whole world know; now it’s easier to do this on the internet. One set-

back in sharing your work: your work may be so internalized or personalized that it is seemingly awkward to share, to share that what may be interpreted as your experiences. But that is the best place to write from.

I don’t know much of your writing so I will have to ask: where do you write from Subraj?

SS I think all writers write from a personal perspective; we were taught to write what we know and I think even if you write fantasy or surrealist literature, it always comes back to…the core of it is always something you know and familiar with.

Now about writers marketing themselves: I think it is very, very important for writers to share their writing, they need to let their friends read it, they need to let their families read it; they need to go to poetry events and storytelling events and promote the work because that is the only way they will get criticism – which is invaluable. That is the way

PP There are not too many opportunities in Guyana to display your work in print. There is the Guyana Annual, which I edit and which is marking its centenary this year – started December 1915. There is also the Arts Journal edited

by Ameena Gafoor. Writers ought to make use of what is available.

SS Absolutely.

PP You need to make use of any forum, any gathering which brings literature alive and there a quite a few – World Poetry Day, World Storytelling Day, World Book Day, the National Drama Festival….

SS The National Drama Festival is a truly spectacular literary event. And I think people forget that because when they think of drama, their thoughts are on what’s happening on stage, and not on the literature the writing which is the core of drama; you cannot do drama without that script – the writing of the play. Drama is very, very literary. And the Drama Festival is a very important literary event.

PP Excellent point. Let me stretch this point: drama is the best of both worlds – oral literature and written literature. (To be continued) Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@ yahoo.com

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 13, 2015

Sunday Times Magazine 7

Times Heritage

The steel band tradition

Roy Geddes at the Roy Geddes Steel Pan Museum, Georgetown.

An icon of Guyanese steel band, he began his love for the music form since the 1930s as a teenager. He has played for Casablanca, Tripoli and The Invaders in the past.

K

nown as “steel pan” in Trinidad,the country of its origin, steel band in Guyana is said to have become popular when in 1947, the Red Army, Trinidad's first steel pan band, visited the country, then known as British Guiana (B.G).

Just one year later, in 1948, the first B.G steel band competition was staged at the Georgetown Cricket Club.

Historians state that “The Casablanca, an eightpeace combo”, conducted by a “Big Bay Williams”, was the first steel band formed in British Guiana.

By the time of the 1948

competition there were three bands: Casablanca, Tripoli and St. James Surfers, competing.Soon, steel bands grew up not only in Georgetown, but also along the East Coast and Berbice.

Just seven years after the birth of the steel band in Guyana(British Guiana), the Steel Band Association was formed.

Later, during the Christmas season, steel bands became an extremely popular tradition on the colony. Between 1949 and 1957, Steel Band Tramps appeared on the streets.

These were carnival-like street dancing to steel band

music, which soon included costumed celebrations.

By 1953 there were some 20 bands playing in the colony, with names like “Quo Vadis”, “The Invaders” and “The Texans”.

Because of its unrestrained festivity, colonial authorities soon imposed restrictions on the route since businesses would often fall victim to widespread “looting and other acts of vandalism” that accompanied the revellers.

In 1958, steel bands welcomed British Princess Margaret upon her visit to the colony with a three-mile tramp along Main, Lamaha, Parade, Camp, Young and High streets in the capital.

Special steel band concerts were also performed during this period.

Not long after, the Steel Band Association entered a period of decline due to financial and administrative issues. As it became unable to continue organising and attracting support for its activities, many groups were disbanded.

However, many other bands managed to survive and thrive by organising and sustaining their own shows and concerts in the city and the countryside.

The large tramps however, ended their run by the end of the 60s.

Canal in Anna Regina circa 1905

“Kissing Bridge”, Botanical Gardens, Georgetown circa 1930

Enthusiastic competitors of the National Steel Band competition today

It wasn’t until after Independence that a national revival was sought.

In 1968, a competition was organised by the National History and Arts Council to display the talent of Guyanese steel bands.

There is no record of tramps being revived.

Instead, by the early 70s, “revellers or ‘trampers’ were not clad in costumes, but in t-shirts depicting the band they were following.”

Another accompanying tradition of “band-stripping” was also absent.

According to one local historian, in its heyday band-stripping involved “rival bands and revellers approaching an intersection

from different points. The first band to meet the intersection would be given the right of way, while the other band had to remain in one location playing at its very best to keep its followers and hopefully attract those of the other band.”

It often led to violent clashes which led colonial authorities to impose severe limits.

The following decade of the 80s saw state-sponsored and organised steel band competitions during the Mashramani celebrations rather than at Christmas.

They often competed in a more patriotic and “quieter” music genre.

For a while after, the

music scene for steel bands was more or less silent.

It would not be until 2009 that the steel band would see an improvement in its fate when the national steel band competition was resuscitated. It saw just four bands competing that year.

Sponsored now by a private corporate entity, persons began training in making, tuning and playing the steel bands. By the time the 2012 competition arrived, some 12 bands were taking part.

Today the event has become a calendar occasion, highly competitive especially among schools around the country.

8 Sunday Times Magazine

DECEMBER 13, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

Times Travel & Tourism Moco Moco

Splendid beauty of Moco Moco village (Photo by Matt Hallett)

M

oco Moco in Region Nine is a village at the foot of the Kanuku Mountains, home to the beautiful but endangered Harpy Eagle.

It is said that most of the areas down and around Moco Moco have been part

Traditional thatch-roof Amerindian house in Moco Moco

of a highly volcanic area a long time ago.

Persons with knowledge of lava rocks say there are lava flows and lava rocks all over, especially in the mountains.

With scattered traditional thatchroof homes, Moco Moco’s landscape offers a sanctuary for nature lovers.

View of the Kanuku Mountain from the village (Photo by Michael Hackett)

Dirt road into Moco Moco

Windmill in the village

A church in the village (Photo by Michael Hackett)

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 13, 2015

Sunday Times Magazine 9

Times Healthy Living

Gestational Diabetes

D

iabetes can be especially hard on women. The burden of diabetes on women is unique because the disease can affect both mothers and their unborn children.

The American Diabetes Association notes that during pregnancy – usually around the 24th week – many women develop gestational diabetes. A diagnosis of gestational diabetes doesn't mean that you had diabetes before you conceived, or that you will have diabetes after giving birth.

But it's important to follow your doctor's advice regarding blood glucose (blood sugar) levels while you're planning your pregnancy, so you and your baby both remain healthy Pregnant women who have never had diabetes before but who have high blood glucose (sugar) levels during pregnancy are said to have gestational diabetes. According to a 2014 analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the prevalence of gestational diabetes is as high as 9.2 per cent.

We don't know what causes gestational diabetes, but we have some clues.

The placenta supports the baby as it grows. Hormones from the placenta help the baby develop. But these hormones also block the action of the mother's insulin in her body. This problem is called insulin resistance.

baby is getting more energy than it needs to grow and develop, the extra energy is stored as fat.

This can lead to macrosomia, or a "fat" baby.

Babies with macrosomia face health problems of their own, including damage to their shoulders during birth. Because of the extra insulin made by the baby's pancreas, newborns may have very low blood glucose levels at birth and are also at higher risk for breathing problems. Babies with excess insulin become children who are at risk for obesity and adults who are at risk for type 2 diabetes.

Insulin resistance makes it hard for the mother's body to use insulin. She may need up to three times as much insulin.

Gestational diabetes starts when your body is not able to make and use all the insulin it needs for pregnancy. Without enough insulin, glucose cannot leave the blood and be changed to energy. Glucose builds up in the blood to high levels.

This is called hyperglycaemia.

Effect on baby

Gestational diabetes affects the mother in late pregnancy, after the baby's body has been formed, but while the baby is busy growing. Because of this, gestational diabetes does not cause the kinds of birth defects sometimes seen in babies whose mothers had diabetes before pregnancy.

However, untreated or poorly controlled gestational diabetes can hurt your baby. When you have gestational diabetes, your pancreas works overtime to produce insulin, but the insulin does not lower your blood glucose levels. Although insulin does not cross the placenta, glucose and other nutrients do.

Extra blood glucose goes through the placenta, giving the baby high blood glucose levels. This causes the baby's pancreas to make extra insulin to get rid of the blood glucose. Since the

Lower your risk for diabetes by losing weight

A

re you more than 20 per cent over your ideal body weight? Losing even a few pounds can help you avoid developing type 2 diabetes.

Making healthy food choices: Follow simple daily guidelines, like eating a variety of foods including fresh fruits and vegetables, limiting fat intake to 30 per cent or less of daily calories, and watching your portion size. Healthy eating habits can go a long way in preventing diabetes and other health problems.

Exercising: Regular exercise allows your body to use glucose without extra insulin. This helps combat insulin resistance and is what makes exercise helpful to people with diabetes. Never start an exercise program without checking with your doctor first.

Treating gestational diabetes

Because gestational diabetes can hurt you and your baby, you need to start treatment quickly.

Treatment for gestational diabetes aims to keep blood glucose levels equal to those of pregnant women who don't have gestational diabetes. Treatment for gestational diabetes always includes special meal plans and scheduled physical activity. It may also include daily blood glucose testing and insulin injections.

You will need help from your doctor, nurse educator, and other members of your health care team so that your treatment for gestational diabetes can be changed as needed. For you as the mother-to-be, treatment for gestational diabetes helps lower the risk of a caesarean section birth that very large babies may require.

Sticking with your treatment for gestational diabetes will give you a healthy pregnancy and birth, and may help your baby avoid future poor health.

While gestational diabetes is a cause for concern, the good news is that you and your health care team — your doctor, obstetrician, nurse educator, and dieti-

tian — work together to lower your high blood glucose levels. And with this help, you can turn your concern into a healthy pregnancy for you, and a healthy start for your baby.

Looking ahead

Gestational diabetes usually goes away after pregnancy. But once you've had gestational diabetes, your chances are 2 in

3 that it will return in future pregnancies. In a few women, however, pregnancy uncovers type 1 or type 2 diabetes. It is hard to tell whether these women have gestational diabetes or have just started showing their diabetes during pregnancy. These women will need to continue diabetes treatment after pregnancy.

Many women who have

gestational diabetes go on to develop type 2 diabetes years later. There seems to be a link between the tendency to have gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes both involve insulin resistance.

Certain basic lifestyle changes may help prevent diabetes after gestational diabetes.

10 Sunday Times Magazine Times Fashion

D

esigner Sonia Noel’s chic collection was a huge hit at the recently held Music Fashion Hair Barbados 2015.

The prestigious event brought talent from the Caribbean and UK to Barbados for an evening of fashion.

Anya Ayoung-Chee, Project Runway (American reality television fashion series) winner from Trinidad and Tobago, started the showcase with a stylishresort collection of flowered flowing dresses and jumpers.

Veteran Barbadian designer Ricky De Jude presented an edgy men's collection.

However, the highlight of the evening was Guyanese SoniaNoel’s collection. Simone Ward, one of the organizers of Music Fashion Hair Barbados 2015, said: “Sonia Noel continues to raise the bar for fashion in the Caribbean. She is truly an inspiration for Caribbean designers who aspire to make their mark in the Caribbean and

internationally. Her collection at the Music Fashion Hair Barbados Fashion Show at Spago Restaurant, Sugar Hill Estate was absolutely stunning!”

The white lattice pieces for men and women were stunning, but the black and white outfits were the evening’s hit. From cocktail dresses to the ultra-glamorous show-stopping final pieces worn by Project Runway model Akimie Worrell, Noel’s collection was the crowd’s favourite.

“I can only describe feeling like a queen in both her works of elegant, mesmerizing designs; however the show stopper was to die for.I felt like I was wearing the richest black and white design with details I have never seen,” expressed Worrell.

Noel’s designs created frenzy at the event, as media eagerly sought to interview the doyenne of fashion.

For more info on the designs featured this week, call 226-3099. (Photos

by Charles Phillips)

DECEMBER 13, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 13, 2015

Sunday Times Magazine 11

Star Times Hollywood

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yra Banks is an American model, television personality, talk show host, producer, author, actress, singer and business woman. She began her career as a model at age 15 and rose to fame, becoming the first African American woman on the covers of GQ and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, on which she appeared twice. She is one of the original Victoria's Secret Angels. By the early 2000s, Banks was one of the top-earning models in the world. Subsequently she moved onto television and film, known for her roles as Eve in Disney channel's “LifeSize” and Zoe in the box office hit “Coyote Ugly”. In 2003, Banks created and became the host of long-running reality television show “America's Next Top Model”. In 2010, she published a young adult novel titled “Modelland”, based on her life as a model which topped The New York Times Best Seller list in 2011. Banks is one of four African Americans and seven women to have repeatedly ranked among the world's most influential people by TIME magazine.

12 Sunday Times Magazine

DECEMBER 13, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

Times Hollywood

Kylie Jenner, Tyga keep distance on red carpet at Rihanna's Diamond Ball

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icki Minaj gave the world yet another engagement tease Dec. 9 by posting a photo of a giant diamond on her ring finger and sharing her love for Meek Mill. While it turned out to be a false alarm, HollywoodLife.com has exclusively learned she’s determined to be a 2016 bride.

She appeared to make an engagement announcement by flaunting a giant sparkler on her Instagram, but yet again, she turned out to just be teasing us. The “Anaconda” singer was sending out a glittery signal to Meek Mill, 28 that he better put a ring it for real, because she wants to be his Missus by this time next year.

“Nicki is giving Meek a huge hint with the diamond ring and wants him to pop the question this year. She wants to be married in 2016 but she isn’t engaged yet!” a source tells HollywoodLife.com. “He is well aware of the hints and will be getting the job done soon.”

When asked about the ring on her finger

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during her Billboard interview released Dec. 10, she said “Yeah. Meek gave me that.”

Does it mean she’s engaged?

“He and I are not engaged,” Nicki replied.

ylie Jenner and Tyga both attended Rihanna and The Clara Foundation's second annual Diamond Ball in El Lay on Thursday night, but completely kept their distance on the red carpet.

Posing separately, the 18-year-old was a standout in her nude August Getty Atelier gown. Kylie also pulled out longer extensions for the special occasion, along with a classic nude lip.

She must have had her boyfriend drooling, who by the way, chose a simple, slim-fitting suit for the step and repeat.

At least the rapper knows how to let his significant other shine… by not even posing with her.

Now people are asking if there might be trouble in paradise. (perezhilton)

Megan Fox urges parents to get kids off social media

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egan Fox is not a fan of social media and she wishes parents kept a closer eye on their children that use it.

"I think it's really toxic for our youth cul-

ture," Fox told ET on the set of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2”.

"There is a hierarchy in schools of who's the cool kid based on who has the most followers and who has the most likes. It's a really terrible message to wake up every day and have your kids going, 'Who liked my photo?' and 'Who's following me?'"

Fox says that she's seen firsthand the kind of destruction that can occur when kids put too much emphasis on their Internet followers.

"When I was on Twitter for five days, I would have 12- and 13-year-old kids going, 'If you don't follow me back, I am going to kill myself.' I was like this is [...] awful," the 29-year-old actress said. "Parents should pay attention to that and have your kids off of it. You're not ready for that [...] when you're a teenager. You need to be an adult before you can start messing around with that. It's irresponsible and it's dangerous," she said. (etonline)

British rocker Noel Gallagher says Adele's Music is ‘for grannies’

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oel Gallagher the former Oasis front man thinks Adele is for the elderly.

"If someone knows what I think of Adele, I'll [expletive] tell them," he tells

According to the musician, Adele is now part of a "sea of cheese" that the genre has "nosedived" into.

The British rocker's latest decree comes just weeks after he dissed Queen Adele the

The Telegraph in an interview published this week. "I just don't see what all the fuss is about. I don't like her music. I think it's music for [expletive] grannies."

As for the state of popular music, Noel says it's turned into something comparable to a lactose intolerant person's nightmare.

first time and said fame was "wasted" on her and other pop stars.

It's too bad all these musings from Noel will go unnoticed as Adele continues to bask in the success of 25. The album has already been certified 4x Platinum in the UK. (cosmopolitan)

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onnalli Seygall is an Indian model and actress who made her Bollywood debut in “Pyaar Ka Punchnama” (2011). The actress reprised her role in “Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2” and had a leading role in “Wedding Pullav”. She started participating in beauty pageants at a very young age and won several competitions and pageants in Kolkata. In 2006, she won the crown of Miss India International and represented India at the Miss International pageant. She was among the top 12 finalists in the international platform.

guyanatimesgy.com DECEMBER 13, 2015

Star Times Bollywood

Sunday Times Magazine 13

14 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 13, 2015

Times Bollywood

Twitter explodes over Salman Khan verdict

S

alman Khan walked free after the Bombay High Court acquitted him of all charges in the 2002 hit-and-run case, and the decision opened up a can of worms as far as the working of the Indian judiciary is concerned.

He might have been acquitted of all charges in the 2002 hit-and-run case by the Bombay High Court, but when it comes to Twitter, there's only one verdict: Guilty.

And it goes without saying, Twitter had a field day deciding exactly who was drunk the night the accident happened.

As far as receiving a clean chit on social media is concerned, Salman might as well have been a god and yet not received one. Over the course of the day, numerous people had numerous things to say about Khan. Twitter exploded with Salman Khan jokes the moment the ver-

dict in the case was announced.

Many expressed their disappointment with the verdict, others just pointed to the absurdity of the entire case.

Farhan Siddiqui @ Farrenhite tweeted, “ Salman Khan is a very accomplished driver. He took our whole judicial system for a ride.”

Kiran Chowdary @ Kiranvadlapatla wrote in

his tweet: “Bombay Court verdict proves India had a 'driverless' car much before Google invented one!” #SalmanVerdict No surprise that “Salman Khan memes” have already gone viral either, while Bollywood celebrities have begun commenting on the verdict.

Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan says he is happy for his fellow actor, while after an endless sabbati-

cal from the film industry, Nagma appeared on the Times Now Newshour debate and defended Khan and Bollywood celebrities.

“It is very unfortunate… why do stars really have to face this? Why is it only when it comes to stars this case is questioned? Any innocent man should get justice.”

Anupam Kher @ AnupamPkher in his tweet said, “So happy that @ BeingSalmanKhan is acquitted of all charges. Truth Prevails. Even if it takes 13 long years.”

Among the Twitteratti, Shobhaa De @DeShobhaa asked the burning question: “ If Salman didn't do it, who did? One dead person. Four injured. Surely, someone is guilty?”

CNN-IBN reports suggest that the Maharashtra government is likely to appeal against this order.

Jiah Khan suicide: Sooraj Pancholi charged with abetment

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n connection with a suicide case of Bollywood actress Jiah Khan, actor Sooraj Pancholi has reportedly appeared in the court.

TV reports suggest that court is likely to take cognizance of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) charge sheet in the Jiah Khan case. CBI has reportedly charged Sooraj with abetment to suicide in the case. Court has decided January 18 as the next hearing date in the case.

Meanwhile, it was recently revealed that Bollywood actor Pancholi, son of actor

Pancholi and could not take her calls, which was alleged to be a lie.

It alleged that later he received a call from Jiah In which there was again a heated exchange of words between the two. CBI alleged that he sent 10 messages to her in the night, which were abusive and accusatory in nature.

CBI has alleged that the three page note seized by Mumbai Police on June 10, 2013 was written by Jiah which narrated her intimate relationship, physical abuse and mental and phys-

Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahab, refused to be part of any scientific tests like polygraph or brain mapping which the agency wanted to conduct to get to the bottom of his alleged role in the incident, the sources said.

As per charge sheet of CBI, it is alleged that on the fateful day of June 3, 2013, when Jiah was found hanging by her mother at her residence, she had left the house of Sooraj Pancholi in the morning where they had been staying together for last two days.

CBI has alleged that there were heated exchanges of messages between Sooraj and Jiah at 10 PM in which she accused him of telling lies about his meeting with a common lady friend.

It is alleged that Jiah continuously messaged Sooraj which infuriated him so he deleted her BBM account from his mobile and switched off the phone at 10.20 PM. The charge sheet alleged that Jiah tried to make contact with Sooraj and visited his bungalow.

It claimed that she even called his cook but Sooraj asked him to convey that he was with his father Aditya

ical torture allegedly experienced at the hands of Sooraj which led to her suicide.

It alleged that the letter was not signed and even not addressed to Sooraj.

However, evidence on hand incriminates Sooraj only.

The charge sheet claims that according to experts the letter explains Jiah's mental status and circumstances behind her extreme step.

The board of forensic medicines opined death is suicidal in nature which corroborates post mortem done

by Mumbai doctors.

The charge sheet comes a fortnight after the sessions court here sought to know the status of CBI probe in the case after the Bombay High Court transferred it to them last year.

On November 18, Special Women's Court Judge A S Shende had noted that the probe agency (as per its earlier submission) had finished the investigations but "the charge sheet was still not filed."

In October 2013, Rabiya had moved the Bombay High Court alleging that Jiah, her daughter, had been murdered and sought a CBI probe which was granted. (zeenews)

Karisma to enter ‘Big Brother’ house with ex?

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ctress Karisma Kapoor married businessman Sanjay Kapur in 2003.

Unfortunately, few years later, the couple opted to separate. However, Karisma and Sanjay recently withdrew their divorce and planned to live together. And in a recent development, the couple has been approached for

the next season of the international reality show “Big Brother”.

There hasn't been an official announcement though from any of the two whether they have agreed to be a part of the show.

Until now, Shilpa Shetty is the only Indian to have been on “Big Brother”. She went on to win the 2007 season. (TOI)

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 13, 2015

Sunday Times Magazine

15

Times Trends

Trending Now

Star of the week

2015 trends for men

As we gear up for a new year and a new season, let’s look back on 2015’s biggest trends...

Chelsea boots took over. 2015’s street style galleries were awash with sandyhued suede boots (with buckled Jodhpurs, too), usually worn with distressed denim, biker jackets and wide-brimmed hats for a touch of je ne sais quoi

All-pink everything. 2015 received a fresh injection of soft, neutral hues – most strikingly with bright flourishes of pink. We’ve seen a whole lot of pink caps this year, while Gosha Rubchinskiy dropped a fuchsia-infused SS15 collection, Raf Simons’ cult Stan Smith sneakers appeared in soft blush and Supreme showed a particularly powerful pink-camo combo in its FW15 lookbook.

Grime went global. “I used to wear Gucci, I put it all in the bin ‘cos that’s not me,” spat Skepta on 2014’s grime banger “That’s Not Me.” Tracksuits and “shotta” waitpacks – essential parts of the grime uniform – popped up on streets the world over, while Drake and Travis Scott both discovered a peculiar new love for Stone Island, and Nike celebrated the 20th anniversary of the scene’s beloved Air Max 95 with a slew of reissues and special releases.

R Pin badge invasion. We saw tons of the things in 2015, which turned lapels, hats, bags and anything else into interactive canvases covered with everything from slogans and emojis to tiny depictions of rappers and sneakers.

obert Owen Perry Jr., born Sept. 22, 1996, is a young actor who loves life and faces challenges head-on. He will soon be seen in the local drama/thriller series “WHO?” Robert holds a diploma in Mechanical/Engineering from the Government Technical Institute, is an avid swimmer and a go-kart enthusiast. He draws inspiration in perfecting his acting skills from Hollywood drama/thriller series such as “The Originals”, “The Walking Dead”, “Arrow” and others. In “WHO?” which is scheduled to air in April 2016, Robert will be part of the main cast, playing the role of Owen Johnson. Besides acting, Roberts enjoys listening to music and playing his guitar. An interesting fact about Robert is that he is a self-taught guitarist. For the New Year, he plans on furthering his studies in engineering. For more information on the serial Robert will be part of, visit WHO? on Facebook.

16 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 13, 2015

Times Art

Lawanda Pillay

Lawanda showcases ingenuity with this centerpiece

Handmade decor

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or the holidays we tend to focus more on buying imported cards and gifts, because we want to give our best for the season – to such an extent that we don’t give buying local a second thought. Well, local artisan Lawanda Pillay is changing that.

With beautiful, festive handcrafted décor, gifts and cards, Pillay’s offerings will leave you breathless.

“When it comes to all the handy stuff, I would say it’s a natural talent I possess. I’m self-

taught, but I do have a formal education in interior designing, which I graduated with distinction from the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education. I also attended the Carnegie School of Home Economics where I did interior decoration.

Additionally, I attended the Adult Education Association, excelling in the Curtains and Draperies course. These are all considered ‘art’ related fields in which I specialize. I was also in the arts field when I attended St Stanislaus College,” Pillay said in

an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.

From a tender age Pillay stated she had a knack for making items by hand and drawing simple pictures, but it was only earlier this year that she decided to focus on it as a career. Her first exposure was at Wedding Expo 2015, where she decided to showcase her talent/ services and managed to “wow” patrons.

Now, Pillay invests much of her time and love in creating one-of-a-kind pieces through her company ‘Hats Off Sensational Custom Décor’.

She said she started the company to be an “independent woman”. According to Pillay, when she was a stay-at-home mom, her laptop was basically her companion. Most of her time was spent browsing the internet and researching. She then joined pinterest.com (a visual discovery tool that you can use to find ideas for all your projects and interest). On the site, she saw some amazing handcrafted items and fell in love with paper craft.

“I found myself becoming addicted to the site and started making samples pieces of my own. Of course they came out great, since I do have the natural ability. I realized that this is what I wanted to do with my life; this is what I should be doing. I have so much hidden talent and I needed to make use of it. That’s when I decided to start up my own little business and Hats Off

Sensational Custom Decor was born,” Pillay recollected.

Now the artisan offers custom-made cake/favour boxes, invitations and greeting cards, party bags and gift bags made from cardboard, customized guest books, seating and menu cards, drapery and valances. She also does interior decorating and designing services, whether it is a new home, office or just renovations. She adds a magical touch by incorporating her handmade décor, such as paper flower backdrops, which are currently being ordered for weddings and parties.

“The satisfying look on my customers’ faces after I’ve completed their items/jobs and they’re sincere sentiments are what keep me going. I spend hours researching and experimenting and the rest of it just come naturally. Come with any idea that you may have and once I can do it, I’ll make it a reality,” she noted.

Drawing inspiration from like-minded individuals and everyday life, Pillay hopes to expand her business once she has the financial resources and clientele. She currently works from home and only makes items

Inside one of the cards

upon request, but in the future she would like to have her own store, in which she would like to sell solely handmade items.

For the Christmas season, Pillay is offering party decorating services in the several themes, including Traditional, Nightmare before Christmas, and Masquerade Ball - of course these will include handmade decor items.

“I’m currently taking orders

for handmade Christmas cards and giving persons the options of personalising them with their own sentiments and/or photographs. I urge persons to support your own, support local businesses. We have so many talented persons in Guyana who offer unique and quality products and services,” she declared. Visit Hats Off Sensational Custom Décor on Facebook for more info.

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DECEMBER 13, 2015

Sunday Times Magazine 17

Times Tech

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The Apple LaserWriter series of yesteryear. Though Apple was involved in printers, the company basically discontinued its line of consumer printers after Steve Jobs’ return to Apple in the late 1990s

Tech BYTE

Christmas lights slow down Wi-Fi

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ll kinds of things slow down your Wi-Fi. Neighbours streaming Netflix, a flaky router, junior torrenting the Lord of the Rings Trilogy (the extended cuts, no less). But this holiday season, add another item to the checklist: Christmas lights.

Ofcom—the governmentapproved regulatory

Tech news

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n Apple patent application published Thursday last reveals research on efficient and cost-effective full colour 3D printing which, if marketed by Apple, would take rapid prototyping technology mainstream.

As published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Apple’s application for “Method and apparatus for three dimensional printing of coloured objects” describes a basic 3D printing machine capable of outputting multi-coloured structures.

While such printers exist, most are positioned as professional prototyping and industrial tools, with even “affordable” models costing as much as a well-appointed automobile.

It remains unclear if Apple intends to bring such an intricate device to market, but the patent language does contain references to home use, an example being the creation of toys.

authority for broadcasting and telecommunications in the United Kingdom​—just released an app that can check the strength of a WiFi network, along with some advice about beefing it up.

That includes watching for interference from other electrical signals including “fairy lights,” as Ofcom calls

them.

This isn’t exactly a new discovery. It’s widely accepted that interference from radio waves can mess with your Wi-Fi and claims that Christmas lights in particular are bad date back to at least 2006. The website thinkbroadband even has a video that teaches you how you can sniff out potential pain points by listening for interference with an AM radio.

Of course this doesn’t mean that your Christmas lights are necessarily to blame the next time your home internet hiccups, but if you’re getting up to reset your router, maybe try flipping off the tree as well.

(Popular Mechanics)

Samsung enters automotive electronics market

amsung Electronics announced Wednesday that it is entering the automotive electronic parts industry. The company made it clear that it will not be reentering the automobile industry.

An official statement released by the company stated, “For the time being, the team will focus on in-vehicle infotainment and self-driving technology so that it can have sufficient business capabilities within a short period of time.

Then, a number of projects will be in progress in cooperation with the other subsidiaries of the group in the fields of telematics, central information display, head-up display and many more”.

Samsung has business interests spread across different industries which include its Galaxy-branded smartphones, the largest Android OEM in the world as well as the largest semiconductor chip manufacturer.

It also has a unit called Samsung Heavy Industries, which happens to be one of

Tech BYTE

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the largest shipbuilders in the world alongside the likes of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries from Japan and Samsung’s fellow South Korean rivals Hyundai Heavy Industries and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Company.

The company becomes the latest in the line of prominent non-automotive companies to join the steady stream of technology giants like Google, Amazon and Apple, all of whom have taken a serious interest in the world of smart vehicles.

Samsung Electronics said

the automotive division led by Park Jong-hwan, who serves as executive vice president (EVP), will develop components to be used in smart cars.

Samsung plans to use its expertise in computer chip manufacturing and consumer displays. It will create a separate team tasked to develop entertainment, autonomous driving and satellite navigation components.

Some investors and analysts however, don’t rule out the possibility of Samsung eventually creating its own smart cars.

Amazon patents living room Holodeck

ugmented reality tech like Microsoft’s Hololens and the upcoming Magic Leap are undeniably cool, but they do have a downside. You have to wear some chunky thing on your face to use them.

That’s a problem it looks like Amazon might be out to solve. The web-commerce giant just patented two different technologies that could help bring holograms to the living room without the cumbersome specs.

The first, a patent for “object tracking in a 3-dimensional environment”, is all about being able to track movement in a room.

Unlike Microsoft’s Kinect, which sits atop a TV and just looks forward, the system Amazon outlines would be able to track the movement of a user’s hands throughout an entire room with as little as

Tech news

T

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, considered the “international face” of Samsung

Apple’s multicolour 3D printer patent application was first filed for in May 2014 and credits Geoffrey Stahl and Howard A. Miller as its inventors.

one ceiling mounted node.

Meanwhile, a patent for a “reflector-based depth mapping of a scene,”​pairs a single ceiling-mounted projector with a depth-sensing camera that sits on a table.

The two would theoretically pair to create glasses-free holograms you could control with your hands while sitting on the couch.

This is just a couple of patents, so there’s no

guarantee that Amazon would follow through on the tech, but it does align with some of the experiments the Everything Store has tried in the past.

It’s likely to be years before holograms are actually showing up in your living room (if they ever do at all), but cutting the bulky headsets out of the equation definitely makes it a cooler prospect.

(Popular Mechanics)

Japanese cars dominate safety ranking list for 2016 models

he (US) Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) on Thursday named 48 vehicles as recipients of its Top Safety Pick+ for earning good ratings in all five crashworthiness evaluations and an advanced or higher rating for front crash prevention.

CBS Boston noted that Japanese brands dominate the insurance industry’s rankings of the safest vehicles for the 2016 model year.

Toyota, Honda and Subaru had the most winners, with 23 combined. Volkswagen and its luxury brand, Audi, had seven winners. Volvo, Hyundai and Mazda each had multiple winners. The Chrysler 200 was the only American car to earn the Top Safety Pick Plus designation.

The baseline requirements for both awards are good ratings in the small overlap

The Toyota Scion iA earned a Top Safety Pick+ in the minicar category

front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraint tests, as well as a standard or optional front crash prevention system.

The 48 winners of the “plus” award have a superioror advanced-rated front crash prevention system with automatic braking capabilities. These vehicles

must stop or slow down without driver intervention before hitting a target in tests at 12 mph, 25 mph, or both.

An additional 13 models qualify for Top Safety Pick.

These include Kia, Mercedes and Ford models, which picked up one winner each.

Three Chevrolet models also earned wins.

18 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 13, 2015

Times Home & Cooking

Recipe of the Week

Displaying your

Holiday decorations and ornaments deserve special attention during the season.

Here are some tips for that perfect display at Christmas…

Ingredients

1 large sweet potato (about ¾ lb), peeled and cut into 1 in. chunks 1 lb pureed pumpkin, divided ½ cup grated or shredded cheese, divided ½ tsp. salt, divided ½ tsp. ground black pepper, divided 1 tbs. vegetable oil 1 large onion, chopped 2 large carrots, peeled and chopped ¾ lb. extra lean ground beef or minced chicken 1 tbs. all-purpose flour 1 tsp. garlic powder 1 cup beef broth

Method

Pick a theme (in this case it’s colour) and go with that for a professional looking display

Place potato chunks in medium saucepan. Cover with water; bring to a boil. Cook over mediumhigh heat for 10 to 15 mins or until tender; drain.

Return potatoes to saucepan; add 1 cup pumpkin, ¼ cup cheese, ¼ tsp. salt and ¼ tsp. pepper.

Beat with hand-held mixer until smooth. Cover.

Meanwhile, heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and carrots; cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 mins or until carrots begin to soften.

Stir in beef, flour, garlic powder and remaining ¼ teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally for 2 to 3 minutes or until mixture has thickened slightly.

Preheat broiler.

Spoon beef mixture into ungreased 9-inch-deep dish pie dish or other broiler-proof casserole dish (1 ½ to 2 quart). Spoon pumpkin/potato mixture evenly over beef filling, spreading gently.

Sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup cheese. Broil for 5 mins or until cheese is lightly browned.

Makes 8 servings.

GREATEST COOKING TIPS

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now when to buy a new frying pan or skillet. Do your scrambled eggs slide off the pan if you don’t use oil or butter? They should. Might be time for an upgrade.

Avoid glass cutting boards. They dull your knives. They’re slippery. And they’re hard to use. Use wood, bamboo or plastic instead.

Cool your food before putting it in the fridge or freezer. If you don’t, the temperature in the refrigerator will rise. And the only thing that benefits is mould.

Switch to metal measuring cups and spoons. Plastic warps over time, making them less precise.

Add focus with groups.

Christmas balls grouped together create a sophisticated focal point that can be displayed either indoors or out

R If you are displaying sentimental and valuable items behind glass doors for protection, decorate the cabinetry for a more festive look

HOME HELP

emove odours from your fridge by placing coffee grounds, new or used, in a bowl on a shelf. Replace them every two months for a fresh, slightly caffeinated smell.

Want to shine up your wood with a quick and easy home mixture? Never mind furniture polish. Grab some olive oil and lemon juice and mix them in a 2:1 ratio. Go over your wood surfaces with it and your furniture will shine.

Grab two buckets when it is time to clean your floors. Put clean water in one, and use the other to drain the dirty water into.

Otherwise you’re just wiping your floor with dirty water.

Pour boiling water down your drain every once in a while. This helps to push the oils from foods down the drain so that they don’t cake onto the insides of your pipes and cause clogs.

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 13, 2015

Sunday Times Magazine19

Family Times

PARENTING

Co-parenting at Christmas Christmas as a child of divorce y saddest “ memories of

M

JOKES Top ten things to say about a Christmas gift you don’t like 10. Hey! There’s a gift!

9. Well, well, well...

8. Boy, if I had not recently shot up 4 sizes that would’ve fit.

7. This is perfect for wearing around the yard.

6. Gosh. I hope this never catches fire! It is fire season though. There are lots of unexplained fires.

5. If the dog buries it, I’ll be furious!

4. I love it -- but I fear the jealousy it will inspire.

3. Sadly, tomorrow I enter the Witness Protection Program.

2. To think -- I got this the year I vowed to give all my gifts to charity.

And the Number One Thing to say about a Christmas gift you don’t like: “I really don’t deserve this!”

Christmas were seeing my mom cry when I left with my dad.” Joey, age 41 Like many children of divorce, Joey grew up with a divided Christmas. He remembers how he hated to see his mom fall apart when he was leaving for the holidays with his dad.

“I never felt like she was going to be OK while I was gone. Her tears would make me feel like I had to make her happy and that it was my fault she was sad. I couldn’t go and have fun with my dad; I felt guilty -that I should go back to take care of my mom and make sure she was OK. “As early as age 9, I thought I had to call my mom every day while I was with my dad to see if she was all right. I remember hearing her crying about how much

she missed me. I hated that.

It made me feel guilty, and I was so worried about her that I couldn’t have fun with my dad’s family.

“Looking back, I wish someone had told my mom to pull herself together and not place that kind of pressure on

me. Whether she was aware of it or not, she was making me responsible for her happiness.

I know my mom had friends; I wish she had made some plans with them, and then told me as I was leaving about the fun things she was going to do while I was away.

STORY TIME

The strawberry Reflections

The Christmas Grinch Dedicated to ruining the traditions of Christmas…

1. Jesus was actually born in a cave. According to the gospel of Luke, the shepherds that helped find shelter for Mary to give birth kept their flock in a cave. The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is built over the cave (dubbed “The Grotto of the Nativity”) where Jesus is believed to have been born.

2. Norwegian scientists have hypothesized that Rudolph’s red nose is probably the result of a parasitic infection of his respiratory system.

3. Most of Santa’s reindeer have male-sounding names, such as Blitzen, Comet, and Cupid.

However, male reindeers shed their antlers around Christmas, so the reindeer pulling Santa’s sleigh are likely not male, but female – or castrati.

4. Mistletoe (Viscum album) is from the Anglo-Saxon word misteltan, which means “little dung twig” because the plant spreads though bird droppings.

5. One kind of Christmas cake associated with Japan is a sponge cake that is ordered months in advance and eaten on Christmas Eve. Any cake that is not sold after the 25th is unwanted. For the same reason, single Japanese women over the age of 25 were called Christmas Cakes.

6. An artificial Christmas tree would have to be reused for more than 20 years to be “greener” than buying a fresh-cut tree annually.

7. Charles Dickens grew up during Europe’s “Little Ice Age” and hence it snowed for each of his first eight Christmases, influencing his writing – and today’s tradition of a “White Christmas”.

8. Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of December because of the Roman sun god and not the birth of Jesus.

9. “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” was originally a threat. The ever-popular song was originally sung, loudly and repeatedly, by crowds of rowdy, lowerclass servants demanding booze from their masters... or else. (I.e. “We won’t go until we get some!”)

10. Scrooge does not celebrate with the Cratchits.

While most cinema versions of “A Christmas Carol” show the reformed miser celebrating with his lower-class employee, in the book, Scrooge celebrates instead with his middle-class nephew.

Merry Christmas to those who observe it and Happy Holidays to everyone else!

The mental image of her sitting at home, crying, alone, and sad caused enough guilt to last more than my lifetime.”

If a divorce has rocked your world, it’s important for your child, and it’s important for you, that you not take the approach to handling your loneliness that Joey’s mother modelled.

Your children are not responsible for you – it is the other way around. To keep from placing a burden on their shoulders, make sure the image they have of you when they are with their other parent isn’t of you sitting at home, alone and sad.

Make intentional plans to take care of yourself and be a stable parent during the holidays – this will be a beautiful life-giving gift to yourself and to your children.

I shall pass through this life but once

T

here was once a man who was being chased by a ferocious tiger across a field. At the edge of the field there was a cliff. In order to escape the jaws of the tiger, the man caught hold of a vine and swung himself over the edge of the cliff.

Dangling down, he saw, to his dismay, there were more tigers on the ground below him! And, furthermore, two little mice were gnawing on the

vine to which he clung. He knew that at any moment he would fall to certain death.

That’s when he noticed a wild strawberry growing on the cliff wall.

Clutching the vine with one hand, he plucked the strawberry with the other and put it in his mouth.

He never before realized how sweet a strawberry could taste. (A Zen Tale from Japan)

I

Etienne de Grellet

Christmas words origins

By Grammar G

n the spirit of the season, we look at the origins of a few words popular at Xmas time…

In Old English, a gift was specifically a wedding dowry, but by the early Middle Ages its meaning had broadened to mean something given freely from one person to another.

It is said to have come down to English from the Proto-Indo-European root ghabh- “to give or receive”. The mid -13century saw it redefined as “that which is given” from various Scandinavian sources, including German Mitgift (dowry).

The verb gift: “bestow a gift”, is attested to from the 16th century. “Gift-wrap” appeared in 1928, from gift (n.) + wrap (n.).

I shall pass through this life but once Any good therefore that I can do, Or any kindness I can show, Let me do it now.

Let me not defer Or neglect it.

For I shall never pass this way again.

Poinsettias are the large, bright red “flowers” (the red parts are really leaves) popular at Christmas and native to Mexico and parts of Central America. They’re named after Joel Robert Poinsett, a former congressman and diplomat, who is credited with introducing the plant to the United States in the early 1800s. Its Mexican name is Nochebuena, while it was known by the Aztecs in their native Nahuatl language as cuetlaxochitl.

Rudolph may be the most famous of Santa’s reindeer.

The name is of Germanic origin Hrodulf, meaning “famous wolf”, and was once used by kings and rulers of early European history. It derived from the elements hrod

“fame” and wulf “wolf”.

From Middle French estincelle, meaning “spark, spangle”, comes the English tinsel (Middle English tineseile) that sparkly stuff we drape at Christmas. By the mid-15c., it was “a kind of cloth made with interwoven gold or silver thread”; by

the 1590s it meant “very thin sheets or strips of shiny metal”.

Incidentally, by the 1650s it also came to mean (figuratively) “anything showy with little real worth”. The nickname “Tinseltown” for Hollywood was first used in 1972.

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DECEMBER 13, 2015

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Times Sunday Puzzle

A spoonerism is a pair of words that can have the initial sounds switched to form new words. For example, churning bear is a spoonerism for burning chair (note that the pairs do not have to be spelled the same, only sound the same). From the definitions below, can you figure out the spoonerism pairs?

Thumper's cell phone - mis-named nerve Grizzly relative - two pin-lovers A quiz about a celebration - an irritating person that is never punctual A prideful diminutive insect - an ill-behaved sombrero see solution on page 23

see solution on page 23

see solution on page 23

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DECEMBER 13, 2015

Sunday Times Magazine 21

Times Kids

Creature Corner

GEOZONE

Whirlpools

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he Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus) is among the largest flying birds in the world. It can weigh up to 33 lbs (15 kg) and grow to four feet (1.2 m) tall. It possesses an enormous, 10.5 -foot (3.2-m) wingspan.

As its name suggests, the Andean Condor inhabits much of the Andes Mountain range, along the Pacific coast region of western South America. It also lives near other coasts with abundant ocean breezes, and even deserts with strong thermal air currents.

Because they are so heavy, they prefer to live in windy areas where they can glide on air currents with little effort.

The Andean Condor is a scavenger that eats mainly carrion (dead and decaying flesh). Like all vultures it has superb eyesight for spotting a meal as it soars over open lands.

It was placed on the Endangered Species List in 1973 and is in danger of becoming extinct due primarily to over hunting.Pesticide poisoning through the food chain has also hurt populations.

However, although it is said only a few thousand exist in the wild, due to repopulation efforts of many zoos, the Andean condor is finally beginning to make a comeback.

Colouring Fun

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

Every column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Every 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all please see solution on page 23

digits 1 through 9.

A

whirlpool is the general term for any swirling body of water. Scientists describe it as a rotating current of water which creates a characteristic vortex.

Whirlpools are commonly caused when opposing currents meet. If the currents are strong enough, they can start to wrap around each other, creating a spiral of rapidly swirling water.

Whirlpools can also be caused by winds, which may cause surface currents to switch direction.

Consistent whirlpools are sometimes caused by geographical features which determine the flow of water currents in a region.

They have also been linked to influencing climate change.

The Naruto Whirlpool, Japan

Most whirlpools are not nearly powerful enough to swallow ships, and many appear almost invisible, with the currents in the whirlpool moving below the surface of the water.

While large ships can often pass through a whirlpool without any major issue, small boats may become damaged or be thrown off course.

An especially powerful whirlpool is known as a maelstrom; one of the more notable maelstroms is the Moskstraumen, off the coast of Norway. Another notable whirlpool is the Naruto Whirlpool in Japan.

In 2011 there were reports of whirlpools off the coast of Guyana and Suriname where none had previously existed.

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DECEMBER 13, 2015

Limestone cave

Exploring the realms of history, science, nature and technology Water seeps into cracks in the limestone.

Helictite formation The cracks grow larger, forming passages.

Stalactite formation

Calcite deposits form on walls, floors and ceilings.

By Laurie Triefeldt

Underground river

Types of caves Solution caves are the most common type of cave and can be formed from many kinds of rock: dolomite, marble, gypsum and limestone. Thousands of years of rainwater trickling into the rock creates cracks that turn to tunnels that over time grow larger and larger — some develop into huge caverns with amazing rock and crystal formations.

Limestone caves are a type of solution cave; they are millions of years old. Limestone is a rock made from the skeletons and shells of ancient sea creatures Sea caves are formed by thousands of years of powerful waves eroding the rock. Some sea caves are entirely underwater and accessible only to deep-sea divers.

Lava tubes are a kind of cave shaped like a tunnel or worm hole.

They are created by molten rock (lava) from volcanic activity. The entrance to a lava tube is usually through a collapsed roof.

Ice caves form inside glaciers and icebergs, but the term can be used to describe any cave with ice formations.

Caves can be found all over the world.

Some caves are open to the public, while others are wild and untouched.

Sometimes called caverns, caves are natural hollows in the Earth, usually created by water or wind.

This old cave

Life in a cave

Caves take many thousands of years to form; some are 50 million years old. As long as a cave has water, it is considered living and ever-changing. A cave without water does not change and is considered dead. Some caves have areas with and without water.

Prehistoric humans sometimes lived in caves. Archaeologists have found many ancient artifacts and paintings in caves.

Scientists who study caves are called speleologists. Amateur cave explorers are called spelunkers; these adventurers enjoy testing their strength, skill and nerve while exploring caves.

Speleothems Limestone caves have rock formations called speleothems on the walls, floor and ceiling.

Stalactites hang like icicles from the ceiling, and stalagmites grow up from the ground. These formations are created by the mineral calcite, which has been deposited by seeping or dripping water over many centuries. Speleothems often have other minerals in them that make them different colors.

Sandstone caves were home to many ancient people. Sandstone is a soft rock that is easily eroded.

Lava tube

A variety of animals make caves their homes, Stalagmite some seasonally, others permanently. Bears, wildcats, raccoons and other small animals will nest and formation shelter in caves, but still spend much of their time outside. Animals who use caves on a temporary basis are called trogloxenes and are usually found near the entrances of caves.

Many species of bats live in caves. During the day huge colonies hang from the ceilings of dark caverns. Cave floors are often slippery with guano (bat droppings). As dusk approaches, they leave the cave in search of food. Bats are considered trogloxenes because they leave the cave to feed.

Animals that live in the darkest parts of a cave are called troglobites. Some salamanders, fish, insects and spiders are troglobites. Many of these animals are blind and have no pigmentation to their skin, appearing transparent.

Sometimes stalactites and stalagmites meet in the middle, forming a column.

A variety of bacteria, mold and fungi grow in caves.

Deep cave spider

Centipede Ice cave

Sandstone cave

Drip curtain formation

Most plants need sunlight to grow, but some plants, bacteria and fungi use the energy from decaying matter instead of light.

These can be found in the darkest of caves.

Cave cricket

Sea cave

Column

Tennessee cave salamander

Isopod Tiny shrimps, copepods, isopods and amphipods live in or near cave waters.

Copepod

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Sunday Times Magazine 23

World Times

‘Ladybeards’ the next viral trend Man's pants fall down while

W

receiving peace award

omen are donning beards in a new androgynous trend that's gripped social media.

But if you're thinking of sprouting your own facial fuzz ladies, you should know that the 'ladybeard' trend is all about using the hair you've already got.

From Reddit to Instagram to Twitter, social media is aflame with women using their lustrous locks to fashion a beard and moustache combo that many blokes - and Vikings - would covet.

And it all seems to have stemmed from a Reddit post from seven months ago which now has more than 100,000 views.

The post shown by Mirror UK and shared by user naughtynoivern shows the wondrous, luscious beards which ladies would wear, could they grow beards.

Then Imgur poster morihime said she was driven by a desire to “try something different with my hair ".

Emily Williams posting as Jacksonink wrote: “We're seriously making this happen.

Come on ladies. Let's see your ladybeard.”

Alligator kills man hiding from police

A

burglar suspect was killed and eaten by an alligator as he hid in a lake from police.

Matthew Riggins, 22, went missing after phoning his girlfriend to say officers were hunting him.

His body was found 10 days later in the water, guarded by the 11ft-long alligator in Brevard County, Florida.

The reptile was euthanized and a forensic examination identified Riggins’ hand and foot inside its stomach.

Bites were discovered along his legs and body that led investigators to determine he had been dragged

The euthanized alligator (Photo Brevard County Sheriff’s Office)

underwater by the massive animal.

Brain Teaser Answer Bunny phone - funny bone Polar bear - bowler pair A party test - a tardy pest A haughty gnat - a naughty hat

SUDOKU

KID SUDOKU

Investigators say Riggins drowned during the alligator attack.

County Sheriff Major Tod Goodyear said: “He probably went into the lake to hide from the officers and the dog, and came across that gator.

“To hide somewhere to try and get away, and then meeting up with an animal like that, no, I’ve never had that happen before.”

Riggins had told his girlfriend he planned to carry out a series of burglaries in Barefoot Bay with another man. The suspected accomplice has since been arrested.

Police searching the area after receiving reports of two suspicious men wearing black reported hearing "yelling" but could not determine the source that night, Goodyear said.

Local resident Chuck Stotes said: “I would say it’s poetic justice, you want to sit there and steal from people.”

T

he Mirror UK reports that human rights activist Ivan Zvonimir Cicak was left red faced after his trousers fell down just as he was receiving an important award from the Croatian president.

Cicak reached out to take the certificate from President Kolinda GrabarKitarovic when he lost con-

T

trol of his lower garments.

The head of the Croatian Helsinki Committee for Human Rights was photographed looking shamefaced as his slacks slumped around his ankles, before defiantly picking them up again and carrying on.

Luckily, Cicak's dignity was saved by the fact Grabar-Kitarovic was hold-

ing the large award in her hands, preventing anyone getting a glimpse of his underwear.The president showed no reaction other than a smile.

The award was presented to Cicak and the committee in Zagreb for their work ahead of international Human Rights Day, December 10.

Police arrest man for stealing mom’s stew

he Albuquerque Journal reports that 23-year-old Jonathan Ray wanted his mother's traditional New Mexican Christmas stew so much, he broke into her home and stole it.

The Albuquerque man was arrested recently after he ignored his mother's orders to stay away from her posole, and ran off with the holiday dish.

According to the news service, while the mother was parking her car in her garage, Ray sent her a text message saying he was hungry and wanted some of her posole but she told him no.

However, as soon as she walked into

her house, Ray ran in through the back door and went directly to the fridge. He grabbed the pot of stew and ran back out, according to the complaint.

“He opened the door and grabbed that big pot of posole I had made for my kids,” his mother said Monday. “He knew I had made it.”

She called police and Ray was arrested on a residential burglary charge. Police have been called to kick Ray out of the mom’s home before, according to the complaint. She told police he’s not welcome there.

“He needs help,” she said.

The Philonoist

Peace on Earth, goodwill among men Q: What is the ‘Christmas Truce of 1914’?

CROSSWORD

A

ccording to history.com, on Dec. 7, 1914, Pope Benedict XV suggested a pause of the war for the celebration of Christmas. The warring countries however, refused to create any official cease-fire, but that Christmas the soldiers in the trenches declared their own unofficial truce.

Starting on Christmas Eve 1914, many German and British troops sang Christmas carols to each other across the lines, and at certain points the Allied soldiers even reported hearing brass bands joining the Germans in their joyous singing.

At dawn on Christmas Day, some German soldiers emerged from their trenches and approached the Allied lines across no-man’s-land, calling out “Merry Christmas” in their enemies’ native tongues.

At first, the Allied soldiers feared it was a trick, but seeing the Germans unarmed they climbed out of their trenches and shook hands with the enemy soldiers. The men exchanged presents of cigarettes and plum pud-

British and German troops meeting in No-Man’s Land during the unofficial truce. (British troops from the Northumberland Hussars, 7th Division, Bridoux-Rouge Banc Sector) (Wikipedia photo)

dings and sang carols and songs.

There was even a documented case of soldiers from opposing sides playing a game of football.

Some soldiers used this short-lived ceasefire for the more sombre task of retrieving bodies of fellow combatants who had fallen within the no-man’s land.

The so-called Christmas Truce

of 1914 came only five months after the outbreak of war in Europe. It was never repeated.

Future attempts at holiday ceasefires were quashed by officers’ threats of disciplinary action, but it served as heartening proof, however brief, that beneath the brutal clash of weapons, the soldiers’ essential humanity endured, says history.com.

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Fun Times

Archie

Avoid arguments, even if you feel feisty and ready for a (March 21good fight. The end result will April 19) leave you in a no-win situation and force a change that you don't want or expect.

ARIES

You'll have a handle on TAURUS what will and what won't (April 20work for you. Indulge in social May 20) activities or entertainment in order to make new connections and win the approval of someone special.

GEMINI Keep an open mind, but (May 21- don't feel the need to make a June 20) decision until you are ready.

The changes going on around you will turn out better than anticipated.

Forge ahead with optimism.

You've got more going (June 21for you than you realize, and July 22) with a little push, you can turn a "maybe" into a "yes."

Speak up and make things happen.

CANCER

Dilbert

LEO Acceptance and modera(July 23- tion will be required to avoid Aug. 22) a loss. You cannot buy love, so put your money away and rely on your personality and charm to win approval.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

What's happened in the past will help you make a wise decision now. You can make personal and financial gains if you make certain adjustments. Romance is favored.

Be careful what you say LIBRA and how you deal with domes(Sept. 23tic situations. An unexpected Oct. 23) change will lead to uncertainty. Step back and let things settle down before you react.

Peanuts

Practicality will pay off, SCORPIO but don't give up on your inno(Oct. 24Nov. 22) vative ideas. It's your uniqueness that draws attention.

Love and romance coupled with travel plans look inviting.

It's time to cut your losses SAGITTARIUS so that you can begin to make (Nov. 23some gains. Let go of whoevDec. 21) er or whatever is holding you back or causing you grief.

Calvin and Hobbes

Make a contribution to CAPRICORN someone or something you be(Dec. 22lieve in.

Fixing up your resiJan. 19) dence or getting ready for the holiday season will ease your stress. Romance is encouraged.

Keeping a secret will not AQUARIUS be easy. Make a point to do (Jan. 20things differently or bring Feb. 19) about last-minute changes when no one is watching.

Home improvements will pay off.

Sign up to help a charPISCES (Feb. 20- ity or attend a fundraising March 20) event if you want to feel good.

Personal relationships will benefit if you do something romantic or offer a kind gesture.