Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony explains in an exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine how he connects with his children and the inspiration he received from his father.
GTSM: How many children do you have?
Dr Anthony: I have two daughters: Jessica Asmita Anthony, 18 years old, and Ashley Vinaya Anthony, 14 years old.
GTSM: When you were appointed as a government minister, how did you juggle time spent with your children and work?
Dr Anthony: It is a challenge to balance work with family time. Fortunately for me my family is very understanding. Shanti, my wife, and I have hectic schedules, nevertheless we do set aside time to help the children with their studies and drop them off for their sports or cultural activities. Ashley is involved in sports cycling and now she is into swimming. Jessica is more into dancing. Sometimes I think their engagements
are as busy as ours. Yet we always find ways of spending quality time together.
GTSM: As a father with teenage daughters, how are you able to get through to them concerning matters affecting them such as boyfriends or dating?
they have issues they can always discuss them with us. In the home, there are debates on various issues and they ensure that we know their opinions and perspectives. I think they have helped me to narrow the “generation gap” because they keep me up-to-date with the latest singers, songs, movies and fashion styles. This has also been useful in my work when dealing with young people.
GTSM: Regarding disciplining, how is this administered?
Dr Anthony: We have had very few occasions where we had to discipline our children. Usually it takes the form of a discussion on the offending behaviour and that we would not like to see a repetition. This has worked well. We are against hitting children, and we have never used this method to discipline them and I think, so far, they have done well.
Dr Frank Anthony and his family The Determination of a Father Designer wear
Dr Anthony: We believe in open discussions, and our children know that if
GTSM: What advice do you always give to your children?
Dr Anthony: I give them advice on many things. I think it is important that they are able to set goals and work to achieve them. That they should read widely, they should be socially engaged; that they must be active in the community and be involved in sports. Generally, they should have a balanced and well-meaning life.
GTSM: How did your father influence you?
Dr Anthony: My father inspired me to do better than he did in life. His advice was that anything could be accomplished; anything can be achieved once you work hard enough for it. That stuck with me.
GTSM: What's your advice to fathers in fulfilling their role?
Dr Anthony: You have to find time for your children; work with them and guide them to realize their full potential. Teach them the value of a good education. Teach them to have strong moral and ethical values. Teach them to have a passion for life. There is no better way to do this than by living the life you advocate. Happy Father’s Day to all fathers, and let us continue to inspire our children.
Although completely blind, Oliver Kerr has never allowed his disability to erode his role as a father. He works persistently in caring for his household and being an exceptional father to his daughter.
Kerr, 31, went completely blind at age 7. He told Guyana Times Sunday Magazine that one day while sitting at his gate, everything suddenly went dark. He knew that something terrible would happen to his eyes because of previous difficulties he had with his sight, but he could never imagine becoming blind.
“I use to wear glasses but no one locally knew what happened to my eyes. No doctor wanted to do an operation on the eyes because they said it was too tricky. I went to the U.S. and the doctors there told me it was a retinal detachment, a disorder of the eye in which the retina peels away from its underlying layer of support tissue. My mother told me it may have been caused by an old injury. When I was smaller a girl pelted a brick to my forehead and that may have been the reason for go-
ing blind,” he recalled.
Initially, when Kerr lost his sight, it was very difficult for him to adapt, but he credits his family for helping him through the process. He noted that their support was comforting.
Not allowing his blindness to deter him, Kerr went back to school, but was forced to leave because he could not follow in class. At that time, Kerr said, his family was not aware of any schools for the blind or the Society for the Blind, located on High Street. Kerr mostly spent his time home.
But it was there he developed necessary skills which would later help him to become a good father and husband.
Family
Three years ago, Kerr met and married his wife, who is fully sighted. Now Kerr is blessed with a oneyear-old daughter and spends most of his time caring for her.
“I love taking care of my only child and beautiful daughter. I sell food to make a living so I can provide for my family. I was into the
food business for years so it comes easily now. Also, my father allowed me to cook and do chores so this is nothing new. I never allowed my disability to get me down. Although life has its frustrating moments I still live life like a normal person. I pull my weight and don’t leave everything to my wife to do,” Kerr related.
The devoted dad pointed out that during his teenage years he took care of his nieces and nephews, so taking care of his daughter now comes naturally.
Lessons learnt from his father
He noted too that his father, who died 12 years ago, never treated him as if he were disabled. Kerr recalled that his father was very disheartened and even cried when he learnt that nothing could be done to correct his son’s vision.
But one great thing about his father, Kerr reflected, was that he allowed him to experience life and not view him as helpless.
“He was my number one supporter. He was always there for me. He taught me
to always be a father and to never forsake my responsibilities. I learnt that from him. He never left me, and was always there as a significant figure in my life. These lessons I’m applying in my role as a husband and father,” stated Kerr.
Doting dad
A few years back, during a workshop he had attended, Kerr reminisced, one question posed to him was if he could have his sight again what would he like to see. Kerr told them then that he would not like to see again because he did not want to go through the adapting process again.
But now, Kerr said, the only reason he would love to have his sight again is to see his daughter’s face. Nevertheless, he pictures what she may look like in his head and she is beautiful.
“I love spending time with her. When I’m out the house I just can’t wait to get back home so I can play with her. Although she’s very young, I try to instil the importance of an education. I would hold her little fingers and teach her how to count.
I even pray with her. I think about when she gets older that time I have with her now I will not get, so I try to spend as much time as I could. Although my sight is missing, she completes me,” the loving father said.
Kerr disclosed that it is frustrating not being able to provide enough for his family. Nonetheless, he works hard to acquire daily necessities. The caring husband said his wife works too and he ensures that meals are prepared and the home is kept clean before she arrives.
When asked the reason for his determination, Kerr declared that he always knew there is something for him out there to do. He never confined himself to his
house. With mental strength and resolve, Kerr continues to endure and never allows being blind to disable him.
“Those fathers with disabilities – don’t give up. Remember your role as a father even though you may have a disability and may want to push people away. Think about your family and your responsibility towards them. Push forward and take it one step at a time. For me, personally, I take life one day at a time and don’t think too much about what I don’t have; rather I focus on providing necessities for my family. It’s not as easy as it sounds but with determination, things will fall into place,” Kerr encouraged other fathers like himself.
Oliver Kerr
EntrEprEnEur VionEVE AmAdAlly
Massage therapist and entrepreneur
Vioneve Amadally is living the dream of owning her business that restores health using her healing hands.
Born in the North Rupununi, Vioneve, 27, left there at the age of 2 to live on the East Coast of Demerara. Moving closer to the capital city, Vioneve dreamt of opening her own business, and this she pursued relentlessly.
Having completed an international diploma in business from the University of Cambridge, Vioneve’s dream took her to Trinidad to seek employment. There, she was employed to work along with a physiotherapist. Clueless as to one day she would also be doing that type of restorative work, Vioneve work tirelessly in order to realise her dream. Working hand-in-hand with the physiotherapist, Vioneve became very intrigued with the therapeutic aspect of a massage and how greatly it aided those debilitated by pains.
Seeing the benefits of therapeutic massage, Vioneve pursued studies in the discipline at the Institute of Medical Education in Trinidad. Unfortunately for Vioneve, the institution did not offer a degree. Nevertheless, she completed her studies and eventually worked as a massage therapist in Trinidad, honing her skills there.
“I always wanted my own business. Seeing the benefits of massage and how it helped persons really propelled me to get into it. I wanted to come back to Guyana to offer this service. I worked in Trinidad for two years and came back to Guyana to work here. I
came back in February this year and opened my business, Vioneve Therapeutics Centre, in May. For me, I didn’t see it as making money but to help people who are stricken by pains. I enjoy being able to restore people’s health. Seeing how happy they are when they leave is a motivational factor for me,” Vioneve expressed in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine Vioneve Therapeutics Centre, located on Sheriff Street, offers a new dimension in massage therapy by providing therapeutic solutions for a variety of conditions. Each treatment is tailored to suit the individual client’s needs. Vioneve performs an initial evaluation of her client’s condition and designs a treatment plan catering to their specific needs. The massage therapist utilizes a combination of traditional and contemporary techniques to ensure ultimate benefits.
She offers therapeutic services for neck conditionswhip lash, stiff neck, cervical spondylosis (arthritis in the neck); back pain and back strains - muscle spasm; joint injuries- frozen shoulder, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome; poor circulation in the legs and feet; diabetic neuropathy; sports injuries - shin splints,- quads and hamstring strains; stress management and relaxation therapy.
“I’m committed to providing safe, effective therapeutic services tailored to achieve my clients’ wellness goals. I’m constantly researching data on massage therapy because I want to be adept within this fraternity. I plan on continuing my business studies and do a degree in massage, therapy. There are special
techniques to massage and if one doesn’t understand these they can damage instead of restore someone’s health, so I’m always keeping myself updated with information concerning this,” the entrepreneur declared.
Vioneve pointed out that to own a business is challenging and rewarding at the same time. The best part is fulfilling her dream to be a business owner and doing sometime she is passionate about. She credits her family and friends for helping her to make her dream come true. Vioneve feels empowered operating her own business, and is working tirelessly to make it one of the most successful massage therapy centres in Guyana.
Encouraging other young girls with similar dreams, Vioneve urged, “Savings is an important aspect in life. For me it really gave me a push to start my business, and I want to encourage other girls who have similar dreams to save. There’s one point in your life where partying and buying new things are what you like to do. I can relate to this, but growing up and knowing what my aim in life is, I worked hard and made sacrifices to fulfil it. I encourage every woman and young girl to pursue what they love, work hard, and they will be sure to see success.”
For more information on her work, visit Vioneve Therapeutics Centre on Facebook.
Vioneve Amadally
Vioneve (center) and her employees
The Shaping of guyaneSe LiTeraTure Kampta Karran 1956 – 2013
By PetamBer Persaud
Rev. Kampta Karran died one month after he was ordained as a minister of religion in the Lutheran Church. However his service to that religious body, started some twelve years ago, serving in various capacities and at various parishes, leaves a legacy that would be talked about for a long time to come; a legacy that is inspiring. So inspiring that there are commitments to continue many of the projects Karran initiated.
A month is too short a time to assess anyone’s worth, but the month as an ordained minister is the epitome of Karran’s life and work. In his last days, Karran, also a writer, was a fountain of ideas, especially with reference to the upcoming 270th anniversary of the Lutheran Church in Guyana.
It was revealed that his motto was encapsulated in the following words: “If it is doable, let’s get it done’. There was a certain urgency with which he carried out his functions.
Also in his last days, Karran took the church into the electronic (IT) age, tapping into the super highway of information and communication. One of his sons, in the eulogy, declared that his father's greatest achievement was service to God through his ordination as a
minister in the church.
Karran also achieved much in secular life. He started writing at primary school, encouraged by his teachers who also ensured he read widely and read the right types of books. This was very helpful in his formative years because it helped shape him.
Karran continued to follow the literary arts into to secondary school then the University of Guyana, where he found the academics were not writing and publishing as much as a tertiary institution ought to. It was about this time that he started a journal called Offerings. This journal offered another outlet to writers who felt their work may not be carried in existing journals. At that time there were many writers and few outlets.
That move led Karran to establish a poetry book prize mainly because he came into contact with many local writers who were disenchanted and who felt marginalized by The Guyana Prize, for Literature.
The Offerings Poetry Book Prize was a fine decision in that entries came from all parts of Guyana. (Through the years, several attempts were made by various individuals and organisations to elicit such a response but most of those efforts were only partially successful.)
Kampta Karran was a regular
visitor to my brother Sasenarine Persaud when my brother was living in Dennis Street, Campbellville.
I got to know Karran much more after I entered the Offering Poetry Book Prize and won. That was the Offerings fourth annual poetry book award in 1996. The winning package was a set of books, including many authored by Karran. The prize presentation took place in a dank room with leaking roof in the Parliament Building (he was then the Secretary of the Race relations Committee).
Thereafter we met more often to discuss the literature of this country. I remember how enthused Karran was when I invited him to appear on my television programmes, “Oral Tradition” and “Between the Lines”. That was way back in 2002, but his knowledge of the local literary scene and the literary scene in the Guyanese diaspora was prodigious. He was able to talk with authority on women writers and enablers like Lakshmi Kalicharran, Parvati Persaud-Edwards, Ada Debidin, Rosetta Kaladeen...
I’d like to remember Kampta Karran on the day we sat around the mausoleum in the Botanic Gardens for many hours preparing for the television interview. That day we went between the lines on Guyanese Literature using a poem by Sasenarine Persaud,
“Literature’s Whoredom”, as a point of departure. The poem was taken from “A Writer Like You”.
On the television programmes, Karran was also able to show how our writers locally ‘value’ us, writing from within. He was able to show how our writers in the diaspora ‘value’ us writing from a distance.
Karran went on to continue his studies in the UK, first at Birmingham University then at the University of Warwick. Here he continued to write and to publish the work of other writers. He teamed up with Cathy Perry to publish under the label ‘Writers without Border’ a collection of writings in English, Urdu and Kurdish titled “Griot”.
Later he was to team up with Lynne Macedo to compile “No Land, No Mother” essays on the work of David Dabydeen.
In 1991, he edited a significant source document titled, “An Introduction to the Poetry of the East Indian Diaspora” subtitled “A Celebration of Guyanese East Indian Poets 1901 – 1991”.
That anthology was divided into six sections: Patriotism, Estate, Protest, Nature, Culture and Children’s Perception. The book included works by established writers, emerging writers and littleknown writers.
In 2003, he published “Race and
Ethnicity in Guyana” a collection of essays on the subject written by authorities in the field like Prof Clive Thomas, Dr Iris Sukdeo, Judaman Seecoomar, Eusi Kwayana, Kenneth King, Vincent Alexander, Henry Jeffery, Andaiye, and Ravi Dev. Writer, editor, anthologist, sociologist, literary enabler and pastor, Kampta Karran has left a rich legacy in the shaping of Guyanese Literature.
Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com
Rev. Kampta Karran
Young ProfeSSionalS
Linton Shury Air Traffic Controller
By Vahnu Manikchand
Coming out of poverty, Linton Shury has proved that one can achieve one’s goal if one is determined enough and has the will to do so.
Generally raised by his brother, Shury always knew that he wanted to become a pilot, but the family’s economic status could not assure him this certainty. However, Shury did not let this dampen his ambitions.
Just before becoming a teenager, Shury began selling fruits to earn much needed money. From that little business venture, he was able to purchase his first “pedal cycle” which he used to travel further to sell. This gave him the little ‘push’ he needed as he embarked on his path of success.
Several years after, he joined what was then the Civil Aviation Department in 1995, and in 1996 he underwent training in aeronautical information service, aeronautical telecommunication service and aeronautical mobile service.
While working at CAD, now the called Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Shury drove a mini-bus in the afternoons to earn extra. He said that the two jobs were making ends meet for him. From this, he was able to build his house within a year.
By 2000, he had bought his first car which he worked in hire as a side job, apart from working in the traffic control tower at the airport.
Shury disclosed that after family members saw his determination and drive to become successful, they began to assist him. “They gave me all their work when they needed to go somewhere,” he recalled.
He disclosed that there was a course that would have allowed him to become a certified air traffic controller; however, he confessed, he did not take the course because he was not equipped at the time and was more interested in “hustling”. However about three years later, he did take the course and became an air traffic controller.
While working as an air traffic officer, Shury obtained contracts with several airlines to provide vehicles to staff and diplomats that came into the country. This, he noted had boosted him and afforded him to employ more vehicles since the “cash flow was constantly moving.”
After 18 years of being an air traffic controller, Shury is now on the verge of fulfilling his ultimate dream of becoming a pilot. He would be leaving for Miami, USA in a month’s time to undergo a ten-month training course on professional flights.
Shury explained that while he loves being an air traffic controller, it is not challenging for him anymore. “I moved from being an assistant controller to an air traffic controller, and now I am getting the opportunity to go into the field I actually wanted to be in.”
At 38, Shury foresees upon his return that he will be the owner of a commercial airline operating within Guyana.
The aspiring pilot recalled during his childhood days when his friends would get things that he could not have, he was motivated to work even harder to live a better life. “I used to see it as a stepping stone into becoming someone different and someone who can afford things for my family that I was not given.”
Shury’s advises young people who have dreams and aspirations but are facing financial constraints, to work hard and have the will to build their dreams.
“You must work on your dreams feverishly and be focused, because if you don’t then somebody will hire you to fulfil their dreams, and as you endeavour towards that direction, people out there will help you out if they see you pushing yourself.”
Star of the week
Twenty-two-year-old Christel Mittelholzer, originally from the West Coast of Berbice, is currently vying for the coveted Miss Guyana Jamzone 2013 crown. The beauty is a past student of the Berbice Educational Institute where she graduated top of her class. She thereafter attended New Amsterdam (Multilateral Senior) Secondary School, and then later graduated with a degree in Business Management. Blessed with both beauty and brains, Christel is presently an ACCA student at Cacique Inc. Her desire to become a finance mogul has influenced her ambitions to become an accountant or business consultant. The philanthropist, who has been involved in charitable work over the years, has a great desire to open a soup kitchen and homeless shelter. A free-spirited individual, Christel is familyoriented and enjoys spending quality time her friends. Her statuesque beauty, eloquence and debonair persona set her apart from the other contestants. Using her pageant’s platform, Christel wants to showcase that inner beauty complements outer beauty. The competition, focusing on tourism, furnishes Christel with the opportunity to highlight her country’s beauty, not only its landscape but also its people. In her leisure time, Christel enjoys outdoor activities and board games. To join Christel on her journey in the competition go to Christel Mittelholzer for Miss Guyana Jamzone 2013 on Facebook.
Wattled Jacana
Colouring Fun
The Wattled Jacana (Jacana jacana) is one of two species of Jacana birds. This particular species can be found from Panama in Central America through South America east of the Andes Mountains and in Trinidad in the Caribbean.
Also called the lily trotter, the jacana is a skilled swimmer and diver which, with its thin long beak, can feast in flooded fields or in canals filled with small fishes, insects and snails. Its toes and toenails distribute its weight over large areas to help it move across aquatic vegetation.
During the dry season, jacanas scavenge along rivers, oxbow lakes and irrigation ditches.
Male jacanas are the primary nest builders, incubators and caretakers. While jacana chicks are born precocial, meaning they can fully care for themselves, the father does keep a careful watch for up to two months, teaching them how to forage for bugs, snails, seeds and other food.
Did you know?
While some scientists call the other jacana bird, known as the Northern Jacana, a subspecies of the Wattled Jacana, other consider it an entirely different species.
Female jacanas are bigger and more dominant than males. After the female lays her first nest of four or so eggs, she finds more mates and lay more eggs. She will aggressively fight with marauding female competitors to both protect her male partners and ensure that she can keep laying eggs.
The objective of the game is to fill all the blank squares in a game with the correct numbers. Every row of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Every column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Every 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all digits 1 through 9.
MAZE DAZE
Help Dad find his tool box so he can fix his car
By Helen Driggs and Laurie Triefeldt
These brightly plumed wading birds are easily identified by their long necks and large, hooked bills. Their pink-and-orange color is the result of eating foods that are rich in carotenoid pigments (similar to carrots).
What is in a name
The root of the name “flamingo” is a bit of a mystery. Some scholars think the name is derived from the Latin word for “flame.” Another theory is that flamingo is from the Spanish word “flamenca,” which means “ruddy complexion” or “flesh-colored.”
The basics
There are six species of flamingos found in locations ranging from the Caribbean and South America to Africa, India and the Mediterranean. Each species has unique and special characteristics.
Habitats
Flamingos live in tropical and subtropical latitudes. They feed in large, shallow lakes or lagoons, such as tidal flats or mangrove swamps close to the sea.
Food for thought
Flamingos have some very odd eating habits. They stamp their webbed feet in the mud to stir up food underwater. Then the bird tips its head and bill upside down in the water and sucks water and mud through the front of its bill. The mud and silt are filtered out through tiny plates called lamellae (located on the sides of the bill). The process traps shrimp, plankton, algae and crustaceans.
Smaller flamingos, such as the lesser, James and Andean flamingos, have larger bills and stiff lamellae to filter fine particles from the water. They eat algae, cyanobacteria and hard-shelled, singlecelled plants.
Larger flamingos, such as the Caribbean, Chilean and greater flamingos, eat larger organisms, such as insects, invertebrates and small fish.
In captivity
Zoos and safari parks provide water habitats and feed their flamingos a special pellet diet with the nutrients needed to keep the birds healthy. The pellets also contain a pigment that promotes their beautiful color. Flamingos have an average life span in the wild of 20 to 30 years, but in captivity they have lived up to 50 years.
Flight
Depending on species, flamingo wingspans range from 3.3 to 5 feet (1 to 1.5 meters). They run to gather enough speed for takeoff.
American flamingos are the brightest, most colorful species of flamingo, with reds and pinks on their legs, bills and faces.
American Flamingo
P. ruber
Found in the Caribbean islands, Caribbean Mexico, Belize and the Galapagos Islands.
Height: 47 to 57 in.
(120 to 145 cm)
Weight: 4.9 to
Lesser Flamingo P. minor
From Africa (Great Rift Valley) to northwest India
The smallest of flamingos
Height: 31 to 35 in. (80 to 90 cm)
Weight: 2.6 to 6.0 lbs. (1.2 to 2.7 kg)
Chilean Flamingo
P. chilensis
Native to mostly southern regions of South America, including Uruguay, Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Chile.
Height: 43 to 51 in. (110 to 130 cm)
Weight: 5.5 to 7.7 lbs.
(2.5 to 3.5 kg)
The Chilean flamingo has great hearing, but its sense of smell is poorly developed.
Its wings (when stretched) are pink with black tips.
Classification
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Order Phoenicopteriformes
Family Phoenicopteridae
Genus Phoenicopterus or Phoenicoparrus
Like other water birds, flamingos have webbed feet.
An adult flamingo’s legs can be 30-50 inches long (longer than its body).
Behavior and breeding
Flamingos are very social birds, and live in large flocks or colonies (this helps the birds avoid predators). A typical flock is several dozen birds, while flocks of up to a million or more have been recorded. A flock of flamingos is called a “stand” or a “flamboyance.”
Flamingos don’t generally migrate, but climate or water changes may force them to move. High-altitude
Did you know?
Flamingo feathers range in color from pale pink to bright crimson, depending on the species and food sources.
Flamingos are one of the oldest species of birds, with fossil remains dating back 30 to 50 million years.
to
Andean
Flamingos are powerful fliers, reaching speeds up to 30 miles per hour. Height:
Flamingo P. andinus
Found in the Andes of Peru, Chile, Bolivia and Argentina.
populations will move to warmer regions in winter, returning in the spring to breed.
Many flamingos have elaborate mating rituals — dancing, preening and honking.
They build round, raised nests on mud flats, and the female lays just one egg (incubated by both parents). Some flamingos form strong pair bonds and will mate for life.
Flamingo chicks are born with gray, reddish or white plumage; it can take three years to reach their mature pink colors. Baby beaks are small and straight, but will curve as they mature.
Up to 12 days after hatching, both the male and female feed their chicks an exclusive diet of crop milk (a high-fat, high-protein substance produced in the upper
Weight: Up to 8.8 lbs. (4 kg)
Andean flamingos have a loud honking call that is similar to that of a goose.
The Andean flamingo is the most threatened of all flamingo species, and experts estimate that there are only 30,000 of the birds left in the wild.
It is the only flamingo species with yellow legs.
digestive tract).
Young birds begin to explore outside of the nest after four to seven days. They flock together with other chicks in large groups called “creches.”
James’ Flamingo P. jamesi
From the High Andes in Peru, Chile, Bolivia and Argentina. A close relative of the Andean flamingo.
Greater Flamingo
P. roseus
From Africa, southern Europe, and southern and southwestern Asia. This flamingo is the tallest and has the largest geographical distribution.
Height: 43-51 in. (110 to 130 cm)
Weight: 8.75 lbs. (4 kg)
‘Mariska’s
Man’ is the hottest and latest men’s wear label by Sonia Noel; the male counterpart to Noel’s recently launched collection ‘First Resort’.
The ‘Mariska’s Man’ collection caters to trendy men who possess a charisma, a confident elegance and moreover, a Caribbean essence. The tailored designs are appropriate for our sunny climate, and capture the designer’s signature latticing which celebrates breathing textiles in easy-to-wear silhouettes. The pieces are resplendent for a tropical look.
For the leading man, this collection will complement his persona, adds zest to his wardrobe, and is perfect for any occasion.
The urbane, contemporary collection was the highlight of the evening at the French Guiana Fashion Week held Saturday.
‘Mariska’s Man’ is currently available at Noel’s showroom located at 176 Barr Street, Kitty. For more information call 2263099.
Star Times Hollywood
Theo James is an English actor known for portraying Jed Harper in "Bedlam". In 2013, James was cast in the lead as detective and future New York City police commissioner Walter William Clark, Jr., in the CBS crime drama, "Golden Boy". James made his television debut in "A Passionate Woman", starring opposite Billie Piper. He played Turkish diplomat Kemal Pamuk in an episode of the first season of "Downton Abbey". He appeared in the 2012 adaptation of John Braine's "Room at the Top" playing Jack Wales. His film credits include "You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger", "Red Tails" and "The Domino Effect". His most notable role is of James, an obnoxious night club rep in "The Inbetweeners Movie". In 2011, James was chosen to play the character as David in the fourth installment of "Underworld: Awakening", released in 2012. In 2012 he also appeared in ITV's "Case Sensitive" starring Olivia Williams and Darren Boyd. It has been announced that he will play Four in the upcoming science fiction adventure film "Divergent" (2014). Outside his acting career, James is a singer and guitarist with the London-based band Shere Khan.
Kate Middleton reportedly wants hypno-birth
Pregnant Kate Middleton reportedly plans to have hypno-birth for the soon-to-be royal baby. Sources, close to the 31-year-old wife of Prince William, claim that she considers and fancies undergoing through labor with that method to help ease the pain normally feared by most first-time mothers.
"Kate has researched various birthing methods. She wants it to be natural, so hypno-birthing is one option that appealed and she had been reading up on it and listening to CDs to get into the right frame of mind,"
a source told the U.K.'s Grazia Magazine. "Some of her friends have used this method and swear by it. Kate wants to do it her way and be relaxed."
Another source confirmed the report to the mag, saying, "Kate's very excited about the idea of hypno-birth. She's exploring lots of options but thinks it sounds very interesting."
While a spokeswoman for the royal remains silent about the "private" matter, word has it that when the big day finally comes, the soon-to-be mom will be submerged in water in a birthing pool at St. Mary Hospital in Paddington, London, where her husband was born.
Jessica Alba was one of celebrities who went for hypno-birth. "It's not like a weird thing," she shared her experience during the delivery of her second child to Ellen DeGeneres. "It's basically my husband takes me through sort of a meditation. So he's like saying, 'You're relaxed and you're floating on clouds,' while you're going through labor and your contractions. He just sort of does a guided meditation."
"I'm just concentrating on breathing and staying relaxed because it's when you get tense that makes the whole labor worse and more painful. That's all it is." (AceShowbiz)
Miley Cyrus’ parents divorcing after 19 years of marriage
Billy Ray Cyrus is experiencing an achy break heart all over again.
Nearly three years after the country singer filed divorce papers then changed his mind, his wife Tish has decided to end their marriage.
"This is a personal matter and we are working to find a resolution that is in the best interest of our family. We ask that you respect our privacy at this time," she tells PEOPLE in a statement.
In a separate statement to PEOPLE, Billy Ray says, "This is a personal matter and we are doing what is in the best interest of our family. We ask that you respect our privacy at this time."
Tish is requesting primary physical and legal custody of their daughter, Noah, 13, with visitation for Billy Ray, according to the documents filed Thursday in L.A. Superior Court. Tish is also
seeking spousal support and wants the singer to cover her attorney's fees. The couple's date of separation is listed as "to be determined."
The pair's 19-year marriage comes to a rocky end after the pair nearly split in
2010 when Billy Ray filed for divorce. At the time, the couple released a joint statement, saying "We are trying to work through some personal matters. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers." (PEOPLE)
Taylor Swift: ‘My new fragrance embodies my personality’
She may be still looking for the man of her dreams, but when it comes to her latest project, Taylor Swift is all about reality.
Her new perfume ‘Taylor by Taylor Swift’ –out this June – represents the girl behind the music according the the superstar. “For me, it’s sort of who I am and embodies my personality and my style,” Swift told PEOPLE of her third fragrance at the Fragrance Foundations Awards in NYC.
Swift’s prior scents Wonderstruck and Wonderstruck Enchanted were more of a “day-dreamy, romantic kind-of departure, in a kind of a dream land,” she stated.
But just as her albums evolve, so do her fragrances. “There’s been sort of a progression between fantasy and reality, and I think this perfume just really follows that progression.” Swift explained. “It would take place in my dayto-day life if that makes sense.”
So when it comes to a man, does Swift prefer cologne or au natural?
“I’d just prefer them to be good people,” she said. “I’ll start with that.” (PEOPLE)
Selena Gomez welcomes new baby sister
Selena Gomez welcomed a new baby sister earlier this week after her mum, Mandy Teefey, gave birth in Los Angeles on Thursday.
The pop star's mum divorced Selena's father, Ricardo Gomez, when she was just five years old. She remarried in 2006.
Selena revealed the exciting family news on Mother's Day.
"Momma and Brian are finally letting me share the news...My mommy's carrying my baby brother or sister :) I'm the happiest girl in the world," she posted on Twitter.
She was snapped out with her pregnant mum at the Arc Light cinema in Hollywood, as the pair took time out to watch the new Great Gatsby film.
X Factor judge Demi Lovato led the celebrity congratulations on gaining a new sister, tweeting: "@selenagomez IS A BIG SISTER !!!!!! #CONGRATSELENA!!!![sic]"
Selena and her mother Mandy are thought to share a particularly strong bond as she raised the pop star as a working single mum.
"I remember my mom would run out of gas all of the time and we'd sit there and have to go through the car and get quarters and help her get gas because she never liked to ask my grandparents for money," Selena said.
"She was really strong around me. Having me at 16 had to have been a big responsibility. My mom gave up everything for me, had three jobs, supported me, sacrificed her life for me." (Glamour)
Richa Chadda is an Indian film and theatre actress. She made her debut with a critically acclaimed performance in "Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!" She is best known for her fiery portrayal of the character of Nagma in "Gangs of Wasseypur –Part 1’ and Part 2". Films based on the Wasseypur District of Dhanbad, Jharkhand, India. Richa began her career as a model and then she moved to theatre. She has performed plays touring in India and Pakistan. She won the Filmfare Best Actress (Critics) award in 2013. Richa’s next movie is "Tamanchey" in which she plays a glamorous role of an outlaw gangster girl. Richa has also worked with the acclaimed Academy Award Nominated Director Mira Nair in an international short film that includes the likes of Ben Kingsley in its cast. The movie will be released this year. Additionally, she is currently shooting for the Leela Bhansali's epic movie "Ram Leela", a Gujarati version of Romeo & Juliet. The film is likely to be released in late 2013. The actress has also been signed by Farhan Akhtar's Excel Entertainment for their upcoming movie "Fukrey", in which she plays the role of a female mafia don called Bholi Punjaban.
Shah Rukh and Gauri expecting their third child?
B-Town’s best kept secret is now out. With reports of Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan apparently having a third child through surrogacy, a B-Town insider reveals that extremely few were privy to the information which has now been leaked out.
The insider allegedly claims, “The baby is a boy, so Suhana will now have another brother after Aryan. It was entirely Gauri’s decision to go in for surrogacy.
SRK and Gauri consulted the same doctor that Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao went to for their baby Azad who, too, was born to a surrogate mother. Apparently Gauri was keen to have a third child. Aryan is 15 while Suhana is 13. Meanwhile quiet preparations are on in Mannat for the new arrival. (MidDay)
Aamir Khan: 'I told my son to get into cinema now'
Aamir Khan has revealed that he asked his son Junaid to experience the film industry.
The filmmaker's oldest child will be acting as Rajkumar Hirani's assistant director on the upcom-
ing ‘Peekay’. He told Hindustan Times: "It was my suggestion that he learns something about cinema and gets a new experience in life before he makes his choices. It will help him in the long
run.
"Let him discover it and tell us what he wants to do in the future. Once he has a little understanding of the craft, let him choose. It's too early to assume that he will end up in movies. It could be acting or directing; everything is going to be his choice. He is doing his B.Com now."
In April, the Ghajini actor said that he was surprised to have completed 25 years in Bollywood.
He is reportedly learning the Indian language Bhopuri for ‘Peekay’, which is set in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. (Digital Spy)
Varun Dhawan launches indoor roller-coaster
Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan’s ‘Deep Space’, said to be the country's first indoor roller- coaster, was launched Friday at the theme-based amusement park Adlabs Imagica in Khopoli, outside the city.
"It is an amazing ride. It is called Deep Space. It is India's first dark roller-coaster, which means that it is an indoor rollercoaster. Everything is indoors. There are stars and planets, which you can see around you. It goes at the speed of 86 km per hr. It goes totally upside down," Varun told IANS.
The actor, who made his acting debut with “Student Of The Year”, donned astronaut's costume and was seen persuading other people to try it with him at the launch.
The one-film-old actor said that on a free day, he won't mind coming to Imagica.
"I am 26, so I do what all 26-year-olds do. If I am free and have a holiday or something, I would definitely come here. I would come with all my friends. The reason that I have come here is because I want people to know that it is important. You don't have to always sit at home and watch TV. Get out to be adventurous, go hiking, come to theme park," he said.
But with other amusement parks being right in the city, what attracts him to Imagica?
"I think a lot has to do with the state of the art technology used in all the rides. Also, the food at Imagica is really good. It's also scenic and clean. There is a guarantee of all the rides being tests... it is really a good place," he said. (Times of India)
Madhuri Dixit happy to be back in Mumbai
Madhuri Dixit has said that it is a thrill to be back in Mumbai.
The actress has settled back in the city after living in Denver with her husband for several years after her wedding.
In an interview with The Hindustan Times, Dixit said: "They are two different kind of lives, so a com-
parison would be unfair, but I would say there is thrill here and serenity out there. Mumbai is like Manhattan. There's a certain pace, a social life and the thrill of a professional life.
"In Denver, I was a homebody, and that's a life I'd chosen with great happiness. I wanted that break from the arc lights and focus on building a lovely home, have some fun, look after my kids and do things that I had missed out on while pursuing my dream," she added.
The actress, who was a star of Indian cinema in the '80s and '90s, described her life as a housewife.
"Out there I had enrolled myself into a guitar class, I learnt driving and cooking, and I would go shopping to the neighbourhood vegetable market. We built a gourmet kitchen in our house in Denver. And I even had the time to indulge in small talk with my neighbours.
"At hindsight, it was so much fun! I guess life offers you opportunities to live your dream. We just have to accept what comes our
way and live those moments completely. You will not get back this time again, so live every moment you get," she explained.
Dixit is currently shooting for “Dedh Ishqiya” and “Gulab Gang” as well as shooting daily as a judge of the popular dance show “Jhalak Dikhla Ja”.
Describing her forthcoming film roles, Dixit said: "I play a strong woman in Gulab Gang. The movie is about women empowerment and women education. Basically, it's about a group of vigilantes who solve problems existing in society which are not particularly pertaining to women. In ‘Dedh Ishqiya’, my role is very vulnerable, of a very soft and different kind of a woman."
The actress said she has no plans to give up acting, adding: "Right now, I don't see myself giving up acting as this is an interesting time in cinema. Hindi cinema is celebrating actors of all age groups and giving opportunities to explore their talent in full splendour.” (Digital Spy)
When does your mental health become a problem?
One in four people are expected to experience a mental health problem, yet stigma and discrimination are still very common. Myths such as assuming mental illness is somehow down to a 'personal weakness' still exist.
How do we define mental health?
A person who is considered 'mentally healthy' is someone who can cope with the normal stresses of life and carry out the usual activities they need to in order to look after themselves; can realise their potential; and make a contribution to their community.
However, your mental health or sense of 'wellbeing' doesn't always stay the same and can change in response to circumstances and stages of life.
Everyone will go through periods when they feel emotions such as stress and grief, but symptoms of mental illnesses last longer than normal and are often not a reaction to daily events.
When these symptoms become severe enough to interfere with a person's ability to function, they may be considered to have a significant psychological or mental illness.
Someone with clinical depression, for example, will feel persistent and intense sadness, making them withdrawn and unmotivated. These symptoms usually develop over several weeks or months, although occasionally can come on much more rapidly.
Mental health problems are defined and classified to help experts refer people for the right care and treatment. The symptoms are grouped in two broad categories - neurotic and psychotic.
Neurotic conditions are
extreme forms of 'normal' emotional experiences such as depression, anxiety or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
Around one person in 10 experiences these mood disorders at any one time.
Psychotic symptoms affect around one in 100 and these interfere with a person's perception of reality, impairing their thoughts and judgments. Conditions include schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Mental illness is common, but fortunately most people recover or learn to live with the problem, especially if diagnosed early. What causes mental illness?
The exact cause of most mental illnesses is not known, but a combination of physical, psychological and environmental factors are thought to play a role.
Many mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder can run in families, which suggest a genetic link. Experts believe many mental illnesses are linked to abnormalities in several genes that predispose people to problems, but don't on their own directly cause them. So a person can inherit a susceptibility to a condition but may not go on to develop it.
Psychological risk factors that make a person more vulnerable include suffering, neglect, loss of a parent, or experiencing abuse.
Difficult life events can then trigger a mental illness in a person who is susceptible. These stressors include illness, divorce, death of a loved one, losing a job, substance abuse, social expectations and a dysfunctional family life.
When is someone thought to be mentally ill?
A mental illness cannot be 'tested' by checking blood or body fluids. Instead it is diagnosed, usually by an experienced psychiatrist or clinical psychologist, after studying a patient's symptoms and monitoring them over a period of time.
Many different mental illnesses can have overlapping symptoms, so it can be
difficult to tell the conditions apart.
To diagnose a mental health condition, psychiatrists in the UK may refer to the World Health Organisation's International Classification of Diseases (ICD) system. This lists known mental health problems and their symptoms under various sub-categories. It is updated around every 15 years.
Some experts argue that the current system relies
too strongly on medical approaches for mental health problems. They say it implies the roots of emotional distress are simply in brain abnormalities and underplay the social and psychological causes of distress. They argue that this leads to a reliance on antidepressants and anti-psychotic drugs despite known significant side-effects and poor evidence of their effectiveness. (BBC news)
Five steps to mental wellbeing
Evidence suggests there are five steps we can all take to improve our mental wellbeing.
If you approach them with an open mind and try them, you can judge the results yourself.
Connect. Connect with the people around you: your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. Spend time developing these relationships.
Be active. You don't have to go to the gym. Take a walk, go cycling or play a game of football. Find the activity that you enjoy, and make it a part of your life.
Keep learning. Learning new skills can give you a sense of achievement and a new confidence. So why not sign up for that cooking course, start learning to play a musical instrument, or figure out how to fix your bike?
Give to others. Even the smallest act can count, whether it's a smile, a thank you or a kind word. Larger acts, such as volunteering at your local community centre, can improve your mental wellbeing and help you build new social networks. Take notice. Be more aware of the present moment, including your feelings and thoughts, your body and the world around you. Some people call this awareness “mindfulness”, and it can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges.
Alzheimer’s Awareness
By : Hilary ramroop
Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that causes brain damage. Dementia is caused by brain damage or brain changes and consists of the loss of mental skills.
The Alzheimer’s Association defines Alzheimer’s disease as consisting of memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to affect daily life functions.
However, just because someone experiences memory loss does not mean that he/she has Alzheimer’s disease.
Unfortunately, there is no cure to Alzheimer’s but there are medications available which have been successful in reducing the symptoms of the disease.
Understanding Alzheimer’s along with its symptoms and causes can allow one to become aware of the dangers associated with Alzheimer’s especially if untreated.
Currently, there are roughly 35 million people worldwide affected by Alzheimer’s and related dementia. Alzheimer’s disease causes damage to nerve cells and brain tissue. This
damage results in the death of nerve cells and the loss of brain tissue and leads to the shrinkage of brain size.
The nerve cells of the hippocampus, the part of the brain in which short-term memories are formed, are among the first destroyed. As the nerve cells throughout different regions of the brain die, the abilities associated with the regions such as language and cognitive (thinking) skills become difficult and are eventually halted as the disease worsens.
The causes of Alzheimer’s are not yet fully understood but plaques and tangles are believed to cause this disease. Plaques are made up of proteins that come from the membrane surrounding nerve cells and when these nerve cells die, the plaque accumulates; the build-up of pieces of plaque blocks cell signalling and may activate an immune response that causes inflammation. Tangles are present in dead and dying nerve cells and consist of twisted strands of protein and block nutrients from passing through the nerve cells.
The majority of the people affected with Alzheimer’s are 65 years old and above. But, there are some people who are have Alzheimer’s and are much younger. The risk of developing Alzheimer’s may also depend on genetics and family history. Also, high blood pressure and high cholesterol may contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s.
The following are 10 warning signs listed by the Alzheimer’s Association:
1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life, especially recently learned information.
2. Challenges in planning or solving problems.
3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work, or at leisure.
4. Confusion with time or place.
5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships. Some examples include: having difficulty seeing, reading, or judging distance.
lems with words in speaking or writing. Examples include trouble joining a conversation or struggle with vocabulary.
7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps.
8. Decreased or poor judgment.
9. Withdrawal from work or social activities.
Alzheimer’s disease is fatal and should be taken very seriously. Alzheimer’s can impair numerous functions of the brain such as emotional behaviour, memory, language, perception and other intellectual skills. People with severe Alzheimer’s are not able to understand language and recognize their family members, and lose the ability to perform normal daily functions such as eating and bathing.
There are multiple tests that are used to determine if one has Alzheimer’s such as physical and neurological exams and tests regarding mental status. Consult with a doctor if any of the above-mentioned warning signs are experienced or noticed in a loved one.
Home & Cooking
The Man Cave
This Father’s Day, Home Designs takes a look at the celebrated “Man Cave”
– rooms designed and decorated exclusively for men. According to the dictionary, a Man Cave is a space that is specifically reserved for a male person, away from the rest of the household, in order to work, play and involve himself in his hobbies or activities. This area, which may be indoors or outdoors, is usually decorated by the male without any female influence.
Crispy baked chicken wings
Ingredients:
Buffalo Sauce
1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 cup hot pepper sauce
Ginger-Soy Glaze
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons soy sauce
3 large garlic cloves, crushed
1 2x1" piece of ginger, peeled, sliced
Wings
5 pounds chicken wings, tips removed, drumettes and flaps separated
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tbsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Method:
Buffalo Sauce
Mix first 4 ingredients in a medium bowl; let stand for 5 minutes. Whisk in hot sauce; keep warm.
Ginger-Soy Glaze
Bring all ingredients and 1/4 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring to dissolve honey. Reduce heat to low; simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced to 1/4 cup, 7–8 minutes. Strain into a medium bowl. Let sit for 15 minutes to thicken slightly.
Wings
Preheat oven to 400°. Set a wire rack inside each of 2 large rimmed baking sheets. Place all ingredients in a large bowl; toss to coat. Divide wings between prepared racks and spread out in a single layer.
Bake wings until cooked through and skin is crispy, 45–50 minutes.
Line another rimmed baking sheet with foil; top with a wire rack. Add half of wings to ginger-soy glaze and toss to evenly coat. Place wings in a single layer on prepared rack and bake until glaze is glossy and lightly caramelized, 8–10 minutes.
Toss remaining half of wings in Buffalo sauce. Serve immediately. (Makes about 60)
First rinse raisins, dates and figs in very cold water before putting them through the food chopper. They will not form such a gummy mass.
If you’d like to colour shredded coconut for toppings on cakes and desserts, simply put the coconut in a clean jar (only one half jar full at a time), add a few drops of food colouring in your choice of colour, then cap the jar and shake it until all the coconut is evenly tinted.
Baking bread? Do not preheat. When you light your oven, pop in the bread pans immediately and you’ll be amazed at the resulting lightness of the bread.
Use finely crushed potato chips as topping for baked dishes instead of bread crumbs which are so frequently used. The chips may be crushed in the package.
Greatest Cooking Tips Home Help
For books that got damp or are musty, sprinkle baking soda on the pages and allow time to air out. If there’s mildew on the paper you can rub the baking soda into the spots and lay out to bleach in the sun.
Add a few drops of vinegar to glue that has thickened up, this will soften the glue.
If windows are very dirty, wipe them first with a damp cloth. Then wipe again with a cloth dipped in methylated spirit. No polishing is required.
An ordinary paper plate, glued to the bottom of the paint can, is much more convenient than spreading newspapers which must be moved every time the can is shifted from one place to another.
When you crack a favourite dish or plate, put it in a pan of milk and boil it for 45 minutes. Not only will the crack usually disappear–the dish will actually become stronger.
Times Creative Writing
By Maureen raMpertaB
It was a bleak day in June – when it always rained incessantly- the wind was blowing cold and the exiled sun strived to offer its Shamita stepped fully out of the miniflicking her umbrella open to shelter from the heavy drizzle. It had rained all night as though the heavens had opened, but at the break of dawn it had eased to a driz zle.
“Thank you dear Lord,” she whispered.
Today was a day she had been planning for some now and she wanted nothing to ruin it. She walked to the pier, having memorized the directions her brother had given her. It was her first time here in this rural area since her departure twelve years ago when she was just six. As she neared, she saw the
boats moored alongside the pier of the black, expansive creek, and she smiled, budding excitement like a warm touch rising within her.
At six she had been a skinny little girl, not remembering much; just that day holding onto her mother’s skirt as they left their home in the riverain area. Her father had stood, watching them go, a grim look on his face, his clothes soiled with mud from the rice fields. She had kept turning back to look, wishing in her little heart, “Please, stop us from
But he just stood there, and as they reached the creek she could see him no more. She couldn’t understand the tears, the anger and the sadness that had plagued her mother’s and father’s lives, and she had cried as the creek, their home and her father were left behind.
“Yuh goin’ up de creek?” the first boat driver asked in Creole, bringing her back to the present.
“Yes.” She answered
“Aw right, two mo passenjah and we gan.”
She smiled and sat on an old, weatherworn bench to wait, questions somersaulting in her head.
“What am I going to find, are there family still there? Is Dad alive? Would he recognize me?”
It had been a long time since they had left home to a new life in the city, a new home and two years later, a new dad. Her father never came looking for them, and as the years went by, memories of her country life became dim, fading with time. She had tried to hold on, even though her father’s face retreated into the shadows. Her step dad was a good man and he rekindled in her mother’s life, happiness and peace. But on Father’s Day every year, her heart would call to the one who was a part of her. No answer she ever heard, silence like broken wings.
“One day,” she had promised herself, “I will go back home, I will be the bridge for this broken life.”
Today was that day, today was Father’s Day.
The boat driver called to her and she stepped onboard, her anxiety rising as she neared her old home. The landing at Garden’s Table was her stop. A skinny little girl had stepped off that landing, twelve years ago, and today she stepped back on, tall and beautifully defined.
She walked slowly towards the house, standing there in the distance old and worn, its beauty and grandeur scarred by time and loneliness. A fear of not knowing what she would find gripped her heart, and tears clouded her eyes.
Please,” she prayed, “let it be what I want it to be.”
She opened the wooden gate and walked up the brick path bordered on both sides by a flower garden; a garden that was no more a gardener’s paradise. She was halfway up the path when the door opened and an old lady greeted her warmly.
“Finally one of the children has returned. Welcome home,” she greeted.
“How do you know?” Shamita asked, surprised at the old woman’s recognition.
“It’s not hard to recognize family,” the old lady said. “You have your father’s eyes, his nose and that little cleft under his eye.”
She held out her arms to embrace the child she had known then, now grown into a young woman. Shamita hugged her, her father’s sister, a nice old lady with a refreshing scent of jasmine.
“I’m so happy you have come back, child,” she said, wiping away her tears. “He has been waiting every day since that day your mother left and took all of you away. Though not her fault, we all know.”
Shamita followed her to the back of the house, and surrounded by several bird cages filled with different species, her father sat: an old, grey man.
Time seemed to stand still for that moment as she looked at the man she hadn’t seen since she was six; just memories. She seemed to hear the drumming beats of her heart as she called out to him, “Dad?”
The old man turned and for a long moment he looked at her, then a light danced in his eyes.
“Shamita, my child, my child…” His voice broke and he rose, almost falling back down.
She ran to him and helped him up; tears flowing down her cheeks.
“I’ve come back home, dad.”
“I’ve waited so long,” he said, his voice hoarse with emotion. “God has finally forgiven my sins and answered my prayers.”
Some of the birds in the cages started to sing, and Shamita laughed. Her heart exulted. She was home again, her promise fulfilled.
“Happy Father’s Day, Dad.”
Poems
Father William
“You are old, Father William,” the young man said, “And your hair has become very white; And yet you incessantly stand on your head— Do you think, at your age, it is right?”
“In my youth,” Father William replied to his son, “I feared it might injure the brain; But now that I’m perfectly sure I have none, Why, I do it again and again.”
“You are old,” said the youth, “as I mentioned before, And have grown most uncommonly fat; Yet you turned a backsomersault in at the door— Pray, what is the reason of that?”
“In my youth,” said the sage, as he shook his gray locks, “I kept all my limbs very supple By the use of this ointment— one shilling the box— Allow me to sell you a couple.”
“You are old,” said the youth, “and your jaws are too weak For anything tougher than suet; Yet you finished the goose, with the bones and the beak: Pray, how did you manage to do it?”
“In my youth,” said his father, “I took to the law, And argued each case with my wife; And the muscular strength which it gave to my jaw Has lasted the rest of my life.”
“You are old,” said the youth; “one would hardly suppose That your eye was as steady as ever; Yet you balanced an eel on the end of your nose— What made you so awfully clever?”
“I have answered three questions, and that is enough,” Said his father, “don’t give yourself airs! Do you think I can listen all day to such stuff? Be off, or I’ll kick you down-stairs!”
Lewis
Carroll (“Alice in Wonderland”)
Maureen Rampertab
Apple Unveils iOS 7
Global Technology Inc., the only authorized reseller in Guyana, is pleased to announce that Apple® has unveiled the iOS 7, the most significant iOS update since the original iPhone®, featuring a stunning new user interface. iOS 7 is completely redesigned with subtle motion, an elegant colour palette and distinct, functional layers that make it feel more alive. The typography has been refined for a cleaner, simpler look, and the use of translucency and motion makes even simple tasks more engaging. iOS 7 has hundreds of great new features, including Control Center, Notification Center, improved Multitasking, AirDrop®, enhanced Photos, Safari®, Siri® and introduces iTunes Radio™, a free Internet radio service based on the music you listen to on iTunes®.
iOS 7 introduces Control Center. Now the controls you want to access quickly are all in one convenient place. With just one swipe from the bottom of your screen, you have access to controls for Airplane Mode, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or Do Not Disturb, and the ability to adjust screen brightness, pause or play a song, jump to the next track and stream your music with AirPlay®. Control Center also gives you instant access to apps such as Clock, Camera, Calculator and the Flashlight.
With iOS 7, Notification Center is now available from the Lock screen so you can see all your notifications with a simple swipe, and the new Today feature in Notification Center gives you an at-a-glance view of your day with a summary of the important details such as weather, traffic, meetings and events.
Completely Redesigned With Stunning User Interface and Great New Features
eos based on time and location. You can zoom out to see all your photos organized by Moments, Collections of Moments and Years. iOS 7 includes iCloud Photo Sharing, the easiest way to share just the photos you want with just the people you want. With iCloud® Photo Sharing, family and friends can contribute their own photos and videos to your shared photo streams, and the new Activity view displays updates from your shared streams all in one place.
ry, allowing teachers and parents to easily discover apps for children by age.
Additional new iOS 7 features include:
- a new Find My iPhone Activation Lock feature that requires your Apple ID and password before you can turn off Find My iPhone, erase data or re-activate a device after it’s been remotely erased;
- Night Mode in Maps that responds to ambient light when you use it in the dark;
- FaceTime® audio for high quality calls over a data network;
- Notification sync, so when you dismiss a notification on one device it is dismissed on all of your devices;
- Phone, FaceTime and Messages blocking to prevent specific people from being able to contact you;
“iOS 7 is the most significant iOS update since the original iPhone,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “To create it, we brought together a team with a broad range of expertise from design to engineering. With what we’ve been able to achieve together, we see iOS 7 as an exciting new beginning.”
“There is a profound and enduring beauty in simplicity, in clarity, in efficiency. True simplicity is derived from so much more than just the absence of clutter and ornamentation—it’s about bringing order to complexity,” said JonyIve, Apple’s senior vice president of Design. “iOS 7 is a clear representation of these goals. It has a whole new structure that is coherent and applied across the entire system.”
iOS 7 is completely redesigned with an entirely new user interface, but will be instantly familiar to the hundreds of millions of iPhone, iPad® and iPod touch® users around the world. The new interface actually makes your phone appear bigger because everything is designed to take advantage of the entire screen. The redesigned fonts look amazing on the Retina® display, creating even sharper text.
With improved Multitasking in iOS 7, developers have the ability to enable any app to multitask in the background with a
Safari’s redesigned user interface lets you see more of your content—starting with full-screen browsing. The new smart search field helps simplify searching, and there’s a new view for your bookmarks and your Safari tabs. With iCloud Keychain®, your passwords and credit card information are securely stored and available on all your devices, so navigating password protected sites or autofilling during transactions is simple and secure. Enhanced Parental Controls allow you to automatically block access to adult websites or only allow access to a specific set of permitted websites.
Siri sounds better than ever with new male and female voices and includes Twitter search integration, so you can ask Siri what people are saying on Twitter*. Siri also now has Wikipedia integration, providing access to the world’s most popular Internet reference site. Siri offers Bing web search within the app and the ability to change device settings and play back voicemail.
- TencentWeibo support for users in China, a Chinese-English bilingual dictionary, and improved Chinese input including handwriting recognition for multiple Chinese characters;
- the ability for businesses to more efficiently deploy and manage iPhones and iPads; and
- enhanced in-car integration, bringing an Apple designed experience into the car for the first time.
new API. Users have the ability to switch between their apps in a more visual and intuitive way, and iOS 7 pays attention to which apps you use most and automatically keeps your content up to date in the background.
AirDrop is an entirely new way to quickly and easily share content with people nearby. When you’ve got something you want to share, AirDrop shows you your contacts close by. Just select who you want to share with and AirDrop does the rest. AirDrop transfers are peer-to-peer so you can use it anywhere, without any network or set up required, and transfers are fully encrypted so your content is protected and private.
iPhones are used to take more photos around the world every day than any other camera, and with iOS 7 the new Camera app features filters so you can add real-time photo effects. The Camera app now includes a square camera option, and you can quickly and easily switch between your four cameras—video, photo, square and panorama— with just a swipe.
iOS 7 includes a redesigned Photos app that introduces Moments, a new way to automatically organize your photos and vid-
Tech News Focus
The Music app has a beautiful new design and includes the new iTunes Radio, a free Internet radio service featuring over 200 stations and an incredible catalog of music from the iTunes Store®, combined with features only iTunes can deliver. iTunes Radio is the best way to discover new music. When you tune into iTunes Radio on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac®, PC or Apple TV®, you’ll have access to stations inspired by the music you already listen to, Featured Stations curated by Apple and genre-focused stations that are personalized just for you. iTunes Radio evolves based on the music you play and download. The more you use iTunes Radio and iTunes, the more it knows what you like to listen to and the more personalized your experience becomes. iTunes Radio also gives you access to exclusive “first listen” premieres from top selling artists, Siri integration plus the ability to buy anything you hear with just one tap.
With over 900,000 apps, the App Store is the world’s largest app marketplace. iOS 7 now features Popular Apps Near Me, a new way to find apps based on your current location, and iOS 7 will automatically keep your apps up to date. The App Store also comes with a new Kids catego-
Microsoft Waits to Fix Your Software Bugs So the NSA Can Use Them First
In a move as fiendishly clever as it is galling, Microsoft tells the U.S. government about bugs in its notoriously buggy software before it fixes them so that intelligence agencies can use the vulnerabilities for the purposes of cyberspying.
"That information can be used to protect government computers and to access the computers of terrorists or military foes," sources tell Bloomberg's Michael Riley.
But still, the biggest software company on Earth is holding off on its blue-screen-of-death problems to turn them into real-life spy features, an impressive feat that will no doubt frustrate consumers: We are, after all, waiting for our computers to work so the nation's spy services — almost certainly including the National Security Agency, given its massive espionage umbrella — can take advantage of the problems with them first: their mistakes first.
That's just one of the many ways the U.S. government and tech companies work together in fiendish ways to more easily allow for complex surveillance, according to Bloomberg's in-depth report
In addition to handing over all U.S. phone-call metadata, telecoms give intelligence agencies access to facilities and data "offshore" so that they don't have to go through a judge to get permission.
McAfee "regularly cooperates" with the U.S. government, handing over all the information on hackers that its firewalls collect. The company, of course, insists that none of its data collection is personal: "We do not share any type of personal information with our government agency partners," McAfee said in a statement.
The iOS 7 beta software and SDK are available immediately for iOS Developer Program members at developer.apple.com. iOS 7 will be available as a free software update for iPhone 4 and later, iPad 2 and later, iPad mini and iPod touch (fifth generation) this fall. Some features may not be available on all products.
*US English, French and German will be available with the launch of iOS 7. Additional languages will be added over time.
Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad.
"U.S telecommunications, Internet, power companies and others" — so, like, everyone — detail how they systems work to U.S. intelligence officials so they can analyze potential vulnerabilities, both for safety and to use against foreign governments.
Technically, none of this Silicon Valley-aided espionage
takes place with "direct access" so much as through what Bloomberg describes as a "committing officer" who has immunity from lawsuits.
If it hasn't become extremely clear over the last week, the U.S. government is buddy-buddy with private technology companies. Not only do you have to give up your right to privacy; turns out, we don't even have the right to quick bug fixes. (Atlantic Wire)
In order for our young artists to sharpen their talents to follow in the footsteps of legendary Guyanese artists, platform and infrastructure must be provided.
This has been the mandate of the Upscale Poetry Night and its television programme “Verses and Flow”. In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Yaphet Jackman, a committee member of poetry night, stated that the Upscale Restaurant’s aim to showcase and highlight Guyana’s artistic talents resulted in establishing an event that did just so.
Jackman said that Upscale Poetry Night has been in existence for 11 years and the “response has been exponential.” He has seen a significant increase in poets and audiences over
Dabydeen at Upscale Poetry Night. Initially, some thought the event was only for the elite group and intellectuals, but as it became more popular this perception changed and we saw an influx of really talented artists at the event,” he recalled.
Jackman himself benefited from poetry night. As a young writer, Jackman kept his poems a secret. He loved being at poetry night which made him feel at home. Although he was not involved in any part of the event, Jackman knew it was something he wanted to be a part of.
“At that time things were stagnant. The audience didn’t grow neither did it diminish. I left Guyana in 2007 for St. Vincent. There I met with a friend who wanted to find some-
kept for months. I was told no one wanted to manage it. That’s when I decided I will take up its management. Incorporating the ideas I had, poetry night in Guyana grew immensely,” Jackman reminisced.
Initially, music, displays of local designers’ collections, dramatic pieces and live art were regular and anticipated features of poetry night. Poetry transitioned from its traditional structure to new-age spoken word.
“Upscale bled itself in financing the poetry night, but because of lack of sponsorship the live art aspect fell off, however it will be coming back soon. The musical element has grown, however. Almost all of the finalists in the GT&T Jingle and Song competition came through Upscale Poetry Night. Local bands such as Keep Your Day Job started at Upscale and are now sought-after groups. We really do play a strategic role in providing a forum for artists. We’re happy that we can provide the space, which is limited currently, for these ones to hone their talent,” he noted.
As a result of a revamped poetry night, poets have become even more serious and are looking at ways to improve their performances and knowledge in the craft of writing poetically.
Jackman is currently working assiduously in expanding the television programme and poetry night. He would like to see “Verses
the years. An aficionado of the arts, Jackman pointed out that the poetry night is a wholesome event with Guyanese content anyone can consume.
“The Upscale Poetry Night is very organic. It starts with an “open-mic” segment, where poets can share whatever they like. We have discovered very talented individuals through this segment. We’ve had many stalwarts of the arts such as Lady Hilda, Jerome Hope, Kojo McPherson, and famous poets such as Ian McDonald and David
thing entertaining. I suggested poetry because the spoken word is cool. He told me that it was done before but doesn’t know what happened to it. I told him we can re-work it and see what happens. We started our entertainment group, which exists in St. Vincent up to this day. We decided to expand this by including jazz and live art. When I saw the response over there I wanted to bring the idea to Guyana. When I returned in 2008, I went straight back to poetry night because I missed it a lot, but sadly heard it wasn’t
and Flow” being aired on other television stations. Right now it is only shown on TVG28 every Thursday and Sunday from 7:30 p.m. Additionally, shows are being planned for the Theatre Guild, National Culture Centre, and in various schools in all regions. Moreover, Jackman disclosed that his committee is currently planning a road show for Linden and Berbice. The focus is more on Berbice because of the wide viewership and popularity “Verses and Flow” enjoys there.
“We’re very popular, and there is a high demand to take the show there. I felt like a celebrity when I was up there. Everyone knew who I was and about “Verses and Flow”. I was also amazed at the reservoir of talent in Berbice. These people can compete with American talent. They’re polished and have great talent, and that is why we’re really pushing to get a team up there. They need infrastructure and exposure. Upscale can only do so much. What we need is an increase in sponsorship so we can help in sharpening these talents,” he urged. For its 10th anniversary, poetry night gave back to its community by visiting schools, holding workshops and motivational talks on the importance of understanding and expressing self. Education officers were astounded at impact this had on not just the students but also on the literature teachers. Jackman revealed that the passion and drive to teach the subject were miss-
ing. Nonetheless, the workshops taught new methods to help the students to love the subject and for teachers to rekindle their love for it.
Jackman hopes that with increased sponsorship they can do more of such outreach work frequently. He and his team would also like to work with the nursery schools so that a love for the arts can be installed at a very early stage. For more information on the poetry night and “Verses and Flow”, visit Upscale Poetry on Facebook.
Yaphet jackman presenting one of his poetic pieces
notable poet Kamadyah Yisrael reciting one of her dramatic poems
A packed and appreciative audience at Poetry night
The Berbice Industrial Exhibition of 1891
In light of the upcoming International Building Expo, Times Heritage takes a look back at another exhibition; one that was held more than 120 years ago called ‘The Berbice Industrial Exhibition’, of 1891.
The idea to hold an exhibition in New Amsterdam began with a letter dated April 12, 1890 in which the Committee of Correspondence of the Royal Agricultural Society offered $800 to the New Amsterdam town council for the purpose of holding an exhibition for the county’s artisans and farmers to present and sell their products.
After a series of meetings, January 28 and 29, 1891 were fixed for the date of the exhibition, and a com-
mittee selected for the planning and preparation of the event. A subscription list was opened and almost $1,000 was collected towards the event that soon included participants from all over the colony.
The occasion was then widely advertised throughout the country, and the various villages apprised of the event and what it entailed. During the course of the year, some 2,000 applications arrived for partaking in the exhibition. Because of this wide appeal, the Town Hall, which was the largest building in the town, was offered free of cost by what was then the Board of Superintendence of the town.
The exhibition, with a band in attendance, was
opened January 28, 1891 by His Excellency Lord Gormanston, and featured exhibits from all over the colony: from Mazaruni in the west to Orealla in the east. More than 3,000 persons were estimated to have attended the event, which lasted on average some 24 hours over the two days, with some of the opinion that it should have lasted longer.
Some of the exhibits included provisions, fruits and vegetables, sewing and decorative craftwork, including basket work and shoe making, and prepared food items such as jellies, preserved goods and cocoa. There were also crab oils, glues and honey on exhibit; carpentry and woodwork, cabinet making, jewellery, leather work and
coopering. A major disappointment for the organisers however, was the lack of participation from the rice-growing East Indian immigrants of Berbice and the participation of too few Georgetown artisans.
Prizes were also presented to numerous exhibitors by judges, some of whom came from as far as Georgetown to judge the products and produce, which were divided into classes. Fruits and vegetables were categorised as Class I, and, despite what was described as some poorly presented selections, the displays were considered generally good.
Class II was prepared food stuffs and included jams, jellies, preserves and coca. Rice was also offered a prize in the class
Preserving our heritage through pictures
but had few exhibitors, none of which were from East Indian planters. However, the Class III group, which included needlework, tailoring, basket work and shoemaking among others, featured numerous exhibitors and was considered the best class of the exhibition with its high standard of work. Class IV exhibits were of oils, glues and honey, with the crab oil prepared by the Orealla indigenous Indians described as being of exceptional quality.
Class V and VI were the general arts and manufacturing: cabinet making, coopering, carpentry, carving, jewellery etc. The few Georgetown exhibitors in this class were lauded along with some New Amsterdam participants for their exhib-
its. The final category was Class VII which featured sugar, rum, molasses etc, but had very few exhibitors. As a result of the first exhibition’s popularity, the New Amsterdam council tentatively planned another Berbice Industrial exhibition for August or September the following year.
SUDOKU KID SUDOKU
Municipal Market below the Town Hall, new Amsterdam, British Guiana nd
New Amsterdam, British Guiana nd
Tumatumari Landing c1908
Carahaa Landing camp is an exciting hammock camp located on the banks of the Burro Burro River, three miles from Surama Eco-Lodge in North Rupununi.
In a large clearing of the dense jungle, there is a large, open benab for hanging hammocks; a smaller adjacent benab has a table and cooking area where food is prepared over an open fire. It is a basic set-up but the permanent structure provides good shelter for anyone wishing to experience a night camping in the jungle without roughing it too much.
Staying overnight at the camp also allows visitors to experience night walks through the jungle, and late evening and very early morning canoe trips on the river, when the animals and birds are most active. For birding enthusiasts, it is a great location for spotting some of Guyana’s famed birds.
Carahaa Landing camp offers a great experience in the heart of the jungle. (Information by Kirk Smock)
A morning tour on the river
Beautiful sunset on the Burro Burro River
A canoe at Carahaa Landing camp (Photo by Jay Seedy)
Passing under fallen trees along the river (Photo by Jay Seedy)
Benab at the camp (Photo by Jay Seedy)
Times Last Laugh
By Melvin Durai
Hey, listen up. Here’s some important information. Researchers have discovered that men and women listen differently. Women listen with both sides of their brains, while men listen with just the right sides of their toes.
Well, not exactly. But the results would be the same. Men listen with mostly the left sides of their brains, according to a study by Dr. Joseph T. Lurito of Indiana University School of Medicine.
A female friend tried to tell me about this study a few weeks ago.
Friend: "Did you hear about the new study that shows that men and women listen differently?"
Me: "Huh? Did you say something? I saw your lips moving. You should know better than to speak to me while I’m concentrating on something important, like football."
Friend (shouting): "I said that men and women listen differently. We use both sides of our brains, you use just your left sides."
Me: "Hey, your lips were moving again. Do you have some kind of twitch? You had better get it checked out."
Friend (screaming): "I don’t have a twitch, you idiot. I said that men and women are different. We have a full brain and you apparently have only half a brain. Just ask Dr. Lurito."
Me: "A burrito? Yes, I would like a burrito. I’m really hungry..."
In the study, researchers measured the brain activity of 20 men and 20 women while the participants listened to taped excerpts from John Grisham’s novel "The Partner." The men used only the left side of their brains and were apparently thinking of just one thing: "I hope they aren’t going to test me on this."
The women used both sides of their brains and were apparently thinking of two
things: "What a thrilling novel" and "John Grisham is cute. I wonder if he’s single."
The study provides a good excuse for men:
Wife: "I thought I told you to stop the car and ask for directions. You keep driving in circles. Why aren’t you listening to me?"
Husband: "I’m sorry, honey, but I can listen with only half my brain. Since you’ve been speaking into my right ear, your words keep fading before they reach the left side of my brain."
Lurito says the study doesn’t necessarily mean that women are better listeners than men. Listening could in fact be harder for them. That’s why they need to use both sides of their brains.
But through personal experience, I know that women are definitely better listeners.
For example, here’s a telephone conversation between a female friend (let's call her Sandra) and I:
Sandra: "Hi Melvin. How are you?"
Me: "Great! Never felt better."
Sandra: "Are you sure? You don’t sound too good. Your tone of voice is one tenth of an octave lower than usual. And your words are coming out three percent slower. Something is obviously bothering you. Would you like to talk about it? I'm willing to listen until Christmas."
Now here’s a conversation with a male friend (let's call him Ramesh):
Ramesh: "Hi Melvin. How are you?"
Me: "OK, I guess, considering everything that’s happened to me."
Ramesh: "Great! Did you catch the basketball game last night? It was a thriller."
Me: "No, I was too busy picking up the pieces of my shattered life."
Ramesh: "Man, you missed a great game. The Lakers were awesome. Kobe was on fire. I told you to watch the game. Why don't you ever listen?"
Happy Father's Day!
Science lesson
Teacher: When is the boiling point reached?
Student: When my father sees my report card!
Good Dad
Son: For $20, I’ll be good. Dad: Oh, yeah? When I was your age, I was good for nothing.
Letter to Dad
Dear Dad, $chool i$ great. I’m making lot$ of friend$ and $tudying hard. I $imply can’t think of anything I need, $o ju$t $end me a card, a$ I would love to hear from you.
Love, Your $on Dear Son, I kNOw astroNOmy, ecoNOmics and oceaNOgraphy are eNOugh to keep even an hoNOur student busy. Do NOt forget that the pursuit of kNOwledge is a NOble task, and you can never study eNOugh.
Love, Dad
Dad-isms
10. When I was your age...
9. A little bit of dirt never hurt anyone.
8. Go ask your mother.
7. Were you raised in a barn?
6. You don’t know what hard work is!
5. It builds character.
4. Don’t make me stop this car!
3. You’re grounded ‘til you’re thirty.
2. Money doesn’t grow on trees.
1. Because I said so!
Silly Father's Day Limericks
Model Dad
"You're my model for life and success I take after you, Dad, you're the best And that credit is due Though I don't look like you. Should we get a paternity test?"
Shine
Among Dads, you're the best! And you shine In that role, one you clear ly define,
One we honour today
At this public display
Just make sure you don't drink all the wine.
Old daddy dearest Dad,
You've reached the age, I'm sad to say Your arms must hold the page away Your pants don't fit from yesteryear But with all that still I love you dear.
Things Dad Would Never Say
- “Can you turn up that music?”
- “Go ahead and take my truck. Here’s 50 bucks for gas.”
- “I LOVE your tattoo. We should both get new ones.”
-“Here, you take the remote.”
Helping your father
A clergyman walking down a country lane and sees a young farmer struggling
to load hay back onto a cart after it had fallen off.
"You look hot, my son," said the cleric, "why don't you rest a moment, and I'll give you a hand."
"No thanks," said the young man. "My father wouldn't like it."
"Don't be silly," the minister said. "Everyone is entitled to a break. Come and have a drink of water."
Again the young man protested that his father would be upset.
Losing his patience, the clergyman said, "Your father must be a real slave driver. Tell me where I can find him and I'll give him a piece of my mind!"
"Well," replied the young farmer, "he's under the load of hay."
Penny Trick
After tucking their three-year-old child Sammy in for bed one night, his parents heard sobbing coming from his room.
Rushing back in, they found him crying hysterically. He managed to tell them that he had swallowed a penny and he was sure he was going to die. No amount of talking was helping.
His father, in an attempt to calm him down, palmed a penny from his pocket and pretended to pull it from Sammy's ear. Sammy was delighted.
In a flash, he snatched it from his father's hand, swallowed, and then cheerfully demanded, "Do it again, Dad!"
Who will get the toy?
A man had won a toy at a raffle. He called his kids together to ask which one of them should have the present.
"Who is the most obedient?" he asked, "Who never talks back to mother? Who does everything she says?"
Three small resigned voices answered in unison: "Okay, dad, you get the toy."
