Guyana Times Sunday Magazine

Sunday July 19, 2015

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2 Times Sunday Magazine

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JULY 19, 2015

Times Feature

Eight-year-old, of Guyanese heritage, hailed as youngest child to write a chapter book in US history

A

naya Lee Willabus is today an eight-yearold author and visionary who enjoys reading and playing sports.

Anaya was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, where she resides with her Guyanese parents and two siblings.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Anaya’s mother, Dimple Willabus, known in Guyana by her maiden name Singh, who pioneered the first live TV late night music show “Rhythm Nation”, said that her Guyanese roots are entwined in her veins and the values instilled in her from

her Guyanese parents are what she passes on to her children.

Her husband shared his childhood between Berbice and Georgetown, and Dimple was born and raised in Lodge, Georgetown.

At the age of two, Anaya was taught to read by her father. Thereafter, she began to memorize books, demonstrating an acutely photographic memory. Anaya immerses herself in reading books of all genres throughout the year.

During the summer, she grew very fond of the summer reading initiative promoted by then Anaya's book is available at Austin's Book Store on Church Street

Assemblyman, Alan Maisel.

Maisel's “Summer Reading Program”, which her school supports, proved to be a motivational challenge, as each year she sought to surpass the previous year's book total.

Anaya reads in excess of 40 books during the summer. To maintain her comprehension skills, her parents challenged her to write detailed essays on many of the books she enjoyed and to illustrate her favourite part.

With such development, Anaya enjoyed writing and expressing her opinion of her findings and further build on her literacy skills.

“My upbringing was by well-rounded parents who were extremely serious about education and believe strongly in working hard. Those values were instilled in me and passed on to my children. As a parent, it is important to set a strong foundation for your children. My three children started off learning to read at around the age of two. This practice is contagious since a child will continue to follow whatever you teach. Anaya is and has always been an avid reader.

She reads more than four hours a day and will read more if given an opportunity,” Dimple revealed.

Although Anaya thoroughly enjoys reading, she believes that it is incredi-

bly important to have a balanced and fit lifestyle. She enjoys spending time playing her favourite sport, soccer (football). She also practices Shotokan Karate. In her free time, she plays with her dolls, goes to the park and spends time with her family. Anaya aspires to be a well-known author and teacher when she grows up.

Anaya's book, "The Day Mohan Found His Confidence", was written after her inaugural trip to her parents’ homeland, Guyana in April 2014. Upon her return, she started jotting notes from her visit, documenting cultural differences. Her composition of writings seemed worthy of her parents attention and was thereafter drafted on the computer.

For more than a year, Anaya's “writer's flow”, which happened at any time, continually developed into her first published chapter book.

When speaking with Anaya, Dimple emphasizes to her that this generation, while seemingly overwhelmed by technology, is full of children like her who still believe in the traditional ways of learning and entertainment - the reading and writing of a good book.

“Anaya is an exceptional child. She literally never walked, she ran!

Meaning, when my hus-

Anaya Lee Willabus

band was teaching her to walk at eight months old, she never wanted to walk she would try to take off running. Hence, when she was nine months old, she started to run and never stopped! Anaya does all the things little girls love to do: play with their dolls, eat ice cream and compete with her siblings on board games, and so on. Anaya is very competitive in everything that she does. She is also in the Gifted & Talented class in her school. Anaya loves to share and give back to others. She cannot wait to raise money to take books back to Guyana. Upon her visit last year, she saw how children live differently and she wants to donate books so that other children can create that passion for reading.

She also raised money two years in a row for her school

towards a donation for St Jude's Children's Hospital.

She was one of the five children that donated the most, she raised US$1, 010,” the devoted mother recalled of her daughter.

Anaya's book was published on May 30, 2015, and on June 9, 2015, she was recognized by the New York State Assembly for being the youngest child to write a chapter book in US history. She is also nominated for the youth cultural award in August 2015.

The young author has met the who’s who of New York’s state officials: council member from the 46th district, US, Alan Maisel, Roxanne Persaud, assemblywoman from the 59th district, US and Brooklyn Borough president, Eric Adams. continued on page 5

Avenue in U.S. named after notable Guyanese

A

section of Schenectady Avenue, Brooklyn, US, was, in 1995, renamed Dr. Wesley McDonald Holder Avenue in honour of the celebrated Guyanese immigrant.

The legislation of the name change was signed by former US Mayor Rudy Giuliani in 1995. Schenectady Avenue, between Lincoln Place and Park Place in Bedford-Stuyvesant, was renamed Dr. Wesley McDonald Holder Ave. Born June 24, 1898 in Buxton, British Guiana, Dr. Wesley McDonald Holder was known endearingly to family and friends as “Mc Holder”. He migrated to the United States in the 1920s, where he dedicated his life to addressing the injustices experienced by the disenfran-

chised.

He represented an exceptional cadre of Caribbean immigrants of the 20th century, working tirelessly, through community organizing and politics, advocating for civil rights while promoting black social consciousness. He was a pioneer in the struggle for civil rights, human rights and inclusion.

Known as “the Dean of Black Politics” during the early phase of his residency in the U.S., he became an active member of the Marcus Garvey Black Nationalist Movement, representing that organization in southern states to promote black pride and independence.

This resulted in his arrest and jail for protesting and denouncing the prejudice of the Ku Klux Klan, among

Dr. Wesley McDonald Holder

other activities.

These experiences only strengthened his resolve to continue his mission. He worked for many years as a news investigator for the Amsterdam News, a popular NY publication that fo-

cuses on African American issues. In addition, this versatile professional, politician and highly respected citizen, was a trained mathematician drawn to politics with a nationalist orientation.

Perhaps his Buxtonian roots explain such attributions.

He was a researcher in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office and founded a literary society and debating club for young people and black intellectuals.

As a “street smart” progressive democratic politician, he helped to launch the careers of many Brooklyn politicians. Other accomplishments include: organizing the campaign of Shirley Chisholm (also of Guyanese heritage), the nation’s first Black Congress woman; advised a number of black elected officials to the City Council, State Legislator, Congress and the Courts; in 1985, he was instrumental in rallying the Black Assembly district in Brooklyn in the election of Mayor Ed Koch; as a mentor to Mayor David Dinkins’ campaign, he played a key role in breaking the racial barriers to elective office; he was the engine behind the election campaigns

of many Brooklyn Democrats including Una Clarke, Roger Green, Priscilla Wooten and Ed Towns. His niece, Dr. Violet Stephenson, whom he mentored throughout her career, was the Medical Director of Bedford Stuyvesant Community Mental Health Center in Brooklyn, where she served the Caribbean American community.

Dr. Holder transitioned in 1993 and was memorialized by a number of public officials as a “giant among men… an icon to whom all of New York black officials owe a debt of gratitude”.

He truly exemplifies the heights of achievement in the Caribbean diaspora.

(Extracted from the Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. online magazine)

guyanatimesgy.com

JULY 19, 2015

Times Sunday Magazine

3

Times Feature

M

otivated by love for people, mortician Robin Moses finds satisfaction in helping prepare the dead for their final resting place, and is passing on his knowledge to other generations in his family.

“I was enticed to get into the mortician work by working at Guyana Funeral Parlour in 1985. I started off working as a carpenter,” 65-year-old Moses reminisced in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday

A family occupation

The mortician said he is now passing on his knowledge to his daughter, Oslyn Richards and his 16-yearold granddaughter, Seneva Moses.

Speaking with his granddaughter, Seneva said she has been working with her grandfather for two years.

It started when she was encouraged by her father to try something new during her August school holiday.

“My father suggest-

Robin Moses and his granddaughter Seneva

Magazine.

“One day the guys there asked me to assist them to lift the dead and put them into boxes. This started my interest in caring for the dead. At first I was scared, but the guys urged me to continue to learn about caring for the dead, and as I continued to work at the parlour I was taught what to do. As a result, I began to help out in that area. I then started off as a porter, transporting the bodies, and later to dressing the dead and the coffin. When Guyana Funeral Parlour closed, I got to know Mr. Sandy’s father who started Sandy’s Funeral Parlour and started working for him.”

Moses, who has been working for more than 36 years to help prepare the dead, recalled that he learnt a lot about his work from a mortician named June who worked with Sandy’s. He assisted her with dressing the dead and took every opportunity to learn what he could from her.

“I continued to work along with her and she encouraged me to take on the job seriously. She showed me how to treat the bodies and to prepare them. I started to work my way up to become a mortician. It was not easy because she was a strict teacher and would quickly correct me if I went wrong. Although she has resigned from Sandy’s I have to give her the credit; she was a good teacher. I am now the senior mortician at the parlour,” Moses stated.

ed I join my grandfather to learn what he was doing. So I came a day at Sandy’s and I observed how he worked with the bodies and I became very much interested.

Then I came back the next day and the next, and now I’m totally passionate about it. My friends would tell me to not touch them because they know I help my grandfather. But it never bothers me because I love doing it.

It has helped me to realise a lot about myself too: that I’m brave. I’m proud of myself and I hope one day I can get to pursue studies in this area.

When I love something I go for it, and I love doing this. I like dressing the dead, making them look good. I learnt a lot from my grandfather: how to do makeup, dressing the bodies and repairing the bodies to make them look good,” Seneva related.

She remembers her first experience, which she thought would have been “nasty”, but when her grandfather opened up the body Seneva said it was “normal” and that she “did not feel anyway different”.

Seneva, who recently wrote CSEC and is awaiting her results, plans to go on to sixth form and hopefully get a scholarship to study overseas to become a mortician or pathologist, and eventually return to her home country to work.

“I really love this line of work. My grandfather amazes me with what he can do; I look up to him as my role model. This is something you have to love because if you

don’t you won’t have the courage to do it. I don’t get any bad dreams or get certain images stuck in my dead. When I leave the parlour – that’s it I don’t remember anything; I just go on with my life. When persons thank us for what we have done for their loved ones it makes me feel accomplished,” she declared.

Satisfaction with his work

When asked the inevitable question if he had ever encounters anything spooky while working with the dead, Moses said he has “never witnessed any dead coming back to life, or getting bad dreams”.

He believes, however, that those dead individuals are there with him in spirit and so he treats them with respect and invests his time in making them look good.

The work he does on the bodies is applauded by many relatives who usually thank him for doing a job well done for their loved ones’ final goodbyes.

“When I see families’ reaction to their loved ones looking good that makes me happy. I always say not because they are dead means they got to look like they dead, they must look pleasant like they are still alive.

Even the decomposed I try to bring them back and make them look good.

"People would ask me how I can eat after dealing with the dead or if I sleep well. I don’t have any problems in those areas. All I have to do is ensure I’m properly clean before I eat," he remarked.

Moses declared that he will continue to be a mortician for as long as he can.

He loves what he does and that is why he is motivated to train younger persons so that they can take over when he has “gone to his final resting place”.

“I don’t know how long more I have on this earth so that’s why I’m teaching them all I know. I also try to pass on my knowledge to the porters at the parlour so that they can learn something different and not remain porters for the rest of their lives,” he mused.

“I started off as a porter, carrying the dead, and today I’m a mortician and I’m proud of it, thanks to the many elders who taught me. It’s an enjoyable job because you get to meet a lot of nice people and make a lot of friends. I also get to prepare these beloved ones for their final resting place. I treat them with love and respect, and take my time making them look good.”

Regulations

Being a mortician means upholding strict regulations in dealing with the dead.

Moses pointed out that he has a list of regulations he follows consistently when he is handling the dead. He said the Ministry of Health conducts regular inspections so

he has to ensure everything is being done as outlined.

Moses and those working with him have to be vaccinated, which helps them to be immune to diseases they could get from dealing with the bodies. Additionally, they all have to wear protective gear when handling the bodies, and keep the work area

sanitized.

When Sunday Magazine visited Moses’ work station in the parlour it was clean and odourless.

Many famous actors have worked with or in funeral homes. One such is comedian and actress Whoopi Goldberg, who won an Oscar for her portrayal of a psychic

in the film “Ghost”. Goldberg once worked in a funeral home “beautifying the dead”.

In an interview on “Oprah's Master Class” she mentioned that working in a funeral home can be tough, and it certainly is not for everyone. “It's a rough gig,” she said. “You have to be a certain kind of person.”

4

Times Sunday Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

JULY 19, 2015

Times Feature

Shane Cornelius displays a well-rounded personality that has helped him become a successful public servant in his region

S

hane Alexander Cornelius, an Arawak descendant, lends his voice to forward work in the development of Guyana’s indigenous people and appears a frontrunner for the upcoming toshaos elections in his village.

The 25-year-old hails from Karrau, a small Amerindian village in the lower part of the Mazaruni River, just opposite Bartica in Region Seven, Cuyuni/ Mazaruni.

A passionate individual with his work,he showed his potential since he was attending the Karrau Creek Primary School where he topped his class at the 2002 Common Entrance Exams. He was awarded a Government Hinterland Scholarship through the then Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. He attended the Bartica Secondary School, where he topped the school in the National Third Form exams as well as the CSEC exams.

Cornelius wrote nine subjects at CSEC, gaining six grade ones with three distinctions in Mathematics, Principles of Accounts and Office Administration. He graduated from Bartica Secondary School as Best Graduating Student of 2007 and Best Graduating

2007, Cornelius went on to the University of Guyana (UG), compliments of a Public Service Ministry Scholarship, to further his studies. There he pursued a degree in Computer Science and graduated November 2012.

In April 2012, at the local village elections for Amerindian villages, Cornelius was elected deputy toshao of Karrau village, a position he readily and happily accepted since his focus was to give back to his village through any means

Cuthbert’s and, more recently, Kaburi Village, where Cornelius and youths visited these villages to learn about their fellow indigenous people’s way of life through sports.

Cornelius also lobbied to the then Amerindian Affairs ministry for his village to be the National Heritage Day Village. In September 2014, after a period of 13 years, National Heritage Day celebrations returned to Region Seven and moreso, to his village where the celebrations were successfully held.

Cornelius stated in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.

More recently, Cornelius was elected a Regional Councillor of Region Seven to serve on the Regional Democratic Council for the next five years, contributing to the development of his region so that it can truly realise its potential.

Cornelius’s plans for his village in the next three years are for the formation and implementation of appropriate village rules. The opening and functioning

Shane Cornelius

Business student. He was also the top student coming out from Region Seven that

year.

Having finished his secondary education in July

Cornelius, (left) with a cricket teammate, celebrate their victory at a past game

possible.

He has been part of the Karrau Village Council for more than three years now and has been afforded the opportunity to attend numerous workshops, even representing his village at the national level.

Cornelius has received training in areas such as the Amerindian Act, Low Carbon Development Strategy, climate change, forestry and EU-FLEGT, mining, dispute resolutions, land titling and demarcation, business management, marketing, solar electrification among many others.

For the past three years, he has been the captain of the male cricket team and chief sports and youth organiser in his village.

Cornelius has lobbied for youths to be exposed to other Amerindian villages and way of life.

In this regard, the youths of Karrau have had exchanged visits with Mainstay/Wyaka Village, St

Cornelius said it was one of the biggest and most important days of his village’s history, and the village gained national recognition.

In the latter part of 2014, out of only 20 persons nationwide, Cornelius won a National Youth Award for his contributions in volunteerism in his community; the only person from Region Seven to be given this award.

In July 2014, Cornelius signed a nine-month contract with the then Ministry of Amerindian Affairs to be the Community Development Officer (CDO) for all Lower and Middle Mazaruni villages - a job he thoroughly enjoyed.

“I enjoyed being part and parcel of my fellow indigenous people’s affairs by assisting them in whatever way or area possible. I have developed a strong bond with all toshaos and their people of lower and middle Mazaruni villages whom I have the utmost respect for.

I understand their issues,”

of the village office so that it can serve as an information centre to all.Training of the village council and residents in areas such as the Amerindian Act, forestry and mining laws; establishing and promoting of tourism sites, activities and packages with special focus on community-based tourism, just to name a few.

“Now, I have resigned from [the] CDO to become a candidate for the upcoming toshaos elections, after villagers have given me favourable responses. I believe I am more than capable to proper [sic] and effectively be the leader and provide direction for my village for the next three years since I am experienced and qualified. As the next leader of this beautiful village, I will be aiming for self-sufficiency through diversified economies with assistance from the government of Guyana so that we can further develop ourselves as we see it,” Cornelius declared.

guyanatimesgy.com

JULY 19, 2015

Times Sunday Magazine 5

Times Women

K

eisha Scarville is an accomplished and talented fine arts photographer. Born in 1975 to a Guyanese father and mother, she self-defines as Guyanese-American.

She spent her childhood in Brooklyn after her parent migrated to the United States in the late 1960s.

She will be the first to admit that within the walls of her childhood home, her experience was still a Guyanesecentred one.

Keisha earned her degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in 1998.

Her passion for the arts is evident in her work as she blends themes dealing with memory and transformation, often from photographing her family, and common

everyday objects in a very conceptual and poetic way.

Keisha’s work has been shown in many group and solo exhibitions nationally, including at the Ty Stokes Gallery (Atlanta, GA) and in New York City at the Latin Art Collector Gallery, the African American Museum in Long Island, Ken Keleba Gallery, Hunter College, Museum of African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA) in Brooklyn, the BRIC Arts Media House, the Studio Museum of Harlem, Soho Photo Gallery, and the Brooklyn Museum of Art. In 2006, she was awarded a grant through the Brooklyn Arts Council’s Community Arts Program to help fund her art projects.

Her photographs have

also been displayed in various public and private collections including the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, DC and the Center for Photography at Woodstock.

In addition, Keisha’s images have appeared in Camera Arts Magazine, Time, Vibe, Nylon, and The New York Times where her work has also received critical review. Her work was published in ARC Magazine (2010), Transition Magazine (2012), The Bearden Project (2012) and Nueva Luz Photographic Journal (2013).

Keisha was awarded Artist-In-Residence Fellowships from the Center for Photography at Woodstock in 2003, the

Photographer Keisha Scarville

Lighthouse Works in 2014 and the Vermont Studio Center in 2015. She has also presented lectures at the International Center for Photography (ICP), Bard Early College, The Studio Museum of Harlem, The New Museum of Contemporary Art, Arts in Motion Africa, The Children’s Art Carnival, Sioux YMCA (South Dakota), Young Audiences, and Dream Yard Project.

The professional photographer is currently one of five of Brooklyn-based artists presenting their collections at the “Inherited” exhibition running from July 9 to August 16, 2015 in the Project Room at BRIC Arts Media House in Brooklyn, New York. (http://guyanesegirlsrock.com)

from page 2

‘Continue To Dream Big’...

First Guyana-born female representative for 59th Assembly District in Brooklyn

Anaya (second from right) and her family

She has also met New York State Senator John Sampson;Frank Seddio, president of the Democratic Club of Brooklyn; Civic Association president Paul Curale, and the New York State Assembly people upon her visit, and others. Most of these meetings were to commend or recognize Anaya for her achievement.

Anaya plans to be a fulltime teacher and an author. Her mottos are “reading and writing will always be a part of life” and “continue

to dream big!”

The eight-year-old author has a sister, Chantelle, who is 21 years old and a younger brother, Brandon, five years old, who appears on the front cover of her book.

In August 2015, Anaya will be hosting a press conference in Guyana, as well as making several public appearances in Berbice, Linden and Georgetown. Visit Anaya The Author on Facebook for more information.

Authographing her book for a police officer in the U.S.

Hon. Roxanne Jacqueline Persaud

R

oxanne Jacqueline Persaud was elected to the New York State Assembly in November 2014. In January 2015 she was sworn in as the first female, first black, first Guyanese to hold the position of Assembly member for the 59th Assembly District in Brooklyn, New York.

Persaud is a longtime advocate for her community, and an avid volunteer. Her dedication to serving her community has motivated her to serve in various capacities. She was president of the 69th Precinct Community Council in Canarsie, member of Community Board 18 and Commissioner on the New York City Districting Commission.

In addition, she is a graduate of the NYPD Citizens Police Academy as well as the New York City Office of Emergency Management-Community Emergency Response Team, member of Community Action Board of the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development and

Chairperson of the Neighborhood Advisory Board – District 18.

Additionally, she serves on organizations fighting domestic violence and cancer awareness.

Her dedication to community involvement and her interest in helping others stretches beyond Brooklyn. Persaud has traveled overseas on several occasions as a volunteer on medical and social

outreach programs. She encourages everyone to be actively involved in their communities.

Born in Guyana, Persaud migrated to the United States with her parents and siblings. She is a graduate of Pace University, from which she holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Education Administration. She has spent her entire career working in higher education institutions and works tirelessly encouraging urban youth to attend college. Her district legislative priorities include funding for schools, youth and senior support services, libraries and parks. She intends to works with her colleagues in government to ensure that the 59th AD receives the resources that it should.

Assemblywoman Persaud said she is happy to serve the constituents of the 59th Assembly District.

Currently, she resides in the Canarsie section of Brooklyn. (http://guyanesegirlsrock.com)

Giving a speech at the New York State Assembly

6 Times Sunday Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

JULY 19, 2015

Times Book World

The Shaping of Guyanese Literature

A Sublime Night: Guyanese and Mexican Poetry B y P etamber P ersaud

It was a sublime night in thoughts, words and in Deeds, a sublime night of poetry, the commingling of Stars, pitching their meaning and messages from, Mexico to Guyana to the world, influenced by the Stars of magic realism, social realism, the classics, in Rhyme and rhythm, it was a sublime night of Poetry, a gathering of kindred spirits Dead poet society and living vessels, A sublime night of poetry in thoughts, words and in Deeds - ‘companions of the Day and Night’.*

T

he evening of Wednesday, July 8, 2015, will be the ‘Companions of the Day and Night’* for many coming years to the scores of poetry lovers who attended ‘A Sublime Night: Guyanese and Mexican

Poetry’. The event was organised by the Embassy of Mexico in Guyana in collaboration with the National Library.

The programme was chaired by Mr Alejandro Martinez who ensured that there were no ‘blackouts’ in between presentations, resulting in a compact and smooth delivery of upscale entertainment.

The programme was brief; a whetting of the appetite, spawning the craving for more; that’s way it ought to be with literary events. The poems were well-juxtaposed serving in supporting roles and contrasting roles, heightening the value of each poem.

The chairperson also did a splendid job of setting the tone of the event by introducing each piece with brief comments on the writers, the readers and on background to the poems. Those remarks were pertinent, rendering any rambling time-consuming preamble by the performer unnecessary.

Many literary events are spoilt by the un-

Octavio Paz (1914-1998)

warranted preamble.

Supporting the orchestration of Martinez was the printed programme detailing the event, a programme that is a collector’s item and a delight to reporters and researchers.

So from the word go, it was fluid motion, a flow of emotion – pleasure and pain and passion, invocation of the muses, engagement of the audience....

The opening piece, “Flowers are our only gar-

Rosario Castellanos (1925-1974)

ments” by Nezahualcoyotl was like an incantation, followed by another incantation, “The Porknocker”

by Seeta Shaw Roath.

Both pieces were performed by Dr Roath.

Nezahualcoyotl was a XV century philosopher, warrior, architect and poet.

“To her portrait” by Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz was read by Kit Nascimento while “My Creole Identity”

by Elly Niland was read

by Gem Madhoo.

Both poems reflect on the past shaping the present and future. Sor Juana (Juana Inés de la Cruz) was a nun, born during the viceroyalty of New Spain, whose writing was very advanced for that time.

Love and life are celebrated in “At Peace” by Amado Nervo and “River Dance” by Ian McDonald; the themes of both pieces were evoked by a sterling performance from Margaret Lawrence.

Amado Nervo, born in 1870, was a poet, journalist and educator. Here is a piece from “At Peace”: “... very near my setting sun, I bless you, Life/because you never gave me neither unfilled hope/nor unfair work, nor underserved sorrow/pain...because I see...that I was the architect of my own destiny....”

The next set of poems focuses mainly on love, among other themes.

These poems include “Love is an Anguish” by Xavier Villaurrutia, (read

by Kojo McPherson) “Destiny” by Rosario Castellanos (read by Gentian Miller) “A Pillar of Salt” by Salvador Novo (read by Ivonne Ocrospoma) “No more Clichés”

by Octavio Paz (read by Masud Lewis) “I hope to cure myself”

by Jaime Sabines (read

by Gabriel Ferrer), and “Ever Waiting” by Shana Yardan (read by Ronessa McAdam).

Each poem in this set

Alejandro Martinez chaired the event

Gabriel Ferrer reads Jaime Sabines’ poem “I hope to cure myself”

Ivonne Ocrospoma reading “A Pillar of Salt”

by Salvador Novo

Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz(1651-1695)

is worthy of quoting in full but lack of space reined in my enthusiasm.

However, enjoying the following linesfrom “Love is an anguish”, we read that “Love is an unaccustomed luxury/and voracious gluttony, always empty…”

From ‘Destiny’, we understandthat “We kill what we love/We give life only to what we hate…”

From “No more clichés”, we read, “This poem is dedicated to those women/Whose beauty is in their charm, /In their intelligence, In their character, /Not on their fabricated looks…”

From “A pillar of salt”, “…I think, in these hours of you, my love, burning as I do in merciless insomnia”and from “I hope to cure myself of you”: “I hope to cure myself of you in a few days.

I should stop smoking you, drinking you, thinking of you. It’s possible.

Conforming to the norms of today’s morality. I prescribe for myself time, abstinence, solitude/…For this is a lot like leaving the mad house only to go to the grave.”

Xavier Villaurrutia is poet and playwright; one of the most prestigious literature awards in Mexico is named in his honour.

Rosario Castellanos focuses on gender oppres-

sion and her work has influenced feminist theory.

Salvador Novo (19041974), was a provocative and prolific cultural presence.

Octavio Paz won the Miguel de Cervantes Prize and the Nobel Prize (1990) among other literary prizes.

Jaime Sabines (19261999) was known as “the sniper of literature”, transforming literature into reality.

Two thought provoking poems, well juxtaposed, closed out the evening:“The lives of the poets” by Jose Emilio Pacheco and “Nearing thirty” by Ruel Johnson; both read by Johnson.

Pacheco, who was awarded the prestigious Cervantes prize in 2009, died in 2014. Pacheco wrote in that poem, “In poetry there’s no happy ending/Poets end up/ living their madness/Or dead from ... poverty.” *A novel by Wilson Harris set in Mexico during Easter.

Responses to this author telephone (592) 2260065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com What’s happening: The Guyana Annual Magazine 2014-2015 issue in now available at Guyenterprise Ltd., Lance Gibbs and Irving Streets, Tel # 226-9874

guyanatimesgy.com

JULY 19, 2015

Times Sunday Magazine 7

Times Heritage

T

he Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) was established Feb 1, 1912 by British Guiana Portuguese businesspersons, who included M. Gonsalves, E.C. Buck and Joseph Gonsalves, after the Georgetown Cricket Club (established 1858) in these early years did not allow them to be members of the Britishdominated, white elite club.

Ironically, DCC too restricted its membership in its early years to Portuguese.

However, membership in the club was opened to anyone after the First World War, to later become, according to Guyanese historian Winston McGowan, dominated by blacks.

According to current DCC president Alfred Mentore, the vision of the DCC founding fathers was initially to encourage the playing of cricket, lawn tennis, croquet and other forms of recreational activities.

Since then however, open membership allowed the club to produce some of its most famous cricketers, including West Indies legends Clive Lloyd and Lance Gibbs,the latter who is said

to have started on his path to international stardom at the age of 14 at the DCC, practising with friends across from his Crown Street residence at the time.

The first captain to win a Test match for the West Indies was Maurice Fernandes, also a former DCC president, who died in 1981 at age 83.

According to guyanacricket.com, other past club members who played at the highest level include Cyril Christiani, Robert Christiani, (or RJ - for Robert Julian - who was considered British Guiana’s most highly esteemed cricketer in the 1940s and early 1950s and the first Guyanese to score a century in a Test match), Travis Dowlin and Roger Harper.

Current club members Christopher Barnwell and Derwin Christian have also played at the highest level.

Philbert Blair, Ernest Christiani, Harry Christiani, Trevon Griffith, Mark Harper and Colin Wiltshire are some of the club members who developed at DCC and later represented Guyana at the se-

The Demerara Cricket Club

Georgetown, High Street looking north n.d.

Aerial view of the DCC

nior level, it adds.

The site notes that the Demerara Cricket Club, on Lance-Gibbs Street in Queenstown, Georgetown, was (and still is) the only cricket club in Georgetown to be located in an entirely residential neighbourhood.

As fate would have it, the

website states, that neighbourhood was a middle-class one, in which residents understood and appreciated the social value of such a facility in their midst.

The fact that DCC has survived, and even prospered at times, for over a hundred years, is testimony, it concludes, to its integration into its social settings.

DCC is now a member of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA), which in turn is a member of the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB), which is itself a member of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB).

Before the GCA and DCB came into existence af-

ter 1990, however, DCC participated in competitions run directly by the Guyana Cricket Board, the most prestigious of which was the Case Cup, for First Division club competition.

Just about two city blocks north of the famous Bourda cricket ground, DCC ground is relatively small, hemmed in by city streets and just as prone to flooding as its wellknown neighbour.

In 2001, the Atlantis Cricket Club of New York twinned with the DCC, and in July 2012,when the DCC celebrated its centenary year celebrations, it included a visit by the Atlantis Cricket Club of New York,

a fund-raising costume party, a dinner and ball by thethen Hotel Tower poolside, among other activities.

The DCC ground was the most used cricket venue in Georgetown/Demerara, hosting practice sessions for touring international teams, and cricket matches for the West Indies Cricket Board, Guyana Cricket Board, Demerara Cricket Board and the Georgetown Cricket Association. In addition, the club hosts intercounty matches.

Now some 103 years-old, the DCC continues its tradition of promoting and improving cricket in the country.

8 Times Sunday Magazine

JULY 19, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

Times Travel & Tourism

Breathtaking view from the mountain (Photo by Peggy Rehm)

T

he Amerindian community of Surama,set in five square miles of savannah,is located in the heart of Guyana. The village is ringed by the forest-covered Pakaraima Mountains.

Its inhabitants are generally from the Macushi tribe and still observe many of their traditional practices.

This isolated and idyllic location offers an escape from the concrete jungle to a serene and peaceful existence with nature. Dawn hikes, led

by Surama guides across the savannah and up Surama Mountain, reveal a multitude of birds, and fantastic vistas.

The guides have lived their entire lives in the rainforest, and have an incredible understanding of nature and how to utilise its resources.

Along the mountain hike there is a Cock-of-the-Rock lek and often an active Harpy eagle’s nest in the same general area.

A walk across the savannah will take you to a challenging climb up Surama Mountain in the cool morning air. This is the best time to observe bird life along the trail.

Breakfast is usually served by your tour agent at a lookout point that affords incredible views across the village and savannah to the Pakaraima Mountains.

The word Surama, originally Shuramata, means “the place of spoiled barbeque”.

The name comes from a tribal conflict between the Macushi and Carib people many years ago.

For more information on the Surama Mountain hike visit http://rupununi.org/tourism/lodges/surama/ or http:// suramaecolodge.com/ (Cover photo: Scenic view of the mountain from Surama village (Photo by Peggy Rehm))

Handrails to steady you on the trail down Surama Mountain (Photo by sjr8545 on Flickr)

Climbing up the Surama Mountain trail (Photo by sjr8545 on Flickr) View of Surama villlage buildings from the mountain (Photo by Peggy Rehm)

Rainforest trail at the base of Surama Mountain (Photo by sjr8545 on Flickr)

guyanatimesgy.com

JULY 19, 2015

Times Sunday Magazine 9

Times Healthy Living

Air pollution and your health A

ccording to the World Health Organisation (WHO), air pollution is a major environmental risk to health.

By reducing air pollution levels, countries can reduce the burden of disease from stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and both chronic and acute respiratory diseases, including asthma.

The lower the levels of air pollution, the better the cardiovascular and respiratory health of the population will be, both long- and shortterm.

Outdoor air pollution in both cities and rural areas was estimated to cause 3.7 million premature deaths worldwide in 2012 with some 88 per cent of those premature deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries.

WHO estimates that some 80 per cent of outdoor air pollution-related premature deaths were due to ischaemic heart disease and strokes, while 14 per cent of deaths were due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or acute lower respiratory infections; and 6 per cent of deaths were due to lung cancer.

A 2013 assessment

by WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded that outdoor air pollution is carcinogenic (cancercausing) to humans, with the particulate matter (PM) component of air pollution most closely associated with increased cancer incidence, especially cancer of the lung.

An association also has been observed between outdoor air pollution and in-

T

toms of bronchitis in asthmatic children increase in association with long-term exposure to NO2. Reduced lung function growth is also linked to NO2 concentrations.

Sulphur dioxide (SO2)

crease in cancer of the urinary tract/bladder.

Most sources of outdoor air pollution are well beyond the control of individuals and demand action by cities, as well as national and international policymakers in sectors like transport, energy waste management, buildings, industry and agriculture.

Particulate matter

PM affects more people than any other pollutant.

The major components of PM are sulphate, nitrates, ammonia, sodium chloride, black carbon, mineral dust and water. It consists of a complex mixture of solid and liquid particles of organic and inorganic substances suspended in the air.

Chronic exposure to particles contributes to the risk of developing cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as of lung cancer.

There is a close, quantitative relationship between exposure to high concentrations of small particulate-

here are many reasons why people choose to drink to excess.

Perhaps a less-than-perfect day at the office is the trigger for hitting the bar, or a special occasion is being celebrated.

However, where do the reasons stop and the excuses begin?

If you’re regularly drinking more than the lower risk guidelines, it could be time to think about the reasons for it, and what you can do to cut down.

See if you recognise yourself often making any of these excuses.

"I've had a tough day" Using alcohol to cope with stress is common. However, while the immediate effects of drinking can make you feel more relaxed, if you regularly drink more than the lower risk guidelines, your stress levels could soar.

That’s because alcohol is a depressant and can interfere with the brain's function, causing low moods and anxiety. Even a few drinks can also interrupt your sleep pattern so you wake up feeling tired – which will only add to your stress levels the following day.

Instead of reaching for the bottle after a tough day at the office, why not take a trip to the gym? Exercise is an effective way to reduce signs of stress in both the body and the mind, and can boost confidence.

sand increased mortality or morbidity, both daily and over time.

The effects of PM on health occur at levels of exposure currently being experienced by many people both in urban and rural areas and in developed and developing countries – although exposures in many fast-developing cities today are often far higher than in developed cities of comparable size.

Ozone

Ozone at ground level – not to be confused with the ozone layer in the upper atmosphere – is one of the major constituents of photochemical smog.

WHO notes that it is formed by the reaction with sunlight (photochemical reaction) of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) from vehicle and industry emissions and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by vehicles, solvents and industry.

As a result, the highest levels of ozone pollution oc-

cur during periods of sunny weather.

Excessive ozone in the air can have a marked effect on human health. It can cause breathing problems, trigger asthma, reduce lung function and cause lung diseases. In Europe, it is currently one of the air pollutants of most concern.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)

As an air pollutant, NO2 has several correlated activities.

At short-term excessive concentrations, NO2 is a toxic gas that causes significant inflammation of the airways.NO2 is the main source of nitrate aerosols, which form an important fraction of PM and, in the presence of ultraviolet light, of ozone.

The major sources of human-induced emissions of NO2 are combustion processes (heating, power generation, and engines in vehicles and ships).

Epidemiological studies have shown that symp-

SO2 is a colourless gas with a sharp odour. It is produced from the burning of fossil fuels (coal and oil) and the smelting of mineral ores that contain sulphur. The main anthropogenic source of SO2 is the burning of sulphur-containing fossil fuels for domestic use, power generation and motor vehicles.

Studies indicate that a proportion of people with asthma experience changes in pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms after periods of exposure to SO2 as short as 10 minutes.

SO2 can affect the respiratory system and the functions of the lungs, and causes irritation of the eyes.

Inflammation of the respiratory tract causes coughing, mucus secretion, aggravation of asthma and chronic bronchitis and makes people more prone to infections of the respiratory tract.

Hospital admissions for cardiac disease and mortality increase on days with higher SO2 levels. When SO2 combines with water, it forms sulphuric acid; this is the main component of acid rain, which is a cause of deforestation.

Air pollution policies

WHO notes that here are many examples of successful policies in transport, urban planning, power generation and industry that reduce air pollution: For industry: clean tech-

nologies that reduce industrial smokestack emissions; improved management of urban and agricultural waste, including capture of methane gas emitted from waste sites as an alternative to incineration (for use as biogas).

For transport: shifting to clean modes of power generation; prioritizing rapid urban transit, walking and cycling networks in cities as well as rail interurban freight and passenger travel; shifting to cleaner heavy duty diesel vehicles and lowemissions vehicles and fuels, including fuels with reduced sulphur content For urban planning: improving the energy efficiency of buildings and making cities more compact, and thus energy efficient.

For power generation: increased use of low-emissions fuels and renewable combustion-free power sources (like solar, wind or hydropower); co-generation of heat and power; and distributed energy generation (e.g. mini-grids and rooftop solar power generation).

For municipal and agricultural waste management: strategies for waste reduction, waste separation, recycling and reuse or waste reprocessing; as well as improved methods of biological waste management such as anaerobic waste digestion to produce biogas, are feasible, low cost alternatives to the open incineration of solid waste.

Where incineration is unavoidable, then combustion technologies with strict emission controls are critical.

“I haven’t got work tomorrow” For some people, a drink or two after clocking off for the weekend or for a holiday marks the start of the fun and relaxation. People vary in whether they get hangover – some spoil their precious time off in that way.

Alcohol can leave you feeling anxious and stressed; drink too much and you could come back from your break in more need of time off than when you left.

If you want to toast your time off, set yourself a sensible limit and drink plenty of soft drinks when you’re out – that way you get to stay sober and you're more likely to wake up hangover-free and ready to get on with your day.

“I need to get in the mood to socialise” Because of the way alcohol affects the brain, you might find yourself less inhibited and more confident after a couple of drinks. However, alcohol can make you do or say things that you wouldn’t when you’re sober.

What’s worse than waking up the next day to that that dreaded “What did I do/say last night?” feeling?

If you find social situations difficult without a drink, try having a night

down the absorption of alcohol, so you feel the effects of alcohol faster and increase your risk of doing or saying something you’ll regret the next morning.

Why not go to a restaurant rather than the bar? That way you can have something to eat and make sure that that the evening revolves around food rather than alcohol.

“I’m out with my buddies” A night out with friends might risk ending up as a heavy drinking session, especially if you are all buying rounds.

Rounds often force you to drink quicker because everyone is under pressure to knock back the booze at the same rate as the fastest drinker.

Having a soft drink for some rounds will keep you sharp. Moreover, while opting out of buying rounds may feel like going against the grain, your friends may thank you for it if they’re also feeling the pressure.

out somewhere with more on offer than just alcohol. Going to the cinema means it’s likely there’ll be less pressure to drink than if you base your entire evening around the bar.

(One pint (568ml) beer 4 per cent equals 2.3 units)

“I’ve just been paid” For many people, 5pm on payday is the perfect time to go out with work mates and have a drink. But drinking right after work can be dangerous because it’s often the case that you and your work mates haven’t eaten since lunchtime.

That means there’s nothing to slow

Lower risk guidelines You should not regularly exceed:

10 Times Sunday Magazine

JULY 19, 2015

Times Fashion

F

rom the casual black to the red carpet ready red and the glamorous white and green Afrocentric royal pieces, veteran designer Sonia Noel is making it affordable for anyone to own her stylish outfits from her First Resort line.

“We all have our individual personal style, which should not prevent us from making a fashion statement,” the designer said in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.

The chic designs from the collec-

tion are currently on sale at Noel’s studio.For more information, contact the designer on 226-3099. (Model Sonia Noel; makeup Clemencio Goddette; stylist Nelsion Nurse; location Eldorado Inn; photographer Shiv Dindyal)

guyanatimesgy.com

guyanatimesgy.com

JULY 19, 2015

Times Sunday Magazine 11

Star Times Hollywood

J

anelle Monáe Robinson, known professionally as Janelle Monáe, is an American singer, songwriter, composer, and record producer signed to Bad Boy Records, Wondaland Art Society, and Atlantic Records. After making a mark with her first unofficial studio album, “The Audition”, she debuted publicly with a conceptual EP titled “Metropolis: Suite I (The Chase)”, which peaked at number 115 on the Billboard 200 in the United States. In 2010, Monáe released her first full-length studio album, “The ArchAndroid”, a concept album sequel to her first EP; it was released by Bad Boy Records. This album received critical acclaim and garnered a Best Contemporary R&B Album nomination at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards. The song "Tightrope" was also nominated for Best Urban/Alternative Performance at the same ceremony. With this industry recognition, the album has also been more successful commercially, officially reaching the number 17 spot on the Billboard 200. Monáe's music has garnered her six Grammy Award nominations. In March 2012, "We Are Young" by Fun., on which Monáe appears as a guest vocalist, reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, her first appearance in the US Top 10.

12 Times Sunday Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

JULY 19, 2015

Times Hollywood

Jay-Z being sued for US$50M Cody Simpson says hanging out with Selena over Lil Wayne mixtape Gomez can get 'annoying'

A

ustralian singer Cody Simpson revealed hanging out with his fellow female celebrities including Selena Gomez could be "annoying" sometimes.

"It is kind of annoying," Cody said of his friendship with Selena. "Because on a daily basis, I don't hang out with celebs. All my close friends are normal dudes and then I will hang out with some girl who is a musician and everyone thinks that's what it's all about.

Again, I like to be friends with everyone."

Cody, who previously dated Gigi Hadid, insisted that he's still a good friend to her and had no problem with her relationship with her new boyfriend Joe Jonas. "It's all cool, like we have all mutual friends and stuff in New York," he said.

"I'm cool about it."

He added, "I'm sort of

B

impartial to the whole thing and try to remain nice to everyone and not cause any bad blood or anything."

Cody and Selena were rumored dating after she shared a snap of her and Cody enjoying some ice cream together. Though in the picture the two were seen with some other friends, people kept on speculating that there's something romantic be-

tween them.

The 18-year-old star recently also set the records straight on his relationship with Selena during an interview with Du Jour magazine. "I went through a phase where I was pretty good friends with Selena, and then it just got kind of weird, because I just try to be nice to everyone," he told the publication.

(AceShowbiz)

One Direction singer expecting first child

L

ouis Tomlinson finally broke his social media silence on Thursday, July 16 following shocking reports saying he's expecting his first child with Los Angelesbased stylist Briana Jungwrith. "Amazing show ! Thank you for the support !!" so he wrote on Twitter.

The posting arrived after he made his first concert with his group, One Direction, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash on Wednesday, following the pregnancy news.

Instead of happy, One Directioners went crazy and slammed Louis as he didn't mention the baby news at all in his tweet.

"Say something u going to be a dad or not? It is killing us," one Twitter user commented and another added, "Me ignoring my unborn child."

The shocking baby news also garnered mixed responses from both Louis' and Briana's families. The singer's estranged dad Troy Austin, who split from Louis' mom when he was five, said that he's delighted with the news and believed the baby would help him heal his family rift.

"I'd like to be involved in my grandchild's life. I've missed out on Louis' life and I'd like to make up for that," Troy said. "It's definitely time to heal the rift. Life is too short."

Briana's dad Joe said he's looking forward to his first grandchild and would be "supporting her" although actually the baby "wasn't planned." However, he's also worried about his daughter as she had been "stressed" out and constantly texting Louis since the news was revealed.

Joe was afraid that the overwhelming responses from One Direction fans would leave Briana traumatized for life. "Briana's really shy, tough but shy. It's stressing her out," so Joe said of his 23-year-old daughter.

(AceShowbiz)

Kelly Ripa reacts to Justin Bieber's 'big crush' Instagram post

K

elly Ripa jokingly responded to Justin Bieber's recent Instagram post in which he said that he had a big crush on her. Discussing the topic during the Wednesday, July 15 episode of "Live! With Kelly and Michael", she joked that the message was meant to ask for help.

"I believe in Justin. I love you. You know I've taken my daughter [Lola] to 400 Justin Bieber concerts," Kelly joked after her co-host Michael Strahan showed her a printed version of the posting. "I do believe this a cry for help. I'm worried."

"Justin, If you need me, I am here and you call me ... we will work it out," Ripa hilariously added. She then

stood up and said, "You can see all this in person," while pointing to her body.

Kelly believed that the snap featured in Justin's Instagram post was taken during a Hampton magazine photo shoot. "I think so because I'm wearing obviously a bikini and that's not something I do... not in pub-

lic anyway," she explained.

When being asked how her husband reacted after learning of the post, Kelly said, "Mark literally said, 'Where did they find that picture?'”

She also thanked Justin for giving her "tremendous street cred with my daughter." (AceShowbiz)

irdman is suing Jay-Z and Tidal over Lil Wayne's mixtape "Free Weezy Album". Cash Money Records filed a lawsuit in New York on Thursday, July 16 against Aspiro AB which owns Tidal, WiMP Music and WIMP, Inc. for illegally streaming songs from Weezy's album.

According to court documents obtained

by EW, Cash Money alleges Aspiro et al. of tortious interference with contract, unfair competition and conversion. The label is seeking damages of at least $50 million and injunction of the streaming of "FWA" on Tidal.

Birdman's label says the defendants knew Weezy had an exclusive contract with Cash Money and he was prohibited from distributing his music without the label's consent. "Defendants have been, and are continuing to, feature and pro-

mote Carter's recordings throughout the world via Defendants' fledgling digital streaming music service known as ‘Tidal’.

The lawsuit reads, "…all in brazen defiance of CMR's exclusive rights under the exclusive recording agreement."

Cash Money claims Tidal is now resorting to "a desperate and illegal attempt to save their struggling streaming service."

Tidal claims Cash Money didn't have exclusive lock on Weezy and the singer gave the rights to stream "Glory" and "FWA" in return for a piece of ownership in the streaming service. Cash Money quotes portions of its contract with Weezy, saying the singer doesn't have power to distribute his music.

Tidal hasn't commented on the issue yet. (AceShowbiz)

Jason Derulo: ‘I don't think that I have found true love’

R

&B sensation Jason Derulo opened up about his so-far unsuccessful quest for true love, reflecting back on his failed romance with his ex–girlfriend Jordin Sparks.

"I think everything happens for a reason," the "Want to Want Me" singer told the mag in its July 2015 digital cover story. "I think I was in that relationship for a reason, and I don’t regret anything, but at the same time I know how good it feels to be on my own right now.

The "Talk Dirty" crooner, 25, and Sparks, also 25, dated for three years before they ended their relationship in

September 2014. In an interview with Ryan Seacrest last fall, Derulo dished details on their not-so-amicable split.

"There were a lot of pressures of marriage," he said.

"There was a lot of arguing and stuff like that just weighed on our relationship over time.

When you stop having more good times than bad times, it’s time to call it quits. It becomes something that is unhealthy."

Since then, Sparks has moved on with rapper Sage the Gemini -- and things are getting serious between the two. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight this week, the American Idol winner hinted that she's seeing

forever on the horizon. "I'm not the type of person who stays in a relationship if I can't see it going further than a casual relationship," she explained.

"I could see marriage, but we haven't really planned anything. He does call me his wife, though."

Derulo, however, has yet to meet his match. "It’s pretty clear that I’m not ready for that," he said of an everlasting commitment. "I’m just not in the right space."

That doesn't mean he's closed off to true love. "I think true love can never be broken," the singer said. "So, I don’t think that I have found true love." (US Magazine)

Calvin Harris ‘insanely happy’ with Taylor Swift

I

t's Tayvin time! A beaming Calvin Harris opened up to several UK radio stations about his relationship with his girlfriend Taylor Swift on Friday, July 17.

"It’s going absolutely fantastic," the Scottish DJ, 31, told KISS FM UK of his romance with the pop phenom. "It’s interesting, because obviously there’s different things written about it every day and even if we don't do anything publicly for a while, someone will make something up."

Despite the constant scrutiny over their relationship, Harris told the outlet that the good outweighs the bad. "For me, it could be a lot worse, and I’d still be like insanely happy with her," he gushed. "So, I’m good with it."

He also dished some details to HITS Radio on Friday about what makes his girlfriend so special. "It's boxes I didn't even know existed, she ticks," he said of Swift's impressive range of talents, from baking to barbecuing to building up friendships with Hollywood's hottest It girls. "It's really ridiculous... She's generally an incredible cook and human being."

Forbes crowned the duo as 2015's highest-

paid couple last month, knocking Beyonce and Jay Z off their pedestal at No. 1. (Together, they racked in US$146 million in 2014.)

With their power couple status, Harris acknowledged that the rumor mill runs rampant with crazy stories. "It does get more and more ridiculous," he told KISS FM. "From me apparently being allergic to cats, or Taylor and I are moving in together, or we’re getting married next week. It’s a lot, but you’ve just got to take it how it is."

In real life, however, Harris proudly noted the times they've reveled in privacy. "On the other hand, real life is happening," he reflected. "There’s a whole bunch of times where we’ve been hanging out and nobody’s clocked it. It’s not like every single time we go out, we get a photograph taken of us."

Despite Swift continuing her global tour and his crazed schedule, Harris said they always find time to see each other. "The luxury is we can both travel very easily," he mused.

"I think that's a reason that it works so well...

It's really not hard to see each other on a regular basis." (US Magazine)

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JULY 19, 2015

Times Sunday Magazine 13

Star Times Bollywood

Gautam Gulati

G

autam Gulati is an Indian film and TV actor and director. He is known for his role in the Bollywood soap opera, “Diya Aur Baati Hum”.

He was also the winner of the reality show, “Bigg Boss 8”. The actor has appeared in a number of Bollywood hit movies and is currently working on upcoming movies in which he plays the lead role.

14 Times Sunday Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

JULY 19, 2015

Times Bollywood Motion poster and Parineeti Chopra named brand ambassador of girl child campaign teaser of Shah Rukh

T

Khan's 'Raees' out!

he Haryana government named Bollywood actress Parineeti Chopra as the brand ambassador for the 'Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao' campaign to promote the cause of girl child.

Chopra has won several awards, including the Filmfare and National Film Award, a government release said. A mega event has been planned in Gurgaon on July 21 to push the campaign to new heights, which will be attended by the actress. (Times of India)

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Ranbir Kapoor: ‘I was not intimidated by Aishwarya’

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anbir Kapoor first met Aishwarya Rai Bachchan 15 years ago when she was working in his father, Rishi Kapoor’s directorial venture, “Aa Ab Laut Chalen” (1999). Now, as he is set to share screen space with the actress in Karan Johar’s film (that will also star Anushka Sharma), the 32-year-old says that he is “grateful” to have got this

chance.

“How many heroes of my generation are going to get the opportunity to work with Aishwarya? I’m really grateful for this chance, and I hope that I don’t take it for granted. I’ll really do a good job. I hope I make something remarkable with her.

That’s the intention,” says Ranbir.

Reminiscing about the

time when he met her for the first time, the actor says, “I was about 16, and fresh out of school. I was not intimidated by her because when Aishwarya was acting, she didn’t give that impression.

When I was on the sets, she would talk to me like she would speak to my dad or Akshaye Khanna (her costar in the film). Being the director-producer’s son, everybody else treated me like a kid. But she didn’t do that, and I used to really admire that quality in her,” says Ranbir, who admits that he is her fan.

He adds that even though the 41-year-old actress is immensely talented, she is still very humble.

“She’s amazingly talented and beautiful, but doesn’t throw that in your face. It has been a while since I’ve met her, and hung out with her, so I don’t know how much of that has changed.

I’ll only know when I start working with her,” says Ranbir. (Hindustan Times)

akers of Shah Rukh Khan-starrer “Raees” released a motion poster of the film on Friday which sees him in a bespectacled and bearded avatar.

SRK tweeted, "The man in black travels with your soul in his pocket" Stephen King. V hav both White & Black in us, choose wisely."

The action-thriller, set in 1980s Gujarat, chronicles the story of a bootlegger whose business is thwarted by a tough policeman. “Raees”, being directed by Rahul Dholakia, also stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui and marks the Bollywood debut of Pakistani actress Mahira Khan. (Mid-Day)

Vidya Balan: ‘Give us fatter pay cheques’

A

ctor Vidya Balan, who is often credited for being one of those who made women-centric films mainstream, is happy to see that in the recent months “some brilliant films with female leads have done extremely well — both critically and c­ ommercially”.

However, there is still something that pains her heart. “You know, I feel that there is still a lot of disparity in the pay cheques of male and female actors,” she sighs, and adds, “If there is one thing I could change about the industry, I

think it’d be this disparity. The female actors should also get an equally fat cheque.”

The actor, who made her Bollywood debut with “Parineeta” (2005), a film appreciated for its strong female protagonist, recalls that there was a time when the kind of films she did were considered exceptions. “I am very happy to see the kind of films being made over the past two years. I remember when I did ‘Ishqiya’ (2010), ‘No One Killed Jessica’ (2011), ‘The Dirty Picture’ (2011) and ‘Kahaani’ (2012), these films were considered an aberration. Slowly but surely, I think it gained momentum, and between last year and this year, I can think of at least eight good films with women in the lead,” says the 37-year-old actor.

Vidya observes that the trend on reel portrays the change in society. “It’s a very hopeful scenario for us (female actors), and it’s here to stay now. I don’t think this is a phase. I think this is how it is going to be, because if you see all around, women are now in charge of their lives. They are becoming aware that they could lead their lives the way they wish to. They are becoming aware of their rights, and they are coming into their own. They are getting into professions that were considered a male bastion earlier. So there are going to be more stories with female leads. And we will see more such stories on screen, because cinema is a reflection of our society.” (Hindustan Times)

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JULY 19, 2015

Times Sunday Magazine

15

Times Trends

Trending Now

Star of the week

Everyone's wearing...

Dungarees

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alling all 90s fashion fans - dungarees are back. This childhood staple has been resurrected in multiple styles, in classic stonewash denim and cute printed pinafore dresses. Below is Glamour magazine’s lookbook of dungaree styling inspiration - featuring some serious fashion flashbacks.

Taylor Swift nailed the crop-top-dungarees trend seamlessly. The distressed detailing on this pair and married with a wine tote is a perfect look.

Gwen Stefani has majored in the art of wearing dungarees. Go baggy, turn them up and accessorise wisely. Left hand in pocket, right hand on the friend admin and eyes set the path ahead (through a pair of rad sunglasses, no doubt).

Dakota Johnson, actress in “Fifty Shades of Grey”, is absolutely killing it in the style stakes currently. Wearing her overalls with oversized pocket details and a leather jacket thrown over the top, she nailed her look.

Victoria Secret’s supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio's cute short dungaree is an ideal ensemble for a breezy walk.

Dungarees in a darker wash are flattering and add a grungy edge, as proven by rising music star Laura Welsh.

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With most favouring black, white or blue denim dungarees, actress Ashley Greene bucked the colour trend with a pair in her namesake and looking pretty great in the process. The light cotton fabric of these is perfect for a sunny day walk.

elicia Partab is making a name for herself with her keen fashion sense, passion for beautifying, and energetic dance moves. At 13, Melicia’s future changed when she became a part of the local dance scene. Today, this accounting professional is a certified kathak dancer (by the Indian Cultural Centre of Guyana) and has displayed her expertise on many local stages. Her motivation comes from everywhere, with her creativity always being challenged with new and fresh concepts.This effervescent individual has over the years always delivered top rated performances, but a hidden talent was unleashed in 2012. It became an integral part of her expression through a colourful fusion of makeup she calls Eye Candy by Mel. Melicia believes that makeup is an “art of expression” and can “boost your self-confidence”. Self-motivated and eager to explore different avenues within the industry, another interest was added to Melicia’s list of passions: designing. She launched her fashion label Nachle Designs, a collection of stunning pieces, last year. A resourceful individual, Melicia assures that this is not the end of the road for her as she is now involved in pageantry, taking on the role as national director for the Miss Global International Guyana pageant. Melicia believes in the willpower of positive energy and advises youths to “always have a focus point and never let their mind-set become cluttered with negativity; to always remember we are all authors of our life and everyday we have the opportunity to write a new page.”

16 Times Sunday Magazine

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JULY 19, 2015

Times Art

Xavier D

Singh

isplaying artistic aptitude, Xavier Singh finds solace in painting the simplicity of everyday life, while communicating his thoughts and dreams.

In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Singh explained that his artistic abilities are innate.

“In nursery school, I drew stick men and women, boats and houses. My friend N. Nunes, a renowned artist, inspired me a few years ago when I bought my first piece of painting from him. I enquired about the materials and techniques he used, and within one month, I was painting like a professional. When he first saw my paintings, he was amazed with my work. He told me that art was passed on to me by my an-

cestors and that I was going to put him out of business.

I, however, believe that there is no competition in art. Every customer is different; customers seek different details,” Singh revealed.

Singh mentioned that there are no artists in his family; however, he may have inherited his artistic talent from his mother, a seamstress, and his late father, a carpenter.

“Although none of my family members are artists, they are very talented in what they do. As a child, I always tried to replicate an object or drawing.

I would even trace pictures,

though it was considered cheating. I was first introduced to the art of painting at my alma mater, Friendship Secondary School.

I was taught how to blend various paints to create colours,” Singh recalled.

Finding inspiration in everyday life, the selftaught artist stated, “everything [he] loves” inspires him.

He gets inspired by his “imagination or whatever interests” him. Singh loves nature, fishing, musical instruments and designing buildings and enjoys painting the jungle, lakes, fishing and houses.

“I do not get the time to engage in all of these activities, which is why I enjoy painting

them. It is very relaxing and is a form of stress relief. It makes me feel accomplished when people see it and say, ‘Wow! That’s amazing!’ Through my painting I communicate my thoughts and dreams,” Singh pointed out.

Singh’s plans for his art career are to study at the Burrowes School of Art, become qualified and share his passion with others.

“For those youths who want to become an artist, I say follow your dream. Do not make excuses and do not let anyone break your spirit. An artist once told me, ‘Every spoil is a style.’ You can only get better once you start,” Singh advises.

To contact the artist, call 678-6228 or email xaviers21@ (Cover photo: hotmail.com

'Abstract musical')

His first painting

A beautiful painting of a koker in the country

Displaying his artistic talent in the details of this artwork

Capturing simplicity of life in his painting

Singh's second painting

One of his most recent works

Guyana Cultural Association to establish first Guyana arts centre in U.S.A

I

n support of the vital role the Guyana Cultural Association of New York (GCA) plays in the cultural landscape, the organisation has plans to create a multidisciplinary folk art museum, media centre and performance space designed to support artists and provide space to document, collect, preserve and interpret the creative works of Guyanese artists from around the world.

It will be an important community space, committed to creating an environment that inspires creativity, encourages learning, and fosters cultural understanding.

The Guyana Arts & Cultural Centre (GA&CC) has as its mission,plans to educate communities regarding Guyanese / Caribbean heritage via the establishment of an institution devoted to folk arts research, and preservation of Guyanese creative art forms. The centre will promote and preserve Guyanese/Caribbean culture and history.

While resources for those in lower socioeconomic circles have become scarce, the GCA feels strongly that the work they are doing will make a difference in the lives of many, especially children, who will be the leaders of tomorrow.

The annual Guyana Folk Festival in Brooklyn, which is organised and executed by its parent organisation GCA, is a popular summer destination and cultural sharing experience for Guyanese and non-Guyanese in the US from across the United States, the Caribbean and other parts of the world.

For 14 years, the signature events of the annual Folk Festival season have been the Family Fun Day, Awards Ceremony, Literary Hang, Performing Arts season, Kwe Kwe Night, the Video and Film Festival, and the Symposium along with the Caribbean Summer Heritage Workshops, supported by council members Jumaane Williams and Mathieu Eugene.

The goals of the GA&CC include involving all members of the community in activities that bridge inter-generational relationships via various activities on Caribbean life styles universally. It also looks to developing a cultural institution that researches, collects, owns, maintains, preserves, and archives information regarding Guyanese/ Caribbean way of life; to make objects and artefacts available to provide additional information benefiting Caribbean people and other non-Caribbean communities.

Through its programmes, the GA&CC will address the needs among Guyanese/ Caribbean immigrant children in Brooklyn, New York. Matthews and October-Edun, both GCA executive members, have chronicled in their publication, “English-Speaking Caribbean Immigrants, Transnational Identities”, that “school children from the Caribbean represent one of the most rapidly growing single-immigrant groups in North America” and that they face a wide range of challenges, among them issues of self-esteem and identity.

The GA&CC will encourage youths to nurture and hone their talents by offering classes and workshops taught by experienced, professional educators. The centre will also have a school of music, a school of dance, school of the performing arts, a centre store offering an extensive collection of merchandise representing work from different artists, an audiovisual room and a performance space.

For more information on the centre, visit www.guyanaculturalassociation.org

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JULY 19, 2015

Times Sunday Magazine 17

Times Tech

I

t hasn’t happened since 2012, but Apple Inc. on Wednesday released an updated version of its almost forgotten music-listening device, the iPod, as well as updated colours for the entire iPod range.

The new iPod Touch is the fastest iPod yet, and likely an attempt by Apple to target younger people whose parents won’t let them have a fully functional iPhone but still want to take advantage of its expanding suite of software services, such as Apple Music.

Tech news

F

Apple, which is scheduled to report third-quarter earnings on Tuesday,

been dwarfed by the iPhone since 2010, and the iPad since 2011.

seemed to have all but given up on the iPod after years of declining sales.

The category was the company’s largest through the early 2000s, but has

In 2014, Apple quietly discontinued the wheel-controlled iPod Classic.

The updated iPod Touch boasts graphics performance that is 10 times that

of the existing iPod, for what Apple said provides “a more immersive gaming experience.” It also comes with an M8 motion coprocessor, which can keep better track of athletic movements.

The iPod Touch is actually more powerful that the iPhone 5s, though it doesn’t have nearly the same breadth of functionality as the iPhone 6, including Touch ID, which means it isn’t compatible with Apple Pay. But the iPod is much cheaper than the iPhone, starting at US$199, which

appeals to users who want to stream music, keep track of fitness, send WiFi-enabled messages, watch videos and play videogames, but don’t need pricey data, text and call plans.

Rob Enderle, principal technology analyst at Enderle Group, said iPod Touch may also target some

adults who want to keep their entertainment and business services separate.

“Personally, I’d rather have the entertainment stuff on a separate device and a phone I use just for business and conversation,” he said. (Source: Market Watch)

Facebook wants you to shop while you share

acebook is reportedly testing an e-commerce feature that turns a shop’s Page into an interactive storefront.

Still in the testing phase, BuzzFeed News said the program has already been implemented by some unnamed sites, which feature “buy” buttons like those Facebook began rolling out last year.

In July 2014, Facebook confirmed the early stages of a “Buy” button on ads and Page posts. Aimed at helping companies drive sales through the network, the button lets users make purchases directly from a business Page,

without leaving Facebook.

The program expanded last month, with the help of Shopify, which works with merchants to sync with Facebook, allowing them to post products with the “Buy” button, promote posts with paid ads, and manage customers

and orders.

A new Pagebased shop section, however, lets businesses cosy up even closer to potential customers, who can enjoy the same browsing and buying benefits of a company’s own website.

Facebook did not immediately respond to PCMag’s request for comment.

Though still in its infancy, social commerce is on the rise, according to BuzzFeed. Citing data from eMarketer, the news site reported an expected $350 billion in online commerce by the end of the year, with another $60 billion from the digital advertising market.

The news comes amidst reports that Facebook is developing a digital personal assistant, Moneypenny, which would aid folks in the research and buying of products. The company also recently launched an in-app payment feature that allows Messenger users to transfer money via the mobile application.

(PC Mag)

Tech news

Google to offer free Internet to low income US households

G

oogle will soon be offering free Internet to selected Housing and Urban Development assisted properties across the United States.

The program is part of a White House project called ConnectHome, and will be launching in all current and future Google Fiber markets. Right now, this includes Atlanta, Durham, Nashville and Kansas City, and will soon be expanding to cities such as Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Portland, and San Jose.

The Google Internet package will cost nothing per month, and has no installation fee. CenturyLink is also taking part in ConnectHome by offering Internet to HUD homes in Seattle for US$10 a month for the first year, followed by $15 a month for the next four years.

“We realize, though, that providing an Internet connection is just one piece of the puzzle,” says Erica Swanson, head of community impact at Google Fibre.

“That’s why we’ll also partner with ConnectHome and local community groups to develop basic computer skills training and create computer labs to host these trainings in each of our Fiber markets.” (IGN)

New Horizons used its LORRI (LongRange Reconnaissance Imager) camera for the best photo humans have ever seen of the dwarf planet Pluto (NASA)

18 Times Sunday Magazine

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Times Home & Cooking

Recipe of the Week

vs

Ingredients

B

uilt-ins are considered a traditional “detail” in home décor. Throughout architectural history, built-ins and freestanding furniture have competed for placement in the home.

Deciding whether to have built-ins or what is called freestanding furniture is usually a personal and sometimes budgetary choice.

1 lb. elbow macaroni 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for tossing 1 onion, finely chopped 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch dice 2 lbs. ground beef 2 tsp. ground cumin 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour

One 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes 1/2 cup chicken stock or low-sodium broth 1/4 cup heavy cream 1/4 cup chopped parsley 6 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (2 cups) Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper 1/3 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs) 3 shallots, thinly sliced

Some modern cabinet furniture can be customised as entertainment units

Today’s built-ins are usually found in wall units for entertainment centres

Method Preheat the oven to 350°. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the macaroni until al dente. Drain well and transfer the macaroni to a bowl. Add a drizzle of olive oil and toss well.

Meanwhile, in a large, deep skillet, heat the 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the onion and bell pepper and cook over moderately high heat, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes.

Add the ground beef and cumin and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, until the meat is browned and any liquid has evaporated, about 8 minutes.

Add the flour and cook until no floury taste remains. Stir in the tomatoes and stock and simmer until thickened, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, about 3 minutes.

Remove from the heat and stir in the macaroni, cream, parsley and 1 cup of the cheddar cheese.

Season with salt and pepper.

Transfer the mixture to a large ceramic baking dish about 2 inches deep. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese and panko on top.

Bake for about 15 minutes, until the casserole is bubbling and the cheese is melted. Let stand for 5 minutes. Scatter the shallots on top and serve.

GREATEST KITCHEN TIPS Add about three tablespoons of milk to oatmeal when you reheat it and it will be as creamy as ever.

For rich, fudgy brownies without extra fat or calories bake the batter for about twothirds of the time the recipe calls for, and then freeze with a dishtowel under the pan.

For salad that is more flavourful make sure the lettuce is completely dry - it helps the dressing stick.

When adding ground spices to bread or cake batter, cream the spices with the butter and sugar instead of adding them with the other dry ingredients. The fat in the butter helps disperse the flavours of the spices for a much more intense taste.

A modern bedroom built-in

HOME HELP

The secret to efficient dusting is a proper cleaning cloth. Microfiber is the best.

If you don’t have one, use a rag that’s 100 per cent cotton — like a (clean) cloth diaper, an old pillowcase or an old T-shirt — and dampen it slightly. Be sure to avoid using terrycloth towels or polyester — they can actually create more dust.

No matter which corner you start with, you usually realize you put the long end of a fitted sheet on the short end of the mattress. A hint: Tags always go on the bottom. With king sheets, the tags are on the left. With queen sheets, they’re on the right.

If you’re unsure of an egg’s freshness, place one in a (tall) glass of water. If it sinks it’s fresh, if it floats it’s old.

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Times Sunday Magazine19

Family Times

PARENTING

W

ith school closed for the annual August holidays, you might hear the phrase,

“I’m bored” from your child.

It is perfectly normal for children to get bored from time to time.

JOKES A young man was driving along a country road on the way to see his girl. As he passed a field the idea struck him to stop and pick a bouquet of flowers.

He had barely begun romping through the field when he became aware or a rather mean looking bull not far away, with head lowered and an evil look in his eye.

Far away, leaning comfortably on the prudent side of the fence, stood a farmer taking in the situation.

The young man called out to him, “Hey, mister! Is that bull safe!”

To which the farmer shouted back, “Safe as anything! Can’t say the same about you, though!”

Once upon a time, there lived a man who had a terrible passion for baked beans. He loved them, but they always had an embarrassing and somewhat lively reaction on him.

One day he met a girl and fell in love.

When it was apparent that they would marry, he thought to himself, “She’ll never go for me carrying on like that.”

So he made the supreme sacrifice and gave up his beloved baked beans, and shortly after, they got married.

It was his birthday a few months later and, on the way home from work his car broke down. Since they lived in the country, the man called his wife and told her he would be late because he had to walk.

On his way home, he passed a small cafe and the wonderful aroma of baked beans overwhelmed him. Since he still had several miles to walk, he figured he could walk off any ill effects before he got home. So he went in and ordered, and, before leaving, had three extra-large helpings of baked beans.

All the way home he ‘putt-putted’. He ‘putted’ down one hill and ‘putt-putted’ up the next. By the time he arrived home he felt reasonably safe.

His wife met him at the door and seemed somewhat excited. She exclaimed, “Darling, I have the most wonderful surprise for you for dinner tonight!”

She put a blindfold on him, and led him to his chair at the head of the table and made him promise not to peek.

At this point, he was beginning to feel another one coming on.

Just as she was about to remove the blindfold, the telephone rang. She again made him promise not to peek until she returned, and she went to answer the phone.

While she was gone, he seized the opportunity.

He shifted his weight to one leg and let go. He had just started to feel better, when another urge came on. Things had just about returned to normal when he felt another urge coming. He shifted his weight to his other leg and let go.

While keeping an ear tuned in on the conversation in the hallway, and keeping his promise of staying blindfolded, he carried on like this for the next five minutes When he heard his wife say goodbye, he neatly laid his napkin on his lap and folded his hands on top of it. Smiling contentedly, he was the picture of innocence when his wife walked in.

Apologizing for taking so long, she asked if he had peeked at the dinner. After assuring her he had not, she removed the blindfold and yelled, “Surprise!”

To his shock and horror, there were twelve dinner guests seated around the table for his surprise birthday party.

Just telling a child to “go do something”, or making him feel bad for feeling bored is not only unhelpful, but doesn’t give a child the tools to figure it out himself.

Avoid phrases like “bored people are boring” that implies that your child is doing something wrong or that something is wrong with them.

So what are some of the best ways to respond when children say they are bored?

Do something side-byside, then branch off. If your child is starting to read, begin by reading a bit with her and then let her do it herself while you do your own work or read your

STORY TIME

Hare and His Many Friends

T

here lived a hare in a forest. He had many friends. He believed that they would help him in his danger.

One day, the hare was chased by a ferocious dog.

He ran fast to save his life. On the way, he met his old friend, the bull, whom he asked to worry the dog and save his life.

The bull said, “Friend, I’m very busy now. I must meet my wife who is waiting for me on the bank of the river. You’ve many other friends in this forest. Any one of them will help you, I’m sure.”

Saying so, the bull left.

The hare now met another old friend, the horse, whom he asked to drive away the dog.

The horse said, “Friend, I am very busy now.

I’m looking for my lost child in the forest. So I am going, but I am sure any other friend of yours will definitely help you.”

The horse too galloped away.

The hare then requested to a few more friends, such as the buffalo, the zebra, and some other strong animals. However, each one turned down his request on some plea or the other.

Now the dog was so near as to catch him. Finding no other way to save his life, the hare entered into a hole that he noticed nearby. As the dog did not see the hare, he went back.

(Saloni) Moral: One real friend is better than too many false friends.

By Grammar G

Understanding -itis

F

rom Greek -itis feminine of adjectival suffix -ites, meaning, “pertaining to”, itis was borrowed into English by way of the Modern Latin noun suffix denoting a disease or ailment. The names we use for numerous diseases come, via Latin, from classical Greek names for these ailments.

Around 1543 the term arthritis was used, from arthro (joint) and -itis; as was nephritis (1566) from nephron (kidney) and -itis By the 19th century, -itis became the English suffix for all sorts of ailments, especially those characterized by inflammation: tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils) 1801; gastritis (inflammation of the stomach) 1806, laryngitis (inflammation of the larynx) 1814.

Then in the early 20th century -itis was sent into the silly season. It began to be used to humorously describe

or indicate something with which people are obsessed.

They may not be words you would find in the dictionary: electionitis describing the excessive fervour over upcoming elections (1945); senioritis “disease” that causes laziness, lack of focus, drop in academic performance, absenteeism (1967).

The suffix has become so common, anyone can make up their own: indecision can cause a case of maybe-itis while lazy-itis can describe the condition of someone who doesn’t want to do any work.

On the other hand, -itis can indicate an excessive preoccupation or “illness” caused by overuse, such as computeritis, telephonitis and committeeitis.

UrbanDictionary.com states that itis is the feeling of sleepiness or drowsiness that often overwhelms a person after a heavy meal.

own book.

Go outside and kick around a football, play hopscotch, ride bikes, or do something else active that you all enjoy as a family.

Getting active and being out in the fresh air often helps.

Say no to the screen.

Sure, parking your child in front of the TV or letting him play a video game will certainly quiet complaints about boredom. But kids need to learn how to entertain themselves without electronic stimulation, and the worst solution to boredom is the thing that’s making kids less able to use their imaginations these days screens.

Reflections The Raid

Rain and black night. Beneath the covered bridge The rushing Fork that roars among its rocks.

Nothing is out. Nothing?

What’s that which blocks The long grey road upon the rain-swept ridge?

A horseman! No! A mask! As hewn from jet With ready gun he waits and sentinels The open way. Far off he hears wild bells; And now a signal shrills through wind and wet.

Was that the thunder, or the rushing stream?

The tunnel of the bridge throbs with mad hoofs; Now its black throat pours out a midnight cloud Riders! behind whom steadily a gleam Grows to a glare that silhouettes dark roofs, Whence armed Pursuit gathers and gallops loud.

Madison Julius Cawein

20 Times Sunday Magazine

JULY 19, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

Times Sunday Puzzle

The following are colloquialisms/idioms written in their literal form. Can you figure out what they mean?

Example: A Panthera Pardus is incapable of altering its texture. (A leopard can’t change its spots) 1.

2.

3.

In the general area, but failing to acquire the roll of tobacco.

Please pardon my accidental use of a romance language derived from Latin.

Direct your attention to the melodic tones currently occurring. see solution on page 23

see solution on page 23

see solution on page 23

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JULY 19, 2015

Times Sunday Magazine 21

Times Kids

GEOZONE

Creature Corner

T

he great potoo (Nyctibius grandis), is the largest of the potoo species: some 19-24 inches (48-60 cm) in length and weighing 12.8 oz. – 1.4 lb. (360-650 g).

Native to Central and South America, occurring most commonly across Mexico, Guatemala and as far south as Brazil, its habitats include dense lowland forest, woodlands and occasionally meadows.

With its large eyes, it preys at night mainly on large flying insects, crickets and grasshoppers, large beetles and katydids. It would also eat bats. Its camouflage allows it to pick any tree stump and sit in wait for its prey.

During the day, it remains motionless with its eyes often closed as it attempts to mimic tree branches, often pointing its beak towards the sky.

Although the adult potoo likely has few natural predators, predation of eggs, nestlings and fledging does occur. Deforestation is its only conservation threat known.

T

he Goldilocks Zone is the commonly known term for what scientists call the circumstellar habitable zone, or habitable zone or life zone.

This zone is an area of space in which a planet is just the right distance from its home star so that its surface is neither too hot nor too cold. (Think of Goldilocks and the three bears’ porridge).

Earth lies just the right distance from its home star (our sun) that allows water to exist in solid, liquid and gas

SPACE WORD SCRAMBLE Unscramble the words

1. hrtea ____________________

6. leecspi ____________________

2. etrsall ____________________

7. vygiart ____________________

3. aeptln ____________________

8. alrnu ____________________

4. aygxla ____________________

9. aeblnu ____________________

5. idtsearo ____________________

10. otibr ____________________

SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 23

please see solution on page 23

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

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

states across the planet, without freezing or evaporating out into space.

This shows that we on Earth exist in a very narrow temperature range, unlike our neighbours Venus, which roasts in a runaway greenhouse effect, and Mars, which exists as a frozen, arid world.

Of course it is these conditions on Earth that allow for life, as we know, it to exist. Today, the search is on to find other planets in the Goldilocks zone of other solar systems.

22 Times Sunday Magazine

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JULY 19, 2015

Myths have been handed down through history and it is important to respect the religious beliefs associated with them.

By Laurie Triefeldt

PART THREE OF FOUR — COLLECT ALL FOUR AND MAKE A GIANT POSTER Cut and attach to Part Two

China

Through the centuries, China accepted and adapted many religious ideas. Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism have been influential in the ancient legends of the land.

Myths of the Far East The mythologies of the Far East share many religious themes and symbols.

Eight immortals played a vital role in Taoist myth. These superhumans were not gods, but humans who gained eternal life by achieving enlightenment. These immortals were rather like our modern-day superheros. They had great powers, such as the abilities to fly or perform magic. There are many stories about their adventures as they went about their daily business of conquering evil.

The diversity of India’s geography and its long history have contributed to a vast and varied collection of myths.

Guanyin is the Chinese goddess of mercy and compassion who helps people gain enlightenment.

Fu Xi rules the sky. He is credited with the invention of the calendar and the fishing net. According to legend, Fu Xi was the first Chinese emperor.

Eight immortals

India

According to Hindu mythology, Airavata is a great white elephant ridden by Indra, the king of the gods. In the picture below, Airavata and Indra battle with Krishna, who sits on Garuda, a creature who is half-human and half-eagle.

Mountain myths The Himalaya Mountains are home to many Indian gods and are sacred to Tibetans and Hindus. It is said that the mountain range was formed by a god called Indra who created them from a herd of giant flying elephants.

Hayagriva wears a crown of his enemiesʼ heads.

According to myth, he is the leader of a scary group of gods called the Drag-shed.

Mother goddesses In very early Indian cultures, Shakti was the great mother goddess, the source of all energy in the universe. Some later myths marry her to Shiva.

Yin and Yang Most cultures have creation myths that explain how the world came into being.

One Taoist myth from China explains that in the beginning there was nothing but blackness and chaos. Out of this blackness, two cosmic forces, yin and yang, created an egg, the universe. Yin represents the earth, or female forces of life, while yang represents the sky or male forces. For 18,000 years, a giant cosmic baby grew inside the egg.

When the time was right, the giant Pangu was born. Pangu kept the sky from falling on the Earth for another 18,000 years. When Pangu died, his breath became the wind and clouds, and his voice became thunder and lightning. His left eye became the sun, and his right eye became the moon.

His blood became rivers, and his flesh became the soil and trees. Finally, the tiny fleas that had lived on him became many races of people.

The big three Chenrezig, the protector of Tibet

Japan

The islands of Japan and the myths that evolved there were heavily influenced by China and India.

Huang di is known as the “Yellow Emperor,” who is said to have created Chinese culture. He is credited with inventing writing, the compass and the pottery wheel, and he was the first to breed silkworms.

Shichi Fukujin

Vishnu is one of the most important gods of Hinduism.

He is the preserver of the world and ensures that good will always win over evil.

According to Japanese myth, there were seven gods in charge of happiness and good luck.

These deities are often shown traveling together on a magical ship.

Pangu, or Pʼan-ku, is a giant in Chinese myth who hatched from a cosmic egg.He is said to be the son of yin and yang.

Bishamon brought good luck in war. He was always depicted as a warrior in full armor.

Benzaiten was the only female of the seven. She was a love goddess and brought good fortune in marriage.

Fukurokuju was the god of long life and wisdom. He was usually portrayed as a little old man with a long head.

Dragons and demons

Hotei promised contentment.

Dragons are very significant in Chinese culture. The Chinese often consider themselves “the descendants of the dragon.”

Chinese dragons are associated with happiness, prosperity and fertility.

Demons are found in many myths around the world.

Demons are traditionally evil, bringing disease, famine and other misfortunes.

In Hindu mythology, there are three main gods: Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. These great gods are called the Trimurti.

Jurojin was the god of long life and happy old age.

Yan Luo Wang is the king of 10 Chinese underworld courts.

In Japanese Buddhism, Enma-o is the king of hell and the judge of the dead.

He has 18 generals and thousands of soldiers and demons.

Hotei is one of seven Japanese gods of happiness or good fortune, usually portrayed as a bald monk with a huge belly. His large stomach is symbolic of contentment, not greed.

Daikoku was the god of wealth and agriculture.

Ebisu was a deaf fisherman and the god of work.

Evil creatures In Japan, demons were called oni. They had giant horns, came in a variety of colors and had three fingers and three toes.

They could be invisible or take the shapes of animals.

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Times Sunday Magazine 23

World Times

The Philonoist

Q: When was toilet paper invented?

T

G

Rendering showing current design for the stadium

oing to the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, one could well see the most expensive sports stadium in the world.

According to the Japan Times, the latest cost estimate for the stadium of ¥252 billion (US$2 billion) would push it beyond the current record-holder, the US$1.6 billion MetLife Stadium completed in 2010 for the New York Jets and Giants football teams.

It lists costs that include the design of the stadium’s ribbed roof on huge steel arches resembling a bicycle helmet, the translucent southern end roof to let in sunlight to support a natural grass field, while underground will be soil ventilation and temperature control systems. Movable seats to bring the crowd closer

for more intimate events, and being Japan, the stadium will have earthquake-resistant features.

The latest estimate is a 55 per cent increase over an earlier projection of ¥163 billion.

The rising price tag has put the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the defensive, at a time when his approval ratings are already slipping.

The Japan Sport Council, which is overseeing the project, attributes about one-third of the increase in price to rising labour and materials costs, and two-thirds to the unusual design of the stadium. An increase in the consumption tax rate also added about ¥4 billion.

Meanwhile, other reports state that the Japanese gov-

ernment is considering modifying the construction plan for the new National Stadium.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Thursday that government was exploring ways to curb the unexpectedly high construction costs.

Architect Tadao Ando, chairman of the design competition committee that chose the current stadium design, held a news conference in Tokyo to speak about the controversy.

He said he has no idea why the estimated costs soared from the original budget of ¥130 billion.

“I, too, want to ask” why the cost rose so dramatically, said Ando, 73, a winner of the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Award.

Man dies, friend rescued after getting lost in Saudi desert

A

Saudi man in his 20s died of thirst while his friend was saved at the last minute, after they lost their way while on a desert safari in the Gulf kingdom.

Police rescuers and desert rangers searching for the two after they were reported by

their families, found one dead in the heart of the desert near the border with Jordan.

His friend was found on the verge of death around 1.5 km away but was rescued and flown to a hospital in the Northern town of Jouf, according to Ajel newspaper.

Brain Teaser Answer

oilet paper was invented by the Chinese in the 14th century, and the Chinese Bureau of Imperial Suppliers began supplying Chinese emperors with 2-foot x 3-foot sheets.

It is considered the first “official” toilet paper invention because it was being made to be used for that specific purpose only.

Paper had already been invented earlier.

It wasn’t until some 400 years later though, that the first packaged toilet paper appeared for the public.

In 1857, American entrepreneur Joseph Gayetty (other sources say Cayetty) began producing toilet paper, which he named “Therapeutic Paper” (some sources say “Gayetty’s Medicated Paper”) and sold in packs of 500 sheets for $0.50, with his name printed on each sheet.

Some researchers describe Cayetty’s paper as “pre-moistened flat sheets medicated with aloe”.

The rolled and perforated toilet paper we know today was invented around 1880.

Various sources attribute it to the Albany Perforated Wrapping (A.P.W.) Paper Company in 1877 and to the Scott Paper Company in 1879 or 1890.

1886 Albany Perforated Wrapping (A.P.W.) Paper Company ad for perforated, medicated, rolled toilet paper.

According to toilet paper manufacturer Quilted Northern’s website, Quilted Northern was the first brand to offer a splinter-free product and sterilized bath tissue when the brand was launched in 1901(yes, early TP produc-

tion techniques did leave the occasional splinter).

What was used before toilet paper was invented could be left to the imagination: from grass and moss to fur and coconut husk, to book pages and the Sears Catalogue…

Lion attacks boy during filming

1. Close but no cigar - This means to come close to succeeding, but not quite reaching your goal.

2. Excuse my French - This is a term used when someone curses at an inappropriate time.

3. Face the music - This means to accept what will happen, instead of running from it or denying it.

Earth Stellar

Space Word Scramble Answer Planet Galaxy

Asteroid Eclipse

CROSSWORD

Gravity Lunar

Nebula Orbit

SUDOKU

KID SUDOKU

A YouTube film showed that the lion chased the boy, pushed him down and grabbed him from the back before the trainer managed to control the animal (Sada)

T

he son of a famous Saudi poet was attacked by a lion during TV filming of the poet, and was rescued by the predator’s trainer.

The lion was left with the boy, Nayef, as his father Ziad Ibn Naheet recited poems in front of the camera in a deserted area in the Gulf Kingdom.

A YouTube film showed that the lion chased the boy, pushed him down and

grabbed him from the back before the trainer managed to control the animal.

“Suddenly the lion jumped on the son, Nayef, who tried to flee. The boy could have been killed by the lion if its trainer did not jump and restrain it on time,” Sada newspaper said, without mentioning where in Saudi Arabia the film was shot.

There was no mention of any injury either.

24

Times Sunday Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

JULY 19, 2015

Fun Times

Archie

ARIES

It’s time to begin a new (March 21- chapter. Check online job JULY 19) postings or sign up for an activity that will bring you into contact with new people.

Expand your life.

Consider working from TAURUS home.

It’s likely that an en(April 20joyable hobby will turn into a May 20) profitable business. Seek advice from other people who have found success doing something similar.

An emotional conversation GEMINI (May 21- will turn into an argument if June 20) you are too aggressive. State your opinion without making accusations or placing blame.

Regrets will follow if you aren’t willing to compromise.

Promote yourself and what you have to offer. Be (JULY 19honest about your intentions.

July 22) You will go far if you collaborate with people heading in a similar direction.

CANCER

Dilbert

You will learn important LEO (July 23- facts that can assist you with Aug. 22) your financial goals. Take stock of your assets and consider what you can do to accumulate more money and enhance your security.

Your life is in need of a VIRGO shakeup. Consider what you (Aug. 23want and take action. Be Sept. 22) it personal or professional, staying in an unfulfilling situation will lead to frustration.

LIBRA You will face opposition (Sept. 23- if you are too free with your Oct. 23) opinions. Work alone, but keep an eye on what others do. Secrecy will give you the edge you need to get ahead.

Peanuts

Passion will help alleviate SCORPIO stress.

Whether you are in(Oct. 24Nov. 22) teracting with someone you love or intent on doing something you feel strongly about, success will be yours. Follow your heart.

Expect to deal with an unSAGITTARIUS settling situation. If you can (Nov. 23be of assistance, offer your Dec. 21) services, but don’t compromise your health, wealth or personal relationships.

Calvin and Hobbes

Don’t limit yourself.

CAPRICORN Attending a variety of semi(Dec. 22nars or events will broaden Jan. 19) your horizons. The more you learn about other cultures and traditions, the easier it will be to attract interest.

AQUARIUS Your eye for future trends (Jan. 20- will be lucrative. Prepare to Feb. 19) make a move if you sense a creative opportunity. Love and romance are in the stars.

Be true to yourself.

PISCES Don’t let anyone take ad(Feb. 20- vantage of you, no matter who March 20) they are. It’s important to remain your own person regardless of the pressure put on you.