Sunday Times Magazine

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Times MAY 25, 2014

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2 Times Sunday Magazine

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MAY 25, 2014

Times Feature

A

t the witching hour of midnight, thousands of Guyanese stood and cheered with restrained joy as their national flag was raised and the Union Jack was lowered last night.

The ceremony marking the end of colonial rule took place as a crescent moon, sheltered behind dark clouds, formed an impressive background.

Rousing applause

Central figures

Standing side by side a few feet away from the 40foot fluttering Guyana Flag, Sir Richard Luyt, the First Governor General of Guyana, and Prime Minister Forbes Burnham became the central figures watching on intently at the symbolic ceremony which ushered in a new era for the people of this former South American British colony.

Today the nation’s fivecolour flag flutters proudly in more than 150 villages and towns stretching from Mount Ayanganna in the Pakaraimas to Manchester on the Corentyne. In a riot of Guyana colours, people had formed the biggest assembly in the world history of the country to welcome the birth of their nationhood.

Long cheers

They gave long cheers to

President Donald Ramotar at a past independence day celebration at the National Park. This is reflective of what was done on 26 May 1966

three very important persons, who had, in their own way, made last night’s ceremony the unique and significant occasion it was — Prime Minister Burnham,

Opposition Leader Cheddi Jagan and Former Colonial Secretary, Mr. Duncan Sandys, the man who introduced proportional representation here.

Mr. Burnham and Dr. Jagan surprised and delighted the crowds with a warm embrace someone and half hours before the Union Jack was hauled down and the Guyana Flag hoisted.

Dr. Jagan was accompanied by his son Joe. Mr. Sandys and his wife received a cheering welcome when they arrived some eight minutes later.

Then Prime Minister Burnham, cummerbund in the national colours with matching shirt, arrived at the royal box to rousing applause and a lively air from the Police Band.

As the hour of midnight approached, the programme of entertainment had to be curtailed so that independence could be ushered in at the right time.

The Union Jack came down orderly and deliberately, and there was not the slightest hesitancy in its descent. And it brought down with it into the piled mosaic of history over a century and a half of British colonial administrative rule. And the five-colour flag of the new nation of Guyana went up eagerly and with an exultant flutter. And it took with it into the crucial unknown of the imponderable future the hopes and aspirations of a young nation.

There was a hushed almost reverent silence. A new nation was born. Guyana has now become the 23rd member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The crowds danced their way out of the Queen Elizabeth Park and moved like a flood through the city streets. (Taken from an article published in the Guyana Graphic 26 May 1966)

The First Day of Freedom

Sir Richard Luyt hands over the instruments of independence to the then Prime Minister Burnham

T

he first day of freedom, Thursday 26 May 1966, opened a packed programme for the new nation.

A religious service was held at St. George’s Cathedral.

A fly-past by Guyanese, American and British aircraft took place.

The Governor-General Sir Richard Luyt, Chancellor of the Judiciary Sir Kenneth Stoby, and ministers of the government took their oaths of office at Guyana House.

The National Assembly was declared opened. The Duke of Kent read the speech from the throne and handed over the instruments of independence to Prime

Minister Burnham.

In addition, there were various functions throughout the country, but particularly in Georgetown, the capital.

Some of them were: An independence horse racing meeting at D’urban Park; an independence reception at the Prime Minister’s residence at which the celebrated Miriam Makeba sang; a state ball in the Queen’s College auditorium in the evening; and the Prime Minister launched 100 community projects through the country: bridges, community centres, hospitals, markets, playgrounds. Roads and schools were opened.

guyanatimesgy.com

MAY 25, 2014

Times Sunday Magazine

3

Times Focus

Brindley Benn

T

he struggle for independence was never easy, but those who struggled relentlessly made it appear that way.

To many, the fighters for our independence were the late Dr Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham, but there were many others who ensured similar fates.

Brindley Benn, CCH, who died in December 2009, is one of those who struggled alongside the two late presidents and others; he was downtrodden, imprisoned and restricted in different quarters in the fight for our independence from colonial rule.

Benn was born in the village of Kitty, Georgetown, and attended the St. Jamesthe-Less Primary School (now F. E. Pollard) also in Kitty.

later became Choir Master at the St. Sidwell’s Anglican Church around 1945. He served in that capacity until the choir was disbanded.

Subsequently, Benn started teaching at the Indian Education Trust, now Richard Ishmael Secondary School. At the time the Indian Education Trust was situated at the corners of Church and Carmichael Streets, where the Ptolemy Reid Rehab Centre is now located.

One evening, Benn attended a public meeting at Norton and John Streets, and listened to Dr Cheddi Jagan, who was criticising what was happening in the bauxite industry and in the colony generally. He was impressed by Dr Jagan’s speech and joined the PPP the same night. He immediately became very involved

“You had to be consistent and let the people know that you are taking care of their needs,” Benn said, adding “...so you did everything to make it come proper.”

When the constitution was suspended in 1953, Benn was detained and put under restriction orders in New Amsterdam, where he had to conduct party activities. He was ordered to report to the police daily between 8am and 10am except Sundays.

Initially his wife and children visited him, then after several raids by the army and the police on his brother’s home where he lived during his restriction period, it was decided that his wife and family would move to New Amsterdam. Mrs Benn and her children relocated to New Amsterdam,

Benn (left) with Dr Jagan circa 1960s

After leaving school, Benn worked with the bauxite company in Kwakwani.

His parents were living there at the time. He returned to Georgetown in the early 1940s when the bauxite company started to scale down the workforce.

He taught at a high school in Georgetown before owning his own school, Georgetown Secondary School, which he ran for a few years.

He also led a strong religious life and was in fact a Chorister at St. James the Less Anglican Church and

in politics.

When Guyana Times Sunday Magazine visited him at his Ogle East Coast Demerara home in early 2009, Benn could still remember what he endured during colonial rule for Guyana’s Independence.

He said it was not easy as on several occasions while carrying out his work among the working class and party members he was harassed and his work hindered.

During this time there was much strife, and people need to be reassured and comforted.

where they lived for about two years. .

She recalled, in the 2009 interview with this publication, how the family struggled to maintain their support to him in the fight for independence.

“It was rough. After the split in the PPP, the struggle had to continue to press for independence, especially, [since] the British government wanted to give us piecemeal.”

Nonetheless they continued supporting Benn and the efforts Guyana for independence.

“At times when he could not make it to his meetings, I had to continue his work – going to meet with people, have continuous talks with them to raise their morale, selling the Party’s papers and so on to keep the PPP machinery operating,” Mrs Benn recalled.

When the family returned to Georgetown in 1956, Benn was elected Chairman of the People’s Progressive Party and Member of the Executive Committee.

The Party contested the 1957 elections with Brindley as the representative of the Essequibo Islands and the Interior, and won the elections in that constituency.

He was appointed Minister of Community Development and Education in 1957, and during this time he organised the National History and Culture Week under the theme, ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’.

Benn said he wanted to emphasise the need for development, patriotism and unity hence he coined the phrase.

After the change of Government in 1964, the theme was carried forward and at Independence it was made the National Motto of Guyana.

He said he always felt that “as long as people know what is best for us we should

The late Brindley Benn

work towards achieving that best”; part of that is having one nation of one people with a common destiny.

Mrs Benn said she and her family are proud that her husband could make such a significant contribution to our country as then “he felt it was very right that in a land with such a diverse people there was a need to forge the nation as one and this is still applicable even today”.

Benn also served as Minister of Agriculture after the 1961 elections which the PPP also won, and formed the Guyana School of Agriculture during his tenure as he felt “it was necessary for people (farmers) to be given scientific information among other things to develop the agriculture sector”.

During the disturbanc-

es in the early 1960s, when the British managed to successfully split the PPP along racial lines, he was imprisoned by the British. He became the most prominent Afro-Guyanese to remain with the PPP, making a statement against the divide-andrule tactics of colonialism. He and several ministers and other important persons were detained at Sibley Hall, Mazaruni Prison for several months.

After his release in 1965, Benn moved away from the PPP and established the Working People’s Vanguard Party. In the 1970s he joined with Walter Rodney, Eusi Kwayana, Andaiye, Moses Baghwan and Rupert Roopnaraine, to form the Working People's Alliance.

After the 28 years of PNC rule when the PPP won the 1992 elections, Dr Jagan offered Benn to be on the PPP’s List of Candidates and he won a seat in Parliament. He was later appointed Guyana’s High Commissioner to Canada, a position he held with distinction from 1993 to 1998, and for which he was awarded the Cacique Crown of Honour.

After his return to Guyana, he served as Chairman of the Public Service Commission for three years. He was also a member of the Teaching Service, Police Service and Guyana Lotteries Commission.

4

Times Sunday Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

May 25, 2014

Times Feature

Historian Isahak Basir

‘Independence brought prosperity for Essequibo’

By Indrawattie Natram

I

sahak Basir, CCH, is an elderly historian who was born on 18 September 1934, and resides in Hampton Court village on the Essequibo Coast. In an interview with this publication, the 75-year-old, who was also a Parliamentarian, related that Essequibo has been transformed, and has developed significantly since Guyana became autonomous.

He noted that prior to this the British administration had little interest in the colony’s infrastructure with regard to developing the Essequibo region, and noted that their main interest was “how to get sugar”. Emphasis was placed on the sugar industry in those years, not necessarily the region.

From 1940 to 1962, goods and services were limited and they were no such things as “fancies” for the people of Essequibo.

Hardships and struggles

Before Guyana’s sovereignty, he pointed out, Essequibo’s education system was termed a ‘Church

School’, and opportunities then were based on religious persuasion. In addition, only the privileged class could attend school. Medical services were very poor in the region as well, and only the ‘rich’ could have afforded these services. There were no roads leading to rural communities since in those days there were no housing schemes.

Basir pointed out that the transport system had first and second class areas, and special arrangements were put in place for the ‘white’ to travel. Citizens had no voting rights and they were compelled to sing ‘God save the Queen’.

He also noted before independence, the British were still in control of Guyana’s finance and security.

“It was Cheddi Jagan and his Party who set the flame ablaze to organise the Guyanese population for political, economic, and social emancipation.” He recalled that the first major victory was 1953 when the entire Guyanese population from the age of twenty-one was given the right to vote. Basir said that was a testimony

and Pomeroon for their basic ‘food stuff’.

Helping each other

Historian Isahak Basir, CCH

that changes were about to occur in the future, bringing hope for the people of Region Two. This victory brought the People’s Progressive Party into government. However, in 1953-1957, it was difficult for the Party who won the election to administer its mandate. The PPP’s struggle for independence, he said,

was under the genuine banner for political and economic freedom, and they helped to establish a society free from discrimination and want, he stated.

By 1957, the Guyana Labour Union was active in Essequibo. The education system was remodelled, transport and communication systems improved, and medical services were introduced to the public (Health centres were established, and to date their services are being offered free of cost).

The agriculture sector, which almost collapsed, was also reformed, and varieties of crops were cultivated, and new lands opened up to farmers in the region.

The region was also called the ‘Cinderella County’ because most of the essential services were being denied to the region that was producing so much wealth for the country. Additionally, unemployment and illiteracy rates were very high since there were no schools for self-improvement.

Because of the lack of health centres, along with a decline in sugar prospects just before self-rule, many Essequibians travelled to different regions in search of employment on different estates. Some even went to the North West District as ‘farm labourers’ said Basir.

Essequibians also endured much transportation woes, since the transport system consisted of a transport vessel working once a day, at midday. (It would normally leave Adventure at 12pm and arrived at Parika at 5pm.)

They were deprived of a variety of items, and were only given the basic rations – ‘food stuff’, and in limited quantities. Even then, basic food items were difficult to acquire and only the privileged could have afforded it.

Many had to wait for whenever the cargo arrived at Adventure, Half-en –Rick’

In the rural communities throughout Region Two, the people developed a system of ‘box hand’ toward accumulating money to do some kind of work. Another way they endured was through ‘Lend a hand’ - families from various communities in those days helped each other. The women then had a ‘mutual understanding’ where they would lend their clothing and pieces of jewellery to each other.

In Essequibo, the hardships became even more difficult: no fuel, no zinc to boost the construction industry, no fabric to make garments, and there was no encouragement for business investments.

The hardship was prolonged until the 1960s. After 1960, the PPP started a country-wide campaign and began sorting out how the finances should be spent and on which sector.

After independence, farmers were being motivated through incentives to produce more, thus generating employment at all levels.

An education system was supplemented, which was supported by the establishment of modern schools on the coast. More health centres, hospitals, and treatment care centres were established providing quality services for the people of Essequibo.

Because the region has been developed and trans-

formed through the different sectors, employment opportunities and employment rose and generated income for the people. Production increased, and a new breed of professionals emerged who today are stalwarts of the region (lawyers, doctors and others).

The struggle for independence was long and difficult, but there were great changes in the economic, political, and social aspects of the people’s lives.

How did the people react towards becoming an independent nation? Basir related that in some villages there were continuous drumming and enthusiastic celebrations, and hope could be felt everywhere. The people, he said, were rejoicing since they no long had to sing ‘God saved the Queen’, which they considered ‘some other country’s national anthem’.

Guyana gaining independence in 1966 created many opportunities for Region Two. Since then, many businesses were set up and many goods and services are now available to the people; there is also constant communication with the government and its people.

Even before the Golden Arrowhead was hoisted, remarkable changes took place in the county of Essequibo.

Today, there is no doubt that Region Two, he said, is an agricultural base that can be termed as the ‘Breadbasket of the Caribbean’

Hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead in 1966 to signify Guyana's independence

guyanatimesgy.com

MAY 25, 2014

Times Sunday Magazine 5

Times Women

A

s we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Guyana’s independence, it is a fitting time to see how it began.

Certainly the seeds of seeking an end to colonialism must have been planted in the hard days of slavery and indentureship when life was unbelievably difficult and the reason for the crushing oppression and cruelty was easy to define.

Billions of words have been written about slavery, the middle passage, the unbearable cruelty of the slave masters and the many uprisings against slavery.

These were dealt with in ways which are almost beyond belief. Cheddi Jagan in his book “The West on Trial” writes about the prisoners in the Berbice uprising: “...53 of the defendants were condemned to death.

Next day, 15 of them were burnt to death over a slow fire and 16 were broken on the rob rock. The remaining 22 persons were hanged...”

After slavery was abolished, indentured labourers for the many sugar estates were brought to this country. Their conditions were slightly better than the slaves. Dr. Jagan in his book quotes Elizabeth Caesar, a labourer of Pln. Vreed-en-

Hoop: “...the Coolies were locked up in the sick house and next morning they were flogged with a cat-o’-nine tails; the manager was in the house, and they flogged the people under his house; they were tied to the post of the gallery... I cannot tell how many licks; he gave them enough. I saw blood.

When they were flogged at the manager’s house they rubbed salt pickle on their backs.”

With these experiences and much more, the spirit of resistance against those who caused the sufferings was inlaid and would later be expressed in a desire ‘to be free of such exploitation.

Guyana’s history shows that the very beginning of the recognition of the need to be independent of Britain began with the formation of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in 1950. The ‘concept of a struggle to free British Guiana of colonialism probably had its origin in Cheddi Jagan’s studies, while a student in the USA, of the writings of Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi. At that time, India was on a course aimed at complete independence from British rule. The struggle inspired many in the British, Dutch, French

and Belgium colonies in all parts of the world to follow suit.

As early as 1945 Cheddi Jagan, in an article wrote: “It therefore behoves the working class people to get control of government through their Constitutional ballots in our forthcoming election, with a view towards complete independence.”

And after the PPP was founded, in its first Manifesto, the Party declared: “The People's Progressive Party recognising that the final abolition of exploitation and oppression, of economic crises and unemployment and wars will only be achieved by the socialist reorganisation of society, pledges itself to the task of winning a free and independent Guianese society in which security, plenty, peace and freedom shall be the heritage of all.”

Thus began the struggle in the then British Guiana for independence.

Somewhere in the psyche of the onetime slaves and indentured workers lay the elements of resistance to those who brought about the misery of their forefathers. It took time for most Guyanese to accept the idea that Guyana could be a free

An article published in 'The Times' on Guyana's independence and Dr Cheddi Jagan

The young couple that fought for a free Guyana - Janet and Cheddi Jagan

and independent nation.

Many scoffed at the advocacy, by the PPP, of independence from Britain.

British Guiana is too small to be independent they said. There was talk of an amalgamation of the three

Guianas - British, Dutch and French - into one country.

Conservatives and recipients of favoured positions from the British, the business and religious community (Christian), were

against such an “outrageous” idea. There was, indeed, a lot of opposition to the concept of independence. The PPP pursued its objective through the years.

Former allies fell out and I can recall, would only support independence if Jagan were not at the head of government. The Cold War, too, had its negative effects which led to political interference and a nation in dire conflict.

Despite the long and difficult struggle for independence, which many countries also experienced, Guyana became a free and independent nation 40 years ago and proudly took its place in the United Nations and other organisations, like the Non-Aligned Movement, the OAS, etc.

All Guyanese can be proud that we have overcome oppression, exploitation and attempts at a dictatorship. Guyana is a democracy that upholds all the finest principles of a democratic state. We have our problems, serious problems, but they will be overcome. Unity is the password to our future. (An article written by the late and former President Janet Jagan and published in GINA’S 40th Independence Anniversary magazine)

6 Times Sunday Magazine

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MAY 25, 2014

Times Book World

The Shaping of Guyanese Literature

‘Expressions’ – a new forum for poetry

Ian McDonald reading one of his poems

Ron Robinson performing at the event

Vanda Radzik presenting

Yaphet Jackman performing

By Petamber Persaud

house to mark the birth centenary of A. J. Seymour. That activity was staged by the National Library on Sunday January 12, 2014. A note from the producer on the printed programme reads hopefully ‘Expressions’ will become a regular feature on the Theatre calendar.

There are many reasons why ‘Expressions’ ought to become a regular feature on the calendar of events of this country. Foremost is the fact that many similar acts, serving their time and purpose, have gone dormant. There is a need to fill those gaps, gap left by the popular ‘evening of poetry’ staged by the former British High Commissioner to Guyana, Edward Glover, when he was stationed in Guyana; gap left by ‘The Journey’ an evening of literature, staged by National Art Gallery, Castellani House.

There are many good reasons why ‘Expressions’ ought to become a regular feature on the calendar of events of this country. Foremost is the fact that the Upscale Open Mic Poetry is still going strong a decade and counting. And the annual stag-

ing of World Poetry Day by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has taken hold of the Guyanese literary psyche. All three activities, indirectly or directly, supporting of each other could push the frontiers of poetry in Guyana.

It is not without significance that I reproduce the programme showing scope and range of the production: ‘Mooma Mooma’ by Victor Questel (Trinidad), production concept - Ken Corsbie.

Performed by Mark Luke-Edwards, Randolph Critchlow & Cast. Drums - al Creighton.

‘No Sense of identity’ written and performed by Yaphet Jackman.

‘The Sun Parrots are late again this year’ written and read by Ian McDonald.

Excerpt from ‘Pantomime’ by Derek Walcott, performed by Ron Robinson & Mark Luke –Edwards.

‘When Trouble tek man’ by Louise Bennett, performed by Nuriyyih Gerrard.

‘Dhaal puri and alloo choka’ by Rooplal Monar, performed by Leza Singh’ ‘Fear no more the heat o’ the sun’ by William Shakespeare and ‘The lass with the delicate ear’ by Michael Arne, 1762.

Performed by Kimberley Samuels accompanied by James Samuels on the keyboard.

‘Woman I am’ written by Mariatha Causway (Jennifer Thomas), performed

by Mariatha Causway, Sheron CadoganTaylor, Kimberley Fernandes, Keisha Sam. ‘Ain’t I a Woman’ written by Sojourner Truth, performed by Kezra Boyal.

‘Men and Women’ by David Dabydeen, modified and performed by Petamber Persaud.

‘Motherland’ written by Mark Luke -Edwards and Yerrodin Bowen, performed by-Mark Luke –Edwards.

‘Revolution and Waves’ by Ivan Forrester, performed by Robert Forrester.

Excerpt from Julius Ceasar by William Shakespeare, performed by Russell

Lancaster, Dereck Gomes, Ayanna Waddell, Kimberley Samuels, Nuriyyih Gerrard, Mark Luke-Edwards, Keon Heywood, Robert Forrester & Ron Robinson.

‘Sea shell, until…’ by Mahadai Das, read

by Vanda Radzik.

‘This is the dark time, my love’ by Martin Carter, production concept by Ken Corsbie, performed by Mark Luke-Edwards, Nuriyyih Gerrard & chorus. Drums - al Creighton.

‘Ol’ higue’ by Wordsworth McAndrew, Production concept by al Creighton, performed by National School of Theatre Arts and Drama - al Creighton (drums).

Ayanna Waddell, Nicola Moonsammy, Tashandra Inniss, Tonaisea Robertson, Esther Hamer, Linden Isles, Javel Mayers and Keon Heywood.

‘I am no Princess’ written and performed

by Salimah Husain.

‘Pen to paper’ written and performed by Randolph Critchlow.

‘Runaway from my shadow’ written and performed by Mark Luke Edwards.

‘Dem- a watch mih 2’ written and performed by Petamber Persaud.

‘Our World Written’ performed by Yaphet Jackman.

‘Name’ poem by AJ Seymour performed

by Lloyd Marshall.

‘Wuk hand’ by Paul Keens Douglas performed by Ron Robinson.

‘If only I were…’ written by Randolph Critchlow and performed by Randolph Critchlow and Nuriyyih Gerrard of Camp Refuge.

Excerpt from ‘The Temptest’ by William Shakespeare, performed by Derek Gomes.

‘Thank you’ by Randolph Critchlow, Mark Luke Edwards and Nuriyyih Gerrard’ Hats off to all stakeholders. ‘Expressions’ will find a way to stay…..

Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com

‘E

xpressions’ by GEMS Theatre Productions is the latest performance platform for poetry, with a promise of better things to come, especially with the commitment by the producer to remunerate the artistes, another nail in the coffin of the lamentation ‘starving artist’.

For too long that cry has flooded this land, eroding creativity, thwarting the development and exposition of the creative artist. It is time to change that sad refrain to a trend of smiling all the way to the bank. This newest literary venture is a promising start cognizant that “waan waan dutty buil dam”.

‘Expressions’, an ambitious venture, was launched at the Theatre Guild, Parade Street, Kingston, on Friday May 16, 2014, with wide ranging display of poetry by some outstanding artistes in the field of literary entertainment.

The producer, Gem Madhoo-Nacimento, declared she was inspired to launch such an event after witnessing the resoundingly successful, ‘See More Poetry’, at the play-

guyanatimesgy.com

MAY 25, 2014

Times Sunday Magazine 7

Times Feature

“I

am determined to retrace our footsteps and build a united nation for all our people. We must break down prejudices and barriers.

These hopes and aspirations of our ancestors and past generations to build our country into One People, One Nation, One Destiny have again come alive under our new government.” – Dr Cheddi Jagan

Star of the week

Cherese James

“Independence Day was the culmination of centuries of struggles by our people.

Generations of our forbears dreamt of this day. Many paid dearly with their own lives. The slaves battled daily for freedom.

Many were felled in the process.

The Indentured labourers fought gallantly to improve their lot, and as a result, many made the ultimate sacrifice. Our working people and our national leaders also fought strenuously to end colonial domination. Here too, great sacrifices were made...

Independence meant that at last we had created the most fundamental condition necessary to pursue the aspirations of those who came before us, those who dreamt of building and living in a free and prosperous country.” – H.E. President Donald Ramotar “The lowering of the British flag and the hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead was an emotional-filled moment, which brought memories of the hard and bitter battles fought to make Guyana ours.” Prime Minister Samuel Hinds “The attainment of independence on 26 May 1966 remains, and will always be, an outstanding landmark in the long history of the struggles of our people for freedom. It was the culmination of centuries of monumental battles...”- Former President Bharrat Jagdeo “As citizens we must cherish our political independence, our freedom and responsibilities, our democracy and our unique brand of culture and history. This is a time for understanding and tolerance.

This is a time to renew our faith in our people and country and to pledge by those who fought for our freedom, to build a united, prosperous and free Guyana.” – Janet Jagan “Today is historic, primarily because we are indulging in an exercise which is the first of its kind by the Parliament of Guyana.

After 150 odd years of British rule, and in some cases misrule, we are now independent. But we harbour no bitterness... It is difficult and impossible to change the facts of past history and, in the circumstances, though we welcome with enthusiasm our new status, we are prepared not to spend the time ahead of us abusing those who once dictated to us, but rather to seek means of cooperating with them to our mutual advantage - shall I say, selfinterest.” – L F S Burnham “What our experience of independence has proven is that we are a people of strong moral fibre with the patience to preserve the capacity to achieve.”

– Desmond Hoyte

C

herese James is a passionate 23-year-old beauty, a lover of children and a doer of good deeds who believes that we should always lend a helping hand. It is this belief, coupled with her deep love for children, which has inspired her in the past to exercise benevolence towards the children of the Cheshire Home for the Disabled, located at Mahaica. It has always been a dream of hers to represent and showcase her culture on the international stage as a beauty ambassador, which she is currently doing as a contestant in the Miss World Guyana 2014 pageant. The philanthropist is driven to pursue her dreams. A Medical Assistant by profession, Cherese successfully completed her certificate programme at the Allen Nursing School. She is currently employed at the New York Vein Center, where she works along with doctors, assisting them during surgery. This beauty is confident in her strengths and prides herself in never giving up irrespective of the challenges she faces. For more information on Cherese and the pageant visit Miss World Guyana on Facebook.

8 Times Sunday Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

MAY 25, 2014

Times Kids Page

Creature Corner

J

J

aguars (Panthera onca), Guyana’s national animal, are the largest of South America's big cats. They once roamed from the southern tip of that continent north to the region surrounding the US-Mexico border.

Today significant numbers of jaguars are found only in remote regions of South and Central America—particularly in the Amazon Basin.

These beautiful and powerful beasts were prominent in ancient Native American cultures. In some traditions the Jaguar God of the Night was the formidable lord of the underworld. The name jaguar is derived from the Native American word “yaguar”, which means "he who kills with one leap."

Unlike many other cats, jaguars do not avoid water; in fact, they are quite good swimmers. Rivers provide prey in the form of fish, turtles, or caimans— small, alligator-like animals. Jaguars also eat larger animals such as deer, peccaries, capybaras, and tapirs. They sometimes climb trees to prepare an ambush, killing their prey with one powerful bite.

Most jaguars are tan or orange with distinctive black spots, dubbed "rosettes" because they are shaped like roses. Some jaguars are so dark they appear to be spotless, though their markings can be seen on closer inspection.

Word Search

Did you know?

aguars live alone and define territories of many square miles by marking with their waste or clawing trees.

Females have litters of one to four cubs, which are blind and helpless at birth. The mother stays with them and defends them fiercely from any animal that may approach—even their own father. Young jaguars learn to hunt by living with their mothers for two years or more.

In Guyana, lucky travellers can see jaguars on the trail when driving though the Iwokrama Rainforest.

Jaguars are threatened with extinction as their natural habitat is converted and developed for human use, and it is illegal to trade them or their parts for commercial purposes. Two jaguars can be found sitting proudly within Guyana’s Coat of Arms.

Circle the words listed below in this special Independence Day word search 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.

please see solution on page 22

Spot the Differences

GOLDEN ARROWHEAD NATIONHOOD

FIREWORKS PRESIDENT JAGUAR

INDEPENDENCE PLEDGE MOTTO

Colouring Fun

Have fun colouring the Golden Arrowhead

1- RED

2- BLACK

3- YELLOW 4- GREEN

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Durian (pronounced DOO-ree-un) is native to Southeast Asia. Typically eaten fresh, this fruit has sweet flesh and a very strong odor.

In the wild, durian trees grow more than 100 feet (30 m) tall, but cultivated trees are usually trimmed to a height of 30 to 60 feet (9 to 18 m).

MAY 25, 2014

Times Sunday Magazine 9

FRUIT

By Laurie Triefeldt

Tropical fruits

Apple trees are related to roses.

By definition, all fruits are produced by flowering trees or plants that produce a seed. By this definition, nuts and tomatoes are fruits. Today’s page focuses on some of the most popular edible fruits grown on farms. Horticulturists (plant scientists) classify these fruits into three groups based on the climates where they grow best.

Tropical climates have plenty of rainfall, high humidity and no distinct seasons, with warm temperatures throughout the year. Tropical fruits cannot tolerate frost.

The edible banana is the result of crossbreeding two wild, inedible species. Bananas grow best in rich, sandy soil with good drainage. Native to Asia, they are now raised in tropical regions around the world.

The papaya is native to tropical regions of North and South America, but has been cultivated in other lands. It grows on thin, hollow-branched plants that reach heights of 25 feet (8 m) or more.

Subtropical fruits

The pineapple is not a single fruit, but a group of berries that have fused together or coalesced. Its skin has thick, hard, sharp, leaflike structures called floral bracts. The flesh is sweet and juicy, while the core is quite tough.

Pineapples grow best in well-drained soil and are native to South America.

The Smooth Cayenne is the most popular species of cultivated pineapple.

Limes grow on small trees, about 10 to 12 feet (3 to 3.7 m) tall. Native to Southeast Asia, they now grow in many subtropical regions, including Florida.

Temperate means moderate, and geographic temperate zones lie between the subtropics and the polar circles.

Peaches have a fuzzy, yellow to reddish skin, with soft or firm flesh and a hard pit. The earliest peaches were native to China, but today, the U.S. is one of the world’s largest peach growers.

Lemon juice is very acidic and is sometimes used as a bleaching agent.

Oranges have been grown since ancient times and originated in Southeast Asia.

The papaya is sometimes called the fruit of angels.

Carambola is also known as star fruit because that is what it looks like when sliced. It has been cultivated in India and Southeast Asia for hundreds of years. Its firm, juicy flesh has been compared to the texture of grapes. The entire fruit, including the skin, is edible.

The strawberry is the only fruit that grows its seeds on the outside.

Temperate fruits require an annual cold season.

Temperate fruits

Subtropical fruits require mild temperatures throughout the year, but can survive a light frost.

Like all citrus fruits, lemons are high in vitamin C. These fragrant, tart fruits grow on trees that reach heights of 22 to 25 feet (6.7 to 7.6 m).

Apples have been enjoyed by humans since prehistoric times. There are thousands of varieties, with skin colors that range from red to green and yellow. Some are sweet, while others are tart.

Today, Brazil is the leading orangeproducing nation in the world.

Olives are native to the Mediterranean region and have been cultivated for their fruit and oil since prehistoric times.

As the fruit matures, it turns from green to yellow to red to purple-black. Some olive trees in the Middle East are thought to be more than 2,000 years old.

Avocados grow in tropical and subtropical climates. This highly nutritious fruit has yellow-green pulp and a large pit.

Avocado trees grow to 30 to 60 feet (9 to 18 m) tall.

SOURCES: World Book Encyclopedia, World Book Inc.; http://www.faculty.ucr. edu; www.fruitsinfo.com; www.kidsandfruit.org

There are hundreds of varieties of pear.

People have grown pears for more than 7,000 years.

Plums have a thin, purple skin, juicy flesh and a hard pit.

Some plums can be dried to make prunes. California produces more plums than all the other U.S. states combined. In Canada, British Columbia and Ontario are the leading plum-growing provinces.

Raspberries grow on a thorny bush in cooler climates. Each berry consists of a cluster of cells, called drupelets, that look like tiny beads.

Kiwi fruit has brown, fuzzy skin and green pulp with small, black seeds. It grows on vines and does best in milder climates.

Ripe blueberries range in color from light blue to black and have a waxy, powdery-gray coating.

Blueberry shrubs grow wild in many parts of the world and do best in acidic soil.

10 Times Sunday Magazine

May 25, 2014

Times Fashion

S

onia Noel Foundation for the Creative Arts, in collaboration with the Guyana Sickle Cell Association, will be hosting Style Mission - a charity event to raise funds on 21 June 2014 at the Pegasus Hotel. One of the designers who will be showcasing at the event, known for her chic jewellery, is Deborah Mathias.

Mathias artistic journey began at a tender age at the feet of her father who worked in advertising.

After being trained in business and marketing, she joined her father’s advertising business - of which she is presently the CEO. However, the designer’s love for arts led to her pursuing training courses at both the E R Burrowes School of Art and the Fine Arts programme at the University of Guyana.

This love for art, paired with a background in business and advertising, saw the creation of a new company, Rave Design, which gave her the

opportunity to further explore and develop her skills in the areas of costume design, jewellery, fabric, ceramics, and leather craft.

Rave Design has produced prize winning costume bands for several companies and organisations at the annual Mashramani Parade and has participated in Guyexpo, Fashion Week, Red Art and several other events.

Presently, Mathias is exploring the processing of natural products such as seeds, semi-precious stones, coconut, and leather for production of jewellery, home dĂŠcor and wearable art.

Rave Design welcomes the opportunity to partner with events that coincide with its overall vision to continuously evaluate and elevate design standards and to sensitise the public about the value of supporting the local arts industry.

For more information on the event, call 226-3099.

guyanatimesgy.com

MAY 25, 2014

Name: Sofia Vergara Date/Place of Birth: July 10, 197 in Barranquilla, Colombia Career: In 1989, while taking a stroll on a Colombian beach, 17-year-old Vergara is spotted by a modeling scout and drops out of dentistry school to pursue a career in entertainment. She soon lands several gigs, including a starring role in a Pepsi commercial. After her older brother Rafael was murdered, she and her family relocate to Miami which was the start of her acting career. In 2009, Vergara starred as Mama Morton in Broadway's ‘Chicago’. She scored her big break playing Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on the ABC sitcom ‘Modern Family’ in 2009. She was nominated for the Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG Award for her laugh-out-loud role on ‘Modern Family’.

Sofia Vergara

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Star Times Hollywood

Times Sunday Magazine 11

12 Times Sunday Magazine

MAY 25, 2014

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Times Hollywood

T

he war is on.

After Charlie Sheen's angry rant in which he called her a "village idiot," Rihanna changed her profile background picture on Twitter to a photoshopped image of her signing an autograph for the "Anger Management" actor whose head is mockingly placed on a smaller body.

The Bajan songstress also posted a cryptic message, "If that old queen don't get ha diapers out of a bunch..." She additionally wrote, "When im about to go off and my subconscious be like: Nah, chill B," to caption a picture of herself wearing a pink wig, which was previously dissed by Charlie.

In response, he bites back as quoted by TMZ, "Dear Ms. Rihan- oh wait, no last name, Okay, Dear R clearly English is NOT your

primary language. Firstly I want to thank you for recognizing me as Royalty.

I'm flattered. And secondly; do the good Queen a favor and go tend to the dungeon in my Castle. But beware of the rats and the snakes.

They stir with folly awaiting your tepid advance, in the shadows..."

The feud is sparked by RiRi's rejection to meet Charlie's birthday girlfriend

for a quick introduction while they were at the same restaurant. "Sorry we're not KOOL enough to warrant a blessing from the Princess (or in this case the Village idiot)," he blasted the singer. "Oh and Riahnna, Halloween isn't for a while.

But good on you for testing out your costume in public.

It's close; a more muted pink might be the answer, as in: none." (AceShowbiz.com)

E

ven a casual Taylor Swift observer knows that there’s no style statement that the singer loves more than a great red lip. In fact, it doesn’t surprise us to find out (via the video below) that she usually chooses her outfit based on her red lipstick of the day. So when we got to chat with Swift at a Glendale, Calif. event to celebrate Keds-wearing style icons (as well as Swift’s own collection for the line) we had to ask: How many red lipsticks does she actually have?

“I don’t have an excessive amount! I just find one I like and use it,” she tells PEOPLE. “Right now [I'm using] Dragon Girl by NARS … I’ll go through different phases with makeup and always try new things. Except I never really get too far from red lipstick, do I? I guess I just think my face looks worse without it. That’s pretty much the only rationale behind it.”

Asked about her affinity for high-heeled Oxfords (she swears she doesn’t have as many as we think!), she explained that she likes the normality of the style in an industry that’s all about the six-inch stiletto. “I really like an oxford high heel for kind of looking more like either a student or like you’re going to work,” she says, laughing. “I don’t know, there’s something [that gives me some normality]. That’s what I kind of like to channel when I’m wearing them.”

She tells PEOPLE that she’s confident enough in her own style — and so are her many star BFFs — that she rarely shares clothes. “The one common thread between [my friends] is they know who they are and they’re very sure of who they are,” she says.

“We don’t usually have the same style. If they see me wearing something, they know it’s because that’s something that represents me and they’ll wear something very different … It doesn’t really affect the conversation, what we’re wearing.” (People)

R

Pattz lovers avert your eyes, as pictures of Robert Pattinson kissing Kylie Minogue have emerged.

Okay, so it's not exactly a full on snog but Rob does look pretty smitten as he leans in to peck the singer's cheek.

The pair bumped into each other at Cannes Festival and Rob appeared to be pretty pleased after meeting Kylie.

Whilst the actor is not known as having a cheery disposition, he couldn't wipe the smile off his face during Kylie's performance.

And after the 45-year-old finished her rather sultry performance of I Was Gonna Cancel he made a beeline for the pop princess.

The pair - who are clearly good pals both leaned in for a peck on the cheek and Rob appeared to be a little flustered at the prospect.

Sadly though, it seems the pair are just friends and besides, Rob has plenty of other things on his mind, like promoting his two new movies at the film festival.

He recently opened up about his steamy

sex scenes in Map To The Stars, and when questioned about who was the more 'expert' of co-stars Julianne Moore or Juliette Binoche, he said, "It was a wonderful experience.

Extremely sweaty." (Glamour)

Jay Z thinks Kim, Kanye's wedding being ‘blown out of proportion’

J

ay Z reportedly thinks Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's wedding is being 'blown way out of proportion'.

The 44-year-old rapper is set to be Kanye's best man when he ties the knot to the reality TV star in Florence on Saturday, but RadarOnline claims the 99 Problems hitmaker is not that enthusiastic about the nuptials.

An insider told the website: “He likes Kanye and Kim, but totally talks smack about them behind their backs. When he was asked about the wedding he just laughed and said, ‘The circus goes to Paris!’”

MailOnline revealed earlier this week that Jay will be Kanye's best man after a close family source confirmed the star will stand up for his friend at the lavish ceremony to be held at Forte di Belvedere in Florence, Italy.

On Friday, all eyes were on bride-to-be Kim as she made her way to her luxurious wedding brunch with her family in tow.

The 33-year-old reality star was pictured pushing baby North in her stroller

as she left her Parisian hotel flanked by fiancé Kanye West, 36, and her mother, Kris Jenner. (Daily Mail)

MAY 25, 2014

Name: Rajneesh Duggal Date of birth: November 19, 1979 Career: Duggal, who won the 2003 Mr. India title, was a New Delhi-based model in the fashion industry.

This model turned actor was first seen in Vikram Bhatt’s ‘1920’. The newbie has now signed the biggest film of his career, ‘Dangerous Ishq’ which was released this year. After ‘1920’ Duggal has been very careful regarding the roles he takes up. He recently released ‘Phhir’, which again was a Vikram Bhatt’s film. He also recently completed shooting for the film ‘Be Careful’ with Tanisha and another film ‘This Weekend’. Duggal is presently contemplating which movies he will be acting in as the offers pile in.

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Times Sunday Magazine 13

Star Times Bollywood

14 Times Sunday Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

May 25, 2014

Times Bollywood

Sushmita Sen: 'I will Witness in Salman Khan’s trial certainly get married' claims actor 'was not drunk'

S

ushmita Sen has said she plans to marry someday.

The 38-year-old has two adopted daughters, but despite a succession of highprofile relationships has not yet tied the knot.

She told IANS: "I think you save the best for last.

I don't think I should walk with the system.

"Our society has made this system that get graduate at 18, by 22 start panicking to get married and by 27 have your first child. I don't believe in that.

"Every person's DNA is different. I will certainly get married and for sure it's going to be a beautiful wedding. Masha allah bahut khoobsurat hogi meri shaadi," she added.

The former Miss Universe has been linked to Randeep Hooda and Vikram Bhatt.

Professionally Sen achieved only moderate success as an actress, starring in several movies including “Dastak” and “Main Hoon Na”.

In 2011, it was reported that Sen was asked to take the lead role in a film inspired by Bollywood legend Rekha's life.

She has now said that 2014 will mark her comeback to Bollywood. (IANS)

A

witness has claimed that Salman Khan was not drunk on the night of a hit and run incident.

63-year-old Francis Fernandez is the seventh witness in the trial and stated in court that he lives near the location of the accident.

According to Bollywood.com, Fernandez said the actor was "walking normally and did not smell of alcohol".

Recounting the sequence of events, Fernandez claimed he was asleep in his home when he was disturbed by the noise of the accident and subsequent shouting from the street.

"I rushed to the American bakery and saw Salman surrounded by a mob holding rods and stones. Salman recognised me and said, 'Commander save me'," he explained.

Fernandez claims he led the actor away from the scene, after which his wife stopped a passing car and Khan left in the vehicle.

The testimony counters allegations made on May 6 by a prosecution witness, who alleged that the actor was so drunk that he fell down after getting out of his car.

A waiter at a nearby five-star hotel also testified that he served the 47-year-old actor and his group of friends in the bar, but could not confirm whether Khan had been drinking.

The actor is on trial facing charges of culpable homicide, after it was alleged that he was driving a vehicle while inebriated and fled the scene of the incident on September 28, 2002.

Khan has pleaded not guilty to the charge, which carries a maximum sentence of ten years in jail.

The trial continues. (Bollywood.com)

Aishwarya Rai nails her Cannes look in a Cavalli gown

B

ollywood beauty Aishwarya Rai Bachchan opted for a white fishtail Roberto Cavalli gown for her second red carpet appearance at the Cannes film festival.

The former Miss World teamed up her silvery white gown with diamond jewellery and soft loose curls framing her face.

Her make-up had a hint of blue and heavily lined eyes.

The beaded number featured a plunging neckline, shimmery tassels and a diamond pattern. The silhouette echoed her earlier outfit, which was dual toned golden gown.

The 40-year-old actress, whose red carpet choices at Cannes have often garnered mixed response, made a glamorous first appearance by flaunting her newly thin figure at the red carpet yesterday in a golden fishtail Cavalli gown which she teamed up with red lips.

The star, who is accom-

panied by her two-year-old daughter Aaradhya and mother Brinda Rai at the 67th Cannes Film Festival, was to make an appearance earlier but her trip to the red carpet got delayed last week due to the Air Traffic Control strike in France.

Aishwarya has been a regular at Cannes thanks

to her stint as the L'Oreal Paris brand ambassador. It is her 13th festival appearance.

Other Indian celebrities who graced this year's red carpet at Cannes were Sonam Kapoor, Freida Pinto, Uday Chopra and Mallika Sherawat.

(Hindustan Times)

Sonam Kapoor: 'Gay-themed Bollywood films may change attitudes'

S

onam Kapoor has said that films depicting gay relationships might help change attitudes towards homosexuality in India.

The actress was among many of Bollywood's biggest stars who spoke out in condemnation of the Indian Supreme Court's regressive Section 377 ruling which states that gay sex is a criminal offence.

The 28-year-old star, who is attending the Cannes Film Festival as an ambassador for L'Oreal Paris, told PTI: "Well you know, unfortunately, in our country right now recently there is a law which... basically has said that homosexuality is not legal, which is very sad."

Commenting on last year's winner of the Palme

d'Or, lesbian love story Blue Is the Warmest Colour, Kapoor said a Bollywood film addressing same-sex relationships might help change perceptions in Indian society.

"I think movies can influ-

ence the way people think sometimes and if we do start making love stories or we start making movies about people who are amazing human beings, people who have done something in life, people who are inspirational who aren't necessarily only straight, I think people will start appreciating them more," she said.

The Section 377 ruling, which outlaws sex "against the order of nature", was passed by the Supreme Court in December 2013.

Conviction carries a fine and a jail sentence of up to ten years.

The Supreme Court's judgment set aside a Delhi High Court verdict from 2009 which had decriminalised homosexuality in India.

(PTI)

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MAY 25, 2014

Times Sunday Magazine

15

Times Healthy Living

M

ost of us are attached at the hip to our cell phones, as they have evolved into communication devices that allow us to call, text, email, pay bills, and even watch TV. Heavy cell phone use has been linked to harming our brain, altering our posture, ruining the English language, and now our skin. According to a recent study published in the journal Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Pulmonology, continuously using our phones for 30 minutes plus throughout the day can increase the risk of cell phonerelated allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) for those allergic to nickel, cobalt, and chromium.

With 85 mobile phone subscriptions per 100 people globally, reports of ACD to the mobile phone have been on the rise since 2000, especially with heavy use among children and adolescents. Items such as laptops, video game controllers, and other technology accessories have also become sources of nickel sensitization and ACD. Chromium and cobalt, also metals found in cell phones, are linked to caus-

W

ant to know the secret to a healthy heart? It's got nothing to do with fate and everything to do with the lifestyle decisions we make daily. But too many of us aren't taking the right steps to protect ourselves: Every year more women will die from cardiovascular disease than from all types of cancer combined. To safeguard your heart and keep it ticking for years to come, top doctors address common misconceptions and set the record straight.

Myth 1: The essential part of a heart-healthy diet is avoiding saturated fat.

Where cardiac trouble is concerned, saturated fat has long been considered public enemy number one, but a 2010 report that reviewed the findings of 21 studies found no conclusive evidence that consuming saturated fat increases a person's risk of heart disease. The likely culprit: refined carbohydrates. "The high levels of sugar raise insulin levels and after a few hours cause blood sugar to crash, which can make many people crave more processed carbs," says David Ludwig, MD, PhD, director

ing ACD. “With the increased use of smartphones, which include not only phone capabilities but also e-mail, texting, Internet, and gaming functions, it is likely that greater numbers of young adults will develop mobile phone dermatitis,” wrote Clare Richardson, researcher of the study from the Loma Lind University School of Medicine, California.

To accurately assess the incidence of ACD and cell phone use, Jacob Thyseen, lead researcher from Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte, and his colleagues reviewed the current literature on mobile phone ACD in both children and adults. The studies observed nickel and cobalt release from mobile phones using screening spot tests to measure the prevalence of mobile phone skin allergies. Nickel release from cell phones is typically common in both cheap and expensive phones.

Since the 2000 pioneer case study on mobile phone ACD found two patients with persistent facial dermatitis, there have been an additional 35 cases of mobile phone and mobile phone accessory dermatitis. Both patches tested positive to nickel sulfate during the 2000 study. The findings revealed 27 of these cases implicated nickel as the main culprit of ACD. Cell phones in where the keypad had a lot of wear and tear were more likely to test positive for nickel.

Half of BlackBerry, 75 percent of Samsung and 70 percent of Motorola phones tested had nickel or cobalt on the keypad or headset. However, no Apple iPhones, Nokias, or Androids were found to contain metal. Most of the participants in these studies reported ACD symptoms — such as

of the New Balance Foundation Obesity Prevention Center at Boston Children's Hospital. "The vicious cycle, over time, increases the risk of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes more so than total dietary fat does." This doesn't mean you can go crazy with butter and bacon; instead focus on replacing refined starches with vegetables, fruits, and beans—all foods that happen to be low in fat.

Myth 2: I'm in my 20s—I don't have to worry about heart disease yet.

What Ails You: Wrong! The plaques that eventually lead to clogged arteries can start accumulating during adolescence, which is why cholesterol checks should begin as early as age 20. Even if you're young, your chances of developing heart disease increase at least tenfold when you have three or more risk factors—for instance, if you smoke, you're overweight, you don't exercise, and you're chronically stressed. "While it's true that women under 55 make up fewer than 5 percent of all heart disease cases, studies suggest that young women who do have heart attacks are twice as likely to die, compared with

dry, itchy patches, redness, blistering, lesions, and even oozing on the face or ears — after using their phone non-stop for 30 minutes, or for more than an hour during the day.

Almost half of the cases that required medical treatment included those under age 18. Nickel allergy affects 10 percent of children and adults, says the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, often seen near the belly button. “With the rising use of cell phones and other mobile devices, pediatricians can expect to see additional cases of ACD,” says Dr. Mary Cataletto, editor-in-chief of the article, professor of clinical pediatrics at Stony Brook University, and practicing pediatric pulmonologist at Winthrop University Hospital, in the press release.

The team of researchers believe the revision of laws limiting allergen content and release would be a step in the right direction to reduce the incidence of mobile phone ACD. However, the presence of metals such as nickel are still in abundance in many consumer products. From 2010 to 2012, there has been a 40 percent increase in mobile phone ACD cases since the first two reports in 2000.

As cell phone allergies are increasingly on the rise and laws restricting nickel use in consumer products remain ineffective, users can take several safety measures to limit their nickel exposure. You can use the speakerphone or headset whenever possible, and use a protective plastic cover. Also, the duration and conditions of your cell phone play a big role in the likelihood of getting a reaction. (WebMD)

young men," says Judith Lichtman, PhD, an associate professor of epidemiology at Yale's School of Public Health. While no research has proved why female heart attack patients have a higher mortality rate, some researchers believe that it may be due in part to less aggressive treatment and post-op care.

Myth 3: An aspirin a day keeps heart trouble away.

In truth, the little pill's effectiveness depends on your age. A study in The New England Journal of Medicine found that for women under age 65, taking 100 milligrams of aspirin every other day did not affect the risk of a heart attack. For women 65 and over, however, it lowered the risk by 34 percent. "Aspirin can have serious side effects, including gastrointestinal bleeding," says Lori Mosca, MD, PhD, director of preventive cardiology at New York– Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan. "The benefits may not always outweigh the dangers, especially for younger women."

Myth 4: Heart disease runs in my family, so I'm doomed.

According to a study in The Lancet, less than 10 percent of heart disease is genetic. And genetic risk factors can vary in importance—some gene variations raise your risk by only around 15 percent, while very rare mutations may increase it by 200 percent or more. "For the vast majority of people, lifestyle choices are a better predictor," says Suzanne Steinbaum, director of the Women and Heart Disease program at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

"When my female patients who have a strong family history take proactive steps to lead healthier lives, virtually none of them develop the disease." (www.oprah. com)

16 Times Sunday Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

May 25, 2014

Times Home & Cooking

Easy Chicken Patty

Stylish Tween Bedrooms Decorate your tween or teen's bedroom with playful colour palettes and creativity reign supreme, but a hangout spot is essential

Ingredients: 1 lb minced chicken 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 small onion, chopped 2 scallion, chopped 1 tsp black pepper 5 sprig thyme salt to taste

Pastry: 4 cups flour 1 cup shortening + 1/3 cup butter 6 tbsp water plus To make pastry, mix margarine into flour until well combined. Add 6 tbsp of cold water and combine until the flour forms a dough. Chill for at least half an hour.

Method: On a medium fire heat 2 tsp of canola oil. Sauté onions and garlic until tender, add meat, thyme, black pepper, salt. (You can add desired vegetables also.) Cook for about 5 mins stirring to make sure meat doesn’t clump. Add scallion and cook for 2 mins.

Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Roll pastry on a well floured surface and cut into 4 inch circles. Place pastry circle in tartlet pan. Dough should come all the way up the sides. Place enough beef mixture to fill. Cover with a 4 inch circle of pastry and press edges together with a fork. Brush tops with egg wash, prick with a fork and bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 mins or until golden brown.

Peach Lemonade

Sport Murals Play up a teen's favourite sport or hobby with creative wall murals, a cool headboard or fun accessories

Ingredients: 4 cups water 2 cups chopped peaches 3/4 cup sugar

1 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 6 lemons) 4 cups ice 1 peach for garnish, cut into 8 wedges

Method: Combine the first 3 ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.

Bring to a boil; reduce heat, simmer for 3 minutes. Place peach mixture in a blender; let stand for 20 minutes.

Remove center piece of blender lid (to allow steam to escape); secure blender lid on blender. Place a clean towel over opening in blender lid. Blend until smooth. Pour into a large bowl. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

Press peach mixture through a sieve over a bowl, reserving liquid, discarding solids.

Stir in lemon juice. Garnish each glass with a peach wedge.

GREATEST COOKING TIPS

Versatile Storage Cool shelving and a desk are a must for any tween room. They need a quiet place to study, as well as an area to display pictures of friends, books and favourite memorabilia

It's important to let a roast – beef, pork, lamb or poultry – sit a little while before carving.

That allows the juices to retreat into the meat. If you carve a roast too soon, much of its goodness will spill out onto the carving board.

Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips.

For fluffier, whiter rice, add one teaspoon of lemon juice per quart of water.

For a juicer hamburger, add cold water to the beef before grilling (1/2 cup to 1 pound of meat).

Lettuce keeps better if leaves arestored dry in the refrigerator. Wash the day you are going to use or dry thoroughly before you store it in the fridge.

Do not use metal bowls when mixing salads. Use wooden, glass or china.

The best way to store fresh celery is to wrap it in aluminium foil and put it in the refrigerator – it will keep for weeks.

No "curly" bacon for breakfast when you dip it into cold water before frying.

HOME HELP

Purple Power Surround your tween in her favourite colour. For this bedroom makeover, a whimsical fabric is paired with traditional furniture with the tween’s favourite colour, purple

Vodka can be used as a way to clean your mattress. The alcohol kills odour-causing bacteria while it also disinfects the mattress. Simply pour vodka into a spray bottle, distribute it evenly across your mattress by spritzing and leave it to air-dry before remaking your bed.

Eucalyptus and clove were proven to be the most effective oils for eliminating household dust mites. Add around 10 drops of an oil in with your laundry detergent when you wash your sheets in hot water; fill a spray bottle with 1 quart of water and 20 drops of an oil to spray on upholstery; or, put baking soda in a sifter and add in 10 drops of an essential oil to shake across carpeting. Then leave the mixture on the floor for 30 minutes and vacuum it up.

Tricky smells, such as from burnt foods, are easily absorbed into the microwave and take more than a good scouring to get rid of. The easiest way to deodorize a microwave and clean it is to cut a lemon in half, sprinkle it with some kosher salt and then to scrub the microwave interior with it. For those who just wish the smell would go away on its own, this trick comes pretty close: Put a bowl of white vinegar in the microwave and shut the door.

A way to remove rust rings from your bathtub is to coat the undersides of your shavingcream can, metal soap dish or any other rust-causing culprits with clear nail polish, which puts a protective layer between the item and your pearly white tub.

guyanatimesgy.com

MAY 25, 2014

Times Sunday Magazine 17

Times Sunday Puzzle

You are an adventurer and come across two caves: one on the left and one on the right. One of the caves has treasures; the other, most certain doom. You see an imp passing by and ask which cave has the treasure. The imp said, "Two caves you came across. Many have failed to pick the right one. It contains treasure of many kinds. What is left, to tell, is the other cave, with terror and death lurking around." Which one should you pick? see solution on page 22

see solution on page 22

see solution on page 22

18 Times Sunday Magazine

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May 25, 2014

Times Creative Writing

S

tamps released on an envelope are referred to as ‘Official First Day Covers’ - signifying the first day of release. In addition, information leaflets known as ‘Stamp News’ may also be issued providing collectors and users with the historical background and significance of the said stamps.

Stamps provide a vivid reflection of history through the ages. At the time of issue virtually every stamp has clear historical significance. There are various types of stamps issued for several occasions.

Commemorative stamps honour important people, events or special subjects of national appeal and significance. Their subjects frequently are former presidents, statesmen, other prominent persons and national shrines.

Browsing the vast collection of stamps and medals of Mr Netram, owner of an antique store in Craig, East Bank Demerara, Guyana Times Sunday Magazine was able to uncover first day covers celebrating Guyana’s independence which were released on 26 May 1966.

Mr Netram is very passion-

God Save Guyana God save Guyana, help keep us free To do your will in peace and harmony Save us from strife, humbly we plead Help us work together to fill Guyana’s need God bless Guyana, this glorious land Inscribed in nature’s beauty by your loving hand Mountains, rivers and plains set in majestic array Full of nature’s treasure in rock and in clay God guide Guyana, show us the way Inspire us to noble works throughout the day Assist our Government to plan wisely and justly In moulding the nation towards unity and prosperity M A Vieira

The Bells are Ringing Independence bells are ringing Music is in the air Guyana give thanks and be happy And welcome in your freedom year ate about his collection and was kind enough to share it with this publication.

In 2013, Postmaster General, Henry Dundas, in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine

explained that the stamps are significant because they highlight a country’s culture and rich history. He added that first covers are still made by the Guyana Post Office upon requests

by companies, government ministries, and other entities. Dundas noted that first covers are mainly made to commemorate momentous occasions and may worth a lot in future years.

The Independence Medal The Independence Medal was issued to certain senior members of the public services, security services and the Defence Force. It consisted of a metal disc with the Coat of Arms on one side and the map of Guyana surrounded by the words, “Independence of Guyana 26 May 1966” on the other. The ribbon depicted the five national colours – black, gold, green, red and white – in vertical shapes.

Independence bells are ringing All Guyanese must live as one To plan and to work all energies And to make your country grand Independence bells are ringing Songs to stir your soul Go forward, Guyana sons and daughters Reach upward and grasp your goal Laurie De Jonge I – in one accord today we pray N- new strength and courage give D – defend our cause in every way E – each moment that we live P – protect our leaders to be their guide E – enrich this great nation N – new efforts bless through far and wide D – direct and plan our fate E – enter each heart where’re we meet N – no evil thought let stray C – control our tongues, our hands, our feet E – eternal God we pray Catherine De Clou

One side of the metal disc showing the map of Guyana surrounded by the words, “Independence of Guyana 26 May 1966”

The ribbon depicted the five national colours in vertical shapes

Poems dedicated to the new nation published in Guyana Graphic May 26, 1966

Send your creative writing to sundaymagazine@guyanatimesgy.com

guyanatimesgy.com

May 25, 2014

Times Sunday Magazine19

Times World

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group of children in Tanzania who are naturally immune to malaria are helping scientists to develop a new vaccine.

US researchers have found that they produce an antibody that attacks the malaria-causing parasite.

Injecting a form of this antibody into mice protected the animals from the disease.

The team, which published its results in the journal Science, said trials in primates and humans were now needed to fully assess the vaccine's promise.

Prof Jake Kurtis, director of the Center for International Health Research at Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University School of Medicine, said: "I think there's fairly compelling evidence that this is a bona fide vaccine candidate.

"However, it's an incredibly difficult parasite to attack. It's had millions of years of evolution to co-opt and adapt to our immune responses - it really is a formidable enemy."

Trapped inside

The study began with a group of 1,000 children in Tanzania, who had regular blood samples taken in the first years of their lives.

A small number of these children - 6% - developed a naturally acquired immunity to malaria, despite living in an area where the disease was rife.

"There are some individuals who become resistant and there are some individuals who do not become resistant," explained Prof Kurtis.

"We asked what were the specific antibodies expressed by resistant children that

The antibody trapped the malaria parasites inside of red blood cells

were not expressed by susceptible children."

The team found that an antibody produced by the immune children hits the malaria parasite at a key stage in its life-cycle.

It traps the tiny organism in red blood cells, preventing it from bursting out and spreading throughout the

body.

Tests, carried out in small groups of mice, suggest this antibody could act as a potential vaccine. Prof Kurtis said: "The survival rate was over two-fold longer if the mice were vaccinated compared with unvaccinated - and the parasitemia (the number of parasites in the blood) were

up to four-fold lower in the vaccinated mice."

The team said it was encouraged by the results, but stressed more research was required.

Prof Kurtis said: "I am cautious. I've seen nothing so far in our data that would cause us to lose enthusiasm.

However, it still needs to get through a monkey study and the next phase of human trials." This latest study is one of many avenues being explored in the race to find a malaria vaccine.

The most advanced is the RTS,S vaccine, developed by GlaxoSmithKline. The drug company is seeking regulatory approval after Phase III clinical trials showed that the drug almost halved the number of malaria cases in young children and reduced by about 25% the number of

malaria cases in infants.

Commenting on the research, Dr Ashley Birkett, director of the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative, said: "The identification of new targets on malaria parasites to support malaria vaccine development is a necessary and important endeavour.

"While these initial results are promising with respect to prevention of severe malaria, a lot more data would be needed before this could be considered a leading vaccine approach - either alone or in combination with other antigens."

The most recent figures from the World Health Organization suggest the disease killed more than 600,000 people in 2012, with 90% of these deaths occurring in sub-Saharan Africa.

(BBC)

111-Year-Old New Yorker 'Magical' 18thIs World's Oldest Man Century Artifacts A Found in Caribbean t 111 years old, Dr. Alexander Imich of New York City has been crowned the new world's oldest living man, according to Guinness World Records.

The world's oldest living person and oldest woman, Misao Okawa of Osaka, Japan is 116 years old; she was born on March 5, 1898. The longest a person has been known to live, at least an age that could be authenticated by Guinness World Records, is 122 years and 164 days; that person, Louise Calment of France, was born on Feb. 21, 1875, and died in a nursing home in Arles, France, on Aug. 4, 1997.

Imich, who says he owes his longevity to good genes and a moderate and healthy lifestyle, was born in presentday Czestochowa, Poland,

Small iron balls called grape shot, meant to be shot out of cannons, were found in the posthole of a plantation house discovered in the British Virgin Islands

A

rchaeologists working on two small Caribbean islands have found artifacts intentionally buried beneath two 18th-century plantation houses.

They appear to have been placed there for their spiritual power, protecting the inhabitants against harm, said John Chenoweth, a professor at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, in an interview with Live Science.

The discoveries were made recently in the British Virgin Islands, an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. n one island archaeologists found "grape shot" — iron balls less than an inch (2 centimeters) in diameter meant to be shot from a cannon — buried in two postholes under a sugar plantation house. At this time on the British Virgin Islands "weapons were in short supply, so these bul-

lets would have been likely relatively important," Chenoweth said. Why someone would bury them in postholes is a mystery, as one would need to dig up the house's foundation to access the iron balls, not to mention the balls would corrode over time, Chenoweth said.

That ammunition likely served a spiritual or magical purpose, he said.

Supporting that idea, researchers Jacqueline Simpson and Steve Roud write in the "Dictionary of English Folklore" (Oxford University Press, 2002) that "the power of iron to repel evil is very well attested in English folklore, and throughout Europe — all sorts of domestic objects, and even lumps of scrap iron, were placed in homes, stables and cowsheds as defenses against witchcraft and harmful fairies, or used in counterspells."

Chenoweth believes

that this ammunition was used like a counter spell.

Grape shot was intended for warfare and therefore could be magically used to stop violence. "Following the idea of 'like cures like' the grape shot may have been buried to keep violent attack away," he said in a follow-up email.

The inhabitants of the two-room plantation house had plenty of potential violence to worry about, as historical records show the island government continually warned London the colony was short of weapons and ammunition and was vulnerable to a Spanish attack or slave uprising, Chenoweth said.

The fact that the plantation homeowners buried this scarce ammunition makes the find all the more remarkable.

"When they placed them there they had a good reason for doing so," Chenoweth said.

(Discovery News)

on Feb. 4, 1903. He and his wife, Wela, immigrated to the United States in 1953, where his wife died in 1986. Imich has been living alone in Manhattan since she died.

His motto, he told Guinness World Records, is that one should "always pursue what one loves and is passionate about."

This latest oldest-man record was verified after the passing of the prior record holder, Arturo Licata of Italy on April 24. Licata was 111 years and 357 days.

So what's the secret to such long lives? While plenty of research has focused on longevity and what makes centenarians stand out from those who don't make it to such an old age, no single fountain of youth has turned

up. Even so, both genes and a healthy lifestyle do seem to play roles. In a study detailed in 2010 in the journal Science, researchers found 150 genetic markers could predict 77 percent of the time whether a person lived into their late 90s and beyond. Another study out in 2011 also points to longevity genes, as the study participants who were 95 and older lived no more virtuous lives than the general population when it came to healthy behaviors.

But don't grab the doughnut just yet. In 2012, researchers reported centenarians living in mountain villages on the island of Sicily adhered closely to the Mediterrranean diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, while low in red mean and refined carbs. (Discovery News)

20 Times Sunday Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

MAY 25, 2014

Times Tech

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alisation can introduce, the Columbia researchers adopted a different approach that involves the core or kernel of the Android operating system.

This approach works on the stream of instructions passing through an Android device and alters only those relating to the iOS apps. An additional software helper provides some of the specialised data those apps require to work properly.

ndroid and Apple apps have been shown running sideby-side on the same devices thanks to software developed by US computer scientists.

The software, called Cider, has been created by postgraduate researchers at Columbia University.

Cider lets Android gadget owners mix and match the Android and iOS apps they load on their phone or tablet.

The research team said Cider was only a prototype and that they had no plans to turn it into a commercial product.

A demo video produced by the researchers shows both iOS and Android apps running on a Nexus 7 tablet, though some commentators pointed out that the Apple apps run relatively slowly on the device.

In addition, some Apple apps that call on a phone's camera, GPS system or Bluetooth perform poorly and the researchers are continuing their work on Cider to fix these problems. (BBC)

Deep link

The six-strong team of researchers said they embarked on the project to create Cider to get around the limitations that smartphone and tablet users are forced to accept.

Tech news

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For instance, they said in an academic paper about Cider that Android users cannot get at apps that call on media in Apple iTunes and iOS gadget owners

A

written for one operating system to run on another often involves a technique known as virtualisation.

To avoid the performance problems that virtu-

Facebook wants to 'listen' to your music and TV

acebook is to release a new feature on its mobile app that "listens" to your music and TV shows.

If the song or show is recognised by the app, users can publish the information on their profile or to selected friends.

The service hopes to take advantage of the "second screen" trend, which sees fans of TV shows in particular sharing their experiences on social networks.

However, some users have privacy concerns.

The feature, which will be available in a few weeks' time, uses the microphones inside users' smartphones to detect nearby music or TV shows.

As the user begins writing a status update, a small animated icon will appear at the top of the app.

If the app detects the appropriate audio signals and finds a match from its database, the user can then share what he or she is watching or listening to.

Facebook says the feature can be turned off at any time, the audio recording is not stored anywhere and the device cannot identify background noise or conversations.

"If you share music, your friends can see a 30-second preview of the song. For TV

Tech Byte

struggle to use Flash-based content.

Cider would let people use just one gadget to access both, said the researchers.

Getting an application

shows, the story in News Feed will highlight the specific season and episode you're watching," Facebook said in a statement.

The company hopes this new method of sharing user listening and watching habits will take advantage of the five billion status updates related to TV and music experiences that the social networking giant sees on a yearly basis.

However, automating part of the shar-

ing process has left some users suspicious, with Nicole Simon commenting on TechCrunch that: "While the idea is nice and technology really interesting, I have no interest in Facebook 'observing' my audio and surrounding. Yes, it starts currently as opt-in, and only on occasion, but there is no trust from my side for even that."

Advertising and Shazam

The BBC understands that this new feature was not specifically designed to enhance Facebook's advertising. However, the company could push an advert to a user's phone based on their tracked listening habits.

This is in keeping with Facebook's current approach to advertising, which uses publicly provided information on users' profiles to push advertisements that are more relevant to each individual user.

The basic idea behind Facebook's feature is not a new one - since 2002 Shazam, which has recently seen a $3m investment from Sony Music Entertainment, has been providing a similar audio recognition service, with its website describing itself as "a mobile app that recognises music and TV around you".

Users of Shazam - all 450 million of them - can not only share their listening habits with other users of the app, but they can also push their updates to Facebook and Twitter.

The app also provides artist biographies, lyrics, videos, recommended tracks and concert tickets.

Facebook's much larger user base could pose a future threat to the comparatively smaller company. (BBC)

iStick flash drive plays nice with the iPhone

lthough the iPhone and iPad may indeed pack a whole plethora of features, they still lack a plain ol' USB port. This means that they can't share files with a Mac or PC via a regular flash drive. The iStick, however, isn't regular. According to its creators, it's the world's first Lightning-to-USB flash drive.

It is, of course, already possible to move content between iDevices and computers. You can use a Lightningto-USB cable, you can send files by email, or you can upload content from one device to the cloud, then download back from the cloud to the other device.

The iStick, however, is designed to make things easier.

First of all, unlike a cable, files can be stored on it. This means, for example, that you could load a movie from your computer onto it, then watch that movie on your iPhone directly from the iStick – you wouldn't have to actually load the movie into the phone's limited memory space, in

other words.

It's also much quicker than loading to and from the cloud, and doesn't require internet access. Additionally, users don't have to set up an account, or worry about the security of data stored online.

The iStick (not to be confused with the smartwatchlike thing of the same name) is made by Hyper, which also manufactures the streaming iUSBport. The company is now raising production funds on Kickstarter, with pledge levels starting at US$65 for an 8GB iStick and ranging up to $199 for a 128GB model. A free iOS app is also required to use the stick.

It should be noted that iPhones older than the 5/5c/5s don't have a Lightning port, so an unmodified iStick won't work with them. If you own one of those older phones, you might instead want to check out the i-FlashDrive HD, which plugs into the phone's 30-pin connector. (Gizmag)

guyanatimesgy.com

May 25, 2014

Times Sunday Magazine 21

Times Art

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n celebration of Guyana’s 48th independence anniversary, Castellani House is presently hosting an art exhibition by iconic artist Bernadette Indira Persaud, A.A. Persaud’s work last graced Castellani’s galleries almost a decade ago in

bitions and participating in more than 20 group exhibitions. Through the decades, she won many awards and recently has been bestowed with the Caribbean Hall of Fame Award in Jamaica for excellence in the visual arts.

Although Persaud’s paintings have evolved

Artist Bernadette Persaud

2005 in a solo exhibition – sponsored by the High Commission of India- titled ‘India: A Glimpse’. By then, she had already accomplished significant achievements and gained recognition in the region and in the diaspora. Yet, her most recent painting in the National Collection is ‘Going Masjid’, which is dated 1994 – two decades ago. It is only now, with this exhibition, that this lapse can be corrected.

Winning the National Award for painting in 1985 and being the first woman to do so, Bernadette Persaud refused to entertain a dull moment in her artistic career, which saw her mounting six solo exhi-

over the years, their daring allegorical content continues to forge and provoke dialogue. Her ‘Gentleman in the Garden’ series of paintings in the 1980s have perpetuated the notion of militancy, subtly commenting on the pervasive militarism under the regime of the day. This local political commentary was extended in the painting, ‘Gentleman Under the Sky’ when militarism on the world’s stage captured her attention.

Recently, her allegorical content has evolved into a more complex configuration of spiritual, social and political undertones in her ‘Forest’ series, which may seem very unorthodox to many.

Her tenaciously stippling brush strokes have grown shorter in her recent series of paintings as compared to the longer brush strokes in the ‘Bird Island’, ‘Gentleman in the Garden’ and ‘Lotus’ series. Every inch of Persaud’s canvases is detailed with brush strokes that could engage years of study.

Persaud began painting seriously in the early 1980s after being forced out of her teaching career. For the artist, painting became an instrument which, not merely seduced, but pricked and prodded the individual/collective conscience.

“The scope of my work later broadened into an investigation of not only political oppression, but cultural identity and the ephemerality of life. In retrospect it was a quest – integral to post-colonial societies – tied up with that complex of needs for creativity, originality and an authentic self,” expressed Persaud at the opening of the exhibition.

She went on to say that her submissions to this new project represents ‘new and old’ works, which subsume philosophical, political, aesthetic and ecological concerns, from the perspective of an artist located in a particular historical, geographical and cultural space.

“These works challenge, critique and subvert existing notions about our art and more specifically perceptions about the nature of our socio-political reality – a reality more poi-

'The lotus of my great grandmother -Myth and memory' (1992)

'A lotus of a thousand desires' (1989)

gnantly voiced by Martin Carter: ‘New and old is the face of the world’s great grief, and current notions about ‘climate change’ – as seen through the lens of Hindu mythopoeics and metaphysics,” Persaud dis-

closed.

Persaud’s applauded paintings are now on show at Castellani House, Vlissengen Road. The exhibition ‘As New and As Old’, an exhibition of selected works (1984-2014), is pres-

ently opened to the public.

Admission is free. Gallery hours are 10a.m. to 5p.m.

Monday to Friday and 2 to 6p.m. on Saturday; the gallery is closed Sundays and holidays. (Text by Curator Ohene Koama)

22 Times Sunday Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

May 25, 2014

Times Heritage

Guyana’s 1966 independence stamps S

oon after the introduction of postage stamps in 1840, countries began using them to portray details about the country in particular, and the move to independence was one event that was particularly highlighted on many a country’s postage stamps. Guyana issued a new set of stamps to commemorate its Independence on May 26, 1966; new stamps were also required because the country’s name was being changed.

Quite appropriately, the Independence stamps depicted the country’s map and new flag, and it’s new Coat-of-Arms in a set of four stamps – 5c, 15c, 25c & $1.00 (the catalogue numbers for stamp collectors using the British system being SG408, SG409, SG410 and SG411, respectively).

In the set, the 5c and 15c depict the map of Guyana (with surrounding countries named) and the Golden Arrowhead, whilst the 25c and $1.00

portrays the new Coat-ofArms of the country, each stamp having the words “Independence 1966” on a flying banner.

All multicoloured photographic printing, the 15c and $1.00 issues have a brown background, whilst the 5c has a dark blue background and the 25c a light blue background.

These stamps were designed by Victor Whiteley, once described (in 1982

by James Mackay) as the third most prolific stamp designer in the world having then designed 1,033 stamps, and printed by the British stamp printers, Harrison & Sons of London.

An interesting inclusion in the design of these stamps is the inscription “South America” in small letters below the word “Guyana.”

This would have been necessary then, to ensure the mail reaches these shores.

Technically, however, these new stamps are not Guyana’s first Independence stamps.

Issued on the same date,

Guyana 1966 5c

Guyana 1966 25c

Some of the Guyana independence Overprints

May 26, 1966, but listed

by Stanley Gibbons 2009 Catalogue Commonwealth & British Empire Stamps 1840-1970 before the new Independence stamps, are thirty-two “new” stamps comprising the fifteen stamps of the 1954-1963 issue with a number of vari-

eties, with catalogue numbers SG378 – SG407b.

These British Guiana stamps of 1954-1963 were reprinted with the inscription “Guyana Independence 1966” overprinted in bold, black capital letters on the face of the stamps, the stamps having un-

Street scene with New Amsterdam omnibus (British Guiana)

Guyana 1966 15c

Guyana 1966 $1

changed values. This issuing of current stamps with “Independence” overprints seems to have been a regular approach of newly independent countries.

One can put together a neat, informative collection of our Independence stamps issued on May 26, 1966; a collection of thirtysix stamps – this could be

a project for our young people.

En passant, I should mention that only one other issue of stamps was made in 1966; two stamps, 5c and 25c featuring the Bank of Guyana building for the opening of the Bank of Guyana, and issued on October 11, 1966. (Text by Lennox J Hernandez)

Brain Teaser Answer You should pick the right one. As he said, it has treasure of many kinds. The left one lurks with death and danger, as he said.

KID SUDOKU

Victoria Hotel, 7 and 18 High Street, Georgetown (British Guiana)

SUDOKU

CROSSWORD

guyanatimesgy.com

May 25, 2014

Times Sunday Magazine 23

Times Travel & Tourism

Ant hill on Moco Moco road

T

A thatch-roof house in Moco Moco (Photo by James Broscombe)

he trip from Lethem to Moco Moco is under 30 minutes, and along the way visitors can enjoy spectacular views of the Kanuku Mountains.

When in Moco Moco, keep your eyes peeled and you might just spot the Moco Moco plant from which the community gets its name, or if you are really lucky, a giant anteater stalking the mounds for her favourite snack.

The drive through the village provides a glimpse into village life. A community on the edge of the township, Moco Moco is a blend of traditional and modern life; with electrical lines running from the nearby town of Lethem, thatch roofs sit side by side with zinc, and tractors work alongside bullock carts.

Looking down the Moco Moco Falls (Photo by Michael Hackett)

The '999 Steps'

Picturesque view of the village (Photo by Matt Hallett)

As you cross the village, the scene transforms from savannah into rainforest as the trail wanders through the communities favourite farmlands to the falls at the base of the mountains.

Leaving your vehicle parked at the now abandoned hydro-power station, local guides are on hand to escort you along the ‘999 Steps’ that emerge at a scenic plateau. From here you can observe the vast savannahs and Kanuku mountains form above or look across for a spot of majestic ‘Black Rock’. This is a spot to relax, sit and take in the view while enjoying some snacks.

Later you can return to the base of the falls to enjoy your lunch, and swim in one of the pools of brisk fresh water.

24

Times Sunday Magazine

May 25, 2014

guyanatimesgy.com

Times Last Laugh

Don’t Lose Your Finger Over a Parking Space

By Melvin Durai

F

inding a parking space at some shopping malls can be a major challenge, as I realized when I visited a mall near my home. I had to drive around for several minutes until I spotted a man who was walking to his car. I followed him to the end of the parking lot and manoeuvred my car as close to his parking space as possible, so I could grab it before another driver beat me to it. And then I waited patiently as the man entered his car, adjusted his seat, and proceeded to take a nap.

That’s what happens when wives take too long to shop.

Oh well, at least I didn’t lose a finger over the parking space like a New Jersey woman named Tonya Knight-Joseph.

Visiting Cherry Hill Mall recently, she circled the parking lot several times before finding an empty space and pulling into it. She was soon confronted by two women who accused her of stealing their space. One of the women allegedly punched KnightJoseph in the face and bit her finger all the way to the bone. “It was hanging off by a little piece of skin,” Knight-Joseph told ABC News.

She was admitted to a hospital and needed a tetanus shot and HIV test. But at least she didn’t need a big wooden box.

It’s true – some people have lost their lives during parking disputes. It has happened in many parts of the world, including Delhi, Hyderabad, and, of course, New York City. Fighting over parking is so common in parts of New York City that a group of residents got together last year to form the UPFL (Ultimate

Frog date

Park-and-Fight League).

It’s like mixed martial arts, but instead of fighting in a ring, the combatants use a parking space. The winner gets to park there; the loser parks at North Central Bronx Hospital. And receives treatment from a Korean-American physician named Dr. Kwun-yoo Park.

As a longtime driver, I know how valuable parking spaces can be, especially when they’re in short supply, as they are in most large cities. In Chicago, for example, finding a parking space is often harder – believe it or not – than finding a long-lost relative. And I don’t mean the guy on the street who says, “Hey brother, can you spare a dollar?”

Traffic experts have used satellite images to determine that at any given moment in downtown Chicago, there are only seven vacant parking spaces. Technically, only six of the spaces are vacant – the seventh space will be taken as soon as the woman in a BMW figures out how to parallel park her car.

Parking in some cities is so difficult that you might spot one of your friends standing at the bus stop after work.

You: “Hey Jitender, is something wrong with your car?”

Jitender: “No, it’s fine.”

You: “Then why are you taking the bus?”

Jitender: “I didn’t want to lose my parking space.

It’s a really good one.”

For many people, finding parking is a challenge even at their homes. They don’t have driveways or garages, so they have to rely on street parking. That’s where parking disputes often occur. The street might be public property, but it’s probably not a good idea to park continually in front of someone’s home. Especially not the home of the guy who looks like he just got released from prison. You might wake up one morning and find that the air just got released from your tires.

If that happens, feel free to knock on his door and say, “I was going to move my car, but my tires are flat. It looks like I’m going to be permanently parked here.”

Don’t be surprised, however, if you soon find yourself permanently parked at North Central Bronx Hospital. And saying to a reporter from ABC News: “It was hanging off by a little piece of skin.”

A frog telephones the Psychic Hotline and his Personal Psychic Advisor tells him: "You are going to meet a beautiful young girl who will want to know everything about you."

The frog is thrilled, "This is great!

Will I meet her at a party?" "No," says his Advisor, "in her biology class."

The story of evolution

A little girl asked her mother, "How did the human race appear?"

The mother answered, "God made Adam and Eve and they had children, and so was all mankind made..."

Two days later the girl asked her father the same question... The father answered, "Many years ago there were monkeys from which the human race evolved."

The confused girl returned to her mother and said, "Mom, how is it possible that you told me the human race was created by God, and Dad said they developed from monkeys?"

The mother answered, "Well, dear, it is very simple. I told you about my side of the family and your father told you about his."

Lawyer fees

Walking into a lawyer’s office, a man asked what his rates were. "Fifty dollars for three questions," the lawyer stated.

"Isn't that awfully expensive?" the man asked?" "Yes," replied the lawyer. "What's your third question?"

Elementary

Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson go on a camping trip. After a good dinner, they retire for the night, and go to sleep.

Some hours later, Holmes wakes up and nudges his faithful friend. "Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see."

"I see millions and millions of stars, Holmes" exclaims Watson.

"And what do you deduce from that?"

Watson ponders for a minute.

"Well, astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo. Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three.

Meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow.

Theologically, I can see that God is all powerful, and that we are a small and insignificant part of the universe. What does it tell you, Holmes?"

And Holmes said: "Watson, you idiot, it means that somebody stole our tent."

Fix it yourself

The driver of this vehicle decided to create parking space... on top of another car!

When a guy's printer type began to grow faint, he called a local repair shop where a friendly

man informed him that the printer probably needed only to be cleaned.

Because the store charged $50 for such cleanings, he told him he might be better off reading the printer's manual and trying the job himself.

Pleasantly surprised by his candour, he asked, "Does your boss know that you discourage business?"

"Actually, it's my boss's idea," the employee replied sheepishly, "We usually make more money on repairs if we let people try to fix things themselves first."

Farmer Joe decided his injuries from the accident were serious enough to take the trucking company (responsible for the accident) to court. In court, the trucking company's fancy lawyer was questioning farmer Joe. "Didn't you say, at the scene of the accident, 'I'm fine?" questioned the lawyer.

Farmer Joe responded, "Well I'll tell you what happened. I had just loaded my favourite mule Bessie into the..."

"I didn't ask for any details," the lawyer interrupted, "just answer the question. Did you not say, at the scene of the accident, “’I'm fine!'"

Farmer Joe said, "Well I had just got Bessie into the trailer and I was driving down the road..."

The lawyer interrupted again and said, "Judge, I am trying to establish the fact that, at the scene of the accident, this man told the Highway Patrolman on the scene that he was just fine. Now several weeks after the accident he is trying to sue my client. I believe he is a fraud.

Please tell him to simply answer the question."

By this time the Judge was fairly interested in Farmer Joe's answer and said to the lawyer, "I'd like to hear what he has to say about his favourite mule Bessie."

Joe thanked the Judge and proceeded, "Well as I was saying, I had just loaded Bessie, my favourite mule, into the trailer and was driving her down the highway when this huge semi-truck and trailer ran the stop sign and smacked my truck right in the side. I was thrown into one ditch and Bessie was thrown into the other. I was hurting real bad and didn't want to move.

However, I could hear ole Bessie moaning and groaning. I knew she was in terrible shape just by her groans.

Shortly after the accident a Highway Patrolman came on the scene. He could hear Bessie moaning and groaning so he went over to her. After he looked at her he took out his gun and shot her between the eyes. Then the Patrolman came across the road with his gun in his hand and looked at me. He said, "Your mule was in such bad shape I had to shoot her. How are you feeling?"

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