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Sunday December 4, 2016

Times

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Rupununi Rockers Band Page 4

Determination of a singleparent Page 5

Establishment of Demerara Page 7 Mt. Shiriri

A natural wonderland Page 8

Chic designer wear Page 10 Trending Now

Curly Hair Page 15

Page 3

An artistic response Page 16

2 Sunday Times Magazine

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DECEMBER 4, 2016

Times Feature

Essequebo & Demerary 1813 (1 stiver). Essequebo and Demerary were originally two of three Dutch colonies along the coast of present-day Guyana. They were seized by the British to avoid falling into French hands after the French invasion of the Netherlands.

They remained in British control through the 1830s, when the Netherlands and Great Britain formally divided the region between them, the British taking over the western portion. This mixed colonial origin shows in the coinage: Though the portrait of the British monarch (King George III) is honoured on the obverse, the denominations are clearly Dutch. (coinfactswiki.com)

A

s we today go about our daily chores and routines, so too did the people who came before us in an era vastly different in many ways to our times. Past newspapers and gazettes are some of the earliest records of history that today are all that is left to offer us a glimpse of early Guyana.

This week, Sunday Times Magazine provides a look at a few notices from the “Essequebo and Demerary Royal Gazette 1812 December 05 Notices”, and advertisements of newspapers in the 1800s. These historical records highlight how far we’ve come over the cen-

turies and proffer tantalizing clues and questions about lifetimes ago...

Straghan.

Demerary, 1812.

Wedding Bells

Contractor wanted

Banns of Matrimony, [heading] BETWEEN [heading] Andrew Battlelia, born in the Island of St. Thomas, AND [centred] Mary Cornierlison, born in this Colony, With the consent of her Mother.

Any person knowing just cause why those persons should not be joined together in holy matrimony, must declare the same to The Rev. W. G.

Dec.

5,

ANY Person willing to contract for a LOGIE-FRAME, of best Greenheart, seventy-two feet long, twenty feet wide, and two stories high; with a gallery on each side, ten feet wide, and shingled with the best Walaba shingles, to be brought by the contractor, and erected on the Plantation Hope, on the east coast - will please address the lowest terms to JOSEPH BEETE, q q James Baillie.

Columbia District,

George Town, Dec. 3

Debtors and Creditors

H. C. WAHL, desires of Mr Scheepens to come and make a full settlement with him, for to put him in full power to settle with his creditors; or he will be obliged to take some other method, which he would be very sorry for - and from this day, he takes his Power from Mr.Scheepens.

The Subscriber takes also the liberty to beg his Creditors to have a little patience, until he can be able to dispose of his timber which lays at Fort Island, and not to put him to expence, as he will pay

'The Liberal', established in 1891, was a tri-weekly newspaper

with honour. - Massaroony Post, Dec. 5, 1812.

Estate Notice

NOTICE. [heading] AT the request of Madelaine Hofstede, Executrix to the free coloured woman Jan Ball, deceased - All persons having any demands against the estate of the deceased, are requested to

render the same, properly attested, in the course of six weeks from date; and all those indebted to come forward with payment to the Executrix aforesaid, in order to liquidate said estate as soon as possible.

Secretary's Office, December 5, 1812.

CHARLES WILDAY, Sworn Clerk.

'The Echo', established in 1884, was a fourpage bi-weekly newspaper

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DECEMBER 4, 2016

Sunday Times Magazine

3

Times Feature

Guyana’s Floral Heritage

yellow-flowered variety.

The tree is a rapid grower, attaining a height of over 6 to 12 metres (20 to 40 feet).

Its elegant, wide-spreading, umbrella-like canopy can be even wider.It bears compound leaves that reach 30 to 60 cm (1 to 2 feet) in length. The pod is a flat woody legume, more than 60 cm (2 feet) long.

Royal Poinciana was named for an 18th century governor of the French West Indies, M. de Poinci. In Spanish, it is sometimes referred to as Arbol de Fuego (Tree of Fire). In Mexico, Costa Rica and elsewhere in Central America it is referred to as Malinche after a beautiful young Indian woman of that name.

Malinche is said to have been so beautiful that she persuaded Hernan Cortez, who fell in love with her, to spare her people from extermination at the hands of the conquistadors.

A

In some Caribbean countries, the pods are used for fuel and called "woman's tongue" because of the rattling noise they make when the wind blows them (a couple other species share this nickname for the same reason).

Royal Poinciana is a spectacular shade tree in tropical climates. As a free standing specimen tree, it has no peers. It tolerates salty conditions, hard pruning and can be kept at a small size and even grown in a greenhouse.

The magnificent tree is consistently voted among the top five most beautiful flowering trees in the world. (Photos by Clive W McWatt. Cover: The yellow Flamboyant Tree hovers above an arbor of Bougainvillea in the Promenade Gardens, Georgetown. Photo

by Nigel Durrant on Flickr)

Providing shade on Thomas Street, Georgetown

ccording to the book “The Story of Georgetown” by James Rodway, the first attempt at tree planting in Georgetown was done prior to 1870. The book added that a great impetus was given to ornamental planting by the laying out of the Promenade Gardens in 1853.

One such ornamental tree is the Royal Poinciana (Delonixregia), also known as Flamboyant, Flame Tree and Peacock

Flower. It is one of most popular roadside trees to be found in Georgetown, East Coast and East Bank Demerara. Its strikingly beautiful flowers blossom in dense clusters, which make a solid picture of colour.

The Flamboyant Tree, as it is known in Guyana, is native to Madagascar, Africa. It has been widely planted in various regions for its large scarlet to orange flowers and its shade. Delonixregia var. flavida is a rarer,

Adding a burst of colour at Promenade Garden

Decorating Vlissengen Road

Vibrant colours of the tree

4

Sunday Times Magazine

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DECEMBER 4, 2016

Times Feature

A

iming to become one of Guyana’s first international indigenous bands, the Rupununi Rockers Band is rocking their way to stardom.

In an interview with Sunday Times Magazine, the band’s founder Erwin

it was a one man band.

Now the band has several members, including PauloJ., AlexD.,PauloT.,MichelleJ., Matthew Charles and Junior. The band is located in Lethem and enjoys performing traditional, soca, reggae and Brazilian songs.

of artistes. We have never attended any music school or any special training. All members learn and practice by ear sound. This makes us unique because we have blended our culture and experiences over the years to entertain our fans,” he not-

Two of the band members performing

Residents of Aishalton Village eagerly await the band's cultural presentation

Thompson, who is also the keyboardist and singer, said that the Rupununi Rockers Band was founded on December 1, 2012. Initially,

They have performed in the town of Bomfin, which is located near the border of Brazil and Guyana.

“We are an eclectic group

ed.

Thompson stated that the band members are Makushi and Wapishana.

“Being an indigenous

band, I guess as it is for some other bands in Guyana, we do face many challenges.

Some are being able to purchase equipment. We are trying to raise funds to get modern equipment so that the band can perform better. We are also looking for assistance and sponsorship so that we can be exposed to different places and we can generate funds for the band to grow and be better,” Thompson disclosed.

Thompson suggests that in promoting indigenous

musicians, a survey should be done to gather information on the number of musicians who are indigenousand link them with music professional. These professionals can also share their experiences and encourage the bands.

“We celebrate our indigenous heritage through our music. We like to celebrate and show our culture and talent and enjoy this with all our Guyanese brothers and sisters. All band members work, but we make

time during weekends to do practice sessions. We are very passionate about our music and we hope to one day become an international band,” Thompson declared.

Thompson’s encouragement is for Guyanese to be more local minded and support local artistes just as they do for international ones.

For more information on the band visit Rupununi Rockers Band on Facebook or call 592-667-9170 or 592668-2280.

Hector Archibald Joseph (1871-1936)

His professional portrait

Officers of the YMCA in 1935. Hector seated front row, fifth from left

By Clive W McWatt

W

hen Hector Joseph (BA, LLB, K.C.) left for British Guiana in 1925 a Daily Gleaner columnist wrote: “One of the ablest and most talented sons of Jamaica departs from these shores to take up duties in British Guiana as Attorney General.

Jamaica’s loss is Guiana’s gain.”

Hector Archibald Joseph was probably the first black barrister in Jamaica. He was born in 1871 and grew up in the Liguanea area. His father had a shop in Matilda’s Corner and owned land in Barbican, on which he grew

pineapples. Hector attended the Collegiate School in Kingston, then the top school in the island, and to York Castle School.

In 1891, he won the Jamaica Scholarship, and went to Trinity Hall Cambridge and London Universities in England to study law. He read for the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn, London.

He returned to Jamaica in 1896 and soon became one of the most prominent barristers in the island. In 1911, he was made a King's Counsel, the first black Jamaican to achieve that status.

At various times he acted as assistant to the Attorney General, and

acted both as Attorney General and Puisne Judge in Jamaica.

In the 1920s, he arrived in British Guiana. In 1925, he was appointed Attorney General in British Guiana where he worked until 1936, establishing a solid reputation as a “fine lawyer”.

Only his ill health prevented him from being appointed the Chief Justice in Guiana.

The most important aspects of Hector's career in British Guiana were those which involved his work in the courts, his drafting of legislation and advice to governors, and his participation in the legislative bodies of the colo-

ny. He was also a member of various committees and commissions which influenced the colony’s development.

In addition to his work as a lawyer, he also involved himself in many associations, both in Jamaica and British Guiana.

Organisations connected with sport and young people, such as the Boy Scouts; he was president of the YMCA in British Guiana in 1935.

Like the majority of prominent Jamaican men, of all ethnic origins,Hector was a Freemason.

In 1914, he was installed as Master of the Kingston Lodge, though he seems to have given up that connection after his marriage to a devout Roman Catholic.

He retired from his post in British Guiana in 1936, return-

Hon. Hector A. Joseph as president of the British Guiana YMCA in 1935

ing to Jamaica with serious heart problems. He died later that year, and a large congregation, especially of members of the legal fraternity, attended his funeral at the Holy Trinity Cathedral.

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 4, 2016

Sunday Times Magazine 5

Times Women

Crafter Stacey Wray is determined to never allow life’s challenges deter her from fulfilling her dreams

I

Stacey Wray

n an interview with Sunday Times Magazine, Stacey Wray, owner of Rae Monae Couture, recalled that from an early age she was interested in arts/craft, creating and drawing.

The single mother of one holds a Caribbean certificate in needlework and did art/visual art at CXC. Stacey mentioned that she was able to develop her talent by “inspiration and practice” and observing fellow crafters creating.

“My motivation for creating/crafting came from the fact that I’m a single mother and I’m faced with the challenge of my salary being inadequate. So, I had to look for avenues to generate more income for myself and my son. I decided

Soy candles

to pull from an idea that I had at the age of 17 to supply hotels and other locations across the Caribbean with one-of-a-kind, personalized decor, bed sheet sets, drapes, cushions; anything that can be used to decorate hotels.I now create one-of-akind bow ties, hair accessories for adults and children, cushions, tote bags, clutch purses, soy wax candles and bed sheet sets,” the crafter outlined.

Stacey finds joy in her finished work, especially when something goes wrong during her creating process and she thinks it is “messed up”, but turns out to be a beautiful creation. She believes that when “you have a creative gift you have the ability to look at the most insignificant thing and change

it into something beautiful”.

The single mother pointed out that her “inspiration comes from God” and observing different elements in her surroundings, thenconceptualizing how she can incorporate that element into her creations.

One of Stacey’s most popular products is her soy candles. She decided to produce soy candles because “it is better for the environment”.

“Thus far, I have two scents: lavender and jasmine. But in a few weeks, I will be making four more scents that would be both seasonal and regular.The benefits of using soy wax candles are numerous.

Natural soy candles are made from soybeans - a natural, renewable, sustainable source; it burns cleaner; it is 100 percent vegetable, made from pure soybean oil; it is longer lasting; better scent; excellent fragrance-holding qualities; no soot that can blacken walls as well as releasing toxic carcinogens into the air; and best for the environment,” she noted.

Although faced with many challenges, Stacey looks to a brighter future.

She plans to “work hard ensuring that Rae Monae becomes a household name in Guyana and internationally”. Currently, she is in the process of creating Rae Monae’s “first line geared towards the simple, the funky and the elegant”.

Additionally, for the festive season, she plans on producing Christmas cushions and candles, catering for the needs of her clientele.

“As a young entrepreneur, my major challenge is finance. Another challenge is the cost to bring in much needed supplies. Because a

Beautiful purses

Fashionable tote bags

lot of the resources that are required to make my products cannot be found locally, I have to import them at a higher cost. However,

I overcome my challenges with assistance from other entrepreneurs in my field and with earnest prayer and trust in God,” she declared.

Hair accessories for adults and children

For more information on Stacey’s work, visit Rae Monae on Facebook.

6 Sunday Times Magazine

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DECEMBER 4, 2016

Times Book World The Shaping of Guyanese Literature

By Petamber Persaud

This tribute, written by Michelle Yaa Asantewa for this article, is a modified version of the one first posted on her blog http://waywivewordzspiritualcreative. blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/ michael-abbensetts-june8th-1938.html.

Asantewa is a novelist and author of “Guyanese Komfa: The Ritual Art of Trance”

“T

he first time we met we disagreed about something…

Rather than take offence that I disagreed with him, he later asked my tutor to invite me to a reading of one of his plays at the Tricycle Theatre. That was the beginning of my friendship with Michael Abbensetts.

I had never heard about him before that visit to my university (London Met) where he had been invited to be a writer in residence.

He was part of that generation of Guyanese (and other Caribbean writers) who had arrived in the 50s/60s to make their contributions to the literary world here in the UK. He was born in Georgetown into a middle class family and, as befitting this background, went to Queen’s College (19521956). His father, Neville John Abbensetts, was a doctor. His mother, Elaine, kept home. Both were very strict.

His father didn’t like that Michael chose the economically precarious profession of writing over the supposedly financially sound choic-

Michael and Michelle

At a wedding

es of lawyer, doctor or architect. I think the dispute between them over it persisted throughout Michael’s life.

When he came to London in 1963 there weren’t many black playwrights. His first play, “Sweet Talk”, opened at the Royal Court in 1973.

His work was fresh and spoke to British theatre goers’ curiosities about black people. Due to the success of “Sweet Talk”, he didn’t struggle, in those days, to get his plays put on.

The TV drama series “Empire Road” ran on BBC2 from 1978 -79, the first of its kind, and one of few since that time. By having fully

black cast, he was making a statement about the lack of black characters in programmes like “Coronation Street”.

By the time I met him he had written his best works but was still trying to

ly to white people. He was used to writing strong, confident, independent and full of life, believable black characters- not the smiling, docile characters that prolong in programmes like “East Enders”. His characters were funny, feisty and aspiring as reflected in his miniseries “Little Napoleons” (Channel 4). He remarked that many of the black characters on TV were not positive, and often their story lines weren’t durable because they were written as white characters by white writers in the first place and then cast as black.

The one-off drama “Black Christmas” (BBC 2, 1977) dealt with the issue of mental depression.

The main character, played

by Carmen Munroe, was trying to recreate a perfect Guyanese Christmas.

The family had recently migrated to England. It was their first Christmas; she had made Christmas dinner including the cultural black cake, but something was wrong. Her sister-inlaw was depressed, which

about the issue of mental depression as experienced by black people and the taboos surrounding it, Michael was way ahead of his time. We’ve not seen anything near it on our screens. “We have no idea how many black people – even one born here – end up in psychiatric hospitals,” he told me. He wanted to deal with an issue that is still not adequately confronted within black communities.

I went to see him when he was writer in residence at my university just to chat and hear his old school Guyanese accent. A friendship flimsily built on our shared Guyanese heritage and my aspiration to write developed. In our later discussions, I could tell he was frustrated because he couldn’t come up with new writing material. I had tried convincing him to take a fresh look at the world, perhaps by going back to Guyana. I also tried to get him to write an autobiography, but I didn’t fully realize the mental state he was in.

Alzheimer’s ran in his

walked around with pen and paper trying to write something.

The last time I saw him at the home he still seemed to recognise me. But he became upset when he heard us talking to the staff, who said he had become violent to the staff and other residents at the home. He was moved to another home where he received better care. He contracted a chest infection and passed away peacefully on November 24, 2016.

His last public appearance was in November 2012 when a tribute was organised for him by Errol Lloyd and others at the Tricycle Theatre, which featured a reading of “Sweet Talk”.

He was admired by contemporary black playwrights (like Oladipo Agboluaje and Kwame Kwei-Armah) for being one among the first to make that mark at the big theatres in the UK, and even by those actors whom he loved to write larger than life stories for, particularly Norman Beaton with whom he was lifelong

ran parallel to the pretence of keeping up the appearance of ‘Christmas’ and being somewhat ‘arrived’ in the UK. Her sister-in-law’s depression was in part to do with adjusting to being in the UK but also having to deal with her husband’s infidelities with white women. “What I was really saying is it’s not just keeping up appearances, but that it’s a conscious act of will almost that you have to adapt somehow,” Michael told me.

In writing a TV drama

family, his mother and sister suffered with it and he became anxious that he too had inherited it. Some years ago he had disappeared and was found wondering the streets. Because he was losing track of himself, forgetting where he lived and who the people around him were, he was put in a home. When I visited him at this home, he tried to get me to bust him out; he thought it a prison where he was locked up for doing what he couldn’t understand. And still he

friends. He will be missed for his fearlessness in a profession that continues to marginalise many black artists. He told me in that interview I did with him that he never was anxious about getting his work put on because “I decided I would get it on whatever it cost” and it’s with that spirit of feistiness I shall always remember him.”

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

Michael (background) with his parents and relatives

write something edgy that some theatre would want to run. However, the curiosity of the British theatre goers about Caribbean people had not only waned it had changed. They expected to see stereotypes – “yardies”, “babyfathers”, gangs, violence, drug pushers; maybe even mimicry of the dysfunctions we saw with white families on TV. Michael couldn’t keep up with the shift in expectations of what black identities should look like on screen, particular-

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 4, 2016

Sunday Times Magazine 7

Times Heritage

Establishment of Demerara L

aurens Storm van Gravesande [regarded as “the doughty founder of the Colony of Demerary, the Dutch Commander-General of the Two Rivers”]made the decision that agricultural development should move towards Demerara. The fertility of the soil and the depth of the river helped him to make this decision.

From 1746, Gravesande began to grant land on the banks of the Demerara River for sugar cultivation and within two years there were 18 plantations which were established.

Settlements were growing at such a rapid pace that Gravesande recommended to the directors of the Zeeland Chamber that a separate commander for the Demerara River should be appointed.

This recommenda-

Map of 'Demerary' (Demerara) 1759

tion was accepted, and in 1752, Gravesande himself was appointed DirectorGeneral of Essequibo and Demerara, while his son Johnathan, was appointed Commander of Demerara.

Johnathan established the capital of Demerara on the island of Borsselen, located about 25 miles upriver. There, the Secretary's office, the Commander's house, a small fort and

wagt, near the mouth of the river on its right bank (where Georgetown is today), and this provided protection to the settlements and plantations there. By 1763, English setters formed the majority of the population of Demerara and they owned roughly one-third of the existing plantations. They were also the first to introduce water-driven sugar

Georgetown Cricket Club, Bourda, British Guiana (Wayne McWatt photo)

Drawing of Laurens Storm van Gravesande found in “Kyk-Over-Al”, Vol. 2, No. 7, December 1948

Junction of Camp and Church Streets looking east towards Church Street, 1950s (Wayne McWatt photo)

barracks for soldiers were built.

Johnathan Gravesande had hoped to encourage settlements around Borsselen, but new English settlers, who came in relatively large numbers, opted to settle and cultivate lands the banks of the river near to the Atlantic coast. In 1748, Laurens Gravesande had erected a guard house, or brand-

mills which helped their plantations to show large profits.

By 1770, development in Demerara had far surpassed that in Essequibo.

Four years earlier, a Dutch bank in Amsterdam had started to provide credit finance to sugavr planters who seized the opportunity to increase their investments. The result was that while Essequibo's sug-

ar plantations increased from 68 to 74, those of Demerara expanded from 93 to 130.

Johnathan Gravesande died in 1761. His brother-in-law, Laurens van Bercheyck, a land surveyor succeeded him to the post.

He was credited in 1763, during the Berbice Slave Rebellion, for establishing an alliance with the indigenous people of Demerara to prevent the rebelling Berbice slaves from crossing into Demerara. He died in 1765 and his successor Cornelius van den Heuvel, a planter, proved to be very inefficient. Since he and the elder Gravesande were not on friendly terms, the administration of Demerara suffered. When some of the Demerara planters suggested that the capital of Demerara should be moved from Borsselen Island to the junction of the Hoobaboo Creek and the Demerara River, he opposed it because he owned estates near to the island. Finally, in 1770 he resigned from the post and Paulus van Schuylenburg was appointed to the position. The planters tried to get him to move the capital, but he also refused.

Gravesande himself resigned as DirectorGeneral of EssequiboDemerara in 1772 and was succeeded by George Hendrik Trotz.

Three years later, on August 14, 1775,Gravesande died at his plantation, Soesdyke.

Though it is believed that he was buried on Fort Island, his grave has not been found. (“The Guyana Story—From Earliest Times to Independence” by Odeen Ishmael)

8 Sunday Times Magazine

DECEMBER 4, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

Times Travel & Tourism Mt. Shiriri

A natural wonderland

S

hiriri Mountain is located in South Central Rupununi, Region Nine. Picturesque landscape and pristine forest make Shiriri a natural wonderland.

According to Vaughn Duncan, whose grandparents live in Shiriri village, a place he considers his “second home”, Shiriri’s mountain has an interesting story to tell. Duncan said he met a village elder who knows of the many legends relating to Shiriri. These were passed down to the elder from his parents and grandparents.

“I sat and listen to him [village elder] as he educated me about this unique culture in Wapishana. Dad was the interpreter. This elderly villager told me the story of the rocks that were laid in an almost linear formation, which is found on a small hill on the eastern side of the mountains. These rocks represented the number of Wapishana fighters. I remember dad telling me of

Aerial view of Shiriri (Photo from www.airguyana.biz)

tribal wars that took place around this location. An old legend suggests that this was the last place of fighting between the Wapishanas and the Macushis. This conclusion came from the fact that Shulinab is the only Macushi village in the south Rupununi. However, this elderly villager has another tale as to why fighting among various tribes took place in this location.

“The elder person tale goes like this. A long time ago, the Indians [Amerindians] found salt on the plains of the nearby mountain. The inhabitants call the place ‘Chiizzih baar’, the salty plains. Over time, the Indians began to fight to keep possession of the ‘salty plains’. To measure their strength, the Wapichan fighters each laid rocks on the hill located on the southern part of the Shiriri Mountain…” Duncan recalled on his blog, https:// vaughnduncan.wordpress. com

Cattle heading towards the mountain (Photo by dandanmilner on Flickr) Distant view of Shiriri (Photo by Vaughn Nicholas Duncan)

Scenic view of the mountain (Photo by Vaughn Nicholas Duncan)

Shiriri's peaks covered by rain clouds (Photo by James Broscombe)

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 4, 2016

Sunday Times Magazine 9

Times Healthy Living

C

hristmas can be a challenging time for our stress levels and it's even harder for those of us with mental ill-health.

So many things that are part of our routines and we take for granted become disrupted by the change of pace in our lives.

Leaving all your preparations for Christmas until the last minute can cause unnecessary stress, but planning ahead can save you time and money. Making lists for jobs to do, presents to buy and groceries you'll need helps to organise your thoughts, prevents you forgetting something (or someone) and makes it easier to stick to a budget.

Shopping online can save you even more money, as well as avoiding the stress and crowds of the Christmas shopping season.

Alcohol The celebratory spirit of Christmas and New Year often involves social drinking and although the consumption of alcohol might make you feel more relaxed, it is important to remember that alcohol is a depressant and drinking excessive amounts can cause low mood, irritability or potentially aggressive behaviour.

By not exceeding the recommended number of safe units, you will be better able to sustain good mental and physical wellbeing.

Food The festive period has become synonymous with over-indulgence, which in turn prompts a pressing desire for many of us to lose weight in the New Year.

Where possible, maintain a good balance of fruit, vegetables, carbohydrates, protein and omega 3 sources throughout the year in order to be in good physical condition and have sufficient energy.

Maintaining a healthy diet and weight can improve your mood and can work towards preventing symptoms of lethargy and irritability that many of us feel during the busy festive season.

Exercise Physical activity releases the feel-good chemicals, endorphins, which help you to relax, feel happy and boost your mood. By undertaking simple tasks such as cycling to work, walking in the park, or joining in with Christmas games, you can benefit from experiencing reduced anxiety, decreased depression and improved self-esteem.

In addition, recent research has indicated that regular exercise can help to boost our immune systems, enabling us to better fight off colds and flu viruses.

Ways to stay active over the Christmas period: Go for an afternoon walk! It is a less strenuous form of exercise than going for a hard-core session in

cise regime could be your best investment for a more relaxed Christmas and New Year.

the gym.

Prefer to be indoors?

Why not dance to some festive tunes. A fun way to burn off the Christmas turkey and all that chicken!

Do activities as a family. Over indulgence is hard to avoid around Christmas so why not decide to go for a walk with all the family after dinner.

Get involved The festive period provides us with an ideal opportunity to talk to, visit or engage with the people around us. Face-to-face communication has been shown to improve our mental and physical wellbeing as this interaction produces the hormone, oxytocin, which can benefit our immune system, heart health and cognitive function.

You could arrange a shared experience as a gift for a friend or loved one such as a cookery lesson or cinema outing.

If you're travelling to visit family or friends for Christmas booking travel in advance can often be much cheaper.

If you are apart from your family, then volunteering for a charity or local community organisation can provide that same human contact, as well as help provide essential support and encouragement for others in need. These interactions can easily be sustained throughout the coming year and need not just

be for Christmas.

Stay in touch There's nothing better than catching up with someone face-toface, but that's not always possible. Give them a call, drop them a note or chat to them online instead. Keep the lines of communication open - it's good for you!

If you're feeling out of touch with some people, Christmas can be a good opportunity to reconnect with a card, email or phone call.

Talking can be a good way to cope with a problem you've been carrying around in your head.

If something is worrying you, whether it's work, family problems or other feelings, just being listened to can help you feel supported and less alone. It works both ways: if you open up, it might encourage others to do the same and get something off their mind.

Try to relax Christmas can be a very busy and stressful time as

G

ive your time now, and you may get years in return.

When you help others, you may be helping yourself, especially as you age.

give you a greater sense of purpose, which may lower your risk of a heart attack or stroke, according to an analysis of ten studies with around 136,000 subjects.

Lend a Hand A five-year study in the “American Journal of Public Health” found that people 65 and older who didn't assist friends, neighbors or relatives had a 30 percent higher chance of dying after a stressful life event, like a job loss, than those who were generous. And volunteering for a good cause can

Love Your Friends The depth and breadth of your connections can have an impact on blood pressure and other key numbers in ways similar to diet and exercise, according to a recent University of North Carolina study of more than 14,000 subjects.

Honor Your Feelings A study published in “Psychosomatic Medicine” found that women who "selfsilenced"—held in their thoughts and emotions— during marital conflicts were four times more likely to die over a ten-year period than women who let it rip.

Say Hi People in one small University of British Columbia study who smiled, made eye contact or chatted with their barista reported having a more positive mood afterward. (O Magazine)

Do good Helping others is good for your own mental health and wellbeing. It can help reduce stress, improve your mood, increase self-esteem and happiness and even benefit your physical health.

Christmas is a good opportunity to volunteer for a charity or local community organisation and provide essential support and encouragement for others in need.

we prepare to entertain family and friends, worry about cooking a delicious Christmas dinner, and fit in some last minute present shopping. These feelings of being under pressure can produce symptoms of anxiety, anger and difficulty sleeping which, if prolonged, could have a long-term detrimental impact on your mental health and wellbeing.

By exercising more regularly or practicing mindfulness – a combination of meditation, yoga and breathing techniques – you can help to both alleviate the symptoms of your stress and gain more control when coping with difficult situations.

Christmas presents aside, implementing a new exer-

Sleep D e s p i t e many of us having time off work during Christmas and the New Year, our sleep patterns can be disturbed between catching up with friends and family and partying late in to the night. There is mounting evidence on the link between sleep and mental wellbeing, meaning improvements in the quality of your sleep could result in improvements to your overall mental health.

There are several steps you can take towards achieving a better night’s sleep: attempting to get back in to your regular sleep routine as soon as possible after the party period, consuming less alcohol during the festivities, implementing regular exercise into your weekly routine, and taking measures to alleviate your stress. (Excerpted from www.mentalhealth.org.uk)

10 Sunday Times Magazine Times Fashion

A

t the recently concluded Guyana Fashion Week, designer Paul Burnette rolled out some of his chic designs for 2016.

The veteran Guyanese designer’s collection ‘Hidden Beauty’ was a show-stopper at the prestigious fashion event.

‘Hidden Beauty’ offers bespoke fashionable pieces for men and women. Every occasion – beach, elegant, casual, formal

– is catered for in this collection.

Over the years, Burnette is known for creating “sexy looks for women who dare to be different and make a statement whenever they go out” and “clothing that is cool, edgy and different for the fashionable man”.

For more information on the designer, visit Guyana Fashion Week on Facebook. (Keno George Photography)

DECEMBER 4, 2016

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DECEMBER 4, 2016

Sunday Times Magazine 11

Star Times Hollywood

Z

ara Larsson is a Swedish singer and songwriter. She first gained national fame for winning the 2008 season of the talent show Talang, the Swedish version of Got Talent, at the age of ten. Larsson signed with the record label TEN Music Group in 2012 and released her debut EP album, Introducing, in January 2013. The single "Uncover" topped the charts in Sweden, Denmark, and Norway.

Larsson signed a three-year contract with Epic Records in the United States in April 2013. She performed at the opening and closing ceremonies in France for UEFA Euro 2016. In September 2016, the 18-year-old singer released her hit single"Ain't My Fault", which garnered over 61 million views on YouTube. On October 22, 2016, Larsson was named one of Time Magazine “30 Most Influential Teens of 2016�.

12 Sunday Times Magazine

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DECEMBER 4, 2016

Times Hollywood

Drake tops Spotify's 2016 Kanye West is released from hospital most-streamed lists

K

S

anye West was reportedly released from UCLA Medical Center on November 29.

According to sources, doctors cleared the "Famous" hitmaker to leave after determining that he had stabilized.

"Kanye couldn't take being in the hospital anymore.

It made him feel like he was going crazy," a source tells X17online, "Kim wasn't there all day; she was home with the kids, so Kanye was lonely and it wasn't helping his situation."

While there is still no word on Kanye's official diagnosis, according to the

potify just released its 2016 annual top lists, calculating the most popular albums, songs, styles and artists of the year. Drake won big, with 4.7 billion streams.

Drake topped the most-streamed list for the second year in a row, followed by Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Twenty One Pilots and Kanye West. Drake is also the all-time moststreamed artist on Spotify, with 8.7 billion streams.

Top breakout artist? ZAYN. Most streamed track? “One Dance”, by Drake.

Most streamed album? “Views”, by Drake.

“One Dance” also made it as Spotify's Top Breakup Song.

The emerging genres of 2016 include Ambient Fusion, Witch House, Indie Emo, Underground Latin Hip Hop, Baile Funk, Dangdut, Hoerspiel, Speed Garage, Brazilian Gospel and World Meditation.

(CNET)

source, the "Gold Digger" rapper will continue to receive out-patient treatment and medical care.

In other news, Kendall Jenner gives update on her sister Kim Kardashian following Kanye's hospitalization. "[Kim]'s good. She's good," the 21-year-old model tells E! News backstage at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Paris.

Previous report said Kanye refused to take a full rest at hospital as he still tried to make music and oversee his new fashion design. "At the hospital, he requested that recording equipment be brought

to the hospital so he can record in his bed," a source told Us Weekly, "And he has kept asking to see sketches of his fashion lines. He continues to want to work and Kim has to keep telling him to rest." (AceShowbiz)

Vin Diesel, Tyrese Gibson Prince Harry meets popstar pay tribute to Paul Walker Rihanna in Barbados

P

rince Harry has met Barbados's biggest star, Rihanna, twice in a day at events marking 50 years of independence.

At an afternoon event in Bridgetown, Prince Harry kept the singer waiting as he stopped to greet the President of Guyana first, before turning to her.

Rihanna, who has had eight UK number ones and 29 UK top 10 hits, stood to greet the prince, who said: "Hello, it's very nice to meet you."

The pair later sat side-by-side on stage at a celebratory concert.

A senior royal aide said the prince, who wore his medals and his insignia as a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, had been told 20 minutes before he arrived

at the afternoon gala that Rihanna would be there.

"We thought he would be meeting her for the first time at the concert," he said.

Rihanna wore a blue dress and opted for striking yellow finger nails both colours are on the Barbados flag.

Later, Prince Harry and Rihanna sat next to each other on stage at a concert at Kensington Oval cricket ground in Bridgetown.

The 20,000-strong crowd cheered and chanted Prince Harry's name when he was introduced, prompting a smile from the royal.

But there was an even bigger response for Barbados-born Rihanna.

Prince Harry told the audience: "Your independence was a declaration of confidence in the future.

"And 50 years on Barbados is a country rightfully proud of its vibrant culture, its sporting prowess, and its natural beauty that attracts visitors from all over the world." (BBC)

P

aul Walker's "Fast and Furious" costars remembered him on his death anniversary. Vin Diesel, Tyrese Gibson, Jordana Brewster and Ludacris all took to social media to post emotional tribute to the late actor who died in a fatal car accident three years ago on November 30.

Vin changed the cover photo of his Facebook account with a bookend image of himself and Paul, while Tyrese posted on Instagram a video compiling photos of Paul which was accompanied by a touching message. "This week is always rough for those of us who really knew him personally 14 years of laugther, hugs and love literally one of the nicest people on HUMAN FEET!!!!" read the caption.

"Nov 30th we lost an angel! Paul treated everyone with the upmost respect and went out of his way to make everyone feel like they mattered...... I love and I miss you dearly," the Roman Pierce depicter added.

"May God rest your soul we hope we make you proud everyday!!!!! RIH ( rest in heaven )..... P-Dubber!!!!"

Meanwhile, Jordana, who played Paul's on-screen love interest Mia Toretto, took to Twitter to share a photo of herself and the late actor. "I miss you and I love you every single day," she wrote in the caption. As for Ludacris, he shared a photo of Paul in character as Brian O'Conner along with a tagline, "Always in our hearts." He captioned the image, "Gone but never forgotten. #love."

New cast member in "Fast and Furious 8" Scott Eastwood also honored Paul with a photo of their 2006 movie "Flags of Our Fathers". "Miss you Paul," the touching note read. "I love this pic because it sums up how you made people feel. You taught me so much. Lessons that I find myself passing on to people in my life now. Thanks for all the laughs big bro." (AceShowbiz)

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DECEMBER 4, 2016

Sunday Times Magazine 13

Star Times Bollywood

A

amir Ali Malik is an Indian television actor and model.

Aamir made his television debut in the serial “Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii”.He was then seen in serials “Woh Rehne Waali Mehlon Ki” and “Kuchh Is Tara”. Films in which Aamir played leading roles include “YehKya Ho Raha Hai”,“Oops”, “Anjaan” and “I Hate Love Stories”.He competed in Bollywood’s hit dance competition “Nach Baliye 3”, which he won. Aamir is currently seen in Indian soap opera “Dilli Wali Thakur Gurls”.

14 Sunday Times Magazine

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DECEMBER 4, 2016

Times Bollywood Amitabh Bachchan: ‘I feel Ali Fazal to star in a Hollywood awkward when the average film with Judi Dench age on sets is 25 and I’m 74’ A

T

hough Amitabh Bachchan believes the new crop of actors in Bollywood is very knowledgeable, he can’t help but feel the age difference when he works with them on the sets.

“Their average age is around 25 years, and I am 74,” the veteran star said on the first day of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit in Delhi.

When director Karan Johar, who moderated the session, asked if he has spotted a “ray of brilliance in any of the new actors”, Bachchan said he sees it in each of his costars.

The actor praised the writers and other creative heads involved in film production, and said they were the ones deserving of appreciation. “The kind of work our writers are doing these days is phenomenal. I am doing something that is asked of me. I am not doing anything on my own. The special effort

comes from the writers,” he said.

When Johar asked him if 47 years of Bollywood experience has given him the ability to gauge a hit or a flop, Bachchan said: “Nobody can tell you that. Even you can’t tell which movie will work.”

When the director replied by claiming that he “knew” each time he was making a bad movie, the veteran actor quipped: “Why didn’t you stop then?”

The audience also had a lot of questions for Bachchan. When asked if he’s open to becoming the President of India, the Big B said: “I am not capable or knowledgeable enough to hold that office.”

The actor made the audience roar with laughter when somebody asked him how he manages to function on three to four hours of sleep. “Actually, I am asleep right now,” he replied. (Hindustan Times)

ctor Ali Fazal has donned the teacher’s hat. He has been giving Urdu lessons to Hollywood actor Judi Dench, and has been enjoying every bit of the process.

The duo — that’s working together in a Hollywood film, tentatively titled “Victoria and Abdul” — indulged in lessons in their free time between shoot schedules. Dench plays a queen in the film, and Fazal his confidant servant, Abdul Karim.

“Abdul Karim taught the queen Urdu for 14 years, and I tried teaching some to Judi whenever we got some time off over the period of three months that we were filming. We both lived our

parts in reality,” says Fazal.

The actor adds that working with Dench has been a fine experience, as she is a thorough professional. “Judi is an amazing human being

and a total professional. I can say that she knew Urdu to the T by the end of it all.

She learnt words, sentences and writing... all of it.”

(Hindustan Times)

Oxford University invites Shah Rukh Khan

R

iding high on the success of his recent film “Dear Zindagi”, directed by Gauri Shinde, Shah Rukh Khan got an invite from the Oxford

University for a talk.

Alan Rusbridger, principal of Lady Margaret Hall College tweeted to SRK asking him to deliver a lecture at the college, adding that

his students loved the Bollywood star.

The invitation can be seen as proof of the growing popularity of Indian artistes overseas. From foreign TV shows to movies and academia, they are now much sought after.

SRK is yet to reply as it will be tough for him to take out time with “Raees” releasing in January.

He has earlier delivered speeches at Yale University, University of Edinburgh and has also received two honorary doctorates from the University of Bedfordshire.(Hindustan Times)

Ranveer, Deepika win International Man and Woman awards together

R

anveer Singh and Deepika Padukone go hand-in-hand, be it at parties or winning awards.

Putting their break-up rumours at rest, the two were spotted together recently receiving the Esquire International Man and Woman of the Year awards in Dubai.

The moment of the night, however, was

when the 31-year-old actor, who has never shied away from speaking about Deepika, gave her a peck on the cheek while he walked to accept the award.

On the work front, the two will soon be seen together in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s third collaboration with them “Padmavati”, alongside Shahid Kapoor. (ANI)

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DECEMBER 4, 2016

Sunday Times Magazine

15

Times Trends

Trending NOW

Curly Hair

I

t’s all about embracing your natural curls and emphasising what you already have, be it tight curls or loose beachy waves.

Whether your hair is naturally

Charlize Theron rocks with an asymmetrical look created with a deep side part and one side of her hair pinned and slicked back. The result is slightly punk, but no less than hot

Star of the week

curled or you need to reach for the tongs, prepare for big bouncy curls to have a revival in coming months!

Take a look at how the stars wear their curls and waves.

Curly-haired women can also wear the 'wet hair' look, like Taraji P. Henson

Going au natural, Alicia Keys' bold curls are the star of the show. There is a perfect balance of layers to create a weightless look Lots of tight, kinky curls work just as well pinned up in the back and flipped forward as they do in a ponytail or hanging down

S

Gorgeous voluminous waves are bang on trend

To replicate J.Lo's funky 'do, tightly pull the hair back from above your ears and wrap a chunky strand around your ponytail

aida Caroline Smith was born in Suriname, but migrated to Guyana at the age of four. The 22-year-old enjoys singing, acting, dancing, modeling and the culinary arts, as she is regarded as a “great cook”. Motivated by her passion for modeling and appreciation for the fashion industry, Saida recently competed in the Guyana Fashion Week Model Image competition. Although she did not win the competition, the iridescent model is grateful for the opportunity to have participated in Guyana Fashion Week (GFW) 2016, cherishing friendships she made and life lessons learned. For Saida, one of the most exciting moments being part of GFW was singing at the event. Saida is willing to go “beyond the shores” to make her dream of becoming a professional model a reality. (Keno George Photography)

16 Sunday Times Magazine

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DECEMBER 4, 2016

Times Art

Overseas-based Guyanese artist C. Aubrey McWatt is moved by an earnest, creative response to the human experience

A

"Alternate Reality I". Acrylic on pressboard

ubrey McWatt’s work is influenced by a belief that the universe and everything in it, including nature, thought and emotion, are inherently connected. Aubrey’s response to the human condition is influenced by visits to more than 70 countries during an international business career of over 30 years.

The fine artist’s education includes general studies at Queen's College, British Guiana and undergraduate studies in business, with a concentration in marketing at Columbia University, New York. His graduate education is from the Wharton School of Business in Executive Management and

Finance. Aubrey also studied at the Seattle Academy of Fine Art and is fluent in Spanish and French.

He served on the boards of various art organizations, including the Seattle Academy of Fine Art and the Camano Arts Association.

Additionally, he served as President of the Board of Trustees for a non-profit organization in Warrington, PA. Aubrey has lived and worked in England, North and South America and the Caribbean.

Aubreyhas taught art history and painting to both youths and adults and has presented his illustrated essays, including “The Artist’s Search for Reality”,

“Art and Social Change” and “Postmodern Ideas on the Function of Art” to diverse groups in the U.S.A. and abroad.

The artist has organized and participated in various activities supporting the arts across the U.S. and Canada. He is also a poet and songwriter. His songs include “Where the Roses Grow” and “A Song of Life”.

Aubrey produced and acted in the play “Love Letters” and co-wrote his first play “A Place by the River”. He also penned his first book, “Painting and Poetry – Creating Connections”.

“Early in life I experienced a freedom that came from the process of creating art, and from expressing an idea or emotion in a way that transcends traditional communication. My creative process is triggered by the stimulus of a visual experience, a concept, an idea that urges me to make an artistic response, or simply following the direction in which the medium leads. Much of my art reflects nature in one form or another, and sometimes tells a story of one of the aspects of the lifecycle of humankind.

“The art I create is influenced by the belief that all elements in existence, tangible and intangible, are interconnected in an essential manner. This influence manifests itself as a desire to capture the spirit within every object, animate or in-

animate, that is portrayed in my drawings, paintings, and sculptures. The end product represents my interpretation of what the object ‘is’, not what it ‘appears to be’. My artistic goal is to reflect my inner reality, aesthetic relationships of form and color, and simplicity of composition. My continuing challenge is to harmonize these elements,” he said on his website www.mcwattfineart.net Aubrey recognizes the artists who were foremost influences in his artistic

Artist C Aubrey McWatt

development as a painter, such as ER (Ted) Burrowes, Vincent Van Gogh, Piet Mondrian and Charles Emerson, his mentor and professor in color theory and practice at the Seattle Academy of Fine Art. These

"Kyoto Mist II". Oil

"Lifecycle IV". Oil

"Silent Space". Oil

influencers pointed the direction in which Aubrey's own painting has flowed.

For more information on the artist, visit www.mcwattfineart.net

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DECEMBER 4, 2016

Sunday Times Magazine 17

Times Tech

Fake Apple chargers fail safety tests

Phone giant complains of fakes being sold on Amazon

I

nvestigators have warned consumers they face potentially fatal risks after 99% of fake Apple chargers failed a basic safety test.

Trading Standards, which commissioned the checks, said counterfeit electrical goods bought online were an "unknown entity".

Of 400 counterfeit chargers, only three were found to have enough insulation to protect against electric shocks.

It comes as Apple has complained of a "flood" of fakes being sold on Amazon.

Apple revealed in October that it was suing a third-party vendor, which it said was putting customers "at risk" by selling power adapters masquerading as those sold by the

Tech news

Californian tech firm.

The Trading Standards tests were performed by safety specialists UL. They applied a high voltage to the chargers, which were bought online from eight different countries, in-

A

I

ger into a socket, but don't switch it on or connect to a device. If the charger does not fit easily, the pins may be the wrong size. There should be at least 9.5mm (0.3in) between the edge of the pins and the edge of the charger Markings - Look for a manufacturers' brand name or logo, model and batch number. Check for the "CE" safety mark, but be aware it can be easily forged Warnings and instructions - User instructions should include conditions and limitations of use, how to operate the charger safely, basic electric safety guidance and details of safe disposal Gillian Guy, chief execu-

tive of Citizens Advice, said: "Counterfeit electrical goods are likely to be poor quality and in the worst cases unsafe.

"Look out for tell-tale signs of counterfeiting such as mistakes in brand names or logos, and check plugs for safety marks - all genuine electrical items made in the EU should have a CE mark on them."

Consumers were also urged not to overcharge appliances and to never cover devices when charging or use a charger with a cracked case or frayed cable.

There is no suggestion the company involved in the Apple case sold the chargers used in the Trading Standards tests. (BBC)

Fake news detector plug-in developed

s pressure mounts on firms such as Google, Facebook and Twitter to do more to tackle fake news, some are taking things into their own hands.

Technologist Daniel Sieradski has developed a plug-in - known as BS Detector - that flags up "questionable" websites on Facebook and Twitter.

The plug-in has appeared in dozens of news feeds, leading some to think it was an official Facebook feature.

Media organisations have also been working on tools to combat fake news.

BS Detector is a plug-in that uses a list of fake news sources as its reference point.

It can be added to Chrome and Mozilla browsers and when it spots a potentially false story, flags it with a red banner read-

Tech BYTE

cluding the US, China and Australia, to test for sufficient insulation.

Leon Livermore, the chief executive of Chartered Trading Standards Institute, urged shoppers to buy electrical goods only

from trusted suppliers.

"It might cost a few pounds more, but counterfeit and second-hand goods are an unknown entity that could cost you your home or even your life, or the life of a loved-one," he said.

A separate operation found that of 3,019 electrical goods bought second hand, 15% were non-compliant.

Officers said the unsafe electrical items, which came from charity shops, antique dealers and second-hand shops, had failings such as counterfeit plugs and basic insulation.

How to spot a dangerous fake charger by Trading Standards: Plug pins - Plug the char-

ing: "This website is considered a questionable source."

It was created, Mr Sieradski said, "in about an hour" as a "rejoinder to Mark Zuckerberg's dubious claims that Facebook is unable to substantively address the proliferation of fake news on its platform".

It has had over 25,000 installs since launch. "I and other open source contributors have spent many more hours improving its functionality," Mr Sieradski told the BBC. The plug-in is currently a proof-of-concept tool rather than a solution to the issue and some users have reported it has caused their browser to crash.

Facebook faces growing criticism for what some see as a failure to tackle fake news.

In a blogpost in mid-November, founder Mark Zuckerberg said: "Our goal is to connect people with the stories they find most meaningful, and we know people want accurate information.

"We do not want to be arbiters of truth ourselves, but instead rely on our community and trusted third parties." (Excerpted from BBC)

Tiny Wings update adds more levels, iPhone 6 resolution, Apple TV app

n some of the most unexpected App Store news of the year, Tiny Wings — the classic iPhone game originally released in 2011 — has been updated, with new levels and support for the larger resolutions of Apple's newer iPhone 6 and 6 Plus screens.

Additionally, developer Andreas Illiger announced a separate US$2.99 Apple TV version of the game, Tiny Wings TV, that's also out. It allows for the same iconic hill-sliding gameplay on a larger screen. It also permits twoplayer split-screen, using an iPhone as a second controller. The Apple TV version also syncs progress with the iOS app, so you won’t need to clear the challenges a

second time.

Tiny Wings is one of the single greatest games ever released for the iPhone, ranking up there with titles like Angry Birds. Developed solely by Illiger, it's an amazingly fun game that still holds up today, even though it came out more than five years ago. And while it looked like the game was being abandoned to quietly age to obsolescence, today's update brings new life to the game's future. This is only the third time the game has been updated — several new levels were added in August 2014, and an update added iPhone 5 support from back in October 2012. (The Verge)

Tech BYTE

N

New thermoelectric paint could power your home

o one wants to spend an entire weekend painting their living room — but what if the paint you were using could also power your house?

Scientists have found a way to create thermoelectric paint capable of converting heat into electricity, according to new research published in Nature.

Sung Hoon Park led a team of researchers from Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), and the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute in creating thermoelectric paint along with an application technique that captures more waste heat than conventional thermoelectric materials.

Most thermoelectric devices are very flat and unmalleable. When they are attached to objects like engines or refrigerators that emit large amounts of heat, losing a significant amount of this energy is unavoidable.

On the other hand, this new thermoelectric paint provides complete surface coverage, preventing large amounts of heat from escaping. The paint contains bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3), which is used in most thermoelectric materials, but the research team also added molecular sintering aids that cause the particles to fuse together.

Once the paint is applied and has been heated for 10 minutes at 450 °C (840 °F), its density increases, making it much more efficient at energy conversion. In fact, tests show this paint is more efficient than any other thermoelectric material that is based on inks and pastes. The researchers expect it to be particularly valuable at capturing

waste heat during summer months, when roofs and walls tend to reach temperatures of 50 °C (122 °F).

The findings indicate that this paint can also be used effectively on cars and ships, and that it can be manufactured at an affordable price.

"This approach has a potential for costeffective manufacturing of well-designed TE (thermoelectric) devices depending on heat sources," the authors wrote in the study.

The technology could go even further one day and be used in a variety of other devices.

"We strongly believe that the currently developed technology can be easily transferred to other communities such as 3-D printed electronics and painted electronic artworks," the authors wrote.

The team expects to actively develop these types of applications in the near future. (DNews)

18 Sunday Times Magazine

DECEMBER 4, 2016

Times Home & Cooking

guyanatimesgy.com

Recipe of the Week Ingredients

S

mall bedrooms can be a major design challenge, but with these smart ideas you can make small-space living a dream.

7 slices white bread slices 3 tbsp softened butter ¼ cup raisins 2 cups whole milk

½ cup heavy cream 3 eggs 1/3 cup sugar ½ tsp cinnamon 1 tsp pure vanilla extract Powdered sugar to garnish

You may not have much room to walk around, but if your bedroom has height, you still have the ability to make your space feel larger.

Take advantage of height by incorporating a four-post bed.

Method One of the easiest solutions for a small bedroom is to decorate with mirrors. Mirrors reflect light and have the power to visually enlarge any space. The bigger the mirror, the better.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Butter one side of each slice of bread and layer in a buttered 10×7 or 8×8 baking dish. Sprinkle with raisins.

In a large bowl whisk milk, cream, eggs, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla extract.

Pour over the slices of bread. Place the dish with the bread and butter pudding in a large 13×9 baking dish and pour water until it comes up to half way the dish.

Place in oven and bake for 1 hour until it puffs up and the top is golden. Serve warm. (www.jehancancook.com)

I

f you add coffee to chocolate, it gives it a depth of flavor, especially when using in brownies!

Store spices in a cool, dark place, not above your stove. Humidity, light and heat will cause herbs and spices to lose their flavor.

After working with garlic, rub your hands vigorously on your stainless steel sink for 30 seconds before washing them. It will remove the odor.

If you find you need more oil in the pan when sautéing, add it in a stream along the edges of the pan so that by the time the oil reaches the ingredient being cooked, it will be heated.

When you deep-fry, hold each piece of food with long tongs as you add it to the oil. Hold it just below the oil's surface for five seconds before releasing it. This will seal the exterior and stop it from sticking to the pot or the other food.

When chopping herbs, toss a little salt onto the cutting board; it will keep the herbs from flying around.

A If the walls seem to be closing in on you, a less common option for instant visual space is to consider an exposed wardrobe.

Even if it means simply removing the bi-fold doors from your existing closet, it's amazing how much larger it can make a tiny room feel. Warning: This tip calls for a clutter-free closet!

dab of foaming shaving cream can help remove many redwine spills from carpets.

If you can clean only one room before company arrives, tackle the bathroom. This is the only room where people spend time solo and may have the time and tendency to notice a mess.

Wash plastic containers with a mixture of hot water and two tablespoons of baking soda to remove food smell.

Dust cloth lamp shades with a lint roller.

Baby wipes are useful for quick surface cleanups in kitchens and bathrooms. They also are great for cleaning up after craft projects.

To remove stubborn price tags from items like dishes and glassware, use a cotton pad or Q-tip soaked with rubbing alcohol.

The alcohol dissolves the sticky glue and won’t mess up your manicure.

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 4, 2016

Sunday Times Magazine19

Family Times

PARENTING

D

JOKES “I “M “I “I “I A

Great one-liners

never forget a face, but in your case I’d be glad to make an exception.” Groucho Marx (1890-1977)

1993)

y wife sent her photograph to the Lonely Hearts Club. They sent it back saying they weren't that lonely.” Les Dawson (1931-

don't like country music, but I don't mean to denigrate those who do. And for the people who like country music, denigrate means 'put down’.” Bob Newhart (1929- )

-

think football would become an even better game if someone could invent a ball that kicks back.”Eric Morecambe (1926-1984) have kleptomania. But when it gets bad, I take something for it.” Ken Dodd (1927- )

The gift guy bought his wife a beautiful diamond ring for Christmas.

After hearing about this extravagant gift, a friend of his said, "I thought she wanted one of those sporty four-wheel-drive vehicles."

"She did," he replied. "But where was I going to find a fake Jeep?"

Timing t was Christmas and the judge was in a merry mood as he asked the prisoner, "What are you charged with?"

"Doing my Christmas shopping early", replied the defendant.

"That's no offense", said the judge. "How early were you doing this shopping?"

"Before the store opened."

I

Office Holiday Memo To: All Employees From: Management Subject: Office conduct during the Christmas season Effective immediately, employees should keep in mind the following guidelines in compliance with FROLIC (the Federal Revelry Office and Leisure Industry Council).

Running aluminium foil through the paper shredder to make tinsel is discouraged.

Playing Jingle Bells on the push-button phone is forbidden (it runs up an incredible long distance bill) Work requests are not to be filed under “Bah humbug.”

All fruitcake is to be eaten BEFORE July 25.

Egg nog will NOT be dispensed in vending machines.

In spite of all this, the staff is encouraged to have a Happy Holiday.

espite the fact that many doctors dismiss picky eating as just a phase, a study shows it may be a sign of deeper issues.

Rare is the child who will eat pretty much anything. Most toddlers develop specific favorite foods and, of more concern, absolute no-go foods.

To a certain extent, that’s normal.

But when eating preferences make it difficult for the child to eat with others, that could be a sign of more serious sensitivities, say scientists in a report appearing in Pediatrics.

Nancy Zucker, director of the Duke University Center for Eating Disorders, and her colleagues looked into the implications of picky eating when she made a connection between more and more adults with eating-related issues who reported having been picky eaters as children. No studies had looked in depth at the longer term effects of selective eating during childhood, so Zucker studied 917 children two to nearly six years old who were enrolled in an anxiety study. The children’s parents recorded their eating habits, and the researchers conducted tests to determine how the children scored on measures of anxiety and symptoms of mood disorders.

O

About 20% of the children were picky eaters, meaning they either ate only a restricted number of foods or could not eat with others because of their limited range of food preferences.

Only about 3% fell into the latter category of severe selective eaters. Those children were more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression or social anxiety. Even children in the moderately picky eating group were more likely to show symptoms of depression, social anxiety or attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder compared to children who weren’t picky eaters.

Zucker says the findings shouldn’t alarm parents, but should help them and their doctors to start being more specific about when picky eating is normal and when it should be seen as a sign of possible anxiety issues. What may be happening, she says, is that selective eating may be a symptom of a broader hyper sensitivity. So for certain children who see, feel, hear and taste their world more intensely, being picky about which foods they eat may be a way of coping with an otherwise overwhelming influx of sensory information. “The restriction and narrowness in eating is a way of simplifying their rich, overwhelming world,” she

says.

She stresses that it’s only a theory, but in her study, there was evidence that for the severe picky eaters, and for some of the moderately picky ones, their aversion to certain food tastes and textures wasn’t just ‘yuck’ but involved gagging.

While Zucker doesn’t want to turn picky eating into a “medical” condition, she does feel that parents need more guidance from pediatricians about what to do if their children become selective eaters. Parents are already confused by advice from pediatricians that includes urging them to feed their children a varied diet, including fruits and vegetables, to help their development, but at the same time telling them not to worry if their child refuses to eat certain foods.

Her advice? “Try to get meal times back,” she says. That means not trying to force children to eat foods they don’t like at meals, since they’ll start associating the table with unpleasant experiences. Instead, try introducing them to new or non-favorite foods at different times, as part of food adventures, to help them become more comfortable with and willing to try new things.

(TIME)

STORY TIME

nce there were two sisters. The young one was a good girl, but the older one was a bad girl.

Because she was so bad, the older sister just couldn’t find a good husband.

She was so bad that Makunaima [the name of the great creator god of the Akawaio and neighbouring Cariban nations] had to come down and intervene.

He came down disguising himself as an old man. As the sisters were coming home from the farm, they met the old man on the road. And because he was old, the kindhearted sister decided to invite him home. Not the older sister, she didn’t want to see an old man.

When they arrived home, the younger sister introduced the old man to the family and gave him some food; meanwhile the older sister was annoyed that her sister brought this old man in the house.

“Why don’t you chase him out?” said the older sister.

“He is old and I respect old people,” replied the young one.

Sitting in the corner, Makunaima was listening. And it so happened that the old man pretended to fall in love with the two sisters. The custom was

that he could only marry the older sister.

The parents agreed to their union, seeing that he was a traveler and a kind person. They got married and lived together, but the old man never really talked. He always remained quiet in the corner. So his wife took advantage of him; calling him names and talking bad things about his age. Day after day, the younger sister would watch the old man going to cut his cassava farm, and she would feel sorry for him. So she tried to prepare kasiri, pepper pot and tuma for when he would come home.

Meanwhile, the older sister would always be grumpy and complaining.

This continued for some time until one day the younger sister decided to follow him to the farm to see what the old man was really doing. When she arrived to the farm, at midday, she did not see an old man; instead there was a handsome young man. The girl hastily ran home.

She told her older sister about what she had seen, but she did not believe her. As time passed and the farm neared completion, time came when the old man decided he could not stay

anymore, as he could not bear to see that his wife did not love him.

And so he told his sister-in-law, “I cannot stay with your sister any more, she doesn’t love me and I have to go, but you’ve been very kind to me and instead of your sister I love you very much. It’s just that your older sister is married to me.”

He continued, “But make a wish and I will probably leave something for you, so that you’ll always remember me when I gone, and your sister too.”

So that night after drinking their kasiri, the old man left. On his way out the door he said, “You must look for me in the morning. I’m no ordinary man.

I’m Makunaima himself.”

So the younger sister went out of the house at five o’clock in the morning and she saw this beautiful star in the sky and she transformed into an even more beautiful woman, into a princess.

That same morning, when she returned inside the house and looked at her older sister, she saw a ninetyyear-old lady. All her skin was old and wrinkly with frizzy grey hair. She was now no good anymore as a wife. (By Abi. Read more exciting local stories at www.pantaniblog.org)

By Grammar G.

The ‘Xmas’ story

F

or many persons, the use of Xmas suggests either a non-Christian modernity or lazy shorthand for the word Christmas.

In actual fact it is neither. Xmas is indeed more Christian than most of us know.

According to the BBC, it seems Christmas has been abbreviated for at least the past 1,000 years. Abbreviations used as Christian symbols have a long history in the church.

Before Xmas, there was XPmas, according to Inge Milfull, assistant editor of etymology at Oxford English Dictionaries (OED). She found references in the Anglo Saxon Chronicle as far back as 1021, and says the P was prob-

ably dropped later.

The first two letters of the word Christ (cristoς, or as it would be written in older manuscripts, XΡ ISTOΣ) are the Greek letters chi (c or C) and rho (r or R): KRistos (Christ).

Evidence of the ‘X’ first being used as “Christ” is practically non-existent, though arguments abound: some claim that it began in the first century AD along with the other symbols. Others think that it came into widespread use by the thirteenth century, along with many other abbreviations and symbols for Christianity.

What is known is that by the fifteenth century, Xmas emerged as a widely used symbol for Christmas.

The Chi Rho symbol

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Times Sunday Puzzle

Each statement describes two words, which when fused together, creates a new unrelated word (not a compound word). The clues do not necessarily indicate in which order the two words are attached. Example: This is the oldness of a tablet (pill + age = pillage).

1. This is a child of the ocean.

2. This is when an insect runs away to get married.

3. This is the monotone melody of a writing instrument.

4. This is the charge for setting a fractured bone. see ANSWERS on page 23

see solution on page 23

see solution on page 23

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DECEMBER 4, 2016

Sunday Times Magazine

21

Times Kids

Creature Corner

GEOZONE

Mongoose

M

ongooses, Herpestidae, are primarily found in Africa, their range covering most of the continent. Some species occupy parts of southern Asia, the Iberian Peninsula and Guyana. They are generally terrestrial mammals, but some are semi-aquatic, and others are at home in the treetops.

Ranging in size from the 7-inch-long (18-centimeter-long) dwarf mongoose to the 2-foot-long (60-centimeter-long) Egyptian mongoose; these sleek mammals have long bodies with short legs and tapered snouts.

They normally have brown or gray grizzled fur, and a number of species sport striped coats or ringed tails.

Mongooses live in burrows and are nondiscriminatory predators, feeding on small animals such as rodents, birds, reptiles, frogs, insects, and worms. Some species supplement their diet with fruits, nuts, and seeds. Creative hunters, they are known to break open bird eggs by throwing them with their forepaws

toward a solid object.

Mummified mongooses and images of the species have been discovered in ancient Egyptian tombs.

Famously, some species of mongoose will boldly attack venomous snakes such as cobras.

The most celebrated of these is Rudyard Kipling’s fictional Rikki-tikki-tavi, based on an ancient fable and included in “The Jungle Book”.

A mongoose’s average life span in captivity is 20 years.

In the 1800s, mongooses were introduced to several islands in Hawaii and the West Indies in order to control the rodent populations on sugarcane plantations. Today, this effort has come back to haunt these islands as mongooses threaten the survival of various native species, particularly birds. However, in their natural environments mongooses are currently threatened themselves due to habitat loss.

Spot the Difference

Please see solution on page 23

The objective of the game is to fill all the blank squares in a game with the correct numbers. Every row of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Every column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Every 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all digits 1 through 9.

L

iterally carved directly into vibrant red, white, pink, and sandstone cliff faces, the prehistoric Jordanian city of Petra was "lost" to the Western world for hundreds of years.

Located amid rugged desert canyons and mountains in what is now the southwestern corner of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Petra was once a thriving trading center and the capital of the Nabataean empire between 400 B.C. and A.D. 106.

The members of this civilization proved to be early experts in manipulating water technology, constructing intricate tunnels and water chambers, which helped create a pseudo-oasis. A number of incredible structures carved into stone, a 4,000-seat

amphitheater and the El-Deir monastery have also helped the site earn its fame.

Numerous scrolls in Greek and dating to the Byzantine period were discovered in an excavated church near the Winged Lion Temple in Petra in December 1993.

Researchers at the American Center of Oriental Research in Amman, the capital, are now analyzing the scrolls and hope they will shed light on life in Petra during this period.

Once Rome formally took possession of Petra in A.D. 106, its importance in international trade began to wane. The decay of the city continued, aided by earthquakes and the rise in importance of sea trade routes, and Petra reached its nadir near the close of the Byzantine Empire's rule, around A.D. 700.

Visitors today can see varying blends of Nabataean and Greco-Roman architectural styles in the city's tombs, many of which were looted by thieves and their treasures thus lost.

Today, local Bedouins (a nomadic Arab of the desert) selling tourist souvenirs hawk their wares not far from the place where Arabs believe Moses struck a rock with his staff, causing water to burst forth.

Petra was declared a World Heritage Site in 1985.

Word Search

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Sunday Times Magazine 23

Times World

Platypus venom paves way to possible diabetes treatment

P

latypus venom could pave the way for new treatments for type 2 diabetes, say Australian researchers.

The males of the extraordinary semi-aquatic mammal - one of the only kind to lay eggs - have venomous spurs on the heels of their hind feet.

The poison is used to ward off adversaries. But scientists at the University of Adelaide and Flinders University have discovered it contains a hormone that could help treat diabetes.

Known as GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), it is also found in humans and other animals, where it promotes insulin release, lowering blood glucose levels. But it normally degrades very quickly.

Not for the duck-billed bottom feeders though. Or for echidnas, also known as spiny anteaters - another iconic Australian species found to carry the unusual hormone.

Both produce a long-lasting form of it, offering the tantalising prospect of creating something similar for human diabetes sufferers.

Lead researcher Prof

Frank Grutzer told the BBC's Greg Dunlop why the researchers had decided to look at the platypus and its insulin mechanisms: "We knew from genome analysis that there was something weird about the platypus's metabolic control system because they basically lack a functional stomach."

They are not the only animals to use insulin against enemies. The gila monster, a venomous lizard native to the US and Mexico, and the geographer cone, a dangerous sea snail which can kill entire schools of fish by releasing insulin into the sea, both also weaponise the chemical.

"That's obviously some-

thing that can be powerful in venom," Prof Grutzer said, though he stressed it was not what had led them to the discovery. "It was really coincidental," he said.

He emphasised that much more research was needed before the discovery could, if ever, lead to a human treatment: "An important experiment is going to be putting this it into mice and see how it affects blood glucose levels. That's certainly very high on our priority list.

"But to get to a drug is a very long journey. We still have to learn a lot more about how this platypus hormone actually works."

(BBC)

Unarmed group of women fight poachers in Africa

I

llegal poaching of endangered animals has been a large problem

in Africa for many years.

Three rhinos are poached every day in South Africa

Brain Teaser Answer Answer 1. sea + son = season 2. ant + elope = antelope 3. pen + chant = penchant 4. cast + rate = castrate

SUDOKU

KID SUDOKU

CROSSWORD

for their horns, and a quarter of a million elephants have been killed for their ivory in the past six years.

Poachers also target antelopes and other endangered species such as wild dogs and cheetah for their meat and skin.

In order to combat this problem, Transfrontier Africa founded the Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit to protect the Olifants West Region of Balule Nature Reserve, one of Africa's largest game reserves.

The Black Mambas is an unarmed and all-female group, trained to spot, track down and arrest poachers. They are all between 20 and 30 years old and come from local communities and villages surrounding the reserve.

So far, The Black Mambas have taken down over 12 poachers' camps and 3 bush meat kitchens while also reducing snaring and poisoning by 76% in the area, proving more effective than drones or thermal optics.

But The Black Mambas Program does more than just protect endangered wildlife. It also creates bonds within local communities and educates them about the animals and the importance of saving their natural heritage. The group's goal is to win the war on poaching not through violence, but through local communities working together.

(Discovery News)

Flesh-eating parasite killing deer in Florida Keys

A

lethal, flesh-eating parasite thought eradicated in the United States in 1982 has suddenly re-emerged in Florida to threaten livestock, deer, and other warmblooded animals.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) has made its first appearance in Florida in decades, sparking an agricultural state of emergency.

Thus far, more than 100 Key deer – a species already endangered – have died at the hands of the worms, which are fly larvae (maggots) that gain entry to an animal's insides through open wounds and then feed on the creature's flesh.

While flies on their own can promote the worm's spread, officials say it's more likely that the pest will travel long distances when carried to new places by infested animals.

A

The parasite's resurgence was first announced

by Florida wildlife agencies in early October, when the worm was found in Key deer in Big Pine Key. Just two weeks later came word that it was found in deer in six other locations.

When the screwworm larvae feed on an infested animal, the creature's wounds grow larger. Livestock may eat less and grow increasingly uncomfortable. If they don't receive treatment, infested animals may die within one to two weeks.

"The screwworm is a potentially devastating animal disease that sends shivers down every rancher's spine," said Florida's agriculture commissioner, Adam H. Putnam, in a statement.

"It's been more than five decades since the screwworm last infested Florida, and I've grown up hearing the horror stories from the last occurrence."

The USDA began attacking the parasite in 1957 by releasing sterile male flies in areas of screwworm infes-

Catholic charity has launched a "Father Christmas-free zone" in a German town as part of efforts to promote the more traditional figure of Saint Nicholas.

Scores of children attended an event in the Bavarian town of Passau to mark the arrival of the saint and the setting-up of the Santa-free zone, the Bayerischer Rundfunk news website reports. The ceremony was also attended by talent show celebrities and the local bishop.

Saint Nicholas's feast day is on 6 December and is celebrated in Germany with presents, but the Catholic Bonifatiuswerk charity fears he is being superseded by the more "Anglo-Saxon" Santa Claus in the hearts of young Germans. The red-suited newcomer is more associated with the com-

tation, starting in the southeast and then moving to other parts of the country – over time, effectively breeding the fly out of existence.

The tactic worked, and by 1966 the worm was considered wiped out in the United States. A follow-on program with Mexico ensured animals from that country could not bring the parasite across the border, and by 1982 the United States was thought to be free of the screwworm.

Now, history is repeating itself. The USDA and local Florida wildlife officials, per an agricultural emergency declaration, are trapping flies to figure out how widespread the infestation might be and are releasing infertile flies to stamp out further breeding of the pest.

Meanwhile, animal inspection checkpoints have been established to help protect northern Florida from infestation.

While the screwworm will infest human wounds, such cases are considered very uncommon. People with the worm experience discomfort and itchiness at the wound site.

Thus far, there have been no reported cases of humans or livestock becoming infested. Wounds that do become infested with the screwworm can be treated with cleaning and a topical pesticide.

"This foreign animal disease poses a grave threat to wildlife, livestock and domestic pets in Florida," Putnam said. "Though rare, it can even infect humans.

We've eradicated this from Florida before, and we'll do it again."(Discovery News)

mercial aspects of Christmas in Germany, and appears in the ubiquitous festive truckbased adverts for CocaCola much like he does elsewhere in the world.

But according to Bonifatiuswerk, there's more to the feast of Saint Nicholas than the receiving of gifts, and their campaign exists as a "snappy" gesture against Santa Claus "underlining the importance of Christian traditions and values". That includes what the charity feels should fill the German equivalent of Christmas stockings: saint-shaped chocolates. "By using fairtrade chocolate bars... Saint Nicholas' boots won't be filled with ungodly Santas," it says.

For those who may have already bought their Santa-shaped chocolates, there's a remedy. The charity's website offers a handy cut-out-and-keep Saint Nicholas outfit, designed to be placed over Santa chocolates to give them a more traditional look. (BBC)

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Fun Times

Archie

ARIES Your involvement in (March 21- something you enjoy will April 19) turn out well. Joint ventures and personal investments are in your best interest.

Embrace change.

Anger will flare up if you TAURUS aren’t careful how you han(April 20- dle your responsibilities to May 20) others. If you make a promise, honor it and move on to activities that will benefit you.

Share your enthusiGEMINI asm with someone special.

(May 21Getting involved in an event June 20) or activity geared toward bringing about change will make you feel good as well as lead to new opportunities.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

Peanuts

Accept the inevitable and focus on your future. Look for unique ways to move forward with important relationships.

Trying new things will help stimulate your mind, pushing you to greater heights.

Partnerships and passionate encounters will bring about positive events at home and changes to the way you move forward with your longterm plans. A day trip will lead to an unexpected experience.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

When it comes to money, you need to restrain yourself.

Offers that make unrealistic promises will be tempting.

Put love first, but don’t heed the urge to overspend.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Say little and do a lot.

You’ll avoid trouble if you take care of your responsibilities before you go out and have fun. Organization and good planning are encouraged.

Troubles with a friend SCORPIO or relative will spin out of (Oct. 24- control if you lack patience.

Nov. 22) Don’t neglect such matters before you head off in your own direction.

An open mind will lead SAGITTARIUS to a creative idea that can (Nov. 23help you get ahead. Look for Dec. 21) alternatives to replace whatever isn’t working in your life, and take action.

Channel your energy CAPRICORN into learning how to make (Dec. 22- better choices. Don’t give in Jan. 19) to temptation or hang out with unpredictable people.

Calvin and Hobbes Emotional matters will AQUARIUS surface. Consider how to (Jan. 20- best deal with any issues Feb. 19) that can influence a joint venture, financial or medical issue, or an important partnership with a loved one.

You will come up with PISCES some unusual ideas that will (Feb. 20send you in a new and fruitMar. 20) ful direction. Celebrate your plans with someone who appreciates you and your abilities.