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Sunday December 11, 2016

Times

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Nature inspires art

Artist Maiia Lobova is enchanted by Guyana’s natural beauty The Luyksberg Windmill

Preserving a historic treasure Page 2

Shea Rock

A ‘sacred landmark’ Page 8

Guyana Fashion Week 2016

Showcasing Caribbean style Page 10

Trending NOW

Christmas Nail Art Page 15

2 Sunday Times Magazine

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DECEMBER 11, 2016

Times Feature

The Luyksberg Windmill

By Lennox J Hernandez

O

n the northeast coast of Hog Island, one of the many islands in the mouth of the Essequibo River, stands the remains of local Dutch 18th century technology in Guyana – the Luyksberg Windmill (this name should differentiate it from the other windmill on Hog Island).

Luyksberg (Lyksburg) was the name of the Dutch estate on Hog Island, owned by the Dutch West India Company, on which the windmill was sited circa 1768. According to Joel Benjamin, writing in the Sunday Chronicle in 1985, windmills first appeared in Essequibo in the 1740s on a Dutch plantation on the left bank of the Essequibo River, near Groete Creek.

Windmills were built elsewhere, in Essequibo and Demerara, and Benjamin noted that “... surprisingly, its introduction to the Dutch colonies in Guyana was not based on a well-established Dutch technology.” Rather,

tated. Rotation was necessary to turn the sails directly into the wind for greater efficiency, in areas where the wind direction varies.

According to Benjamin, the Luyksberg Windmill had a sister windmill built a few years earlier on a Dutch plantation on the western side of Fort Island, but no physical evidence of this one has been found to date. Both windmills did not prove reliable, however, both suffering from inadequate wind flow.

Though windmills continued to be built in this country during the early 19th century, the irregularity and unpredictability of the winds, even on the coast, resulted in a decline in the use of this technology, unlike the sustained use in the breezier Caribbean Islands.

Today, the Luyksberg Windmill on Hog Island adds another element to the physical evidence of Dutch presence in Guyana.

Further study of this artefact is necessary to enhance our understanding of this early technological innova-

Luyksberg Windmill in 2013 before presentation works (NTG photo)

ed in the Sunday Chronicle of July 3, 1977.

In 2009, the National Trust took control of the site with the intention of preservation and promotion. The first photographs of the site on July 7, 2009, show a tower of vegetation with a just a few portions of the structure visible. Work on the site over the years since then gives us splendid views of this historic structure now. Apart from simply cleaning and preserving the artefact, the Trust has enhanced the accessibility and presentation of the site, opting for presentation of the structure as it exists, rather than a full restoration. Infrastructure works for access are the installation of stairs and a ramp for access to the main interior floor, and the construction of a spiral stair internally leading to two decks, one for viewing through the side openings and the other for viewing over the top of

Luyksberg Windmill at present

the windmill. A roof allows for the protection of visitors from rain and sun.

A tower of vegetation. Luyksberg Windmill in 2009

Betty's Hope Windmill, Antigua - tower, sails, cap and tail-pole

the Dutch used the technology of those windmills built in the British West Indian islands.

Wind-powered mills were introduced into Barbados and the Leeward Islands during the late 17th century, and the remains of some of these are still in existence: for example, the Betty’s Hope Windmill in Antigua, which was restored (even the machinery) during 1990-1994. These sugar plantation windmills were modifications of the European tower windmills which were built of masonry and where only the cap ro-

tion. For example, was the cap rotated to the prevailing winds by a tail-pole, and how were the sails incorporated in the system? The Luyksberg Windmill was described in the late 18th century (Benjamin) as being 36 feet (10.98 metres) in height, but the height now is closer to 28 feet (8.53 metres): maybe some material has been lost from the top.

The base has a diameter of 35 feet (10.67 metres) and the structure is mainly of granite blocks (with some coral stone) with brick being used to form the vari-

ous openings.

Benjamin also noted that the windmill was partly made of materials from the recently demolished Fort Kyk-over-al – I would say most likely the bricks.

In 1977, the existence of the windmill remains was brought to the attention of the National Trust of Guyana by a group of History staff and students of the University of Guyana, who were on a field trip on the island, after hearing of “a building looking like a tower, standing in the bush.” This “re-discovery” of the windmill was report-

We can now appreciate this once “lost” historic treasure.

Internal spiral stairway (NTG photo)

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 11, 2016

Sunday Times Magazine

3

Times Feature

I

n Caribbean culture, to give a whole homebaked black cake as a gift is a sign of great affection and intimacy. But have you ever thought about the origin of black cake?

According to Guyanese historian Sushima Naraine, who resides in Canada, black cake is the Caribbean version of the British dessert plum pudding, but with “some slight Caribbeanesque changes (hence the rum)”.

Food and Cooking in Victorian England: A History stated: “Banned by the Puritans in the 1660s for its rich ingredients, the [plum] pudding and its customs came back into popu-

Caribbean diet. Plum pudding is but one example of the remaining British presence throughout.

“It’s impossible to have a Christmas without black cake especially because many people gift these cakes to each other. As well, it’s common for everyone in the family to get involved in the actual baking process. Dad might be in charge of soaking the fruits in the rum, while mom takes care of mixing the ingredients. All the children – if they can be trusted with this task – would be involved in mixing

– my family keeps black cake on the kitchen counter for months afterwards…”

Sushima noted.

English cakes were soaked in liquor to preserve them on sea voyages. But according to Jessica B. Harris, a culinary historian, black cake's Caribbean character is found in the rum (British cakes usually use brandy) and in the cake's intensely dark colour.

Offering her tip for a perfect black cake, USbased Guyanese food blogger Jehan Powell said “black cake is soaked in rum weekly

A slice of Jehan's black cake

larity during the reign of

Mixing the fruits into the cake batter

George I. Known sometimes as the Pudding King, George I requested that plum pudding be served as part of his royal feast when he celebrated his first Christmas in England after arriving from Hanover to take the throne in 1714. By 1740, a recipe for ‘plum porridge’ appeared in Christmas Entertainments.

In the Victorian era, Christmas annuals, magazines, and cookbooks celebrated the sanctity of family as much as the sanctity of Jesus’ birth, and the tradition of all family members stirring the pudding was often referenced…Poorer families made the riches version of plum pudding that they could afford…Even workhouse inmates anticipated a plum pudding on Christmas Day.” (Andrea Broomfield [Praeger:Westport CT] 2007 (p. 150-151) Black cake reflects the British presence in the Caribbean. The brown sugar, molasses and rum are reminders that it was the quest for sugar, and the

British plum pudding

slave labour that harvested it, that kept British colonialists in the islands.

“While Christian missionaries made their ways through Caribbean communities, they left an indelible mark in the foods that continue to be a staple of the

the icing. The prep for baking black cakes is time-consuming, but the results are always amazing. As well, because of the concentration of rum these cakes can last for a really long time

and will keep up to a month, as long as you keep adding alcohol. This will not only preserve the cake, but also keep it moist”. Jehan shares her black cake recipe with Sunday Times Magazine.

Guyanese Black Cake Ingredients: For fruits 1lb raisins 1lb currants 1lb prunes 1/4lb candied cherries 1/4lb mix citrus peel 1/4lb almond or peanuts (optional) Rum or port wine Wash and grind all ingredients. This can be done with a food mill or food processor. Mix in about 2 cups of rum or port wine and allow tosit for at least 2 weeks. Store in an air tight container.

Method

Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Grease and line two 9 inch baking pans with parchment paper; set aside. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, mace and cloves; set aside. Place butter and sugar in a large bowl and mix until fluffy and light in colour. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to make sure egg is incorporated. (Please don’t rush this step, adding the eggs too soon or too many at one time can cause the mixture to curdle or separate.) Add vanilla extract and almond extract to mixture, mix until incorporated. Add fruit mix to wet ingredients and mix well. Add flour to wet ingredients, mix until smooth.

For cake: 1lb or 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1lb or 4 sticks unsalted butter 2 cups brown sugar 1/2tsp salt 10 eggs caramel or cake colouring (about 1/4 cup) 3tsp baking powder 1tsp cinnamon 1tsp nutmeg 1tsp mace 1tsp ground cloves 1/2tsp vanilla essence 1/2tsp almond essence 1/4 cup rum 1 bottle of dark rum Add caramel to achieve desired colour and stir in rum.

Divide equally between the 2 pans. Bake for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, test by sticking a toothpick in the centre, cake is done if toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and pour about 1 cup of rum on each pan of cake. When the cake absorbs the rum, add more rum two more times. Add rum weekly.

To make your own caramel, add about 1/2 cup of sugar to a pan over medium heat.

Sugar will melt and darken, added about 2tbsp of red wine and cook until a deep dark colour and it has reduces and thickens.

For Jehan’s step-by-step video on making black cake visit www.jehancancook.com

Stirring the Christmas pudding by Henry Woods (1881)

4

Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 11, 2016

Times Feature Slingshot Funding

Co-Founder Candice Ramessar

S

lingshot Funding is a virtual platform where entrepreneurs and organizations can share their business ideas and development projects, and connect with potential donors and supporters.

The project, which will start its operation on December 14, 2016 under the direction of Chet Bowling (LLM, MBA) and Candice Ramessar (MSc. Degree), brings an alternative to high-interest, highrisk traditional institutional loans.

“We firmly believe that if given the right tools and support that our local creative minds and budding entrepreneurs, especially

Priya Mohamed, owner of CIM Exotic Designs, is an entrepreneur working with Slingshot Funding

youth and women in business, can contribute so much more to society,” expressed Candice Ramessar.

By opening its ‘virtual doors’, Slingshot Funding will undertake to align start-ups, existing businesses, groups and organizations with financing opportunities through potential donors and supporters locally, in the Caribbean and the diaspora, who may share the same interests and passion.

Today, some of the most innovative and revolutionary projects and ideas were and are crowd funded.

Crowd funding is the pro-

cess of raising money to fund what is typically a project or business venture through many donors or micro-investors online.

Most entrepreneurs lack the support they need to 'sling-shot' their ideas to reality. It's no secret that today small and aspiring entrepreneurs face many challenges, especially in developing countries, from financing opportunities to business support services and product development.

“One of the bedrocks of sustained local development and economic vitality is thriving micro, small

Members of Recycle Guyana will benefit from Slingshot Funding initiatives

and medium size enterprise.

They create jobs, new products and services. A bit of support goes a long way,” said Chet Bowling.

Slingshot will be launching with eight projects ranging from music to recycling, craft, design and services. Its project owners are youths and women who aspire for greatness and want to positively contribute to society while developing themselves professionally and financially.

A Slingshot project or campaign is more than just another sales pitch. It is an opportunity to positively impact lives and add value to our region. Slingshot Funding supports and welcomes projects of all types from green projects to film and theatre, technology, creative art projects, agriculture and development campaigns.

Unlike other crowd funding platforms that only provide the medium through

which potential seed funding may be accessed, Slingshot works with budding entrepreneurs and campaigners from the ground up – project proposal development, project designs and content development, marketing and post funding business (project) support services.

For more information contact Nkasse Evans on 621-1235 or 630-2020 or visit Slingshot Funding on Facebook or www.slingshotfunding.com

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 11, 2016

Sunday Times Magazine 5

Times Women

A

lisa Khan, a self-taught artist/ crafter, uses her talent to create beautiful things to beautify people’s lives.

In an interview with Sunday Times Magazine, Alisa said creating unique handmade jewellery pieces and modern statement decor was not her “first choice, but it has always been a hobby”.

“I do a lot of research, I read a lot of blogs that are similar to my creations and I try to focus on what I love, that way I will always put out something my clients are proud of. I like to create accessories and art you cannot find in stores. I always aim to ensure everything about my creations say one-of-akind. For example, my pressed flower art, no two pieces are the same – and that’s the beauty about it,” Alisa stated.

For the artist, her biggest inspiration is nature. She collects a plethora of seashells from local ‘beaches’ and fresh flowers from her neighbourhood. With these, the possibilities of what she can create are endless.

“I use pressed flowers to create

unique abstracts and images instead on conventional painting and drawing. It is really different and it is fun to create. For my pressed flower art, it started as an idea to preserve a memory: when someone gives you flowers your first thought is, 'Oh I wish I could keep them forever'. Well now you can do so in a beautiful way. Similar concepts just grew from there, because who doesn't love flowers, right? As for my jewellery making, I love pieces that truly are unique. I make a lot of them from seashells because they are all so different,” the artist explained.

Alisa noted her satisfaction comes from when her clients are genuinely satisfied with what she created. She said it is a “good feeling seeing someone wearing an accessory you made or you see a framed flower art with your signature at the bottom in someone’s home”.

Alisa’s goals are to develop her talent and help underprivileged children use art and crafts as a vehicle of selfexpression and to explore their creative capabilities.

“You never know what you are good at until you try it. This I know personally and I want to help underprivileged children explore their talents through art and crafts,” she declared.

The crafter’s “adornments” are perfect as gift items for “nature lovers, book lovers, and all those who love unique art”.

For Christmas, Alisa offers unique gift ideas that can be personalised.

She also does artistic calligraphy and can incorporate favourite quotes on pressed flowered frames or necklaces.

“My advice to youths is to believe in yourself and trust what you can do.

This gets easier when you have a support system, because there will be days when your projects may not be successful, but with encouraging friends and family you will always stay on track.

Mine has been nothing but supportive and I could not have done it without them,” Alisa expressed.

For more information on Alisa’s work, visit Adornments on Facebook or @adornmentsbyalisa on Instagram.

Handmade bracelets

Gold accent seashell necklace that be worn two ways

'To the moon and back'. Perfect gift for loved ones for the holidays

'Breathe'. Pressed flower

Alisa Khan

6 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 11, 2016

Times Book World The Shaping of Guyanese Literature

By Petamber Persaud

Theatre Then and Now (Part One)

Desiree Edghill

(Extract of interview with Desiree Edghill, Georgetown, Guyana, November 2016. Edghill is Director of Artiste in Direct Support, a versatile theatre personality, a health activist and educator.)

PP: We cannot divorce the drama from theatre in Guyana because the history of theatre in Guyana is characterized mainly by highs [high drama] and

lows [low gravy]; there is a school of thought that views the fortunes of theatre as a reflection of the state of country’s fortunes.

Theatre in Guyana started with the Coffee House Theatre and the Minor Theatre and the Theatre Royal all the while evolving until the concerted effort that resulted in the founding of the Theatre Guild Playhouse in 1957. But, just before that movement,

there were other efforts like the Sugar Estate Drama Festival and the British Guiana Dramatic Society among others…

As we’re on highs and lows of theatre in Guyana, what period did you start theatre?

DE: I started theatre in 1979 with the Guyana Stores Group – the PEWITT (People Working in Total Togetherness). I was working with Guyana Stores at that time and I was asked to join the group. I didn’t think I was a dramatist at that time, but I was having an altercation on the floor when the PR passed and heard me extolling myself and he turned to me saying that they were putting on a play and he would like me to play a part. Of course I replied that I was not an actress to which he said that I didn’t know that I was acting with that attitude and that was the same attitude he was looking for to fill the part…so that was where it all started.

PP: What was the state of theatre then and the state of the country at that time?

DE: Well, at that time theatre was not an important part of my life: I was a mother, a single mother, looking for a job, so I was not a part of theatre when I started. I became a part of the theatre in 1982 at Theatre Guild when our group used to perform

there. Also, at that time, we had Rolland Phillips who was part of our group, while he was working at the radio station. Allan Cooper was part of the PEEWITT group, Sydney Benjamin was our choreographer and there was Leon Saul who was one of our directors…

PP: Ras Leon Saul has being around theatre quite a while!

DE: Yes, he has.

The chairman of theatre Guild at that time was John Rawlins and he came and saw a production I did in 1981 at St. Rose’s – we used to perform at the St. Rose’s High School which had a beautiful auditorium – and the production was the ‘Porknocker’ wherein I played the prostitute...So John Rawlings came and saw me, and at the end, he called me to say there was a reading for a play at the Theatre Guild – ‘Juno and the Peacock’. At that time there was Anthony Stewart,

Giving a presentation on stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV

the one who did ‘House of Pressure’ with others from that group first performing ‘House of Pressure’.

Yes, there were many little drama groups around apart from the Theatre Guild, but it was at the Theatre Guild where you really got your training to learn the stage craft.

learn backstage, stage management, lights, sounds, you also had to learn front of house apart from cleaning the theatre…you had to clean your house – that’s how it was presented to us.

PP: By doing all these things, theatre was getting into your blood.

DE: Yes! You became a

Desiree in character during a play in 2009

Ulita Anthony, G. Walcott, Godfrey Noughton, Howard Lorimar – they were the people in that production.

So when John Rawlings invited to do the reading, I said I was not into acting, to which he responded that I suited the part for I looked like Anthony Stewart’s daughter who was brownskinned with blond long hair and I had lovely long plaits. However, Andrea Charles and I read for the part; I did get the part.

PP: We’d return to that later, but I’d like for us to expand on the fact that a number of corporate entities were hosting their own little, in house drama groups…

DE: Guysuco Drama Group, City Hall…

PP: Ian Valz…

DE: Yes, he was from the City Hall group and he was

I remember when I went to do production there; I had to become a member of the Theater Guild workshop, which was held every Monday evening…

PP: You had to be a rounded person – theatre personality…

DE: …Yes, you had to be – you couldn’t just jump on the stage. We rehearsed for that play for over three months, which meant you had to take time to get to that point - into character.

I don’t think we do long rehearsals now…

PP: …And it shows in contemporary theatre – missed lines, missed cues, lighting off- cue, long blackouts…

Let’s dwell a bit more on that training.

DE: ‘That’ training was my foundation…But that wasn’t all; you also had to

part of the theatre and theatre became a part of you.

PP: Something that is missing now?

DE: Although we now have the National Drama School, the kind of dedication and commitment given at that time is also needed…

At the time though when I entered theatre at the Guild, local theatre was now becoming vibrant – we were having writers: Paloma Mohamed, Ian Valz, Ronald Hollingsworth, Harold Bascom, Mr. Grannum – a whole lot of people started to write local theatre, a lot of people were gravitating towards local theatre…(To be continued) Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@ yahoo.com

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 11, 2016

Sunday Times Magazine 7

Times Heritage

By Odeen Ishmael

E

ver since the start of Dutch colonization of Guyana, the early colonists observed that many parts of the sea coast experienced cyclical periods of erosion as well as flooding during high tides. However, since settlements were located mainly on river banks,

and not along the coast, the problems of erosion and flooding were not taken seriously. But, as settlements extended along the coast in the late eighteenth century, flooding of low-lying lands during high tides became a matter of concern. Also, during the periods when there was an accumulation of silt

which built up the coastal plain, drainage canals were silted up and water accumulated during the rainy season was difficult to remove.

Georgetown, in the early 19th century, began to feel the effects of erosion and flooding. The Eve Leary area, which housed the barracks of the West India

Sea defences, like the Georgetown seawall, continue to be strengthened

Main Street from Murray Street (now Quamina Street) looking north, British Guiana

A Demerara koker, British Guiana (Courtesy of British Empire Exhibition Wimberley)

Regiment, was badly flooded at times, and the residents of the surrounding areas felt that the War Office in London should provide funds to build permanent sea defences. The War Office, on the other hand, insisted that it had been providing grants for sea defence works over the years to the benefit of that part of the town. As such, it stated in 1849 that the town council should take on the responsibility of sea defence, and threatened to remove the Regiment if the barracks continued to experience flooding. But this threat was never enforced even though flooding periodically occurred.

Eventually, in 1855, the Combined Court voted a sum of $135,000 to erect sea defences for Georgetown.

In the meantime, a few proprietors of estates used their own resources to build earthen embankments as sea defences to protect their lands from floods during high tides. After a while, the Government realised that sea defence should not be left to the estate owners, and an effort was started by the Government to build a strong sea wall in Georgetown from Camp Street to Kitty. This wall was completed in 1882.

The Director of Public Works was given the authority to monitor the sea defences throughout the country. He could order any proprietor to use his own funds to build sea walls (or sea dams), but he could also recommend the spending of government funds to assist the estates. Loans were also made available to proprietors to erect sea defence.

To allow for easy drainage, and also to obtain irrigation water from the inland

areas, each coastal plantation was established in a rectangular pattern. The front faced the river or the sea while the back had the wet savannah or a creek as its boundary. Parallel canals on the two sides ran from the back lands to the sea or river and emptied through kokers (or sluices). Smaller canals (or trenches) cut across the breadth of the plantation to connect to the main parallel canals, and the flow of water through them was also controlled by smaller kokers.

Before 1838, all of these waterways were dug by the slaves using shovels as their tools. After this period, paid African labour and Indian indentured workers carried out the excavation works.

The estates were drained by gravity during low tides.

Those which faced the sea experienced serious drainage problems during the cyclical build-up of silt along the coast. During these periods, which lasted about seven years, the kokers (sluices) were blocked by accumulation of silt, and drainage had to be done by pumping, which was very expensive.

With regard to irrigation, from the early 19th century, sugar estates were able to obtain water during periods of low rainfall from a natural conservancy on their southern boundary. The idea of a permanent conservancy was developed by Dr. Michael McTurk, a member of the

This West Demerara koker (sluice) is a protection against the sea

For every square mile of land which was used for sugar-cane cultivation, about 49 miles of drainage and 16 miles of irrigation trenches were dug. In the process of digging canals and trenches on the sugar plantations, over 100 million tons of earth was excavated.

Georgetown Town Council, and based on his plan, an Ordinance was passed in 1828 to build an earthen dam to trap water in the East Demerara conservancy. (Source: “The Guyana Story—From Earliest Times to Independence” by Odeen Ishmael)

Waves lash against Georgetown seawall circa 1900s (Courtesy of British Empire Exhibition Wimberley)

View of St. George's Cathedral from Regent Street, Georgetown, 1958

8 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 11, 2016

Times Travel & Tourism Shea Rock

Scenic view of Shea Rock (Photo from mykenlara-guyana.blogspot.com)

S

hea village is situated in Region Nine about 100 miles south-east by dirt road from Lethem and approximately nine miles from the base of the rolling Kanuku Mountains.

The area comprises mostly pristine forest and savannah with notches of hills, dales, as well as creeks, streams and riv-

ers. Shea has a population of more than 300Wapichanpeople who have maintained subsistence farming as means of livelihood.

The most famous site in the village is the Shea Rock, which is regarded as a “sacred landmark” by the Wapishiana nation.

From the Rock, tourists enjoy fantastic views across the savannah and rainforest.

For more information on Shea, visit the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs website http://indigenouspeoples.gov.gy/

Traditional thatch-roof house closeby to Shea Rock (Photo from mykenlara-guyana.blogspot.com) Houses and benabs in the vicinity of Shea Rock (Photo by mark47 on www.panoramio.com)

Closer look at the Rock (Photo by mark47 on www.panoramio.com) View from Shea Rock

Children pass by the Rock to enter Shea village (Photo by mark47 on www.panoramio.com)

Cross atop the Rock tells of how sacred the site is to the people of Shea

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 11, 2016

Sunday Times Magazine 9

Times Healthy Living

We can be healthy even when we give into our cravings. Find out sensible ways you can do just that!

Swap creamy dips for hummus While you may think you're making healthy choices when you eat vegetables and dip, those dips can often cost you a lot of fat and calories.

Instead of reaching for the creaming dressings,

Lighten up your sundae go for hummus instead. This healthy alternative, which can be bought at any local supermarket, has the protein, vitamins, and fiber you need to stay full and snack sensibly.

Swap deep dish for thin crust Pizza cravings hit all of us at one point or another. While we often think pizza as a no-no if you’re trying to be healthy, that’s simply not the case. It’s all about making smart swaps. For example, instead of a deep dish pie, stick with

Ice cream often gets a bad reputation, but it actually has the protein, fat, and calcium we need. The trick is portion control and healthy swaps. Try using low-fat ice cream, a

small amount of crushed peanuts, a drizzle of chocolate sauce, and grilled bananas, instead of the oversized deep fried and sugary toppings that often add too many calories.

Ditch the sausage links thin crust to avoid carb overload. Planning to toss sausage and pepperoni on top? Choose veggies instead. Like to eat big slices? Cut your pizza up into smaller pieces to trick your mind and feel more satisfied.

Instead of chomping down on sausage links, swap for two slices of turkey bacon instead. With nearly 100 calories less than a pork sausage and

all the same protein, you'll enjoy your breakfast meat without any of the excess fat you don't need.

How to cope with health risks of Christmas T

his time of year can spark all kinds of unexpected reactions and behaviors in even the well-adjusted among us. There’s the loneliness, the anxiety, the guilt, the overindulgence (which can also lead to guilt), and, of course, the bitterness. And to top it all off there’s the looming New Year, which is always disturbing since it hits us with the pressure of developing good habits right after we’ve fully exercised our bad ones.

Here are some of the common holiday pitfalls, mental and physical, which many of us encounter in some shape or form.

And, so as not to be too Grinchy about it, there’s also a bit on how to avoid them – or at least, manage them more effectively when they come your way.

Overeating This is the queen mother of the bad holiday habits. Most of us pack on a few pounds, but it doesn’t have to be that way, even at food-centric holiday gatherings. Forbes contributor David DiSalvo, who wrote Brain Changer, says that there’s one trick researchers discovered in a 2010 study that can help people avoid holiday bingeing – and it’s simply to visualize the bingeing before you do it. “When you see something you’d like to gorge on but know you shouldn't (let’s say a big bowl of M&Ms),” says DiSalvo, “try visualizing yourself eating the M&Ms – as many as you care to shovel into your mouth, being careful not to spare any details about how incredible they taste. The research predicts that afterwards you’ll eat less of the candies than you would have if you’d given in to your original desire to gorge without playing the mind trick.” It sounds counterintuitive, but giving your brain that imaginary taste of the hedonism it so desires can actually fulfill the craving.

Holiday Depression With all the pressure to be happy this time of year, it’s not hard to be depressed. This is especially true if you don’t have exciting plans, or any plans. On the other end of the spectrum, having too much to do can also be mentally depleting. Psychologist Suzanne Roff-Wexler, PhD, says that though it can be tough to tease apart all your feelings at this time of year, the holidays – with all their demands and stressors – are classic triggers for anxiety and low mood.

She adds that if the sadness sticks around for weeks or months after the holidays end, it could be actual depression, which needs treatment. But if it’s just depression about the fact that the holi-

days, well, exist, then the solution is pretty simple: Just power through them. Being social as much or as little as you want to, taking time for yourself to recoup and re-center, and practicing a little gratitude about the good things in your life (even if it’s just that the holidays will be over soon) are all powerful methods for coping. Roff-Wexler says that all the holiday hoopla “can take a toll on your mind and body…So don't isolate. Seek connection and support.” Most of all, take heart: They’ll be over soon.

Overspending and Debt Advertisers take no prisoners when it comes to pushing the holidays on us these days, which can make it easy to get sucked in to overspending. Though it’s great to be generous with your loved ones, if you’re able, a lot of us just do too much. Period. Going into a lot of debt for the holidays is not a good idea, since you’ll pay the price, literally, for months or years to come. Only get gifts for those in your immediate circle of friends and family, and cards for the outer circle. It may not be completely possible to avoid debt, but a little is better than a lot.

New Year’s Dread Although this can be a nice time of the year to start over for some people, others just feel a sense of doom. There’s lots of research suggesting that most people fail their New Year’s resolutions by about week two, and this just gets things off to a bad start.

One way is simply not to make any resolutions in the first place. There’s no reason to start a new lifestyle habit or kick an old one on January 1. Do it when you’re good and ready.

Taking baby steps – really small and regimented ones – is another trick for making changes actually happen.

10 Sunday Times Magazine

DECEMBER 11, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

Times Fashion

Guyana Fashion Week 2016

P

art of the philosophy of Guyana Fashion Week (GFW), founded by veteran Guyanese designer Sonia Noel, is to incorporate the wider region in proclaiming our Caribbean style and presenting it to the world.

This year, GFW, which was held on November 12-13,

2016, showcased fashion from St Lucia, Trinidad, Antigua, Barbados and Suriname.

Making her debut runway appearance at GFW was Antiguan designer Shirrine Gillon. Under her label, Rainbow Expressions, the designer celebrates her “Afro-

Caribbean sensibility through her fashion imaging”.

Shirrine’s ‘Dreamcatcher’ collection was applauded by local and international fashion enthusiasts in attendance at GFW.

Sunday Times Magazine 11 DECEMBER 11, 2016

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Star Times Hollywood

J oseph Adam "Joe" Jonas is an American singer and actor. Jonas first rose to fame as a member of the pop-rock band Jonas Brothers, along with his brothers Kevin and Nick. The group became heavily involved with the Disney Channel, and later made their film debut in the Disney Channel Original Movie “Camp Rock� (2008). The film, and its soundtrack, became a major hit for the network, and helped propel the brothers into further commercial success. Following his departure from the band, Jonas began working as a songwriter for various artists.

He released his solo debut studio album, Fastlife, in 2011, with the singles "See No More" and "Just in Love". He ultimately decided to form a new band, DNCE, which made their debut with the single "Cake by the Ocean" (2015). The song was awarded the Teen Choice Award for Choice Party Song.

12 Sunday Times Magazine

DECEMBER 11, 2016

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Times Hollywood

Jennifer Lawrence gets Kanye West blasted for scratching debuts blonde hair herself on sacred rocks F J ennifer Lawrence stirred up controversy with her butt. Days after she appeared on "The Graham Norton show" and shared a bizarre story of how she nearly killed a man by scratching her butt when she was filming in Hawaii, a lot of viewers took to Twitter to call her out and ask her to apologize.

As previously reported, Lawrence stopped by the British talk show with her "Passengers (2016)" co-star Chris Pratt recently and entertained the audience with a tale about sacred Hawaiian rocks which people shouldn't be sitting on because "you weren't supposed to expose your genitalia to them."

Because she was in her wetsuit, the actress was allowed to sit on the rocks and later found that they were perfect for relieving itches on her butt. However, a giant boulder ended up coming loose and almost crushing a crew member. "[The giant boulder] rolled down this giant mountain and almost killed our sound guy. His whole station got destroyed. It was this huge, dramatic deal," she recalled. "All the Hawaiians were like, 'Oh my God, it's the curse!' And I was sitting in the corner like, 'Haha! I'm your curse! I wedged it loose with my [butt]!' "

A lot of viewers got angry and blasted J.Law on Twitter, calling her "racist" and "disrespectful." "Jennifer Lawrence is so ugly. She knew the rocks are sacred to their culture & went out of her way to disrespect it," wrote a user.

Lawrence hasn't responded to the backlash. That actually wasn't the 26-year-old beauty's first time to have retold the story.

She first did it in 2013. At the time, she said that she sat on the rocks without knowing they were sacred. (AceShowbiz)

Taylor Swift, Zayn release duet

Z

ayn Malik and Taylor Swift released their new duet, “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever,” December 8, and, naturally, their fans are losing their minds on social media.

Swift, 26, and the for-

mer One Direction star, 23, surprised fans Thursday night when they revealed that they teamed up for the track, which will be featured on the soundtrack for Fifty Shades Darker. This is the first time Swift has re-

leased new music since her 2014 album, 1989.

Not long after the “Wildest Dreams” singer shared an extended clip of “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” — accompanied by a supersteamy trailer for the risqué movie — the song dropped on iTunes and quickly soared to the No. 1 spot.

Prior to dropping “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever,” Malik teased fans by posting a black-and-white photo of himself, Swift and her pet cat on Instagram December 7. “#idontwannaliveforever,” he captioned the pic. (US Magazine)

Nicki Minaj criticized for ‘making fun of mentally ill woman’

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icki Minaj landed in hot water after she shared online a video of her interacting with a random woman on a street.

Posted on her Instagram page Sunday, December 4, the clip showed the raptress trying to talk to the lady, whom many believed was mentally ill.

In the video, the woman stood on a Miami street alone with a cigarette on her hand as she yelled at Nicki, "I don't need your so-called help!" The raptress, who filmed the entire thing from her car, then replied, "What'd you say?

Miss... Come here!"

Nicki and some people in the car could be heard laughing as the woman walked away while still yelling at her.

"Miss, you look nice... Can we talk?" the Young Money first lady kept asking the woman.

After the video was

shared along with a laughing emoji in the caption, Nicki's Instagram account was flooded with negative comments from fans. They slammed the "Anaconda" rapper for mocking the mentally ill woman, branding her insensitive.

"Nicki was wrong for laughing at the lady. She was being mean and fake. Why tell the lady she looked nice?" one commenter wrote. "This is so wrong!! If i were u delete this video..know the history of a person before u post

an offending video..not cool..u are already getting heated and receiving a lot of backlash..this is an act of ignorance!! RESPECT!!" said another.

Social media users weren't the only ones who found the video offensive.

According to TMZ, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI-Miami) has also publicly called out Nicki for her action, calling it invasion of the woman's privacy and an act of dehumanization.

The organization also accused Nicki of using her fame to negatively influence her fans, including around 70 million people following her on Instagram. "Nobody would make fun of a cancer patient, and mental illness is an illness like any other," a NAMI spokesperson said.

(AceShowbiz)

ollowing his eight-day hospitalization at UCLA Medical Center, Kanye West resurfaced in Los Angeles on December 8 looking healthy and well. He also showed off new hairstyle during a visit to an art exhibition in West Hollywood.

He was pictured debuting blonde hair while attending the Rick Owens: Furniture exhibition at the MOCA Pacific Design Center that day. In a snap posted on Instagram by artist Giovanni Bassan, 'Ye was seen pairing his new 'do with a gray sweatshirt, dark-colored pants and white sneakers. "K s in da house," read the caption.

Kanye was admitted to the hospital three weeks ago, days after he launched yet another rant on the stage and canceled the remaining dates on his "Saint Pablo" tour. He suffered from exhaustion, dehydration and what his doctor called an episode of "temporary psychosis."

Since released from hospital earlier this month, 'Ye has reportedly been living separately from his wife Kim Kardashian. She's said to refuse living together with her husband and consider filing for divorce from him.

"She wants a divorce," an insider told Us Weekly recently, adding that Kim's trying to build a case for full custody of her kids. "It will take some time before she can do anything, but she doesn't want to stay married."

The insider added that Kim wouldn't

make any decision until Kanye's fully recovered. "She's being a supportive wife," the source explained. "She cares about Kanye and feels relieved he's getting the help he needs, but she's felt trapped for a while."

The rumor, however, has been debunked by multiple news outlets, including E! News which talked directly to Kim's pal Jonathan Cheban. "I just FaceTimed with Kim and Kanye and everyone's talking about some divorce rumors and I was laughing because I didn't hear that all day and I guess everybody else apparently here did and it's so funny to me because it's so not true," he said, adding that the divorce speculation was "hysterical." (AceShowbiz)

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ick Cannon has responded to comments from Dane Cook, who was making fun of his choice of outfit at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Paris, France last week. The exhusband of Mariah Carey wore a pink turban at the star-studded show.

The "America's Got Talent" host posted a black-and-white collage of himself wearing various turbans on four separate occasions. "Yo @DaneCook call me so I can explain this…King Business to you!! #MoorishMindset #SikhLife #ReconditioningOurCommunities," he captioned his Instagram post on December 7.

Later, he posted a quote which read, "Humble enough to know that I am not better than anybody and wise enough to know that I'm different from the rest."

Cannon defended his style after Cook shared on his Instagram a picture of the actor wearing a matching turban, lips and tie, calling Cannon's style "horrific." Cook also wrote that he's frustrated because of that

and it made him want to quit the social media.

The actor has been wearing the headpiece for years. Back in November, he told PEOPLE about the reason why he wore the headpiece, which is more than just fashion style for him.

Cannon said, "I wanna represent my inner king, and to do it in a fly way. It's a great conversation piece but it also allows me to express that spiritual side... I have a good time with it, but it actually does mean a lot to me." (AceShowbiz)

Katie Holmes addresses 'secret relationship' with Jamie Foxx

K

atie Holmes has finally addressed her alleged romance with Jamie Foxx. Following persistent rumors that the two had been dating on-and-off for years, and were even secretly married, the actress cleared up her relationship status during a chat with New York Times.

Asked if she's "still single" or if there's "a secret marriage," the "Dawson's Creek" alum replied, "Nooo, I'm not married. But thank you for asking." She, however, didn't reveal whether or not she's dating anyone right now.

Holmes and Foxx have been linked to each other since 2013. They have never said anything about being in a relationship, but their pal Claudia Jordan seemingly confirmed that they were an item earlier this year.

"He is very happy with her, so I like that

he seems very happy," said Jordan at the time. The former "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" star, who worked with Foxx on his Sirius XM comedy channel The Foxxhole, ended up backtracking on her comments, though.

"A lot of times, I get asked questions about celebrities - some I know, some I don't - a lot of times we just give a safe kind of generic answer. Sorry to not have this bombshell story, but I cannot confirm them," she explained. "I don't have the knowledge of this being fact, I don't. I misspoke."

But Jordan's denial didn't stop the dating speculations. Back in October, Holmes and Foxx reportedly broke up because she kept asking him to make their romance public. Last month, they were said to have patched things up and secretly reconciled.

(AceShowbiz)

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 11, 2016

Sunday Times Magazine 13

Star Times Bollywood

A

qsa Bhatt is an Indian film actress, model and author who works in Kannada, Tamil and Malayalam films. Aqsahas written a novel, “A MORE”, and more than 400 poems to date. She made her debut as an actress in the Malayalam drama film,“Life of Josutty” (2015). Her most recent part was in the Indian Kannadalanguage romantic film, “Preethiyalli Sahaja” (2016).

In 2010,Aqsa won the Miss Teen Jammu Kashmir title, which inspired her to pursue a modeling career. The aspiring film director hopes to one day help others pursue their passion for acting.

14 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 11, 2016

Times Bollywood

Deepika dethrones Arjun Rampal: ‘Amitabh Bachchan Priyanka as is the most generous actor’ ‘Sexiest Asian A Woman of 2016’ rjun Rampal will next be seen in a film that includes Amitabh Bachchan. Arjun has worked with Bachchan earlier in films such as “Aankhen” (2002) and “The Last Lear” (2007).

“He is the most generous actor I’ve worked with.

He is not intimidating at all. Initially, when you don’t know him, you feel intimidated, not out of fear but out of respect. He makes you feel comfortable and puts you at ease. It is always a pleasure to work with him,” says Arjun.

Ask him which actor he has enjoyed working with the most, so far, and he says, “Farhan Akhtar, Amitabh

D

e e p i k a Padukone won the title for the first time in the popular list that is annually published by Britain-based Eastern Eye newspaper.

“It does bring a smile to my face, but sexy means different things to different people. For me, it’s not just physical.

Being comfortable with who you are, is sexy. Confidence is sexy. Innocence and vulnerability is sexy,” the actor, who is set to make her Hollywood debut with “xXx: Return of Xander Cage” opposite Vin Diesel, said in a statement.

Priyanka, who has won the title four times in the popular list, was pushed down to second place. Alia Bhatt cracked the top 10 for the first time and was ranked fifth.

Actor Nia Sharma took the third spot, and reclaimed

Bachchan and VidyaBalan.”

Arjun feels it is a different experience altogether when one works with like-minded people.

Arjun will soon complete two decades in the industry. So, what is the key for any actor to survive in showbiz for long? “Patience is the biggest factor. And we must have a goal. Belief in yourself and your choices is important. Once you make that choice, then see it through with complete determination, and not let your focus shift. You have to be patient and not sign every film, which is offered [to you], as you think your time might run out.” (Hindustan Times)

Alia Bhatt to ‘take time off and chill’ the title as the sexiest television star. TV actress Drashti Dhami came fourth.

The 2016 edition of the popular annual poll was based on millions of votes pouring in from across the globe.

Others in the top 10 are SanayaIrani (sixth), Katrina Kaif (seventh), Sonam Kapoor (eight), Pakistani actor Mahira Khan (ninth) and Gauhar Khan (10th).

(Hindustan Times)

S

he is riding a wave of success after delivering back-to-back solid performances in “Udta Punjab” and “Dear Zindagi”, co-starring Shah Rukh Khan. But now, Alia Bhatt is “taking a break”.

“I haven’t signed anything new as of now. I am going to take some time off and chill. I will work on some ideas that are not film related. I have been planning to do that for a while, but haven’t had the time,”

she says.

The “Highway” (2014) actor adds that she doesn’t “mind taking some time off.”

“I feel that you should take a break to revive. Also, I have been working constantly. Sometimes, you suddenly feel like, ‘what’s happening’.

I am not taking a step back though. I am taking a break to figure everything else out.

If something brilliant comes up, I will go for it immediately. There are a couple of things I am interested in, but it will take time to develop, so let’s see,” she says.

(Hindustan Times)

Himesh Reshammiya files for divorce

S

inger-actor Himesh Reshammiya has filed for divorce from his wife of 22 years, Komal. The actor was married

at 21.

“Sometimes in life, mutual respect becomes the most important and giving due respect to our relationship, Komal and I have amicably decided to part ways… There is no problem whatsoever with this decision among us and our family as every member respects it. Yet, Komal is and will always remain a part of our family and I will always be a part of her family,” the 43-year-old actor told Mid-Day.

Komal, who also spoke to the daily, she said, “Himesh and I completely respect each other and are jointly going ahead with this decision to part ways, but mutual respect will always be there between us as I am a part of his family and will always be, and the same stands for him towards my family.”

According to media reports, Himesh and Komal have been living separately for some months now, and they have applied for divorce in a Bandra court. They also have a son, Swayam. (Hindustan Times)

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 11, 2016

Sunday Times Magazine

15

Times Trends

Trending NOW

Star of the week

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ooking for some nail inspiration this festive season? These stylish Christmas nail art designs will make you stand out this season and will have you booking a salon appointment ASAP!

Get in the Christmas spirit with this sleigh-inspired nail art

For a simple nail fix, just add some snowflakes or other festive stickers

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These pretty purple nails are great for the party season

Glitter tips make for a nice festive look

This cute Santa-inspired design is the ultimate nail art inspiration These star additions are a pretty way to change up your manicure

ishawn Simon is a 26-year-old known for his athleticism and his flair on the runway. He attended New Amsterdam Multilateral School then transferred to Berbice High School, where he completed studies in the science field. Kishawn is a professional boxer and fitness trainer. Other than fitness, Kishawn enjoys showcasing designers’ work of art, which is why he began modeling since 2014. He mentioned that “modeling also allows for interaction with people of different walks of life”, which helps him to be more open-minded and knowledgeable.

Thus far, Kishawn has modeled for veteran designers such as Roger Gary, Sonia Noel, Nelsion Nurse, Mwanza Glenn, Deborah Mathias - just to name a few. Commenting on the preconceptions attached to male models, Kishawn noted that labels do not define who he is as an individual. He pointed out that “life has challenges, but they help make us better human beings”. Other than modeling, the fitness enthusiast likes doing BMX stunts, reading, drawing, capoeira, Brazilian Jiujitsu, admiring nature and being around children. Kishawn finds joy in pushing himself beyond limits; plans to become an actor; and wants to be a role model to children, as he feels “a lot of young kids go astray in Guyana because they have no positive role model to look up to”. Kishawn’s future plans include reaching the pinnacle of his “fight career”, possibly in the UFC or MMA. As for modeling, he “continues with hopes of it bringing more productivity” and desires to create “an impact on the modeling scene”.

16 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 11, 2016

Times Art

Nature inspires art Artist Maiia Lobova is enchanted by Guyana’s natural beauty

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aiia Lobova dreamed of being an artist since she was five years old. Now an established artist, Lobova captures the beauty of Guyana’s flora, fauna and landscape superbly in her captivating paintings.

Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, and with parents who had been artists, Maiia earned a degree in African studies before coming to

'Rooster'

Guyana in 2006 for two years, followed by a second two-year period to the present, which saw her beginning her paintings of forest animals, large and small, plant life, landscapes and symbolic ‘tributes’ to persons and places.

The artist’s enthusiastic response to the flora, fauna and landscape of Guyana originates from her discovery when she worked as a

translator/interpreter stationed in the Berbice River area of Region Ten. “It was at high school that I got really attracted by rich and diverse cultures of South America and Africa. So upon the graduation from school I enrolled into the African Studies Program at the University in my home town of St. Petersburg. My major field of study at the

University was focused on ‘Languages and Cultures of East Africa’-- countries like Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.

After the graduation in 2006 there was a chance for me to go and work abroad so I took it immediately. In the same year I actually started to paint. Since then I lived in Guyana, Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. All the places I lived helped me to make the artistic dream come true and provided endless inspiration for painting,” the artist said in an interview with Sunday Times Magazine.

Lobova added she was really inspired by the beautiful flora and fauna of Guyana, as well as friendly people and unique culture.

According to the artist, this inspiration continues to come from the surrounding environment on a daily basis.

The main topics of Lobova’s paintings are natural landscapes, animals, views from different regions and various natural patterns (from plants, leaves, back, various textures and much more) The artist has exhibited her work locally and internationally and has received

Artist Maiia Lobova

numerous awards throughout her art career. One such award was in June 2011 when she was selected as the winner of IYV+10 (International Year of the Volunteer) Art and Film Making Competition arranged by UNDP Office in Guyana.

“The message I communicate through my paintings is simple: look around, research and admire life around in its daily movements and changes. Look how beautiful nature, plants, trees, flowers and animals are. Get the spiri-

tual support, internal power and inspiration from the small but beautiful things which can be found all around. I believe that the nature in Guyana is unique and absolutely different from all other places in the world. For more than six years it continues to be an endless source of inspiration for me,” the artist declared.

To contact the artist email her at maiia.lobova@ gmail.com (Cover photo: One of the artist's contemplative pieces)

"Iguana"

'Piranha'

"Petroglyphs"

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 11, 2016

Sunday Times Magazine 17

Times Tech

Apple Music attracts 20M subscribers in 18 months

A

pple Music has said it will continue to tie artists to exclusive deals, as its number of paid subscribers passes 20 million for the first time.

There has been criticism

Tech BYTE

that putting albums behind a streaming paywall harms fans and, ultimately, artists.

"I don't think exclusives or promotions are anything new," Apple Music boss Eddy Cue said.

"They were done in the record business, they were done on iTunes, now they're being done on streaming."

He continued: "The exclusives are relatively short term - it's not something

that stays on any one platform. But being able to do unique things with artists is a good thing and I think that'll continue."

Cue said Apple had hosted 70 exclusives over the last year, six of which topped the US Billboard charts, including Drake's Views.

Apple also streamed Chance The Rapper's Coloring Book, which made history by becoming the first album to be nominated for the Grammys without being available in shops or download stores.

However, Universal Music Group chief executive Lucian Grainge recently called for an end to exclusives.

And Kanye West has

Apple Music has swiftly become the second biggest player in the market - behind Spotify, which now boasts 40 million subscribers.

Their popularity has helped reinvigorate the music industry, which recently saw its first big gain in revenue for 20 years.

The increase was largely due to a 45% increase in streaming revenue, with sites like Apple, Deezer, Tidal and Spotify charging £10 per month for instant access to millions of songs.

Cue and Apple Music DJ Zane Lowe spoke to the BBC as the company revealed its most popular music and apps of 2016.

‘Silly Putty’ could be a revolutionary sensor

Tech news

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said streaming companies are engaged in a testosterone-fuelled battle that was ruining the music industry despite releasing his own album as an exclusive on Jay Z's Tidal service.

Cue told the BBC that exclusives were "not the answer to everything" but they "served their purpose".

One purpose is undoubtedly to attract new customers - and Apple has gained three million new subscribers in the last three months.

The tech company said 60% of its users had not downloaded a song from the iTunes store over the last 12 months, suggesting they were a "whole new audience".

Launched in June 2015,

he enduring children's toy known as Silly Putty has long amazed kids and scientists alike with its strange properties. Also known as polysilicone, the putty acts like a liquid over long periods of time, but behaves like a solid otherwise.

Depending on the force applied, it might bend, or bounce or break.

Researchers in Ireland announced this week that they've discovered still more profound weirdness in polysilicone putty.

When infused with graphene — a form of carbon with some very strange qualities of its own — the putty conducted electricity and transformed into a super-sensitive sensing device.

In fact, according to the research team, polysilicone could potentially power whole new categories of medical sensors that monitor vital signs.

The researchers found that electrical resistance in the graphene-infused putty, dubbed G-putty for now, is extremely sensitive to the slightest physical pressure, deformation or impact. When applied to skin on the head or neck, the G-putty can be used to measure breathing, pulse and even blood pressure at levels "hundreds of times more sensitive" than traditional medical sensors, according to the research team.

Lead researcher Jonathan Coleman, professor in the School of Physics at Trinity College Dublin, said that the main applications for the technology will be in health monitoring and diagnostics. For instance, a permanent G-putty sensor on the skin could continuously monitor blood pressure

and trigger early warnings for patients and doctors.

"There is no current tech to do this.

G-putty is the only mechanical sensor sensitive enough," Coleman said. "Basically, the electrical resistance of G-putty changes measurably in response to even the slightest pressure. Pressing against the skin at an artery, the pulsing of the blood can be turned into electrical signals."

Those signals could be fed into a lightweight device worn on the wrist, Coleman said, which would then translate the electrical resistance changes into diagnostic information, instantly and continuously. The key to the technology is the putty's high sensitivity, which can detect blood pressure levels without the squeezing of a traditional blood pressure monitor cuff. "[The device] would send the data by Bluetooth to a smart phone where an app would do data processing, outputting heart rate and importantly blood pressure," Coleman said. "Current sensors can measure pulse but not blood pressure, at least not continuously. It takes a doctor or nurse a minute or two to do it."

In other tests unrelated to medical applications, the G-putty was found to be sensitive enough to register the individual footfall of a spider. All eight of them, presumably. This suggests that G-putty could have potential applications in other fields as well, although Coleman and the research team haven't mapped out any specific scenarios as of yet. (DNews)

M

Facebook, Google, Twitter team up to curb online terrorism

ajor US tech firms announced they would work together to curb the spread of online 'terrorist content,' responding to pressure from governments around the world.

The announcement by Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft and Google-owned YouTube says they aim to use 'digital fingerprints' to block or remove violent content or efforts to recruit social media users for attack cells.

"There is no place for content that promotes terrorism on our hosted consumer services. When alerted, we take swift action against this kind of content in accordance with our respective policies," said a statement issued by the firms. The statement said they would share data that allows them "to help identify potential terrorist content on our respective hosted consumer platforms."

Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have struggled for years with this issue, seek-

ing to be open to free speech without being used to promote violence or hate.

Critics of the companies have called for these efforts, saying they could be based on a similar program to curb child pornography.

The joint statement did not indicate what type of technology would be used in the new initiative, except to say it would be based on a shared industry database of "hashes" or digital fingerprints that identify violent content.

"Each company will independently determine what image and video hashes to contribute to the shared database," the statement said.

"No personally identifiable information will be shared, and matching content will not be automatically removed. Each company will continue to apply its own policies and definitions of terrorist content when deciding whether to remove content when a match to a shared hash is found."

Governments in the United States, France and elsewhere have been pressing online firms to do more to curb extremist content, especially videos that depict beheadings and other gruesome acts often used in recruitment efforts.

At least one lawsuit filed in France on behalf of a victim in the 2015 Paris attacks seeks to hold Facebook, Google and Twitter liable for the violence. (DNews)

18 Sunday Times Magazine

DECEMBER 11, 2016

Times Home & Cooking

guyanatimesgy.com

Recipe of the Week Ingredients

1cup sugar 1cup butter or margarine, softened ½ cup milk 1teaspoon vanilla 1teaspoon peppermint extract 1egg

3 ½ cups all-purpose flour 1teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon red food colour 2tablespoons finely crushed peppermint candies 2tablespoons sugar

D

ecorating the Christmas tree is an annual tradition many families enjoy, but the tree itself doesn't need to be traditional. Check out these themed Christmas tree ideas to brighten your decor and suit your style.

Take a cue from the White House, home of President Obama and his family, and go all out with colour. Christmas trees can easily look unpolished with too many bright colours, but separate each colour into candy-cane stripes and your decor will stay sophisticated and fun.

Method

Stir together 1 cup sugar, the butter, milk, vanilla, peppermint extract and egg in large bowl. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt. Divide dough in half. Stir food colour into 1 half. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours.

Heat oven to 375°F. Stir together peppermint candy and 2 tablespoon sugar; set aside.

For each candy cane, shape 1 rounded teaspoon dough from each half into

4-inch rope by rolling back and forth on floured surface. Place 1 red and white rope side by side; press together lightly and twist. Place on ungreased cookie sheet; curve top of cookie down to form handle of cane.

Bake 9 to 12 minutes or until set and very light brown. Immediately sprinkle candy mixture over cookies. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

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This colour combination is a favourite for many, but seldom do we think to put it on a tree. Black and white stripes give this decor an updated, graphic look. The red, while adding that much needed pop of colour, also adds just enough holiday nostalgia to remind us of Christmas past.

ake your fruit and vegetable slices last longer by coating them with lemon juice. The citric acid will help keep them from browning.

Add dried fruit to oatmeal before you add the milk or water. The fruit will cook and plump up slightly, adding a juicier, more intense taste.

For rich, fudgy brownies without extra fat or calories, bake the batter for about two-thirds of the time the recipe calls for, then freeze with a dish towel under the pan.

The best way to melt chocolate is to go slowly, heat gently, remove from the heat before it’s fully melted, and stir until smooth. If using the microwave, proceed cautiously, stopping every 20 to 30 seconds to stir. If using a double boiler, make sure the water is simmering, not boiling.

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Bring holiday tradition into the 21st century. This metallic tree is decorated with matte and shiny ornaments to bring a modern touch to this holiday display.

eplace harsh, chemical-filled cleaners with a natural, lemon-based one. For mirrors, windows, and countertops, mix lemon juice and water in a spray bottle. Brighten your whites without bleach by adding a cup of lemon juice to your laundry. Rub a lemon directly on grimy faucets and shower handles to remove soap scum while polishing chromes and other metals. You can even remove carpet stains with a lemon juice and salt scrub!

After you flush the toilet, sprinkle 1/4 cup of baking soda into the wet bowl.

Take your shower and then give the bowl a single scrub. Flush to rinse.

Polish tarnished copper with this natural solution. Fill a 16-ounce spray bottle with white vinegar and 3 tablespoons of salt. Spray onto the copper, let sit briefly, then rub clean.

The same product that kills bad-breath germs also zaps the gunk beneath your feet. Add a capful of mouthwash to a gallon of water and mop vinyl or tile—but not wood—floors with the mixture.

After going over your bathtub, sink or shower with disinfectant, wipe the area with baby oil or lemon oil. Do this once or twice a month to help dirty water bead and roll down the drain faster, buying you more time before the next cleaning.

Freshen the toilet bowl with effervescent tablets (denture or antacid) in between scourings. Drop two in the water, let soak for at least 20 minutes, then brush and flush. A can of cola dumped in for one hour also does the trick. The phosphoric acid in this mixture removes rust rings and other mineral deposits.

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 11, 2016

Sunday Times Magazine19

Family Times

PARENTING

I

JOKES The gift

“Thanks for the electric guitar you gave me for Christmas,” little Chris Cody said to his uncle the first time he saw him after the holidays. "It's the best present I ever got."

“That's great," said his uncle. "Have you learnt how to play it?"

"Oh, I don't play it," the little fellow said. "My mom gives me a dollar a day not to play it during the day and my dad gives me five dollars a week not to play it at night.”

t’s that time of year again. The tinsel is out, and tree is up – and the children have started asking awkward questions which you really don’t know how to answer.

Dr Rebecca Chicot, a child development expert and cofounder of The Essential Parent Company, offers her advice on how best to respond to children's questions. Here are her suggested answers to the questions that parents dread the most.

Why are there several Santa Claus in stores?

"I think if you are queuing up to see a one-off special Santa Claus, you could say that it was the real one, especially if your child is five years or younger.When there are lots around, especially the ones that don’t look very much like Santa Claus, parents might want to explain that shops

Christmas gifts for men

Buying gifts for men is not nearly as complicated as it is for women. Follow these rules and you should have no problems.

Rule #1: When in doubt - buy him a cordless drill. It does not matter if he already has one. I have a friend who owns 17 and he has yet to complain. As a man, you can never have too many cordless drills. No one knows why.

Rule #2: If you cannot afford a cordless drill, buy him anything with the word ratchet or socket in it. Men love saying those two words. "Hey George, can I borrow your ratchet?" "OK. By-the-way, are you through with my 3/8inch socket yet?" Again, no one knows why.

Rule #3: If you are really, really broke, buy him anything for his car, a 99 cent ice scraper, a small bottle of de-icer or something to hang from his rear view mirror. Men love gifts for their cars. No one knows why.

Rule #4: Never buy a man anything that says "some assembly required" on the box. It will ruin his special day and he will always have parts left over. No one knows why.

Rule #5: Never buy men bathrobes. Once I was told that if God had wanted men to wear bathrobes, he wouldn't have invented Jockey shorts.

Christmas wish

When a father asked his little boy what he wanted for Christmas, the boy replied, “A baby sister.”

As it turned out, the wife was pregnant, and delivered on Christmas Eve. On Christmas day she brought home a brand new baby sister for their son.

The next year, when the father asked his little boy what he wanted for Christmas, the boy said, “If it wouldn’t make mommy too uncomfortable, I’d like a pony.”

also dress up people as Santa Claus, and they all help him."

Even if I'm naughty, do I still get a Christmas present?

"I wouldn’t recommend bribing children with Christmas presents or blackmailing them that they won’t get any presents if they are naughty.When they become older, they will realise there is no correlation necessarily between good behaviour and presents received either among themselves or their friends at school."

How does Santa have time to get round all the houses in the world in one night?

"Again, you need to choose an explanation you are comfortable with. I tend to say that he doesn’t experience time the way we do, so that Christmas night lasts a long time for him, to give him all the time he needs but runs quickly for us."

How can those reindeers fly, but normal ones can’t?

"If you are committed to an extraordinary explanation, suggest that Santa operates outside normal time, geography and gravity, and can ride his reindeers anywhere in the world or the sky."

Do all the presents for all the children in the world fit on the sleigh, or does Santa have to go home to stock up?

"His sleigh is like a Tardis, small on the outside but immense on the inside. Again, be sensitive to your child’s age and developmental stage: you know them best."

What if Santa brings a present that wasn't on my list?

"Santa is only guided by what’s on your list - it isn’t an order."(Excerpted from Telegraph)

STORY TIME

The Three Kings

By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

T

hree Kings came riding from far away: Melchior and Gaspar and Baltasar. Three wise men out of the East were they, and they travelled by night and they slept by day, for their guide was a beautiful, wonderful star.

The star was so beautiful, large and clear, that all the other stars of the sky became a white mist in the atmosphere, and by this they knew that the coming was near of the Prince foretold in the prophecy.

The 4 stages of life

1. You believe in Santa Claus 2. You don't believe in Santa Claus 3. You dress up as Santa Claus 4. You look like Santa Claus

Three caskets they bore on their saddle-bows, three caskets of gold with golden keys. Their robes were of crimson silk with rows of bells and pomegranates and furbelows, their turbans like blossoming almond-trees.

And so the Three Kings rode into the West, through the dusk of the night, over hill and dell. Sometimes they nodded with beard on breast, and sometimes talked, as they paused to rest, with the people they met at some wayside well.

“Of the child that is born,” said Baltasar, “Good people, I pray you, tell us the news; for we in the East have seen his star, and have ridden fast, and have ridden far, to find and worship the King of the Jews.”

And the people answered, “You ask in vain; we know of no King but Herod the Great!”

They thought the Wise Men were men insane, as they spurred their horses across the plain, like riders in haste, who cannot

wait.

And when they came to Jerusalem, Herod the Great, who had heard this thing, sent for the wise men and questioned them, and said, “Go down unto Bethlehem, and bring me tidings of this new king.”

So they rode away; and the star stood still, the only one in the grey of morn. Yes, it stopped –it stood still of its own free will, right over Bethlehem on the hill, the city of David, where Christ was born.

And the Three Kings rode through the gate and the guard, through the silent street, till their horses turned and neighed as they entered the great inn-yard. But the windows were closed, and the doors were barred, and only a light in the stable burned.

And cradled there in the scented hay, in the air made sweet by the breath of kine, the little child in the manger lay, the child that would be king one day of a kingdom nothuman, but divine.

His mother, Mary of Nazareth, sat watching beside his place of rest, watching the even flow of his breath, for the joy of life and the terror of death were mingled together in her breast.

They laid their offerings at his feet: the gold was their tribute to a king, the frankincense, with its odor sweet, was for the Priest, the Paraclete, and the myrrh for the body’s burying.

And the mother wondered and bowed her head and sat as still as a statue of stone. Her heart was troubled yet comforted, remembering what the angel had said of an endless reign and of David’s throne.

Then the Kings rode out of the city gate, with a clatter of hoofs in proud array. But they went not back to Herod the Great, for they knew his malice and feared his hate, and returned to their homes by another way.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (February 27, 1807 – March 24, 1882) was an American poet and educator.

Christmas Bells I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along The unbroken song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, A chant sublime Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth The cannon thundered in the South, And with the sound The carols drowned Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent The hearth-stones of a continent, And made forlorn The households born Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head; "There is no peace on earth," I said; "For hate is strong, And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men."

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

20 Sunday Times Magazine

DECEMBER 11, 2016

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Times Sunday Puzzle

In each sentence below, two words are incomplete.

The two words end in the same three letters, so they look like they should rhyme, but they don't. Figure out the missing letters in each sentence.

Example: One symptom of bronchitis is a ro___ co___. (The two words are: rough cough) 1. A pig farmer's job could be called p___ w___.

2. A dog injury could be called a ho___ wo___.

3. For racing, a mixed ho___ is wo___ than a thoroughbred.

4. I he___ your be___ has been shaved into a goatee. see ANSWERS on page 23

see solution on page 23

see solution on page 23

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Sunday Times Magazine

21

Times Kids

Creature Corner

GEOZONE

Great Horned Owl

T

he great horned owl, Bubo virginianus, is the most common owl of the Americas, particularly in Guyana, easily recognisable because of the feather tufts on its head. These “plumicorns” resemble horns or, to some, catlike ears.

Great horned owls are adaptable birds and live from the Arctic to South America. They are at home in suburbia as well as in woods and farmlands. Northern populations migrate in winter, but most live permanently in more temperate climes.

The birds nest in tree holes, stumps, caves, or in the abandoned nests of other large birds. Monogamous pairs have one to five eggs (two is typical), both the male and female incubate, and the male also hunts for food. Owls are powerful birds and fiercely protective parents. They have even been known to attack humans who wander too close to their young.

Like other owls, these birds have an incredible digestive system. They sometimes swallow their prey whole and later regurgitate pellets composed of bone, fur, and the other unwanted parts of their meal. Owls are efficient night time hunters that strike from above, and use their powerful talons to kill and

carry animals several times heavier than themselves.

Owls prey on a huge variety of creatures, including raccoons, rabbits, squirrels, domestic birds, falcons, and other owls. They regularly eat skunks, and may be the only animal with such an appetite. They sometimes hunt for smaller game by standing or walking along the ground. Owls have even been known to prey upon unlucky cats and dogs.

The male great horned owl is smaller than the female and has a much lower-pitched call.

A great horned owl’s average life span in the wild is 5 to 15 years.

Great horned owls are largely nocturnal so they can be difficult to spot. But in the dark after sunset, or just before dawn, they can often be heard vocalising with their well-known series of "HooH'hoos!"

(National Geographic)

Spot the Difference Find five differences between the pictures

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.

I

cebergs are pieces of ice that formed on land and float in an ocean or lake. The term "iceberg" refers to chunks of ice larger than 5 meters (16 feet) across. The smallest types of icebergs are known as growlers, the size of a car, and bergy bits, the size of a house.The North Atlantic and the cold waters surrounding Antarctica are home to most of the icebergs on Earth.

Icebergs form when chunks of ice calve, or break off, from glaciers, ice shelves, or a larger iceberg. Icebergs travel with ocean currents, sometimes smashing up against the shore or getting caught in shallow waters.

When an iceberg reaches warm waters, the new climate attacks it from all sides. On the iceberg surface, warm air melts snow and ice into pools called melt ponds that can trickle through the iceberg and widen cracks. At the same time, warm water laps at the iceberg

edges, melting the ice and causing chunks of ice to break off. On the underside, warmer waters melt the iceberg from the bottom up.

Icebergs pose a danger to ships traversing the North Atlantic and the waters around Antarctica. After the Titanic sank near Newfoundland in 1912, the United States and twelve other countries formed the International Ice Patrol to warn ships of icebergs in the North Atlantic.

Oceanographers follow icebergs because the cold freshwater they contribute to the sea can influence currents and ocean circulation far away from their origins.

Biologists study icebergs to find out how they influence ocean life. As icebergs melt, they leak nutrients into the ocean around them. Recent studies have shown that the water surrounding icebergs teems with plankton, fish, and other sea life.

Colouring Fun

22 Sunday Times Magazine

DECEMBER 11, 2016

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DECEMBER 11, 2016

Sunday Times Magazine 23

Times World

P

olice will be deployed to a village in Mexico after an invitation to a girl's birthday party went viral and 1.2 million people said they would attend.

A video in which the girl's father says that "everyone is welcome" to the party featuring local bands, a meal and a horse race was posted on Facebook on a public setting.

He said the idea had been to invite neighbours and friends only.

But he has since confirmed he would not turn anyone away.

The video shows Crescencio Ibarra standing next to his daughter Rubi, wearing a tiara, and his wife Anaelda Garcia.

"Hello, how are you?

We invite you this 26 of December to the 15th birthday party of our daughter, Rubi Ibarra Garcia," Mr Ibarra says, while his daughter smiles.

He then goes on to list the three bands that will play and announces that the winner of a horse race to be held as part of the event stands to win 10,000 pesos (US$490).

He ends by saying that "hereby everyone is cordially invited".

A girl's 15th birthday party is a big event in Mexico, as it is seen as the time when she comes of age.

Lavish parties with live bands are not unusual and girls traditionally wear

puffy dresses, tiaras and make-up as they are "queen for the day".

It is not clear why this particular video went viral and was shared more than 800,000 times and prompted countless memes and imitations.

Mr Ibarra said in a TV interview he had no idea what had caught the public's imagination.

"We wanted to invite the people from the area, that's all," he said, before denying he had since uninvited all but personal acquaintances.

Mr Ibarra said that when he found out about the mass interest in their daughter's party and how some had poked fun at their rural ways he had been "sad" for

Crescencio Ibarra (left) and his wife (right) had intended to invite locals to their daughter's birthday

two days but that the family had now got used to the idea and that the party would go ahead in a field outside the village of La Joya, in the state of San Luis Potosi.

Ms Garcia said: "Rubi is my daughter and she has always been our queen", before describing her favourite meme so far.

"It's the one about Donald Trump and [Mexican President] Enrique Pena Nieto coming to an agreement to allow undocumented Mexican migrants in the US to return to Mexico for Rubi's party."

Local lawmaker Roberto Alejandro Segovia Hernandez said police

would be deployed to the village and the roads leading to it to ensure safety in case the crowds who said on Facebook they would attend really did descend on La Joya.

Rubi's older sister said Rubi was now "very excited" and looking forward to her party. BBC)

Nonprofit is saving 4,500 U.S. apple varieties W

hen you think of apples, names like Gala, Pink Lady or Honeycrisp are sure to come to mind. But what about King of Tompkins County or Blue Pearmain? These lesser known names are just two of the 15,000 apple varieties that were once grown here in the U.S. Today, only 15 varieties comprise 90 percent of the apples produced throughout the country.

A few passionate apple enthusiasts couldn't bear the thought of so many varieties going extinct. Joanie

Cooper, Shaun Shepherd, and Franki Baccellieri make up the staff of Temperate Orchard Conservancy (TOC), a small nonprofit in southwestern Oregon that's preserved over 4,500 varieties of apples, according to Civil Eats.

The group is working to clone every variety so they'll be available to future generations. "Those apples will be here for use and for study, long after any of us are dead and gone," Cooper, the founder of TOC, told Civil Eats.

Brain Teaser Answer

1. pork work 2. hound wound

SUDOKU

3. horse worse 4. heard beard

KID SUDOKU

CROSSWORD

If the cloning is a success, the team also plans on sending the apple seeds to the Global Seed Vault in Svalbard, Norway. The vault, which can hold up to 2.25 billion seeds from 4.5 million crop varieties, will preserve the seeds in an effort to protect the world's food supply against threats of climate change, war and overpopulation.

A man named Nick Botner was the original owner of the apple trees TOC is cloning. Botner grew his 4,500 apple varieties on his orchard for 30 years until he could no longer care for them. The team knew that the loss of Botner's farm would be a threat to the preservation of these heirloom varieties, so they set about the arduous task of

replicating his many trees.

One of the reasons cloning apple trees is so difficult is because you can't guarantee the variety of apple will remain consistent just by planting its seeds. It's also necessary to graft a slim branch of the old tree, known as a scion, onto a stump with a healthy root system from another apple tree.

So far, TOC has cloned 5,000 trees with 3,900 varietals. If everything goes according to plan, Cooper believes they will be able to graft the last few hundred Botner trees by next spring.

The next step will be to move the cloned trees to the location of TOC's permanent orchard in Oregon named Almaty Farm. The word "almaty" is Kazakh for "full of apples," an homage to the country of Kazakhstan where apples originated.

The relocation and planting of the trees also requires each one to be identified.

Some varieties are more

pest-resistant than others, some have more nutritional value than others, and each tree must be planted next to those with similar harvest times. So far TOC has been able to name about 800 of the 4,500 apple varieties in the collection.

Whether or not every variety is identified, one thing is certain: The trees will soon begin producing fruit. But as a non-profit, TOC won't be selling the apples to supermarkets. "We'll eventually be hooked up with food banks, and we want to have programs with the Future Farmers of America and 4H, so students can take a block of trees to work and learn on," Cooper said. "It'll be such an advantage for our community."

However, TOC is planning on making scions from their trees available for purchase in 2017, so apple enthusiasts everywhere can join the effort. (Discovery News)

Robot passport checker rejects Asian man's photo for having his eyes closed

A

man of Asian descent in New Zealand had his passport application rejected after the software that approves photos claimed his eyes were closed.

Richard Lee, a 22-yearold DJ and student, had his photo turned down by the Department of Internal Affairs' application website when trying to get his passport renewed.

Despite submitting a front-facing photo with his eyes clearly open, the website said Mr Lee's picture did not meet requirements because the "subject eyes are closed". After the website repeatedly rejected the photo, Mr Lee was forced to call the department.

It told him that the photo had been rejected because of

uneven lighting and a shadow around his eyes. Mr Lee - who was born in Taiwan and grew up in New Zealand - eventually had new photographs taken, one of which was approved.

"No hard feelings on my part, I've always had very small eyes and facial recognition technology is relatively new and unsophisticated," Lee told the Reuters news agency. "It was a ro-

bot, no hard feelings. I got my passport renewed in the end."

Mr Lee laughed it off but the incident led social media users to claim the photo-checking technology was racist, while several others claimed their pictures had also been rejected.

A spokesman for the Department of Internal Affairs said that many photos are rejected by the software, with up to 20 per cent of those submitted not passing muster, and that the most common reason for rejection was that eyes are closed.

Mr Lee posted an altered picture of his face that magnified his eyes, captioned: "I hope they accept this one."(Telegraph)

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Fun Times

Archie

ARIES Getting involved in some(March 21- thing you believe in or atApril 19) tending a reunion and reconnecting with people you haven't seen for a while will lead to information that will help you excel.

It's a good day to visit a TAURUS friend or relative and share (April 20- memories as well as plans.

May 20) Building a strong alliance with special people will give you the support and encouragement to follow your dreams.

Taking a day trip or visGEMINI iting someone or a place (May 21that brings you joy is enJune 20) couraged. Personal time will help you recognize what you want to do next.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

Peanuts

If you put emotional energy into a cause you believe in, you will make headway.

A partnership can help you bring about the type of change that will make a difference.

Pump up your energy and make alterations to your lifestyle. Implement your dreams and make plans that include the people you enjoy being with most. Romance is highlighted.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

A day trip will help you gather your thoughts and consider your options. Don't let the past anger you. Learn your lesson and make positive changes that will bring better results.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Force isn't a good idea; it will only build a wedge between you and what you ideally want. Use kindness, diplomacy and incentives to help you get your way.

Don't let a fortunate sitSCORPIO (Oct. 24- uation slip away because Nov. 22) you aren't willing to bend. A stubborn attitude is one that lacks vision and hinders the ability to be a great leader.

Keep your money tucked SAGITTARIUS away in a safe place. You (Nov. 23don't need to spend in order Dec. 21) to impress someone. Take better care of your health and wealth.

Calvin and Hobbes

Put your heart into CAPRICORN your home, family and the (Dec. 22- things you enjoy doing most.

Jan. 19) Progress can be made if you discuss your plans with your intimate circle. Adjust your lifestyle to assure better health.

Don't let emotional disAQUARIUS cord lead to mistakes or mis(Jan. 20- haps. Protect against negFeb. 19) ativity by offering positive solutions. Cooperation and fair negotiation will help you gain greater equality.

PISCES Volunteer for a cause or (Feb. 20- take time out to visit an old Mar. 20) friend. The information you discover will help you make a decision regarding your status or professional plans.