Sunday Magazine 22nd Dec 2013

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Times December 22, 2013

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2 Times Sunday Magazine

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december 22, 2013

Times Feature

Feed a Child for the Holidays is a vibrant group of humanitarians who enjoy giving back to their communities and spreading Christmas cheer

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stablished in December 2007, Feed a Child for the Holidays is a private, nonprofit group dedicated to making a humanitarian effort to share the spirit of Christmas. The group endeavours to bring gifts, food items, basic necessities, encouragement and love to the less fortunate children in Guyana.

Feed a Child for the Holidays objectives are to raise awareness of the plight of orphaned children in Guyana and to provide assistance – whether emotional, financial or physical – to under-privileged children, wherever they may be.

The group is made up of young professionals and students: Tannylee Fung, Schemel Patrick, Natasha Backer, Teisha Milner, Keisha Assanah, Rhonda Bourne, Maren Oxford, Dionne Cush and Alana Lowton, who are determined to continue to bring joy and love to children who really need it.

This year, Feed a Child for the

The humanitarians of Feed A Child For The Holidays group

Holidays celebrates its seventh year of caring and sharing, and as such, the group reached out to

Some of the group's members wrapping gifts

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successful entrepreneur who has not forgotten her roots, overseas-based Guyanese Dyonne Wharton’s aim is making a difference in her homeland, starting this Christmas.

Born and raised in Guyana, Dyonne later migrated to the U.S. where she joined her mother and sister, but her beautiful country of birth was never at the back of her mind.

Dyonne moved into the financial services and private banking industry, but left it to pursue her passion for stylish accessories and jewellery.

She brought on Antia McGill, a Jamaican who is well known for her ability to visualise and implement the ultimate ‘head to toe’ style.

“Combining her innate sense of style and creative spirit, she connects with the right pieces that add that special ‘something’ to our collections. We parlayed our innate sense of style, customer service skills and networking capabilities into Les Deux Ms. It evolved from a combination of our seizing an opportunity, a commitment to community and our love of things beautiful, stylish and elegant. Les Duex Ms offers beautiful handmade pieces by artisans who are passionate about their creation. The early stages of entrepreneurship is no walk in the park, we believe in our combination of faith, energy and desire to succeed as a sure fire requirement for battle and we are prepared,” Dyonne said in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine .

Dyonne, in her role as head of business development, combines her natural ability as a people-connector and visionary with years of management experience to move the business forward. Creative development and styling coordinator Antia, and Dyonne’s abilities and skills

two charitable groups, sharing out goodies just in time for Christmas.

The group presented food supplies and gift donations to the Sophia Sparkle Youth Group, and planned a festive dinner for the children at the Convalescent Home.

Explaining how the group started, in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, co-director Schemel Patrick recalled that herself and founder Tannylee Fung, were actively involved with the-then Youth Challenge Guyana Orphans and Vulnerable Children's Group. This involvement, Schemel said, coupled with their passion for working with children, fuelled the first Feed a Child for the Holidays party and has since been actively spreading Christmas cheer to chil-

are a perfect complement as their energies and spiritual connection enable them to focus on expanding Les Deux Ms. Through Les Deux Ms, Dyonne and Antia developed a passion for charitable work. Dyonne recalled being asked to help raise funds for the STEP Program at Columbia University School of Dentistry. She had previously been the president of the STEP parent-teacher association and was known for her tenacity and dedication to the programme.

Recruiting Antia, whose previous fundraising experience would prove invaluable, the dynamic duo embarked on an ambitious fundraising effort. Using their new found entrepreneurial skill, they managed to score a more affordable line of jewellery which sold well among the parents and faculty members at Columbia University. Far exceeding their goal, Dyonne and Antia raised enough money to fund an additional year for the STEP Program. They awarded each STEP programme’s graduate that year with a cash gift to go towards college expenses.

Dyonne noted that this experience rekindled the entrepreneurs’ desire to promote education within their community, and was instrumental in helping them visualise their path to self-reliance.

Recently, Dyonne and Antia launched their first annual toy drive, focusing on Dyonne’s homeland. Dyonne mentioned that Les Deux Ms donated US$1 from each online sale to its toy drive fund.

This charitable effort is in collaboration with the Miss Guyana World Organization and notable Guyanese designers Michelle Cole and Roger Gary. Ruqayyah Boyer, Miss World Guyana

dren.

Inspired by the smiles of children they have reached out to, Schemel said the group is determined to continue and expand in their efforts.

“There is nothing more heartening than knowing you assisted in making someone's day better.

We're also inspired by the willingness of public spirited individuals to contribute to our many initiatives. It's a joy to be able to assist in one way or the other especially at Christmas. Christmas is a special time for giving–parties, gifts and love. We try to reach as many children as we can to ensure that they experience the true and real Christmas spirit. That's why it is not just about providing the resources but actually being there with the children. Schemel (right) presents bags filled with toys to founder of the It warms your heart to see smil- Sophia Sparkle Youth Group ing and appreciative faces,” extherefore urge all young people to pressed the co-director.

She disclosed that the group become involved, volunteer whenplans to reach out not only at ever you can, give where and when Christmas. This year, they were you can, and help when you can. able to acquire a few items to do- There is so much to be had from nate to the girls at St. Ann's just lending a hand. It is a surreal Orphanage as a back to school ges- experience!” encouraged Schemel.

Additionally, Schemel is grateture. Schemel noted it was a successful project which they hope to ful to all those who contributed to the group in spreading Christmas develop.

“Our belief is that the purpose cheer. She encourages everyone of life is to be useful, to make a dif- to make a humanitarian effort ference, and to help wherever we and continue to give in making can. Others can do it too. You don't Christmas a joyful season for unhave to be group to be charitable, derprivileged children.

As a charitable group, Feed the as an individual you can give back.

Charity not only helps the person Child for the Holidays operates receiving but it helps to develop largely on donations from public you as an individual and I think spirited citizens and businesses. that's the greatest gift of all - being To donate, visit ‘Feed a Child for able to find your true humanity. I the Holidays’ on Facebook.

From left are Antia, Roger Gary, Dyonne and Michelle Cole

2013, will make the distribution.

“I am very excited about this project. Dyonne and Antia are two remarkable women to work with and they have been operating a successful business for years. As a result, they have decided to give back. This is the first time I am collaborating with them but certainly not my last. Both women assisted me with jewellery when I competed in the Miss Universe and Miss World pageants. The presents for the kids are already here so I'm both grateful and excited for the women’s tremendous contribution. I will be distributing toys and treats to kids in Linden and at the Ruimveldt Children’s Home. I’m looking forward to seeing the many smiles when I hand out the toys just in time for Christmas.” Ruqayyah said to

Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.

Hoping to expand their charity efforts, Dyonne disclosed plans are already underway to donate toys throughout the Caribbean. Their focus for Christmas 2014 is Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago.

“Our future plans for Les Deux Ms are to grow from a start-up retailer to an established international online company with a New York City based showroom; to be recognised as a provider of unique, affordable, quality jewellery; to launch a Les Deux Ms jewellery collection; and to continue assisting our youths through our philanthropy and educational outreach,” Dyonne outlined.

For more information visit www. lesdeuxms.com

guyanatimesgy.com

December 22, 2013

Times Sunday Magazine

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Times Focus

INSIDE

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estive holiday trees, enticing smells of tasty local dishes, thousands of Christmas lights and a joyful atmosphere are some of the exciting attractions at the second Christmas Village on Main Street in downtown Georgetown.

From the grand opening on December 6 through to December 29, an area along Main Street’s avenue reflects the original Christmas Village charm, of a holiday shopping atmosphere with more vendors, a Christmas market and an event space.

Persons can enjoy traditional Christmas black cakes, foods, beverages, art and craft, and weekly entertainment for the adults and children.

At the opening ceremony, Minister Irfaan Ali stated that events like the Christmas Village add a special flair to the Christmas season, where the traditional Guyanese Christmas can be enjoyed. He added that more importantly, it creates a wholesome environment for family and friends to gather.

A significant aspect of the accommo-

Inspiring Minds with Art Pg 4

Star of the Week

Junior displaying knitted flower baskets and handmade jewellery

Pg 7

Looking Pg 10 Dapper This Christmas

At Roxanne’s booth you will see a “Craft in Action” sign, which was the name she officially gave her business after a visit by the late president Janet Jagan.

“Mrs Jagan would come visit me regularly and would comment how I’m always working and ‘always in action’. Then a friend recommended, after she heard what the late president said, to name the Pg 12 business Craft in Action. I’m grateful for the Christmas Village because it provides an excellent opportunity to showcase my products,” Roxanne declared.

Roxanne also does catering for any event and can be contacted on 644-9595.

For plant lovers, Junior, also an artist, has lovely knitted flower baskets. He said Pg 23 he has been making them for more than 27 years and they are perfect to enhance the home.

“These flower baskets were a popular feature of the homes back in the days and still continues to be a popular décor. I love to beautify homes and people. I make jewellery with only local products. I even take my work outside of Guyana, not only to build appreciation for local products but to ultimately sell Guyana overseas. I want people to come see what we offer and to enjoy the beauty of our country,” Junior said.

He can be contacted on 688-9698 or 611-0540, and can be found at the Christmas Village knitting his flower baskets.

Christmas Village is organized by the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry and supported by companies including Giftland, Courts, GT&T, Ashmins, Ansa Mcal, Banks DIH, China Trading Festive floral decorations by artist Irene Bacchus-Holder at the Christmas Village and Corona.

Justin Bieber announces retirement

Kamarapa Creek: A Road Less Travelled

Artist Deborah Matthias showcasing her collection of handmade jewellery

dation this year is safe parking. Visitors gathering to share in the festivity at the Christmas Village can be assured of safe and secure parking.

Guyana Times Sunday Magazine spoke to a few exhibitors who expressed their appreciation for the event and the forum it gives them to advertise their products, especially at this time of the year.

Designer/artist Deborah Matthias, founder of RAVE, which is also co-founded by fellow designer/artist Roger Evelyn – both better known for their creative Mash costumes – said she is thankful for the Christmas Village because she recently launched a collection of fashionable handmade jewellery and the event is the perfect opportunity to showcase them. She pointed out that her jewellery

Home decor such as fruit baskets and knitted kitchen towels by artist Patricia Helwig are sold at affordable prices at the Christmas Village

is made from local products such as precious stones, seeds and leather, and so far is a hit with foreigners.

“The response has been overwhelming. People are amazed at how seeds can be transformed into creative products, especially jewellery. Forums such as these are excellent for artists to showcase their work,” she noted.

Roxanne Adams, a visual artist teacher at St George’s High School for more than 20 years, has an array of beautiful craft items and seasonal handmade home decorations. Roxanne said she has been exhibiting for years on Main Street and can be found there usually on Saturdays or when she is on school holiday. For those yearning for mauby and other local drinks this Christmas, Roxanne has a cold glass – or glasses – waiting for you.

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Times Sunday Magazine

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december 22, 2013

Times Feature

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heir minds and hands constantly in motion while being inspired by the music around them, 40 children are bent at tables, fully engrossed on their masterpieces as they spend their Christmas holiday developing their artistic skills.

The tables are protected by wrapped newspaper as the children work with paint, glue, scissors, brushes, markers and pens.

There are smiles all around, small jokes and ideas being shared. The adults in the room scarcely have anything to do as the children seem to know exactly what is required. Colours and materials are mixing to create lasting art at the tables, and more importantly, in the minds of the children.

This week in Essequibo,

Making a Christmas card

school was closed, but at the Imam Bacchus Library it

company has sponsored the cost of art supplies, snacks and meals. They also spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on the library each year. The local community donates cash and books as well.

The library has hosted art, theatre and literacy events since it started in 2011. They also have regular story times for children each Saturday morning, and an annual Christmas party.

The art camp is one of the library’s most ambitious projects, reaching more children for a longer period than anything they have done so far. During the children’s Christmas school hol-

decorate his and then they each decided to make their canvas personal and every kid ended up with a flag to represent themselves,” Colleen recalled.

Another project that received a good response from the students was the designed hearts. Imam disclosed that the task called for the children’s patience, since they had to spend half a morning learning to create patterns and designs out of small, repeated lines and shapes and then they used that skill to decorate hearts with complex patterns.

“I think it surprised many students that they could do something so dif-

Volunteers teaching the children basic art skills

was a time for learning at its Art Development Camp- a joint venture between the library and volunteers of the U.S. Peace Corps.

“We want to create a sense of achievement.

We want that once the camp is over, the kids will say, ‘Hey, I can do that. It's not hard.’

Then they will use the skills they learned here for their personal art long after this week is over,” Colleen, a Peace Corps volunteer and one of the two teachers at the art camp, declared in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine. Imam Baksh, the head librarian, told Sunday Magazine that every morning camp begins with team-building activities in the Imam Bacchus

Park next door to the library. In addition to the local children from Affiance village, a significant portion of the campers are from the Supenaam area, 10 miles away, so bonding between the two groups is important.

After exercises and games like dog-and-the-bone, the children are ready for art.

Every activity is personal. The children made their own name tags, for instance, decorating them with designs of their choice.

Perhaps the most personal items are the silhouette portraits. A projector casts a shadow of each child's profile onto a canvas where it is outlined. Using paint, and pictures and words cut from magazines, the children create a representation of themselves. According to Imam, the children were very excited to be given

The children are focused on their masterpieces

the opportunity to express themselves via art.

“This isn't just about the kids telling the world who they are. It’s also about them first looking inside themselves and figuring out what their values are, and that helps them set goals and standards for themselves,” said Claire, the other Peace Corps teacher.

Imam revealed that a 13-year-old said she had already reproduced some of the projects from the camp on her own time for fun.

Nine-year-old Shawn said he enjoyed learning about painting techniques.

Almost all the children, noted Imam, indicated that they will continue to create art even after the camp is over. The children are all praise for the teachers.

“The teachers are fun.

They make me like the work and they make things easy to learn,” 9-year-old Charran said.

“You can tell the children enjoyed it from how consistent the attendance was over the week. Every student chose to be here, and that's a powerful thing. Kids learn so much better when they're willing,” Imam noted.

The head librarian noted that it is the enthusiastic learning that makes the project worthwhile for Imam Bacchus & Sons Ltd, the company behind the library and the art camp. The

iday, each day the library features activities such as snowflake Christmas decorations, greetings cards, paper windmills and colour wheel flags.

“Those didn't start out as flags. It was just supposed to be a lesson about mixing colours, but one kid started to

ficult by being patient and just working at it. But in the end, that's the kind of lesson we hope they learn,” Imam stated.

For more information about the Imam Bacchus Library, visit The Imam Bacchus Library on Facebook.

A student at the library working on his artwork

guyanatimesgy.com

December 22, 2013

Times Sunday Magazine 5

Times Women

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hristmas is about family, friends, gifts and, best of all, delectable cuisine. This holiday, in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine Guyanese food blogger, Jehan Powell shares her passion for food, her cooking heritage and a recipe that is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Powell related that she spent her early years between Stewartville in Linden and Georgetown, before migrating to the United States at 11-years-old.

“My love for cooking developed from having parents who are both great cooks. Growing up in a

household where there was much emphasis on what, when and how we ate our meals, I naturally became consumed with every part of the experience. Every step was as important as the next; the process of purchasing my ingredients are just as important as consuming what I've created.

Although I came to the U.S. as a child, I’m still very attached to my culture and food. Roti and curry is my soul food,” Jehan recalled.

A food enthusiast, Jehan loves to cook, bake, eat and explore new foods, and then shares her recipes with fans via her blog. According to Jehan, her blog was born as

a way to combat boredom but eventually blossomed into something more significant. It is now a catalyst to share her love for food and her Guyanese/Caribbean heritage.

“I’ve uncovered a deep passion for all things food and an amazing community of like minds. Originally from Guyana, I chose to blog about cuisine from Guyana and the Caribbean because I felt as though there is a lack of authentic recipes online. Our grandmothers and mothers cooked with a pinch of this and a handful of that, there were no real measurements, which made it virtually impossi-

Roast Chinese Chicken Ingredients 5 lb whole chicken ½ cup soy sauce ½ cup water 3 tbsp brown sugar 2 tbsp hoisin sauce ½ tsp chilli flakes Method In a bowl small bowl, add soy sauce, water, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, chilli flakes, star anise, 5 spice powder, garlic, orange peel, ginger and scallion and mix to combine. Set aside.

Place the whole chicken on a cutting board and with a sharp knife cut along the back bone of the chicken, starting at the tail end. Once the back bone has been cut all the way through, spread the chicken open. Now press the knife down the centre of the breast bone cutting all the way through. You should now half two halves.

Place both halves in a large Ziploc bag and add marinade and making sure to coat it well.

Allow chicken to marinate for at least 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place chicken skin side up and all of the marinade in a large baking dish. Cover tightly with foil then place into preheated oven.

Bake covered for 1 ½ hours.

After 1 ½ hour, turn the oven up to 425 and bake chicken uncovered for 30 minutes

1 star anise ¼ tsp 5 spice powder 4 cloves garlic, crushed 3 slices of ginger (1/4 inch thickness) 3 scallions, finely chopped 2 pieces of orange peel 1 tbsp cornstarch

basting every 5 minutes.

In the last 10 minutes of cooking, mix 1 tbsp of cornstarch with 2 tbsp of water and pour into baking dish. Stir carefully to combine.

Now continue to cook the chicken and baste every 2-3 minutes with thickened sauce.

Remove from oven and let sit for 15 minutes before serving.

ble to recreate the dishes we grew up on. In an effort to help make our food accessible, I share both authentic recipes that our moms would make and as well as modernized versions,” she explained.

Jehan’s blog was launched in 2008, but she only began blogging consistently in 2010. Through it she shares bits and pieces of her life as well as memories of growing up in Guyana. Her enthusiasm for all things food and the wonderful feedback from her readers keep Jehan inspired, and motivate her to keep blogging.

“I draw my inspiration from everything around me as well as from the wonderful feedback from my readers. A trip to the grocery store or a simple conversation can inspire a spectacular meal. Most of my recipes are my own but some of the most traditional recipes belong to my mother. She has been a huge inspiration and nurtured my interest in food. With her expert advice, I am able to recreate her expertly executed dish-

es,” the blogger noted.

So far, the response to Jehan’s blog has been overwhelming as people from all around the world, Guyanese and non-Guyanese, email her with words of positivity and immense gratitude. Jehan pointed out that Guyanese/ Caribbean cooking has become so popular that most people are now familiar with our flavours and cuisine.

“Now I’m getting numerous requests for a book. I have not published one as yet but it is definite- Jehan Powell ly something I am was kind enough to share interested in doing.

The requests have been so with Sunday Magazine her overwhelming so I have no Roast Chinese Chicken choice but to pay attention recipe which has become to my readers. I am cur- a widely popular recipe on rently testing and build- her blog. She guarantees it ing a collection of new reci- will be the star dish on your pes as well as revising some table this holiday.

For more fantastic recfrom my blog in preparaipes, visit Jehan’s blog at tion,” she revealed.

This Christmas, Jehan www.jehancancook.com.

6 Times Sunday Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

december 22, 2013

Times Book World

Local Christmas Music I The Shaping of Guyanese Literature

Mouth... ..... In De Kitchen De Women Cooking Creole Food Non-Stop Eating Bake And Pepperpot Dey Gat Fuh Drag We From De Pot... .... All Around Is Music Playing Tassa Band Coming Down Dem Boys From Victoria Village Licking Up Kumfa Drum....

Ah Very Merry Guyanese Christmas Wishing You Were Here We Guh Miss Yuh Company At Dis Festive Time Of De Year Chipping Down De Road Knockin Bottle Iron And Saucepan Stop At Everybody Home Singing, Dancing Every Man...

By Petamber Persaud

H

e writes his own songs with significant amount of input from his wife. But many who buy his music are not aware of this because very often they see only the performer, thereby diminishing the role of the writer.

This husband and wife team has ensured that team work and team spirit is communicated publicly not only via a by-line to the song but through their words and music.

Without a doubt, John ‘Slingshot’ DrePaul has become a household name in Guyana, especially around this time of the year, but he would not allow us to forget the contributions of his wife, Ingrid.

Ingrid Begging Me To Make Ah Stop!

She Don’t Want No Callaloo!

Trinidad Pelau Won’t Do! Is Guyanese Metemgee And Pepper Pot … Fuh She! Around this time of the year, it is not uncommon to hear Slingshot on the air belting out his Christmas songs umpteen times a day on a variety of programmes.

And what he has to say connects to Guyanese instantly: in his first Christmas song, “A Very Merry Guyanese Christmas”, DrePaul says it was written “to teasingly capture the spirit of a typical Upper Corentyne

John ‘Slingshot’ DrePaul

Indo- Berbician Christmas ambience, with a tongue-inthe-cheek tease to those in the diaspora…. the Xmas Eve visit to homes would be done by a ‘make-up’ band of just about anyone in the villages – especially by yours truly, Shamboy, Marco, Neville Budhan, and others, as we play acoustic guitar, blow mouth organ, knocking bottles, saucepans, bamboo joints, tin-cups, spoons, vigorously shaking the ‘shac-shac’ and just having a whale-of-a-time in

typical rustic fashion”.

Here’s sample of that song: Ah Very Merry Guyanese Christmas Wishing You Were Here We Guh Miss Yuh Company At Dis Festive Time Of De Year When We Pass Yuh House Christmas Morning We Guh Give Ah Shout Calling Out To Yuh Family As We Rub We Belly And

“A Very Merry Guyanese Christmas”, was released on the “Mash Fever” CD in 2003 which included such hits as “Pirates”, “Tek ah Taste”, “The Golden Locket” and “Wake Up My Guyana”.

The next Christmas song

by John and Ingrid DrePaul was “Christmas in Guyana” which, he says, spans “a much inclusive geographic span of Guyana, especially with the culinary samples depicted in the song…”

However, the song itself keeps to Slingshot’s rural roots and captures the essence of the rural appeal as well as the urban…

Of note is the inclusive nature of all of “Slingshot & Ingrid” compositions, whereby we span the diverse ethnic nature of Guyana’s population, all the while reflecting the ethnic, political and religious slant of village inhabitants… using names of real individuals living in the geographic area…

There’s Nothing Like Meh Home On Christmas Morning Liming Wid Meh Friends And Family!

Greeting Everyone Around!

Eating, Dancing Getting Down!

Spending We Christmas In Guyana!

There’s Nothing Like Meh Home On Christmas Morning Everybody There Soca Dancing!

Masquerade Band Coming Down!

Mother Sally Prancing Round!

Spending We Christmas In Guyana!

Merry Christmas…!

There’s Nothing Like Meh Home On Christmas Morning, Garlic Pork And Black Fruitcake Baking!

Plenty Sorrel And Mauby!

Ice Apple And Nuff Sweetie!

Spending We Christmas In Guyana!

Every Time When Christmas Come Marco And Dem Boys Around, Drinking .... And Telling Ol’ Time Story!

Neville Budhan Is De Man Christmas He Does Kill Two Ram! We Eating Loud Roti Wid Sheep Curry! Nuff Peppa!

“Christmas in Guyana” was released on DrePaul’s third CD “Home Sweet Home”.

“John DrePaul is an affable and multi-talented entertainer, composer, musician, calypsonian, who grew up in Guyana’s rural Corentyne, Berbice, with No. 63 Beach as his backyard. This would later prove to be the ideal landscape and inspiration for most of his poetry, songs, and

short stories.” (“Slingshot A Short Biography” by Dr Parbhudyal Singh, York University) Of course at Christmas time, we love to hear the old, time-tested favourite songs and carols, but many of us would like to hear how contemporary writers and performers deal with the subject of Christmas.

And, over the years, there had been many additions to this oeuvre of music, but only a handful from Guyanese. Slingshot has effectively filled that gap and given the response to his music and the popularity on which he is riding, there would be no doubt that he and his wife will come up with new Christmas music with a Guyanese/West Indian flavour (Ingrid was born in Trinidad).

Responses to this author telephone (592) 2260065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com What’s happening: • Give a book this Christmas; give the gift of reading this Christmas....

• “An Introduction to Guyanese Literature” is now available from the above contacts, Austin’s Book Service and at the National Library. This book is an up-to-date guide featuring significant literary landmarks from the 16th century to the new millennium. This 150-page book including over 100 photographs is an attempt at bringing to the fore little known facts about lesser known aspects of our literature. The big books, the big authors and the big success stories in Guyanese Literature are also featured.

• Coming Soon: Hall of Fame for the Literary Arts.

guyanatimesgy.com

December 22, 2013

Times Sunday Magazine 7

Times Feature

Christmas Wishes

Star of the week

Putting ourselves into perspective: The earth (L) and moon (R) taken by the Juno spacecraft which was about 6 million miles (9.66 million kilometres) away

W

hen NASA on December 10, 2013 presented a movie of the Juno spacecraft flyby on its way to Jupiter, the earth and moon could be seen as almost minuscule orbs of light in the vast darkness of the vacuum of space surrounding the two cosmic entities. As the spacecraft sped past, it revealed the spinning orb of earth, alone in this vastness.

For anyone who watches that video (available on space.com as well as nasa.gov, among others) there should be a moment of pause and reflection at how much the human race should need each other in this vast, cold and, for us humans, inhospitable universe.

Despite the science that states there must be others if not like us, similar to us, we have yet to receive confirmation; and so (for now anyway) we can view ourselves as alone in our known universe. Such a thought should be humbling, and more proof that we must be united in our humanity.

In the silence of space, on this tiny orb of blue we call the only home we know – or have –humankind must seek to preserve our solitary and fragile haven, and seek to ensure the quietness of space doesn’t belie how we exist upon it.

And so far it does. Throughout our human history we have fought each other for footholds on the precious lands the earth provides, forgetting or ignoring that its rarity demands we protect it and share rather than destroy and covet. Throughout our civilizations we have fought each other for wealth and power, forgetting or ignoring that our uniqueness demands we celebrate each other rather than hate.

It is especially poignant at Christmas since the message of the season essentially remains one of peace and goodwill to all. Whether we choose to believe in religious dogma of any kind or not is irrelevant to the message that the season attempts to convey: one of love for our fellow human beings on this exclusive planet.

Whatever our views on our existence on this planet, it should be obvious that we are in it together not to annihilate each other but to build a rich, diverse and dynamic global society together. There is a purpose for good in our diversity. We are all here to live and die; let us do so in peace and love.

This will be the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine’s Christmas edition, and we would like to take this opportunity to wish all Guyanese a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season.

As Christmas day approaches, it is hoped that despite our differences we can all find the spirit of goodwill within us that would carry us together into the New Year.

R

emoving the stigma attached to rock music is what musician Gavin Mendonca feels passionately about.

Gavin started singing and playing the guitar in 2009 when he was 18. He bought a guitar and taught himself. As he continued to learn, Gavin soon realised he found his calling. The singer’s talent is inherent as he draws inspiration from family who are also passionate about music. His uncle, Jude Mendonca, is known as a veteran drummer in the local Rock community. Gavin also grew up in a household of music lovers. His father would play vinyl records every Christmas and his grandmother was an excellent singer, of mostly bhajans, as was his mother. Gavin’s aim is to change the notion that music cannot be a major career. His motivation comes from proving to Guyana that anything can be accomplished once “you set your mind to it and work hard.” Musically, his inspiration comes from international bands/artistes such as Eminem, Blink 182, Nirvana, Eddy Grant and Dave Martins. The songwriter, who has written more than 40 originals songs, is also the main bassist/vocalist of Keep Your Day Job! (KYDJ!), a three-piece punk rock band. Additionally, he is bassist for local heavy metal band, Feed the Flames, and bassist/vocalist of JoJo and the Bums – a side project/band spawned from KYDJ! The musician has showcased his talent at numerous local events and, with KYDJ! and Feed the Flames, performed in Trinidad and Suriname. Gavin is currently collaborating with the Guyana Music Network, an initiative by Kross Kolor Records, to develop the local music industry. He hopes to create a network among all Guyanese musicians and everyone involved in the arts. The initiative aims to standardise the production of music to reach a level where local artistes can actually make a living off of their work. Determined to keep the rock genre alive, Gavin recently started a radio programme, Rockin' GT, on 100.1 Fresh FM- compliments of the Guyana Music Network. The purpose of this programme is to air more local music instead of the current saturation of foreign music. Gavin also has another programme called Radio Rock n' Roll Guyana (which you can tune in on Tuesdays from 9p.m. on 98.1 FM and Saturdays at 2p.m. on 100.1 FM). The purpose of this radio broadcast is to add new content to Guyanese radio- mainly rock music. Gavin views rock music as an art because his belief is that it represents a “whole different culture, way of life, way of thinking, and is truly unique.”

8 Times Sunday Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

december 22, 2013

Times Kids Page

T

Llama

Did you know?

he llama (Lama glama) is a South American relative of the camel, though the llama does not have a hump.

Llamas graze on grass and, like cows, regurgitate their food and chew it as cud. They chomp on such wads for some time before swallowing them for complete digestion. Llamas can survive by eating many different kinds of plants, and they need little water. These attributes make them durable and dependable even in sparse mountainous terrain.

These sturdy creatures are domestic animals used by the peoples of the Andes Mountains. Native peoples have used llamas as pack animals for centuries.

Llamas contribute much more than transportation to the human communities in which they live. Leather is made from their hides, and their wool is crafted into ropes, rugs, and fabrics. Llama excrement is dried and burned for fuel. Even in death, llamas can serve their human owners—some people slaughter them and eat their meat. (National Geographic)

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ypically, they are saddled with loads of 50 to 75 pounds (23 to 34 kilograms). Under such weight they can cover up to 20 miles (32 kilometres) in a single day.

Llamas are willing pack animals but only to a point.

An overloaded llama will simply refuse to move. These animals often lie down on the ground and they may spit, hiss, or even kick at their owners until their burden is lessened.

How Sweet It Is Word Scramble 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.

Colouring Fun

see solution on page 22

FUN FACTS

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olklore may have turned Santa Claus into a toy distributor who mans a sleigh led by eight flying reindeer, but he is actually based, loosely, on a real person. Born around the year 270, St. Nicholas was the Bishop of Myra, a town in what is now Turkey. He earned a reputation as an anonymous

SANTA CLAUS gift giver, by paying the dowries of impoverished girls and handing out treats and coins to children — often leaving them in their shoes, set out at night for that very purpose. Since his death, Nicholas has been canonized as the patron saint of children.

please see solution on page 22

guyanatimesgy.com

December 22, 2013

Times Sunday Magazine 9

Cookies are a holiday tradition for many people. Just the smell of them baking in the oven can revive fond memories of celebrations past. Making cookies is a fun activity that often brings families together.

They make great gifts, are perfect for when holiday visitors call, and you can even decorate with them!

So have some fun measuring, mixing, decorating and, of course, eating these homemade, tasty treats.

Sugar cookies

Royal icing

Gingerbread man

Cranberry Crisps

These cookies are traditionally cut into holiday shapes with cookie cutters and decorated with icing and sugar sprinkles.

Because there is raw egg in this recipe, you should not eat the dough before it is cooked. This recipe makes 4 dozen cookies.

Royal icing is perfect for decorating sugar cookies and gingerbread men. It dries to a smooth, hard finish and takes color well. You can buy ready-made icing or follow the recipe below.

Various cookie-cutter shapes can be used to make this recipe for 18 to 24 cookies.

• 1 stick soft butter • 1/2 teaspoon salt

These nonbake, crispy rice treats are super easy to make, and you can add your own ingredients for that extra-special touch.

This recipe makes about 48 small bars.

• 2 large eggs

Ingredients

Ingredients • 2 1/2 cups flour • 1 cup white sugar • 2 eggs • 1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter, softened • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Directions In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar, vanilla and egg with electric mixer on medium speed, until light and fluffy.

Slowly stir in flour until blended.

Divide the dough into four sections, cover and refrigerate dough for 2 to 4 hours.

When ready to bake, heat oven to 375°. Roll one dough at a time to about 1/8-inch thick on a lightly floured surface. (Keep remaining dough refrigerated until ready to roll.)

Cut the rolled dough with assorted holiday cookie cutters.

Place about 1 inch apart on non-stick or parchment-covered cookie sheet.

Bake 7 to 10 minutes or until light brown.

Immediately remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. Decorate!

Ingredients • 1 box confectioners' sugar (1 pound) • 5 tablespoons meringue powder or 2 large egg whites

Ingredients • 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar •1/4 cup molasses

• 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/4 cup butter or margarine

• 2 teaspoons ground ginger

• 5 cups tiny marshmallows

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg or cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

• 6 cups crispy rice cereal

Add the water and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 6 minutes. The icing is done when it is smooth and can hold a stiff peak on the surface for several seconds. Mix in more sugar for a thicker consistency.

Directions Combine sugar and butter, then blend with an electric mixer on low speed.

Add eggs and molasses. Mix well.

• 1 cup white baking pieces (white chocolate chips)

Add a drop or two of food coloring if you wish.

In a second bowl, sift flour and stir in the ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

• 1/2 cup water • food coloring (optional) Directions In a large bowl, combine sugar and meringue powder or egg whites.

The icing dries quickly, so keep it covered in plastic when not in use.

Icing tips You will need decorating bags, a coupler and icing tips. Fill the bag about halfway full with icing.

Gradually combine the dry flour mix to the butter mixture.

Tip Coupler

Bag

Fold and twist the bag closed.

Squeeze the icing down into the bag, releasing any air.

To apply icing, gently squeeze the back end of bag with your palm and direct the tip with fingers. It gets easier with practice.

NOTE: Some people like to twist an elastic band on the end of the decorating bag to help keep the icing in.

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 1 hour.

• 1/4 cup dried cranberries • 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional) Directions Lightly grease a 13 x 9 inch pan.

Slowly melt butter in large saucepan over low heat. Add marshmallows and nutmeg. Stir until melted and well-blended.

Preheat the oven to 350˚.

Remove from heat and add cereal, cranberries, white baking pieces and nuts, if desired.

Stir until combined.

Allow the dough to soften at room temperature. Take about 1/2 cup of dough at a time and roll onto a floured surface to about 1/8-inch thick.

Scoop mixture into pan. Top with additional nuts, if desired. Use waxed paper or a spatula to press mixture flat.

Cut gingerbread with cookie cutters. You can re-roll the scraps. Place cookies onto cookie sheets lined with parchment paper, about 1 inch apart.

Let stand for 1 hour, then cut into 2 x 2 inch squares.

Bake for 7 to 10 minutes, until just beginning to brown at the edges. Place on wire rack to cool before decorating.

SOURCES: World Book Encyclopedia, World Book Inc.; www. myrecipes.com; http://allrecipes.com; www.foodnetwork.com; Christmas Cookies, Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publications; www.wilton.com

10 Times Sunday Magazine

december 22, 2013

guyanatimesgy.com

Times Fashion

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ocusing on men this Christmas, designer Nelsion Andre Nurse has launched a stylish collection that showcases male debonair and masculinity.

Since his debut collection at Guyana Fashion Weekend (GFW) 2010, and after being awarded Most Promising Designer, Nurse has not sat on his laurels. He has been consistently active, working in various facets of the creative industry since his hallmark introduction.

Nurse, who is also an interior designer, has been designing costume art for children and adult bands, and set designs for public

and private sector entities, and has worked closely as production assistant for Caribbean Fashion expert, Richard Young, for GFW and Guyana Model Search and Designers Portfolio. With children, he works with different school groups to teach movement and craft.

The designer recently launched his new collection: Man in the Mirror, suited for the classy man. The collection is an exclusive clothing line that ranges from beach wear to formal clothing, and includes matching hats and bags.

“My recent collection, Man in the Mirror,

is a reflection of my personal style with a twist. In the world we live in, one must face the harsh reality when it comes to being a man of style and sophistication. Sometimes it’s a mystery why men give so much interest into how the opposite sex looks rather than themselves. Personally, I believe men have an extra when it comes to being stylish; however many times due to fears, they hold that back.

I believe in being bold and [being] who you are – men,” the designer stated in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.

For more information on Nurse’s collection call 226-3099.

Designer Nelsion Andre Nurse

guyanatimesgy.com

December 22, 2013

Times Sunday Magazine 11

Star Times Hollywood

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rmand Hammer is an American actor, famous for his portrayal of the lead character in “The Lone Ranger” alongside Johnny Depp; “The Social Network”, “J. Edgar”, and “Mirror Mirror”.

In “The Social Network”, he portrayed the identical twins Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, with Josh Pence. His next role was in Clint Eastwood's “J. Edgar”, a drama about J. Edgar Hoover- the first Director of the FBI . In 2012, he co-starred with Julia Roberts and Lily Collins in “Mirror Mirror”, playing Prince Andrew Alcott, rather than the traditional Prince Charming. That same year he voiced the Winklevoss twins in an episode of “The Simpsons”. After appearing in the television series “Veronica Mars”, “Gossip Girl”, “Reaper”, and “Desperate Housewives”, Hammer played the Christian evangelist Billy Graham in “Billy: The Early Years”, which premiered in October 2008. In 2013, he was announced to co-star with Henry Cavill in director Guy Ritchie's film adaptation of the 1960s TV show “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.”

12 Times Sunday Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

December 22, 2013

Times Hollywood

Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want For Justin Bieber announces retirement Christmas’ named best song I

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ariah Carey's “All I Want For Christmas Is You” has been named the nation's favourite Christmas song - a new poll has found.

The survey was conducted by money saving site, PromotionalCodes. org.uk and out of 600 online shoppers, the majority (26 percent) said that Mariah Carey's hit Christmas song was their number one choice.

(Glamour)

J.K. Rowling to bring ‘Harry Potter’ to the stage

“H

arry Potter” has traveled from page to screen – and now to stage.

J.K. Rowling said Friday she is working on a play about the boy wizard's life before he attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Rowling's seven-book saga begins when Harry, an unloved orphan grudgingly raised by his aunt and uncle,

receives a letter informing him he is a wizard.

Rowling said in a statement that the play will "explore the previously untold story of Harry's early years as an orphan and outcast.”

Rowling will be a co-producer on the show, along with veteran British theater producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender. The statement said Rowling will col-

laborate with a writer but will not write the script herself.

"Over the years I have received countless approaches about turning Harry Potter into a theatrical production, but Sonia and Colin's vision was the only one that really made sense to me, and which had the sensitivity, intensity and intimacy I thought appropriate for bringing Harry's story to the stage.," Rowling said.

Writer and director have yet to be chosen. No opening date has been set for the show, which will be developed in Britain next year.

Rowling's Harry Potter novels have sold more than 450 million copies around the world and were adapted into eight Warner Bros. feature films. (People)

f you're not a Justin Bieber fan, Christmas might just have come early. The singer announced yesterday that he was planning to retire from the music industry, breaking teenage girls' hearts across the globe.

"After the new album, I'm actually retiring man.

I'm retiring," he revealed in a radio station interview.

When the presenter and his radio crew gasped at the news, the singer seemed to backtrack slightly.

"I want to grow as an artist and I'm taking a step out, I want my music to mature."

Bieber has been had a bit of an erratic phase recently; partying in underage clubs and graffiti-ing public property in Australia.

Since sky-rocketing to fame after his mother posted his songs on YouTube, Justin seems to have lost interest in the celebrity world.

"I'm here solely for my fans and for the music," he said.

Whether his latest comments are part of his career plan or, as some sources have suggested, a joke, only time will tell. (Glamour)

Kellan Lutz denies dating Miley Cyrus

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ellan Lutz says he is not dating Miley Cyrus. After the two stars were seen getting off the same private jet in Miami, the "Twilight" star laughed off the dating speculation as he gave some autographs to fans at LAX. "You guys are stupid," he said with a smile on December 18. In a video obtained

by X17Online, the Emmett depicter also can be seen saying, "No, I'm happily single. I am very focused on work." Kellan is followed by fans as he makes his way through the terminal.

Kellan and Miley were seen exiting a private jet together in Miami on Wednesday and sparked speculations whether they were dating. Kellan, Miley and the twerking singer's friend Cheyne Thomas were just back after a short trip from the Bahamas.

Miley looked fresh in a white top and hot pants following the trip. Kellan also looked hot in striped top, shirt, jeans and cap.

Shortly after the two were seen together, a source told E! News that they were not an item. Kellan and Miley had mutual friends, the source explained, adding that Kellan was single. He previously dated model/actress Sharni Vinson. (AceShowbiz)

Clint Eastwood refuses to pay spousal support

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lint Eastwood's divorce from ex-wife Dina has turned ugly, according to a new court document. He has filed a response to Dina's divorce papers, saying he refused to pay spousal support and asked her to pay for her own legal fees.

Dina filed for divorce in Monterey County Superior Court in Carmel, California back

in October. She cited "irreconcilable differences", sought full physical and joint legal custody of their minor daughter, 16-year-old Morgan, and asked for spousal support and attorney fees to be paid by her estranged husband.

Clint is reportedly worth $350 million but he refused to share it with his wife of 17 years. The acting legend revealed in his response that they secretly separated more than a year ago, on June 2, 2012. The date would be crucial in determining the earnings Clint made during that time should they go on a legal war.

In Dina's filing, she stated that they have a prenuptial agreement but the property rights are still "to be determined". Clint's response, which was obtained by Radar Online, indicated that there was indeed a prenuptial agreement.

Clint and Dina got married in 1996 after meeting during a TV interview where she was the host. Clint was previously married to Maggie Johnson and had two children with her. He has four other children from previous relationships. (AceShowbiz)

Selena Gomez cancels Australian tour

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ight before it kicked off in Vancouver in August, Selena Gomez made it clear to MTV News that her Stars Dance Tour is not just a tour, but "a giant rave." And now, it seems, she's taking a breather by cancelling the Australian leg of the tour.

A rep for Gomez confirmed the news to MTV News on Thursday (December 19).

"My fans are so important to me and I would never want to disappoint them," the "Come and Get It" singer said in a statement. "But it has become clear to me and those close to me that after many years of putting my work first, I need to spend some time on myself in order to be the best person I

can be."

Gomez was originally supposed to make five stops Down Under: in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

This is Gomez's first world tour. In between stops,

Gomez has also made time for a Thanksgiving halftime performance at Cowboys Stadium and an "X Factor" performance of her ubiquitous "Slow Down." Back in July, the singer told us she wanted to have her fans "exhausted" by the end of each Stars Dance show.

"The tour is going to be really fun. I also want them to be exhausted when they leave my shows, because I want it to be like a giant rave," she said. "I wanted it to feel like a show, so it was always fluid with music, so we're having a really fun time experimenting with different beats and sounds and remixing some of my old songs, so I think they are going to be really excited."

(MTV)

M

eera Chopra, also known as Nila, is an Indian film actress who appears in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi films. A Delhi-born girl who completed her studies from Saginaw Valley State University, in University Center, Michigan, Chopra went on to work in New York for a brief period. In 2010, she ventured into the fashion business where she became partners with a successful firm called Storm Fashion Company. Chopra is a cousin of Bollywood actresses Priyanka Chopra and Parineeti Chopra. Her first release was in the 2007 film “Anbe Aaruyire” in which she starred with S. J. Surya. The movie was a big hit and instantly she became a household name in Tamil Nadu. She did her second movie with actor Pawan Kalyan in Telugu. She achieved further success in the Telugu film industry with her critically acclaimed performance in M. S. Raju's “Vaana”. Chopra will make her Bollywood debut in Vikram Bhatt's “1920 London” with Sandalwood actor Diganth. She is also working in Satish Kaushik's upcoming “Gangs of Ghosts” produced by Venus.

Meera Chopra

guyanatimesgy.com December 22, 2013

Star Times Bollywood

Times Sunday Magazine 13

14 Times Sunday Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

December 22, 2013

Times Bollywood

Amitabh Bachchan receives Star of the Millennium Award

Shah Rukh Khan: 'I have never felt A powerful at all'

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hah Rukh Khan has said that he doesn't understand why he is tagged as one of the most powerful stars in the world.

The actor recently topped the Forbes India Celebrity 100 power list.

In an interview with NDTV Movies, the 48-yearold star said: "I don't understand that. When we see things from outside it seems that there must be lot of power here.

"25 years of work and I have never felt any kind of power. Apart from in the competence of the job that I do. I feel very powerful, I

learn my lines, I try and use the space, I try to enact a scene, I try to feel it. I feel very powerful at that point of time. Besides that I have never felt powerful at all," he explained.

"I'm actually an extremely shy and introvert person and am always nervous about things. I need to be taken care of. So I have insulated myself with the work that I do. Surrounded myself there is so much work that I am given less access to the outside world because otherwise I will be completely exposed as a dithering, nervous wreck

kind of a thing. Am not at all powerful!"

The actor explained that while he has the trappings and appearance of power that comes with being a celebrity and a vast fan following, his ambition is only to entertain audiences.

"If I am a public figure I have to do certain things like wear my black suit and black tie and come and behave powerful and be articulate and say stuff, but the core of my existence is I just want to act and make you happy. I am a bandar, I am a monkey and I say this with the most amount of respect I have for entertainment.

"I am in love with the audience that I perform for… whatever you want me to be, I will be, and that I say with great pride, with huge amount of dignity and huge amount of self-respect."

Khan, who has been at the top of the Indian film industry for 25 years, retained his number one position on the Forbes list, which ranks India's most powerful celebrities based on their earnings and fame. (NDTV)

mitabh Bachchan has received the Star of the Millennium Award.

Accepting the honour at the Big Star Entertainment Awards 2013, the veteran actor said he was "embarrassed" when the audience gave him a standing ovation.

Writing on his blog, he said: "The audience stands for me. So embarrassing to be in front of them. I quickly gesticulate to them to be seated, some did, others did not, still embarrassing."

The fourth edition of the Big Star Entertainment Awards included live per-

formances by Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Sunny Leone.

Among the other celebrities in attendance were Shah Rukh Khan, Shilpa Shetty, Deepika Padukone, Aditya Roy Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor and Farhan Akhtar.

Abhishek Bachchan recently commented that there could be no greater star than his father.

The Big Star Entertainment Awards 2013 will air on December 31 on Star Plus. (Digital Spy)

Aishwarya Rai comments on failing B-town marriages

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n the backdrop of crumbling marriages in Bollywood, actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan feels that it is unfair to limit and judge relationships.

"I don't think it is fair to get judgmental and limit relationships or strengths or inability to hold themselves or limit it to showbiz. What happens in society is each to his own. What would be fair and respectful is belief in people to allow them to live their lives and finding strength in choices they make," Aishwarya Rai said in response to a query on effects of showbiz on marital life.

Recently, Hrithik Roshan and his wife of

13-years Sussanne decided to separate. Also, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap and actress wife Kalki Koechlin are taking time off their marriage.

Aishwarya was speaking at the launch of L'Oréal Paris- Kajal Magique.

For the actress, her mother and daughter Aaradhya's eyes are beautiful. "Eyes are windows to the soul," she said.

Aishwarya thinks being Indian is being beautiful.

"We are rooted, consider values in the highest esteem, we are simple people. We are very hard working and we know to retain respect, love and commitment, tradition. Being Indian is being

beautiful."

On actors opting go under the knife, she said, "For me it is all natural... thank you parents and God."

Madhuri Dixit: ‘Family is important to me, my priority is that’

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ollywood diva Madhuri Dixit, who will be next seen Vishal Bharadwaj's “Dedh Ishqiya”, feels her work commitments can always wait as family is her priority.

After marriage to Dr Shriram Nene in 1999, Madhuri Dixit relocated to the U.S. In 2011, she shifted her base back to Mumbai along with her family.

"I always love being here. I have grown up here in Mumbai so for me it is like coming back home. It was a different phase in my life, where I wanted to have a home, family, husband and children... everything that I had dreamt of," Madhuri Dixit said in an interview.

"Family is important to me, my priority is that. If I have some event to attend in my kids' school then I go there first and accordingly plan things for the day. It is about time management and I think every working woman goes through that it is not just me. You have to plan things keeping family in mind," she said.

Both her children and husband love being in India and are quite happy shifting here. "My kids love the informality that you have here, that friends can drop in here and they can also go to their place. The only

thing they miss is space... that is parks. In Denver there were parks at every corner," Madhuri Dixit said.

On marrying a non-celebrity, the 46-yearold actress says, "When I met Mr Nene I did not think who he was whether a celebrity or doctor. I liked him as a person. We got along well and that was important. There was no set rule that this is what I am going to do."

Both her sons- Arin and Raayan- were unaware about Madhuri the actress and her stardom, till the family came to India and they saw their mother on screen. (Indian Express)

Aamir keen on working with wife Kiran

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amir Khan has said he would like to star in a film written by his wife Kiran Rao. Rao made her directorial debut with the film Dhobi Ghat, which Khan produced and also starred in.

"Kiran is working on a script. She is very secretive even about what she writes.

I like it that way. I like to

get surprised.

"I would like to be in a film and in whatever she does. But, I have to be honest to my creative instincts.

If I don't like it, I will not do it," Khan told IANS. The actor said he would love to share screen space with Rao and "romance her".

The 47-year-old is currently promoting action

thriller “Dhoom: 3” in which he plays a circus performer named Samir.

The actor said that the film "promises to entertain".

Directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya, “Dhoom: 3” also stars Katrina Kaif, Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra.

The film was released on December 20. (Digital Spy)

guyanatimesgy.com

December 22, 2013

Times Sunday Magazine

15

Times Healthy Living

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he Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is taking the first steps toward phasing out non-treatment-based uses of antibiotics in agriculture.

The agency issued two major industry guidance rules to eventually eliminate so-called production use of the drugs; some farmers have been exploiting antibiotics by adding them to feed to boost growth and reduce the amount that animals eat to gain weight. The FDA’s actions will limit the medications to their original purpose — to treat infections — and require veterinarians to dispense the drugs.

The guidance is in response to concerns that over use of antibiotics on farms that can encourage antibiotic resistant super bugs to emerge; many of these drugs are the same ones used to treat infections in people, and the resistant strains can mean more challenges for controlling disease in human patients.

“Because antimicrobial drug use in both humans and animals can contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance, it is

Medicine Michael Taylor in a statement. “Based on our outreach, we have every

important to use these drugs only when medically necessary,” FDA officials said in their announcement.

The agency is asking animal pharmaceutical companies to voluntarily revise their labels to display only the FDA-approved, treatment-based uses. The FDA wants these companies to remove any growth-promotion claims for antibiotics that are also used to treat human illness.

The plan also requires changing the over-the-counter status of these drugs so that they now require a prescription from a veterinarian. Vets will then have authority to dispense an-

G

lobal efforts in the fight against malaria have saved an estimated 3.3 million lives since 2000, according to the World Health Organization (WHO)’s latest malaria report.

This progress has been made despite the fact that funding to control the illness, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, is below the amount public health experts feel is adequate.

The 2013 World Malaria Report shows there were an estimated 207 million cases of malaria in 2012. Between 2000 and 2012, the global incidence rate fell by 29 percent, and by 31 percent in Africa, where most of the world’s cases occur.

In 2012, an estimated 627,000 people died of malaria, 90 percent of whom lived in subSaharan Africa. Seventy-seven percent of the deaths occurred among children under five years old. That rate, however, was 49 percent lower than mortality from the disease in 2000 in Africa, and 54 percent lower among African children.

Part of what is driving incidence and deaths rates down is additional funding targeted toward increasing access to testing for the parasite responsible for the disease. The $2.5 billion committed to the cause overall in 2012, for example, far exceeded the $100 million designated in 2000, and much of those funds were dedicated to increasing access to diagnostic testing and treatments such as artemisinin-based therapies in 2012. Recent studies show that artemisinin-based combinations are the most effective against malaria.

Still, public health officials are concerned

tibiotics for specific animals in order to prevent or treat particular infections.

The companies have three months to notify the FDA that they plan to participate in the new plan, and then will have three years to implement the guidance.

“Implementing this strategy is an important step forward in addressing antimicrobial resistance.

The FDA is leveraging the cooperation of the pharmaceutical industry to voluntarily make these changes because we believe this approach is the fastest way to achieve our goal,” said FDA Deputy Commissioner for Foods and Veterinary

that the improvements in controlling the disease despite less than adequate funding may lead to complacency. “This remarkable progress is no cause for complacency: absolute numbers of malaria cases and deaths are not going down as fast as they could,” WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan said in a statement. “The fact that so many people are infected and dying from mosquito bites is one of the greatest tragedies of the 21st century.”

Funding for malaria prevention and treatment programs remains below the $5.1 billion that the Global Malaria Action Plan, the global action plan for fighting the illness, estimated is needed to provide universal access to interventions such as diagnostic tests, bed nets, and medications. Millions still cannot take advantage of either the diagnostic tests that would identify their infection, or the treatments that could help them, WHO officials say. Portions of the 3.3 billion people at risk of developing the disease also don’t have insecticide-treated bed nets, one of the most effective ways of protecting against the mosquito bites that transmit the disease. The report shows only about 70 million nets were delivered to nations where malaria rates are high in 2012, although about 150 million are needed to keep infection rates at minimal levels. (That may be changing, however; in 2013, 136 million nets were distributed.)

Health officials are also concerned by the emergence of drug-resistant malaria parasites in four countries in 2012. Without the needed funding to provide more bed nets, diagnostic tests and treatments, not to mention support research into more effective insecticides, the small gains in managing the disease may be lost.

“We can’t rest on what we’re doing today. We need new tools out there if we want to continue to be successful,” the Director of the WHO Global Malaria Programme, Dr. Robert Newman said at a press conference Wednesday. “We need human capacity on the ground. We need health centres. We need innovation.” (By Maya Rhodan, Time Health and Family)

reason to believe that animal pharmaceutical companies will support us in

this effort.” (By Alexandra Sifferlin, Time Health and Family)

16 Times Sunday Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

December 22, 2013

Times Home & Cooking

Peanut-Baked Chicken Creativity knows no boundary, and decorating a Christmas tree is no exception. Like the PYO Berbice group who recycled plastic bottles to make their tree, be inspired by these ideas.

Ingredients: 4 chicken legs (about 1 1/2 lb.)

4 chicken thighs (about 1 lb.)

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter 2 tablespoons lite soy sauce 2 tablespoons honey 1 tablespoon grated lemon rind

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1/2 cup honey-roasted peanuts 1/2 cup fine, dry breadcrumbs 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper

Method: Place chicken legs and thighs in a gallon-size zip-top plastic freezer bag.

Microwave peanut butter and next 4 ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl at HIGH 1 to 2 minutes, stirring until smooth. (Mixture will appear broken at first.)

Spoon mixture over chicken in bag, and seal. Using hands, work peanut butter mixture onto chicken until evenly coated. Chill 30 minutes, turning occasionally. Remove chicken from peanut butter mixture, discarding mixture.

Process peanuts and next 4 ingredients in a food processor until peanuts are finely ground.

Place crumbs in a large ziptop plastic freezer bag; add chicken, and seal. Shake to coat. Place chicken on a lightly greased wire rack in an aluminium foil-lined broiler pan.

Bake at 375° for 35 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted in thickest portion of thigh registers 170°.

The book Christmas tree for all book lovers

Chocolate-Peppermint Striped Delight Ingredients: 45 vanilla wafers, finely crushed (about 1-1/2 cups) 1/4 cup butter, melted 1/2 cup sugar, divided 1 pkg. (8 oz.) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened A candy Christmas tree would delight little children

3 cups plus 2 tbsp. cold milk, divided 1/4 cup finely crushed candy canes 1 tub (12 oz.) Cool Whip Whipped Topping, thawed, divided 2 pkg. (3.9 oz. each) Jell-O Chocolate Instant Pudding 1/4 cup coarsely crushed candy canes Method: Mix wafer crumbs, butter and 2 Tbsp. sugar; press onto bottom of 13x9inch dish. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Beat cream cheese, remaining sugar and 2 Tbsp. milk in medium bowl until blended. Stir in finely crushed candy canes. Add 1-1/4 cups Cool Whip; mix well. Spread over crust.

Beat pudding mixes and remaining milk with whisk 2 min.; pour over cream cheese layer. Let stand 5

min. or until thickened. Cover with remaining Cool Whip.

Refrigerate 4 hours. Top with coarsely crushed candy canes just before serving.

Greatest Cooking Tips Decorated stacked boxes make a beautiful mini tree

When making chocolate chip cookies, always add the chocolate morsels last to the mix. It's best when they are very cold. Just barely stir the morsels in – don't over mix.

Warm cookies always taste better than cold ones. Heat releases the flavour of chocolate and nut-meats. Try warming cookies in your microwave oven for a few seconds or in a 300 degree oven for about 5 minutes.

Make sure that your baking pans are cool between cookie batches.

Substitute cherry flavoured morsels for 1/2 of the chocolate morsels for a new taste treat.

Home Help When preparing lunches for your children (or anyone), try "drinkable" ice packs: Fill a 12-ounce plastic bottle about halfway with drinking water and freeze it overnight, tilting the bottle so the water will freeze at an angle (if you freeze it straight up, the expanded water will make the bottle bulge). Next morning pack the lunch, add more drinking water to the bottle, and stick it in the lunch box to keep the food cool and be melted enough to drink by lunchtime.

guyanatimesgy.com

December 22, 2013

Times Sunday Magazine 17

Times Sunday Puzzle

Three children, Peter, Jane and Eric, shared a bag of peanuts. There were 770 peanuts in the bag. For every 4 peanuts Peter took, Jane took 3, and for every 6 peanuts Peter took, Eric took 7. How many peanuts did Peter get? see solution on page 22

see solution on page 22

see solution on page 22

18 Times Sunday Magazine

December 22, 2013

guyanatimesgy.com

Times Creative Writing

ESSAYS OF LIFE

Blessed is a Loaf of Bread

By Sr. Shamane Hassad

D

o you remember the television advertisement with Robert Narine cradling a bundle in his arm with love and care, and when he unwrapped it with pride, it was a loaf of fresh Bakewell bread?

I enjoyed and still like that ad very much.

The reason I like it, is because I understand it and I feel the same about a loaf of fresh, soft ready-to-eat bread.

Whole wheat or white, sliced, plait loaf, pan loaf or tennis roll, burger bun or hot dog bun, they are all a part of our diet and menu. It is the message we get before we head back home: “Darling” (or “mom”) “please buy bread”.

It’s our toast in the morning It soaks up our stew It goes well with pepper pot And in our soups too.

For all kinds of sandwiches And for every hungry need A loaf of fresh bread Is a staple indeed.

Whenever we are travelling to visit relatives overseas, there is usually a suitcase packed with fresh bread and tennis rolls and pastries. The family in the USA likes to relax and enjoy tennis roll and cheese. It is clean, it tastes good and it is a little piece of home.

Bread is one of those affordable things that can save us from starving. A loaf can be kept at room temperature for at least three days and it can feed a family or one person for a while. It is food for every parrot, monkey, turtle, duck, chicken, pigeon, rabbit… The ants take care of the crumbs. Nothing gets wasted from a loaf of bread.

It is so important to our culture and existence that the word ‘bread’ is used to mean all food and livelihood. We used to recite “The Lord’s

Prayer”, every morning in primary school. It begins, “Our Father who art in Heaven.” Half way through at about the sixth line we say, “Give us this day our daily bread”.

It may sound funny but it is important to note that it is what we humans ask for before forgiveness and deliverance (in the continuation of the Lord’s Prayer).

Have you ever been really hungry that you feel the insides of your stomach cramping, and in waves it ripples through your system making you nauseous. Your legs get weak.

You cannot stand so you gently sit and bow your head to fight the sensation from rising upward?

But it does and your brain is bellowing, “Get food!” “Get food!” Your

you stand up?”

Then they get quiet as you move your arms in some positive recovery gesture and they hear you say, “I am hungry.”

In my childhood I had a couple fainting episodes. It was not because I did not have food but I did not like to eat food at meal times. I would put it off until I forgot to eat, hence the fainting.

There are many, many people right around us who are very hungry. It is not only the street vagrants but some of those workers in their nice uniforms who attend to us every day.

That is one of the reasons why I g i v e the checkers at the fast food outlets very good cash tips when I can.

They

’Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro’ the house, Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar plums danc’d in their heads, And Mama in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap — When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow, Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below; When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny rein-deer,

hands feel lifeless and there is flaming heat in your head.

You try to say something but no sound is made. Your eyes get clouded. The heat is rising through your ears and you slide off the chair and slump to the floor in a faint.

You hear voices as you regain consciousness. Someone threw cold water all over you. Hands help you to sit up and people are asking. “Are you alright?” “What happened?” “Can

handle bags of food but they go to work hungry and cannot afford many items they sell.

I am still in the habit of not eating regularly. I try to finish up work before sitting to a meal and sometimes I am walking on the road when my stomach reminds me, “You have not eaten for the day.” It is very bad.

It is recommended by Health specialists that a good balanced meal in the morning gives you needed energy, boosts your metabolism and makes you eat less during the day.

Now do you understand why I love my bread so much? Cooking takes time and thought. When I have five minutes before the school bus comes, I have my coffee and two slices of bread. When I relax after the children are back home we share tea and tennis rolls. When I am up late and need a snack, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich tastes so good and I wash away the guilt with a tall glas s of water.

Don’t follow my diet!

Cook and eat healthy food and fruits.

But, if you have bread in the house, you cannot go hungry. Have you ever tried a four slice sandwich with pineapple jelly, peanut butter, cheese and marmite….?

With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and call’d them by name: “Now! Dasher, now! Dancer, now! Prancer, and Vixen, “On! Comet, on! Cupid, on! Dunder and Blixem; “To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!

“Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”

As dry leaves before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky; So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, With the sleigh full of Toys — and St. Nicholas too: And then in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound: He was dress’d all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnish’d with ashes and soot; A bundle of toys was flung on his back, And he look’d like a peddler just opening his pack: His eyes — how they twinkled! His dimples how merry, His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry; His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow.

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow; The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.

He had a broad face, and a little round belly That shook when he laugh’d, like a bowl full of jelly: He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laugh’d when I saw him in spite of myself; A wink of his eye and a twist of his head Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And fill’d all the stockings; then turn’d with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of his nose And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.

He sprung to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew, like the down of a thistle: But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight — Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

Major Henry Livingston, Jr.

Send your creative writing to sundaymagazine@guyanatimesgy.com

guyanatimesgy.com

December 22, 2013

Times Sunday Magazine19

Times World

Why Did Charles Dickens Write Ghost Stories for Christmas?

C

harles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” has become a beloved part of the literary canon – and for many an indispensable part of the holiday season. The story embodies the goodwill associated with the Christmas season – and it has the Victorians’ favourite elements of a good Christmas story: ghosts. Dickens wrote other Christmas tales that also incorporated phantoms and ghosts, as did his Victorian cohorts. But why this obsession with ghosts at Christmas time?

An All But Dead Holiday– With Pagan Roots

By Dickens’ time, Christmas was not much of a holiday. In fact, for most people it was still a work day. The Industrial Revolution meant fewer days off for everyone, and Christmas was considered so unimportant that no one complained. This was thanks to none other than Oliver Cromwell, the Lord and Protector of England in mid seventeenth-century England.

Cromwell had toiled to eradicate Christmas altogether because the holiday had no scriptural basis; the Bible mentions no “holy day” other than the Sabbath and certainly doesn’t exhort Christians to celebrate Jesus’ birth on December 25.

Furthermore, Cromwell knew that the date of December 25 was shrewdly chosen by early Christian officials who wanted to replace pagan rituals with Christian ones.

The day was selected because of its association with two pagan holidays, Yule and Sol Invictus (the birthday of the Unconquered Sun).

Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” title page. First edition (1843)

Both were celebrated in conjunction with the winter solstice, the longest night of the year. On this night, the boundaries between the physical and spiritual worlds were considered particularly permeable. It was believed that spirits would return to Earth to finish unsettled business - exactly what Jacob Marley does in “A Christmas Carol”.

Spinning a Winter’s Tale

While there’s scant proof that the Christmas ghost tale existed as a consciously undertaken tradition before the Victorian era, there is etymological evidence that the tradition stretches back at least to Shakespeare’s time. In “A

Christmas Tree” (1859), Dickens writes, “There is probably a smell of roasted chestnuts and other good comfortable things over time, for we are telling Winter Stories– Ghost Stories, or more shame for us–round the Christmas fire.” That phrase “winter stories” and its variant “winter’s tale” had mostly fallen into disuse by Dickens’ day, but it refers to a fantastical yarn that one would weave to entertain interlocutors around a wintertime fire.

An even more specific connotation for “winter story” or its relative “winter’s tale” notably shows up in Christopher Marlowe’s The Jews of Malta (1589) with a very specific definition: a “winter’s tale”

How Much Do You Know About Christmas – Art, Literature?

Take the Holiday Quiz (without peeking) 1. “Twas the Night before Christmas when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse…”

What is the next line?

2. Which famous Christmas ballet features the ‘Mouse King’?

3. Who painted ‘The Mystical Nativity’ in 1500?

4. Which 1846 book – and author – tells the story of a little girl selling matches on the cold streets on New Year’s Eve? 5. In the song of “The Twelve days of Christmas”, what new gift was given on the 6th day? (See if you can answer without singing the song to the sixth day first!)

6. Can you name all eight reindeer, as listed in “Twas the Night before Christmas”?

7. What were the names of the Three Wise Men? (We’ll accept the variations too) 8. How many presents were given in total in the Twelve Days of Christmas?

“The Mystical Nativity” (1500)

is a ghost story.

Now I remember those old women’s words Who in my wealth would tell me winter’s tales And speak of spirits and ghosts that glide by night Shortly thereafter Shakespeare would play on this meaning with A Winter’s Tale (1623), in which Prince Maximillius says, “A sad tale’s best for winter; I have one/ Of sprites and goblins.” Later in ‘Saducismus Triumphatis’, Joseph Glanville’s treatise on witchcraft published posthumously in 1681, Glanville admonishes individuals who dismiss the existence of witchcraft as “meer Winter Tales or Old Wives fables.”

Robert Louis Stevenson would later evoke the winter’s tale with “The Master of Ballantrae: A Winter’s Tale” (1889). Though the story contains no ghosts of the usual sort, the Master cheats death multiple times. He essentially haunts his brother, Henry, who eventually exclaims, “nothing can kill that man. He is not mortal. He is bound upon my back to all eternity–to all eternity!” Later, after the Master’s body has been buried, Henry still does not believe the Master has perished. Henry is incredulous: “He’s not of this world, neither him nor that black de’il that serves him.”

A Victorian Predisposition for the Ghostly

The Victorian Age was one in which spiritual beliefs were constantly being upended by scientific discoveries. It’s no wonder

that Victorians turned to spiritualism and other superstitions to distract from that state of uncertainty, or that séances, table rapping, and other fads took hold.

Another of these was telling ghost stories, and Dickens was far from the only author to participate.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was noted for his rather eccentric spiritualism. Edith Nesbitt, Elizabeth Gaskell, and Rudyard Kipling all wrote ghost stories that often get overshadowed by their more famous works. And Henry James uses Christmas ghost storytelling as a frame for “Turn of the Screw”.

Most importantly, Washington Irving had actually presaged Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” and The Pickwick Papers’ Gabriel Grub character (a character visited by goblins in Mr. Warble’s Christmas tale) with his own depictions of the Christmas holiday, a relationship that we’ll explore in an upcoming post.

The tradition of telling ghost stories at Christmas stuck. Slightly later, Eton Provost and author Montague Rhodes James would entertain his students with ghostly tales around the Christmas fire.

HP Lovecraft’s “The Festival” was written for Christmas. And twentieth-century Canadian author Robertson Davies would spin ghost tales for Massey College students every Christmas season. Though not widely practiced, the winter’s tale lives on as a Christmas tradition. (Source: Why Did Charles Dickens Write Ghost Stories for Christmas? By Vic Zoschak. http://www.ilab.org)

ANSWERS 1. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there.

2. The Nutcracker 3. Sandro Botticelli 4. The Little Match Girl – Hans Christian Andersen 5. Six Geese a-laying 6. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder (or Donner – depending on version) and Blitzen 7. There are different variations of these: 1. Caspar (Gaspar, Jaspar, Jaspas or Gathaspa) 2. Melchior (Melichior) 3. Balthazar (Balthasar, Balthassar, and Bithisarea) 8. 364

20 Times Sunday Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

December 22, 2013

Times Tech

Apple’s long-awaited Mac Pro update goes on sale A

pple has at long last announced that sales of its new, cylindrical Mac Pro will begin on Thursday, December 19, making good on the promise the company made in late October at its last product event. The workstation will get you a 3.7GHz quad-core Intel Xeon E51620 v2, 12GB of 1866MHz ECC DDR3 RAM, a 256GB PCI Express SSD, and two AMD FirePro D300 GPUs with 2GB of GDDR5 RAM apiece. Stepping up to the other model bumps you up to a 3.5GHz six-core Xeon E5-1650 v2, 16GB of RAM, and two FirePro D500 GPUs with 3GB of GDDR5 RAM

apiece.

A graphics pro breaks down Apple’s new machine.

The new Mac Pro is the first major internal refresh the computer has gotten since 2010 (a very minor spec bump happened in 2012), and it's the first redesign of the chassis since the Intel-based Mac Pro came out in 2006. That case was itself a rather minor modification to the Power Mac G5 design, which goes all the way back to June of 2003— the new Mac Pro replaces a design that's effectively a decade old. The old Mac Pro weighed around 40 pounds; the new one starts at just 11.

To make the machine as

small as it is, Apple has jettisoned much of the internal expandability that defined the Mac Pro for so long.

Gone are the PCI Express expansion slots—the computer can be upgraded to a dual-FirePro D700 configuration when you buy it, but those are the GPUs you're stuck with for the life of the machine. The RAM and the PCI Express-based SSD should be upgradeable by users (up to 64GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD can be added at purchase), but the internal HDD bays of the old machine are absent. And while modern Ivy Bridge-based Xeons can fit up to 12 CPU cores on a single chip, the Mac Pro's step down to a single processor socket will put to rest your dreams of a dual-socket, 24-core monster.

Tech Byte

P

Samsung announces GamePad - its own smartphone game controller

lenty of companies are releasing conan 8-way d-pad, two anatrollers designed to bring a logue sticks, four more traditional gamaction buting experience to smarttons, two trigphones. Samsung, one of gers, Start and the most popular creators Select buttons, of Android devices, is and a special aiming to grab a piece Play button. of the controller pie for The two anaitself with the introduclogue sticks tion of the GamePad. are offset, in a Samsung, in spite very Xbox-like of being a company design. that produces phones The Play butitself, made a smart ton is designed for call in not limitusers to quickly jump ing the usage of to Samsung's Mobile its GamePad to Console app, where just its own dethey can play and buy vices. Instead, games that support it has built the GamePad controlits controller. ler with supThe GamePad is port for any available now select in The Samsung GamePad with Android device runEuropean markets, and smartphone locked in ning JellyBean 4.1 or Samsung plans to roll it out in later, with screen sizes between 4 and 6.3 additional regions in the coming weeks. inches. However, Samsung also says that it The company didn't announce exactly is optimized for Samsung devices running where else it would be launching nor did it Android 4.3, because of the NFC pairing. release pricing information for the device.

As for controls, the GamePad features (GIZMAG)

Tech news

A

To replace that internal expansion, Apple is relying on the new Mac Pro's six Thunderbolt 2 ports. The new version of Thunderbolt, also used in the latest Retina MacBook Pros, increases the maximum theoretical bandwidth to 20Gbps (or 2.5 gigabytes

per second). This should be more than enough provided you're willing to spring for an expensive external storage array. The ports (along with the two GPUs) can also support up to three 4K displays at once, though as of this writing Apple doesn't manufacture its own Retina-class Thunderbolt displays. All models also come with four USB 3.0 ports, two-gigabit Ethernet ports, an HDMI port, 1.3Gbps 802.11ac WiFi, and Bluetooth 4.0.

Why the major overhaul now? One of the reasons Apple previously felt little need to update the Mac Pro was because it appealed largely to a small but steady professional audience and didn't require a flashy iMacstyle overhaul to bring in new audiences. But, in the several years since the last major Mac Pro overhaul, the computer industry has shifted dramatically away from the traditional towerbased desktop toward laptops, all-in-one desktops, tablets, and now even touch screen "tabletop PCs" such as the Lenovo Horizon 27.

(Information provided by Global Tech)

Ridiculous Fishing, Badland win Apple's Games of the Year

Ridiculous Fishing: “A hand-crafted game about fishing with guns, chainsaws and toasters.”

pple has crowned two premium apps as 2013's Games of the Year on iPhone and iPad. Developer Vlambeer's Ridiculous Fishing ($3) — with "great controls, hugely rewarding challenges, and vibrant retro-style graphics" — is the iPhone GOTY. It beat out runnerups Simogo's Device 6 ($4) and PopCap's free-to-play sequel Plants vs. Zombies 2.

If you’re not familiar,

Ridiculous Fishing has you casting a fishing line and hook into seas, trying to guide the line as far down as possible by tilting the device to guide it through the schools of fish. Once one is caught, you then try to catch as many fish as you can as you reel the hook in, before chucking all of the fish into the air, gunning them down to earn cash.

With the cash, you then buy upgrades and custom-

izations for your gear and start all over again. There’s also a subtle plot unfolding on the in-game Twitter parody, Byrdr, as well as in the journey you encounter across the various waters you fish in.

Apple named Frogmind's Badland ($4) as the iPad GOTY. It earned praise for its controls as well, along with its "haunting visuals," cooperative play, and challenges. The title won over Firaxis Games' XCOM: Enemy Unknown ($20) and Kevin Ng's Impossible Road ($2).

Badland has you playing as a plump bird as you try to manoeuvre it through several highly dangerous, silhouetted gauntlets. The game is grounded in physics, and the game’s many levels include spikes, sharp objects, multiplication, shrinking, mechs, explosives and a whole bunch of other components.

guyanatimesgy.com

December 22, 2013

Times Sunday Magazine 21

Times Art

"Prolific" (2011) by Courtney M. Douglas was awarded first prize "Six Races-One Root" (2013) by Shimuel Jones was awarded third prize

T

he opening of the ninth National Drawing Exhibition, and a prize giving ceremony, recently held at Castellani House, celebrated the creative talent of local artists.

The National Drawing

Competition has been a biennial event first presented

by Castellani House in 1996, and received unwavering sponsorship from Republic Bank for 15 years until 2010.

The 2012 biennial competition, postponed due to a

clash in event scheduling last year, is now re-launched with renewed support from the bank.

An increase in funding by Republic Bank to more than $700,000, allows the gallery to offer a first prize of $150,000, a second prize of $100,000 and a third prize and Young Person’s Prize of $50,000 and $35,000, re-

"Breaking Free I" (2013)

by Lori Ann Jacobs spectively. Gold, silver and bronze medals will also be awarded to competition winners.

Republic Bank’s sponsorship of the National Drawing Competition is part of their ‘Power to make a difference’ initiative, where support and promotion of social and cultural projects are provided across Guyana.

The National Gallery’s competitions aim to support the artists’ community and to garner appreciation of artists’ technical and expressive skills.

All Guyanese artists were eligible to enter and could have submitted up to three works for the competition, which were to be judged and presented in a prize-giving

ceremony and exhibition on December 17.

The exhibition continues until January 18, 2014.

Gallery hours are 10:00 hours to 17:00 hours Monday to Friday and 14:00 hours to 18:00 hours on Saturday; the gallery is closed on Sundays and holidays. The public is cordially invited to visit this exhibition. Admission is free.

22 Times Sunday Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

December 22, 2013

Times Heritage

A Literary Tradition

Sir Wilson Harris T

heodore Wilson Harris, born March 24, 1921 in New Amsterdam, Berbice on what was then the colony of British Guiana, grew up to become one of the most famed Guyanese writers and one who, in recognition of his outstanding literary career, at 89-years-old was knighted by the British monarch.

The litmus test of young literature undergrads, Harris’ work has been described as challenging and rewarding by critics, and he has been praised for his singularly unique and innova-

How Sweet It Is Word Scramble Answers

tive use of language to express his stories; stories that especially tell of experiences from the Guyana landscapes and the struggles of colonial and post-colonial peoples and their societies.

According to ‘Wilson Harris in conversation with Michael Gilkes (The Uncompromising Imagination)’: “Language possesses resources which one has to sense as coming not only from within oneself, but from outside, from the land itself, from the rivers, from the forests. And also from those persons and those cultures that existed in that landscape and have left their trace.”

His works have been the subject of endless essays, interviews and biographies over the years.

Harris arrived in Georgetown and attended Queen’s College (1934-1939) before studying land surveying and working as government land surveyor in 1942.

He became senior surveyor in 1955.

It was this career that would place Harris within the natural Guyanese interior and the Amerindians, its primary society, to inform his experiences and help influence his writings.

During his years as surveyor, Harris would become

a regular contributor to the literary journal of the day in British Guiana, writing poems, essays and stories, along with other notable Guyanese literary luminaries such as Ivan Van Sertima, Sidney Singh and Martin Carter.

“Fetish”, (1951) his first publication, was a book of poems under the pseudonym Kona Waruk – a hard-to-ignore possible allusion to an interior location of a similarly sounding name. He continued his writings for the journal until 1961, after he moved to England in 1959 following the break-up of his first marriage. He later married Scottish writer Margaret Burns who died in January 2010.

Harris published his first and most well-known novel “Palace of the Peacock” in 1960, breaking onto the British literary scene just one year after he emigrated. This was to be followed by “The Guyana Quartet”, which includes “The Far Journey of Oudin” (1961), “The Whole Armour” (1962), and “The Secret Ladder” (1963). He has written some 23 novels, including his most recent, “The Ghost of Memory” (2006) Harris has also received accolades for his non-fiction and critical writings, lead-

ing to honorary doctorates from prestigious international universities. He was also awarded the inaugural Guyana Prize for Literature in 1987 and the Guyana Prize for Literature Special Award in 2002.

In England, where he continued to write, his fame led to lectures as visiting professor and writer in residence at various leading universities until his retirement. His son, Professor E. Nigel Harris, is current UWI vice-chancellor.

When Sir Wilson was asked in an interview what he thought his knighthood

meant for other Caribbean writers, he replied: “It’s important in the sense that these knighthoods are hardly given to writers.

They’re hardly given to conventional writers, and a writer like myself is hardly given a knighthood. So I feel that this is an encouragement to other writers in the region to persist in their work, even if they feel that what they are

doing is not popular, because in the long run it may tell on their behalf. It’s a question of the reality of the arts. The arts have to be pursued irrespective of what people think.

And any Caribbean writer who has been working seriously should continue to do that and leave the rest to be judged by people who appreciate the importance of what they’re doing.”

British Guiana. Demerara Golden Grove Sugar Cane Mill 1908

Brain Teaser Answer

264 For every 12 peanuts Peter took, Jane had 9 and Eric 14. This is a total of 35 in one round. 770 divided by 35 is 22, so they had 22 rounds. 12 times 22 are 264.

SUDOKU

KID SUDOKU

CROSSWORD

guyanatimesgy.com

December 22, 2013

Times Sunday Magazine 23

Times Travel & Tourism

T

he rarely-travelled Kamarapa Creek in Region Nine is home to serene falls and rich biodiversity.

Entering the creek from the Rupununi River is an adventure. Just beyond the creek entrance a thick mass of vegetation sprawls across the width of the creek, piling up more than 10 feet high.

Navigating through the creek reveals thick bush and towering Mora trees. There is also the Paima Falls where Kamarapa makes its last drop from the mountains and joins the continually meandering creek.

At Kamarapa, explorers can enjoy refreshing baths in the creek and discover the natural habitats that thrive there. (Photos by Matt Hallett)

Entering the creek

A pair of scarlet macaws feeding on palm fruits along the creek

Giant river otters in the creek

Paima Falls at the mountain foot

24

Times Sunday Magazine

December 22, 2013

guyanatimesgy.com

Times Last Laugh

By Melvin Durai

F

ew people have left an imprint on earth quite like Nelson Mandela. He was here for 95 years and we Melvin Durai's Humorwere blessed to have him. We the citizens of the world, the 53 million South Africans, the 1.2 billion Indians, the 317 million Americans, the 25 million ex-boyfriends of Kim Kardashian – we were all blessed to have him.

Mandela’s life gave us many lessons and our greatest tribute to him would be to heed some of them. One of the biggest lessons is the importance of sacrifice. Mandela spent 27 years as a political prisoner, 18 of them on Robben Island, and would later say that “real leaders must be ready to Mandelasacrifice all for the freedom of their people.” That is certainly inspirational, as I found when I asked people in my neighborhood to complete the sentence “If Mandela can spend 27 years in prison, I can definitely …”

Eleven-year-old boy: “If Mandela can spend 27 years in prison, I can definitely go 27 minutes without video games. Well, not definitely, but probably. …

You’re not going to make me sign anything, are you?”

Fifteen-year-old girl: “If Mandela can spend 27 years in prison, I can definitely spend 27 minutes helping my mother in the kitchen. … Do I have to do it all in one day or can I spread it over 27 years?”

Thirty-year-old man: “If Mandela can spend 27 years in prison, I can definitely watch 27 commer-

cials during a football game. Does running to the fridge 27 times count as a sacrifice?”

Middle-aged woman: “If Mandela can spend 27 years in prison, I can definitely spend 27 seconds giving my husband what he wants at night. I don’t know why he can’t get the sleeping pill and water himself.”

Mandela was released from prison in 1990 and, following the end of Apartheid, was elected president of South Africa in 1994. He led the country down a path of national reconciliation, seeking to unite blacks, whites and other races. He showed no bitterness for the punishment he had endured, no desire to strike back at his oppressors. Few people are capable of such forgiveness.

Just picture Mandela meeting with two of his fellow freedom fighters (let’s call them Edwin and Joe) just as he took office.

Mandela: “I have called you here to discuss national reconciliation.”

Edwin: “National what?”

M a n d e l a : “Reconciliation.”

Edwin: “That’s a big word. I didn’t bring my dictionary.”

Joe: “I think it means we’re going to let the white people keep their farms.”

Mandela: “Their farms, their mansions, their swimming pools. Why must we take all their property from them?”

Edwin: “Why must we not? Let them live in Soweto with no running water.”

Mandela: “This is their country too. We must not

drive them away to other countries. We need their skills: farming skills, business skills … “ Joe: “Exploitation skills.”

Mandela: “They will not exploit us anymore.

They will work alongside us for a stronger South Africa.

Toward that goal, I am going to appoint some of them to my cabinet. What portfolios should I give them?”

Edwin: “Minister of Economic Oppression; Minister of Injustice; Minister of Mines, Not Yours.”

After serving for five years as South Africa’s first black president, Mandela did something that shocked other leaders around Africa: he stepped down. He neither clung to power nor tried to accumulate wealth. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair described him as “very down-to-earth with a lovely quiet humility to him.”

That humility, a quality we should all emulate, can be seen in his insistence on making his own bed, even while staying at a hotel in Shanghai, China.

Maid: “It would be pleasure to make bed for you, sir.”

Mandela: “But if I let you make my bed, you will send someone to brush my teeth, somone to comb my hair, someone to put clothes on me.”

Maid: “Yes, we do sometimes. We do for Queen of England when she come here.”

Mandela: “You do everything for her?”

Maid: “Not everything.

She has man for kissing goodnight.”

Revised Christmas days

Effective immediately, the following economizing measures are being implemented in the "Twelve Days of Christmas" subsidiary: 1) The partridge will be retained, but the pear tree, which never produced the cash crop forecasted, will be replaced by a plastic hanging plant, providing considerable savings in maintenance 2) Two turtle doves represent a redundancy that is simply not cost effective. In addition, their romance during working hours could not be condoned. The positions are, therefore, eliminated 3) The three French hens will remain intact. After all, everyone loves the French.

4) The four calling birds will be replaced by an automated voice mail system, with a call waiting option. An analysis is underway to determine who the birds have been calling, how often and how long they talked.

5) The five golden rings have been put on hold by the Board of Directors.

Maintaining a portfolio based on one commodity could have negative implications for institutional investors. Diversification into other precious metals, as well as a mix of T-Bills and high technology stocks, appear to be in order 6) The six geese-a-laying constitutes a luxury which can no longer be afforded.

It has long been felt that the production rate of one egg per goose per day was an example of the general decline in productivity. Three geese will be let go, and an upgrading in the selection procedure by personnel will assure management that, from now on, every goose it gets will be a good one 7) The seven swans-a-swimming is obviously a number chosen in better times.

The function is primarily decorative.

Mechanical swans are on order. The current swans will be retrained to learn some new strokes, thereby enhancing their outplacement 8) As you know, the eight maids-amilking concept has been under heavy scrutiny by the EEOC. A male/female balance in the workforce is being sought.

The more militant maids consider this a dead-end job with no upward mobility.

Automation of the process may permit the maids to try a-mending, a-mentoring or a-mulching 9) Nine ladies dancing has always been an odd number. This function will be phased out as these individuals grow older and can no longer do the steps 10) Ten Lords-a-leaping is overkill. The high cost of Lords, plus the expense of international air travel, prompted the Compensation Committee to suggest replacing this group with ten out-ofwork congressmen. While leaping ability may be somewhat sacrificed, the savings are significant as we expect an oversupply of unemployed congressmen this year 11) Eleven pipers piping and

twelve drummers drumming is a simple case of the band getting too big. A substitution with a string quartet, a cutback on new music, and no uniforms, will produce savings which will drop right to the bottom line Overall we can expect a substantial reduction in assorted people, fowl, animals and related expenses. Though incomplete, studies indicate that stretching deliveries over twelve days is inefficient. If we can drop ship in one day, service levels will be improved.

Regarding the lawsuit filed by the attorneys’ association seeking expansion to include the legal profession ("thirteen lawyers-a-suing"), a decision is pending.

Deeper cuts may be necessary in the future to remain competitive. Should that happen, the Board will request management to scrutinize the Snow White Division to see if seven dwarfs is the right number.

The Christmas diet song

'Twas the night before Christmas and all round my hips were Fannie May candies that sneaked past my lips. Fudge brownies were stored in the freezer with care in hopes that my thighs would forget they were there.

While Mama in her girdle and I in chin straps had just settled down to sugarborne naps. When out in the pantry there arose such a clatter I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the kitchen I flew like a flash tore open the icebox then threw up the sash. The marshmallow look of the newfallen snow sent thoughts of a binge to my body below.

When what to my wandering eyes should appear: a marzipan Santa with eight chocolate reindeer! That huge chunk of candy so luscious and slick I knew in a second that I'd wind up sick.

The sweet-coated Santa, those sugared reindeer I closed my eyes tightly but still I could hear; On Pritzker, on Stillman, on weak one, on TOPS a Weight Watcher dropout from sugar detox.

From the top of the scales to the top of the hall now dash away pounds now dash away all. Dressed up in Lane Bryant from my head to nightdress my clothes were all bulging from too much excess.

My droll little mouth and my round little belly they shook when I laughed like a bowl full of jelly. I spoke not a word but went straight to my work ate all of the candy then turned with a jerk.

And laying a finger beside my heartburn I gave a quick nod toward the bedroom I turned. I eased into bed, to the heavens I cry if temptation's removed I'll get thin by and by.

And I mumbled again as I turned for the night in the morning I'll starve . . . 'til I take that first bite.

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