Sunday times magazine, june 24, 2018

JUNE 24, 2018

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2 Sunday Times Magazine

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JUNE 24, 2018

Feature

W

e quite often dream of the day we can be truly independent and be our own boss, but in order for us to become successful business owners there are some key traits one must possess.

Among those traits are determination, commitment and hard word.

Apart from possessing the three fundamen-

tal traits, there must be a complete understanding of the field of business one decides to enter and that is where the Small Business Development Finance Trust Inc (SBDF) comes in. The SBDF was formed with the main objective of providing financial and technical assistance to micro, small and medium enterprises.

Managing Director of the

SBDF, Manjula Brijmohan, says the focus is mainly on those enterprises which are unable to meet the complicated demands of commercial banks so that they can develop their businesses and transform into sustainable entities.

“We work as small financiers to the people who need it urgently and badly to take a step to move up.

Always finance remains the key factor and that is where we are trying to fill in the gap and deal with these people and provide the financial assistance, guidance and technical assistance so that they should be able to graduate to a level where they can go to bigger institutions,” she said.

Since its establishment in 2002, the Small Business Development Finance has been able to assist over six hundred small and micro businesses develop their true potential and remain sustainable to this date.

The intention of the SBDF is to have the business owners transition from micro and small status to medium-scale or even larger. Additionally, the Trust also provides training for their clients in every field of managing and developing their businesses and according to Brijmohan, education is paramount towards development since it positions one to make more informed choices.

“When a person says I want to do a business, particularly a young person, then that person must read a lot and acquire the knowledge they need to have about the field that interests them. Then they

have to acquire the right technology and get a practical feel of the field they want to enter in because what they may think they will encounter will not be exactly what they encounter when they go out into the field,” Brijmohan advises.

“Confidence, determination and knowledge is essential for running a successful business. Also’ one condition for a successful business is not to just make money but aim to be successful and the money will just be a byproduct,” she added.

With over 30 years in the financial field, Brijmohan says an inquisitive mind is great for business.

The facilities provided

by SBDF can be classified into two categories; financial and business services. The financial aspect includes retail micro lending, where all retail loan products are specifically designed to facilitate urban enterprises, rural small farmers and non-farm enterprises to take advantages of the economic opportunities and try to participate in the environment of increasing competitiveness.

Additionally, the development finance aspect

is generally geared to suit the requirements of the small and medium size enterprise. These innovative products are based upon the principle that successful businesses need more than money.

Meanwhile, the SBDF also provides professional guidance and personalised investment advice to entrepreneurs in making sound decisions. They also provide technical training in the areas of business management, record-keeping, entrepreneurial skills, and marketing and product packaging.

SBDF tries to cover a wide spectrum of economic activities, which are suitable in the Guyanese environment, but limited to the following areas of (a) agriculture – small farming , fishing, poultry, dairy and ornamented fish for export; agro-processing activities; manufacturing and processing; (b) craft – traditional and modern among other things.

Brijmohan advises everyone to capitalise and realise their full potential while being cognisant of the fundamental principles for managing a successful enterprise.

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JUNE 24, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine

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Feature

By Lakhram Bhagirat

N

ot everyone wants to grow up, we just want to enjoy the perks of being a grown up. We want the nice things and privileges and not the responsibilities, but what do we do when we are a mere teenager and life reveals how ugly it can be, leaving us virtually alone. We adapt, right?

Being 15, for many of us, means a life where our mothers coddle us and fathers take care of our every need or even our grandparents spoil us rotten, but the case is very different for Sharon Coylasar of Aishalton in Region Nine.

You see, it has only been a few months since Sharon’s mother, Marina Browne, passed away but even before that, the

teenager has always been independent and a self-starter.

Sharon is a Fourth Form student of the Aishalton Secondary School in Deep South Rupununi and she is an inspiration to everyone in the small Amerindian community and even those afar. But what makes Sharon so unique? She is not your average teenager.

She lives by herself and runs a small grocery shop to maintain the home and send her to school.

As we learned earlier, Sharon’s mother died in March of this year and since then she has been left to fend for herself, since her brother died last year and her sister is a doctor in Georgetown. She explains that her father has been out of her life for over a decade and since the death of her mother, an

Some of the items in Sharon’s shop

aunt that lives nearby would “check-in” with her at night.

Sharon is preparing to transition from Fourth to Fifth Form where she is expected to sit eight subjects at the 2019 Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC) examination. Filled with teenaged giggles, she explains that her number one passion is business and it is only fitting that she sit the core business subjects at the upcoming CSEC exams.

“I want to be an independent woman, a selfemployed woman, a business woman so that I can show people what I am made of. I am strong, Indigenous and proud.

Our village (of Aishalton) is small, everyone looks out for everyone, and that is why I want to stay here and work

and develop this village. I want the other young ladies to see what they can do and what we can do together,” Sharon says.

Not knowing how to speak to someone about the loss of the only parental figure in their life, I casually asked Sharon “how has she been coping since her mother’s passing,” and the answer was one that surprised me; not because of how gutwrenching it was, but rather it was the level of maturity it was delivered with.

“Since my mother passed, it has been hard. She used to run the shop and I would make snacks like puri and pulorie and so and take to school and sell because of a programme we were doing but all of that I had to stop. I couldn’t cope with all of that. I had experienced the loss of a close person when my brother died but when my mother died, it was like everything stopped. I realised I was alone and had to take care of myself so I started to plan every day and adjust. It is a bit easier now but I miss her every day. But now I can cope with school and the shop,” she explained.

Quite frankly, even as an adult it is tough to imagine a life where mommy is not there and for a mere teenager to come to terms and understand the role of stepping up to the proverbial plate is not only commendable, but inspiring.

Growing up for Sharon has been fun and even though she does not have much spare time now, she spends whatever time she can get with her school friends and like any teenager, browsing social media sites.

She enjoys a good movie but now with the pressures of completing labs work for her Integrated Science School Based Assessment (SBA), coupled with SBAs for every other subject, she cannot remember the last time she saw a good movie.

Sharon wakes up every morning at the crack of dawn, makes breakfast and opens the shop for about three hours before venturing to school. At school, she explains it is hard to focus since managing a household and studies takes its toll at times. After school, she would hurry home and open the shop for another few hours because that is the only source of income she has.

“I have been trying ever since and I’m still maintaining the grades despite the struggles I have on a daily basis, which is no mom around to talk to,” she noted.

Now, whenever Sharon receives a good grade or any commendation from her teachers, she just taps herself on the back and says good work

a

s

Sharon Coylasar

her mother would have done.

Sharon has the drive to forge ahead despite the obstacles. She sees herself expanding her business to that of a general store and furthering her studies in the field of Business Management and Accounting. She aspires to develop her community and make her mark.

“I like challenges. Plenty people ask me how I do it but at the end of the day, I have to do it. Sometimes I do wish that I can just be like the other girls but then I am thankful for the experience. I like to be independent and I want to remain that way until I die,” Sharon said amidst giggles.

Fellow villager Immaculata Casimero describes Sharon as an “inspiration”, adding that the village of Aishalton is proud of her.

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Sunday Times Magazine

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JUNE 24, 2018

Feature

edd's Dollar Wings and Kingdom Style Family Entertainment are quickly becoming household names in the Linden community, associated with friendly customer service and tasty dishes. These businesses are owned and operated by young and enterprising businessman Kellon Nedd, a Lindener, and his wife Sharalin Nedd, who hails from St Lucia.

For the couple, the venture into the business world started in 2017 with 'Dollar Wings', selling delicious fried chicken wings underneath a tent on the Mackenzie River wall.

Kingdom Style Family Entertainment Restaurant Hall and Theatre in the Toucan Mall also", the businessman related. “On Mother's day we dedicated the restaurant and it was active from Mother's day until the official opening", he continued.

The restaurant can be considered a touch of class and elegance, with a beautifully designed space and professionally dressed staff. Many have agreed that the service offered is also quite exceptional. At the Theatre, which also operates out of the Toucan Mall at Amelia's Ward, Linden movie lovers can catch affordable movies

As the name suggests, the chicken wings are sold at just $100 a piece, which many deem as quite affordable.

The business later grew as another Dollar Wings outlet was quickly set up in the community, and earlier this month the couple launched the Kingdom Style Family Entertainment Restaurant Hall and Theatre.

This was marked by a grand opening ceremony on June 10 with numerous officials in attendance. “We have started the Nedd's Dollar Wings at the Crescent River wall last year July and we branched off at Amelia's Ward Toucan Mall in November. Now, we have this restaurant-

in 3D from Thursdays to Sundays each week from 16:00hr to 22:00 hr.

"Every 4 0'clock (16:00hr) we show a movie for the kids and then we continue with adults stuff for the next 2 movies", Kellon said.

Meanwhile, the restaurant caters for breakfast, lunch and dinner from Monday to Saturday and dinner on Sunday evenings. Its space is also available for rental to accommodate events such as conferences, birthdays, anniversaries, showers, proms and weddings. The couple noted that they will eventually cater for dinner and a movie. Apart from the Theatre and restaurant, fast

By Utamu Belle

N

food lovers can also catch the delectable fried chicken wings from the Dollar Wings outlet situated just next door.

The response to both businesses have so far been positive in the community, owing to the affordability of the services offered. In reflecting on his achievements, the young businessman who initially operated a mini taxi service and worked in construction said he is quite thankful to God since his dream in life was to become a successful businessman with no less than 20 employees. In addition, he is certainly living out his dreams with scores of employees in his employ, contributing greatly to Linden's employment

sector.

The businessman, whose parents were also successful entrepreneurs said he took a page out of their book as his dream was to one day follow in their footsteps.

The idea for 'Dollar Wings', he explained was birthed when he travelled to St Lucia. It was there that he met his wife Sharalin who later joined him here in Guyana. The young couple has since decided to pursue their dreams in business together, venturing down a successful path of entrepreneurship.

In addition, the couple also lives up to their corporate social responsibility by beautifying the community and helping those in need.

guyanatimesgy.com

JUNE 24, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 5

Feature

C

hoosing the right shade of foundation, the perfect lipstick or even eyeshadow palette is a task many underestimate. It requires the help of some who not only knows the product but also understands the importance of the “perfect match” and for the past year Robert Hiscock and Tamera DaSilva created that space when the launched the Little Make-up Bag. Robert is a 28 year old Englishman but because of his love for Guyana and the fact that he spent most of his time here, it was only right that he became a Guyanese national and that he did in 2010. Meanwhile, Tamera is what we describe at the born and bred Guyanese millennial. Robert is the holder of a degree in Business and Caribbean Studies from the London Metropolitan University and was previously a Beverage Marketing Manager with Caribbean beverage giant- AnsaMcAL. Tamera is just 21 years old but has a passion for being independent and hence the reason for undertaking this joint venture with Robert. She has also worked several jobs in retain and marketing but never felt the level of comfort she now feels “I believe strongly in self-empowerment and being your own source of happiness. Perhaps the latter is the main reason why I chose this particular industry to get involved in,” she says.

Both Robert and Tameka strongly believes in Guyana's potential for growth over the next few years and thought that becoming entrepreneurs, "throwing out ya belly" as some may say, was the best way for then to benefit from this growth. Further, the duo says owning your own business is in many ways a stepping stone in life towards independence, like buying your first car or first house.

“Striving for this independence and to ensure we, as Guyanese, make the most of what our country has to offer, was key to our decision to open our own business.”

Little Make-up Bag is located at 129A Duncan Street, Bel-Air Park, Georgetown and retails cosmetics and skin care products. For the owners, seeing the smiles on customer's faces when they open their new eyeshadow pallet or try on a new shade of lipstick is

second to none.

“With this said, the focus on our customers, and thus our customer service and marketing initiatives geared towards giving back to those who give to us, is what sets us apart from others in the industry. At Little Make-up Bag, not only can a consumer expect the best variety and prices, but the homely nature of our business allows us to give our customers the time and attention they deserve.”

Unlike most stores that offer cosmetics in Guyana, make-up and skin care is not just a component at the Little Make-up Bag rather it is the entire focus of the business. As such, Tameka and Robert spends significant time testing products before they hit the shelves in order to ensure that they are satisfied with their quality and that customers will have the best experience possible.

“We also offer a wide variety of leading cosmetic brands and don't just focus on one particular portfolio.

This helps us to ensure that when customers come to Little Make-up Bag they stand a good chance of finding exactly what they're looking for.”

With cosmetics being a relatively new industry in Guyana, it leaves a lot of opportunity for young entrepreneurs to really capitalize.

For Tamera and Robert age is just a number that does not really affects the possibility of launching a successful venture. Their challenges, like many others, were the same. Finding the capital to launch their business

was among the major challenge, but for them starting small is not a problem and they did start small.

Over the past year they have grown as individuals, business partners and so did the Little Make-up Bag. “We started as a small door to door retailer with a minimal investment. From there we continued to grow and re-invest whatever we earned. This, with support from our parents allowed us to open a physical location (but this is only the beginning). Another challenge associated with starting a venture is commitment. Everything that can go wrong will! It will never be a walk in the park and there will be many sleepless nights if you want to get it right. However, pushing through and keeping your thoughts fixated on your overall objective will help you to remember why you started this journey in the first place,” they advised.

Managing your own business will also be tough at first especially if you came from conventional employment where you typically served one function of the business. Running your own show means getting familiar with all aspects of an operational business from accounting to inventory management and marketing.

Time is also a challenge. Start-ups very rarely become profitable right away. Research the industry you want to get involved in, ensure there is real opportunity to be exploited and know that Guyana has so much opportunity. Think outside the box and don't hesitate to come out of your comfort zone.

6 Sunday Times Magazine

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JUNE 24, 2018

Feature

Aishalton Self Reliance Youth Group

By Lakhram Bhagirat

I

t was Apple’s co-founder, Steve Jobs, who famously said, “great things in business are never done by one person, they are done by a team of people,” and knowing the value of teamwork was what led five Amerindian young women to forming the Aishalton Self Reliance Youth Group, which began the journey of feeding visitors and the people of Aishalton.

Aishalton is a titled Amerindian community located in Deep South Rupununi Region 9 (UpperTakutuUpper Essequibo). It has a land mass of 430.92 square miles and has a population of over 1,000 consisting mostly of the Wapichan nation and is approximately 60 miles Southeast of Lethem.

The Village has access to its own hospital, police station, sports

ground, community centers, local electricity grid and the internet.

It is considered the hub for other Amerindian Villages in located in the Deep South Area and is accessible by road and air. It takes approximately 18 hours to drive, and one and a half hours to fly from Georgetown to Aishalton.

Now that we know some facts about the village, let us get back to the five heroines of Aishalton.

After being a part of the first batch of the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) students, Carmen Ritchie, Sonita Ernest, Mary Realine, Francelyn Francis and Adena Robertson pooled together their financial grants and started a Snackette.

“We decided after we finished the theory part of the HEYS training, the five of us from the village decided to pool the grants and we start the Aishalton Self

“Food is about love and we out that in our food so when the customers eat it they can say ‘this taste just like my mommy own’ and that makes us happy.”

Reliance Youth Group. After the group, we took the money and start building the Snackette and we open in June last year. Now is just two members active, me and Sunita, the rest of them move to town and doing other things,” Carmen said.

Since establishing the Snackette last year, the Group has had nothing but challenges but would have it no other way. They put in hard work and are determine to make it a successful venture.

Carmen explained that after three of the founding members left, the work intensified and sales began decreasing. The decrease is due to the fact that because of their location, the accessibility to goods is hampered resulting in them not being able to meet the demands of their customers.

Carmen says the Snackette is

different from all others because of the variety afforded as well as the price. Now the Snackette serves traditional Amerindian cuisines such as the pepperpot, tuma pot, cassava bread and farine.

Additionally, there is the fusion of other cultures with food such as fried rice, cook-up, pasta, curries and pastries.

When the idea of the Snackette was for birthed, the group said the market demand was there and the people of Aishalton was hungry for variety without the hassle of travelling to Lethem. However, the initial demand has since decreased and now they are left to think about new ways of diversifying the products they offer to appeal to the villagers.

“We have trouble getting

materials we need to get the business developed more. But we are trying and not giving up. We will make it. Now we are looking at how we can make it better because business slow down,” Carmen said.

Carmen now focuses most of her time in developing the business and according to her, it is just a year now but the plan is to keep the Snackette open as long as possible. She describes their food as the best because of the level of love they put into the preparation, making each dish as homemade as possible.

“Food is about love and we out that in our food so when the customers eat it they can say ‘this taste just like my mommy own’ and that makes us happy.”

guyanatimesgy.com

JUNE 24, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 7

Literary Corner

Preserving our Literary Heritage

by

Petamber Persaud

(E

xtract of interview with Desiree Edghill, Georgetown, Guyana, November 2016. Edghill is Director of Artiste in Direct Support, a versatile theatre personality, a health activist and educator. Edghill was recently awarded a Medal of Service.)

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

There is a school of thought that views the fortunes of theatre as a reflection of the state of country’s fortunes.

Theatre in Guyana started with the Coffee House Theatre and the Minor Theatre and the Theatre Royal, all the while evolving until the concerted effort that resulted in the founding of the Theatre Guild Playhouse in 1957. But just before that movement, there were other efforts like the Sugar Estate Drama Festival and the British Guiana Dramatic Society among others…

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

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

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

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

who was part of our group while he was working at the radio station.

Allan

Cooper was part of the PEEWITT group, Sydney Benjamin was our choreographer and there was Leon Saul who was one of our directors…

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

DE: Yes, he has.

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

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

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

Drama DE: Guysuco Group, City Hall …

PP: Ian Valz…

DE: Yes, he was from the City Hall group and he was the one who did ‘House of Pressure’ with others from that group first performing ‘House of Pressure’.

Yes, there were many little drama groups around apart from the Theatre Guild but it was at the Theatre

Guild where you really got your training to learn the stage craft.

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

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

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

I don’t think we do long rehearsals now…

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

Let’s dwell a bit more on that training.

DE: That training was my foundation….But that wasn’t all; you also had to learn backstage, stage management, lights, sounds, you also had to learn front of house apart from cleaning the theatre…you had to clean your house – that’s how it was presented to us.

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

DE: Yes! You became a part of the theatre and theatre became a part of you.

We never got paid when we did Theatre Guild workshop productions, that was our give-back in return for been trained in the arts.

When we do a workshop production is when we gave back and importantly that’s when directors came and scouted for actors and actresses … so that’s another reason you gave of your best because that is how you will get cast.

I remember just after I did ‘Juno and the Peacock’, I went on to do ‘House of pressure’; right away Ian Valz cast me in ‘House of Pressure’ playing the girl friend to the Pressure Family’s daughter.

At the time though when I entered theatre at the Guild, local theatre was now becoming vibrant – we were having writers, Paloma Mohamed, Ian Valz, Ronald Hollingsworth, Harold Bascom, Mr Lloyd Grannum – a whole lot of people started to write local theatre, a lot of people was now gravitating towards local theatre….

Remember at the Guild, we were doing English and American plays where you had to speak the Queen ’s English.

PP: We’ll examine that change in a bit but let’s go back to something you

said earlier. You said at the Theatre Guild, you were not performing for monetary gains.

DE: In my time, we use to have Theatre Guild awards every year and that was our reward for performing. Now it’s monetary and I see nothing wrong with that. My concern is that the numbers of plays that people are in at the same time. In our days, if you’re in a production, you give your all to it. If you are in six productions in the Drama Festival, you can’t give your all; how much of you can you give to any one production.

For me, I think quality will be jeopardized.

I remember I had done, once in my life, three plays in one month – performed the first one at the beginning of the month, that means, I was not rehearsing for that play in that particular month. I did one in the middle and I did one in the end. I rehearsed for the two simultaneously; one was for the Theatre Guild and one for the National Cultural Centre. I begged Kwesi Oginga to take me out of the one for Theatre Guild because I felt I wasn’t [present] there enough to rehearse with the others so I felt it was unfair and unjust to the rest of the cast but he wanted me to do the lead role so badly that he made them rehearse without me by putting a stand-in and I was not happy with this because I feel you owe it to the people you working on stage with to give them the vibes….

PP: You touched on one important aspect of working together. What other things come out of working together as a team?

DE: We all became one so there is no small role because the lead depends on someone even with one line for the progression of the play; you become family – this play is us, this is not me or you. So that togetherness, that gelling really speaks volume and once you gel on stage, that gelling is thrown to the audience because the audience sees the family – we worked well together because we rehearse together. But once I was done with NCC, I gave all of my time to the production at the Theatre Guild, working in the day and working in the night.

At that time, I had quit my day job and went into acting professionally that was 1986....

PP: Wow, that was a concerted move because you knew or you had to know what you were getting into …

DE: I did know like I said earlier local theatre was

Notice to Readers

just becoming popular and I was been asked to do a lot of plays and I couldn’t learn my lines while I was at work so I made a conscious decision to leave my job at Guyana Stores; my manager saying something like this D if you don’t make it, come back – you are a good staff and I said to her that there was no turning back…I am going to do theatre; I am going to act, I am going to write, I am going to direct, I am going into this wholly. Let me know wood [knocking the table] I am still there because that’s what I wanted, I found my first love in theatre and that’s where I

wanted to be. So I continue in that same vein, when I came off the job, I remember I did ‘House of Pressure’ the second time when I played Mrs Pressure….

Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@ yahoo.com What’s Happening: The eleventh conference of the Guyana Institute of Historical Research is set for June 30, 2018; for further information please contact Hazel Woolford at 2204759/644-8877

Flowers die when winter comes, Stems curling and wilting into nothing But shriveled masses that exist, Yet don't, as if they are bluffing.

Many flames have snuffed out these past years; Friendships have died and dissipated Like those flowers in winter, Whose deaths were fated.

The landscape of my life, Was torn apart at the base by death That completely reshaped the environment Like winter's icy breath.

Nostalgia tears at me on these quiet days, When there is not an overload of work; The quiet seems to encourage Nostalgic memories to lurk.

There is no reigning them back in, Though, the moments that have fallen apart Like chalk on sidewalk, Children's favorite art.

I am young, but my youth Left a long time ago; I thought it was a river That would steadily flow.

I have missed out on so much, I claw at these wishes as time goes on; For my age is accumulating, And "young" is only a temporary term to don.

By Cody Henatt

If you have a poem and/or short story you would like to publish on our Literary Corner page, please email to timessundaymag@gmail.com. Kindly include your correct name and a contact number in your email. If you have any questions, please call 223-7230 or 223-7231.

8 Sunday Times Magazine

JUNE 24, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Travel and Tourism

A glimpse of the village

S

anta Aratak is the only indigenous settlement in Region 3 (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) and is located some 22 miles from the capital Georgetown. The community is the closest indigenous settlement to the capital city and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

With a population of approximately three thousand persons, the small village is located on the bank of the Camuni Creek with logging, farming and handicraft production being the main economic activities.

This small, yet dynamic community covers approximately 84 square miles of forest in Region Three. Founded in 1858, this village is populated mainly by the Arawak tribe and like other communities has benefited from significant investments. These include a health centre that provides improved medical care to villagers, nursery and primary schools, a community library and a craft centre.

A traditional benab

Notwithstanding the many challenges, this Village is ideally set for further economic growth with its abundance of forests and agricultural resources.

One of the most successful ventures undertaken in the area is the production of handicrafts through which a craft centre was established by a collaborative effort by the community, Government and its partners. This initiative now provides employment for a number of persons; particularly the women and residents are optimistic that more opportunities will be available with future expansion.

Santa Aratak with its sandy landscape surrounded by the Camuni River and dense forest is famed for its handicraft products.There is also a village monument representing the former Toshaos, a famous silk-cotton tree, and the Camuni Women Craft shop, where tourists can purchase a wide range of Indigenous Art and Craft at affordable prices.

Just recently, the community had its elections where it elected a young a vibrant Village Council. The newly elected Toshao is Hilton Williams and according to residents, he is all ready to breathe new life into the village. (Photos from Santa Aratak Villagers, MoIPA)

Locally produced craft Taking a plunge The newly sworn in village council of Santa / Aratack Amerindian Reservation, Essequibo Islands West Demerara. From Left - Clifford Barker, Merly Campo, Irving Daniels, Toshao Hilton Williams, Harold Newton, Winston Smith and Zwantje De Cambra.

A typical Santa Aratak house

The Village monument

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JUNE 24, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine

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10 Sunday Times Magazine

JUNE 24, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Feature

A

pplying make-up is not only about taking a brush and dabbing a little powder on one’s face rather it entails finding your shade, products that work for your skin tone, applying foundation, contouring and baking, eyeshadow, blush, highlight and a whole host of other things in order to enhance your features.

It takes someone with the love for the craft to venture into the field and make a career of it because of the amount of patience and time it requires.

F o r Natasha Persaud, applying make-up to enhance her features or cover a pimple was something she always had a knack for at a very young age. She has the patience to stand, cower and contour for

hours just to achieve the desired look.

It was that love for everything makeup that led the single mother towards becoming a make-up artist. Natasha is 27 years old; mother to a four-year-old daughter and the need to provide the best possible life for her daughter is what drives her to achieve perfection.

“I am a strong, independent woman and about a year ago I opened my studio after years of doing house calls. Business is tough but you have to persevere and everything will fall in place,” she said.

Natasha’s studio, Tasha’s Touch of Elegance, is located in Eccles on the East Bank of Demerara and she explains that the journey to that

accomplishment is one that was filled with challenges. She added that the misconception with Make-Up Artists is that they are too expensive but clients do not consider the costs of make-up, brushes and labour.

Natasha, a professionally trained make-up artist, says there is much more to make-up than what meets the eye. To achieve the desired look, one would have to start with the basics. Since some products absorbs the natural moisture and oils our bodies produce, one would have to first moisturize the area make-up is to be applied to. After moisturizing, then comes the application of primer followed by foundation and concealer. Once concealing is finished, the artist then moves to the brows and gives the face time to bake which is letting translucent powder sit on your face for five to 10 minutes, which allows the heat from your face to set your base foundation and concealer, and then dusting it off your face, leaving you with a creaseless, flawless finish.

Once baking is completed then comes the highlighting, application of blush, eyeshadow and lipstick.

Sounds like a lot right? Yes! As Natasha puts it, the application of make-up is a lengthy process that requires commitment and knowledge of both the product and desired look.

“When I am finished with my clients, I want them to look good and feel good. Makeup shouldn’t be too much that it overpowers the person but it should be just enough to accentuate the client,” she says.

As a relatively young person now establishing a

business, Natasha says the challenges are many and they range from accessing the right product, equipment and getting clients to pay the correct amount without complaining.

For now, Natasha is focused on building her brand and expanding her reach. She is currently offering make-up classes for anyone who has the drive and passion.

Natasha and her daughter

guyanatimesgy.com

JUNE 24, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 11

Home & Cooking

W

hether it is your home, your business or your office space, interior design always matters. Your psychological and physiological environment defines your lifestyle. This is why you should always invest to give your interior designs a little extra oomph. beauty may lie in the eye of the beholder, but that is only one part of the perspective when it comes to living holistically. The benefits of interior design not only determine your quality of life but how you perceive spaces as a whole. So here are some tips to make your home more holistic.

Let the sun shine in

Ideally, window dressings should be functional and elegant: Think sheers paired with full-length panels. If your room gets a lot of sun, opt for light colors that won't fade. The most recommended lightweight fabrics for panels are cotton, linen, and silk blends because they tend to hang well.

Barra

1 lb. flour 1/4 tsp sugar 1 tsp salt 1 tsp yeast 1 tbsp baking powder 1/2 tsp saffron powder (turmeric) 1 3/4 - 2 cups water 1 tbsp olive oil Oil for frying

Start with your colour scheme

For a head to toe makeover the first step is creating a palette. The colour scheme sets the tone for the entire house making it more unique while highlighting the prominent features and creating that personalized look.

Give outdated finishes the Cinderella treatment

Got dated fixtures?

Reinvent them with spray paint and inexpensive refinishing kits. Even outdated kitchen cabinets benefit from a few coats of white paint and new hardware.

Hang at least one mirror in every room

Mirrors can make a space feel brighter because they bounce the light around the room but placing one in the wrong spot can be almost as bad as not having one at all. Put mirrors on walls perpendicular to windows, not directly across from them. Hanging a mirror directly opposite a window can actually bounce the light right back out the window.

Channa

1 lb. channa - soaked overnight

METHOD:

Mix all dry ingredients.

Add water and knead until smooth.

Pour oil over the dough.

Tightly cover with foil and let rest for 1 hour.

Grease a pan and your hands liberally.

Divide dough balls into 1 1/2 inch balls.

Heat oil to 350°F. Spread barra as thinly as you can.

Fry on both sides for 6-8 seconds.

Channa

Add channa and water to a pot and put to boil.

After 30 mins add baking soda.

8 cups water 2 tsp baking soda 2 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp curry powder 1 tsp geera powder 1 tsp masala powder 4 cloves garlic - minced 1/3 cup onion - finely chopped 10 leaves chadon beni (bandanya) - finely chopped 2 tsp scotch bonnet pepper – fine chopped Salt to taste 1/2 tsp black pepper Continue to boil for 30 mins.

Set aside.

Heat oil over med heat.

Mix curry, geera and masala in 1/4 cup of water and add to pot.

Then add onion and garlic.

Sauté until golden and curry has dried down. 5-6 minutes.

Add channa and scotch bonnet, reduce heat to low and let simmer for 15 minutes.

Pour enough water to cover channa if needed.

After 15 minutes add chadon beni and mash a few channa to thicken sauce.

Add salt and black pepper Fix doubles to your liking with various chutneys and sauces.

12 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

JUNE 24, 2018

Puzzles

ACROSS

1 Ottoman VIP

6 Prized instr.

11 Wine label info

15 Entice

20 Kate's sitcom friend

21 Betel nut source 22 Farewell

24 Like a caterpillar

25 Image, in combos 26 Shy

27 La Scala city

28 Up and about

29 Piece of pasta

31 Nobelist from Egypt

33 Technical word

34 Ditto (2 wds.)

35 Woodpeckers

37 Raised cattle

39 Miners dig it 41 Almost-grads 42 Lax

43 "-- be surprised!"

44 Quench

46 California's -- Woods

50 ABA member

51 Whining noise 52 Telegram

53 Pakistan language

57 Mr. Vivaldi 59 Cat's-paw

60 Hitched, as oxen

61 Drought ender

62 Babylonian goddess of love

63 Type of survivor

64 Fixed a squeak

65 Beatty of films 66 Coach

67 "Nutcracker" wear

68 Upscale cooks

69 Verging on (2 wds.)

72 Early U-235 regulator

73 Container weight

74 Emulates Galen

75 Fat fiddle, briefly 76 Dormant

79 Disguise item

80 Took a break

84 Film composer -- Zimmer

85 Nurse's concern

86 Sleek sled

87 Passing grade

88 Checks for fraud

91 -- fatale

92 -- au rhum 93 Dough

95 1101, in old Rome

96 Speech problems 97 Grant

98 Temporary wheels

99 Canute's foe

101 Attics

102 Elmer -- of toons

103 "Hello!" (2 wds.)

104 Demolish

105 Makes a choice

106 Be in harmony

107 Huge racket 108 Ex-superpower

109 Cardiff natives

111 "Smallville" girl

112 Bevy of wives

114 Ski lodge instructor

117 Moo goo -- pan

118 -- colada 119 Castles 124 Crowd

126 Hill's opposite 128 Minimum

130 Bedouin's domain 131 Woodwinds 132 Glorify

134 Big-band name 136 Mallet 137 Doctrine

138 Interior design

139 Filmmakers Joel and Ethan

140 Go to the polls

141 Some bouquets 142 Fresh 143 Equivocate

144 Hits the hammock

DOWN

1 Special effort

2 Aluminum company

3 Single-masted boat

4 Harts' mates

5 Wind god

6 Posed for an artist

7 Cut in thirds 8 Comment

9 Metal eaters

10 1920s art form

11 Sweet potato

12 Polished, as text

13 Felt under par

14 "-- Window"

15 Oxford's river 16 Leisure

17 Hands, slangily

18 Abbot's underling 19 Novices

23 Adrift

30 Cream puff

81

32 Juicy steak (hyph.)

82

36 Green Hornet's aide

83

38 Toupee, slangily 85

40 Wished undone

86

43 "Holy cow!"

88 44 Embankments

89

45 Where to find Port.

90

46 Fruity cocktail (2 wds.)

91

47 Invisible, maybe

92

48 Ulysses' home

93

49 Campus mil. gp.

94

51 Bantu people

96

52 Eats fast 54 Diatribe

55 Reduced in calories 56 Disentangle

58 "Not a chance!"

59 Lavish affection on

60 Bond return

63 Positive

64 Chicago airport

67 Hebrew T's

68 -- and desist 69 Good-natured

70 Help-wanted abbr.

71 Really big tees

73 Cookie sheets 74 Tillers

75 First-magnitude star

77 T'ai -- ch'uan

78 Edge a doily

79 Speed inhibitors

80 Cartoonist -- Goldberg

Tea biscuits Conger catchers More beloved Nuisances Alan or Cheryl Love, to Claudius NCAA Bruins Cameron -- of films 20 percent "Adam --" Witticism Waikiki setting Off-balance

97 Fidel's country

98 Cosmetic buys

100 Less than many

101 Albright or Montez

102 Semester ender

103 Trumpeter Al - 106 Snowy mo.

107 Flitting about 110 Discharges

111 Stay hidden (2 wds.)

112 Emceed

113 Barely adequate 114 Snapshot

115 In judge's garb

116 Maine campus town

118 Location

119 Danish islands

120 Fossil rock 121 Conserves 122 Build

123 De-ices the roads

125 Moose or elk

127 Used a hatchet

129 Per person

133 Experiment with

135 Vane dir.

See Solution on Pg 13

KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME TODAY'S WORD -- FRAZZLED (FRAZZLED: FRAZ-uld: Exhausted physically and emotionally.)

Average mark 23 words Time limit 30 minutes Can you find 29 or more

fade fare faze fear feral flare

flea fled rale raze read real

words in FRAZZLED?

adze alder zeal lade lard laze

lead leaf earl dale dare daze

dazzle dazzler deaf deal dear

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of "s," such as "bats" or "dies," are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a "d" or an "s" may not be used. For example, if "bake" is used, "baked" or "bakes" are not allowed, but "bake" and "baking" are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

Lungs Trachea Pharynx Vocal cords

Nasal passage Epiglottis Larynx Diaphragm

Bronchi Alveoli Pneumonia Chronic

guyanatimesgy.com

JUNE 24, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 13

Tech

A

mazon's digital assistant Alexa will be installed in some US Marriottowned hotels, following a partnership between the two firms. Its functions will include ordering room service, housekeeping and providing concierge advice, the firm said.

The Wynn Resorts chain in Las Vegas installed the Amazon Echo in around 5,000 hotel suites in 2016. Marriott is reported to have considered both Alexa and Apple's Siri.

A spokesperson told the Financial Times the deal with Amazon was not exclusive.

"This was not a direct comparison with Siri," said Tracey Schroeder, Marriott's vice-president of global consumer public relations.

In 2016 Aloft Hotels, which is owned by

Marriott, introduced voice-activated hotel rooms controlled via Siri, and a custombuilt app on an iPad. "Today's early adopter, hyperconnected global traveller wants a level of personalisation unlike ever before, and that means being able to control their hotel experience with the sound of their voice," said global brand leader Brian McGuinness at the time.

However the latest news was not welcomed by all.

"I will pay a premium for any hotel room that does not have one of these devices in it," tweeted journalist Kate Allen.

"Alexa. Can you err leave the room?" responded Natalie de Freitas. (BBC)

T

esla chief executive Elon Musk has accused an employee of carrying out "extensive and damaging sabotage" at the electric carmaker.

In an email to staff, Mr Musk said an unnamed employee made unspecified coding changes to its manufacturing operating system and sent sensitive data to unnamed third parties. The company did not comment and the allegations have not been verified.

The matter will be investigated, Mr Musk said.

"The full extent of his actions are not yet clear, but what he has admitted so far is pretty bad," he said in the email.

"His stated motivation is that he wanted a promotion that he did not receive. As you know there are a long list of organisations that want Tesla to die," he added, citing Wall Street short-sellers, oil and gas companies and rival carmakers as being among them.

In a separate email to staff, Mr Musk said there had been a small fire at a Tesla factory on Sunday. It was quickly extinguished and did not cause any injuries or significant damage, he added. The factory fire followed a video tweeted by US actress Mary McCormack of a fire in a Tesla car driven by her husband, British TV director Michael Morris, in Los Angeles.

Tesla said the car fire was an "extraordinarily unusual occurrence".

Last week, Mr Musk said 9% of Tesla's workforce would be cut as part of a restructuring of the carmaker, which has not made an annual profit since it was created nearly 15 years ago. After reporting a record quarterly loss of almost $710m in the first three months of the year, Mr Musk came in for criticism after he vetoed "boring" questions from analysts. (BBC)

Apple fined $6.6 million after iPhones and iPads stopped working because they had third-party parts

T

-Mobile and Sprint filed public interest statements to the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday.

The 700-page filing is part of the companies’ bid to merge, which they say will help them deploy a nationwide 5G network through a $40 billion investment.

Highly anticipated, 5G is the next generation of wireless technology that many tech companies are already working on. This version of 5G that both companies are discussing will be built on top of existing LTE networks, and it won’t be a standalone 5G network, which is still yet to come. Without the merger, both companies agree that they’ll eventually deliver 5G internet, but that the speed

A of development will be much slower.

The merger would combine T-Mobile’s 5G plan to use the 600MHz band of spectrum and Sprint’s plan

Crossword Solution

to use the 2.5GHz band to build a 5G network that the companies claim is both broad and thorough.

T-Mobile states in a blog post: “We believe that no one else — not Verizon, not AT&T, not Dish, not Comcast, not Charter — will have the breadth AND depth we can bring together with Sprint.”

T-Mobile argues that the US needs to beat other countries to the punch when it comes to deploying a 5G network, echoing the nationalistic sentiments that the Trump administration has shared before. The carrier says, “If we don’t take decisive, positive action, we risk ceding global leadership in both 5G AND the entire next wave of technology to a country other than America.

We cannot relinquish our leadership here.”

Authorities still need to weigh in on the merger, which if approved, will be finalized in the first half of next year. (The Verge)

n Australian court has fined Apple $9 million AUD (about $6.6 million USD) for its refusal to fix iPhones and iPads that had previously been repaired with third-party parts. Users reached out to Apple for help when their phones were bricked by “Error 53,” a software update that made phones repaired by outside parties inoperable.

Apple says it misled at least 275 Australian customers whose devices were affected by telling them they were not eligible for repairs. The company has since reached out to 5,000 affected customers,

T

CL’s BlackBerry Key2 now has a release date: it’ll be available on July 13th in the United States starting at $649.99 ($100 more than the KeyOne cost at launch), with preorders set to start at Amazon and Best Buy on June 29th.

The Key2 is an upgraded version of the KeyOne. TCL has updated the design a bit, slimming down the bezels and making the iconic physical keyboard slightly larger. But this isn’t a radical redesign. Specs have also been boosted since the KeyOne: there’s a more powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 chip (versus the 625 from the KeyOne), and both RAM and internal storage have been doubled from the previous model to 6GB of memory and either 64GB or 128GB of space.

The front-facing camera is still an 8-megapixel shooter, but the rear camera is a new dual 12-megapixel camera system that’s become all the rage in the smartphone space these days. Other things haven’t been changed at all, like the 4.5-inch LCD screen (with a 3:2 aspect ratio because you have to

according to Australia’s Competition and Consumer Commission.

Apple told The Verge in 2016 — when the error first showed up — that it was the result of “security checks” to make sure a legitimate Touch ID sensor was being used.

“If iOS finds a mismatch, the check fails and Touch ID, including for Apple Pay use, is disabled.” Essentially, the errors showed up due to a link disruption between Touch ID and the company’s Secure Enclave — although the whole device was affected, not just the touch sensor. Apple later issued its own fix for the problem. (The Verge)

have space for that keyboard, after all) and the beefy 3,500mAh battery.

Both Amazon and Best Buy will be offering the Key2 unlocked (although TCL and BlackBerry say that the phone is optimized for GSM carriers such as AT&T and T-Mobile) in silver and black options.

14 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

JUNE 24, 2018

Bollywood/Hollywood

R

apper XXXTentacion was shot and killed during an apparent robbery Monday in Broward County, Florida, police said.

The 20-year-old rapper, whose real name was Jahseh Onfroy, was leaving a motorsports store shortly before 4 p.m. when two men in a dark colored SUV shot and killed him in an apparent robbery, said Keyla Concepción, Broward County sheriff department public information officer.

Broward County deputies are actively looking for the two men and asking anyone who witnessed the shooting to come forward, Concepción said.

XXXTentacion, a Plantation, Florida, native, rocketed to fame after his song "Look at Me" went viral on social media and audio distribution platform

SoundCloud in 2016 according to CNN affiliate WSVNTV. He went on to be featured in XXL magazine's 2017 Freshman Class alongside other up-and-coming artists.

His latest album "?" pre-

B

A

ctress Kajol has lent her voice to the character of Helen Parr, Elastigirl, for the Hindi version of 'Incredibles 2'. "'Incredibles 2' brings to us a heartwarming tale of a family that is like us. But yet they are different. There were so many moments in the story that I could relate with and I knew I had to join the fun," Kajol said in a statement.

The sequel picks up right after the 2004 original, with Craig T. Nelson returning as the voice of Bob Parr, Holly Hunter as Elastigirl and Samuel L. Jackson as Frozone.

Brad Bird, who voices fashion designer Edna Mode, is back to direct the project.

The sequel again deals with the Parr family attempting balance having a normal life with their superhero powers.

"I am really excited to be a part of the family of Supers and contribute to this fun

miered at No. 1 when it was released in March, according to Billboard's website. The album's single "Sad!" peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent 15 weeks on the charts, according to Billboard.

At the time of his death, he was awaiting trial for a domestic violence incident, court documents said. He was accused of punching his pregnant girlfriend "to where both eyes became shut and victim could not see," according to a police report.

And he had been under house arrest for a time while he awaited trial on battery and harassment charges.

The house arrest was lifted in March, according to MiamiDade court documents. He had pleaded not guilty to multiple felony counts, including witness tampering. (CNN)

eyoncé is back with another world-stopping surprise album — and this time she brought her husband, Jay-Z, along for the ride.

With no advance

feature in my own special way," added Kajol.

On getting Kajol on board, Bikram Duggal, head of the company's India division, said: "The wonderful stories and lovable characters from Disney.Pixar have always held a special place in the hearts of millions of Indian fans. With Kajol as Helen aka Elastigirl, 'Incredibles 2' will definitely appeal to newer audiences and families-at-large."

The film is slated released in India on June 22 in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.

W

A

ctress Priyanka Chopra is writing a memoir, titled 'Unfinished', which will be published simultaneously in India, the US and Britain next year. In the memoir, Priyanka said, she is ready to write about her feelings during the course of what has been a fascinating journey.

"The flavour of the book will be honest, funny, spirited, bold, and rebellious, just like me," said Priyanka, whose foray into the entertainment industry began at the age of 17 when she won Miss India and went on to win Miss World the following year.

"I have always been a private person, I've never spoken about my feelings during my journey but I am ready to do so now. I was raised to be fearless when it came to opinions, and I would like to tell my story in the hopes of inspiring people -- especially women -- to change the conversation, to shatter glass ceilings.

"Women are always told we can't have everything. I want everything, and I believe anyone else can have it too. I'm proof of it," she added. The surprise announcement was made late on Monday by leading publishing house, which recently announced the publication of A.R Rahman's authorized biography.

UK and Commonwealth (including India) rights were acquired at auction from Siobhan O'Neill and Fiona Baird, on behalf of Mel Berger, of William Morris Endeavor.

Meru Gokhale, Editor-in-Chief of a leading publishing house, said, "I met Priyanka Chopra for the first time when she delivered the Penguin Annual Lecture in New Delhi in 2017, and was amazed at the way people in the audience, and especially young women, responded to her words, her provocation and her rallying cry. (Times of India)

warning or promotion beyond their ability to grab international headlines with every move, popular culture’s first couple — billed here as The Carters — released its long-rumored and teased collaborative album evening following a concert in London. In what has become something of a familiar ritual, the sudden release immediately sent fans and the industry into a tizzy. Beyoncé first posted news about the record to Instagram and Twitter. As the couple’s show at London Stadium concluded Saturday night, a large sign announced: “ALBUM OUT NOW.” A representative for Jay-Z said “Everything Is Love” was being released by the artists’ labels,

ith Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma’s secret wedding last year and Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja’s low key nuptials last month, Bollywood weddings seems to be in vogue. Now, everyone is eagerly waiting to see when will Ranveer Singh and his beau Deepika Padukone will finally take the plunge and it looks like it might just be this year.

According to reports, November 10 is the date that has been decided by both families to host the wedding. As for where the grand event will take place, speculations are rife that it could be either Bangalore or Italy or perhaps both. That’s not it, there are rumours doing the rounds that the roka was actually done long back and that the only hold up was due to the fixing of the date.

Apparently, the two stars wanted it to be perfect and settled on November 10 as it is the time when both can be free from their

Parkwood and Roc Nation, in tandem.

The album also came with a video for the song “Apes**t” directed by Ricky Saiz, shot on location at the Louvre in Paris last month, representatives for the couple said.

Beyoncé pioneered this brand of musical ambush on the widest of scales with her 2013 self-titled album, which included videos for each track. The singer upped the ante in April 2016 with the semi-surprise release of “Lemonade,” debuting the music via a big-budget, hourlong film that premiered on HBO. That album, a staggering if carefully orchestrated confession about marital discord and black womanhood, also in-

troduced a new chapter for Beyoncé and Jay-Z, who have increasingly mined public perception (and rumors) about their life together in art and performance. (NY Times)

professional commitments. Well, it seems like a really exciting prospect overall if it turns out to be true.

Apparently, Ranveer and Deepika were considering July to make their relationship official but owing to their work commitments, they had to push it back to November.

Recently there were even reports that Deepika is trying to keep her calendar free by not signing any films. However, these rumours were later denied by a close source to the actress.

There hasn't been any official announcement made about the wedding date as of yet. Initially, during an interview, Ranveer Singh had admitted that marriage was on his mind, but the actor later confirmed that the wedding rumours are all speculated and if he plans to get married this year then he will shout from the rooftops. (Times of India)

C

omedian Pete Davidson has confirmed he is engaged to Ariana Grande, adding: "I feel like I won a contest."

The couple started dating in May and there was speculation earlier this month they were planning to get married.

Speaking on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Pete - best known for his role on US comedy show SNL - confirmed they were engaged, adding: "It's lit."

He said one fan even came up to him and said: "You gave me hope".

It's the first time either of the pair have spoken publicly about their engagement - although Ariana appeared to confirm the news earlier this month when replying to fans on social media. On The Tonight Show, Jimmy Fallon jokingly told Pete that he "didn't have to get engaged to Ariana Grande to come on our show".

When asked how he was handling it all, the comedian said that men were walking past him and tipping their hat as a sign of respect.

"Some dude came up to me and was like: 'Yo man, you gave me hope'. I didn't know I was that ugly."

On Saturday, Pete shared a photo on Instagram which appeared to show Ariana wearing an engagement ring. It included the caption: "You know what you'd dream it be like? It's better than that."

The couple have both recently come out of other relationships. Ariana was dating rapper Mac Miller, while Pete was in a relationship with Cazzie David, whose dad is comedian Larry David. The singer recently spoke about her recently ended relationship with Mac Miller, calling it "toxic".

"I am not a babysitter or a mother and no woman should feel that they need to be," she said.

guyanatimesgy.com

JUNE 24, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 15

16 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

JUNE 24, 2018

Fun Times

Archie

ARIES (March 21April 19)

A physical challenge will get you moving, but if you cross a line and overdo it, you'll face injury or loss.

Gauge what is and isn't possible carefully.

If things aren't running TAURUS smoothly at home or in your (April 20- personal life, take a breather May 20) and visit you can trust to offer doable solutions and help you achieve your goal.

Tidy up and get your GEMINI place in order. Host a small (MAY 28- gathering or visit someone June 20) who makes you feel special.

Don't let a physical challenge daunt you. Go with the flow, not against it.

If you take part in something that interests you, it (June 21- will change your life. The July 22) people you encounter and the information you receive will give you a new perspective on things.

CANCER

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

Peanuts

Don't let your high energy lead to distress, accidents or mishaps. Control your angst and tuck your emotions away to avoid discord. Look inward and focus on self-improvement and romance.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

If you listen to other people's perspectives on life, it will raise questions about your own. A proposition looks inviting, and a change will do you good.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Look for the positive and concentrate on how you can be your best, instead of focusing on what others do or say -- or wasting your time trying to change others.

It's OK if someone doesn't SCORPIO (Oct. 24- like the way you do things or Nov. 22) what you are up to. Don't give up on your plans, and keep doing your own thing.

SAGITTARIUS Touching base with some(Nov. 23- one from your past will bring Dec. 21) back memories and spark enthusiasm for something you used to enjoy. Romance is featured and will improve your outlook.

Calvin and Hobbes

Your involvement in a CAPRICORN cause or an intellectual con(Dec. 22- tribution you make will enJan. 19) courage you to make a positive change at home or to your lifestyle.

Don't give up on love.

AQUARIUS Relationships take work, (Jan. 20- and being realistic and willFeb. 19) ing to put in the time and effort to get along with others will be well worth your while.

Money or a gift will be a PISCES (Feb. 20- welcome surprise. Paying Mar. 20) off debt or collecting money owed to you should be a priority. Personal stability is within reach.