01062017 weekend

The Tribune

Friday, January 6, 2017

art books film pageants music design food puzzles gardening

Weekend

miss fashion hall Pages 12&13

A legendary night ‘All of Me’ singer captivates audience Music, page 7

02 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, January 6, 2017

life through a lens

New Year’s on the Cay P

alm Cay said goodbye to 2016 and hello to 2017 with style. The gated community’s Marina and Beach Club celebrated New Year’s Eve with what they described as their “biggest party ever”.

The sold-out event featured a gourmet buffet, all-night dancing by the beach, fire dancers, live music entertainment and a Junkanoo rush-out and fireworks at midnight.

Party-goers – all dressed in white and silver – included residents, visitors and even boaters who moored at Palm Cay specifically for the festivities.

Have you taken a selection of photographs that might make a Life through a lens feature page? If so please submit it to weekend@ tribunemedia.net for consideration

The Tribune | Weekend | 03

Friday, January 6, 2017

Inside Weekend Interview 4 - 5 Award-winning singer and journalist Vanessa Clarke talks about finding faith and inspirational role models Music 7 John Legend delivers a A New Year’s concert to remember

Food 8-9 Mmm’azing Bakes hosts wedding cake workshop with international cake designer Art 10 Omar Richardson returns home for “Renewal” exhibit

Fashion 11-13 Fashion Hall hosts new pageant to boost self-esteem, plus Bahari opens its downtown store Podcasts 17 The best shows for a happier, healthier 2017

Pageants 18 Miss Bahamas World Ashley Hamilton takes on Washington

Design your lifestyle 19 Victoria Sarne on how to follow through on good intentions Books 20 - 21 Wayne Neely dives into the deadliest hurricanes in this region’s history

Film and television 22 Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae and Taraji P Henson break barriers in “Hidden Figures”, plus HBO airs it’s Debbie Reynolds, Carrie Fisher special this weekend

Forgotten Facts 25 Paul Aranha remembers Nassau’s forgotten Chelsea Pottery Animals 27 Kim Aranha talks dog fights

Gardening 28 Jack Hardy on garden in January

Cover photo | Courtesy of Atlantis

My perfect Bahamian weekend Dereka Bain Banker and entrepreneur Q: Saturday breakfast or Sunday brunch?

“Saturday breakfast, because I am a morning person and that is the time that I am most alert.”

Q: Beach or sofa?

“The beach. I have always loved just enjoying the beach. I took my son when he was around three months so that he could get his first feel of the water.”

Q: Wine, rum, cocktail or Kalik?

“Wine. I always enjoy a glass of nice wine; it helps me to unwind and relax.”

Q: One thing that you could not live without?

“My family. They are the thing that keeps me going.”

Q: Weekend away; where would you go?

“Africa. As a woman of colour I have always been fascinated with black history and I would love to go and see where it all began; it is the motherland.”

Things 2 Do this weekend Friday • ‘King Eric’ Gibson All for One Regatta Time: 9am - 11pm (continues until January 8) Venue: Montagu Bay The three-day event will host all Class A, Class B, and Class C sailing sloops wanting to participate. There will be an array of onshore activities including entertainment by Ronnie Butler, Ira Storr and the Spank Band, Soulful Groovers Band, So Be It Band, Funky D, Geno D, Puzzle, Veronica Bishop, Ericka, Dyson, Exzec, Wendy and DJ Rev. • The Dream Board Party Experience with Keshelle Davis Time: 7pm Venue: The British Colonial Hilton Free for all previous dream board party participants and their friends.

During the Dreamboard Party Experience you will get an experienced goal setter and master trainer guiding you on how to identify achievable dreams, hit the reset button on your mindset and get back to blazing a trail toward prosperity in business, career and life.

• Swag and Stilettos Time: 9.15pm Venue: Thomas A Robinson National Stadium, Suite 33 Enjoy music by DJ Tank and DJ Turbulence. Admission is $15 in advance and $20 at the gate (includes one drink). Call 804-1914 for more information.

• Bottles on Bottles Time: 10pm Venue: Blue Waters Sporting Lounge.

Enjoy DJ Black’s birthday bash.

Free admission with free around the clock Jello shots all night, along with drink and bucket specials.

Security will be strictly enforced.

• Keeya live Time: 10pm Venue: Compass Point Start your weekend with the smooth sounds of Bahamian songstress Keeya. Admission is free.

• Inauguration IV – Guess Who? Time: 10pm Venue: Club Space, Victoria The black and white affair promises to be a night full of prizes and surprises. Admisson is $10 all night.

Music by DJ Kenny and League Entertainment.

Saturday • Rugby action Time: 11am Venue: Winton Rugby Centre The Cracked Conchs v Charlotte Legends at 11am; The Nassau Renegades v Charlotte Barbarians at 12.30pm, and the Nassau Ladies v Charlotte Ladies at 2pm.

• Heist – Come Tief A Wine with Icebox Time: 9pm Venue: Smugglers on George Street Featuring New York DJ Riggo

Suave, Washington, DC, SJ Majestic and local DJs Sanchez and MayDay. Tickets available at icebox.com.

• ‘The Aeolians in Paradise’ reception and gala concert Time: 7.30pm Venue: Balmoral Club The Aeolians, Oakwood University’s premier touring ensemble are the current gold medal champions of the World Choir Games.

They have travelled all over the world and will be performing for a Bahamian audience during two concerts this weekend.

The dress code is black tie. Tickets are $100 and proceeds go to SBC’s Multi Purpose Centre and Hurricane Relief Fund. RSVP at aeolianssbc@gmail.com.

Sunday • ‘The Aeolians in Paradise’ grand concert Time: 7.30pm Venue: Myles F Munroe Diplomat Centre The Aeolians, Oakwood University’s premier touring ensemble are the current gold medal champions of the World Choir Games.

They have travelled all over the world and will be performing for a Bahamian audience during two concerts this weekend.

The dress code is elegant. Tickets are $50 and proceeds go to SBC’s Multi Purpose Centre and Hurricane Relief Fund. RSVP at aeolianssbc@gmail.com.

04 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, January 6, 2017

interview A disastrous solo performance almost put an end to Vanessa Clarke’s career before it even got started. But the singer-cumjournalist tells Cara Hunt how recommitting to her faith, and with the support of her loved ones, she was able to go on to become a multi award-winning artist and successful writer.

Vanessa Clarke

L

ike many Bahamian artists, Vanessa Clarke had her first performing experience as a young girl singing with her church’s choir. But after a calamitous performance of the “O Holy Night”, the songbird-turnedjournalist almost gave up all notions of a singing career.

“I was singing in the choir from the age of four or five at the Church of God Temple in the Grove. My first solo came when I was about eight or nine, with the rendition of ‘O Holy Night’, which I butchered every time I hit a high note. The whole church

rolled over in laughter. I thought that was it for me and singing, because you couldn’t get me to sing again,” she told Tribune Weekend.

Despite the best efforts of Dwayen Josey, her choir director, Vanessa refused to sing again in public until the age of 15.

“When I got saved, a miracle happened. It’s as if I woke up one morning and I could sing, and sing for real. I sang in the house all the time, in every room, and then my mother, Vaneria Campbell-Rolle, forced me back in the choir.”

And it was a good thing her mom

acted as she did, because Vanessa’s career was about to take off.

“Since then, I made history in 1996 as the first winner of the Marlin Award for Best Female Artist, and I have three more of them under my belt. I also won a Cacique People’s Choice Award with the Group Da Fam which includes Tamika Taylor, Kenyatta Taylor and Rocky Solomon for FAM Records. I am nominated for two Marlin Awards at this year’s Caribbean Gospel Music Marlin Awards. Everything that makes me a singer comes from the Lord above because I have never had any formal training,” she explained.

Vanessa counts among her inspirations some of the biggest names in the music industry.

“From when I found out I had a gift, I listened to who I considered to be the best vocalists from multiple genres. My A-1 from day one has always been Mariah Carey. I trained myself how to reach those notes because in listening to her I told God that everyone was made with the same functioning parts. Everyone should have the same vocal box, and so if she can get up there, there has to be a way for me to do it. I was 16 at the time and I tried and tried and tried, until I figured it

The Tribune | Weekend | 05

Friday, January 6, 2017

out. It’s a simple mind over matter thing for me. Other artists that I have been influenced by over the years are Yolanda Adams, Tramaine Hawkins, Donnie McClurkin, and of course the late, great Michael Jackson. What Michael taught me was that if you are not going to give your all on stage, don’t give anything. I think my style is an amalgamation of all of them and not one particular artist. I also love Charlotte Church and Kathleen Battle.

I could switch into opera whenever I want. Listening to many great artists is always a good teacher,” she said.

Over the course of her long and varied musical career, Vanessa has worked with the best of the best in the Bahamas, both secular and gospel artists.

“I am a founding member of Harmonious Praise. I have worked on projects with Mark Cartwright and Fam Records, the late Kevan McKenzie – my mentor – and his brother Dillan ‘D-Mac’ McKenzie, Shaback, Tony Lowe, Tracy Tracy, Landlord, Solo, Phillip Forbes, Geno D, Funky D, Anwar, Ira Storr, KB, Spice, and that’s just who I can remember at this time,” she said.

“I recently appeared on TBN and I have been on BET and the Word Networks as part of Da Fam. I have been singing for almost 27 years and I have worked with many different artists. My bestie, Dedrie Hanna, and I opened for CARICOM when it was held at the National Centre for the Performing Arts over 10 years ago at the invitation of the late Kayla Lockhart-Edwards.

Because of that performance, Mrs Edwards invited us to open the Bahamas Games that year.”

But Vanessa still has some unfulfilled dreams when it comes to musical collaborations.

“All my life it was my dream to do something with Michael Jackson, simply because who is there better to learn from than the best. He was indisputably the best entertainer in the world and I did have a chance to sing backup for him as part of the Atlantis choir at the opening of the resort in 1998. But I would love to work with Pastor William Murphy. There is just something incredibly special about him as a music minister. When he sings – in fact, when he just opens his mouth – every neuron and every cell in your body just wants to praise God,” she said.

Vanessa says her goal has always been to been to encourage and lift people’s spirits with her music.

“Life paints such an ugly picture sometimes, and sometimes people just

need to know that in the midst of all of that struggle and all of that pain, when your enemies rise up against you, and when you feel hopeless and backed in a corner, that God is there and He is an ever-present help. I want people to experience God’s unadulterated love for us through my music,” she said.

Vanessa has also opened for such acclaimed performers as Vashawn Mitchell, Shana Wilson, Mary Mary (with Harmonious Praise), Kirk Franklin (with the Seventh-day Adventist Mass Youth Choir), and has appeared on TBN’s popular programme “Praise the Lord”, which also featured Smokie Norful and Donnie McClurkin.

Of all the places she has performed over the years, Vanessa said the most interesting has been at a small Seventhday Adventist Church in Fort Myers, Florida.

“I had a concert there and only 10 people showed up because there was a mix-up with the time. It was the best concert that I ever had. Every last one of those people came there looking for God. One had just gotten out of prison and was trying to find his way. He said he only saw his future in a grave. Another lady had just been diagnosed with cancer and was about to begin chemotherapy the next week.

Another man was recently divorced and still hurting. And the engineer had gotten in a bad car crash before he came there; that did not stop him.

After that concert that night, that same man, said he could not sleep because of the ministry he experienced. He got up the next morning and arranged for me to sing at the biggest Baptist church in that area with over 600 people. I was too surprised. When you give God your all, He gives you more than you even asked for,” she said.

While singing is what she loves, Vanessa said she feels her real gift is with the pen.

“It has always been my dream to be a writer. I fell very ill during my last year of high school and missed many days, and hence I did not do as well on the national exams as I would have liked and I gave up on my dreams and began working as a receptionist/secretary for Drs Earl Farrington and Cecil Bethel. These gentlemen, especially Dr Farrington, saw something beautiful in me and encouraged me to go back to school and pursue a career in journalism,” she said.

In fact, Vanessa’s first job in the field was at The Tribune in 1998.

“This was the beginning of my very best life – a life where I was living my dreams. I later worked at The Nassau Guardian where I became the lifestyles editor. I worked at JCN where I was worked in radio, print and television media. I later joined Dove 103.7 as a morning radio host and now I am at ZNS Northern Service in talk radio as host of ‘The Morning Glory’ show

on ‘The Light’. I have evolved as a journalist and broadcaster over the years. I did not see this for my life, but if we would only trust God with our future, we will be living the life of our dreams.”

Some of her career highlights include becoming a published author in 2014 with her book “Ready for Repositioning”. She has also covered CARICOM meetings and the first official visit of a sitting Bahamian Prime Minister to Cuba in 2002, and has interviewed celebrities like Michael Jordon, Johnny Cochran, Blair Underwood, Rick Fox, Kirk Franklin, Andre and Sandra Crouch, and Jack Wagner.

Vanessa was also the first Bahamian reporter to cover the Scripps Howard Spelling Bee in Washington, DC, and the historic broadcast of the “Walking In Victory” conference with Bishop Neil Ellis in North Carolina.

She covered the funeral of the late Sir Lynden Pindling and also sang before he took the podium at his last PLP convention in 1997.

Comparing her two passions, singing and writing, Vanessa said both have their challenges. In journalism, she said, the most difficult part is interviewing a person with few words.

“Some people have nothing to say and some people don’t know how to say what they want to say. So as a reporter or broadcaster your work becomes harder, especially if you’re live. You have come up with interesting question after question that would not cause you to get lost in dead air. As for singing, the most difficult part about singing for me is getting up on stage. I can sing, I know that. But I used to be extremely shy, and I had to grow myself some confidence and boldness,and courage to be able to stand up in front of thousands of people and sing. The largest crowd I had to sing in front of was about 13,000 at the Jamaican national stadium. That was crazy. I thought I would die.”

And of the two professions she said that journalism is easier for her.

“I don’t need to be in front of an audience. I can write a story in my sleep. I don’t have all of that pressure that comes with going on stage with everybody praying that you better be great,” she said.

Looking towards the future, Vanessa said she is working on a new worship CD. “My second book is already finished and ready for publishing, but I am trying to release them the same time later this month,” she added.

06 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, January 6, 2017

section

The Tribune | Weekend | 07

Friday, January 6, 2017

music

Photos courtesy of Atlantis

All of me loves all of John Legend

By Cara Hunt cbrennen@tribunemedia.net

F

or about an hour and a half last Friday evening I had the pleasure of listening to the smooth vocal stylings of John Legend.

Dressed in an impeccable white silk jacket, crisp white shirt and black pants, he took to the stage to perform for a sold-out crowd at Atlantis during his special pre-New Year’s concert, which was also a part of the resort’s LIVE series.

The Grammy and Oscar-winning singer-songwriter took his audience on – to quote his most famous song – “a magical mystery ride”.

From the moment he stepped onto the stage and began belting out the words to “Penthouse Floor”, to the final notes of his Academy Award -win-

ning song “Glory”, Legend held his audience – which consisted of fans of all ages, both locals and visitors – completely captive.

The Atlantis ballroom with its intimate seating was the perfect venue for the crooner, who sang more than a dozen of his signature ballads.

It was truly a marvellous journey through his career so far, showcasing material from each of his albums, including “Ordinary People” from his debut 2004 album “Get Lifted”.

He performed smash hits such “Green Light”, “Cloud Nine”, “Love Me Now”, “Tonight (Best You Ever Had)”, “You and I (Nobody in the World)” and “Made to Love”, as well as some new material from his latest album, “Darkness and Light”, which dropped last month.

The concert was a mix of big band sound and soulful background singers;

sensual lyrics accompanied by haunting melodies from the black grand piano which dominated the stage.

Legend said he was thrilled to have the opportunity to share his music with the world.

The singer, who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in English, first rose to prominence after having been introduced to Kanye West by his college roommate, who also happened to be Kanye’s cousin. Legend’s debut album was later released via Kanye’s GOOD Music label in late 2004.

The singer said he will always be grateful to Kanye for the role he played in establishing his career.

Legend told the Atlantis audience that while 2016 had its rough moments, he hoped that everyone would have an amazing 2017.

But of course the moment that most people were waiting for was his perfor-

mance of his hit song “All of Me” – a song which has been sung at probably thousands of weddings all around the world and recently reached one billion views on YouTube. It was definitely a huge draw in seeing John Legend live, and he didn’t disappoint.

After concluding the concert, the singer and his band left the stage to cries of, “What about ‘All of Me’?”.

He then returned to the piano, with a single spotlight on him, and asked the crowd if they wanted more before belting out an amazing rendition of the mega hit. To finish off the night, the encore concluded with an upbeat version of “Glory”, the song which won him an Academy Award and featured on the soundtrack for the motion picture “Selma”.

All in all it was an awesome way to say goodbye to 2016, and I can truly say that all of me now loves all of John Legend.

08 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, January 6, 2017

food Photo/Christina Ysaguirre

The art of the wedding cake Mmm’azing Bakes hosts workshop with international designer

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

P

roviding couples with their dream wedding has become big business in the Bahamas.

There are specialists that deal with everything from the themed décor to the unique flower arrangements. But aside from the dress, one of the most important centrepieces of any wedding is still the cake.

Over the past few years, the cakes that have been featured at weddings throughout the Bahamas have gotten more elaborate and have been perfected to capture a couple’s colour scheme and the theme of the celebration.

To help local pastry chefs and hobby bakers hone their skills in this area, the Mmm’azing Bakes bakery is hosting a wedding cake workshop entitled “Basics to Beauty” on January 14 at the New Providence Community Church.

The workshop will be hosted by Candace Chand, international cake designer and owner of Beau Petite Cupcakes. It will teach participants what organisers are calling “quick and easy” wedding cake décor techniques, including working with custom moulds, using confetti, ruffling, custom stenciling and more.

“This is the perfect gift for any cake artist who wants to start 2017 off right,”

ity Paula Deleveaux with celebr pasty chef Marina Sousa

Mmm’azing Bakes’ creation for the American Cake Decorating magazine.

Friday, January 6, 2017

“...it is really a joy to sit down and learn the couple, know what they want, and then provide that and have them satisfied at the end of the day with rave reviews.”

The Tribune | Weekend | 09

said the Mmm’azing Bakes team.

Paula Deleveaux, owner at Mmm’azing Bakes, said she is privileged to be a part of the workshop because she enjoys sharing knowledge, and it makes her feel good to know that other Bahamians can learn the art of cake decorating and take their skills to the next level.

“This company started about five years ago because I just wanted to provide higher end cakes to the Bahamas; cakes that looked magazine worthy. It was always a dream of mine. And then it all came about through social media really. I caught the eye of some international bakers, I also went off and did a few internships with bakers in California, so I was asked to submit different cakes for different magazines.

One of those persons was Candace Chand, and she was interested in coming down and doing a class on flower making which we did two years ago,” said Ms Deleveaux.

The class was so successful that participants asked for an encore.

In the upcoming workshop, Ms Chand will cover the process of learning how to cover cakes in fondant, how to marbleize fondant, how to create a finish that looks like silk, and create various sugar decorations to apply to a cake such as pearls, flowers and more.

“In this field you really get to rub shoulders with a lot of people and make friends and find clients that come to bake time and time again.

I love meeting the clients. For weddings I have to do tastings mostly, and it is really a joy to sit down and learn the couple, know what they want, and then provide that and have them satisfied at the end of the day with rave reviews,” said Ms Deleveaux.

Offering advice to aspiring cake decorators and pastry chefs, she said it is important to never look at the trade as something you cannot afford because everything is done step by step. She warned, however, to expect many sleepless nights if you are earnest in your endeavour.

“I would say always think positive and be around positive people so that they can encourage you, too.

Nothing beats trial and error, so it is always worth a try if that is your desire. It is also important to know that it is important to practice to exceed, it is not going to come overnight; it really takes time,” she said.

10 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, January 6, 2017

art

A “Renewal” of human consciousness Artist returns home for latest exhibit

Artwork from the “Renewal” collection

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

B

AHAMIAN artist Omar Richardson has returned home for a special showcase to exhibit new work that explores the varied states of human consciousness.

The key concepts in his print series, which he calls “Renewal”, are memory, reflection, loss and reinvention. The artist uses colours, dramatic marks, text and photography to visualise and express human consciousness.

The public is invited to view this body of work during the opening reception at the University of the Bahamas’ Pro Gallery on January 12 starting from 6pm.

While attending CR Walker Secondary School in Nassau, Mr Richardson discovered and developed his love for art and was greatly encouraged by his teacher to pursue this craft.

After graduating from high school he began studies in painting and ceramics at the College of the Bahamas. He then transferred to the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Georgia where he completed a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Painting and a minor in Printmaking. He was the first Master of Fine Arts printmaking grad student in the history of Savannah College of Art and Design.

While working as a professor at the

Artist Omar

Richardson

Art Institute of Atlanta-Decatur, Mr Richardson decided to hone his design skills by pursuing and completing a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Graphic Design in 2013. He is currently a professor of arts at the University of Tampa.

Mr Richardson’s art portfolio is comprised of mixed media, prints, photography and videography.

“My creative journey in the past 19 years was very amazing. I had amazing opportunities and chances to see different countries and experience different cultural aspects of creativity. I have also collaborated with a lot of talented individuals, groups of people and companies. But the art form I love the most is combining all mediums like mixed media, printmaking, photography and video,” he told Tribune Weekend.

“Throughout my artistic career, I have utilised and integrated painting, printmaking, mixed media, video and photography in my work. Thus, I am well versed in multiple aspects of art

and can guide across a diverse spectrum of artistic techniques,” he said.

In his most recent fine art print works Mr Richardson integrated symbolism from his Caribbean heritage as well as African Adinkra symbols.

“This places me in a position where I can apply my experience and background in fostering my visual development,” he said.

Mr Richardson’s art was displayed in the Central Bank of the Bahamas from 1999 to 2004. In 2007 and 2010 he won the Central Bank of the Bahamas An-

nual Art Competition. His first solo art show took place in 2000 at the College of the Bahamas. Other solo exhibitions include “Similar Differences II” in the Pro Gallery at the College of the Bahamas and a show in the City Trust Bank boardroom in 2002.

In 2007 and 2008 Mr Richardson’s was a featured artist at Shop SCAD in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia.

He was the first SCAD student to be invited to Highpoint’s Centre for Printmaking’s invitational exhibit in Minneapolis in 2008.

The Tribune | Weekend | 11

Friday, January 6, 2017

fashion

Bahari Bahamas opens on Bay Street

B

ahari is closed out 2016 with a bang by launching its Winter collection in its newest location in downtown Nassau, across from the Hilton British Colonial Hotel.

Bahari opened the doors to its third store on December 17 with a promotion called “12 Hours of Bahari” that showcased the brand’s latest collection.

Owners said this new store promises the same first-class, fabulous products and service Bahari has offered the Bahamian public over the past two years, with additional focus on resort wear.

Staying true to its signature aesthetics, the Bahari winter collection combines Bahamian flora, fauna and symbols to create distinctive patterns. The new collection includes, maxi dresses, bodycon dresses, polo shirts, linens, kaftans and more.

The third store is a touristfocused complement to Bahari Palmdale and Bahari in Freeport.

“The décor was thoughtfully planned out for the millions of tourists that arrive on our shores each year in search of distinctive and uniquely Bahamian keepsakes”, said Bahari Brand Manager Kyle Williams.

“We put a lot of thought and work into our newest location. We wanted the store to reflect the growth of the brand while and making a statement to both locals and tourists.”

Bahari, a 100 per cent Bahamian owned and operated company, aims to continue to raise the standards of branding and fashion merchandising in the Bahamas.

All products are available for purchase in-store and online at www.shopbahari. com.

Bahari hopes to appeal to both locals and visitors alike with its unique Bahamian-themed clothing

12| The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, January 6, 2017

fashion

An exercise in empowerment Fashion Hall hosts pageant to boost selfesteem in women

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

B

AHAMIAN women are encouraged to sign up and be part of a beauty pageant like no other. With the aim of boosting self-esteem and giving women a sense of empowerment, the pageant will crown five beauties aged 21 and older.

The finale of what organisers are calling the Miss Fashion Hall pageant is tentatively set for March 2.

Shakesha McPhee, sales and marketing manager of the Fashion Hall apparel store, said they hope to sign up as many women as possible.

The journey which participants will embark on, she said, will offer a great opportunity for personal growth and allow the women to network and meet leading ladies in Bahamian society.

“We have decided to host a Miss Fashion Hall pageant for the first time because we carry a variety of clothing for a variety of women, meaning we carry career and casual attire, and so much more. The demographic of women that we cater to I would say is anywhere between 20 and over, so we thought a Miss Fashion Hall pageant would be something to celebrate the female customers. It is also a great way for getting your feet wet; getting to know what pageantry is all about,” said Ms McPhee.

The Miss Fashion Hall categories will include Miss Fashion Hall, age 21 to 31, size small to large; Miss Fashion Hall Plus, ages 21 to 31, sizes X-large to 3X-large; Miss Ultra Fashion Hall, ages 32 to 41, size small to large; Miss Ultra

The Tribune | Weekend | 13

Friday, January 6, 2017

“You want that crown, but life happens. And sometimes you don’t really get to pursue those things. But I say it is never too late.”

Fashion Hall models showcase the store’s newest merchandise

Fashion Hall Plus, ages 32 to 41, sizes X-large to 3X-large, and Miss Grand Fashion Hall, ages 42 and over, size small to 3X-large.

Ms McPhee said they are going all out for this inaugural pageant. Highlights will include a seminar session for which a life coach will be invited to speak to the contestants, judges interviews, a float parade, a church service, brunch, makeup and photo sessions.

Above all, she said it is important to note that the pageant is geared toward empowering women to feel good about themselves.

“You can be married, single, a mother, and there are no size limitations. With Fashion Hall, we are always thinking of what can we do next, something that no one else is doing. For me growing up, a lot of young women had the idea to be in a beauty pageant.

You want that crown, but life happens, and sometimes you don’t really get to pursue those things. But I say it is never too late,” said Ms McPhee.

Her experience with the company’s models was in part was also inspired her to take on the task of organising the pageant. She said it has been a joy to see them grow more confident over the years.

“I have watched them when they first started with us and how they have stepped into their own, even the way they carry themselves on a regular basis with their entire look. I am interested in meeting this whole new group of women and be able to watch them accomplish and achieve certain things,” said Ms McPhee.

Along with the prizes that include a $1,000 wardrobe for each crowned winner, organisers are also offering a $500-scholarship donation to a selfimprovement course of the winners’ choosing.

The winners will also become the new faces of Fashion Hall’s marketing and advertisement campaigns throughout the entire year.

“Sometimes people think Fashion Hall is more of a mature store, but I want people to realize that Fashion Hall has really diversified its inventory and there is really something there for everyone, so I am excited to get that word out there because it is something that we can definitely build on,” said Ms McPhee.

Applications for Miss Fashion Hall are available at Fashion Hall’s Top of the Hill, Mackey Street location until January 30. For additional information, contact 393-4539.

SHORTS

TIH CINEMA FREE PM

11

4

CARIBBEAN AUNTIE SHORTS TIH(BARBADOS) THURSDAY | JAN 12 2017 CINEMA AUNTIE COAST

12

$10

& TOBAGO)

TIH EVENTS LAWN CAPTAIN

T&T PASSAGE

$50(TRINIDAD(&BAHAMAS TOBAGO))

PLAY THE DEVIL

2PM

54PM PM

TIH POOL TERRACE

66PM PM

JANUARY 12 - 15 2017

1

PM

2017 2017

$50 (inclusive of ‘Mas, bites n’ booze) CINEMAART CONNECT PM THE EMPTY BOX 11 AM & TOBAGO) (TRINIDAD (MEXICO/HAITI) $10 CARIBBEAN TIH TIH CINEMA SHORTS

PM

AUNTIE

Caribbean Shorts HOUR Assrt TIHFF HAPPY

COAST

MY FATHER’S My Father’s Land LAND BHS

6

CAPTAIN T&T (TRINIDAD & TOBAGO)

LAND USA

PASSAGE (BAHAMAS)

| JAN 14 2017 5

PM

11AM

The Empty Box (CUBA) EYES HALF SHUT

PRECEDED BY: EYES HALF SHUT (CUBA) PRECEDED 12PM BY:It’s A Potcke’s Life

MEX/ CUB

TIH POOL TERRACE

6

PM

BHS

TIH CINEMA

81PM PM

8

LION (AUSTRALIA) Art Connect

BY:

Director in Attendance

TIH LION (AUSTRALIA) PM CINEMA 5:30 I, Daniel Blake TIH $10 PM CINEMA

2017 $10

7PM

TTO

UK

8

PM

TIH CINEMA

Free

TIH MEETING ROOM

3:30

1

3:30

TIH Golden Globe Nominee CINEMA PM TIHFREE

$10

(TRINIDAD & TOBAGO)

TIH

CINEMA TIHFF TALKS $10

DANCING IN THE DARK THE GIVETON (BAHAMAS) STORY OF BERT WILLIAMS TIHFF PRECEDED TALKS

CINEMA TIHFF HAPPY HOUR FREE

Director in Attendance

$10 DANCING IN THE DARK THE BY:

5 MY FATHER’S LAND

STORY OF BERT WILLIAMS

PM

3:30 HAPPY HOUR TIHFF

5

(BAHAMAS)

ART CONNECT

PM

PM

TIH POOL Director in Attendance PM TERRACE

$10*

TIH CINEMA

HOUR *50% of proceeds will donatedTIHFF to FREE HAPPY TIHFF TALKS TIHbePOOL

2017 2017 5:30

Director in Attendance

EYES HALF SHUT (CUBA)

5:30 TIH

PM

PM

I, DANIEL BLAKE

DANCING IN THE DARK THE STORY OF BERT WILLIAMS

$10

(UK)

5 I, DANIEL BLAKE TIHFF HAPPY HOUR PM

CINEMA Actor Dave Johns in Attendance TERRACE TIH$10 CINEMA

TIH POOL

$10

$10

5:30

PM

TIH CINEMA

I, DANIEL BLAKE (UK)

SPONSORED BY:

SPONSORED BY:

PM

MEETINGTIH ROOM MEETING CINEMA ROOM INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION FREE FREETO PRODUCTION AM $10

11

LED BY CHARLIE ROSE LED BY CHARLIE ROSE

PM PM TIH TIH CINEMA CINEMA Asphalte FREE TIH FREE

1

(UK)

CINEMA AUNTIE AUNTIE PM (BARBADOS) Tommy’s Honour $10(BARBADOS) (UK)

7

PM Director: Paddy Breathnach OPEN Country: Cuba & DOORS Ireland OPEN

$50

& PIG ROAST

AM

Moonlight

USAPLAYActor Patrick (UK)

8PM

AN ACTORS LIFE BY:VACARROFRA Dalida LED BY EVELYN CAPTAIN T&T

$10

CAPTAIN T&T (TRINIDAD & TOBAGO)

GROUT PLAY (UK) MACADAM STORIES: 11 PRECEDED (TRINIDAD & TOBAGO)

AM

ASPHALTE PASSAGE

TIH PM TIHFFHONOUR HAPPY HOUR PM PM TOMMY’S MEETING TIH POOL TIH POOL TIHFF HAPPY HOUR (UK) TERRACEROOM TERRACE TIH TIHFF TALKS CINEMA TIH FREE CONVERSATION WITH

FATHER’S LAND 6ROOM 6MY MYMARIA FATHER’S LAND GOVAN (BAHAMAS) (BAHAMAS)

TIHFF TALKS PLAY FREE GROUT SATURDAY |TIHJAN 14 2017 TIH PRECEDED CONVERSATION WITH CINEMA BY: CINEMA MARIA GOVAN MOONLIGHT (USA) 3:30 $10 5$10PM PM

(UK)

2 5 PM PM

TIH CINEMA MOONLIGHT (USA) EYES HALF SHUT (CUBA)

$10

EYES HALF SHUT (CUBA)

TIH PRECEDED PRECEDED TIH MEETING BY: BY: ROOM CINEMA TIHFF TALKS FREE

$10

MACADAM STORIES: ASPHALTE ASPHALTE

AM

TIH TIH CINEMA CINEMA

$10 $10 PM

$10 IT’S LIFE IT’SAAPOTCAKE POTCAKE LIFE (THE BAHAMAS)

11

TOMMY’S HONOUR TOMMY’S HONOUR (UK)

PM PM

(THE BAHAMAS)

TIH DecileMEETING in TIH Attendance MEETING ROOM ROOM

$10

(UK)

TIH TIH CINEMA CINEMA

$10

BY:BY:

PM

PM

1PM

11

TIH TIH CINEMA CINEMA

PM

$10MEETING

$10

LED BY EVELYN VACARRO

FRIDAY | JAN1113 2017MACADAM STORIES: AM

$10 to Production Introduction $10

5 TIHFF 5TALKS 12 $10

(MEXICO/HAITI)

ANLED ACTORS LIFE

BY EVELYN VACARRO

$10 Actress Veva Alviti in Attendance $10 1 PM1 PM ART ARTCONNECT CONNECT

BY:PASSAGE TIH (BAHAMAS) CINEMA (BAHAMAS)

2

THE THEEMPTY EMPTYBOX BOX (MEXICO/HAITI)

TIH TIH CINEMA CINEMA

PM

TIHCINEMA COAST COAST MEETING (JAMAICA) GROUT (JAMAICA) ROOM MASTER CLASS: PRECEDED FREE

CONVERSATION WITH MARIA GOVAN

Led by Charlie Rose

GROUT A hands-on workshop where students can(UK) discover how one can spin (UK) GROUT PLAYPLAY PRECEDED an interestingPRECEDED idea into a compelling, visual narrative.

(TRINIDAD && TOBAGO) (TRINIDAD TOBAGO)

$10 $10

FREE

SATURDAY | JAN 14 2017

GIVETON (BAHAMAS) GIVETON (BAHAMAS) PRECEDED PRECEDED BY: BY:

22

PM PM

9AM

TIH TIH MEETING MEETING ROOM ROOM TIHFF TALKS TIHFF TALKS FREE FREE

3:30 3:30

CONVERSATION CONVERSATION WITHWITH MARIA GOVAN MARIA GOVAN

PM PM

TIH TIH CINEMA CINEMA TIHFF TALKS The FREE best-selling of Bahamian TIHFF TALKS FREE black

decent recording artist beforeIN1920; DANCING THE DANCING IN THEDARK DARKTHE THE STORY OFOF BERT the New York Dramatic Mirror called STORY BERTWILLIAMS WILLIAMS Bert Williams “one of the great comedians of the world”. Join Marion PM PM Bethel, Erica Wells, and Dr. HAPPY Craig TIHFF TIHFF HAPPYHOUR HOUR TIH POOL Smith as TIH theyPOOL explore the intriguing TERRACE TERRACE and moving life story of this great stage comedian.

55

55

PMPM

MOONLIGHT MOONLIGHT (USA) (USA)

TIH TIH CINEMA CINEMA

Acting Workshop Led by

$10 $10 B.A.M

FREE

(Bahamas Artists Movement)

These intense, hands-on workshops emphasize not only a development of students’ self-confidence and personal expression, but also give them the necessary foundation needed for camera and stage acting. PMPM

55 TIHFF Talks: Dancing in the Dark TIHFF HAPPY HOUR I, DANIEL BLAKE 5:30 PM PM HAPPY HOUR I, DANIEL BLAKE 5:30 TIH POOLTIHFF TIH POOL LION (AUSTRALIA) MOONLIGHT 5 LION (AUSTRALIA) 8 PMstory5 PM (UK) 8 PM (UK) TERRACE The of Bert Williams TERRACE TIH TIH TIH TIH TIH CINEMA CINEMA POOL TIHFF HAPPY HOUR FREE CINEMA CINEMA TIH SUNDAY | JAN 15 2017 CINEMA $105PM TERRACE $10 $10 $10 $10 TIHFF HAPPY HOUR DALIDA DALIDA 88 PMPM TIH POOL (FRANCE) (FRANCE) SUNDAY | JAN 15 2017 11AM TERRACE TIH TIH CINEMA CINEMA 5 7 PM7PM DALIDA 8PM HAPPY(FRANCE) Join us as Amanda Coulson, Director HOUR 2PM TIH POOL TIHFF DOORS $10 DOORS $10 of The National Art Gallery of The (USA)

PM

PM

8

TERRACE

PM

DALIDA

7

$50

AM

12 12

AM

TIH CINEMA

PM DOORS OPEN

LED BY B.A.M.

11 11

AM AM

TIH TIH MEETING MEETING ROOM ROOM MASTER CLASS: FREE MASTER CLASS: FREE AN ACTORS LIFE

MEETING MEETING ROOM ROOM ACTING FREE ACTINGWORKSHOP WORKSHOP FREE LED BY B.A.M.

TOMMY’S UK HONOUR Director in Attendance

11 TIH

11 TIHFF 11WORKSHOPS

AM

$10 $10

6PM

PM

AM

4 SHORTS CARIBBEAN TOMMY’S HONOUR Macadam1Stories: FRA Producer in Attendance SHORTS $10

$10

$50 $50 (inclusive of party, pig roast, bites n’ booze) SPONSORED BY:

PM

TIH (FRANCE) CINEMA DALIDA 8PMTIH (FRANCE)

7PM and Party Outdoor Screening DOORS

SPONSORED BY:

SUN

1PM

SUN SUN

MASTER CLASS: STORIES: 9 MACADAM 1 FREE 11 1 AM AN ACTORS 9 LIFE ASPHALTE TIH TIH LED BY EVELYN VACARRO TIH TIH

PROGRAMME PROGRAMME

LION (AUSTRALIA)

VIVA

(UK)

11AM

$10

TIH VIVA (CUBA) TIH TIHEVENTS (CUBA) Official entry Sundance filmVIVA Festival 2016VIVA OUTDOOR SCREENING EVENTS(CUBA) LAWN EVENTS OUTDOOR SCREENING LAWN & PIG ROAST Actor Luis Alberto Garcia in Attendance OUTDOOR SCREENING & PIG ROAST LAWN

TO BOOK FILM FESTIVAL TICKETS PLEASE VISIT:

WWW.TIHFF.COM CONTACT (242) 698-6300 INFO@THE-ISLAND-HOUSE.COM

PM

$10 Director & Papa Jah in Attendance PM

PROGRAMME PROGRAMME PROGRAMME $10

$10

IT’S A POTCAKE LIFE 12 GIVETON (BAHAMAS) (THE BAHAMAS)

PRECEDED BY:

TERRACE

PRECEDED BY:

$10 GIVETON (BAHAMAS)

Director & Producer in Attendance $10PRECEDED

(JAMAICA)

TIH MY FATHER’S PM 8PM Lion CINEMA (BAHAMAS)

$10

1

CINEMA

CINEMA FREE

(BAHAMAS)

LIFE

MEETINGCONNECT ART

PM

(BARBADOS)

SATURDAY CINEMA

OPENING NIGHT FILM OPENING NIGHT FILM & ‘MAS (SOCA PARTY) & ‘MAS (SOCA PARTY)

ROOM $10 will be in(TRINIDAD Director & Producer Attendance INTRODUCTION & TOBAGO) ACTING WORKSHOP FREE TO PRODUCTION TIH LED BY B.A.M. LED BY CHARLIE ROSE

$10

THE ISLAND HOUSE MAHOGANY HILL, WESTERN ROAD NASSAU, BAHAMAS

1

TIH MEETING ROOM FREE

SixTIHFF Love Stories USA HAPPY HOUR

$10 TIH

(THE BAHAMAS) (THE BAHAMAS) (THE BAHAMAS)

IT’S A POTCAKE ROOM Director: Maria Govan PM (THE BAHAMAS) SAT Produced by Abigail$10 Hadeed TIH Country: Trinidad & Tobago 9AM MEETING ROOM TIH Winner of 5 international awards

FRIDAY | JAN 13 2017 4TIH

(THE BAHAMAS) PASSAGE OPENING NIGHT FILM (BAHAMAS ) PARTY) & ‘MAS (SOCA PM

TIH POOL TERRACE

PM

12

01/13

01/12

CAPTAIN T&T (JAMAICA)

5

$50 PLAY

TIH

FRI COAST

SAT SAT

LED BY EVELYN VACARRO

MACADAM STORIES: TO PRODUCTION ASPHALTE THE PLAY THE TIH| JAN 15 2017 DEVIL IT’S A POTCAKE LIFE SUNDAY DEVIL 4CINEMA PM CARIBBEAN EVENTS

(MEXICO/HAITI) LAWN

Opening NightMEETING & ‘Mas’ (Soca Party)

w

THU PM DOORS (TRINIDAD OPEN

AMLAWN

PLAY THE DEVIL

(BARBADOS) (JAMAICA)

PM DOORS OPEN

TIH $10TIH EVENTS THE EMPTY BOX

TIH $50 CINEMA

FREE 6PM

6

PM

TIHDOORS OPEN CINEMA

TIH

MEETING FRI FRI ROOM

The Tribune | Weekend | 15

MASTER CLASS: AN ACTORS LIFE

01/15 01/15

PM

THE EMPTY BOX ACTING WORKSHOP (MEXICO/HAITI) 6 LED BY B.A.M.

11

01/14 01/14

4TIHFF FILMS LED BY CHARLIE ROSE

AM

01/1301/

11 FREE 6

INTRODUCTION TO PRODUCTION CARIBBEAN

01/13 01/15

(THE BAHAMAS) OPENING NIGHT FILM & ‘MAS (SOCA PARTY)

LED BY CHARLIE ROSE

ROOM Friday, January 6, 2017 w AM FREE

01/15

DEVIL

TIH MEETING ROOM FREE

9 LED BY B.A.M. TIH MEETING THU ROOM THU

01/12

$50

(THE BAHAMAS) OPENING NIGHT FILM PLAY THE & ‘MAS (SOCA PARTY)

1

ROOM Friday, January 6, 2017 w ACTING WORKSHOP FREE AM

01/14

PLAY THE TIH EVENTSDEVIL LAWN

INTRODUCTION TO PRODUCTION

01/12

DOORS

$50OPEN

ROOM FREE PM

01/14 01/

6

01/ 01/13

01/ 01/12

14 | TheTIH Tribune | Weekend EVENTS LAWN PM

$10 CINEMA $10

OPENOPEN

Bahamas interviews Maria Govan TIH TIH Bahamian director of VIVA the TIHFF (CUBA) (CUBA) EVENTS EVENTS VIVA OUTDOOR SCREENING opening night film Play The Devil.

OUTDOOR SCREENING LAWN LAWN

$50$50

An Actor’s Life

$10

TIHFF Talks: A Conversation With SPONSORED BY: SPONSORED BY: Maria Govan

& PIG ROAST & PIG ROAST

FREE

Led by Evelyn Vacarro

FREE

This workshop will cover everything from the audition process, auditioning tips, how to submit to agents and casting directors, what to expect on set, and so much more!

16 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, January 6, 2017

fashion The Weekend Fashion Report 28th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival

SPLIT

SPLIT

SPLIT

FAIL

SPLIT

Octavia Spencer “Hidden Figures”

Nicole Kidman “Lion”

Janelle Monae “Hidden Figures”

Amy Adams “Arrival”

Laura Linney “Nocturnal Animals”

Karin says: “I do like this kind of dress with a shirt top and skirt, but something is a bit jarring here. The two elements just don’t gel all that well.

The gleaming white looks great on Octavia, as does the black and red floral pattern, but somehow it fails to come together 100 per cent.”

Cara says: “Octavia always has that classic flawless style and she always looks elegant.

This look follows that mould and it’s fine, although I do think the top is a tad bit small ... her buttons are hanging on tight.”

Karin says: “Wow, Nicole looks like she lost some weight here. The dress, I suppose, is meant to be all arty and whimsical, but the beige just washes her out and the structure of the dress means it just sorta hangs there. Not a fan.”

Cara says: “I am rarely disappointed with Nicole, and this is no exception. This is simply adorable another hit. I really like the design detail on the skirt. It’s a fun dress and she is looking absolutely fab.”

Karin says: “I love it! Yes, I’m a bit tired of the constant black and white on Janelle, but it is after all her signature and she rocks it once again.

The dress is both sexy and interesting to look at. Also loving the red lips and strong brows. This is quite the statement ensemble.”

Cara says: “I get that she was going for a ‘slay’, but it doesn’t completely work for me. I get the black and white combo, but I don’t like the way the inner tube top peaks out and the skirt is a bit confusing.

Also, what is happening with the top of her head?”

Karin says: “Grandma’s floral print never works on a cocktail/red carpet gown.

It barely works on a short summer dress. So no, this is not a good look for Amy. It might give us some vintage vibes, but more in the vein of ‘you should have left that in the trunk in the attic where you found it’.

Cara says: “Amy usually rocks the red carpet, but this floral disaster seems more like she’s rocking an old curtain or bedspread. In addition to the horrid fabric, the cut is not that flattering either. I have seen much better from Amy.”

Karin says: “The red is very bright and suits her. And that’s where the positive comments stop. The structure is just awful. It’s like someone threw a huge piece of red fabric on her, cut two slits at the arms and then pinned it in strategic places while Laura was just standing there. I understand the causal, slouchy look, but this just doesn’t work on any level. It looks lazy and does not flatter her.”

Cara says: “This red that Laura is rocking is really popping. I think this is a cute dress, with her little thigh slit and the slits at the shoulders.

It’s very appropriate for her.

She looks great.”

ap photos

With Karin Herig and Cara Hunt

The Tribune | Weekend | 17

Friday, January 6, 2017

pageants

Miss World Bahamas takes on Washington

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

S

HE may not have captured the crown at the Miss World Pageant in Washington, DC, last month, but Bahamian beauty queen Ashley Hamilton still believes she is a winner because she was awarded a “once-in-a-lifetime experience”.

The 24-year-old travelled to the US capital last month for the 66th edition of the international pageant. There, she lived and competed with 119 other contestants.

Delegates from about 100 countries and autonomous territories competed in various events like Top Model, Talent, Multimedia, Sports, Beauty With a Purpose, and a new challenge event called Resort Wear.

Ashley placed in the top 10 in the Beauty With a Purpose event, where each contestant was required to submit a community service project.

She earned that spot due to her work in New Providence and Central Andros by raising funds with a benefit concert for those affected by Hurricane Matthew.

“Though I did not place overall in the competition, I know within my heart I did my absolute best representing our nation. I would be remiss if I did not thank the Island Game, Ryan Knowles, Bodine Johnson, Tebby, Soulful Groovers, David Hanna, Richa Sands, Eugene ‘Geno D’ Davis, Sanovia Pierre, the Movi Group, and the Miss Bahamas Organisation, and many others for assisting me in this effort. We did it,” she said.

One of the most gratifying things for the young beauty queen was having the opportunity to represent her country on an international level.

“This may sound cliché, but it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

I had the opportunity to represent the Bahamas with pride in one of the oldest and most prestigious pageants in

the world. Granted, this did not come without hard work. Each young woman competing came with their own grace and was worthy to take the crown as well. There were many long hours of rehearsal and competition was stiff, but this experience is one that I will never forget,” she said.

While she enjoyed her entire Miss World experience, she said there were definitely some stand-out moments.

“I think my major highlight would be the day we spent with the children of Dream Academy USA, an organisation that provides after-school assistance to children from under-privileged areas.

The children were truly inspiring; many full of hope and lofty future ambitions despite their present circumstances.

There was a young girl in particular by the name of Destiny who became like my little sister that day. She was so sassy and smart, and shared many of my same interests. She hopes to become a beauty queen too someday,” she said.

The most valuable lesson Ashley said she learned from the journey is to believe in herself.

“Going into the competition, sometimes you have self-doubts if you are in

Miss World Bahamas Ashley Hamilton poses in front of the US Capitol Building in Washington, DC. fact worthy of the crown, but throughout the entire process I gained tremendous self-confidence and belief in my abilities. Pageants are not only based on your physical (appearance), but the strength of your character. I learned to stay true to myself and that I am able to conquer the world now, thanks to this experience Ashley, who stands at 6’ 1”, attended St Augustine’s College in Nassau, the Lester B Pearson United World College of the Pacific in Canada, and graduated with a Bachelor in History and PreLaw from the University of Florida in Gainesville.

She is currently employed at the

Island Game as a brand ambassador, but has aspirations of becoming a commercial attorney.

“I will continue my reign as Miss Bahamas World and make a great impact in the community. One of my platforms was heart health awareness after the death of my father due to heart disease, so I hope to continue to work closely with the Sir Victor Sassoon (Bahamas) Heart Foundation and other community outreach projects, assisting the Bahamas in any way that I can. I believe in allowing life to guide my course and to drop my anchor where my heart is. I am excited for the future,” she told Tribune Weekend.

18 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, January 6, 2017

podcasts

Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, known as “The Minimalists” to their four million readers and listeners.

The Nutrition Diva doles out bite-sized advice.

Shows for a happier 2017 Their goal of cutting out the clutter is admirable, and there’s some good stuff in this podcast. I do think overall it could do with being a little tighter, and with a bit of editing to cut out some of the chatter as well as the clutter, but it’s a new year, we’ve all spread a little bit after all that festive eating, so we won’t do down a little spread in the conversation too!

Website: http://www.theminimalists. com/minimalism/

By Stephen Hunt shunt@tribunemedia.net

D

id you make resolutions for 2017? The turn of the year is a time when many set their sights on plans for the new year and look back on the year gone by. Podcasters are no different, and here are health and lifestyle websites reflecting on ways to make 2017 a happier, healthier year.

Katy Says With Katy Bowman Host Katy Bowman is a biomechanist – that’s new to me, but it appears that she likes to incorporate more movement into everyday life, from walking with friends rather than sitting for a coffee, through to more adventurous ways to get your body moving on a more frequent basis.

Her end of year chat with guest Dani Hemmat reflects that, as the two discuss what worked well for them in the year before and what goals are lined up for 2017.

Some of it sounds like the kind of wistful resolutions made but never likely to be kept – from the desire to learn how to juggle or to go hunting – but a lot of it is focused on issues that I’ve seen many speak of a desire to do, such as cutting down on screen time or taking a step away from social media.

The host says she feels healthier the older she gets – so it certainly seems

Biomechanist Katy Bowman gives tips for healthier living on her show “Katy Says” as if she’s feeling positive results from such decisions, though much of the ambitions talked about are far from out of place alongside those of you or I, expressed at New Year parties as maybes and mights. That’s not a bad thing, though, it means such ideas are within reach – and for those determined to follow through, hearing others make such pledges might be the support needed to carry them off.

Website: https://nutritiousmovement. com/podcasts/

The Minimalists The Minimalists team of Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus launched their podcast around a year

ago – with the goal of clearing the clutter of life, reducing things to make more room for the things that matter.

The podcast looks at things from that perspective – though I’ll confess I raised an eyebrow at its not very minimal running time of an hour and a half for the end of year review.

The show itself looks at such things as recognising when you begin to feel you might not fit in your workplace any more and the personal changes you need to make in order to adapt or take a new path. They also consider how binge watching on Netflix makes you unproductive – but lay out ways in which you can stop yourself doing it. That one might not be all positive for the pair, with their new show up on Netflix in a number of regions!

The Nutrition Diva’s Quick And Dirty Tips For Eating Well And Feeling Fabulous This show hasn’t quite gotten back from its Christmas break yet – but for those who have healthier eating on their agenda for 2017, it’s a quick listen that is brimful of ideas.

Each bite-size show of about ten minutes or so in length focuses on a single nutrition suggestion – recent shows looking at the effect of prunes on bone loss, the uses of a pressure cooker, nutrients to help keep the weight off and so on.

The format is as simple as host Monica Reinagel with a microphone, but this is ideal coffee break listening for those wanting to plan how to include healthier food tips in their life.

Dive in, there’s lots of useful information to be found.

Website: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/nutrition-diva

The Tribune | Weekend | 19

Friday, January 6, 2017

design your lifestyle

Good intentions

By Victoria Sarne

A

new year – the time for resolutions, promises to ourselves to do better or be better.

Sometimes there is a specific goal to be achieved. For the most part, after a couple of months, even with the best of intentions to make a positive change in our lives, we have abandoned or forgotten them.

Yet it is as good a time as any to bundle up things past, put them away in the memory bank and determine in a more general way how we would like to move forward or change things up.

I like to think of it as cleaning house, literally and metaphorically.

Practically, I find that starting out with the physical sorting helps me get to the mental process later, refreshed and organised. A clean start to the new year. It is remarkably satisfying to sort out clothes suitable for donating; tidy up closets and drawers, and clean out my office all the old files or abandoned projects.

This kind of labour gives me not only satisfaction as a good and generally necessary job completed, but the increased adrenalin promotes an awareness to next freshen up mentally.

It focuses my attention on the need to review and evaluate my needs and priorities. In general terms I start with deciding what I want or no longer want in my life.

Sometimes it’s necessary to abandon ideas or things we once though vital to our lives because they have outlived their usefulness or which no longer serve us in a positive way. Then we need to find a new way of looking at ourselves, our situations, our wants and our needs and prioritise them.

The year 2017 probably requires us to undertake this task more seriously than in years past. Communities and countries are in a period of instability and uncertainty, and while most of us only have the power to change our own private and immediate worlds, we are all part of the larger jigsaw puzzle and it will take this kind of determination from us, one way or another collectively, to make sure that evil does not flourish because we sat on our hands.

Victoria Sarne

Get a clean start for the new year, both literally and metaphorically.

I believe in personal and collective energy, the power that can change things in minor or major matters. I believe in ‘intention’. Not the pseudomystical kind that has become a buzz word for creating apparently easy magical outcomes, i.e. all you have to do is imagine and believe it and it will happen. I mean ‘intending’ to act coupled with determination. Nothing just happens. You have to do the work.

If you want to change things, no matter whether small personal goals or larger ones, it is not a one-step outcome. It is a process. Break issues or goals down

into bite-size, manageable pieces.

Unravel the ball of string, one yard at a time.

For example, weight loss is a common resolution.

You want to lose 20 or 30 pounds, but it is often daunting looking at the numbers, no matter how good the intention, but when broken down into smaller units of two or three pounds a week or a month, definitely achievable; not as overwhelming and avoids the disappointment if the results fluctuate or aren’t instant in this very instant gratification world of ours.

The same with life. Life is a process.

A series of small steps, each added to the other until you have a whole flight of stairs leading you to an achievable goal. In 2017, I wish you the courage and strength to have a real intention to make positive change in your own and the larger world around you. So take a deep breath – it’s an easy climb, one step at a time.

• For comments and questions, e-mail vixanwriter@mac.com, call 437-9929093, or visit www.lifelineswritingservice.com.

20| The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, January 6, 2017

books

A history of the region’s deadliest hurricanes

By Cara Hunt cbrennen@tribunemedia.net

N

oted meteorologist and author Wayne Neely has a new book out which gives readers an in-depth look at how the first documented hurricanes affected the people of this region and how we came by the word “hurricane” in the first place.

The new book is called “The Greatest and Deadliest Hurricanes of the Caribbean and the America – The Stories Behind the Greatest Storms of the North Atlantic”.

It includes all of the major hurricanes to impact this region, from a major storm in 1494 to Hurricane Matthew in 2016.

According to the book, the 1494 hurricane on the island of Hispaniola was the first known hurricane that the European settlers experienced. Mr Neely explained that this was when the word hurricane become a part of people’s everyday vocabulary.

“At this time, they didn’t know or were familiar with the term we use today called a ‘hurricane’ so they referred to it as a ‘tempest’ because that was a term they were quite familiar with and it destroyed their first settlement in the New World. During the hurricane they saw the local Taíno Indians running to the hills with fear in their eyes, hands extended upward to the skies and very much afraid and calling this storm ‘hurricane’ or ‘furacáne.’ They believed that their god was inflicting punishment on them for something they did or did not do,” Mr Neely explained.

“The Spaniards who accompanied Columbus on his four voyages to the New World took back to Europe with

The Sea Venture sinks in the hurricane of 1609. This incident is said to have inspired Shakespeare’s “The Tempest.” (Painting by Christopher Grimes)

“During the hurricane they saw the local Taíno Indians running to the hills with fear in their eyes, hands extended upward to the skies and very much afraid and calling this storm ‘hurricane’ or ‘furacáne.’ They believed that their god was inflicting punishment on them for something they did or did not do.” them a new concept of what a severe storm or a hurricane could be, and naturally, a new word of Indian origin.

It seems that the Indian word was pronounced ‘furacán’ or ‘furacánes’, and eventually ‘huracán’ during the early years of discovery and colonisation of America.”

Mr Neely also noted that the wellknown Spanish historian and Dominican friar Father Bartholomew de Las Casas, outraged by the brutal treatment of the indigenous people on Hispaniola, declared that the wrath of the hurricane that struck the island was the judgment of God on the city and the men

who had committed such sins against humanity.

All other European languages coined a word for the tropical cyclone based on the Spanish term “huracán”, passed onto them by the Taíno Indians of the Caribbean and the Maya Indians of Central America.

Mr Neely’s book goes on to explore the hurricane of September 1565, which wrecked a Spanish expedition fleet and became the first documented hurricane to strike Florida.

The French, who had an outpost at Fort Carolina (near modern-day Jacksonville, Florida), lost their bid to control the Atlantic coast of North America when a storm destroyed their fleet, allowing the Spanish at St Augustine to capture Fort Carolina.

The hurricane of 1622 sunk the Nuestra Señora de Atocha (“Our Lady of Atocha”) – the most famous of a fleet of Spanish treasure ships – off the Florida Keys while it was carrying copper silver, gold, tobacco, gems, jewels and indigo from Spanish ports at Cartagena and Porto Bello in New Granada (the modern-day countries of Colombia and Panama, respectively)

The Tribune | Weekend | 21

Friday, January 6, 2017

The wreck of the Nuestra Señora de Atocha, sunk in the hurricane of 1622 and discovered by treasure hunter Mel Fisher in 1985.

Meteorologist and author Wayne Neely

ne Neely’s latest

The cover of Way

book

and Havana bound for Spain.

The ship was named for the parish of Atocha in Madrid. An ill-fated series of difficulties kept the Atocha in Veracruz before she could rendezvous in Havana with the vessels of the Tierra Firme (mainland) fleet. The treasure arriving by mule to Panama City was so immense that it took two months to record and load the precious cargo onto the Atocha. After still more delays in Havana, what was ultimately a 28-ship convoy did not manage to depart for Spain until September 4, 1622 – six weeks behind schedule.

Just two days later, Mr Neely said, the Atocha was driven by a severe hurricane onto the coral reefs near the Dry Tortugas, about 35 miles west of Key West.

With her hull, badly damaged, the vessel quickly sank, drowning everyone on board except for three sailors and two slaves. This storm was reported having traversed the Bahama Channel on September 15, 1622. The wreck of the Atocha was eventually discovered by treasure hunter Mel Fisher discovered in 1985.

Following the hurricane of 1622, Mr Neely writes about the greatest and deadliest hurricane of the region – the ‘Great Hurricane’ of 1780 which killed 22,000 people in the Caribbean.

This storm affected the southern Windward Islands, including Barbados, St Lucia (only two houses in all of St Lucia remained standing), St Vincent, Grenada, Tobago, Martinique, St Eustatius, Puerto Rico and Grand Turk Island between October 10 and October 16.

Between 4,000 and 5,000 people were killed on St Eustatius; Martinique had an estimated 9,000 people killed, including 1,000 in St Pierre, which had all of its homes destroyed, and 4,326 people were killed in Barbados.

The production of sugar and rum – vital to the local economies – was drastically curtailed and did not recover for another four years. To make matters worse, many settlers abandoned their plantations and returned to England, leaving these islands’ economies even further depressed.

“For example, the Barbados Mercury reported that ‘in most of the plantations, all the buildings, the sugar mills excepted, are laid level with the earth, and that there is not a single estate on the island which has entirely escaped the violence of the tempest’,” said Mr

Neely.

The meteorologist also writes about the hurricane of 1609, which is said to have inspired William Shakespeare’s famous play “The Tempest”.

The Sea Venture, the flagship of the London Company, and a fleet of ships were bound for Virginia to relieve the starving Jamestown colonists, when a powerful hurricane crippled their ships on July 28, 1609.

The 150 men, women and children aboard found safety on the Bermuda Islands. Some of the ships were damaged in the hurricane on the surrounding coral reef, while others were destroyed and part of the fleet was grounded in Bermuda. For some time after it was called Somers Island, after the ship’s captain, Admiral Sir George Somers, who claimed the island for the British Crown and vowed to return. Also onboard the ship was Sir Thomas Gates, future governor of Virginia, who was on his way to England from Jamestown.

The Spaniards, though shipwrecked on the island many times, had failed to colonise there. The passengers became Bermuda’s first inhabitants, and their stories are said to have helped inspire Shakespeare’s writing of his final play, “The Tempest”, making it perhaps the most famous hurricane in early American history.

Other noteworthy storms Mr Neely mentions in his new book include the hurricane of 1772, which one of the United States’ Founding Fathers, Alexander Hamilton, experienced growing up on the island of St Kitts in the Leeward Islands.

He also writes about Hurricane Mitch in 1998, which devastated Central America and set back progress in those countries by 20 to 50 years; it remains the second deadliest hurricane to impact the region.

Hurricane Gilbert, Mr Neely writes, was the region’s second most intense hurricane ever and devastated Jamaica, shutting down the tourism industry in that country for five years.

Coming up to modern times, Mr Neely includes Hurricane Matthew in his writings, a storm which this year swept through the Bahamas and so far has cost the country $600 million, making it the costliest hurricane in Bahamian history.

“The Greatest and Deadliest Hurricanes of the Caribbean and the Americas” is now available every where books are sold and at all of the major online bookstores such as,www.amazon. com or www.barnesandnoble.com as an e-book, softcover or hardback book.

22 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, January 6, 2017

film and television Photos/Hopper Stone

review

In uplifting ‘Hidden Figures,’ three women’s rise hidden figures running time: 126 mins

Mary Jackson (Janelle Monae, left), Katherine Johnson (Taraji P Henson) and Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) celebrate their stunning achievements in one of the greatest operations in history.

T

ematician Katherine Johnson (Taraji P Henson), budding engineer Mary Jackson (Janelle Monae) and computer supervisor Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) are becoming impossible to ignore.

Metaphors are all around. While rockets lift off, the women of “Hidden Figures” strive for their own upward movement. Arithmetic surrounds them, but they’re continuously underestimated.

“That’s NASA for you. Fast with rocket ships, slow with advancement,” says Kirsten Dunst’s manager.

Johnson is pulled out of a pool of computers (human ones, though a room-sized IBM makes a late appearance) and brought into the all-white

heodore Melfi’s buoyant “Hidden Figures” is an old-fashioned feel-good movie with powerful contemporary relevance, spearheaded by a trio of unstoppable actresses playing black women who wouldn’t be stopped.

Set in 1961 Virginia, the fact-based “Hidden Figures,” adapted from Margot Lee Shetterly’s non-fiction book, is about three peripheral characters at NASA who made important contributions to the space race. Their workplace, at Langley, is segregated (with separate bathrooms and drinking fountains) and the offices are uniformly run by white males in suits.

But the talent and smarts of math-

HBO film about Debbie Reynolds, Carrie Fisher set for Saturday

Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds in a scene from the documentary “Bright Lights”.

Photo/HBO

An HBO documentary about the relationship between actress and writer Carrie Fisher and her Hollywood legend mother, Debbie Reynolds, will air tomorrow night.

“Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds,” was expected to premiere on the cable

network this spring but HBO moved it up after the pairs’ deaths.

Although it hasn’t been on television, “Bright Lights” was shown earlier this year at film festivals in New York and at Cannes.

Fisher died Tuesday after being stricken on an airplane flight last week.

Her mother was rushed to the hospital and died the next day.

The filmmakers have described the project as Fisher’s initial idea. Her mother was about to give her final live performances in Las Vegas two years ago, and Fisher wanted to document them.

MARK KENNEDY AP Entertainment Writer

Kevin Costner stars as NASA official Al Harrison.

rocket center to check the trajectories and calculations of the scientists rushing to match Sputnik and lift John Glenn (Glen Powell) into space. Their leader is Al Harrison (a fine, scenechewing Kevin Costner), who compassionately responds to Johnson’s rise.

But “Hidden Figures,” punctuated by bright original songs by Pharrell Williams (who also collaborated with Hans Zimmer and Benjamin Wallfisch on the score), avoids many of the typical notes of a civil rights drama and keeps its focus on its three indomitable leads and their characters’ private lives.

Nobody would mistake it for a deeply complicated examination of segregation and no one will wonder if Melfi’s film is going to end on a high note.

Instead, “Hidden Figures” is a straightforward, satisfying tale of triumph, full of warmth and crowdpleasing scenes that its excellent cast lends spirit and verve to. Henson fierily delivers the film’s big, cathartic moment, one that will surely resonate for audiences familiar with her plight.

In such scenes, “Hidden Figures” feels both of the ‘60s and of now. These are figures that have often been hidden from movie screens, too.

But of the formidable threesome, it’s Monae who most stands out. Following her role in Barry Jenkins’ “Moonlight” (whose Mahershala Ali also appears here, captivatingly as a military officer and love interest), the R&B singer has made an altogether arresting bigscreen debut this fall. Regal, powerful and tender, she just might be a full-on Movie Star. The real rocket of “Hidden Figures” is Monae.

JAKE COYLE AP Film Writer

The Tribune | Weekend | 23

Friday, January 6, 2017

literary lives helen gurley brown

Glossy glory days of a singular woman Sir Christopher Ondaatje looks at the American who transformed the fortunes of Cosmopolitan magazine, made feminism populist and played an enormous part in the 1960s sexual revolution

Helen Gurley Brown in the art department of Cosmopolitan shortly after becoming editor-in- chief.

H

Tony Curtis and Natalie Wood starred in the movie version of Helen Gurley Brown’s non-fiction bestseller “Sex and the Single Girl”.

elen Gurley Brown was born Helen Marie Gurley in Green Forest, Arkansas, in 1922.

At one time her father was appointed Commissioner of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission but then won election to the Arkansas state legislature.

According to the recent biography ‘Not Pretty Enough: The Unlikely Triumph of Helen Gurley Brown’ by Gerri Hirshey, her father was a brutal misogynist and, when Helen was 10, died trying to get into a moving elevator. Destitute, her mother moved, with Helen and her sister Mary, to Los Angeles in 1937 and then, after Helen graduated from high school, to Warm Springs, Georgia, but after only one semester at Texas State College for Women, Helen moved back to California where she graduated from Woodbury Business College in 1941.

Her mother and sister moved back to Arkansas, but Helen stayed in Los Angeles where she worked at the Wil-

Continued on page 24

24 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, January 6, 2017

In July 1965, Cosmopolitan turned from an antiquated generalinterest -magazine into the most talked about women’s magazine in the country with this cover. (Photo: Business Wire) Continued from page 23 liam Morris Agency, Music Corporation of America, Jaffe Talent Agencies, and Foote, Cone & Balding advertising agency as a secretary. Recognising her writing skills she was moved to the copywriting department, where, by the early 1960s, she became one of America’s highest paid copywriters.

In 1959 she married David Brown, who became a well-known film producer (‘Cleopatra’, ‘Jaws’ and ‘The Sting’) which made him an extremely wealthy man. He was also a shrewd promoter of his wife’s talents, especially her first book ‘Sex and The Single Girl’ (1962). She was 40 when her book was published in 28 countries, remaining on the best-seller list for over a year. The book, which instructed young women to be smart both above the neck and below the waist, and how to stay single in style, contained the highest possible

erotic content and sold more than two million copies in the United States.

Two years later a film with the same name was released starring Natalie Wood and Tony Curtis. The book is still in print today.

In 1965, and largely because of the success of her book, Helen Gurley Brown was appointed Editor-in-Chief of Cosmopolitan magazine - a moneylosing literary magazine renowned for its salubrious content. Brown, having achieving notoriety, changed its focus to a magazine for the modern single career woman, and it became the largest young women’s magazine in the world with 68 million readers, distributed in over 100 countries. Through Cosmopolitan, Brown advocated sexual freedom for women and claimed that women could have it all - “love, sex, and money”. In April,1972, Cosmopolitan had the first nude male centrefold with a portrait of Burt Reynolds naked on a

Helen Gurley Brown with her husband, film and theatre producer David Brown, who was best known for co-producing the 1975 film “Jaws”.

The Tribune | Weekend | 25

Friday, January 6, 2017

Forgotten facts Paul C Aranha Chelsea Pottery was on East Hill Street, not far from the port where bags of clay were unlodaded from a ship.

“Sex and The Single Girl, which instructed young women to be smart both above the neck and below the waist, and how to stay single in style, contained the highest possible erotic content and sold more than two million copies in the United States.” bearskin rug. The issue sold 1.5 million copies. In the seven years from 1965, Brown doubled the Cosmopolitan circulation as well as its advertising revenue. A relentless self-critic, she nevertheless made feminism populist and played an enormous part in what is now known as the sexual revolution for smart, fashion-conscious, ambitious women.

The New York Times described the ‘Cosmo’ girls as “self-made, sexual and supremely ambitious ... she looked great, wore fabulous clothes, and had an unabashedly good time when those clothes came off”.

Despite her success she was also sometimes criticised for setting young women on the road to sexual promiscuity and degradation.

In 1997 Helen Gurley Brown was ousted from her position as editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine, although she was allowed to remain as the editor of the international editions. She was 75 and had made Cosmopolitan the sixth highest newsstand sale magazine in America and was one of the world’s most recognised magazine editors and book authors. She had by then published ‘Sex and The Office’ (1965), ‘Helen Gurley Brown’s Single Girl’s Cook-

Glazing over traces of Chelsea Pottery

S

book’ (1969), and ‘Sex and the New Single Girl’ (1970). ‘Having It All’, one of her final books, was published in 1982.

Brown stayed in her Hearst editorial position until her death on August 13, 2012. Her husband had predeceased her two years earlier. On her death, Michael Bloomberg, the New York City Mayor, stated that she had “reshaped not only the entire media industry, but the nation’s culture.”

However, she will probably be better remembered for her famous quote “Good girls go to heaven. Bad girls go everywhere.” If she has, as I expect, somehow talked her way into heaven, she will no doubt have already had quite a lot to say about the activities of the good girls up there.

NEXT WEEK: Graham Greene and the libel of Shirley Temple • Sir Christopher Ondaatje is an adventurer and writer resident in the Bahamas. A Sri Lankan-born Canadian-Englishman, he is the author of several books, including “The Last Colonial”

ir Harold Christie (18961973) is remembered as the ‘Founder of Bahamian Real Estate’ and well does he deserve that accolade.

He also had a brain that never slept and he did so many things for these islands he loved.

One of his early creations was the founding of Bahamas Airways Ltd, the Colony’s first airline, in 1936, but his dream did not end there.

In 1957, he decided that if Bahamians could be taught to create glazed pottery for sale to visiting tourists, a new industry would arise and off he went, to London, to talk David Rawnsley into opening a studio in Nassau.

Rawnsley was a trained architect and engineer and had spent a quarter of a century as art director and production designer in the motion-picture industry before settling in Paris, where he discovered an interest in pottery, leading to the formation of an atelier of his own.

Returning to London in 1952, Rawnsley and his wife, Mary, created London’s Chelsea Pottery as an ‘open studio’ where any potter could come to work and learn. The pottery was run on a ‘club’ basis and an annual subscription allowed members to use the studio, as much as they wanted, for a small hourly fee. Clay was sold, inexpensively, by the pound and lessons for amateurs were held in the evenings, with Joyce Morgan as the main

instructor.

In 1959, she had turned up in Nassau with five packing cases of equipment and supplies, including an electric kiln.

Twelve months later, Rawnsley had brought in trained craftsmen from London and Nassau’s Chelsea Pottery was born. Joyce Morgan’s stay in Nassau was very short and Brian Arthur became supervisor of training.

Because there was no suitable clay in the Bahamas, Rawnsley tried importing clay from Jamaica, but the first batch proved to be of inferior quality so arrangements were made to import clay from Ireland. This clay, though good, was considered too white, so iron was added locally, to redden it a little.

The early students had little, if any, training in art but steadily became skilled in Chelsea’s glazing techniques.

Later Brent Malone, Max Taylor, Kendal Hanna and Eddie Minnis all trained at Nassau’s Chelsea Pottery.

By the mid 1960s, the pottery had gone out of business, but had a short-lived reincarnation as The Bahamian Pottery under the ownership of Brent Malone.

Ask anyone about Nassau’s Chelsea Pottery and you will probably draw a blank look ... but there really was such an institution.

• islandairman@gmail.com

AVO SmALL cRoSSwoRd TARGET XCT

THE DAILY EXPRESS 30-SECOND CHALLENGE ITH, HOPE SUE Lisa Wild 1 7 8 email bookatest@mensa.org.uk or telephone 01902 772771. Mensa does not accept hyphenated must contain Yrnd EXPRESS WEEK? 6 9 3 7 4 1 8 5 2 Mended and arranged in twos 26atEVERY Tribune Friday, January 6, 2017 | TheAND | Weekend Norfolk; Sept 30:EXPRES MCS8Hopkin GET THE BRILLIAnT *SP:asSpoke – Helpline 3390 words, and uses the Oxford Dictionary of English (Second Edition Revised) its official reference.0333 202 17 18 letters, but there is 3

7

bun, possibly (9)

Take the online Mensa workout at www.mensa.org.uk or apply for a supervised IQ test in your area,

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

ending in “s”.

S Yorks; Sept 28: BJ Finlay, C

TodAy’S BEGINNER = 88; INTERMEDIATE = 78; ADVANCED = 448.

9 6 2 8 3 4 AnSwERS:

TODAY’S TARGET again? (8) Fife; D oct 2 Good 16; very good 24; 19 Engineers inside still changing Please allow E 39 30 4 excellent 31 (or more). structure of latticework (7) F r Solution Monday.

ACROSS 21 Small pastry given to the LAST SAT 3 4 5 the Alphabeater? GIt’s21a toug r 32 1 Oxford andfor Cambridge queen first course CAN (7) you crack AcRoSS 1 Detached 5 Chase mental muscles to the limit.

EachHgrid num universities (8) YESTERDAY’S n HOW many(4) words of grabbed Manservant, 50, by 13letter Coherent 15alphabet Right 18 is A 8 9 10 622Slender Alphapuzzle, every of the I 17 med b four letters or(5) more 31 awful brute (6) can SOLUTION 26 Silver 8 Approaches given letters and the given black squares b agree argol bagel you make from the (6) getting J 1124 Freshwater mammals Set with hesitation 1 Desire Toadstool 3C To add todown the fiendish fun,2 Alphabeater 12 __hen Kemp, (4) barge bargee beagle letters shown here?

K 9 164i (5)actor Absentee 14 Exclaims same if you turn9blag the page upside down.

14 Collegeaofword, Furthereach beagler berg blog In making er, root,3rooter, rootle, L 24 Rel 25Education He’s in (abbr.) hat, inexpensive (5) for example if there22 Settle Target: 24 mins*Calls cost 75p plus your telephone company’s network access charge. 01872 562310, send a cheque/ (3) SMALLor CROSSWORD So, wo 13 and creating.

14 toll, tool, tooler, toot, Answer for Teaser Catering Take the online Mensa workout at www.mensa.org.uk apply for a supervised IQSATURDAY test in 08/10/16: your12area, borage brag brolga is a six-letter letter may be PO payable to Express Bookshop 15 Pinafore (5) used once YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION M 30which 6 ote, toter, totter, troll, corresponding six-letter word Across to Express Bookshop, PO Boxor telephone 01902 772771. Mensa does not accept hyphenated For today’s full solution email bookatest@mensa.org.uk eager eagle eagre only.

Each must contain 16 Toothed wheel (3) * ** 6 9 3 7 4 1 8 5 2 200, Falmouth, TR11 4WJ, or N For your chance to win, call: 0907 181 2723 or text DXMENSA to 83310 GET THE BRILLIAnT EXPRESS PUZZLES AP Every black square has a symmetrical ‘tw words, andorder uses the Oxford Dictionary of English (Second Edition Revised) as its official reference.

0907 181 2575 call: 15 17 centre Manipulates online at www. ergo flag flog forage the letter and 1 5 7 6 2 *Calls 8 3cost480p 9 *Calls cost 80p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge and last 2.5 minutes. per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge. expressbookshop.com 10 25 This can help identify other blackOsquares. fraudulently foreleg forge there must be (4) at least **Text cost £2 plus your usual network rate. Lines close at midnight on Friday, October 21. For full T&Cs see www.

UK delivery is free.

8 4 2 9 3 5 7 6 1 19 Compel (6) corresponding ‘twin’. express.co.uk/campaigns/terms/7.

SP: Spoke, TakeTo one from each frogSolution on PMonday.

16 0333 202 3390. By responding to promotions, 17 18offers and one nine-letter word. No FoRGEABLE pre-orderletter the Rupert Annual for 2017 (no.81) at £9.99 (August 2016) please callp 0871 988 8370; h 20 Celebrities (5) 5 5 1 9 2 7 6 4 8 3 e competitions youoragree b4WJ Alternatively send a cheque/PO to The Classictown.

Rupert Bear Shop, PO Box 200, Falmouth TR11 order that Northern & Shell may contact you by post, SMS and/or email with offers, goods gable ERT AND THE No 21 plurals or(anag.) verb (4) forms 21 Rode 4 3 8PEPPER-ROSE A 13 gale sector to give a Scottish 5 1 9 2 7 6 37 galore 3 34 gaol 4 6 Q 425 83 services may be of interest to you. To stop receiving SMS messages please text ‘NS NOINFO’ to 83310. online at www.classicrupertbearshop.com. UK Delivery is free. Calls cost min. plus that c 10porperd a networkrextras 22 Play-acts (8) R gaoler garb garble ending in “s”.

19 1 7 2 6 3 8 4 1 9 5 B Take a further letter from each D 6SUE Lisa Wild CAN you crack the Alphabeater?

It’s a tough twist on popul17 e r n t garbo glare glebe our S 26 3 8 5 4 6 2 9 1 7 Before he has gone far Rupert pauses.

DOWN C 8 gear *SP: Spoke – Helpline 0333 202 3390 18 33 35 8 4 5 1 sector to give a Welsh town.

“I wish I could be allowed to take this muscles to the Each gridglobe number below represents glee glob goal 1mental Exclude from a group (9) limit.

TODAY’S TARGET 9 7 4 1 5 3 6 2 8 T i n 20 21words of HOW many e n D 2Alphapuzzle, Pieces (4) good he letters will give goer gofer golfis golfer Thehimself,” remaining 2 6 1 8 9 7 5 3 4 flower to the Professor Good 16; very 24; every letter of the alphabet used.

But now you h 26 39 U a g r b four letters or more can 3 With sincere E 39 grab 4 grebe 7 below 26lager 15 main 27 grid 33 to3 thinks. “I’m sure he would be excellent 31 (or more). given letters and the givengore black squares the an English town. What are intentions (2,7) 22 V a you make from the ● TO order The Express Sudokuinterested. He may never have seen F large largo leger ogee o z d Solution Monday.

4 To Household fuel (3)fiendish fun, ACROSS puzzles (£5.99) or the Infinite add to the Alphabeater is ‘rotationally symme call: 1 2 3 4 5 letters 4 the three towns?

W shown here?

G 21 ogre 32 rage 15 reflag 20 38 11 7 302 Evaluators (9) Sudoku CD Rom (£9.99) call one like it before.” But the dwarf is still 1 Oxford and Cambridge ● The Express Bookshop stocks a wide selection of puzzle books across 5same if you(4,3) turn the page ogle upside down.

X 03 The Express Bookshop on 7 Be careful annoyed and is watching him sternly, making a all crossword puzzleIn genres.

To universities obtain our upword, to(8) date listeach please visit YESTERDAY’S H regal regale 01872 562310, send a cheque/ access charge.

7 9 10 SMALL SATURDAY 9 So, Mistake www.expressbookshop.com, 01872 562310 6callSlender (4) or write to Express for(5) example if there isI a17 six-letter 213 Y 3817 star Answer for Teaser 08/10/16:6 Catering and 8creating. so he continues onCROSSWORD his way. “I wonder letter may be used once PO payable to Express Bookshop 31 40word 30 Across 3 7which Bookshop, PO Box 200, Falmouth TR11 4WJ. Please 10 Person fleeing war (7) 8 Approaches (5) enclose an SAE for SOLUTION corresponding six-letter word ution to Express Bookshop, PO Box who else there is who would know return. agree argoltrail bagel only. must contain J Across which ends in the Zbottom 13 Animal’s (5) 11 Each Freshwater mammals (6) *11 ** 200, Falmouth, TR11 4WJ, or For your He chance win, call: 0907 181 2723 or text DXMENSA to 83310 LAST SATURdAy’S SoLUTIon about roses,” he mutters. does to not black square has aCall 18 Every Religious image (4) __ Kemp, actor (4) barge bargee beagle 2575 order online at www.

Ksymmetrical the612 centre letter and 9 0907 4 181 29 ‘twin’ 25 but 22 the11‘twin’ 8 ma2 2586 for AcRoSS 1 Naturist, 8 Evade, 11 Instep, 12 Tots, cost 80p per minute 19 Vehicle (3) blag 14Open, College of Further work access charge. expressbookshop.com notice that one of his*Calls pals, Rastus the plus your telephone company’s network access charge and last 2.5 minutes. beagler berg blogotherLtoday’s This can help identify black squares.

Of course if 1the2 cent 3 14 Far, 15 Point, 16 Rep,Education 17 Seed, 19 Tavern, 20 Arise, there must be at least Target solution **Text cost £2 plus your usual network rate.

Lines close at midnight on Friday, October 21.

For full T&Cs see www.

UK delivery is free. (abbr.)

(3) 12 13 14 Country Mouse, is watching him brag solution brolga 21 Bode, 22 Persists. *Calls cost 80p per minute plus your Y 35 2 corresponding ‘twin’. Solution on Monday.

For today’s express.co.uk/campaigns/terms/7. SP: Spoke, 0333 202 3390. By responding to promotions, offers and 15nine-letter Pinafore (5) word. No borage M 30 6 36 10 13 2 one telephone company’s network inquisitively.

21 22 23 Tent, 3 Retrieves, eager eagle 181 eagre 16 2Toothed wheel (3)4 Sap, competitions you agree that Northern & Shell may contact you by post, SMS and/or email with offers, goods down 1 Nocturnal, call: 0907 2583 charge. All puzzles use or verb 5 Begrudges, 7plurals Pioneer, Veins, 10 Deadforms end, 13 Sofas, ergo use trying to explain,” “I’mtocoming, Rastus calls, 15 *CallsAcost13 80p per minute your 17 9Manipulates 37 plusforage 3 telephone 34 4 Naccess 6 Chambers 25 Dictionary 31 35 7 9 flag flog The or services that may be of interest you. To stopRupert,” receiving SMS messages please text ‘NS NOINFO’ to 83310.

18 Eros, Tie. company’s network access charge.

O 10 25 31 35 14 1 3 1 fraudulently (4) Rupert, setting off again.

And through the wooden bars he crawls. © Express Newspapers 2016 ending in19 “s”. foreleg forge B 19 Compel (6) P /lmx FoRGEABLE frog 16 17 18 To pre-order the Rupert Annual for 2017 (no.81) at £9.99 (August 2016) please call 0871 988 8370; C 20 Celebrities (5) *SP: Spoke – Helpline 0333 202 3390 8 18 33 35 8 4 5 11 3 30 18 Alternatively send a cheque/PO to The Classic Rupert Bear Shop, PO Box 200, Falmouth TR11 4WJ or order Q 4 8 5 7 5 8 15 1 gable gale galore gaol SE No 21 TODAY’S TARGET 21 Rode (anag.) (4) online at www.classicrupertbearshop.com. UK Delivery is free. Calls cost 10p per min. plus network extras D garb garble 22 16; Play-acts (8)good 24; R gaoler 19 Good very Before he has gone far Rupert pauses.

E 39gear4 glare garbo 7 glebe 26 15S 26 27 17 33 24 3939 3812 18 14 117 3 DOWN 31 (or more). excellent “I wish I could be allowed to take this gleeF glob globe goal 1 Exclude from a group (9) T 20 21 Solution Monday.

ACROSS 2 Pieces (4) flower to the Professor himself,” he 1 2 3 4 5 goer 135 6 G gofer32golf 15golfer 20 38U 26 11 39 7 16 2825 302 74 3 With sincere 1 Oxford and Cambridge thinks. “I’m sure he would be gore 21 grab grebe lager intentions (2,7) 22 V universities (8) H YESTERDAY’S interested. He may never have seen large largo leger ogee 4 Household fuel (3) 6 7 8 9 10 6 Slender (4) 32 15 2 one like it before.” But the dwarf is still SOLUTION ogleI ogre rage 40 reflag 5 Evaluators (9) 17 31 30 3 W 4 7 30 17 4 3 24 3636 19 12 ● The Express Bookshop stocks a wide selection 8 Approaches (5) of puzzle books across X 7 Beargol careful (4,3) annoyed and is watching him sternly, all crossword puzzle genres. To obtain our up to date list please visitagree regal regale bagel J 11 Freshwater mammals (6) 9 Mistake (5) www.expressbookshop.com, call 01872 562310 or write to Express 38 21 26 18 22 26 35 3 Y 11 so he continues on his way. “I wonder 12 __ Kemp, actor (4)

on the number of u can use a letter in d. Your list should dowdy nine-letter

1 8 5 4 7 3 9 2

5 4 1 3 2 8 7 6

7 2 9 8 6 5 4 1

9 2 5 3 4 1 8

3 7 1 8 6 5 9

5 6 9 4 2 3 7

7 4 2 1 9 6 5

6 8 7 9 1 2 3

1 3 6 5 7 8 4

TEASER section

Take one letter from each sector to give a Scottish town. c 5 2 9 Take a further letter from each1 n sector to give a Welsh town.

3 8 1 mensateaser: WIN Race For The White House on DVD 6 7e Fill the grid so that 9 29 words The remaining letters will give every column, row, and 8 od: a 2 Douglas vs. Lincoln, Kennedy vs. Nixon, Clinton vs. Bush. In this 6 US election 3x3 square includes all ancontentious English town.

Whatyear, areRace For ble: 394words ● TO order The Express Sudoku The White House takes you on an historic journey behind the scenesthe of sixthree iconictowns? elections. Enter to win11 the digits from 1 toFor 9. extra clues call: puzzles (£5.99) or the Infinite Sudoku CD Rom (£9.99) callnarrated by Kevin Spacey, or purchase from www.acorndvd.com. ooter, lore, lotto, oleo, this enlightening series on DVD Level: Moderate 0901 322 5603 The Express Bookshop on

DOKU

2

9 3

5 6 1

THE AL

e h p b d 2 a e t i n r g a o z d

ARE AVO XCT

THE ALPHABE

SmALL cRoSSwoRd

Lisa Wild

SmALL cRoSSwoRd

who else there is who would know about roses,” he mutters. He does not notice that one of his pals, Rastus the Country Mouse, is watching him inquisitively. © Express Newspapers 2016

.81) at £9.99 (August 2016) please call 0871 988 8370; upert Bear Shop, PO Box 200, Falmouth TR11 4WJ or order Delivery is free. Calls cost 10p per min. plus network extras

ing, Rupert,” Rastus calls, ugh the wooden bars he crawls. /lmx

barge bargee 10 Person fleeingbeagle war (7) 13 Animal’s trailblag (5) beagler berg blog 18 Religious image (4) borage brag 19 Vehicle (3) brolga eager eagle eagre For today’s solution ergo flag flog forage call: 0907 181 2583 foreleg *Calls cost 80pforge per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge.

FoRGEABLE frog gable gale galore gaol gaoler garb garble garbo gear glare glebe glee glob globe goal goer gofer golf golfer gore grab grebe lager large largo leger ogee ogle ogre rage reflag regal regale

Bookshop, PO Box 200, Falmouth TR11 4WJ. Please enclose an SAE for return.

14 College of Further

12

13

14

15 “I’m coming, Rupert,” Rastus calls, And through 16 the wooden bars he crawls.

17 /lmx

18

LASTEducation SATURdAy’S SoLUTIon (abbr.)

(3) AcRoSS 1 Naturist, 6 Open, 8 Evade, 11 Instep, 12 Tots, 15 Pinafore (5) 14 Far, 15 Point, 16 Rep, 17 Seed, 19 Tavern, 20 Arise, 16 Toothed (3) 21 Bode, 22wheel Persists.

Manipulates down 117 Nocturnal, 2 Tent, 3 Retrieves, 4 Sap, fraudulently 5 Begrudges, 7 Pioneer, 9 Veins, (4) 10 Dead end, 13 Sofas, 18 Eros,(6) 19 Tie. 19 Compel

19 20

21 22

● The Express Bookshop stocks a wide selection of puzzle books across all crossword puzzle genres. To obtain our up to date list please visit www.expressbookshop.com, call 01872 562310 or write to Express Bookshop, PO Box 200, Falmouth TR11 4WJ. Please enclose an SAE for return.

LAST SATURdAy’S SoLUTIon AcRoSS 1 Naturist, 6 Open, 8 Evade, 11 Instep, 12 Tots, 14 Far, 15 Point, 16 Rep, 17 Seed, 19 Tavern, 20 Arise, 21 Bode, 22 Persists. down 1 Nocturnal, 2 Tent, 3 Retrieves, 4 Sap, 5 Begrudges, 7 Pioneer, 9 Veins, 10 Dead end, 13 Sofas, 18 Eros, 19 Tie.

20 Celebrities (5) 21 Rode (anag.) (4) 22 Play-acts (8)

DOWN 1 Exclude from a group (9) 2 Pieces (4) 3 With sincere intentions (2,7) 4 Household fuel (3) 5 Evaluators (9) 7 Be careful (4,3) 9 Mistake (5) 10 Person fleeing war (7) 13 Animal’s trail (5) 18 Religious image (4)

19 Vehicle (3)

For today’s solution call: 0907 181 2583

*Calls cost 80p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge.

Call 0907 181 2586 for today’s Target solution

*Calls cost 80p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge. All puzzles use The Chambers Dictionary

K 9 L

4

29

25

22Z

Call 0907 181 2586 for M 30 Target 6 solution 36 10 today’s

N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

131

Y

*Calls cost 80p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge. All puzzles use The Chambers Dictionary

1

Y

21

21

11

2

2

22

1

8

25

3

4

35

5

23

24

25

3

276 26

27

18

17 8

9

26

10

33 11

29

30

31

28

25

31

35

14

4

8

5

7

5

8

15

11

15

23

24

26

17

24

39

12

14

11

31

9

25

12

26

39

16

25

2

4

13

6

36

22

31

4

30

4

24

36

32

15

25

3

22

5

38

21

26

18

22

26

35

32

25

26

40

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

K

12

13

11 K 6

35

10

2

16

7

37

■■ 32 33

20

14

15

16

17

34

35

36

37

K

12

■

3

The Tribune | Weekend | 27

Friday, January 6, 2017

animals

When dogs fight

I

would like to have thought that with all the advice I dole out to animals lovers, pet owners and pet parents, I would have been able to avoid a horrible dog fight at my home right after New Year’s.

Before I go any further I would like to reassure you that all canines involved are alive and somewhat well, but hurting from bite wounds and emotional stress from an intense fight.

It was around 9am on the holiday Monday. People were walking their dogs leisurely past my seven-foot solid concrete and bougainvillea wall. However, those Potcakes of mine behind the wall have a keen ear and a strong sense of smell. So the dogs walked by on the other side of the wall – my dogs could see nothing – but one dog must have taken exception to the presence of those other dogs. That’s all it takes really.

I was not there, but because it was a holiday we had allowed the dogs to go out into the garden all together. Not a thing we usually do as Garmin and Bella can be a little funny with each other outdoors. Nobody was with them when it started, but the clamour and horrible sounds that only a dog fight can produce were soon audible all over the neighbourhood.

My husband was able to break them up. Fortunately it occurred near an interior fence so he was able to separate them, but not without difficulty. Note to self: get a few more hoses and have them strategically placed for quick and easy access.

When I came home I was greeted by a very hyper Garmin covered with blood; wherever you touched your hand came away red. As he has pretty thick fur it was very difficult to see where he was actually bitten. When we got him to the vet and the fur was shaved away, then we saw how close the bites on his neck were to his jugular vein. Had the other dogs bitten through that vein, Garmin would have bled out before we could have helped him in any way. Scary!

Sociable Irene

By The Bahamas Humane Society

pet of the week

“H

ave you made your New Year’s resolutions yet? If you’re behind schedule on those, how about resolving to adopt me from the Bahamas Humane Society? My name is Irene, and I’m looking for a new home for the new year. I’m almost two years old but still look young and act that way, too. I’m very sociable and love to meet new people. I won’t mind sharing my new home with another cat. If you’re ready to meet me, please come in to the BHS during adoption hours or call 323-5138 for more information. I am looking forward to meeting you!”

Adoption hours are 11am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, and 10am to 4pm on Saturday.

• Please note that the BHS will be closed on Tuesday, January 10, for the Majority Rule Day holiday.

Potcake Garmin sustained injuries in a dog fight.

Patricia Vazquez

Animal matters Kim Aranha

What is very interesting is that the two older (and may I say wiser) dogs, Buddy and Chief, stayed out of the foray and had nothing to do with it.

It was the three younger ones. Boss is the youngest and the biggest, 90lbs, but usually as gentle as a fly. For some reason the fight triggered an aggressive reaction and he got into the fight.

Garmin, who could not fight himself out of a milk carton with instructions, was under big Boss and feisty Bella.

The poor guy really got beat up.

After returning from the vet with a banged-up Garmin, who couldn’t be stitched up right away but needed 24 hours for the wounds to drain and the swelling to subside, I found that Boss must have put his back out. Something that has occurred before.

Garmin had to be kept separate from the others, Boss had to be kept quiet and Bella watched. Wait a minute, is this our Happy New Year?

This week, Garmin went in to be stitched up. He was under anaesthetic and all wounds were thoroughly cleaned and stitched. He has a drainage tube for the bigger tear on his neck, the one near the jugular. That will be removed in a few days.

Meanwhile, we have to be very careful indeed. Careful he does not do more damage, or inadvertently pull out the drainage tube. Thank God we are blessed with vets who have golden hands in this country.

Once he is mended and the stitches are out, the psychological side of the healing has to start. We have to become a happy canine family again.

Garmin is very tentative about going outside, especially into the yard he where had his fight. Boss has a bad back and a sudden movement can bring on a yelp.

I knew what the trigger was. I knew how to avoid it, but I did not have all the security mechanisms in place. So now I have signs on doors asking people not to put Bella and Garmin out together. In peaceful and calm situations in the house we are all fine, after all, this is the first fight since July 2015, and that fight started exactly the same way.

For 2017 the lesson has been learned; these two Potcakes who grew up together are not going to have another chance at being “triggered” by the sound of other dogs passing their home. The can go out without the pleasure of the other’s company, and I will rest peacefully.

Meanwhile, do they teach Kung Fu classes to dogs?

28 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, January 6, 2017

gardening

The garden in January We are almost a week into the second half of the vegetable growing season, and Jack Hardy said this gives us the chance to plan for both a continued supply of what we love and the introduction of new additions.

T

his is a good time to start Irish potatoes, fennel, cantaloupe and other melons, strawberries and eggplant.

Strawberry plants should be available from your local nursery and are quick producers. Better still, they send out stolons with new plants to provide future yields.

Plant your strawberries in full sun and rich, well-drained soil and give them a protective doormat. Strawberries in Europe were held off the ground by placing straw around the plant, hence the name. In modern times it is more usual to employ plastic mulch the size of a dinner plate with a hole in the middle and a cut from middle to edge to prevent each strawberry produced from touching the ground. That still leaves birds to contend with, however.

Eggplants are warm weather lovers but if the seeds are sown now it

will be warm enough for the plants to flower and hold fruit by Easter. Once established the plants will produce through spring and summer. Instead of the large deep purple fruits commonly available you might like to try white eggplants with mauve splashes that are more compact and visually interesting.

There are also some interesting Asian eggplants.

Europeans have long enjoyed fennel as a major vegetable but it is somewhat rare in The Bahamas. Fennel grows readily and produces large plants with lovely fern-like foliage. The root can be sliced thinly and eaten raw as a salad, or cooked as a vegetable side.

Our salad makings should last us through the cool season of the year because most lettuces are ‘cut and come again’. If you have any lettuces start to bolt and send up a large central stalk it will be time to sow some more seeds.

Lettuces grow quickly from seed as do salad greens.

Do not hurry your onion transplant time. Onion seedlings should be well rooted before moving them to the garden, about six inches long and with several green stalks. Seeds started in December will produce a harvest in May, earlier for smaller varieties.

Any pepper plants that are producing now should last well into (or through) summer. I have an Anaheim pepper plants in its third year that is straggly and somewhat unsightly but still surviving and still producing. I do not have the heart to pull up a productive plant.

For many of us it is tomatoes that present problems when it comes to staggering harvest times. The average plant takes four months to produce its first fruit and then bears quite satisfactorily for a month or so. I have no compunctions about pulling up an indeterminate tomato plant once it is well past its best, even though it may have a few green fruits.

Ideally we should calculate how many tomato plants our family will be happy with and initially plant that many. Two hybrid plants would be sufficient for the average two adults/two children family. Plant seeds each month up to Easter to maintain your productivity throughout the tomato growing season. Being human, most of us rebel against this. Instead of two plants we grow two dozen.

We love the glut that ensues and are taken aback by the inevitable famine.

No matter how many tomatoes you

Plant strawberries in full sun and rich, well-drained soil and give them a protective doormat.

grow at one time you should plant more every month, even only two.

Many discriminating gardeners will only raise heirloom tomatoes on the basis that if they are putting effort into growing tomatoes they want the best tasting results. Most heirlooms are fairly shy bearers and your two hybrid plants may have to go up to half-adozen heirlooms.

You can ride out any tomato famine by planting some large-fruiting cherry tomato vines outside of the regular garden area. If you can find a sunny location with good soil you can establish a good secondary source of tomatoes. I grow mine in 5-gallon pots and use a tomato tower to confine the vines. I have no red cherry tomatoes because I have found brown, black, yellow and green varieties have superior flavour. Cherry tomatoes in general bear for much longer than salad-size or beefsteak tomatoes and just two sowing – August and January – will take you through the productive season.

It is almost inevitable that our fruit trees will suffer a scale insect attack at some time. I have several hibiscus plants and two carambola trees that have infestations. Ornamental shrubs like hibiscus and roses can be treated with systemic insecticides but fruit tree infestations must be dealt with using dormant oil. If you use dormant oil in the warm months of the year you may fry your fruit trees so January is the month when the problem should be addressed (maybe February for carambola, waiting for the last fruits to be picked).

Follow the instructions on your dormant oil label and operate on a cool cloudy day. Most treatments involve a follow-up a few weeks later, and maybe a third. An efficient dealing with sucking scale insects will greatly improve fruit yield. Untreated trees may die.

If your mangoes have shown signs of anthracnose in the past you should start a regimen of spraying the trees with a fungicide at flowering time. Again, follow the instructions on the bottle and use a long-throw sprayer to efficiently cover the foliage and fruit spikes.

• For questions and comments e-mail j.hardy@coralwave.com.