09142018 WEEKEND

Friday, September 14, 2018

art books poetry film fashion music travel food gardening animals

Weekend

WHERE’S WALLY? Page 9

Body and Mind

Building muscles, soothing the soul pages 4 & 5

02 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, September 14, 2018

art

The twists and turns

of wire jewellery

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

W

ith no formal training in jewellery making, self-taught artisan Nancy Swaby lets her passion guide her when it comes to designing and creating unique pieces made from wire.

With her customers now draped in Nancy’s Fancies, as her company is called, Ms Swaby said ongoing experimentation with new designs and techniques inspires her next twists and turns.

“In some ways the wire speaks to me, guiding my hands to perfect each technique as well as to create new and innovative designs. Sometimes persons see my pieces and ask if I can custom design something similar, but more personalised, which then boosts my creative flow. The versatility of working with the wire is very satisfying,” Ms Swaby told Tribune Weekend.

Her ultimate goal is to create jewellery that will make its wearer feel special. One of Ms Swaby’s favourite things about jewellery-making is meeting new people; whether at craft shows or in public when people come up to her and admire something she’s wearing, not knowing that she made it. This always starts a conversation which leads to her telling them about Nancy’s Fancies.

“During my 40-year banking career I had always dabbled in some form of the creative arts. My mom, sister and I also shared in a small family business in the 1980s and 1990s, making jewellery from clay, painted T-shirts and other crafts. After retiring from banking in 2012, I was travelling and saw a wire ring. The vendor, for whatever reason, ignored me, but I couldn’t get the ring out of my head. Therefore, I sought out the wire and made myself a ring. Then I decided I needed matching earrings.

My intent was never to create jewellery for sale, but I found that I love working with wire and eventually made more

than I could possibly wear,” said Ms Swaby.

Nancy’s Fancies, a home-based company, now offers a wide range of hypoallergenic and anti-tarnish aluminium wire jewellery in the form of necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, as well as ornaments. Nancy’s Fancies

jewellery is available at craft shows such as the Art Walk in Marina Village and the annual Bahamas National Trust’s Jollification in mid-November.

A sampling of available items can be found online at https://m.facebook. com/nancysfanciesbah.

“Given that technically I’m retired and this is really a hobby, I’m loving the flexibility to produce jewellery when the artistic juices flow. Therefore, I’m looking at keeping the company on a small, intimate level. However, I hope to eventually train young talent to preserve this art form here in the Bahamas,” said Ms Swaby.

“I’m receiving very positive feedback. My customers love that the jewellery is unique, affordable, lightweight and fun to wear. They also like that custom orders are available, so I can work with them to create oneof-a-kind pieces to suit their personal tastes.”

The Tribune | Weekend | 03

Friday, September 14, 2018

Inside Weekend

My perfect Bahamian weekend Andril Aranha-Ching CEO, Aroma Q: Saturday breakfast or Sunday lunch?

Interview 4-5 After only one year as a bikini bodybuilder, Keisha McKenzie competes in the sport’s biggest event

Food 7 Waterfront dining with international flair

Entertainment 8 - 9 ‘Where in the World is Wally?’ ushers in a new era of filmmaking, plus Fergie headlines Atlantis’ New Year’s Eve concert

Music 10 - 11 Latasha Taylor has a supernatural encounter, plus Wendi Lewis gets her Creole on

Film 12, 20 -21 ‘White Boy Rick’, ‘The Predator’ reviewed, plus Freeport gears up for 2018 film festival

Culture 14 - 15 The reinvention of the sponge

Poetry 17 SeaWords hosts a special haiku contest

Books 18 Find out how to ‘Namaste the Hard Way’, and enjoy a stellar thriller with ‘Trust Me’

Gardening 19 Jack Hardy gives an introduction to the cabbage clan

Literary Lives 22 - 23 Sir Christopher Ondaatje on the man behind “The Saint”

Travel 24 Virtual reality brings biblicalera Jerusalem to life

Forgotten Facts 25 Paul C Aranha laments the irresponsible neglect of our history

Puzzles 26

Animals 27 Kim Aranha delves deep on the ambergris issue, plus Pet of the Week

“Saturday breakfast at Louis & Steen’s for pancakes or shrimp and grits.”

Q: Wine, rum, cocktail or Kalik?

“Wine. Definitely wine...Pinot noir, Sauvignon blanc or even a good champ usually works.”

Q: Beach or sofa?

“I’ll take the beach.”

Q: What is the one thing that you can’t live without?

“My cell phone; it’s my office on the go. Other than that I would say money.”

Q: Weekend away, where would you go?

“Exuma or Briland. Love my Bahama Islands.”

Things 2 Do this weekend Friday

• Baileys Corporate Fridays Time: 6pm Venue: Palm Cay Enjoy happy hour at 6pm, with a live band at 7.30pm, and Baileys drink specials and signature desserts.

• Happy Hour for a Cause Time: 6pm Venue: Compass Point Bahamas Enjoy drinks, networking and conversation with the Lend a Hand Bahamas team about efforts to revitalise the Over-the-Hill community of Grant’s Town. Learn more about short-term and long-term volunteer opportunities. Tickets are available online or at the door and all proceeds will benefit Lend a Hand Bahamas. The donation amount is $50 and it includes two drinks and appetisers.

• ‘Paint Me Couture!’ by Dear Fashion Journal Media Time: 6pm Venue: The beach across from the Caves Sip some wine and paint live models wearing the latest in Bahamian fashion. This event takes place every Friday until October.

Admission is $55 per painter, which includes complimentary wine, a canvas, paint, and assistance by artist Justin Moultrie if needed. For more information, e-mail Dearfashionjournal@gmail.com.

• Artist Talk and Walk with Lavar Munroe Time: 7pm

Venue: National Art Gallery of the Bahamas With more than 50 works on display, the NAGB celebrates the decade-long evolution of Lavar Munroe, a rising star in the contemporary arts world. Explore the method behind the madness and the talent.

• Summer Madness with James Catalyn and Friends Time: 8pm (continues until Sunday) Venue: Dundas Centre The annual performance will be a tribute to the late James Catalyn.

Tickets are $25.

• Hiromi Katayama Art Show Time: 8pm Venue: Underground Bistro Acclaimed Japanese artist Hiromi Katayama will share her talent in the Japanese style of painting called Nihonga. She will be joined

by Bahamian Allan Pachino Wallace, photographer and illustrator Theo McClain, neon and sketch artist Emmanuel Caragan, and sketch and portrait artist Kono Chakino Smith.

Saturday

• BAIC Farmers Market Time: 8am Venue: Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation Come out to purchase fresh produce and support our local farmers.

• Party with Jose Cuervo for Mexican Independence Time: 11am - 11pm Venue: Outback Steakhouse

Celebrate Mexican Independence with specials on Jose Cuervo margaritas and drink specials with authentic Mexican dishes served.

Free sombreros, shots and maracas.

• Mexican Independence Day Time: 8pm Venue: Senor Frog’s Celebrate with an all-you-can-eat authentic Mexican buffet and a Latin DJ. There is a $15 cover charge.

• Savage Nights: Rap Battle Ludacris vs Future Time: 10pm Venue: Underground Bistro The second instalment of the Savage 100: Savage Nights rap battle will feature instrumentals from Ludacris and Future. Rappers have 60 seconds to spit their best bars over an iconic beat chosen by the DJ. Winners will move on until there is only one man standing.

Sunday

• Beach Body Fit Camp & Yoga Time: 7am - 8.30am Venue: Montagu Beach Participate in a full body workout led by Coach Cle, with complimentary wellness evaluations and Herbalife protein shakes. Cool down with a yoga session with special guest EsiFlow.

• Grand Finale: Miss Bahamas Universe 2018 Time: 6pm Venue: Atlantis Theatre The new Miss Bahamas Universe, who will represent her country in Thailand this December, will be crowned. Tickets are $75 for

04 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, September 14, 2018

interview After pulling herself out of a dark place in her life through the help of physical fitness, this mother-of-three and nurse became the first Bahamian woman to successfully compete in the bikini category of one of bodybuilding’s biggest events. She tells Cara Hunt how this sport has restored her confidence and changed her life.

Keisha

McKenzie

T

hree years ago Keisha McKenzie was in what she describes as a very dark place. She was in the midst of marital problems and was desperately in need of an outlet and a confidence boost.

So the nurse and mother of three children joined a gym and started working out. That opened the door to the world of bikini bodybuilding and the chance to compete on that sport’s biggest stage.

Competitive bikini bodybuilding is a relatively new, but rapidly growing discipline. In 2010, the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) recognised it as an independent competition category.

The category places much less emphasis on muscularity to accommodate even more women into the world of physique competitions. Competitors are scored on proportion, symmetry, balance, shape and skin tone. So women who are not willing to be as muscular as bodybuilders can still participate in the competitions.

Keisha explained that she originally started working out as a way to get back into shape after having her kids.

“I was also going through a difficult time and I decided that working out would be more of a therapy for me. I didn’t really have any expectation apart from that,” she said.

However, she soon caught the bikini bodybuilding bug and started competing.

“After eight months I was able to go pro and I was actually able to qualify for the Olympia bikini bodybuilding competition in 2017,” she said.

The 2017 Mr Olympia contest was a weekend-long IFBB professional bodybuilding competition that was held last September in Las Vegas, Nevada. This was the 53rd Mr Olympia competition. The competition is also known as the Joe Weider’s Olympia Fitness and Performance Weekend. While the main event was the competition for the title of Mr Olympia, several other events were also held, including the amateur competitions and a sports expo.

Perhaps the most famous Mr Olympia winner is Arnold Schwarzenegger, who won the title seven times in the 1970s.

The first Bikini Olympia was introduced in 2010, since then it has grown to become the largest and most popular division on the fitness stage.

Keisha described the overall experience of competing at the Olympia as surreal.

“Honestly that is the best way to describe it. They flew us to Las Vegas and treated us like royalty the entire time that we were there. It was so amazing to be there. First, I was black, and second I was new.

“The more that you do for yourself, the more you can do for others.”

The Tribune | Weekend | 05

Friday, September 14, 2018

“This is a big deal, especially when you realise that it only took me a year to qualify for the event and there are some women who have spent years competing in the hopes of being able to compete at the Olympia. I remember I was backstage just thinking, I can’t believe this; this is crazy,” she said.

Keisha placed 16th in the competition and made her own brand of history at the same time.

“I’ve done some research and have yet to find any documentation of a Bahamian bikini Olympia (competitor),” she said.

“I would love greatly to share my love and passion for fitness with all those desiring to enter the bodybuilding community or those who just simply have a love and passion for fitness,” she said.

This is why she recently started her own online personal training company.

Her professional experience also makes her uniquely qualified to assist others on their own journey to physical fitness.

“I grew up in the Bahamas until I was 16 and then moved to the United States. I graduated high school at 15 and finished my nursing studies by the time I was 17, although I had to wait until I turned 18 to take my boards. I come from a family of nurses and so it was an easy path for me to follow,” she said.

“I really feel that it has helped me with my own fitness and being a trainer for other people, because I understand the human body. And I can help them come up with a nutritional programme as well, because I have a better grasp of the effect certain foods have.”

In addition to the physical benefits of exercise, Keisha points out that working your body can tremendously improve a person’s mental state as well, which in turn helps them have better relationships and a better quality of life.

“As I said, this all started when I was at a very dark place in my life and working out for me almost became my therapy. It just made me feel so much better about myself and really improved my confidence,” she said.

“And when you feel good about yourself, you look at yourself differently. That is why I like to work out first thing in the morning, because whenever I do it sets my mood for the rest of the day. And when you feel good, then you are just more careful about how you treat your body. If you are working out then you automatically think more about what you put into your body.”

As a mother, she also knows first-hand that it may not be easy to find the time to exercise or commit to embarking on a physical fitness journey.

“The time that I take to train, and I train almost every day, especially when I am preparing for a competition, I can be in the gym for hours, but that ‘me time’; it helps me to be a better person. It adds value to my family. It so important to find balance and find time for yourself. The more that you do for yourself, the more you can do for others,” she said.

06 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, September 14, 2018

The Tribune | Weekend | 07

Friday, September 14, 2018

food

‘Down-home’ eats with international flair

The Palm Cay Burger

Palm Cay offers waterfront dining

I

t may be located in a gated community, out Palm Cay’s Clubhouse Restaurant is open to the public, offering am eclectic fusion menu as well as views of the resort-style development’s awardwinning marina, its poolscape and sandy beach.

“We offer a range of (menu) items that complement our Bahamian and international clientele,” said Marisa Nixon, lifestyle operations manager.

“Our menu speaks to the flavours of the Bahamas to give you a more

Moroccan spiced shrimp

Lobster cobb salad

cultural feel with a fusion of international accents.

“We offer beautiful views of the ocean for that ‘Out Island down-home feel’ and light weekend entertainment to allow one to relax and unwind during and after the dining experience, which is one of a kind and will leave one intrigued to explore all we have to offer.”

With an island chic décor, the restaurant seats 52 with space for another 60 for al fresco (outside) dining. It’s open Monday to Thursday, noon to 8pm, and Friday through Sunday from noon to 10pm. Reservations are required at least two hours in advance to ensure guests are welcomed with open arms upon arrival.

Food served here is a mix of Bahamian, American and Japanese influences with a dash of the tropical.

Perennial favourites “on the raw side” include the salmon tartare with caramelised butternut squash and the Palm Cay tuna poke. For the vegetarian, there’s a hummus bowl with

crudites and pizza bread available, while a lobster Cobb salad is guaranteed to hit the spot for the light eater.

Deep fried lovers can enjoy crab cakes with candied onions, alongside other Bahamian favourites like grouper fingers and conch fritters.

For foodies in search of something different, the restaurant offers European style charred conch with pineapple salsa (it’s Palm Cay’s grilled version of a tropical conch salad).

Other popular menu items include pizzas (baked fresh in Palm Cay’s brick oven), the mango-Sriracha and honey glazed chicken wings and the Palm Cay Bison Burger with pepper jack cheese. While the typical ground beef burger has 60 per cent meat and 40 per cent fat, the meatier bison burger has less fat with a 90/10 ratio.

“Almost everything is made to order,” said Executive Chef Shannon Balfour, the co-creator of menus featured at the Clubhouse Restaurant and the Tiki Bar. “As soon as an order is

received everything is prepared. That’s why it’s so fresh.”

Chef Balfour personally hand rolls and seasons the hamburger patties, filets and grouper and makes the tuna poke and salmon tartare fresh daily amongst a myriad of other culinary preparation.

“We’re the last stop on the eastern side of the island offering outstanding food and warm, impeccable service,” said restaurant manager Tiffany Seymour. “We want the locals to come experience Palm Cay, you might decide not to leave.”

In fact, diners could stay for the weekend, for the movie night event held under the stars on the beach from 8pm to 10pm, just outside the restaurant. There is also a special Sushi Saturday menu, which runs from 6pm to 10pm.

The restaurant is available for intimate events for 50 guests or less, including small weddings, tea parties, corporate luncheons and cocktail parties.

08 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, September 14, 2018

entertainment

Celebrate a ‘Fergalicious’ New Year’s Eve at Atlantis

A

tlantis Paradise Island is ringing in 2019 with an exclusive New Year’s Eve performance by Grammy Award-winning pop star Fergie.

The singer will perform on the evening of December 31 as part of the resort’s acclaimed entertainment series which provides guests with an all-access pass to top musicians and artists.

Fergie is a multi-platinum solo artist and winner of eight Grammy awards, who initially rose to fame as the lead vocalist for hip hop group, The Black Eyed Peas. Following a (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images) successful run with the music group, Fergie ventured out into the solo world, ultimately becoming one of The New Year’s Eve show will take pop’s leading ladies with hit after hit, place in Atlantis’ Imperial Ballroom including multiple number one placeFergie performed live at the star-studded relaunch of The Cove resort at on December 31 starting at 9pm, ments on the Billboard Hot 100 list.

Atlantis last November. (Photos by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images) with tickets ranging from $150 to Guests of Fergie’s New Year’s Eve $1,000. Bronze tickets are valued at performance at Atlantis can expect $150, silver are $200, gold are $250, to hear her perform songs from her debut solo album, “The Dutchess” her latest studio album, “Double performed beach-side for a star-stud- platinum are $375, VIP are $475 and (ranging from “Fergalicious” to “Big Dutchess.” No stranger to Atlantis, ded, intimate crowd in November to VVIP are $1,000. Tickets are now on Girls Don’t Cry”), as well as hits from Paradise Island, Fergie most recently relaunch The Cove Atlantis. sale.

Newly minted Emmy winner John Legend joins ‘The Voice’ LOS ANGELES (AP) — Fresh off an Emmy Award win, John Legend is sticking with television and becoming a coach on NBC’s “The Voice.”

Legend won an Emmy last Saturday as a producer of NBC’s “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert,” making him an EGOT — the term for someone who’s won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award – a rare occurrence.

Legend will join fellow singers Kelly Clarkson, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton as coaches on “The Voice.” The show is vying for its fourth straight Emmy for outstanding

reality competition category at Monday’s 70th prime-time Emmy Awards ceremony.

“I’m thrilled to join the coaches of ‘The Voice’,” Legend said. “I’ve been a guest and mentor on the show multiple times and I’m so excited to discover talented singers and help them make the most of their gift. I hope the world is ready for #TeamJL.” The 39-year-old has another shot at an Emmy on Monday. He’s nominated for Best Actor in a limited series or movie for “Jesus Christ Superstar.”

John Legend with his Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

The Tribune | Weekend | 09

Friday, September 14, 2018

entertainment

A new take on filmmaking ‘Where in the World is Wally’ premieres on Instagram

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

B

AHAMIAN filmmaker Travolta Cooper is taking a whole new approach to 21st century entertainment with a new Instagram series that follows the adventures of man suffering from temporary amnesia.

“Where in the World is Wally?” is the name of series which will be told in 60-second episodes. The plot revolves around the character of Wally who finds himself popping up around the world with no memory of how he got there.

The series is inspired by folktales told to Mr Cooper as a child, as well by his own travels around the world over the last three years producing documentaries.

It’s a fresh approach to filmmaking, he said, which he hopes will entertain Bahamian audiences.

“Instagram only allows for 60-second videos and I find joy in the challenge of telling 60-second episodes.

Finding a complete beginning, middle and end in that amount of time is fresh and new. In fact, there is a lot that is fresh and new about what we’re doing.

For one, this will be the first Bahamian global series, but most of all, I look forward to mastering a new form and content via Instagram with such

Filmmaker Travolta Cooper storytelling. We are currently in talks with the two leading cable carriers in the Bahamas about running ‘Where in the World is Wally’ on their Instagram accounts,” he told Tribune Weekend.

Mr Cooper decided that Instagram was best suited platform for the series as it marries elements of all of the major social media platforms.

“Instagram, or ‘the Gram’ as most call it, is phenomenal to say the least.

I think the key to its success, and its rapid growth both abroad and here home in the Bahamas, is that it manages to blend all the social media platforms into one platform. It’s a bit of Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and Snapchat, and now with IGTV, it is also bit of YouTube,” he said.

“But most of all, Instagram is probably just the most fun. Instagram with its varied mix of hashtags and design also brings content directly to a intended demographic and audience. In fact, upon studying Instagram, it even shows you ways to be more effective in reaching one’s audience via media. And once all the calculations are correct, the desired result can be achieved. It’s the difference from before when you put a programme on television and asked audiences to come and see it. Instagram instead goes

The team behind ‘Where in the World is Wally?’ on the cover of Stylezine directly to the targeted online audience,” he said.

At the present, he along with his team were awarded enough money for one season. However, there are four seasons of the story all together.

Season one has 21 episodes which will start appearing on Instagram this October and run into the second quarter of 2019.

The idea for the Instagram series came about as Mr Cooper was participating in a producers’ pitch session at the Cannes Film Festival in May. “I pitched the digital series ‘Where in the World is Wally’. You’re probably thinking, ‘What were the producers thinking at Cannes the second I said ‘World’ and ‘Wally’. You’re thinking, is this ‘Waldo’ or a spin on the British ‘Wally’ series.

“Yes, there are connections in theme here and there. But no, ‘Wally’ is a folktale we were told by my maternal grandmother growing up on the island of Bimini. That generation of Biminites who knew her, knew her to be a bit of a legend, and my family knew her to be a masterful storyteller.

‘Wally” was passed down from her mother, Liz Smith. Mama Liz, as she was called, was just one generation removed from slavery. Mama Liz grew up on a little island called Rum Cay,

so that’s as much as I know about where the tale came from. Whereas the ‘Bookie and B’ Rabby’ tales are shared throughout the entire archipelago of the Bahamas, different Family Islands had folktales unique to their topography, like the ‘Chickcharney’ tales from Andros, or the ‘B’ Devil’ tales from Cat Island,” he said.

It wasn’t until he attended college in Miami, Mr Cooper said, that he learned about “Where’s Waldo?”. And after doing more research he discovered it was appropriated from the British series “Where’s Wally?”.

“Where did the English get the story? The origins are ambiguous. But this is nothing new. All you have to do is research Bugs Bunny and Looney Tunes to see that those stories came from the Bookie and B’ Rabby tales of the Caribbean and Gullah culture. And the Disney animated movies have all been appropriated and made ‘lighter’ for a young audience. I remember being in Copenhagen, Denmark, and learning the the origins of ‘The Little Mermaid’,” he said.

The core cast members of “Where in the World is Wally?” are Renel Brown, Timico Sawyer, Leah Eneas, Jonathan Belle and Mr Cooper himself. The series will also feature both Bahamian and international talent as guest stars.

10 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, September 14, 2018

music

Nicki Minaj, left, and Cardi B (Photos

by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

Minaj calls dust-up with Cardi B ‘humiliating’ NEW YORK (AP) — Nicki Minaj said being involved in an altercation with Cardi B at a fashion week party was “so mortifying and so humiliating.”

Cardi B tried to attack Minaj at the Harper’s Bazaar Icons party in New York last Friday. Video circulated on social media showing Cardi B lunging toward Minaj and throwing her shoe at the rapper.

In an Instagram post, Cardi B — who recently had a child — didn’t call out Minaj by name but alluded to the fight and said she was sparked because her mothering skills were being disparaged.

“I wanna say that I would never discuss anyone’s child. And it’s so sad for someone to pin that on me because I’m the bad guy and they’re gonna believe them,” Minaj said Monday on her Apple Music “Queen Radio” show.

The rappers have been rivals since Cardi B began achieving huge success over the last year. Cardi B recently became the first female rapper to have two songs hit the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and her debut album, “Invasion of Privacy,” is one of the best-selling albums of the year.

Minaj continues to find success but has been displaced as rap’s top female act.

Minaj said on her show that Cardi B “has built her career off of sympathy and payola.”

A barefoot Cardi B was escorted out of the event last week by security and was seen leaving the party with what appeared to be a bump on her head.

“Get this woman some (expletive) help. This woman is at the best stage of her career and she’s throwing bottles and throwing shoes? Who the (expletive) is gonna give her an intervention?” Minaj said.

A voice from above Latasha Taylor experiences the heavenly

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

A

n encounter with the supernatural inspired Latasha Taylor to record her latest single called “God’s Song”.

The former lead singer for the Bahamas National Youth Choir said the experience occurred during a normal weekend afternoon.

“I was at home on a Saturday afternoon a few months ago when I received instructions from the Holy Spirit to begin to exalt the Lord, so I began to worship the Lord.

Almost immediately, during worship, a portal was opened to me, and although I could not see anything, I was able to hear the most beautiful music and voices singing the exact song that I’ve released called ‘God’s Song’. After the portal had closed, I recorded the song on my mobile device and was given further instructions by God to release it to all worshippers,” Latasha told Tribune Weekend.

She said the song is so beautiful it could have only come from God himself, and that is who she is also dedicating her new single to. Latasha believes the song is calling out for a music video which depicts the beauty and splendour of God’s holiness, so fans can look out for one in the near future.

Latasha, who received gospel, classical and operatic training under the late Cleophas Adderley, presently serves as Mount Tabor’s main vocalist and praise and worship leader.

She is also the deputy minister of music at the church, which has given her the opportunity to share the stage with gospel stars such as William Murphy, Vashawn Mitchell, Sha Simpson, Miranda Willis, Nadene Moss, Bebe Winans, Tasha Cobbs, Judith McAllister, Bishop AJ Wright, Bishop Cortez Vaughn and many more.

“God’s Song” was released on digital platforms on September 2, and Latasha said the feedback has been absolutely incredible. The track was also released on radio stations in the Bahamas, in the Caribbean and internationally.

“I’m headed back into the studio to start work on my album that is expected to be completed in October of 2019. I am also presently planning a concert for which the date and venue will be announced shortly,” she said.

Latasha’s previous releases include “Wave of Glory”, a Mount Tabor live recording; her debut single “No Flesh” from 2010, and “Right Back To You” from 2016.

Her music can be found on all big music platforms, including iTunes, Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora and others. Physical copies are also available to order from latashattaylorminsitries@gmail.com.

The Tribune | Weekend | 11

Friday, September 14, 2018

music

Wendi gets her

Creole on

Singer braces for controversy, hopes for acceptance

The top 10 songs and albums on the iTunes Store

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

iTunes charts for week ending September 6, 2018

Top Songs

S

inger Wendi Lewis is challenging herself and voice with a new bilingual single that has a Creole flair she knows her listeners will love.

The performer, who has had a stellar year so far, winning the International Soca Award, has now released her fourth single for 2018.

“Mete” is a spicy Haitian Creole and English song written by Wendi, her husband Dyson Knight, and Yvrose Valcin. It is on the “Confetti Riddim” record, which is produced by Frederick ‘Gotstykz’ Seymour, Leonardo ‘Sniper’ Rogers and Benjamin Alexander.

“I don’t speak Creole, but I had a great writing partner, a Haitian-Bahamian, she does it well. She helped me with my pronunciation so I am hoping I got it right,” the singer told Tribune Weekend.

While Wendi has not perfected her Creole yet, she always taken a strong interest in learning new languages and incorporating them into her craft.

“I have always been a linguist and someone who is excited about another language. I speak Spanish, not fluently, but I speak it very well. When I was in university, I had a lot of Spanish friends and they would always speak to me in Spanish and I had to remind them that I wasn’t fluent. Even when I went to Italy for my honeymoon, the Italians thought I knew (the language).

“Meté” is Wendi’s first bilingual single I just knew a couple phrases here and there. So doing this song was very natural for me; it is not a stretch. I am just nervous, and sometimes art is uncomfortable,” she said.

Teaming up with Haitian-Bahamian Yvrose Valcin, who helped coach her on the new song, was also a way for Wendi to reach a bigger market.

“I have always wanted to do a Creole song and I have always been interested in tapping into a large market. Of course the way to do that is to tap into another language. Lots of artists do it,” said Wendi. “They will have an English song, but sing the entire thing in another language just to reach another market.”

Wendi recently received a lot of backlash from Bahamians for flying the Haitian flag in her music video for “Attitude”.

“It caused all sort of uproar. A lot of people said, ‘Why is she promoting Haiti? Isn’t this a Bahamian song?

And I had to explain to some people that the song is about being Caribbean

and nowhere in that song did I talk about being Bahamian. So it is letter to the young woman about being Caribbean and me encouraging them to be their 100 per cent themselves,” said Wendi.

“If I had a bigger budget, I would have had every island represented, but of course I knew Haitians, and Haiti is the closet neighbour we have. But it caused a lot of uproar. I am hoping this song opens the conversation a little bit more, not just from the political side of things, but the artistic side of things.”

But with this new single, Wendi wants her fans to know that she always has something to say and will always use her music to do just that.

“A lot of people sometimes think artists and musicians just want to do music for fun. But we are a part of the conversation. We have point of view.

I know there is going to be some controversy, but I am hoping at the end of the day people just love the song,” she said.

1. Girls Like You (featuring Cardi B), Maroon 5 2. In My Feelings, Drake 3. Natural, Imagine Dragons 4. The Ringer, Eminem 5. Lucky You (featuring Joyner Lucas), Eminem 6. I Like It, Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin 7. Youngblood, 5 Seconds of Summer 8. Better Now, Post Malone 9. Fall, Eminem 10. FEFE, (featuring Nicki Minaj & Murda Beatz), 6ix9ine

Top Albums

1. Kamikaze, Eminem 2. 8 Letters, Why Don’t We 3. Bloom, Troye Sivan 4. The Greatest Showman 5. My New Moon, Amos Lee 6. Living with a Fire (Live), Jesus Culture 7. Is This Thing Cursed?, Alkaline Trio 8. Nina Cried Power – EP, Hozier 9. Sweetener, Ariana Grande 10. 30 Greatest Hits,

By The Associated Press

12| The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, September 14, 2018

film

Lights, camera, action for Freeport Film Festival

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

T

he focus is on ‘resourcebased’ filmmaking as principals of the new Freeport Film Festival scout the islands of the Bahamas for

new talent.

The main aim of the upcoming festival is to light a spark amongst would-be local filmmakers and create internationally marketable productions.

The event, which will take place March 1- 2, 2019 at Galleria Cinemas in Grand Bahama, was created to

encourage Bahamians to become professional filmmakers.

It will also serve as a meeting place to begin collaborations among local filmmakers and create global awareness of Bahamian productions,

according to Cornelius McKinney, festival coordinator.

“The festival committee’s main effort is to get films made. This is accomplished through training workshops in film production, group meetings and discussions to advance the craft, produce Bahamian feature films that are marketable, with a goal of ultimately generating revenue from foreign sources, funds that will add to our local economy, create full-time jobs in the performing arts and provide funding for additional film production,” he said.

The first of several workshops hosted by the committee was held in Freeport last month. The workshops held in Freeport and Nassau so far have been well received, according to organisers. Two movies are now in development for Freeport and one for Nassau.

The workshops will move to Exuma for September 21-22, Andros for September 28-29, and Eleuthera for October 16-17. Cat Island and Abaco dates are still to be determined.

“The upcoming workshop will feature films made through the collaboration of like-minded individuals with very little funds spent. The focus is on resource filmmaking, that is, utilising whatever equipment and talent you have to complete a feature film,” said Mr McKinney.

“Participants will benefit by being educated and entertained with stories that they can relate to. It is hoped that this will create a spark of excitement that will become contagious and serve as a catalyst to seek out, find and train raw talent for the good of the local industry.”

The film festival, which is made possible in part by a grant from the Ministry of Culture, is open to entrants from around the world, but will mainly focus on films produced in the Bahamas.

The Tribune | Weekend | 13

Friday, September 14, 2018

celebrity

PART

With Karin Herig and Cara Hunt

(PHTOTS: NATHAN DENETTE/THE CANADIAN PRESS VIA AP)

The Weekend Fashion Report Toronto International Film Festival

I

SPLIT

HIT

SPLIT

FAIL

Tika Sumpter ”The Haves and the Have Nots”

Cara Delevingne ”Her Smell”

Thandie Newton ”Westworld”

Paris Hilton socialite

Karin says: “I actually really, really like this. It’s something a bit different.

She looks like a cute 60’s space babe on a cheesy TV show. But that’s a good thing. The only way I would have loved this more if those were actual peach stripes and not sheer panels.

Love her dark makeup as well.

Cara says: “This is so 1960s with a touch of futuristic space fashion. But it’s not that bad. It’s not my favourite look, and I wouldn’t personally wear it, but I don’t hate it.”

Karin says: “I am just not a fan of all-over velvet, but at least the bottle green colour is nice. The belt makes it look a bit old-fashioned, but I think she pulls it off. However, the star of the show is of course her fabulous hair.”

Cara says: “Yet another plunging V neck gown. What makes this one different is the velvet material.

Honestly, my first thought was this is what Scarlett O’Hara would have made with those curtains if she lived in 2018. Love her hair; that’s the length I am patiently waiting for my hair to grow to.”

Karin says: “Just plain boring and ugly. With all her money, there is no excuse for this ill-fitting silver foil dress. And why is it so baggy around the shoulders? Or is that a little jacket...or extra foil to carry home some choice buffet items? Also, that long half-up hair really ages her.”

Cara says: “I am not impressed with all this foil. It looks like a 1980s beauty pageant throwback. And she needs to send that horrid choker back to the 1990s (yeah, I know, it’s probably made from real diamonds, but still).”

Karin says: “I love the tangerine!

Otherwise, it’s very simple. It doesn’t really have any elements that deliver that ‘ooh la la’ effect. Put it’s pretty.

And I think it’s probably comfortable to wear. She just needed some drama, some bling.”

Cara says: “Lovely colour on her, and again, she is wearing that style of simple and flowy gown I love. I just feel like she needs a bit more colour on her face and maybe a bit of accessory bling.”

• See page 13 for more red carpet hits and misses

16 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, September 14, 2018

celebrity

PART

With Karin Herig and Cara Hunt

HIT

SPLIT

HIT

SPLIT

Sonequa Martin-Green ”Star Trek: Discovery”

Jonathan Van Ness ”Queer Eye”

Padma Lakshmi ”Top Chef”, producer

Heidi Klum ”Project Runway”

Karin says: “I love the bright violet/ pink colour combo and the geometric pattern. It has something very 23rd century, something very Trekkie about it. And I like it! We haven’t really seen a dress quite like it on the red carpet.”

Cara says: “Oh, wow! How gorgeous is she? I love the vibrant hues and the colour blocking. This full-length gown just looks so luxurious and fabulous.

I think the fit, especially on the top, is spot on.”

Karin says: “First of all, I love that he chose to go bold and wear this.

However, I think it could have fit him better. The skirt seems to be crooked and the waist is a bit too high. And although I like it, maybe the chest hair should have been waxed off for the sheer shirt look.”

Cara says: “Love it! The beading on the skirt is so pretty. I always love black sheer anything. It looks really good on him. I know this outfit will spark debate, and ya know what, I’m just here for the fashion.”

Karin says: “The gathering on this dress is to die for! It almost reminds of a very sexy Grecian robe. And that bright red would surely please the Greek gods. Love the one-strap here (it shouldn’t normally work) and the high slit.”

Cara says: “Absolutely stunning – the colour, the fit and the effortless way it just falls on her. This looks like it was tailored for her. It’s all very Old Hollywood, movie star glam.”

Karin says: “The coral colour is so pretty. And while I usually don’t like fully sequined gowns, this one falls so beautifully..like a sparkly waterfall of sequins. I get where she was going with the turquoise jewellery as a contrasting colour, but I’m not really sold on the earrings.”

Cara says: “I know she is supposed to be Miss Fashionista, but I am just not a fan of Heidi’s style choices. This looks a bit mother of the bride, a little too old for her, and the stringy hair is not attractive.”

PHOTOS: RICHARD SHOTWELL/INVISION/AP

The Weekend Fashion Report Creative Arts Emmy Awards

II

The Tribune | Weekend | 17

Friday, September 14, 2018

poetry

Can you haiku?

It could be worth a lot if you can

Nine Bahamian poets and writers will be featured during SeaWords’ opening reception in November.

Lelawattee Manoo-Rahming

Thea Rutherford

Patricia Glinton-Meicholas

Ide Thompson

Eric Rose

Patrice Francis

Zemi Stewart

Marion Bethel

Helen Klonaris

‘C

an you Haiku?’ is the question by which SeaWords Bahamas and title sponsor ALIV are challenging Bahamians to get producing poetry and other forms of writing, both literary and commercial. The poem that tops all the other entries to the SeaWords/ALIV Haiku Contest will earn the winner the award of an iPhone X; the first runner-up receives an iPhone 8.

This creative contest is a forerunner to Creative Nassau’s SeaWords Bahamas Literary Festival and Writers’ Conference, which is scheduled to take place November 9-11, at Atlantis, Paradise Island. Central to the three-day conclave will be a series of workshops and panel discussions dedicated to promoting several different genres of writing. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with local and international publishers.

Highlights of the weekend will include a grand presentation by the United Kingdom’s poet laureate Dame Carol Ann Duffy. “A SeaWords Evening”, the opening reception, will feature nine Bahamian poets and writers: Marion Bethel, Patrice Francis, Patricia Glinton-Meicholas, Helen Klonaris, Lelawattee (Asha) ManooRahming, Eric Rose, Thea Rutherford, Zemi Stewart and Ide Thompson. The festival will close with a “BahamianEverything” party. All are ticketed events.

Chair of the SeaWords and poet/ writer Patricia Glinton-Meicholas explained what a haiku is and why the organisers chose to explore this form of writing for the contest.

“The haiku is three-line poetic form that originated in Japan, but spread worldwide. It is very short – just three lines and follows a distinct pattern. The first line of the poem must have only five syllables, the second line has seven and the third line has five syllables.

“The main challenge is to fit a really striking, memorable thought into that compressed space. Every word must count to express visuals, sound and, above all, sense. “The second challenge is that somewhere in the haiku, the poet must include either ‘SeaWords Be ALIV’ or ‘BeALIV’,” said Ms Glinton-Meicholas.

The SeaWords team say that contest participation is fairly easy overall and is an important element of the goals of the festival/conference.

“The contest is open to residents of the Bahamas at least 15 years old. To

enter, just ‘like’ and follow SeaWords Bahamas Literary Festival and ‘like’ and follow ALIV on Facebook (@ MyAliv) or Instagram (@iamaliv).

Either submit your poem to the e-mail address seawordshaiku@gmail.com, or on Instagram or Facebook using the hashtag #seawordsbealiv. Reference a minimum of four of your your friends when you post your haiku poem online (Example: @myfriend’sname). Your friends must have an active Facebook or Instagram account.

“We emphasise that all poem entries must be a true haiku: 5-7-5 syllables.

Those that do not follow this pattern will be disqualified. Now open, the contest closes at 11:59 Eastern Time, October 12, 2018,” said Neko Meicholas, SeaWords marketing and communication director.

“Making the Haiku Contest a prominent part of the SeaWords three-day event allows for wide inclusion and underscores what Creative Nassau is all about. Promoting the creative industries – the ‘orange economy’ – is one of our organisation’s primary focal points. Bahamians are very talented in this respect and we want to get more of our people engaged in developing their creative abilities for personal and economic advancement. The creative industries generate trillions of dollars globally,” said Pam Burnside, president of Creative Nassau.

Those wishing to participate can find the full Haiku Contest description and rules at www.seawordsbahamas.com, on Facebook (@seawordsfestival) or Instagram (@seawordsfestival).

18 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, September 14, 2018

books

‘Trust Me’ is stellar thriller

by Hank Phillippi Ryan

A

former journalist has a chance at redemption and recovery of her shattered life when she receives an offer to write about a heinous trial in Hank Phillippi Ryan’s stellar thriller, “Trust Me.” Mercer Hennessey was a wellrespected news writer but she gave it up to be with her family. She was a loving wife and devoted mother, but an accident changed everything and now she’s a widow. She knows she needs to pick herself up but doesn’t dare take that first step back to the real world.

When her former boss offers her the chance to write a tell-all book about a significant trial, Mercer can’t refuse. A television feed from the courtroom to her living room will allow her to stay private while also rediscovering the joy of writing.

The issue Mercer has to grapple with is the case itself. Ashlyn Bryant is accused of murdering her young daughter. Her alibi shifts constantly,

(FORGE VIA AP)

and she seems to have excuses for every piece of evidence provided by prosecutors. Mercer quickly sees the case as a

chance to move past the death of her husband and daughter, and she will do this by seeing justice done in the trial against Bryant. As Mercer digs deeper and begins to chronicle the proceedings, she begins to find holes that might change what she thought was an inevitable outcome. Can Mercer overcome her pain of loss to uncover the truth?

Can she trust herself to find those journalistic skills again?

Ryan is an expert at telling a story that invokes suspense with emotional resonance. Strong feelings like grief, anger and love ooze off the page while realistic characters make the reader care about every tiny detail of the story. And just when it starts to lean toward being predictable, Ryan throws in a huge twist to completely upend the narrative.

“Trust Me” when I say that her latest is her best novel to date.

Michelle Obama to visit 10 cities for ‘Becoming’ book tour

JEFF AYERS Associated Press (CROWN VIA AP)

Author chronicles her coming of age in memoir A GIRL’S emotional As a child, Brownconnection to her mom Worsham was never stops evolving, embarrassed by her even decades after the mother’s Sanskrit mother dies. chanting, middle-ofSometimes the thing the-day yoga poses and that was fraught in a flowing linen pants. mother-daughter relationBut as an adult, long ship later turns out to be after her mother’s death a source of strength. from cancer, BrownSuch is a theme in Worsham gravitated Sasha Brown-Worsham’s to the very thing that memoir, “Namaste the pricked the unease of Hard Way.” her adolescence. Yoga Brown-Worsham became the way she chronicles her coming reconnected with the of age, from a young girl mother she lost as a growing up in an upper teen. Yoga helped her (HEALTH COMMUNICATIONS, INC. middle class neighbourheal.

VIA AP) hood near Dayton, Ohio, “I am playing with to her adulthood living with a husband discomfort on my mat so I can deal and children in the suburbs of New with what happens off the mat as well,” York City.

Brown-Worsham writes.

The book was conceived following a widely shared essay that Brown-Worsham wrote for The New York Times titled, “Not my Mother’s Yoga.”

The author works in her own adventures in parenting and how having children helped put her mother in a more favorable light.

“There is danger every day of turning a dead woman into a saint, of making my mother into someone with no flaws ... even 24 years after her death,” she writes. “I am still chasing her ghost and it’s not because she is a perfect human or mother.”

The memoir is one of many released of late that depict a woman’s experience coming into adulthood. Readers of this genre, especially those interested in yoga, will find the book’s messages resonate.

TRACEE M HERBAUGH Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Michelle Obama will visit 10 cities to promote her memoir “Becoming,” a tour featuring arenas and other performing centers to accommodate crowds far too big for any bookstore.

The former first lady will begin at the United Centre in her native Chicago on November 13, the book’s release date. She will finish at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on December 17, Live Nation and the Crown Publishing Group announced Wednesday. In between, appearances will include Barclays Centre in New York City, the Pepsi Center Arena in Denver and The Forum in Los Angeles.

Obama and former President Barack Obama each have been working on memoirs, for which they negotiated a multimillion dollar deal with Crown. No date has been set for his book, although it’s expected in 2019.

The Tribune | Weekend |19

Friday, September 14, 2018

gardening

The cabbage clan

Cabbage, kale or kohlrabi – Jack Hardy encourages you to get to know the Brassicas family

B

rassicas is the name given to plants directly related to cabbage. Confusingly, they can also be called crucifers. Either way, members of the cabbage clan are very important vegetables and were particularly valuable in Europe where pickled cabbage – sauerkraut – was a mainstay during long cold winters.

Here in the Bahamas we love cabbage in coleslaw form and it accompanies virtually any meal. In Europe cabbage is more likely to be cooked. Many European countries have variations on packets of seasoned meat wrapped in tenderised cabbage leaves that are then simmered in tomato sauce. Wedges of cabbage are constituents of many winter stews.

The cabbages we love are densely headed and are quite easy to grow if we remember that they are gross feeders, vegetables that like plenty of nutrients for fast growth. From seed to mature head cabbages should never have their progress stunted in any way which makes watering very important.

Sow cabbage seeds in trays and transplant to a well prepared bed when four to five inches tall and with several leaves. At transplant time it is good to firm the soil around the transplant using the sole of your feet. You would not dream of doing this to tomatoes but cabbages benefit. That single stalk is going to hold a head weighing several pounds so it needs a firm anchor.

Plant your cabbages so they will not be touching each other at the mature stage.

Although regular watering is crucial the water must cease once the heads approach maturity. Too much water may cause the heads to split. This is not a disaster for home gardeners but would be for farmers. If your cabbages are close to mature and you have more than you can use in short time you can take a long sharp knife and cut into the soil around your cabbages.

This will remove some of the roots but leave plenty for the plants to survive.

If a heavy downpour occurs after root pruning you will not have any split heads.

Not all cabbage relatives are gross feeders. Kale has become very popular in recent years and is very simple to

grow in average soil. There are several types of kale. One variety throws out leaves several feet long and is the name source of those long strips of seaweed we find on the shoreline after winter storms called sea kale.

The most popular kale seems to be a smaller variety that closely resembles curly leafed parsley. This is probably the easiest to grow and handiest in the kitchen.

Some people eat their kale raw, treating it like lettuce. Well, good for them, but normal people will appreciate some tenderisation with heat.

It is a common practice to parboil both cabbage and kale as this tends to remove any bitterness in the raw leaves. Kale does not have the sweetness evident in boiled cabbage and charred kale is a popular cold weather presentation.

Broccoli and cauliflower are very similar and are both gross feeders.

The edible part of each is in fact their incipient flower head. In broccoli the heads are green and should be cut well before any sign of yellow appears.

Traditional cauliflower is white and the flower head portions are referred to as curds. As for head cabbage, water and fertilize your young plants well. Cauliflowers should be spaced in rows or blocks similarly to head cabbage; broccoli plants will need 2-3 feet between large plants.

Not all broccoli plants produce large flower heads. Some – particularly Italian varieties – produce masses

of much smaller florets. Were you to weigh a single broccoli flower against the weight of florets produced over several months I am sure the florets would prove the heavier harvest by far.

Florets have to be picked every two days and stored in plastic bags in the refrigerator if not needed immediately.

The formation of the cauliflower curds is fast and it only takes a little over a week for the head to fill out.

During this time it is best to tie cauliflower leaves around the head using twine. Your seed packets may say the product is self-blanching; tying the leaves guarantees it.

Kohlrabi is generally accepted as a cross between cabbage and turnip, with the turnip strain dominating.

It is a vegetable that frightens many gardeners. If they were that good, they reason, you would see them on sale in supermarkets, which you don’t. I would encourage you to give kohlrabi a try if you have never grown them before. They are easy to grow in blocks and should be pulled when slightly short of maturity.

The outside ‘skin’ of kohlrabi is coarse and needs to be pared away. If you have the patience you can julienne kohlrabi to matchstick thickness and make a different but very tasty coleslaw. Kohlrabi has a very delicate cabbage flavour and has a nice crunch when raw. Somewhat thicker julienned kohlrabi can be a constituent in Chinese stir fries. If you cube the kohlrabi flesh and boil it in salted water you can mash the drained vegetable with butter and grind black pepper on top, an unusual but delicious side dish.

Cabbage, kale and broccoli can be started right now from seed. Kohlrabi will probably do better sown in late September. Leave cauliflower until the end of October, as (like many of us) it likes the cool.

• For queries and comments e-mail jacktribune242@gmail.com

20 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, September 14, 2018

film

review

McConaughey gives heart to ‘White Boy Rick’ WHITE BOY RICK RUNNING TIME: 110 MINS

T

here’s a “where are they now” at the end of “White Boy Rick ,” an astonishing true story about a teenager in a rough part of Detroit in the 1980s who became an undercover FBI informant, that might have served the movie better had the audience been aware from the beginning.

This kid, Richard Wershe Jr, ended up being arrested and sentenced to life in prison for possessing eight kilogrammes of cocaine under a controversial Michigan drug policy, the so-called 650-lifer law. He was only 17 — a minor — and, until recently, was still behind bars. This isn’t the story that’s told in director Yann Demange’s film, but it is context that would have helped frame the whole endeavour and perhaps make us care a little more about Rick from the beginning.

As it is, this movie is all about how he ended up there. Rick, played by newcomer Richie Merritt, is the son of a smart and charismatic but down on his luck lower class dad/hustler, Richard Sr (Matthew McConaughey, sporting a big moustache and long, combed-back hair), who’s trying to advance their station in life by reselling modified AK-47s to local drug lords in east Detroit. Rick’s mom left them, and his sister, Dawn (Bel Powley) is on the verge of becoming a full-blown junkie.

The film starts out in 1984 when Rick is 14, and shows how this soft-spoken boy with a tough guy demeanour gets so easily swept up in and seduced by the glamour of the drug scene, the parties, the access, the girls and, of course, the money. It’s

Richie Merritt (White Boy Rick, right) and Matthew McConaughey

(l to r) “Lil Man” (Jonathan Majors), Cathy (Taylour Paige), “White Boy Rick” Richie Merritt, “Boo” (RJ Cyler) and “Big Man” (YG) right in the thick of the war on drugs and “Just Say No” proselytising.

Two FBI agents (played by Jennifer Jason Leigh and Rory Cochrane) pay Richard Sr a visit one day, trying to get him to give some info about the people he sells guns to. He declines, but Rick Jr. jumps in to tell them a little. And in no time at all, he’s a full on informant, playing a double game with some of the city’s most powerful dealers, like Lil’ Man (Jonathan Majors), and making money on his own.

There are some real fun scenes, especially at the beginning, as we are introduced to the Wershe family including grandma Verna (Piper Laurie) and grandpa Roman (Bruce Dern) next door. As in most Hollywood films about blue collar people, this family is loud and brash and a little unwashed, but lovable nonetheless (it’s not exactly a surprise that Darren Aronofsky is a producer.

Aesthetically, “White Boy Rick” is a spiritual sister to “The Fighter”).

Demange gives a real sense of place and time in “White Boy Rick,” from the homes and the cars to the clubs and the glorious neon “Skate & Roll” sign outside one of their regular gathering spots. The snow even looks real (most of the time).

Merritt is an interesting find and as a first-time actor is solid enough, although I’m not entirely sure this novelty adds anything particularly special to the movie, especially when McConaughey is next to him giving a whole performance. McConaughey is so good and emotionally affecting as Richard Sr., in both vulnerable and tough moments, that it might even catch you off guard.

The film overstays its welcome, especially in the slow-going third act, and fails to really develop some of the essential characters outside of the Wershe family (although there is a really wonderful scene-stealing child actor who comes along late in the game who brings the movie back to life for a bit).

Overall, it is a bewildering story of the callousness of the adults who helped encourage Rick to get into this position (the betrayals will make your blood boil), and an indictment of how US laws can tend to hurt the most vulnerable classes. It also doesn’t take itself too deadly seriously, which is maybe the best thing to happen to this Scorsese-adjacent genre in a while.

LINDSEY BAHR AP Film Writer

The Tribune | Weekend | 21

Friday, September 14, 2018

film

review

‘The Predator’ returns to Earth PREDATOR RUNNING TIME: 108 MINS

Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, Keegan Michael-Key, Thomas Jane and Augusto Aguiliera “The Predator.”

P

redators are personal for Shane Black. He was hacked apart by one of the fearsome alien hunters in the first “Predator” movie 31 years ago and now returns to sit in the director’s chair for the latest saga in the franchise.

Ready for some payback, Shane?

More importantly, will you oversee the destruction of Predators or will you accidentally kill off the series, once and for all? The answer is a little of both.

Only a definite article in the title separates the new “The Predator “ from the 1987 debut “Predator” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, and clearly Black is trying to capture the spirit of the testosterone-fueled original with this one led by a decorated sniper played by Boyd Holbrook. Both flicks share a welcome winking humor.

If anyone asks “Everything OK back there?” you can be certain it’s not.

The first film featured cartoonishly masculine soldiers in the jungle of Central America tracking and being tracked by a huge and technologically advanced beast with dreadlocks, a face full of mandibles and the ability to both go invisible and humiliate arrogant prey. It echoed the horror of Vietnam and was a clever combination of “Rambo” and “Alien” with humor that would make a locker room blush.

(Black played the bespectacled Hawkins and was an early casualty.)

Black has returned — with cowriter Fred Dekker — for another loud soldier-versus-Predator slice in

A deadly Predator escapes from a secret government compound. (Photo/Kimberley French) an American forest — well, actually, thanks, Canada! — but with some twists. Although the filmmakers boast about a much-improved alien, the only noticeable update is the addition of their tracking canines — that’s right, “space dogs,” as one character jokes. And this time the soldiers are all suffering from PTSD, along with other problems triggered by Tourette’s syndrome, suicidal tendencies and opioid addiction. Viewers get plenty of decapitations, lynchings, head shots and bowels cut open.

Black’s filmmaking is old-school, grounded in ‘80s humour, revelling at its over-the-topness and often gleefully

thumbing its nose at political correctness. That might be refreshing, but it also can lead to questionable decisions.

Like, is it necessary to set one of the battles — complete with assault weapons and explosions — in an elementary school?

And is it wise to portray hurting soldiers this way? They’ve nicknamed themselves “The Loonies” and they are a foul-mouthed, messy wild bunch who met in group therapy. They’re portrayed by Trevante Rhodes, Keegan-Michael Key, Thomas Jane, Alfie Allen and Augusto Aguilera, who all deliver a strange brew of toilet humour, classic misogyny and aching

vulnerability, but laughing at broken men and mental illness quickly grows uncomfortable. To make matters even worse, another character has Asperger’s syndrome, which is cynically used as a plot point. Professional psychologists are not going to like this film.

One change is the addition of some oestrogen in the form of Olivia Munn, who plays not just a scientist but a huge one — “I heard you basically wrote the book on evolutionary biology,” she’s told by a guy in a white lab coat. In a matter of hours, she’s gone from literally shooting herself in the foot to blasting an assault weapon with aplomb. She actually manages to make the dialogue work, as does a thrilling Sterling K Brown, whose CIA honcho positively swaggers with flashes of pitch-dark humour. He steals the film from the ostensible hero, Holbrook, who fails to sparkle.

One welcome cameo is by Jake Busey, who plays a research scientist who studies Predators. It’s an inside joke: He’s the son of Gary Busey, who played a government scientist in “Predator 2” — so Black is keeping the part in the family. Plot-wise, to be honest, not much has changed either — a ragtag group of soldiers face off against an alien hunter. Hardcore fans will welcome the franchise’s return but neutral observers may question why this was committed to celluloid.

“What am I looking at?” Munn’s character asks about some data shown to her, but might as well be addressing the film’s audience.

MARK KENNEDY AP Entertainment Writer

22 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, September 14, 2018

literary lives – leslie charteris

The man behind

“The

Saint”

The famous “Saint” stick figure was a calling card left by the character of Simon Templar.

Sir Christopher Ondaatje remembers the British author of adventure fiction who created “The Saint”, a Robin Hood-like criminal who has appeared in numerous books, movies and TV shows.

L

eslie Charteris was born Leslie Charles Bowyer-Yin in Singapore to an English mother, Lydia Florence Bowyer, and a Chinese surgeon father, Dr S C Yin Suat-Chwan – who claimed that he was able to trace his parentage back to the emperors of the Shang Dynasty. On the break-up of his parents’ marriage in 1919, Charteris left Singapore with his mother and was

Leslie Charteris (19071993)

educated at Rossall School, an English public school in Lancashire. He was bitten by the writing bug while very young and, obsessed with publishing, created his own magazine complete

with articles, stories, poems, and even a comic strip.

Charteris’ first book was written when he was still at King’s College, Cambridge. The book was accepted,

he left university and embarked on a writing career. The word “half-breed” would haunt Charteris for most of his life, and he was determined not just to be unconventional but to be successful financially so that he could do what he wanted to do when he wanted to do it.

He wrote thriller stories with varying success, and worked as a bartender, bus driver, seaman, pearl diver, tin miner, gold prospector, and professional bridge player – picking up knowledge of the real world. His father disowned him as a bum and a ne’er-do-well and, in return, he disowned his father in 1926 by changing his name by deed poll to Leslie Charteris – a name he chose after the notorious 17th century British gambler and rake.

In 1928, Charteris introduced his most famous character, Simon Templar, in “Meet the Tiger”. However, he indicated he was dissatisfied with this book and claimed that his character was introduced only with his second volume “Enter The Saint” (1930). Whenever the origin, John Sutherland in “Lives of The Novelists” explains his creation: “Simon Templar ... was a gentleman of means, in his early thirties, ... tall, dark, Saville Row-suited, ultraEnglish and impeccably looked after by his ‘man’ ‘Orace. He was to remain unchangeably young for three decades ... The Saint patented his haloed matchstick man as his calling card.

Other stock ingredients, honed over the decades, were Templar’s Scotland Yard contact, Chief Inspector Teal, and his female accomplice, Patricia Holm, who the Saint never quite gets around to marrying.”

Charteris himself made four marriages and was divorced three times.

Although he wrote a number of other books – including “Lady on a Train”, and “Juan Belmonte: Killer of Bulls” (an English translation of the Emanuel Chaves Nogales novel), his literary career revolved primarily around Simon Templar (The Saint) adventures which appeared in novel,

The Tribune | Weekend | 23

Friday, September 14, 2018

Charteris says he properly introduced his Simon Templar character in his second novel, “Enter the Saint”.

Roger Moore, who later played James Bond, starred as Simon Templar in the “The Saint” TV show (1962-1969) novella and short story formats over the next 35 years – with several other authors ghost writing the stories for Charteris from 1963 on. Charteris vetted these stories, editing them, approving them, and making revisions where needed.

In 1932, encouraged by his American sales, Charteris emigrated to the

United States. He stayed there continuing to write short stories as well as scripts for Paramount Pictures, one of which was “Midnight Club” starring George Raft. However, although anxious to become a US citizen, the vicious 1882 Chinese Exclusion Actress Audrey Long (”Tall in the Act (the first law implemented to Saddle”) was Charteris’ fourth and prevent a specific ethnic group from last wife.

immigrating to the United States) denied citizenship to anyone of 50 percent or greater oriental blood. Eventually, after 10 years, citizenship was granted to Charteris.

“The Saint in New York” was an enormous success – especially after the 1938 film and its successors starring the suave expatriate English actor George Sanders. Charteris became the most loved author of thrillers in America – further popularised by the radio series, starring Vincent Price, which ran from 1945 to 1951. This was followed by the even more popular TV series, beginning in 1961, starring Roger Moore.

Charteris also scripted the popular Sherlock Holmes radio series featuring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce.

It is possible that Charteris (a good looking man with oriental features) modelled the character of Simon Templar (The Saint) on the man he would liked to have been. In 1941 Charteris got that chance and appeared in a Life photographic adaptation of a short story of “The Saint”, playing the role himself. It wasn’t until the 1961 “The Saint” series that Charteris achieved his ambition of financial success and independence. The 50th Saint book came out in 1983 – “Salvage for The Saint”. He also edited and contributed to “The Saint Mystery Magazine”, which he created.

Charteris, by 1983, had spent 55 years either writing or being custodian of “The Saint” literary adventures, matching the record of Agatha Christie and her Hercule Poirot stories – the longest run of any author of mystery fiction. He also wrote a column on cuisine for an American magazine, and invented a wordless, pictorial sign language known as Paleneo. He was too a founding member of Mensa – the high IQ society which provides a forum for intellectual exchange among its members.

In 1952, Charteris married the beautiful film star Audrey Long, who was 15 years younger that he was. He was now an extremely wealthy man – enriched by multimedia subsidiary rights. They returned to England spending his final years in Surrey, living the good life for which he had worked so hard. He died on April 15 1993, leaving a fortune, and was survived by his wife and a daughter, Patricia.

NEXT WEEK: The actor who immortalised the role of Long John Silver in “Treasure Island”

• Sir Christopher Ondaatje is the author of “The Last Colonial”. He acknowledges that he has quoted liberally from Wikipedia, and “Lives of The Novelists” (2013) by John Sutherland.

24 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, September 14, 2018

travel

Virtual reality tour brings biblical-era Jerusalem to life JERUSALEM (AP) — A Jerusalem museum is breathing life into the ancient city with a new virtual reality tour that allows visitors to experience how archaeologists believe Jerusalem looked 2,000 years ago.

The Tower of David Museum, which is housed in the Old City’s ancient stronghold, plans to launch the hightech guided tour this month ahead of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.

The virtual reality guide, “Step into History,” offers visitors a chance to “walk in the streets of Jerusalem and enjoy the present and take a look back to the past,” said Tower of David Museum director Eilat Lieber.

Working with archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority, Lithodomos VR created 360-degree simulations of how Jerusalem’s citadel, palaces, streets and ancient Jewish temple are believed to have appeared during its heyday under King Herod in the first century BC and during the life of Jesus.

Herod, a Roman vassal who ruled Judaea from 37-4 BC, invested heavily in large construction projects across his realm, including a major expansion of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem and the fortress and palace where the Tower of David stands today. His monuments, including the mountaintop fortress at Masada and the port city of Caesarea, are among the most visited sites in Israel.

“Especially with Jerusalem, I think the biggest challenge was getting it right,” said Simon Young, founder of Lithodomos VR, an Australian startup. “There’s a lot of different opinions about how Jerusalem looked in the ancient world... Of course, we want to do justice to Jerusalem and to make it as accurate as possible.”

Lithodomos VR’s team of archaeologists and artists has produced similar projects in London, Rome, Athens and other cities.

The Tower of David Museum also houses an innovation lab in a chamber at the top of a Herodian-era keep that once served as the chambers of Jerusalem’s Ottoman governor. The lab,

launched in October 2017, hosts startups such as Lithodomos VR that are developing technologies to enhance visitor experience, with a particular emphasis on virtual and enhanced reality. The site also holds an elaborate light show that projects moving images in intricate detail on the ancient walls of the Old City.

Accompanied by a guide, visitors will be able explore nine different vantage points in the city, starting at the citadel — an Ottoman-era fortress built atop remnants of several earlier bastions — then meandering through the Old City’s Jewish Quarter down toward the remains of the Second Jewish Temple. In order to keep from crashing into modern Jerusalem, visitors carry the goggles between sites, then put them on once they are stationary.

At each point, a narrator explains the historical significance of the structures they can see in the goggles: the columned marketplace of the Cardo, the heart of the ancient city; the soaring towers of Herod’s citadel; the opulent pools of his pleasure palace; and the temple. The VR tour around the Old City takes approximately two hours, the museum said.

The tour is confined to the Old City’s Jewish Quarter. The Old City lies in east Jerusalem — an area captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war and claimed by the Palestinians as their future capital. Israel rejects any division of the Old City — home to Jerusalem’s most sensitive Jewish, Muslim and Christian holy sites.

Young says the Lithodomos VR team would be interested in adding additional historical layers to the virtual reality guide that would allow people to explore Jerusalem during other periods, such as the Crusades.

Judy Magnusson, an Australian tourist who previewed the tour on Monday ahead of its launch, said the virtual reality-enhanced experience “brings history to life” and makes the stories about the city “more real.”

ILAN BEN ZION Associated Press

A visitor uses goggles on a new virtual reality tour that allows visitors to experience how archaeologists believe Jerusalem looked 2,000 years ago.

TOMER ZMORA, TOWER OF DAVID MUSEUM VIA AP

The courtyard of the Tower of David Museum

The Tribune | Weekend | 25

Friday, September 14, 2018

history

The irresponsible neglect of our heritage

T

Forgotten facts | Paul C Aranha

he black and white photograph at the top right of this page is by Tribune staff photographer Terrel W Carey. It appeared in the September 12, 2018 issue of The Tribune, but the caption does not do justice to the story; a story that I have written and talked about on many an occasion.

What you see of this “government building just off East Bay Street” is all that’s left of our oldest relic of aviation in the Bahamas. It was Pan American World Airways’ terminal building at Nassau’s first airport, where seaplanes and amphibians landed years before Oakes Field opened in 1940 and became our first land aerodrome.

It remained Pan American’s headquarters until Oakes Field opened, in 1940, and was always advertised as being on Mathew Avenue. Mathew Avenue has no connection to St Matthew’s Church, but like Mathew Town, Inagua, that portion of East Bay Street to the north of the Eastern Parade, was officially named after George Mathew, Governor of the Bahamas from 1844 to

2008

1849. Unlike the church, the Governor had only one ‘T’ in his name.

Not only did Pan American operate from this site, but it was here – at the ramp where BASRA now has its headquarters – that Bahamas Airways’ was based, from 1936 to 1949. Anyone who grew up in this part of the island as I did probably spent many hours watching seaplanes and amphibians come and go, while learning how to swim nearby. When amphibians were not taxing into and out of the sea, youngsters, from places like The Pond and Abaco Village, would amuse ourselves by running, slipping and sliding down the seaplane ramp, which we called ‘slippery dock’, into the harbour waters; sometimes limping home, bleeding, after one fall too many.

Structures like this and the Royal Victoria Hotel and the Montagu Beach Hotel, to name just a few, are not only forgotten, they are lost and our society is the poorer for it.

• For questions and comments, e-mail islandairman@gmail.com

2017

Yesterday’s solution: THrow (across) MaTCH (down)

26 | The Tribune | Weekend

Best described as a number crossword, the task in Kakuro is to fill all of the empty squares, using numbers 1 to 9, so the sum of each horizontal block equals the number to its left, and the sum of each vertical block equals the number on its top. No number may be used in the same block more than once. The difficulty level of the Conceptis Kakuro increases from Monday to Sunday.

Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so the each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Conceptis Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday

CRYPTIC PUZZLE Across 1 Fairy tales may give a sort of security for children (6,4) 6 Slight lump on Sidney’s head (4) 10 Fabric I mend somehow (5) 11 Dominant old lady upsets Rita in a month (9) 12 Here’s hoping I spring a surprise (8) 13 A number make money and gain experience (5) 15 Taking the offensive is a help in the boxing arena (7) 17 Improve, though in a negative way maybe (7) 19 Metal of quiet origin, perhaps (3,4) 21 Found on a billiard table, it may be used for a rest (7) 22 Spin a yarn (5) 24 Enforcing payment may be hard (8) 27 Held thus, the victim of a hoax is a mere puppet (2,1,6) 28 Detect only a very small amount (5) 29 Some tissue that is fat (4) 30 Gear manufacturer (10)

Down 1 Bias shown by the team (4) 2 Polish is taught at this school (9) 3 Speeds that vary according to direction (5) 4 Striking sign on porcelain (7) 5 Being at home possibly greet a number (7) 7 Girl from the manor (5) 8 Where to yawn when it’s late (10) 9 Set up after an instrument breaks (8) 14 Support it over debts, being well disposed (10) 16 Trite air may result in anger (8) 18 Organised workers have means of raising car standard (5,4) 20 To want that is right, though comparatively broke? (7) 21 Bank fees for advances that are offensive (7) 23 Deserter that is put out and angry (5) 25 Symbol reverenced in Shinto temples (5) 26 Shoulder and stomach (4)

Yesterday’s Easy Solution Across: 1 Notable, 5 Crisp, 8 Beautiful, 9 Pit, 10 Lack, 12 Trombone, 14 Summon, 15 Output, 17 Meantime, 18 Bull, 21 Lad, 22 Apathetic, 24 Risky, 25 Tyranny.

Down: 1 Nobel, 2 Tea, 3 Both, 4 Effort, 5 Columbus, 6 Impromptu, 7 Patient, 11 Commandos, 13 Contrary, 14 Similar, 16 Impact, 19 Lucky, 20 Char, 23 Tin.

Yesterday’s Cryptic Solution Across: 1 Sparred, 5 Ahead, 8 Passenger, 9 Ida, 10 Alps, 12 Fearsome, 14 Arabia, 15 Office, 17 Monogram, 18 Club, 21 Eli, 22 Leisurely, 24 So far, 25 Manager.

Down: 1 Sepia, 2 Ass, 3 Reef, 4 Dagger, 5 Aircraft, 6 Editorial, 7 Dead-eye, 11 Plaintiff, 13 Singular, 14 Aimless, 16 Barium, 19 Buyer, 20 Ruin, 23 Egg.

EASY PUZZLE

Across 1 Revelation (10) 6 Young of cattle (4) 10 Measure of purity of gold (5) 11 Be more numerous than (9) 12 Coax (8) 13 Absurd situation (5) 15 Gradual wearing away (7) 17 Vehicles using a road (7) 19 A poison (7) 21 Quiver (7) 22 Male singing voice (5) 24 Of the home (8) 27 Indispensable (9) 28 Customary procedure (5) 29 Playthings (4) 30 Bitter disappointment (10)

Down 1 Pack of cards (4) 2 Energetic (9) 3 Wood- or metalworking machine (5) 4 Sporting firearm (7) 5 Secluded place (7) 7 Yellowish brown (5) 8 Unlikely (3-7) 9 Right to vote (8) 14 Field of activity (10) 16 Lacking knowledge (8) 18 State falsely (9) 20 Pain-relieving drug (7) 21 Drinking glass (7) 23 Unpleasant (5) 25 Small explosive firework (5) 26 A heavy, durable timber (4)

H r o T V r

Friday, September 14,today’s 2018words youinhave Both a mo Halve your Target Time!

21st

grid too! U

(1999 edition)

grid is ‘rot symmetri words, it l you turn t down. sol

*Calls cost 75p plus yourCentury telephone company’s letters an network access charge. below the dictionary

TarGeT

oWE H r o T V r

Alphapuzz

body of 322 56 the alphab 0901 322 5601 0901 Chambers

THe aLP

HOW many words of four letters or more can you make from the letters shown here? In making a yesterd word, each letter be used The Target CAN may you crack the Black A sq3 must contain thegrid 12, 13, 15 Alphabeater?

Each usesonce only. Each B3 32, centre letter number and there must be at represents a letter27, words in one nine-letter word. across: least No – or black square.

As in C 1 Zoology plurals or verb forms ending in “s”. the main

Alphapuzzle, every letter of Boxers,

D bodyToday’s of the alphabet is used. But Exists, U TarGeT Chambers EA have complete the Fleets, Good 17; veryyou good 26;to excellent down: P2 solution tomorrow.

21st 34 (or more). grid too! Use the given Ironwork F letters and black squares Readjust Century yesTerday’s soLUTion G Lawn, Ja 3 below the grid to start. The dictionary aloft calf coif fact faction fail Detonat grid is ‘rotationally H fain faint falcon fiat fiction Mushy.

(1999 symmetrical’ – inflan other FiCTionaL filo final flacon I edition) it looks flat flint flit words, float foal focalthe foilsame if Extra3 folic font fontal info liftupside 0907 you inflict turn the page J HOW many words of four letters loaf loft naif down. tinfoilsolution tomorrow. (Deduct or more can you make from the eachK extr2 letters shown here? In making a yesterday’s solution Fu L Yesterday’s Yesterday’s word, each letter may be usedCall 0907 Black 181 squares: 2585 for3, 7, 10,0907 M once only.

Each must contain thetoday’s 12, 13, 15, 18, 19, 23, 25, *Calls co8 Sudoku Answer Kakuro Answer Target solution *Calls cost 80p per34, minute plus your N t 27, 32, 37. centre letter and there must be atplus your telephone company’s across: Private, Matter, networ network access charge. least one nine-letter word. No O 5 Zoology, Skimps, plurals or verb forms ending in “s”.

P Boxers, Ridge, Irked, PLay *SP: Spoke – Helpline 0333 202 3390 Exists, Unique, Caveats, Q 2 Today’s TarGeT Fleets, Anxiety.

Good 17; very good 26; excellent R down: Pizza, Liquify, 34 (or more). solution tomorrow.

S 2 Ironwork, Ices, yesTerday’s soLUTion aloft calf coif fact faction fail fain faint falcon fiat fiction FiCTionaL filo final flacon flan flat flint flit float foal focal foil folic font fontal inflict info lift loaf loft naif tinfoil

Call 0907 181 2585 for today’s Target solution *Calls cost 80p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge.

*SP: Spoke – Helpline 0333 202 3390

Readjusts, Tugs, Usher, Lawn, Jackfruit, Atom, Detonate, Brushed, Mushy.

Extra letter clues

0907 181 2560 (Deduct three minutes for each extra clue letter heard)

Full solution

0907 181 2558

T U 2 V W 8 X Y 4 Z 1

*Calls cost 80p per minute 21 plus your telephone company’s network access charge.

● Alter

PLay More Cross

The Tribune | Weekend | 27

Friday, September 14, 2018

animals

Sperm whales

and ambergris Animal matters | KIM ARANHA

F

orgive me if it appears that I am belabouring this point.

Last week I was accused by quite a few people for allegedly not getting my facts right in connection with the sad story of the beached whale in Abaco.

Some people suggested that my reporting was totally incorrect and that it was misleading, I was accused of, quite rightly, taking my information from the article in The Tribune and that, quite wrongly, The Tribune had also been incorrect.

I would like to point out that I read The Tribune regularly and I have found that the reporters are actually very careful about what they print and do due diligence before they print something.

However, I did take some of these comments to heart and decided the only thing that I could do would be to contact the person who actually did the necropsy on the whale. It took me a few days to get in touch with Dr Diane Claridge, the executive director of the Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organisation.

She absolutely assured me that the whale had been cut significantly by knives, clearly by a human, whilst still alive. So the information provided by The Tribune initially was accurate.

It was very important to me to make sure that this piece of information was

in fact accurate because what it tells us is that there was somebody out there or more than one person perhaps, who was totally willing to mutilate, torture and hurt a live animal with absolutely no interest as to whether it suffered or not.

One has to ask oneself, why would anyone do that? Why would anybody walk along the beach and find this poor creature beached and clearly already suffering and take a sharp knife and cut gashes into it. Why? The people who did the necropsy assume that it was out of ignorance and that they believed that by cutting the whale open they would find ambergris.

Everybody always gets so upset when the word ignorance is used, but frankly I can’t think of a better word, and any other word I might come up with would be considered even more insulting, so I will just stick with it. I believe that the action taken against the whale was born from ignorance.

This whole incident brings me to the apparent booming ambergris collection industry that we have in the Bahamas.

I had absolutely no idea that people walk the beaches day in and day out (and get paid to do so) looking for ambergris. I had no idea that ambergris was worth that kind of money and I certainly didn’t know that ambergris

Sperm whales create ambergris in their digestive tracts. was appealing enough to make people mutilate a live animal.

What exactly is ambergris?

I quote from the internet because they say it better than I can: “Ambergris is formed from a secretion of the bile duct in the intestines of the sperm whale, and can be found floating on the sea or washed up on the coast. Because the beaks of giant squids have been discovered within lumps of ambergris, scientists have theorised that the substance is produced by the whale’s gastrointestinal tract to ease the passage of hard, sharp objects that it may have eaten. The sperm whale usually vomits these, but if one travels further down the gut, it will be covered in ambergris.

“Ambergris is usually passed in the faecal matter. It is speculated that an ambergris mass too large to be passed through the intestines is expelled via the mouth, leading to the reputation of ambergris as primarily coming from whale vomit. Ambergris takes years to form.” (Wikipedia)

Why do people collect ambergris?

Because ambergris is used in the production of perfume, many

companies pay high prices for this very rare natural product.

The internet further tells us that of all the countries that find ambergris on their beaches, the Bahamas is the country that provides the largest volume of commercially collected ambergris, sighting New Providence as the island with the most ambergris.

However, following my inquiries, it actually appears to be Abaco and Grand Bahama with the most ambergris.

Sperm whales are the only whales that produce ambergris – the sperm whale is a protected species and it is against the law for anybody to touch, harm or capture them. Even after death only specific people are allowed to perform a necropsy.

The poor sperm whale that was the title character in Moby Dick clearly continues to be pursued and mistreated in this day and age.

In a country with little regard for animal welfare, we need to ensure that the people who mutilated this magnificent creature are found and charged with the maximum penalty possible.

They need to serve as an example that the Commonwealth of the Bahamas will not tolerate this kind of behaviour.

PET OF THE WEEK Ebullient Enzo

By THE BAHAMAS HUMANE SOCIETY ENZO, like Buddy last week, fancies himself a ladies’ man! He loves to be around the female dogs; the males, not so much. This energetic two-year-old enjoys walking on the lead and would be thrilled to check out the beach with you. Enzo arrived at the Bahamas Humane Society after being found during

a BAARK spay and neuter clinic earlier this year. He’d be best as a yard dog, but would be trainable as an indoor-outdoor pet. Have you been looking forward to some long walks for your own exercise? Enzo’s the right match for you! Come in to meet him or call 323-5138 for more information. Adoption hours are 11am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, and 10am to 4pm on Saturday. Enzo is eager to meet you!

28 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, September 14, 2018

section