CulturePulse Magazine

Issue No: 15

Rio

Port of Spain

A Trinidadian’s perspective of carnival in both cities.......

Nichola has taken to painting the town Black & White 10 Memorable moments in carnival 2013

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This month goes out with an apology for the late publication of this issue. It is not often that we encounter set backs, however, one should always be prepared for every possibilities.

One of the highlights of this issue is the perspective from a prominent carnival promoter in London on his visit to Rio and, comparing how the two cities weigh up when it comes to carnival.

Regular Culturepulse columnist Assassin has taken a different view on Trinidad carnival and given his own personal account of his high points of carnival 2013 in Trinidad.

As always our fashion guru Nichola has not taken her eye of the ball and gives some colourful insights into shaping your wardrobe for Spring/Summer with a splash of black and white ideas.

Sex and sexually transmitted diseases finds a spotlight too. Back in the good old 60s, 70s 80s and 90s it went by the standard STD. Today, it’s now fashionable to label them Sexually Transmitted infections. And, for some diseases the problem of treating them has cause for concern as antibiotic treatments have little effect on treating some infections.

Production and concept: D.T. Kalloo

Despair not, for summer is on the way and for all you carnival lovers Notting Hill carnival beckons. However, brace yourselves for another year or turmoil, confusion within the fraternity responsible for steering the festival that is often dubbed ‘the biggest street festival’ in Europe.

Culturepulse is designed and produced by cashewmedia and published by Securisit Ltd. Copyright 2012 Views and comments expressed by contributors are not necessary those of Culturepulse but of the author/s

For all enquiries please contact Culturepulse at: 07824827985 Email: culturepulse@hotmail.co.uk

D.Kalloo 2

A tale of two cities, a carnival perspective So, if you're one of dem 'one track', 'self praising', 'narrow minded' Trinis den....Trinidad Carnival is de bess and wins hands down....No need to read on.

If you want an, as un-biased view as possible from a Trini point of view then read on....

Rio Carnival has massive shade of similarities and loads of differences as I discovered.

Pre Event Parties...We call them fetes in Trinidad, they’re called Balls in Rio. I didn't get to do these but they appear to be generally more posh and chic and, just as expensive as our allinclusive parties.

The Sambadrome,Rio

I now, almost want to think that it’s the MacFarlane's of this world who have been copying Brazilian styles as most of their costumes are quite figurative and storytelling rather than abstract.

Liming - was one of my biggest surprises. They drink and lime almost a similar fashion as we do, but almost totally without music. Picture liming on the Avenue with no music. Some of the liming spots had a Samba percussion band, kinda like a few fellas jammin in a rhythm section.

Interestingly, everyone knows all the words to the Samba Carnival tunes and they all sing along to the band, even sometimes without music.

Bands - Most of the parading happens in the night. Rio has twelve big main Samba schools and a bunch of smaller ones. The 12 big schools perform on Sunday and Monday, 6 per night at the Sambadrome and the smaller ones on Friday and Saturday. The big bands are about 3,000 to 4,000 and comprise of the massive decorated floats, several sections of foot masqueraders, and a Samba drumming band of about 100 - 150 drummers. Each school has a song that the band and a singer performs during the Sambadrome parade. As a matter of fact, the whole thing felt like panorama, with costumes. Each Samba school sets up at the entrance to the Sambadrome and performs through the 700m long Sambadrome, and then that's it. Picture setting up and the entrance to the savannah, by Memorial Park and then breaking up at the exit by top of Jerningham Avenue after crossing the stage.

Girls - Another massive shock. I must say that Rio has an amazing marketing engine because, noticeably the girls are generally not all that.

Trini girls win hands down on abundance of quality and variety. True scene! Hearing from Debs and Dee the guys are apparently hot, didn't notice. Ha ha! However, having said that, with 7million people obviously there is still loads of eye candy and they seem to be very friendly.

Costumes - Yet another massive shock, who ever said that TnT costumes are getting more like Brazil simply talking out of their ying yang?

99% of Brazilian costumes are like Minshall’s or an adult version of TnT Kiddies carnival costumes. Each of the Samba Schools (Mas Bands) have no more than about 50 beads and feathers sexy samba girls (or tranies) on the ground and some on floats like section leaders.

Our beads and feathers costumes may have been influenced by Brazil in the beginning but that's about it.

But.....the show inside the dome is absolutely amazing and concentrated! So, for presentation and spectator entertainment Rio is perhaps miles ahead of TnT, where in terms of masquerader experience TnT is probably boss.

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Apart from the official high profile Sambadrome parade, there re hundreds of blockos and impromptu bands that spring up all over the city.

This occurs day and night from carnival Friday right through to Ash Wednesday, these feel kinda like T-shirt or ole-mas bands. Many of them are as big as 500,000 people. They seem to be very popular with the Cariocas (Rio residents).

There are also several less formal bands who parade all weekend long in the various neighbourhoods throughout this massive city. So the rest of Rio is kinda like a big Jouvert.

Interestingly the vibe, behaviour, crazy atmosphere and even the way they chip to the music is almost the same to TnT. You can almost lift anyone from Rio, put them in TnT and they would feel at home for this reason.

The Sambadrome, Rio

But the picture of the sexy samba girl in costume that we always see to represent Brazil is sooooo far from what it actually is. C'mmon TDC get a move on man!

Safety - Most places actually feel no safer than TnT. People are generally more courteous than TnT. I think that it does not feel as dangerous as you are so often warned. But I guess Trini is the same. Essentially just stay away from the dangerous Favelas and you're ok.

Scale - The bands are just about the same size. I want to think that we have more costumed masqueraders than Rio in total though. As far as spectators there are obviously, many more people in the streets.

Cost - Oh geezeanages! Dis place expensive!

Tickets to the Sambadrome range from $100 to $1,000US. The Balls are more or less the same prices as the pricey All Inclusive parties in TnT. Food is amazingly expensive. Only taxis and metro were not so bad in price.

Marketing - Poor TnT Tourist board....IMHO, TnT has sooooooo much more content to attract and sell and we still continue with the annoying small Island, small minded crap, and gunning for the boring arse straw hat carnival tourist driving in the Battoo taxi and staying at the Hilton. Rio is filled with young and hip folks from all over the world as well as the big spenders in a good spread of apartments right through to luxury hotels Loads from the US, UK and other parts of Brazil. Ask any of them and they didn't even know that TnT has a carnival on this scale.

Ash Wednesday - Felt the same. Tons of people by the beach.

Champions Parade- This was my ultimate highlight. It is effectively the same Sambadrome parade once again with the top six Samba schools appearing in descending order. I expected a half-baked show but the energy, atmosphere and presentation was as great as the week before. It is almost like Champs in Concert performance, but with the entire bands. What a place!

Personally - If it was up to me, I would party in TnT and then come to Rio on Saturday for the rest. Somehow I sense that our build up is much better. But I will have to get some more visits to give a more in-depth analysis of this.

Would I come again? Hell yeah.

4 Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain

Spring

has Sprung, yes with all the major fashion cities New York, London, Milan and Paris now completed their Spring/Summer 2013 productions, I cannot help but to notice the Black and White colours that translate the catwalk for this season trendsetting styles made possible by some well known designers Louis Vuitton, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney and Rihanna’s clothing line for River Island.

Black is sleek, powerful and elegant. White is serene, pure and peaceful, Black and White when merged creates a unique look which can take you from the office to a party. These colours are timeless always on the fashion rotation and never go out of style, almost everyone can confess to having a black number in their wardrobe.

This Spring/Summer Black and White fashion trend patterns showcase bold prints, geometric shapes, polka dots, checkerboard and creative graphic stripes.

The classic Black and White prints as previously mentioned will wear well on tops and t-shirts which would rock best with a pair of plain Black or White jeans, legging or skirts.

However, although the high end labels have already showcased and presented their adaptation of their Black and White fashion love story to the world, you can still look to your High Street stores to find some budget pieces and live the trend that is BLACK and WHITE this Spring/Summer.

“Remember, live life, have fun, life is your design and fashion is life” Nichola MacDonald

Photos courtesy: marisfashionnotes.com

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Top10 moments of Trinidad carnival 2013 Soca monarch judges tied the two making them both Monarchs but by Ash Wednesday Carnival 2013 was undoubtedly the carnival of Super Blue’s return.

2 Powder!

Powder was a most present aspect of carnival 2013, from Machel’s winning tune FOG with the lines ‘powder this is how we celebrate’ to Super Blue’s opening call for ‘water and powder’ in Fantastic Friday. Powder was present in the fetes, on the road for Jouvert and even in big bands on Tuesday harping back to the days of the fancy sailors and even further back to the African use of powder in spiritual practices.

Powder in 2013 was an inspiring sight.

So its March now, Trinidad carnival 2013 is but a memory in the minds of all who took part, but this year many complained after carnival of a feeling that something was missing, I felt it too; it was good but not the best however that's another blog post.

Looking back at carnival 2013 I decided to list what were for me the top ten moments of Trinidad and Tobago carnival 2013, ten moments that made me stop and think, 'this is a moment to remember.

Here it is...

3 Ted Eustace. 2013 King of Carnival.

Even though the King of carnival competition ended in a draw the crowning of Ted Eustace as a King of Carnival in 2013 signified the passing of a title and torch from father to son to little brother Keeping the title King of Carnival and the Eustace name synonymous for possibly another decade. From Tedder Eustace to Curtace Eustace and now Ted the tradition successfully continues.

1 The Return of SUPER BLUE. Super Blue’s return did not simply reveal that God given talent and determination can triumph over all adversity, but it also portrayed that substance is king over style and hype. Super Blue’s return also taught us that the foundation stones of culture can and should never be forgotten for without the basic tenants of an art form it is nothing.

2013 was the 2nd time that Austin Lyons has made a victorious return to carnival and in this return or rebirth he managed to inspire all generations, old and young with a style some might today describe as dated but all agreed was spiritually infectious (its substance).

4 The launch of Rituals of Power & Rebellion

By Hollis Chalkdust Liverpool PhD. Launched on the 6th of February 2013 the day before the calypso monarch finals in which teacher, calypsoian and author Hollis Liverpool better known as the Mighty Chalkdust was to compete for a ninth title. I first saw this book in the library of London Metropolitan University when doing research for my dissertation in 2010.

By then the book was long out of print and countless attempts to find it on line or in book shops on both sides of the Atlantic proved fruitless for me.

Soca needed Super to return, I believe Machel did too even with Bunji and Faye Ann firing on all cylinders Machel is an awesome combination of talent and showmanship, a combination that only one gifted with talent and a magnetic spirituality could have defeated Machel.

On the days leading up to fantastic Friday to the morning after the event the name Super Blue could be heard in every barber-shop, rum-shop, radio station, taxi, maxi taxi and bus.

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6 Savage.

I am a Bunji Garlin fan; I am also a fan of the late Lord Maestro, one of the most revolutionary Calypsoians in the early days of Soca. Bunji’s cover of Maestro’s Savage was for me a moment in carnival 2013 because it celebrated the underclass, the part of the society like it or not that laid down many of the foundation blocks of modern carnival. A group that today are being priced out of carnival by a growing ambitious middle class that seem bent on taking over the culture and transforming every aspect of what it looks like. Bunji’s Savage had many locals and returnees alike claiming to be anti stush (or anti posh) thus returning the festival to its roots with the stush being identified as undesirable.

It was only in discussing the important role the work played in my dissertation to the author was I informed it was never available in Trinidad before. In my opinion Rituals of Power & Rebellion is indeed a seminal text in the historical and intellectual construction of Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival, as well as those in the Caribbean. I advise everyone to get a copy and read it.

7 Mac Farlane’s Crosses The Savannah Stage ForThe Last Time With Joy The Finally.

After dominating the band of the year competition for most of the first decade of the 21st century band leader and designer Brian Mac Farlane has decided to call it a day. To the average Mas player or tourist that comes for Carnival this fact might mean nothing, but to fans of High Mas, love him or hate him, Brian Mac Farlane is the last of the High Mas designers to dominate the face of Carnival, and while there are young designers and small bands that keep the meaning of Mas alive, none has been able to attract the numbers of masqueraders that are needed to make epic presentations as the epic bands of the past did. This could actually be the end of an era in Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival history.

5 Bunji Garlin’s Differentology All cow jokes aside Bunji Garlin the Viking of Soca with Nigel Rojas had arguably the most popular fete tune for the 2013 Carnival season.

From its time of release to carnival Tuesday Differentology had the crowds singing out the chorus ‘we ready for the roooad’. The tune that almost in fond retrospect takes the listener through a carnival experience probably that of the last week of carnival leading up to Jouvert and Tuesday. This mixture of dance and soca music was favoured to dethrone Machel in the groovy Soca monarch competition but Bunji pulled out to great disappointment and admiration of his fans. I have a feeling this track has caused a shift in soca music that we will see next year

8 THE PASSING OF PENGUIN. Road March King of 1982 and Calypso Monarch of 1984 Seadley Joseph - the Penguin passed away on the 27th of January 2013 just as Carnival climax was on the horizon. The timing of his passing during the height of the Carnival season is almost an expected aspect of Carnival these days, as it seems like every Carnival a legend now passes on, as if to join some Grand Carnival in the sky. Penguin’s songs in the 80s were an integral part of the Carnival, on a personal note, an integral part of my childhood and his contribution will never be forgotten. May he rest in peace.

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9 Peter Minshall Attends Trinidad And Tobago’s Film Festival Tribute To Him. I could hit myself over the head for missing this one. The TTFF 3rd annual carnival film series saw Peter Minshall attend two screenings of his work Rat Race and Mas Man the complete work, both directed by Dalton Narine who was also present to answer questions. The two for me are the greatest teachers I ever had in mas, Minshall the mas man and Narine whose documentaries gave me insight to Minshall’s work through his documentaries. The two of them in one room an epic moment indeed!

10 Bunji And Faye Ann Both Pull Out Of FANTASTIC FRIDAY. Bunji and Faye Ann pulling out of the Soca Monarch competition was probably the biggest upset of carnival 2013. Bunji who arguably had the hottest groovy soca tune of the year with diffrentology was seeded to walk away with the title if he competed. And with Faye Ann as always coming strong, the POWER soca monarch final of 2013 had the potential of being the biggest and best in its history. Had the couple decided to go head to head with Machel and Super Blue in the national stadium ion that night it would have been mayhem. But the couple decided to pull out and the shockwaves went right through the entire carnival universe.

How would the final have turned out if they stayed?

We will never know.

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STi’s and you The growing number of young people (15-24) engaging in unprotected sexual intercourse has resulted in over half a million cases of STis in the UK alone each year.

Gonorrhoea is mainly found in the discharge from the penis or vaginal fluids. It can easily be transmitted through unprotected sex, including vaginal, oral or anal and the sharing of sex toys.

Symptoms can be anything from pain during urinating, bleeding between periods in women, or unusual discharge. Gonorrhoea can be treated with antibiotics however; in recent years it has become noticeable that the bacteria are becoming less sensitive to the antibiotics making it difficult to treat the infections in the future.

Family Planning Association have placed increased statistics during the Christmas and New Year periods and warned that there could even be an increase during Valentine’s Day celebrations. The FPA is constantly engaged in its campaign to get young people thinking about safety and sexual health, encouraging people to seek regular sexual health checks.

Chlamydia is the most common STis diagnosed in the UK with most people who have the infection don’t have any symptoms. Noticeable signs in women can be unusual discharge and bleeding between periods or after sexual intercourse and pain during urination with men.

Chlamydia is easily treated with antibiotics too however, it can lead to fertility problems and chronic pelvic pains.

One of the most common forms of protection against STis is the use of male or female condoms which should be used whenever you have vaginal or oral sex. Even where sex toys are used, they should be covered with a condom if they have been used by someone else.

Some common forms of STis include Syphilis, Gonorrhoea, Genital Warts, Chlamydia, Genital Herpes and HIV/AIDS. Genital Herpes (HSV) is currently on the rise at a rate of 5% each year in the UK, with a significant number of cases in women 16-24. Cases in the over 45 age group showed a dramatic increase during 2000-2008.

Genital Herpes can remain inactive but if triggered, can cause painful blisters on the genitals and surrounding areas. Currently, there is no cure for Genital Herpes.

HIV/AIDS currently has no cure. This virus attacks the immune system and reduces your body’s ability to fight off infections. There are almost 83,000 people in Britain alone affected with HIV and almost a third not being aware of the infection. In almost 95% of the cases, the virus has been transmitted through unprotected sex. The virus can be found in blood, semen and vaginal discharge fluids. Infections can also be increased with the use of infected needles used when injecting drugs and also transmitted from mother to baby through breast-feeding.

The number of people who have been diagnosed with Syphilis is relatively low in comparison with other STIs averaging four in every 1000,000. However, in the last decade there has been a 600 per cent increase. Symptoms are a painless sore on the genitals or occasionally around the mouth. These can be highly infectious and last between two to six weeks, which can be followed by rash and sore throat.

Syphilis is easily treated with antibiotics but if left untreated can cause serious illness leading to blindness, paralysis and even premature death.

In the UK testing for STis are available at GPs surgery and other health clinics and private medical centres. To get more information on getting checked out visit: www.fpa.org.uk/findaclinic www.allabouthealth.org.uk www.allabouthealth.org.uk/ask-your-dr Source: FPA and All about Health.

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Saving Test Cricket from its ‘terminal illness’ Every so often I have a quick glance at Amol Rajan’s column in the Evening Standard as every so often, he makes a bit of sense. A recent article made my eyes pop when I saw ‘Test cricket needs to be saved-and here’s how’.

Test cricket over the years have seen a rapidly dwindling spectator numbers with the exception of Lords and India where cricket still enjoys some vibrancy in terms of spectatorship.

For years I have been saying this and finally someone else agrees with me and that is; put CLR James’s book Beyond a Boundary into the syllabus of every English-speaking (cricket playing) school in the world. And, I second Rajan’s call to also have Fire in Babylon in there as well and, who cannot get into the frame of mind for a good game of cricket when you hear Soul Limbo by Booker T and the MGs. Play this tune anywhere in the cricketing world and immediately have visions of Viv Richards, Gooch, Ponting, Gary Sobers, Lara or Dilshan gracing the grounds in white flannels.

Take the recent England tour to New Zealand, in a capacity ground of just 6000 and it was relatively half-empty or, half-full if you’re an optimist. Rajan’s diagnostic is that Test cricket may be ‘terminally ill’ blaming the effects on the new favoured Twenty20 version of the game for the infection.

While this may have some credence to the current state of cricket, I have to admit the IPL has given cricketers the much needed scope to actually earn a living from the sport-Test cricket isn’t doing that. In all honesty, I believe there isn’t any patriotism in the sport of cricket anymore. The only real pride and patriotic semblance in the game, in my view is the ‘Ashes’.

I want to say yes to cricket back on terrestrial television in agreement with Rajan however, not many of us sit in front the television anymore with the growing use of technology and handheld devices. Let us look at India for an example here. Almost anywhere there is a television and cricket is on, you can find scores of people glued to television sets as well as sold out arenas, be it Test cricket or IPL. How will that transfer to western audience is somewhat blurred.

Without a doubt, Test cricket is the ultimate endurance of the game. It shows the patience, power and the emotional endurance that is required for Test cricket by its players. These skills are so often absent in the shorter versions of the game, namely in fifty over matches and Twenty20.

We need to see a rejuvenation of Test cricket in all corners of the globe where the game is played and if I am to borrow the title from professor Clem Seecharan’s book Muscular Learning for, like anything, education is the key to success and the success of Test cricket needs some reeducating to cure it from its terminal illness.

I am all in agreement with Rajan in scrapping the 50-over matches now that we have Twenty 20 version. This would certainly take a lot of pressure of players and as Rajan suggests, ending cramped schedules. He also suggests an introduction of two leagues for Test, with teams being relegated and promoted. Also the introduction of day-night Test matches. This would give more people the flexibility to attend sessions with tickets being made available for after work fans. Employ groundsmen from the Indian sub-continent to produce exciting pitches for cricket.

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T&T designers at London Fashion Week 2013 Three of Trinidad and Tobago’s young designers have had the opportunity to display their creations at the recently concluded London Fashion Week 2013. The trio also had a week long display at the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission in London.

Recent graduates from the University of Trinidad and Tobago, Lisa See Tai and Mark Eastman joined Darcel de Vlught a Trinidadian graduate from London College of Fashion in showcasing to London’s Fashion Week.

Darcel de Vlught and her Collection

Lisa See Tai graduated from the same academy as Eastman and interned with one of Trinidad and Tobago’s and the Caribbean renowned designers, Meiling. Her creations are full of flair and her use of colours reflects the vibrancy of Caribbean hues. Bold reds, greens, yellows and gold adorn her designs. She has under her belt the accolade of co-designer and oversaw the production of Anya Ayoung-Chee 2011 Spring/Summer collection.

Darcel was born in Trinidad and raised in the Middle East and Mediterranean. She graduated with a BA (Hons.) in Fashion Design Technology for Women’s wear and her discipline and experience shone through in her creations. Her work vividly captures her experiences with cultural differences as she hones in on a formal and glamorous elegance to her creations.

All three designers expressed their delight for being chosen to represent Trinidad and Tobago at London Fashion Week where they have picked up many tips and held dialogues with other designers and collaborators in the fashion business. They also had the privilege of meeting Trinidadian Savile Row entrepreneur professor Andrew Ramroop. Maybe next year we could have a bigger impact on London Fashion Week and create a hub for designers from Trinidad and the Caribbean.

Mark Eastman is a designer who wears his creations; I spotted him wearing a camouflage bow tie at the T&T High Commission. He spoke of looking at nature and relating it to his designs.

His passion is fuelled by his love for art and clothing that steered him into becoming a fashion designer. Having graduated from Caribbean Academy of Fashion Design at the Trinidad and Tobago University he is currently the Design assistant for Robert Young at The Cloth a unisex apparel line in Trinidad. His creations are chic and modern with a touch of sophistication which is geared towards young trendsetters.

11 Mark Eastman and his Collection

Lisa SeeTai and her Collection

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Rum-flavoured beer launched in the UK Mark Hopper, head of innovation and development at SHS Drinks, says: “The growth in the take home PPL market is being driven primarily by two sectors – the emerging spirit beer category; and world beers. Over the past year, volume sales of spirit beers in the take home sector have increased by a staggering 75%3, albeit from a relatively small base, with value sales up by 71%, bringing the value of the category to just over £12m in 2012.2

SHS Drinks, whose expanding portfolio includes WKD – Britain’s best-selling RTD brand, is setting its sights on the burgeoning spirit beer category as it steps up the pace of product innovation in 2013.

The January roll-out of two new spirit-flavoured beer brands – Cuvana and Dead Crow – has been brought forward from the scheduled spring launch in response to customer demand, and kickstarts this year’s new product development programme. The move also heralds SHS Drinks’ first major venture into the £939m Premium Packaged Lager (PPL) market.

“There is a lot of interest in spirit flavoured beers, stimulated largely by the arrival of Desperados, the tequila-flavoured beer, which currently accounts for more than two-thirds of take home spirit flavoured beer sales. But there isn’t currently a great deal of choice of spirit flavours as other contenders have tended to jump on the tequila beer bandwagon.

Drawing inspiration from imagery associated with the pioneers of America, the cornfields of Kentucky and the unusual town names of the Wild West, Dead Crow is a 5.5% bourbonflavoured premium beer combining a light beer base with a rich bourbon spirit which gives it an aromatic bourbon aroma.

“Consumer reaction to the flavours we have developed has been very positive. Dead Crow and Cuvana were both selected as the preferred options when taste-tested against other spiritflavoured beers currently available which, given the sales success of those brands, undoubtedly bodes well for the future of both Dead Crow and Cuvana.”

While Cuvana – also 5.5% ABV – partners a light, refreshing beer with sweet-tasting light rum and a hint of lime, taking its cues from Latin America and Cuban culture and heritage.

Aimed at 18 to 25-year-olds, awareness for the new brands will be driven through a combination of social media, sampling and presence at music festivals. Free POS materials will also be made available to stockists to increase visibility instore and at point-of-purchase (available from the POS Hotline – 0800 917 3450).

Desperados, the tequila-flavoured beer, which currently accounts for more than two-thirds of take home spirit flavoured beer sales. But there isn’t currently a great deal of choice of spirit flavours as other contenders have tended to jump on the tequila beer bandwagon.

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Placebos

Drink Red Wine

For many years it has been suspected that doctors dupe their patients with placebos, now that theory has been confirmed. A recent study revealed that almost 97% of GPs in the UK prescribe placebos to their patients.

A recent study by the American Heart

Despite the British Medical Association claiming the practice is unethical, Dr Howick, author of the research carried out jointly by Oxford and Southampton universities, says ‘doctors clearly believe that placebos can help patients.’

Association revealed that drinking a glass of red wine (150ml) a day can increase the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol in blood vessel walls. It is ironic that studies are still being carried out that proves the same thing over and over. For as far back as my memory can take e, I can remember either being told, read it somewhere or heard and seen it in documentaries that a little bit of alcohol in moderation is beneficial to your body-especially red wine.

The report by the universities according to the BMA can lead to damaging door-patient relationship in the future, it is however, a bit early to judge the impact of this new development and reactions from patients in general.

Do no despair, those of you who do not partake in a little tipple, help is at hand. Alternatively, you can reap the same benefits from a glass of red wine by eating 70 per cent cocoa chocolate, red grapes and red apples. These, according to the American Heart Association provide the same flavonoid benefits, without having to consume alcohol.

According to the research, in many instances doctors have had patients undergo non-essential examinations and even blood test to reassure patients. Speaking about the research Dr Howick said ‘it is not about doctors deceiving patients, if your body expects a response from a pill it can activate one even if your mind knows it’s a placebo.’

We must be thankful to the good people at AHA for painstakingly researching and making these facts available to us as we pursue the joys of healthy living.

The next time you visit your GP chances are your treatment may very well consists of a placebo. Basically, what many doctors are trying to tell us is that generally, our ailments are more or less in our minds and our bodies are not in danger of suspected illness. Might as well knock back a couple tubes of Smarties the next time your mind suggests you’re ill.

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Frederick Douglass Blue Plaque unveiled On Wednesday 20th February 2013 at noon, a blue heritage plaque was unveiled in South Kensington to honour the American Social reformer and abolitionist Frederick Douglass. The plaque will be unveiled on Nell Gwynn House, Whiteheads Grove, SW3 which is the site of the former home of British abolitionist George Thompson, who Frederick Douglass stayed with for a time in 1846, while lecturing in London on the horrors of the slave trade.

Organized by the English Heritage approved plaque scheme, the Nubian Jak Community Trust, this will be the first blue plaque unveiled in the capital for 2013. It is likely to be immense media interest due to the fact that it is being installed exactly 118 years to the day Frederick Douglass passed away. The Nubian Jak Community Trust is being partnered by the American Embassy to do the tribute, and the unveiling will be streamed live to the United States.

The Royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea are also supporting the event, which will include a reception after the unveiling where an exhibition displaying the work of 150 school students from 5 London schools will be shown. The schools have been working with Nubian Jak over the last three months in researching the life and times of Frederick Douglass.

The venue for the reception will be the new Campbells of London Art Gallery at 35 Thurloe Street SW7, a 3 minute walk from Nell Gwynn House and directly opposite South Kensington tube station. The art gallery will also be formally opened by the deputy chief mission to the United States Embassy, Her Excellency Barbara Stephenson. The plaque tribute ceremony is open to all members of the public.

NB: After the initial exhibition at Campberll of London, the exhibition of the students will then go on display at the US Embassy in London until 31st March 2013.

Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy Minister Barbara Stephenson said: “This is a magnificent way to honour one of America’s greatest campaigners for equality and civil rights. The plaque will allow passers-by the chance to stop and reflect for a moment on Frederick Douglass’s life and achievements – and encourage them to discover the part British people played in his journey from slave to statesman.”

Founder of the Nubian Jak Plaque Commemorative Plaque Scheme Jak Beula said: "It is pleasing and appropriate that during the second term of Barak Obama’s presidency, the man who set the president 150 years by being nominated for the position, should be honoured in the UK for his abolitionist activities and universal stance on human rights!"

Chair of Nell Gwynn House Freehold, Anthony Brown said: “It is a privilege to honour the memory of Fredrick Douglass We should pay tribute to all Men (and indeed women) who like him have been so instrumental in achieving the level of freedom and equality regardless of gender religion or race enjoyed by those fortunate enough to live in the modern democracies.Nell Gwynn herself was on of the few who were able to take advantage of the newly won liberty for women to be allowed to act on stage and would no doubt have thoroughly approved of the greater liberties for women achieved thanks to the efforts of Frederick Douglass and his like .”

Managing Director of Campbells of London Art Gallery Wendell Clement Said: “Timing is everything in life and there could not be a better moment to celebrate Frederick Douglass; Barak Obama’s presidency, Steven Spielberg’s biopic ‘Lincoln’ and Quentin Tarantino ‘Django Unchained’... The history is catching up and we all feel privileged to commemorate this momentum with a Nubian Jak blue plaque.

British historian on Frederick Douglass, Hannah Rose Murray Said: “Through his powerful oratory and fiery rhetoric, Frederick Douglass created a sensation in Britain, and it’s fantastic that his experiences are finally recognised with this Nubian Jak Plaque. Hopefully we can begin to understand what Britain meant to him, and it should kickstart an international discussion about Douglass’s time here.

More importantly, we should all celebrate the achievements of this great man, a social activist who campaigned for, among others, abolition, suffrage and women’s rights.”

The Frederick Douglass Tribute is being organised by the Nubian Jak Community Trust, in association with the United States High Commission in London. The tribute forms parts of BHM Celebrations in the US, and the reception will formally open the new Campbells Art Gallery in South Kensington at 35 Thurloe Street. The tribute is also supported by local dignitaries, councillors, members of the public, national and international press 15 and media: The Nubian Jak Community Trust is the only national BME plaque and sculpture scheme in the UK and Europe. For more information contact: 0800 093 0400 or email info@nubianjak.com

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Photo courtesy Matt Stokes: taken from Wavelength Magazine

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Get Something and Read.

If you read any books this year, make one of these a priority or, better still, read all three. The Rituals of Power and Rebellion: The Carnival Tradition in Trinidad and Tobago 1763-1962 by Hollis Liverpool aka, Mighty Chalkdust is a task you should give some priority, even if you are remotely interested in carnival and better still if you are a carnivalist.

Summer is approaching and, I say that with some caution. For many days throughout the country cricket pitches will be enhanced with the game, both on a professional level ad those who enjoy Sunday knock leather against willow. This brings the next book to mind, CLR James’ Beyond a Boundary. This book is timeless, even in today’s society it speaks volume in sport and class. If you are a cricket fan, immerse yourself in it. If you are not get stuck in and discover why past West Indies cricket teams created fire in Babylon.

Fireflies, by Shiva Naipaul the younger brother of VS Naipaul. I first read this book when I was a teenager and just saw the funny side of it then I read it again at a more mature stage in my life and understood the colourful experience of adulthood, family and a way of life in Trinidad.

This is an endearing novel and would appeal to all readers young and old.

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