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unshine, warmer temperatures, and the gradual reopening of parks, malls, and restaurants with limited seating are luring many of us outside after weeks of stay-at-home orders aimed at halting the spread of Covid-19. It could be easy enough to convince ourselves that flip-flop weather means we don’t need to be concerned with catching a respiratory illness, but when it comes to the coronavirus, that’s not the case.
Infectious disease experts don’t expect summer temperatures to make the pandemic go away. A study published on May 8, 2020, in the Canadian Medical Association Journal analyzed the spread of the coronavirus around the globe and found that temperatures had very little impact on transmission. Researchers did find that restrictions on mass gatherings, school closures, and social distancing (staying six feet apart) were all strongly associated with slowing the spread. However, enjoying the outdoors (safely) is possible, even in the age of Covid-19, as long as you take precautions and use common sense. While it is encouraged for both your mental and physical health to get outside, experts warn that you still need to do so responsibly to prevent the spread of the virus. Here are three things to consider. 1. Find the Right Time and Place — If the parking lot at your trail of choice is full, find another place close to home or come another time. Remember that early or late in the day, and on days with less than ideal weather conditions are when you are more likely to find space on the trails. 2. Be Prepared Before Heading Out — If you don’t have everything you need to ride comfortably and safely, consider skipping it. Most importantly, this means don’t plan beyond your capabilities, risking a call to first responders. 3. Heed all Covid-19 Health Warnings — These include posted signs at parks regarding physical spacing and also updated government guidance. With planning, creativity and safety in mind, you can enjoy the summer and look forward to an autumn that might look a little more normal than the spring. Stay healthy!
Eat More Plants: Veggie Dishes for the Grill We’ve got a few plant-based recipes that make it easy to incorporate more vegetables into your diet. Read on and find out. P.52
Let’s Nurture Creativity through Design Allowing your kids to pitch in on interior styling and decorating choices can contribute to an improved sense of self-worth and self-esteem. P.31
Making Masks for those in need Mask sewing project among Chicago refugee groups leads to new career goal: ‘This is my job’
Happy reading!
Amjad Vanimal Editor
P.32
Society • ISSUE 92 • Sept. 2020
amjad.m@gulf-times.com
Advtg. & Mktg. Manager Hassan Ali Anwari Editor Amjad Vanimal Copy Editors Rajith R Shemna Bijith Steve Joseph Advertising Marketing Team
Design & Layout A.K. Vinay Kumar
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CONTENTS INTERIOR
Sept 2020 GOURMET:
Allowing your kids to pitch in on interior styling and decorating choices can contribute to an improved sense of self-worth and self-esteem.
52
40
We’ve got a few plant-based recipes that make it easy to incorporate more vegetables into your diet. Read on and find out.
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EDUCATION:
Is your child’s school really ‘International’? Ace your learning from home
5 things to consider before you fly again.
FLAIR
FREQUENT Photo of the issue
TRAVEL
Summer Air Travel: Masks, a new boarding routine and bagged snacks.
FOCUS
Education n n
Is your child’s school really ‘international’? P.28 Ace your learning from home P.32
Tips
Give it your best shot: We asked Qatar-based Indian photographer Meghna Shirish Iyer to share her top tips on how to capture the perfect photo. P.38
Interior
Allowing your kids to pitch in on interior styling and decorating choices can contribute to an improved sense of self-worth and self-esteem. P.40 Captured by Zaheer Abdul Rahman P.08
Style
P.44
Gourmet
We’ve got a few plant-based recipes that make it easy to incorporate more vegetables into your diet. Read on and find out. P.52
Technology n n
These three gadgets can xhelp you work from home P.58 Tech Q&A P.58
Next >>
CONTENTS
Technology
Cover story
These three gadgets can help you work from home Tech Q&A
Master Smoothie-Making this summer: With temperatures sizzling, it’s time to break out the blender and start whipping up some frosty, fruity and flavourful smoothies.
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Sept 2020
10
12
Spotlight
Spotlight
‘I’M starting again because that’s what I’ve been doing all my life: ArtForHope, an initiative started by the art gallery’s director Sunaina Anand, aims to bring hope and positivity during these unprecedented times.
Artists “Hope for a better tomorrow” in new campaign: ArtForHope, an initiative started by the art gallery’s director Sunaina Anand, aims to bring hope and positivity during these unprecedented times.
FOCUS
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Spotlight MAKING MASKS FOR THOSE IN NEED: Mask sewing project among Chicago refugee groups leads to new career goal: ‘This is my job’. P.10 ARTISTS ‘HOPE FOR A BETTER TOMORROW’ IN NEW CAMPAIGN: ArtForHope, an initiative started by the art gallery’s director Sunaina Anand, aims to bring hope and positivity during these unprecedented times. P.12 ‘I’M STARTING AGAIN BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT I’VE BEEN DOING ALL MY LIFE: ArtForHope, an initiative started by the art gallery’s director Sunaina Anand, aims to bring hope and positivity during these unprecedented times. P.14
Cover Story MASTER SMOOTHIE-MAKING THIS SUMMER: With temperatures sizzling, it’s time to break out the blender and start whipping up some frosty, fruity and flavourful smoothies. P.16
Scan the QR Code with your smartphone or log on to www.society.qa
Travel SUMMER AIR TRAVEL: Masks, a new boarding routine and bagged snacks. P.22 5 things to consider before you fly again. P.26
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Captured by: Zaheer Abdul Rahman Location: Irkhaya Farm
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Society
PHOTO OF THE ISSUE Your cam. Your shot Submit a favourite photo you’ve clicked on any topic of your choice for possible publication in an upcoming issue of Society. Send your photos to : society@gulf-times.com
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FOCUS spotlight
Sandra Muyumba makes cloth masks in her Chicago apartment on April 28, 2020.
G N I K A M
S K S A M SE I N O H T FOR
D E NE
Mask sewing project among Chicago refugee groups leads to new career goal: ‘This is my job’ By
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Elvia Malagón
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rom her dining room table in Chicago’s West Rogers Park neighborhood, Sandra Muyumba some nights doesn’t even want to sleep because of how focused she’s become on making face masks. Just weeks ago, Muyumba, 48, had never made a face mask but now she’s gotten the technique down to 20 minutes, five minutes for cutting and the rest spent sewing. Her husband helps her iron the masks. Muyumba, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo who spent time in Namibia, is part of the Sewing Studio group. put together by RefugeeOne, which has made 1,000 masks to be donated to various community groups. “I’m starting a bit late, not early in the morning because I need to do the house chores,” Muyumba said by phone about her routine. “I cook then I cannot stand up to do anything. I have to sit and do my work.” RefugeeOne, a resettlement agency based in Chicago, got a grant from a local church to undertake the project,
said Jims Porter, a spokesman for the organization. They’ve delivered masks to groups such as Selfhelp Home and other local organizations, Porter said. Annie Kaufman, manager of the Sewing Studio, said they expect to finish the project by this week, although the studio is also working on other projects related to masks. The group’s effort comes as Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s modified stay-at-home order was scheduled to go into effect Friday, requiring anyone older than 2 years old to wear a face mask or covering while inside stores. The order didn’t specify if runners or those walking for exercise will have to wear one but states that individuals will be required to wear a mask “in a public place where they can’t maintain a 6-foot social distance.” Other organizations that work with refugees have also started making masks. Rebecca Hamlin Green, social enterprise coordinator for Catholic Charities, said their existing Loom program, which helps refugee women sell handmade products, has pivoted to making masks. Those masks are being distributed to seniors in Catholic Charities programs. Sandra Muyumba displays some of the cloth masks she has made.
Daily life for refugees has been upended during the pandemic. Some are working on the front lines while others are navigating unemployment. Advocates say while refugees are often seen as the most protected group of immigrants, they are more at risk of receiving fewer resources than they have in the past.
but a reward for doing the classwork which could translate into a new job skill. “Even before the stay-at-home order, this income was a huge boost for our sewers,” Kaufman said.
At RefugeeOne’s Sewing Studio, the women had the option of getting paid $1 per mask, although some opted to not get paid. Porter said the money was not meant to be a full-time living wage
Some of the studio’s participants had never worked before joining the Sewing Studio, Porter said. It helps them gain independence by learning a skill and doing things such as riding the CTA
when the group met in person. Now, Ankita working on a piece RefugeeOne workers delivery materials of art at home. to the women and pick up the masks. “It’s very empowering,” Porter said about the studio. “It’s a really good picture of how resettlement should work.” For Muyumba, the opportunity came just after the factory she worked at temporarily shuttered because of concerns surrounding COVID-19. She saw a news segment about people making masks for others and was intrigued. She had done some tailoring work before she came to the U.S. and figured she could easily learn how to make a mask. Muyumba learned about the project because she and her family were already in contact with RefugeeOne as the agency tried to help the family navigate unemployment. RefugeeOne gave her a sewing machine to make the masks. While the work has helped her pass the time at home, it has also made her think about shifting her career goals after the pandemic. “This is my job,” she said. “I need to continue, maybe I can get the opportunity to get a job in the fabric (industry). I’m very interested in doing it.”
Sandra Muyumba sews cloth masks in her Chicago apartment.
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FOCUS spotlight
Artists ‘ hope for a better tomorrow ’ in new campaign
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ArtForHope, an initiative started by the art gallery’s director Sunaina Anand, aims to bring hope and positivity during these unprecedented times
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or New York-based, Delhi-born artist Tara Sabharwal, life in lockdown had been marred with a patch of ill health; but after recovery, painting has remained her way to feel and to process her thoughts. To help her to find meaning, structure and sanity.
‘Arriving’ at drawings of small sinister organisms, menacingly beautiful cellular creatures in armor, with jelly-like frightened interiors, Tara’s art makes one hope that the end of the tunnel is near. “Creatures, who, like us, are battling to survive. And we will survive.” The artist is part of #ArtForHope, a digital series by Art Alive Gallery that showcases the artworks that artists are creating during the lockdown, how they are spending time and what they have to say about the times we are living in. The initiative, started by the art gallery’s director Sunaina Anand, aims to bring hope and positivity during these unprecedented times. Some of the participating artists are Anjolie Ela Menon, Paresh Maity, Jogen Chowdhury, Sakti Burman, Maite Delteil, Ranbir Kaleka, Jayshri Burman, Krishan Khanna, Jatin Das, Gopi Gajwani, Debashish Mukherjee, Chandro Bhattacharjee, and Tara Sabharwal. While veteran artist Krishen Khanna is happy to be home – “If I was young the lockdown would have affected me. At my age I don’t go out, I’m home and I paint in my studio, I enjoy that. I like to spend the day in my studio where I’m always surrounded by my friends on the wall”, he says – artist Anjolie Ela Menon, has converted her living room into her makeshift studio. A place where she once
entertained guests and caught up with friends, Anjolie now spends part of her day painting with whatever material she has. Kolkata-based artist Jogen Chowdhury, whose works document the effect of sociopolitical conditions on mankind in a very sensitive way, is living at present in his home, and his recent drawings depict a fierce fight between the human kind and the virus. The campaign also takes viewers to Sakti Burman, who usually is back in his studio in Anthe, south of France at this time of the year, but is in India due to lockdown. His time is divided between reading and painting. Often his thoughts are reflective of the life spent between India and France and thinking about his children who are in France. He spends most of his time in his studio painting and hoping for love and peace. “50+ days of lockdown have changed our whole world. We have in every true sense become ‘One World’ where our fears, anxiety, aspirations, hope and prayers are the same. Over the last month, in my conversations with our artist friends, one thing that has stood out is the optimism in their thoughts. A hope for a better tomorrow. Art has the power to heal and in these times, only being hopeful will help us tide over this difficult phase,” gallerist Sunaina Anand said. IANS
Art Alive Gallery showcases artworks that artists are creating during the lockdown. (IANS)
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FOCUS spotlight
‘
Aribert Munzner in his studio on June 3, 2020. Much of his work there was water-damaged after the Ivy Arts Building caught fire in rioting on May 29, 2020. (TNS)
I’m starting again because that’s what I’ve been doing all my life
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Aribert Munzner, 90-year-old Minneapolis artist, lost a lifetime of work in the aftermath of the riots. He hopes to create a new body of work, and have an exhibition a year from now 14 Society
By
Alicia Eler
W
earing circular spectacles and suspenders that held up loose trousers over his bony frame, 90-year-old artist Aribert Munzner stood outside his studio at the Ivy Arts Building in Minneapolis, watching friends, colleagues, former students and complete strangers carry out paint supplies and soggy cardboard boxes. The boxes contained more than 60 years of work, damaged in a single night. In the early hours of May 29, the roof of the Ivy — a 120-year-old building on S. 27th Avenue that once fabricated ornamental iron and now is home to more than 70 artist studios and small businesses — was ignited by sparks from the nearby Hexagon Bar, set ablaze in riots after the death of George Floyd. Munzner, who goes by “Ari,” explained the incident as if it were a scene from a comic book: “One: Fire torch. Two: Big fire, spark, 150-year-old roof, wooden. Big fire. Fire people come, put out the fire. Big hole in roof. 1,000 gallons of beautiful Mississippi water came thundering down and I was at ground zero,” he said, with an accent that sounded like a mix of New York, German and Irish. Actually, the fire started around 4am. Ten neighbours and Ivy janitor Damian Garner, who’s had a studio in the building for more than 15 years, tried to put it out with buckets of water and fire extinguishers. Overwhelmed with calls from around the city, firefighters didn’t arrive until around 6am. Fire, water or smoke damaged about 40 studios in the Ivy, including the cozy
ground-floor space housing about 500 works from Munzner’s 60-year career. “Once it hit those beams with the driedout paint, it looked like you were looking into the chasm of hell,” said Garner, whose own studio was spared. “I would’ve lost everything — there would’ve been no trace of my existence other than me.” Munzner is grappling with the loss of his many artworks, but his outlook on change is more fluid. “I’m starting again because that’s what I’ve been doing all my life,” he said. He was only 7 when his Jewish family fled Hitler’s Germany in 1937 for Baghdad, where they had a family friend. In their new home, he learned Arabic from a Lebanese Jesuit priest. But when British forces invaded Iraq in 1941 to depose its Nazi-leaning regime, the family took off again, this time to New York City. Munzner says he has eidetic memory, aka photographic memory — “I don’t have the ability to play with words — they jump like squirrels,” he joked — so when he came to America he taught himself English by reading comic books. “I learned how to say ‘WOW’ and ‘BANG!’?” he said, making explosive motions with his hands. “Superman and Captain Marvel told me how to be an American.” He came to the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 1955 for a short-term gig. Now he is an MCAD professor emeritus. “We didn’t have GPS back in ‘55, so I never found my way back to New York,” he joked. “I ended up — gladly, actually — in the Upper Midwest.”
STARTING OVER In the days after the fire, a rotating crew sifted through the mess of his studio, still full of puddles, deciding what could be salvaged and taken to temporary storage at Everest Arts and Science in St. Paul. They found a box of unharmed panels from 1965, but most of the art had some kind of water damage. Still, he’s optimistic about what’s to come. He hopes to create a new body of work, and have an exhibition a year from now. “The whole idea of starting over is a continuity, it is a going from one state of matter to another,” he said. With the help of his crew, he’s looking for a new studio space closer to his apartment at Sholom in St. Louis Park, an assistedliving facility where he and his wife, Joan, a French teacher, moved after she broke her hip. She died in 2016. For the past 50-odd years, Munzner has referred to all of his paintings — largescale works on rice paper, using early computer-generated programs — as “Genesis,” a study of the universe and the unknown. He paints galaxy-like explosions of color using tiny marks on canvas, as well as sparsely populated black-and-white drawings that look like close-ups of cells. Not all those works survived the great flood. Outside the studio, Michal Sagar donned a mask and sifted through moist cardboard boxes. “I just cried when I heard,” said Sagar, an artist who also taught at MCAD. “Property is property, of course, but these are the stories that nobody is going to hear.” Artist Nathanael Flink, who studied with Munzner in 1989, inspected furniture and canvas stretchers in the studio. “It really breaks your heart to see whole portfolios of delicate rice-paper drawings lost,” Flink said. As the circle of friends regrouped, Munzner stood outside, chatting with a Minneapolis city inspector, Joe Strohmeyer. “I am going to count this as pretty much a total loss,” said Strohmeyer, clipboard in hand. He handed an official-looking paper to Munzner, who glanced at it, then gleefully thanked him in both German and English.
Barbee Bigger, left, and Kathleen Maloney place a soggy computer generated artwork by Aribert Munzner printed on a canvas onto a bike rack outside the Ivy Arts Building to dry. (TNS)
“I can’t give you any answers because I am just one of thousands of tenants and each one of us has a different view of the universe, and mine is not reality,” said Munzner. “It’s a fantasy.”
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FOCUS cover story
16 Society
r e t s Ma
Smoothie making this summer
With temperatures sizzling, it’s time to break out the blender and start whipping up some frosty, fruity and flavourful smoothies By
The beauty of smoothies is that you can add just about anything to them from kiwi to carrots. And this time of year, there is no shortage of options. Great things to add are seasonal fruits like blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, figs, apricots, peaches, plums and nectarines. Others like to blend veggies into the mix, such as spinach, kale, squash or carrots. Nutritionists say smoothies are great way to increase your fruit and vegetable consumption, but they say to be careful not to add too many extra calories. Ice cream and fruit juices with added sugars should be avoided. “That is a milkshake,” says Kim Tirapelle, a registered dietitian at Kaiser Permanente Fresno. Lifestyle blogger Annie Foreman of Fresno, Calif., has upped her smoothie game by prepping her ingredients and freezing them. When she or her family want something refreshing to drink, all she has to do is pull a prepped plastic bag
Robert Rodriguez
out of the freezer, blend it with a liquid and pour. “It takes about five minutes, tops,” says Foreman, author of www. therealhousewifeoffresno.com. “And with all the fruit available you can create lots of different types of smoothies.”
or ice. And for added thickness you can even add a scoop of avocado.
While fresh fruit is great when it’s in season, don’t be shy about using frozen fruits or vegetables. Foreman is fond of buying a bag of frozen mixed berries and a large package of spinach.
Some new yogurt brands, like Siggi’s Icelandic-style yogurt, are loaded with protein, have less sugar and can make a good base for your smoothie. Tara Hamilton, former owner of Organic Fresno, a Fresno restaurant, has been making healthy smoothies for years. She tells parents to go easy on the greens because the taste can easily overpower the drink.
She also recommends using overripe fruit that may be too squishy to eat but works fine in a blender for a smoothie. “I hate throwing away food, and this is a good way to reduce food waste,” she says. As her liquid base, Foreman uses almond milk or plain yogurt. Tirapelle agrees that one good way to lower the drink’s calorie content is look for alternatives to whole milk or fruit juice. She says coconut water and skim milk are also good options, as are water
Tirapelle says flax seeds and chia seeds are also a good source of protein and fiber, if you want something more than just a snack.
Hamilton says not to add more than two handfuls of greens and make sure to strip the greens off the stalk to make it easier to digest. She generally uses about a cup of fruit in her recipes and she likes to freeze her fruit before adding to the blender. “I like it that way because it makes it nice and slushy,” she says. “And that’s perfect during the summer.”
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RECIPES FREEZER PREP SMOOTHIE Ingredients 1 cup spinach 4 large frozen strawberries 3/4 cup frozen blueberries and raspberries 1/4 sliced banana 3/4 to 1 cup of almond milk or plain yogurt
Method You can prep your smoothies so it’s simple and quick when you want one: To assemble, put your fruit and veggies in a Ziploc plastic bag and freeze. When you’re ready for your drink, add your liquid base (almond milk or yogurt) and then place the contents of your freezer bag into the blender and blend until smooth. You can add protein powder if you like.
Recipe courtesy: Annie Foreman
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GREEN SMOOTHIE Ingredients 2 cups kale 1/2 fennel bulb 1/2 cucumber 3-4 sprigs mint 2 apples 1 banana
Method 1. 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk (can substitute coconut water or soy milk). Blend the kale and mint with the liquid base of your choosing. Then add cucumber and fennel, blend well. 2. Add apples and banana — blend well and add more banana if additional sweetness is needed. Pour into a glass and serve.
Recipe courtesy: Stephanie Vucovich Cholakian
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PEACH PIE SMOOTHIE Ingredients 11/2 cups of frozen peaches 4 ounces of plain cultured yogurt 2 ounces of water 1 teaspoon of cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg 2 tablespoons of chia seeds 3 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup
Method 1. Combine yogurt, water, chia seeds, nutmeg and cinnamon in a blender until well mixed. Add frozen fruit and blend to desired consistency. Pour into glass.
Recipe courtesy: Tara Hamilton
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MIXED BERRY SMOOTHIE WITH BEETS Ingredients 1 cup mixed frozen berries or blueberries 2 teaspoons chia seeds 2 teaspoons ground flax seeds 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 tablespoon walnuts 1/3 cup diced beet, either raw, canned or roasted Handful fresh spinach or 1-2 tablespoons frozen spinach 1/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt or low-fat coconut milk 1 frozen banana or 1 teaspoon honey or agave syrup
Method 1. Place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend for 1 minute. Pour into a glass and enjoy.
Recipe courtesy: Dr. Kim Newell, Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center
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FLAIR travel
SUMMER
AIR TRAVEL
Masks, a new boarding routine and bagged snacks After months of hunkering down at home amid the Covid-19 pandemic, travellers are slowly returning to the skies — some eagerly, some cautiously — and all curious to see how their first flight in months will be different By
22 Society
Lauren Zumbach
United Airlines gate agent Emma Watt helps passengers scan their boarding passes for a flight to San Francisco at O’Hare International Airport on June 18, 2020. (TNS)
O
n a recent morning at O’Hare International Airport’s Terminal 1, used primarily by hometown carrier United Airlines, the scene was anything but what used to be considered normal. There were few families heading off on vacation and even fewer corporate road warriors killing time in the airport lounge. Employees appeared to outnumber travelers at the check-in area. A couple of workers used a lull between waves of flights to disinfect seats and kiosks. Still, there are signs customers are coming back after travel plummeted this spring. Since mid-April, the number of people passing through U.S. airport security checkpoints each day has risen from below 90,000 to 576,514 on Thursday, according to the Transportation Security Administration. A year ago, there were 2,728,786 people, but it’s the busiest that airports have been since late March. The gradual return to air travel means fliers are likely to find airports cleaner and less crowded. Much about navigating the airport and boarding a flight remains the same. But from the shuttered airport shops to the hand sanitizer wipe handed to passengers when they board, the changes keep the pandemic front of mind.
Neither the airplane cabin nor the airport security line were designed for social distancing, and some efforts will depend on passengers’ cooperation. Just this week, major U.S. carriers said they plan to rigorously enforce mask requirements after travelers complained on social media that other passengers weren’t always following the rules. “The more we do, the more customers will feel comfortable traveling,” said Mike Hanna, who leads United’s operations at O’Hare.
On the other side of the security checkpoint, near the gates, every traveler appeared to be covering their face, and some added plastic face shields on top of a mask. Widespread mask wearing and thinner crowds were the most obvious changes at the airport, particularly since consumers have gotten used to sneeze guards at stores, along with floor decals and signs reminding people to spread out in areas where lines form. But there are other changes as well.
Knowing airlines require passengers as well as crew to wear masks reassured Louis and Lucille Luan, flying home to California Thursday after finishing the semester at the University of Illinois. Their family encouraged the siblings to stay on campus when classes went virtual since COVID-19 wasn’t spreading as rapidly in Champaign, but their lease ends in July and they decided it was time to head back. But Lucille, 21, who hadn’t flown since the pandemic started and canceled a spring break trip to Florida, noticed a couple of people with their faces uncovered while she waited in the check-in area. “It made me a little nervous,” she said.
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United lets passengers who have checked in online drop off bags touch-free. Kiosks will automatically print luggage tags when a traveler scans a mobile or printed boarding pass. Every other kiosk has been closed to give people more space. Airport security is also the one spot travelers may be asked to lower a mask so an employee can check whether their ID is a match. Employees seated behind plastic screens still will take travelers’ IDs but will ask them to scan their own boarding passes. Despite the usual restrictions on liquids, TSA lets passengers bring a 12-ounce bottle of hand sanitizer, though it must be screened separately. Travelers who don’t pack their own can find it at the airport. The Chicago Department of Aviation said it installed more than 120 hand sanitizer stations, including some wall-mounted dispensers where passengers collect belongings after security and near flight information boards. The TSA also recommends taking snacks out of carry-on bags in addition to large electronics and liquids, since food can trigger an alert requiring extra screening. Packing snacks might be smart, since airport dining options are more limited. On Thursday, Wolfgang Express, Jamba Juice and Starbucks were open, but a Duty Free store, Eli’s Cheesecake and
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Garrett’s Popcorn were temporarily closed. Only one of United’s O’Hare lounges is open, and an American lounge at O’Hare is scheduled to reopen Monday. As one flight prepared to take off Thursday morning, a United employee summoned passengers to board, five rows at a time. Passengers weren’t crowding the gate in hopes of boarding first like they did on pre-pandemic flights. Instead, most seemed to be giving each other space while waiting to scan their boarding passes. United and Delta have switched up the boarding order: Now, those in the back rows are the first to board, to keep passengers from walking past people already seated. Southwest lets people pick their seats but calls passengers up in groups of 10.
once on board. Airlines aren’t offering as many flights as usual so passengers could find more company on planes than they expected. Delta and Southwest have pledged to leave every middle seat open through Sept. 30. American is temporarily leaving half its middle seats empty. On all carriers, people traveling together can fill middle seats if they choose. United is giving passengers on relatively full flights a chance to switch to a later flight for no extra fee or take a travel credit. Few people given the option are switching, said spokesman Luke Punzenberger. Because of the proximity of passengers to one another, airlines are relying on a range of precautions, including air filtration systems that cycle through air on board every couple of minutes, requiring passengers to wear masks and extra cleaning.
United said flight attendants reverse the process on landing, calling small groups up to leave starting at the front, unless someone has a particularly tight connection.
Those cleaning measures vary by airline, but United’s protocol gives a look at steps airlines are taking to limit the chance of transmission on surfaces.
Airlines and the airport do their best to remind people to keep their distance with signs at check-in, airport security lines and on the jet bridge. But for all the efforts to practice social distancing in the airport, it gets trickier
After one United flight landed at O’Hare Thursday morning, an employee walked down the aisle using an electrostatic sprayer, which looks like a cross between a power drill and a hair dryer, to spray a mist of disinfectant designed to get to
hard-to-reach spots. A similar routine happens before every flight. At O’Hare, it uses similar technology to spray gate waiting areas every couple of days, in addition to more frequent traditional cleaning, Hanna said. Employees also wipe down surfaces including armrests, door handles, lavatories, seatback screens and seat belts — even the jet bridge walls between each flight, Hanna said. A faint smell of disinfectant may greet passengers heading down the walkway to the aircraft, and United said it gives everyone a hand sanitizer wipe when they board. American and Delta say they disinfect similar surfaces on planes after each flight. Delta also uses electrostatic sprayers after each flight. American uses the sprayers on planes every seven days, the length of time each treatment lasts, spokeswoman Gianna Urgo said. Certain expected niceties have gone by the wayside to limit hands-on interactions between passengers and crew. Airlines have scaled back food and beverage service — a move that might make some travelers feel safer but left Alicia Davidson, 70, of Portal, Arizona, “just irritated.” “They’re not feeding the passengers,” she said while stopping in Chicago en route to Europe for a vacation with her husband.
Delta is limiting beverages to bottled water on all but long international flights. United and American aren’t stocking buyon-board food. On United, coach travelers on domestic flights of at least 2 hours and 20 minutes get a plastic bag containing a small bottle of water and prepackaged snacks, including a stroopwafel. Firstclass passengers on most domestic flights get a snack box. United will only serve beverages in sealed containers and passengers get sanitizing wipes at boarding. In-flight magazines are gone, too. Other precautions are strictly behind the scenes. United, for instance, turned an underused baggage claim into a temperature check station for employees. Frontier Airlines checks passengers’ temperatures before flying. Other U.S. airlines don’t require temperature checks, though United and Southwest Airlines require passengers to confirm they are symptom-free when checking in for a flight. Some of the extra health and safety measures airlines have implemented will get tougher once travel rebounds. Keeping middle seats open is easy when relatively few people are flying, and workers have more time to clean planes when fewer flights leave slack in the schedule.
“If demand returns, it’s going to be much more difficult and airlines are going to have to make conscious decisions. What matters more?” said Henry Harteveldt, travel industry analyst and president of the Atmosphere Research Group. Still, travel will have to pick up quite a bit before airlines start having trouble keeping up. United, for instance, expects to handle about 260 flights a day at O’Hare in July, roughly 100 more than it does today but down from 600 in a typical summer, Hanna said. American expects to operate a little more than twice as many flights in July as it did in June. Reassuring passengers that “every protective measure is being taken” is just part of what it will take to get travelers back, Leff said. It’s hard to plan a trip amid uncertainty about potential spikes in cases, and there are still restrictions on international travel. Other cities may be open to visitors, but that doesn’t mean attractions and restaurants are. Consumers affected by layoffs may be delaying travel for financial reasons. “You have a lot of people sitting on the sidelines who are unable to travel or are afraid to, and I think they’re waiting to see how it goes,” Harteveldt said
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FLAIR travel
5
things to consider before you
fly again
Many families are debating if, when and how they might travel in the weeks and months ahead. If you are pondering the possibility of air travel, here are five ideas to consider
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1. How important is the trip? Before making final preparations for air travel, discuss the relative importance of taking the trip now. Can it wait for a few months? Assess your family’s individual risk factors, including age, underlying medical conditions and current health. If any family member in your group is sick, staying home is the best choice. If visiting family at your destination, consider their health and risk factors as well. If you decide to go, check with your airline for their most recent updates including your flight schedule, any changes in requirements for travel (like wearing a mask) and the expected capacity on board. With social distancing in mind, some airlines will allow passengers to change flights without penalty fees if the aircraft is expected to be near capacity.
2. Review expectations Depending on the ages of the children, discuss what to expect on this trip. Many aspects of the experience will be different than previous outings to visit family or flights to festive destinations. Let them know that the airport may feel different as fewer people may be traveling. Many people will be wearing masks and or gloves. Some travelers may be feeling anxious, which can result in unusual behaviors. Discuss the importance of sticking close to the adults in your group, of social distancing, of not touching random objects and regularly washing hands or using hand sanitizer while en route.
3. Plan ahead and bring your own Give yourselves plenty of time at the airport to keep stress levels down. If possible, avoid the confines of shuttle buses by having a friend or family member drop you at the curbside check in area. Skip the airport trains and walk to your gate. Print boarding passes at home to avoid touching extra computer screens. Plan to bring your own masks, hand sanitizer, wipes, water bottles and snacks. The Transportation Security Administration recommends putting all your supplies, including keys, phones, wallets and other personal items in your carryon bags when going through security thus avoiding the use of the plastic bins. It will likely be easier to manage a bathroom session in the terminal than on board the plane. Use wipes or a tissue to open doors, turn knobs, flush and operate handles. Wash hands with hot, soapy water or use hand sanitizer. Choose a sparsely populated section of the gate area to regroup.
4. Settling in If possible, consider sending one adult on board ahead of your clan to begin sanitizing your area before the younger children climb into the seats. Wipe down the tray tables, seats, armrests, seat belts, window covering and the gaspers (air vents). Then toss the wipes in the trash and sanitize your hands. Once everyone is on board, make sure all hands are sanitized and masks are in place.
5. In the air Experts advise that you be aware of your surroundings, taking note of those seated next to you, two rows ahead and two rows behind you. (Approximately, six feet.) If someone in this region appears ill or is coughing repeatedly, ask to move. If you or a family member is seated on the aisle, use caution to avoid touching passersby. Avoid using the aircraft bathroom but if it is necessary use caution and remember to sanitize. Keep snacks and drinks to a minimum. Be mindful of toys or devices that the kids might be using (or drop on the floor) and remember to wipe them down with sanitizing wipes. Then, if possible, take a deep breath, and enjoy the flight!
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FOCUS education
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Is your child’s school really
‘international’?
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Simon Porter, Director of Quality and Staff Development and Head of Secondary at Themaid, shares his views and experiences of international schools
W
hen I began my international teaching career, I assumed that an international school was the same the world over and that for a school to call itself international, there must naturally be some accreditation to show that the school meets certain standards. I was sure that a school could not just call itself international, but I now know that this assumption was mistaken. After 20 years in international education, and having studied the research related to international education, I feel qualified to answer the question posed above. The first international schools are considered to be The International School of Geneva and Yokohama International School, both founded in 1924. Since then, and especially in the last decade, there has been an explosion in the number of schools calling themselves international. With this in mind it is important for parents to consider what makes a school into an international school. What are the key, defining features that allow an international school to use that title? There are a number of features that help us recognise the real from the fake ones.
STUDENTS A truly international body of students is essential. Without this mixture of cultures, attitudes, ideas and behaviours how can a school call itself international? This is the only way a child can have a true international experience and develop the open-mindedness and tolerance indicative of an international education. Luckily, in our school we have 77 nationalities, although of course many students themselves have a multiinternational background and find it hard to describe their nationality.
DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S INTERNATIONAL AWARD Examination results alone will not get your child into the very top universities in the world. The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is world recognised as the ideal vehicle to create the adventurous, responsible and self-reliant students that top universities require. This award will play a prominent role in any international school worthy of the name.
INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS Many international schools are part of global partnerships because we recognise that single schools working in isolation do not have the level of challenge and rigor that a top tier schools group provides. Nord Anglia Education is considered to be leading premium schools organisation in the world and it has ground-breaking collaborations with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, The Juilliard School and UNICEF. Using their network of school leaders, teachers and students, they have created a virtual space for sharing ideas and learning from each other in through their unique Global Campus.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES A good international school will provide a wide-range of extracurricular activities to meet the needs of the child. From award winning choirs and orchestras to STEAM clubs and sports, international schools will offer children the opportunity to mix with different groups and different ages beyond those available within their classroom spaces.
The international feel of a school would be lost if only the students were international, and lessons should reflect this diversity. At Compass International School, the teachers come from 44 different countries, with the vast majority having gained their qualifications in the UK.
In conclusion, whilst many schools call themselves international, few are truly embracing all that this implies. There are many international schools where there is a fixed mindset to adopt one national curriculum or one cultural standard. The best international schools adapt their learning programmes to meet their international environment and their international students. Parents need to consider the above points before selecting the best school for their child.
CURRICULUM
Find out how your child can succeed inside and beyond the classroom at cisdoha.com
TEACHERS
A true international school will adapt the curriculum to meet the international needs of its students. Whilst a British Style curriculum is the basis for some of the best in class, adapting this to an international setting allows schools to build on the best of British with the UK based International Primary Curriculum (IPC), IGCSEs, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) and A- Levels. Compass International School is the only school in Qatar offering both of these world recognised university entrance curricula. 30 Society
Throughout the school closure period, the Admissions Team are on hand to offer you the best online and over-the-phone experience. Email admissions.cisd@nais.qa or call: +974 4034 6801. Simon Porter is Head of Secondary at Compass International School’s new state of the Art Themaid campus and Director of Quality and Staff Development. He also has a Masters in International Education and writes regularly for the Times Educational Supplement.
FOCUS education
Ace your learning from home Here are a few things students can do to help create the right learning environment and make the most of their time at home
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The COVID-19 has affected our lives in many ways. It has changed the way we interact with people and spend our free time. There is still a long way to go before life restores to a normalcy. Navigating education in these strange times can seem daunting and can be challenging for students everywhere. With schools being shut indefinitely, there has been an interruption in the education of children- especially those who depend on classrooms to learn.
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But learning is a continuous process, and the reality is that anyone can learn anywhere through e-learning. Schools, play schools, colleges, tutorials and coaching centres have taken their education online. To avail of this benefit all we need is self-motivation and the right mindset. Ankita Kishore, Chief Strategy officer, BYJU’s shares with IANSlife 6 ways to ace “Learning from Home”. Here are a few things students can do to help create the right learning environment and make the most of their time at home: Set up camp, create your “study zone”: Staying all day at home can also mean lots of distractions. So in order to be focused, dedicate a specific area in the house for studies. Ensure this designated area is free of clutter, has good internet connectivity, and is comfortable enough for uninterrupted learning. And to give your study zone a special touch, decorate your space with motivational quotes for that extra push! Take up a challenge, strengthen your concepts: This is your personal time and you need to free yourself from the hesitation of asking questions or 34 Society
accepting difficulties. It’s the best time to revisit lessons, strengthen fundamentals, and master challenging topics. So if you’re struggling with a certain topic, instead of shrugging it off, take the time to understand it. There are various study materials available online - videos and written - that explain concepts in an easyto-grasp and engaging manner. Watch videos, learn smarter: Did you know that visuals are processed 60,000 times faster by your brain than text? And I’m sure that anyone can vouch for the fact that learning from videos is a lot more fun than reading! Learning apps have videos with well-explained animated content and live classes that are designed to help students grasp concepts faster and retain them longer. So take the time to find videos that explain concepts visually so you can learn, understand, and remember them better. Create a routine and stick to it: Having a routine can help you become a consistent and disciplined learner. So make a time-table for the day and allocate a certain amount of time to learn, practise, and revise. To ensure you make the best use of this routine, make sure that you stick to it. Opting for LIVE online classes could also help set a routine to your learning.
Make your surroundings your Teacher: Did you know that James Watt’s inspiration for the steam engine came from a boiling kettle? He noticed how the steam forced the kettle’s lid to rise and realised that he could use steam to power an engine. What this story tells us is that science is all around us - in your kitchen, the garden, and everywhere else. So be observant of your surroundings, ask questions. If you’re curious to know why certain things work the way they do, look it up online. If you want to go a step further, analyse what you learn and mentally map each of your newly discovered facts to understand how everything is interconnected! Practise, revise, and practise some more: There’s no better time than now to master concepts. Once you cover a new topic, practise and revise. There are unlimited practise tests and quizzes available online and on apps such as BYJU’S and more, that can help you practice, ensuring that you have a thorough understanding of every concept and unit. You can also refresh your memory by occasionally revisiting old topics. So make the best use of your time indoors to learn, grow now and thrive to be futureready!!
GIVE IT YOUR BEST
FLAIR tips
O
SH
T
We asked Qatar-based Indian photographer Meghna Shirish Iyer to share her top tips on how to capture the perfect photo. Read on and find out
Meghna Shirish Iyer works as an Independent professional photographer. She was graduated in Professional Photography from the Institute of European Design Madrid. Having fine art background, she has been engaged in lens work since 2010. Meghna was also awarded a Jury Commendation for the project NINE by TOTO Awards (she was one among the 5 from India) and exhibited a few of her works in Qatar and in India. Her work reflects the two sides of her, one of fine art and documenting small stories, and the other, colourful commercial work. She has worked with well-known professional photographers from around the world. She also teaches and trains many individuals in the field of photography.
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Window Lighting Portraits My favourite and easiest lighting at all times is “window light!” If I don’t have my lights with me, I will just find a window for my portraits. No other natural light source I have found as versatile and as flattering as a window light. The key to successful window lighting is that you want
They can illuminate a soft portrait or create Dramatic Shadows. Windows that face north or south will provide the most
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to achieve the same lighting patterns as you would while creating a studio portrait. As you will see window light has potential to create a dramatic impact. The soft light through the window acts as the perfect highlight for a strong and moody image and works particularly well if you have the light cast on just one side of the subject’s face, leaving the other in shadow. It’s true; window light can meet every need.
consistent, even lighting throughout the day. Windows facing east or west will have direct sunlight either in the morning or evening. They are used for more dramatic lighting and shadow
How does the Window Light Work? Placing your subject several feet away from the window will provide a more even look. Placing your subject’s side to the window will cause dramatic fall off in light on their opposite side. Placing the window behind them will create a dramatic silhouette. Play around with different positioning and you are sure to find one that fits your subject and your creative vision.
Control Window Light Control the amount of light with shades or blinds. Sometimes, the light is just too much and sometimes it’s not enough. Take advantage of any tools. A simple adjustment might be all that’s required to tone down or increase the amount of light. Using Shades and Blinds can cause a soft light on the subject, using direct window light can give you dramatic highlights and shadows. Using a reflector opposite to the window can bounce light back on your subject.
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FLAIR
interiors
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Let’s nurture
creativity
through design
Allowing your kids to pitch in on interior styling and decorating choices can contribute to an improved sense of self-worth and self-esteem, Meghana Muralidharan writes
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MEGHANA MURALIDHARAN is an interior designer and a content writer who always believes that designer can spark creativity and innovation, and assumes that through writing one can express their own ideas.
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K
ids sometimes have a slightly different approach to interior design than their parents. While you enjoy a nature-embracing zen aesthetic, your five-year-old would rather paint her ceiling a bright shade of fuchsia pink. Still, leading psychologists suggest that allowing kids to participate in the design process of their room can be empowering and demonstrate healthy parental trust. More than that, kids, like adults, like to have a sense that their room is a space uniquely for them, where it is safe to be their most authentic selves. Allowing your kids to pitch in on interior styling and decorating choices can contribute to an improved sense of
self-worth and self-esteem. So, clearly it is important for kids to participate in the styling and decorating process of their rooms. I was always really interested in colourful materials and objects, and this is likely why I gravitated towards exploring more about of kid’s interior design. The colour scheme and the interiors of the children’s living surrounding are very effective in morale and a relief for them psychologically. Even for my major project back in college, my research was based on kids’ interior. And I must say it’s through design, how I meet all the perspectives of writing.
Here are seven things to consider for nailing your decorating approach when kids are in the mix.
01
4 Keep pricy design elements neutral
In any design project, there are a few areas that you want to stand the test of time – floor coverings, furniture pieces, and paint colours. Instead of using these things to make a statement – such as the painting the walls of a baby’s room a pastel pink or blue – choose an option that has staying power. Pick classic finishes for your furniture, and floor
coverings that are universal. Also making use of the windows of your rooms, which would allow natural light fall in to the space.
02
4 Connect colours
Colours influence kids just as much as the grownups. To give kids a peppy interior, it is important to paint it in vibrant colours. Shades of orange can inspire confidence and make them friendlier. Soft yellow shades can make them cheery and focused. Lighter shades of green can boost a child’s cheerfulness and connect with nature.
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4 Rethink your ottoman
One of the main concerns when decorating with kids is safety, so furniture that’s free of sharp edges is a nonnegotiable. A stylish upholstered coffeetable ottoman is the perfect solution for this reason. It’s the ultimate must-have for kid- and family-friendly décor. Kids can play around it without fear of sharp edges.
04
4 Add personality with
05
4 Keep your child
accessories
Of course, your child’s room should not be devoid of personality, far from it. This is their own space and they should be encouraged to use it to express who they are. Just make sure to add those pops of personality with accessories that can be changed as easily as their interests. This means items like rugs, throw pillows, and picture frames that you would be fine with swapping out on a semi-regular basis.
involved
Your child’s bedroom is the area in which
she/he will be spending most of his time, so it’s critical that they feel at home in the space. Children should always feel that their rooms are their own space, they are also part of the house as a whole. Don’t be afraid to be clear about the areas that you are open to discussing and which may be non-negotiable.
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4 Choose multifunctional
07
4 Clutter control
furniture
Choose multifunctional furniture: Double-duty furniture is ideal, especially when looking to transition a room from a space that is fit for an infant into one that is ready for a child. Think outside the idea of a standard changing table and purchase a desk or dresser that can be fitted with a padded changing mat.
Less is more when it comes to toys. The fewer toy choices you offer, the more likely the children are to play with the toys they have. To help control toy chaos, or ‘toy creep’ provide lots of baskets and bins with lids. And make it a habit to have the children pick up toys and put them back in the bins. When it comes to kids, nothing is permanent. They change their favourite foods, colours, and styles as easily as the wind blows. Why should the design of their rooms be an exception? Be prepared for these requests for change because things in favour might differ from time to time. In designing a child’s space it has to be specific as many children are visual leaners too, which could create a lot of difference in them. As adding humour to a space requires sourcing and planning of the right furniture and props.So it would be smart to set the room up dynamic and making a kid friendly environment for their upbringing.
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FLAIR style
The brand’s signature romantic bows get a distorted, eccentric makeover. They become traffic stopping details on moirÊ blouses, revisited prom dresses, sleeveless tops tucked into slim pants and dangerous leather bustier frocks.
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Bold volumes, puffy sleeves and maxi ruffles. Girly frocks worn with combat boots and leopard printed stockings. Checkered patterns and slogan prints. Frilled skirts and destroyed denim micro shorts. Point d’esprit ruffled dresses and acid washed jeans with a marble effect.
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REDVALENTINO FALL 2020 COLLECTION A celebration of self-expression. REDValentino embraces the Fall 2020 season with a creatively extravagant, rebellious mood. Instinctive, spontaneous, unapologetic‌ the collection reflects a contemporary fashion sensibility, where signature codes are reinterpreted with a fierce attitude and juxtaposed to quintessentially street vibes.
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REDValentino’s extremely pink mood celebrates powerful femininity and independence with flamboyant notes, mixed and matched with acid green touches. The nocturnal rigor of black is lit by vibrant red accents. Bright green pops up here and there.
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The eccentric, eyecatching mood translates into the bold accessories, including the signature Rock Ruffles bag presented in a XL version, as well as the Sky Combat bucket styles punctuated by starshaped metallic studs. A half bow steal the spotlight on the new Bowalk sneaker, glitters sparkle on the Reddilicious Mary Jane shoe, its feminine appeal contrasting with the tough attitude of the Bikered combat boots. 48 Society
Are you an aspiring model? If your answer is YES, this is an opportunity you don’t want to miss. Society Magazine is always looking for fresh faces. If you think you have what it takes to be featured in the magazine, send us your sample photos for a chance to be considered. Submit your short bio and sample photos to: society@gulf-times.com Have questions about the submission? Give us a call: +974 444 66 413
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FLAIR
gourmet
EAT MORE
PLANTS
VEGGIE DISHES FOR THE
GRILL We’ve got a few plant-based recipes that make it easy to incorporate more vegetables into your diet. Read on and find out By
Grace Dickinson
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I
t’s never a bad time to start eating more plants. And that includes now. Whether you’re nervous about the meat shortage or just want to get back on track after a bout of pandemic-spawned stress eating, fruit and veggies are your friend, always. They’ll give you energy and make you feel better. And they’re perfect for the grill. We’ve got a few plant-based recipes that make it easy to incorporate more vegetables into your diet. They are designed to be entrees rather than side dishes, letting veggies become the star of your next cookout. We chatted with executive chef Andrew Henshaw of Laser Wolf, the newest restaurant from James Beard Award winners Mike Solomonov and Steve Cook, where a charcoal grill is responsible for cooking up more than 75% of the menu. Amidst the pandemic, Henshaw remains firing up dishes like grilled asparagus with spring peas and whole grilled baby eggplant for Laser Wolf’s rotating Saturday to-go menu. He shares his best general advice for cooking grilled veggies to perfection — plus a simple idea for dessert.
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How to grill veggies better For starters, treat veggies as if you were grilling a piece of meat, says Henshaw. “I’m not a vegetarian or anything, but the more that we think about vegetables as entrees, the better we’ll all be — they’re better for your health, the environment, your wallet,” he says. “When you stop treating them as just an afterthought, they become incredibly delicious.” Zucchini, corn, onions, tomatoes, and mushrooms top Henshaw’s list of favorite ingredients to grill. For all of them, seasoning is crucial. Just as you wouldn’t throw a chicken breast on the grate without a proper marinade, a zucchini needs more attention than a quick drizzle of oil. Ideally, you’d start the seasoning process the night before. “Four to six hours is the minimum for marinating — you really want the marinade to penetrate the vegetable,” says Henshaw. “If you just rub it on the outside right before, it’ll fall off and can create flare-ups, so then the food will not only be flavorless but it’ll get singed.” 52 Society
For vegetables with a higher moisture content, like eggplant, mushrooms, and zucchini, apply salt first to eliminate excess water. Sprinkle Kosher salt on top of cut veggies, and let them hang out in a strainer for a few hours before marinating. (For eggplant, salting overnight is ideal.) This will enhance the sear or caramelization process when they finally hit the grill. Henshaw’s go-to marinade recipe is simple, and encourages you to play the classic pandemic substitution game where you utilize the ingredients you have on hand. In a blender, process one onion (roughly chopped), a few cloves of garlic, and either a half of a bunch of herbs (cilantro/chives/parsley) or a tablespoon of your favorite spice (like cumin or coriander). You can also use a combination of herbs and spices. Add salt, to taste, and as it’s blending, slowly start to stream in one cup of vegetable oil. It’s a recipe that’ll work well for most veggies, says Henshaw. “Play around with whatever you have lying around in your fridge — but don’t forget the lemon,” says Henshaw. “After you’re done marinating and you move to the cooking, you’ll want to add a squeeze
of lemon just before everything comes off the grill.” To gear up your grill station, Henshaw recommends getting a long pair of tongs, metal skewers, and a grill basket. “It’s easy for vegetables to fall through the grates when flipping, so a vegetable basket will make your life a lot easier,” says Henshaw. “You can just shake it and toss everything at once.” Don’t be afraid to get creative. One of Henshaw’s secret weapons is flash-grilled cilantro stems (30 seconds, grilled as is), which he mixes into soups, stocks, and salsas. And for dessert, grilled fruit is as easy as it gets. “Pineapple is awesome — just cut it into one-inch thick slices, and grill five minutes per side on medium to low heat,” says Henshaw. Eat it straight off the grill or serve it with vanilla ice cream. Henshaw also recommends skewered strawberries and peaches, a perfect topper for angel food cake. Brush the fruit with honey, and grill the skewers for one to two minutes on each side over high heat.
RECIPES Cheat sheet: grilling veggies
SHIITAKE MUSHROOM SKEWERS
Treat vegetables with the same care you treat meat. Seasoning is crucial. If you prepare them properly, they can make a satisfying main.
These hearty skewers were among the first entrees on Laser Wolf’s opening menu. If time allows, let the mushrooms marinate overnight, and serve them with a side of glazed onions (recipe below). “Salty, savory mushrooms with sweet and sour onion hits all the flavor centers,” says Henshaw.
Salt veggies with higher moisture content to eliminate excess water. Sprinkle salt over cut veggies and let sit in a strainer. Drain well before proceeding. Allow time for marinating. Four to six hours is a good start, but overnight is ideal to let the flavors penetrate the vegetables. Hit veggies with a squeeze of lemon just before they come off the grill. A veggie basket will make your life easier. This simple tool lets you toss and flip without fear of anything slipping through the grate. Think outside the box. From cilantro stems to strawberries, there’s plenty that the grill can make delicious.
(Serves 4)
Ingredients 2 pounds shiitake mushrooms 2 tablespoons plus two teaspoons kosher salt 1 yellow onion divided 4 cloves garlic diced 1/2 bunch parsley, roughly chopped (or whatever herb you have in the house; can also swap for 2 tablespoons of dried parsley) 1 teaspoon black pepper1 teaspoon white pepper (if not available, double up on black pepper) 1 teaspoon coriander1 teaspoon kosher salt1 cup vegetable oil
Method 1. Remove stems from the mushrooms, and toss the caps with 2 tablespoons of salt. Place in a strainer and allow some of their liquid to drain while you prepare the marinade. 2. Peel garlic and smash with the broad side of a knife. Add onion, garlic, herbs, pepper, coriander, and 1 teaspoon salt to a food processor or blender. Begin pureeing on low speed. Once everything is liquefied, turn to high speed and slowly stream in the oil. 3. Transfer to a container. Marinade may be covered and stored in the refrigerator for up to one week. 4. Starting with about ½ cup, toss the mushrooms in the marinade, adding more if needed until mushrooms are evenly coated. Let marinate overnight or for at least six hours. 5. Thread mushrooms onto skewers and grill over medium-high heat for about four minutes per side. When mushrooms are softened all the way through and charred on the outside, remove from the grill. Serve immediately, aside glazed onions.
Recipe courtesy: Andrew Henshaw Executive Chef of Laser Wolf
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GLAZED ONIONS Ingredients
Method
8 ounces pearl onions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
½ cup red wine vinegar 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2. Toss the onions in the vinegar, salt, and vegetable oil.
1 teaspoon salt
3. Place in an 8-x-8-inch dish. Bake for 20 min.
Âź cup pomegranate molasses (if needed, substitute honey, any fruit molasses, or even a 1:1 water-to-sugar simple syrup)
4. Onions can be cooled and stored in the refrigerator for up to five days, covered tightly.
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5. When ready to grill, toss them with the molasses and grill (preferably in a grill basket, or carefully directly on grates) for four to five minutes, tossing to cook evenly all around.
Recipe courtesy: Andrew Henshaw, Executive Chef of Laser Wolf
FLAIR
technology
These three gadgets can help you work from home I
’m getting a lot of pitches these days for products and gadgets aimed at the work-from-home crowd.
Even gadgets that aren’t aimed at the segment are more interesting to me if they can help people work from home more efficiently. Today we have a webcam, a desktop power strip and some wireless earbuds with a charging case that has a built-in Bluetooth speaker. By
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Jim Rossman
iLive Truly Wire-Free Earbuds
I think I tried pairing too soon and they paired individually, which isn’t right. The second time was the charm.
I’ve tried a lot of wireless earbuds, and the $69.99 iLive Truly Wire-Free Earbuds (model IAEBTS410B) are decent for the price. But what grabbed my attention was the fact that the charging case doubles as a Bluetooth speaker when one or both earbuds are in the case.
The earbuds have a six-hour battery life at 50% volume, and the battery case can recharge the earbuds once before it needs a three-hour recharge. The earbuds use Bluetooth 5.0, and iLive says they’re sweatproof. They come with three sizes of ear tips and once I found the large size worked best for me, the sound was pretty good.
Each earbud is plain black with a touch button in the center for call and music control.
The tiny speaker is pretty good for a phone call or podcast, but there isn’t enough size or power to do music much justice.
When the case speaker is active, you can use the connected phone to control music or calls. I had a bit of trouble getting the earbuds to pair to each other. The key seems to be to remove the earbuds from the case, put them in your ears and listen for the voice prompt to tell you they are paired, then pair them to your phone.
Pros: Inexpensive, decent earbud sound. Cons: Speaker isn’t suited to music, short battery life. Bottom line: Interesting design, but I wish it sounded better.
Ausdom AW635 1080p Streaming Web Camera The first thing I noticed when everyone got sent home to work in March was the need for webcams to facilitate video conferencing. At work, we ordered half a dozen Logitech webcams, but they were out of stock. This became a familiar refrain. Webcams are hard to come by these days. When the big-name webcams disappeared from shelves, I started to get review requests for brands that were new to me. I’ve been reviewing the Ausdom AW635 ($99.99) for a few weeks, and I’ve been pleased with its performance on my desktop Windows PC.
The AW635 is plug and play on both Windows and Macs. Just plug it in and it works. The picture is clear, and the lens has a manual focus ring if you’d like to use to for close-up work. I found the focus to be easy to set and discovered that I like manual focus. I have another brand of webcam with auto focus that sometimes loses focus if I move out of the center of the frame. The AW635 has a 1080p HD sensor with automatic light correction and a built-in noise reduction microphone. I’ve seen the camera in and out of stock on the Ausdom website and Amazon. I’m afraid you’ll have to keep checking for when they are back in stock.
Pros: Good picture quality, manual focus, plug and play, good microphone Cons: Not much. Bottom line: Good webcam, but it may be hard to find one for a while.
Accell Power Dot Office
As an IT guy, I need to plug in lots of things on my desk — usually for a short period of time. I don’t like to get down on the floor any more than I have to, so I have come to appreciate having a surge protector on my desk for easy access.
I’ve been using the Accell Power Dot Office ($54.99), which brings AC outlets from the floor to your desktop.
I don’t use a voice assistant at work, so I’ve been keeping my USB thumb drives and other small adapters in the storage area.
The Dot Office is a 1,080-joule surge protector with four protected AC outlets that tilt a bit to make plugging in a bit easier.
The Dot Office comes with an 8- or 16-foot power cable with a 90-degree low-profile plug.
It also has three USB-A and one USB-C charging ports with a combined output of 5 volts/24 watts. The large round bin in the middle is designed for a voice assistant like the Amazon Echo Dot or Google Home Mini or you can just use it for storage (it has a removable lid).
If you need plugs up on your desk, the Accell Power Dot Office is a really good choice. Pros: Nice design, puts power outlets and USB ports within easy reach. Cons: None. Bottom line: Could earn a permanent spot on my desk.
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Sending iPhone pics to a voice-run Echo Show By
Q My sister, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease and doesn’t have a phone, recently got an Amazon Echo Show that plays music and shows photos in response to voice commands. Is there a way that I can download pictures from my iPhone or computer to my sister’s Echo Show?
A Get the free Amazon Photos app (formerly called the Prime Photos app) for your iPhone. Once you have the app, you can use it to upload photos from your iPhone to the online Amazon Photos account that’s being used by the Echo Show (such an account is free for storing up to 5 gigabytes of photos.) The photos you upload to the account can then be viewed on the Echo Show. (You can also get the Amazon Photos app for Windows (free, see tinyurl.com/ ycs3jxva) or Mac ($60, tinyurl.com/t93qfeu). To make it work, you will need to obtain the username and password of the Echo Show’s Amazon Photos account. Then, after you have uploaded the photos, your sister can access them on the Echo Show via its voice-activated Alexa digital assistant. If your sister says, “Alexa, show my photos,” the photos will be displayed as a slide show (see tinyurl.com/wt9zepv). You can also limit the slide show to only some of the online photos. To do that, put the photos you want your sister to see in a separate folder (called an “album”) in the online account, and give the folder a name, such as “California Trip.” To start a slide
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show of only those photos, your sister should say, “Alexa, show my California Trip album.”
Q My 6-year-old Mac mini ran fine until I upgraded the operating system to Catalina, or version 10.15.3. Then the Mac began restarting when I tried to shut it down. The Apple Store reloaded the Mac OS twice, but it didn’t solve the problem. Diagnostic tests don’t show a hardware problem, but the operating system has suffered a “kernel panic.” What should I do?
A The operating system upgrade probably caused the shutdown problem. Try these system resets: Reset the System Management Controller (SMC) which runs several pieces of hardware, including the Mac’s power button. Shut the Mac down, then disconnect the power cord for 15 seconds. Plug the cord back in, wait five seconds and restart the Mac. Reset the Nonvolatile Random-Access Memory, or NVRAM (see tinyurl.com/rmvgcd5). It stores several types of Mac data, including details of a recent “kernel panic,” a problem in the main part of the OS that causes a restart. (Read more about kernel panic at tinyurl.com/vr6xmsc). If the resets don’t solve the problem, you can either reinstall the latest operating system (see tinyurl.com/t27smdp) or downgrade to an earlier version (see tinyurl.com/urm5kmw).