Pepperpot 01 08 2017

See inside:

Meet the inventor of the Aubrapan

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No bounds for ► Page XIX Courtney Noel’s talents Heading back to school after a hearty vacation ► Page

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Sapphire Rose

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At 9 years' old, ready to show the world her talent

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Chronicle Pepperpot January 8, 2017

Meet the inventor of the Aubrapan Aubrey Bryan dedication, love for the steelpan has captivated millions worldwide

By Rabindra Rooplall Aubrey Bryan testing the pans he created

STEEL pan music has historically always been associated with the Caribbean. But did you know that a state-of-theart steel pan manufacturer, teacher and composer is a Guyanese? Meet Aubrey Granville Bryan. The 74-yearold who is the eldest of three brothers is the offspring of William Granville Bryan and Ruby Elvira Premberton.

He resides in United Kingdom.

The steelpan player, composer, tuner and maker who recently visited Guyana to donated six steelpans to two city

The First Aubrapan

schools, St Rose’s High School and the North Ruimveldt Multilateral School sat down with the Guyana Chronicle for an exclusive interview. The pan artist said he decided to donate the instruments to St. Rose’s High School, because his three adopted sisters and wife were past students.

He has expressed a keen interest in developing the steelpan art in Guyana; however, he needs support from local communities as well as the Government of Guyana.

Reflecting on his life in the field, Bryan while growing up in Forshaw Street, Queen-

Aubrey Bryan with one of the tunes he composed for steelpan

stown was taking piano lessons and his mother noticed his interest in pan and decided to give him the go ahead and support in doing something he loved, thus quitting the piano lessons.

He had even formed a band called “Club 59” in the 1960’s. “I just loved the sound of the steel pan. At the age of 17 I carried home a pan and played it for my mother and she showed great encouragement and that was god’s gift to me. My mother died at the age of 95 and her encouragement was tremendous.”

He recalled ganging up in front of a cake shop back then at 59, Robb Street, Georgetown and it was there where the name “Club 59” was derived. Many of the youngster at that time played football, table tennis, cricket and pan. The band collapse after its members left Guyana for various studies.

“At that time there were 15 guys in the band, but when I first visited the UK and saw the interest there in pan, it was amazing; dozens of schools have steel pans for those who wanted to practise,” he said.

When he visited Croydon, London in 1964 he worked in an engineering factory, he Turn to page VIII ►►►

Chronicle Pepperpot January 8, 2017

III

Home design, layout greatly impacts energy cost - GEA

ENERGY is fundamental to our existence and plays a critical role in our daily routines. The rising cost of fossil-based fuels and prevailing global environmental concerns compel society to think of ways to use energy more wisely. The design and layout of a home, appliances, lifestyles and choices can greatly impact the amount of energy consumption, according to the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA).

According to the entity, a truly energy efficient home begins with the orientation and design of the house itself. Energy efficiency is not just limited to the smart use of appliances, but extends to installation of windows, roofing and even landscaping.

The GEA underscored that buildings should be oriented in an east to west direction to minimize the effects of the sun and to maximize the wind draft, while placement of rooms, doorways, windows and air vents should be carefully considered when planning the layout of your home.

Further, the GEA noted that persons should carefully consider their home’s orientation when constructing to avoid the harsh effects of the sun.

“Avoid placing windows on eastern and western walls to prevent the peak hours of sunlight from heating up the house. Consider internal partitions and openings in opposite walls to encourage cross ventilation through rooms in your home.

Rooms should be oriented to maximize airflow by taking advantage of the North Easterly Trade winds. When painting or installing your roof, remember that the colour of a roof can impact on thermal performance,” the energy agency emphasised.

Underscoring that lighting technology has evolved tremendously over the past two decades, and has resulted in the availability of a host of exciting, high performing and highly efficient new lighting products, it was noted that compact Fluorescent Light bulbs are available in different sizes, shapes and colours, so the choice of lighting can be both attractive and efficient.

“Besides high costs, inefficient choices of lighting may negatively impact the comfort, convenience and security of a home…”

The Energy Agency suggests the following energy-effi-

cient lighting design principles: Use focused lighting instead of general lighting. Understand your own preferences and those of your family members before investing in unnecessary lighting solutions. Install task lights where needed and reduce ambient light elsewhere.

If work is concentrated in one corner of the room, for instance at a desk, consider dimming the lights throughout the

room and using specific task lights while at your desk. Make sure that the amount and quality of light match the performed function. When tasks are performed with a high degree of visual attention, ensure that there is adequate lighting to prevent eyestrain. Maximize the use of natural lighting. Sunny days may help improve mood, and they reduce your electric

bill when you open the curtains and let the sun shine in.

It was also underscored that new high efficiency T8 fluorescent lamp and electronic ballast systems can reduce total system wattage by over 45% relative to the use of older, less efficient T12 fluorescent lighting systems driven by magnetic ballasts. In addition, high frequency electronic ballasts or solid-state ballasts provide significant energy-saving over magnetic ballasts. When changing from magnetic to electronic ballasts, the T12 fluorescent tubes (1.5 inches) must be replaced with the narrower T8 (1 inch) tube for optimal performance and light output.

Most notably, the GEA stated that security and utility lighting do not need to be bright to be effective.

“Make sure outdoor light fixtures have reflectors, deflectors, or covers to make more efficient use of the light source. Use photo sensors to automatically turn off lights during daylight hours.

Use motion sensors to activate security or utility lighting where needed. As a security measure, use motion sensor lights in areas where you have walkways or where you wish to have greater security.

Photocells are usually incorporated with outdoor lamp fixtures and can help to reduce electricity cost by installing light sensitive switches.”

Finally, it was advised that persons should invest in light sockets that carry switches, so that appliances and lights plugged into the outlets can be turned off with just a flip of a switch.

IV

Weeder wins appeal for compensation against Plantation IN 1971, weeder Ramkallia of Plantation Versailles who in 1968 was injured on duty lost her claim for compensation before a magistrate but won the legal battle before the Full Court.

Ramkallia who claimed compensation from her employers , the respondents, on the ground that she has suffered an injury to her back on the 30th July 1968,when in the course of her employment a heavy box fell on her and squeezed her as she sharpened her cutlass under her house.

On the medical evidence led the magistrate found against her and dismissed her claim. He held that it was not possible that she could have been suffering from all the complaints testified to by Dr. Hugh as none of the doctors before Dr. Hugh found anything of the kind.

She appealed to the Full Court which was constituted by

Chronicle Pepperpot January 8, 2017

COURT CASE Files

Chief Justice Harold Bollers and Justice Gonsalves-Sabola .

That Court HELD: (i) the medical evidence was overwhelming that the appellant had not suffered any permanent partial incapacity which she had made the basis of her claim; (ii) the reasoning of the magistrate was faulty. The language he used showed an unjudicial approach to conflicting expert testimony; (iii) the magistrate had failed to advert to the question whether there was temporary incapacity proved ,and on the evidence of the respondents’ medical witness, Dr. George, the temporary incapacity had not ceased. (iv) the appeal would be allowed and the respondents would be ordered to pay to the appellant periodic payments at the rate of $40.72 from the 30th July, 1968 until the expiration of a period of five years (less one month’s payment

By George Barclay already made) or until the incapacity ceased which ever was the shorter time.

Appeal allowed, Judgment entered for the appellant.

Mr. D.C. Jagan for the appellant.

Mr .G.M. Farnum, S. C. for the respondents.

The Full Court was constituted by Chief Justice Harold Bollers and Justice J. Gonsalves- Sabola..

Chief Justice Bollers who delivered the judgment of the Full Court said in part: This is an appeal from the decision of the Magistrate of the West Demerara Judicial District who dismissed a claim for compensation brought by the appellant . a weeder,on a sugar estate under the Workmen’s Compensation Ordinance, Cap. 111.

The appellant claimed compensation on the ground that she had suffered an injury to her back on the 30th July, 1968 , in an accident arising out of and in the course of her employment when a heavy box fell on her and squeezed her as she sharpened her cutlass under her house.

The evidence of the appellant was that she was treated at the dispensary with tablets and electrical appliances and told to return on the following Friday.

On this day she informed Dr. Abbensetts that she was feeling pain and he referred her to Lusignan Hospital. She remained in hospital for 15 days and then was discharged

by Dr. Abbensetts who recommended her for light work.

Because of the pain she was unable to do the light work.

She returned to Dr. Dr. Abbensetts who examined her and referred her to Dr. George. Dr. George, after examination, told her to return to work, but she said she was unable to do so because of pain.

She was later informed by the Personnel Department that Dr. George had discharged her; She was still felt pain and on the 10th September, 1968, she was examined by Dr.Hugh, a private doctor .

On examination on September 10 1968, Dr. Hugh found pain on active and passive movement over the thoracic lumbar spine. In his opinion, the pain was due to a sprained back as a result of compression, on the box falling on her and he recommended six weeks temporary disability.

On 23rd October , 1968, Dr. Hugh again examined the appellant and found that her condition was not improved and recommended three weeks extension leave .

He saw her again on the 4th November, 1968 , and on examination found no change in the clinical condition.

Thus he considered her to be a chronic case and assessed her 40 per cent permanent partial disability. The doctor expressed the opinion that her condition was consistent with the accident described, but he found no evidence of tenderness.

Dr. Abbensetts stated that on the 31st July 1968 , the appellant complained to him of pain in the lumbar region i.e. across the lower part of her back and pain in the right hip; she did not complain in the thoracic lumbar region.

On examination he found no external marks of injury and treated her and referred her to Lusignan Hospital and Turn to page XIII ►►►

Chronicle Pepperpot January 8, 2017

V Life is filled with possibilities and the world is filled with opportunities for us to venture out of our Comfort Zones and achieve greatness.

You have TALENTS you don’t know you possess and you have to constantly push yourself to discover your true potential.

I am no expert in this field, but I am enjoying this electrifying and empowering journey and I enjoy sharing it with you.

I am sure to SUCCEED is the top goal for many for the new year and please allow me to share some useful tips from a mentor I learnt so much from.

Inspiring lives through fashion WHEN we hear or see the word runway we think about models, designers, clothing and glamour. When the name Sonia Noel is mentioned with runway, it most definitely has to be about fashion. But they are so many exciting and empowering things beyond the runway, things that can motivate and inspire our lives so we can have a better quality life.

We recently celebrated Christmas and ushered in a BLESSED new year. Most of us will agree that 2016 was trained by USAIN BOLT because of how fast it went by and I have a feeling this year will go faster.

At the start of every year, we do lots of reflections and projections and sometimes realise there are things we wish we did differently. 2016 for me had its challenges, but the highs were much more than the lows and I am very thankful.

Looking back I had an awesome 2016. Some of the things that stood out would be the first Women in Business Expo, Launch of the LOVE REVOLUTION and PROJECT 6/50, Guyana Fashion Week 7th Edition (at one time I was not sure it was going to happen) and on a personal level, intensifying my personal GROWTH PLAN. I must give credit to God, my mom Claudia John and my daughters Mariska and Shonta; spiritual mom and dad, Pastor Claude and Carol Brooks; my friend Richard Young; Mr. Rutherford; Mr. Mohammed; the training from international figures like John Maxwell, Lisa Nichols and Les Brown. I feel a sense of gratitude and appreciation for this chance of a lifetime.

One of my most memorable moments in 2016 was at the Maxwell Certification Programme in Orlando and one day I will share the details of that journey with you. Walking through the hall at the Marriott World Center everyday was like walking through the UN Headquarters with flags from over 100 countries represented at this event. I could not resist taking a picture with the Guyana flag, knowing that because of my presence that flag was there. What a proud moment that was.

Growth is the pathway to your potential and potential is a word based on possibilities that can become realities. I have learnt that growth is not accidental, it has to be intentional.

If you have dreams, goals and aspirations, you need to grow to achieve them. Like one of my favourite mentors, Les Brown, said: "You don’t have to be great to get started, but you have to get started to be great.”

A lot of us may be saying we need a fresh start or a do-over for 2017. We can't turn the clock back, but we can make sure our future actions can still get us to desired destinations. We are different in many ways and our growth plan may vary, but we must be ready for changes and not be afraid of failure.

As we make changes and attempt new things, we may not get it right the first time, but our passion to try must be bigger than our fear to fail. “Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears.” -Les Brown It is wise to create a growth environment and develop systems to help you grow. Surround yourself with people who are in step with you, finding your purpose because growth can sometimes feel uncomfortable.

We all can live ordinary lives with extraordinary purposes and can achieve great things.

According to the Bible, God's intention is for us to grow and be the best we can be. I want to make reference to Ephesians 4:15 MSG: "God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love - like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do."

As we continue to grow, it is easy to get consumed with our future plans and miss some very important moments. We need to enjoy today's growth and be motivated for tomorrow's.

Results may take longer than you anticipate, but it will come

if you are consistent.

Can I tell you something? Growth never stops until we die and as we grow and add value to ourselves, we are better able to add value to others.

Can I say something more about VALUE ? We should strive to become persons of value rather than persons of importance, because importance is a by-product of adding value to people.

Let's try to be rivers and not reservoirs, so that ideas and information can flow through us to benefit us rather than sitting there.

SEVEN STEPS TO SUCCESS: 1) Make a commitment to grow daily.

2) Value the process more than events.

3) Don't wait for inspiration.

4) Be willing to sacrifice pleasure for opportunity.

5) Dream big.

6) Plan your priorities.

7) Give up to go up. ― John C. Maxwell Trust there was something that would have touched someone to initiate a growth plan, or if you already have one, to use it effectively.

I am inviting you to join me weekly as we continue this beautiful Journey called life Beyond The Runway INSPIRING LIVES THROUGH FASHION DR. SONIA E. NOEL D.H.L Fashion Designer Global Ambassador Unite4:good John Maxwell Certified Speaker CEO of Guyana Fashion Week Founder of Sonia Noel Foundation for Sustainable Development Founder of Women's Association for Sustainable Development Tel: +592-684-8129 / +592-226-6554 Email: soniaenoel@gmail.com

folklore

VI

Karate jumbie

By Neil Primus HAZEL was a gossip. She was loudmouthed and vile. When she got angry and began cursing, look out. She boasted about her bravery and skill as a fighter. Many people feared her.

Secretly she was a coward. She was afraid of almost everything. Cockroaches, spiders, butterflies and dragon flies were only a few of her mortal enemies. But that was her secret.

To everyone else she was a trained killer. She

claimed she was an expert in Karate, Kung Fu, Judo and Tai Kwan Do. People avoided conflict with her.

Whenever there was a fight Hazel would always be present. While the battle raged she kept her distance all the while throwing kicks, cuffs, karate chops, butts and some potent expletives. All the above was directed at the spectators. Very often people ended up watching her more than the pugilists because she ended up looking more menacing than them. Her major accomplishment

Chronicle Pepperpot January 8, 2017

By Neil Primus

during those clashes was maintaining a safe distance.

Then a Jumbie moved into the small village of Chance. People claimed that Quincy brought it with him. Hazel spread the rumour that he had collected it from Suriname and intended to use it on all of his enemies in the village.

People now had something other than Hazel to fear and to talk about. This made her very jealous. Strange things began to occur. Someone was slapped by the spirit.

Another was chased all the way home. Old Mr. Barrow complained that the Jumbie kept knocking on his door all night. He could not sleep. Eventually he removed the door and put drapes. The knocking stopped.

Everyone was scared except Hazel.

Whenever someone related their horrifying experience to her she would launch into a scathing attack on the poor spirit.

“I not afraid of no Jumbie! Let it come!

It would be me and it. Look I would beat it like a snake!”

She even showed villagers that she had a stone for the hapless spirit if it dared to cross her path. She ranted, steamed and fumed hoping that it would attack her. One fateful night she got her wish.

That night Hazel went for her usual walk hoping to encounter t h e Jumbie. She strolled around the lovely, dark area of the community scaring a few couples, two cats, three dogs and one wayward individual, intent on stealing. Her encounter happened so innocently that she did not realize until it was too late.

The road leading to the back of the village was full of large potholes, black like Kiwi Polish and lonely. People kept away from there because it was one of the hot-spots where the spirit usually appeared. Hazel went there bravely and nonchalantly. No Jumbie could frighten her. She intended to put a stop to the haunting business.

A movement to her right caught her attention. She turned ready for action but it was only a child. The girl was thin, short and delicate. She was around eight years old and dressed in an old soiled dress.

“Hi sweetheart. You live at the back here?” Hazel enquired.

‘No!” “You visiting someone?”

“You can say that.”

The child smiled and Hazel could not help but like her.

“Look dear, it’s not safe to be in this area at night.”

“What about you?” The witty child countered.

“I am a trained professional Martial Arts expert.”

“You must be famous.”

“Yes. Everybody in de village frighten me.”

“But why you in dis place auntie?”

“I want fo meet dat Jumbie dat everybody frighten. I would beat it to a pulp!”

“But auntie people can’t beat Jumbie because is a spirit.”

“Wat you know bout Jumbie and spirit?”

If I catch that dotish Jumbie I would give it some of this!”

Hazel proceeded to show some of her best moves to the little girl. All the girl did was watch and giggle.

“Look, lea me teach you a few things” . Hazel began by demonstrating her punching. After a few examples she asked the kid to give it a try.

Pow! Hazel hit the ground hard. It took her a few seconds to realize that the girl had hit her. Embarrassed she scrambled to her feet and made a silly excuse about slipping. The punch hurt. She then moved on to the kicking. After her

demonstration she encouraged her little friend to try it. This time Hazel kept her eyes on the girl. She wouldn’t be caught unaware twice.

She never saw it coming.

Bram!

Hazel blinked and found herself on her backside with the girl looking down at her.

Reason took over. She knew that there was no way a child with such a small body- weight could hit so hard.

Something else was amidst. As she struggled to get to her feet the child’s appearance changed. When Hazel came erect she got the shock of her life. Standing in front of her was what appeared to be a woman. The only problem was the woman had a slowly revolving head. Every time the face came around there was an uglier expression printed on it.

In shock, desperation and temporary insanity, Hazel lashed out at the figure. What followed was an epic encounter that saw Hazel throwing only one punch; the first. After that it was ‘luck gone bad.’

Next day villagers saw Hazel bandaged, swollen and broken. She refused to disclose the source of her pain. Everyone suspected that the Jumbie had give Hazel a real cut-ass.

Chronicle Pepperpot January 8, 2017

VII

Oral appearance of Syphilis ON some occasions, patients attend the dental clinic with signs and symptoms depicting the oral phenomenon of an STD (sexually transmitted disease). While gonorrhea of the throat is sometimes encountered, syphilis is seen more often. It is well established that HIV infection is linked to syphilis as well as tuberculosis.

Our experience shows that at no time did any of these patients have a prior knowledge of the actual cause of their condition.

Syphilis is a venereal disease (sexually transmitted) caused by a spiral shaped germ that can move about like a tadpole. Someone can either acquire the disease or be born with it. The untreated acquired form has three easily recognizable stages: 1. The primary lesion called the chancre ‘sore’ is usually solitary.

2. The secondary lesions are numerous reddish patches or modules.

3. The tertiary lesion called gumma (similar to chancre) is found in the mouth.

Ten percent of the syphilitic patients manifest ulcers on the lining of the mouth. These correspond to the site of inoculation where there is a defect in the surface continuity of the

skin or mucosa lining. The germs are transferred by direct contact with primary or secondary lesions of an infected individual. The chancres develop about three weeks after inoculation and persist for three weeks or two months.

Syphilis increases the risk of both transmitting and getting infected with HIV by up to five times. Having HIV at the same time can change the symptoms and course of syphilis. In addition, syphilis is an important predictor for becoming HIV infected because it is a marker for behaviors associated with HIV transmission.

While chancres on the genitals are characteristically painless, oral lesions become painful soon after they ulcerate because of the contamination by the oral fluids and naturally occurring bacteria.

Also, certain areas of the person’s neck usually become tender and painful to touch.

The primary lesions occur most often on the lips, tip of the tongue, in the tonsillar region and on the gum. They start as small red boils which get bigger and eventually ulcerate. The fluid coming from these nodules is extremely infectious and at this point the disease can easily be transmit-

ted to another person through the so-called French kiss.

Mature chancres measure from 0.5 to 2 centimeters in diameter and have narrow, copper colored, slightly raised borders with a reddish-brown base (center). The lesions are ulcerated over nearly their entire surface with a base that is shiny and usually clear of rotted material and debris. Chancres occurring on the border of the lips are usually crusted.

When it is initiated during the primary stage of the disease, penicillin injections over a period of seven days will successfully eliminate syphilis in the vast majority of cases.

The multiple secondary lesions of syphilis appear five to six weeks after the disappearance of the chancres and undergo spontaneous remission within a few weeks, but recurrences may be manifested periodically for months or even years. Sometimes the disease involves the brain causing madness and death. Children who were born with syphilis develop teeth with jagged edges and have some pointed shape.

Although a variety of lesions may occur in different parts of the body during the tertiary stage of untreated syphilis, gumma develops in half such cases. They are most common syphilitic lesions seen in the oral cavity.

VIII ◄◄◄ From page II

developed the specialist heat treatment and metalworking skills needed to make pans. In the early 1970s, Bryan started making pans for schools, as well as for musicians. He also taught pupils how to play them.

Realizing the UK and Europeans nations interest in pan music, Bryan said while pursuing his education in the UK he also supplement his income to pay for university studies by furthering his love for the pan.

This evolved into something more when he designed a new melody (or soprano) pan in the UK known as the “Aubrapan”.

By 1978, the birth year of the Aubrapan, steelpans had been in England at least 27 years and there were already more than 50 school steelbands across London.

The panist used higher frequency notes placed nearest to the rim of the pan in contrast to the center of the pan where most high notes

are generally located. The lower octaves are placed directly opposite each other in order to facilitate a pendulum-like action of the arms – these ascend in whole tones. This concept facilitates easier and rapid playing of the chromatic scale in single and double note form.

The Aubrapan was piloted in by the Inner London Educational Authority (ILEA). There was also a London Schools Steel Orchestra.

It was only natural to use the ILEA school bands as a channel for the promotion of the Aubrapan. Hence, the instrument was exhibited to the heads of several music departments in schools across London. The innovation received much accolade and recommendation.

Bryan who spent a year experimenting with various note layouts before finally choosing the layout, during the late 1970’s to middle 1980’s the Aubrapan was then exhibited to several; Heads of Music Departments in London schools.

Chronicle Pepperpot January 8, 2017

He said that the pan has been played by leading panists Roy “Pele” Geddes and Godfrey Roberts and both thought highly of the invention. Frank Rollock, a former arranger of the London All Stars Steel Orchestra played the Aubrapan and was very excited about the invention, whilst a group of German panists from the Berlin Tin-Pan Alley Steel Orchestra played the instrument and had nothing but praise for it.

The Aubrapan was also played by master pan-tuner Roland Harrygin and his assistants during a tour of the United Kingdom by the Casablanca Steel Orchestra. They were fascinated by this pan and praised Aubrey for his original work. Moreover, Aubrey was invited by the Crafts Council of England to exhibit his Aubrapan from June to August 1986.

His work is also featured in the museum of Croydon, London he has even composed “Moonlight on the Seawall” and “Sunlight in the Darkness” in the 1980’s and his own band “Club 257” with a subsequently music compilation in CD titled “Club 257 Combo”.

He said the music from this instrument has captivated millions worldwide such that there are steelbands all over Europe with Switzerland in 2005 accounting for at least 20 per cent of the world’s steelbands. The Dutch police force has a steelband , so does the Nigerian Army and the United States Navy. There are steelbands in Guyana, Japan, Australia, Kuwait, South Africa and over 300 steelbands in the United States and undoubtedly, the instrument is also popular in Trinidad and Tobago and throughout the Caribbean.

Underscoring that the steelpan also known as the Caribbean steel drum or simply the pan is a tuned percussion instrument that originated in Trinidad and Tobago around the time of World War II, Bryan said steelpans

are currently largely produced by traditional handcrafting which begin by stretching the drumhead to produce an evenly dished surface on which the note regions are created.

Adding that he learned mechanical engineering and was educated while attending night schools about how to handle metals and heat treatment of them to produce different tones, Bryan in explaining the process said the depth of the dished surface ranges from 90mm for low-pitched bass pans to 200mm for high-pitched soprano pans. Note regions are usually separated by creating a continuous line of punch marks or grooves on their perimeter. The side of the drum is cut to lengths in accordance with the steelpan type under production. Skirt lengths range from 140mm for soprano pans to the entire drum side for bass pans. After the dished surface is produced and note regions are created, the pan is heated to provide strain relief in the material prior to tuning. The final stage involves tuning of the note regions until the desired frequencies are achieved.

Traditionally, he said the steel pans are made from large oil drums that is normally shaped into a concave shape. This is done by hammering the surface with a large sledge hammer. “In London modern technology such as : air-powered tools, a compressor, a pedal are used to help sink the pan into the concave shape.” This exciting new project broadens and enhances the African Caribbean heritage that is already present worldwide.

“I’ve toured Europe and played and made pans during that time, Guyana can develop this industry further and give the many youths who have lots of time of their hands something to learn and develop since in the first world, steel pan is admire and loved. I would love to see the President support this venture” he said.

Chronicle Pepperpot January 8, 2017

IX

Notes from the Vermont Studio Center Residency

A great start to the New Year SOMETIME during September of last When some persons did finally hear year I received an email informing me the news their bewildered expression often that I had been nominated to participate betrayed their congratulatory remarks, in in the prestigious Vermont Studio Center a very innocent kind of way. The truth residency. I had just completed the Ca- is, they had no idea what any of it meant. ribbean Linked IV residency in Aruba They couldn’t understand the concept of a and was quite delighted to know that the residency and how it was relevant to artists. work I made there was getting noticed. This lack of education and awareness about It was an especially welcome bit of news something as basic as an artist residency that came on the heels of an incredible is something I’ve spoken about countless “low” I was experiencing since I moved times before. But of course this is no fault back home. I had sampled the “good of the individuals themselves. It merely life” for three weeks and wasn’t quite points to a fractured education system ready to go back to reality. that inhibits the progression of careers in You are never fully prepared to handle creative disciplines. Regardless, I would the shift in gears from a super charged always try (and sometimes struggle) to creative environment brimming over with provide a good enough explanation to put unbelievable talent and camaraderie, to the their confused minds at ease. reality of bills and adult responsibilities that await your return. That’s the beautiful thing SO WHAT IS THE VERMONT about artist residencies; they allow you to STUDIO CENTER (VSC) RESIDENCY be selfish for a while. You’re allowed to AND WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT? abandon the burdens of your daily routine VSC was founded in 1984 by a group of and live the way all creative individuals artists and has since expanded to become should live: free to create at your own the largest international U.S. residency leisure. This is where I pretend that it isn’t always a mad dash in the end for me. But I One of the more than 25 Vermont digress.

Studio Center Residency buildings Prior to this there pictured during winter had been no big announcement of my receiving the fellowship award on social media or anywhere else.

In fact, just a select few were made privy to this information in large part due to my own slightly superstitious belief about counting eggs before they hatch. Life has a way of throwing curve balls and I didn’t want to let myself get too excited about something that wasn’t one hundred percent sure.

But is there ever anything in life that is? In any event, I couldn’t subject myself to that much disappointment.

And so I sat on this information for about three months as things slowly materialized and the date of my flight gradually approached.

program for artists and writers. The center is situated along the banks of the Gihon River in the historic village of Johnson and, according to their website the location was chosen “with the intention of fostering creativity through community, collaboration, and quiet reflection supported by the unspoiled beauty of the northern Green Mountains.”

VSC includes over 25 buildings, many of which are historic. The center provides studio residencies to artists and writers in an inclusive environment and is committed to fostering creativity far beyond the residency program itself. They support arts education initiatives, cultural exchange programs, and fellowships designed to help creative practitioners facing certain barriers to their expression. Some of the center’s existing and past projects include the Displaced Artists Fund, Learning in Art & Culture Program (LACP), Literature in Translation Program (LiT), Master of Fine Arts in Studio Arts (a low-residency MFA program offered in conjunction with Johnson State

College), Staff-Artist Program, Vermont Artists Week and Visiting Artists & Writers Program.

VSC's campus is simple, sustainable, and tranquil. All housing and studio spaces offer modest comfort, privacy, and easy access to the rivers, mountains, fields, and streams that surround the campus buildings.

The campus includes the Red Mill (which contains their administrative offices, communal dining hall, two gallery spaces, an art book library, and a resident lounge); a meditation house (a 24-hour space reserved for group and individual meditation); Schultz and Firehouse 3D Studios; Wolf Kahn, Barbara White, and Church 2D studios; Maverick Writing Studios; Mason House Library for Fiction & Poetry; Lowe Lecture Hall for public events; eight resident housing buildings and a yoga studio.

By this time next week (God willing) I would’ve endured eleven plus hours of flying (with three stops averaging a total of seven hours) before reaching Vermont. I would’ve also experienced the “unforgiving” Vermont winter my artist friends have been warning me about. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t slightly intimidated, especially as someone who has never experienced any type of significant cold. I’ve been mentally “hyping” myself to deal with the weather for about a month. Soon I’ll know if my efforts have been in vain. In the mean time I’ll take all the prayers I can get.

Thanks.

In September of last year I was nominated for a Vermont Studio Center residency and sponsored by the Reed Foundation.

Notes from the Vermont Studio Center Residency is intended to be a series of articles chronicling my experiences at the U.S. residency starting from the issuance of the fellowship award until the conclusion of the month-long program in February, 2017.

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Chronicle Pepperpot January 8, 2017

Back at it!

Hello Everyone, I hope this week has treated you well AND that you are keeping up with your New Year resolutions.

By now we have all resumed our ‘normal’ life- back to work, school, gym, healthy eat-

ing, no drinking etc. It is really hard to adjust back to our regular routines after holidays, especially Christmas. It was a long break with so much going on. Some of us, myself included, even travelled out of Guyana for the holidays. Despite today’s relatively var-

ious and rapid means of travel, it still puts lots of stress on our minds and bodies. This increases when we have to get used to time, climate change, different means of travel etc.

There are a few things that we have to deal with now that the holidays have come to an end. I would like to speak about them in the hopes of making the transition easier for as many as possible. The first is loneliness.

Most of us do an unusual amount of socialising during the Christmas season which makes us feel noticed and loved, whether we realise it at the time or not. Some people find this adjustment hard as others are back to their busy, personal and private life.

Another thing is going back to or starting a healthier lifestyle. Those who read my column often know that I always preach eating right and exercising. This is not at all for vanity or weight reasons but rather (whether I practice it often myself or not) I genuinely believe in the term ‘healthy body, healthy mind’. I believe when we look and feel our best, we turn that confidence inwards and are automatically better equipped to deal with daily life’s stressors.

The comings and goings of our families during the season also results in sadness and in extreme cases, separation anxiety. So many of us had family come in or that we visited, whom we are still missing today. Separation anxiety is a psychological disorder where an individual feels excessive anxiety or sadness when leaving a home environment or loved ones, where there is a strong attachment. It can be both long or short term, sometimes requiring medication and other times, disappearing with distraction or regular communication with the ones missed. Deeply missing loved ones after the holidays is normal. I have experienced this as an international student.

For a few weeks after I left Guyana and returned to wherever I was at the time, I know both my family and I suffered this. I felt this way about my family, friends, roti and green mango. Seriously- I’m not downplaying the seriousness of this feeling, I honestly felt that way over all of the above- things I was used to daily and that comforted me.

The symptoms of sadness and depression based on any of the above could be mild to severe. These include disruptions in eating and sleeping patterns, crying, isolation, anger, resentment and can even become physical with headaches, nausea and low motivation and productivity. If you are experiencing these symptoms up to four weeks after the holidays, I would strongly advise that you go to your nearest health centre and explain how you are feeling OR call the helpline numbers at the bottom of this article.

So, how do we adjust back to normal life quickly and easily? In a way that promotes good mental health? Easy! First and foremost, do not continue drinking as so many do. Yet again, start a healthier lifestyle- this is different for everyone and you will know what physical activity works best for you.

Incorporate some of the new things you learnt over the holidays into your regular routine life. For example, if you really loved a certain meal, look to cook it; if you met someone nice, stay in touch; if you visited somewhere nice, keep a trinket or reminder nearby. This keeps the excitement as well as provides new learning and social opportunities.

Make a list of things to look forward to. January is always a slow month which causes people to be bored and feel a little down- make a list if it helps. Is there a birthday coming up? Anniversary? Office party?

Wedding? Etc. This will produce new excitement that may have disappeared along with the holiday season.

Continue to make plans with your friends and family. Yes, people are busy again but it doesn’t mean you have to wait for another big holiday to see them again.

For those who miss their family and have the means to, keep up with social media and the latest technologies. I’m aware that it is not as good as personal interaction but with the technology and apps available these days, it’s actually quite hard to miss someone. There is Facetime, Skype, Facebook calling and video, WhatsApp calling and video- I could go on and on. It’s actually insane. None of that was available when I started University as an International Student (yes, that’s how old I am).

For those of you who are studying or working abroad- take it from me- home will always be here. It will not drastically change or forget about you. Missing things and people while looking forward to seeing them has a positive impact on the relationship. In the meantime, do new activities- there is so much more available to you which will encourage growth and development. Enjoy the independence which is caused by this alone time and distance.

Next week I’m going to talk about ways to decrease or quit smoking as an uncountable number of people told me that was their New Year’s Resolution. I will support them in talking about the benefits of this as well as suggestions and little tips on how to make it easier!

Thanking you for reading. Please keep sending any topics you’d like to talk about to caitlinvieira@gmail.com Or come in to see me at: Georgetown Public Hospital: Psychiatric Department: Monday- Friday – 8am- 12pm Woodlands Hospital: Outpatient Department Drug and Alcohol group meetings Mondays 4:15 Good mental health group meetingsWednesdays 4:15 Suicide Prevention Helpline numbers: 223-0001, 223-0009, 623-4444, 600-7896 Say Yes to Life and No to Drugs! Always

Sapphire Rose Chronicle Pepperpot January 8, 2017

AT nine years old, Sapphire Autumn Rose already has a heart full of dreams and with much confidence she is ready to show the world her natural skill of design, taking her business to the world-wide web and preparing for runways in the world’s fashion cities.

It comes as no surprise that fashion designing is the choice of the daughter of two big name Guyanese designers – Michelle Cole and the late Trevor Rose – but what is surprising is that at such tender age, she is already making it happen.

This American-born charismatic child is preparing to launch her website ‘dobviousrose.com’ hosting an online fashion store, writings for kids and teens, and giving the public insight into the life of the young fashion designer and other interesting features.

Sapphire Autumn Rose honored at the ‘Missionettes Honor Prim’ in New York last month

Dream designer Sapphire Autumn Rose

In a recent interview with the Sunday Chronicle Pepperpot Magazine, Sapphire Autumn called herself a dreamer from the heart and one who has a passion for the arts and touching lives.

She has decided to host a special feature on her website titled; ‘A Heart Full of Dreams’ which encourages friends and fans to believe and achieve dreams from the heart.

‘A Heart Full of dreams’ was a choice name because it encourages one to “learn to dream big, and because it means to dream with all of your heart , to believe in yourself, and to achieve the things you may think is almost impossible,” Sapphire Autumn told Pepperpot .

This young Rose has already laid out her dream and is headed for success. She has an army of supporters who believe in her dreams and are preparing her to make them reality. While her dad, Trevor Rose, is not there physically anymore, the impression his relationship with her and his work has left still lives.

“My dream is to become a successful

fashion designer who is passionate about making a positive impact in the world by inspiring other young children like me, to dream. My uncle Roger Gary, dad Trevor Rose, mom Michelle Cole, and Ms. Paulette Cleghorn of the House of Yumi Katsura are some of my icons,” she confessed.

In the ‘Creative Edge’ project in art class, she performed with excellence last November in displaying some of dream pillow creations to the pleasure of a school community and was among one of the girls who “rock.”

Family is of great importance to her and Sapphire Autumn credited her creativity to her parents whose lives she observed carefully as a younger child.

“Both my parents were fashion designers and I grew up watching them work on designs. Then I just knew I wanted to grow up to be like them.”

Though her dad Trevor Rose was shot dead in Guyana years ago, mom Michelle Cole keeps standing by her daughter’s dream, and is amazed by the work she is able to create since her first piece – a skirt – the child created at age six. She never stopped creating since and has many of her original outfits worn by family and friends and available for sale on her website.

“Soon you will see me fulfilling my dream as with my involvement in many community service projects including visiting many hostels and orphanages to bring hope to young girls who may have dreams. I want them to dream, believe and achieve,” Sapphire Autumn said.

In fact, her humanitarian work has already started with her latest project being participating in the United Nation 70th Anniversary celebration at the UN building in the USA, and learn-

Sapphire Autumn created her first design – this fancy skirt – when she was just six years old

Sapphire putting together her first piece

XI

Sapphire Autumn

ing about all the children around the world that UNICEF and its Ambassadors help save.

Pillows created from her personal project, ‘heart full of dreams’ will be distributed to orphans, as a symbol of encouragement, reminding them that they too have what it takes to dream and achieve greatness.

“Maybe one day I can be one of Unicef’s Ambassadors and help children around the world.

My wish for every child is dream, love and family.

The heart full of dream projects is my charity project. I plan to visit little girls who may be without parents and give them one of my dream pillows to remind them to dream, because if you believe in your dreams, you will work to make them a reality. I would like to inspire them to always dream no matter how impossible it may seem.”

The young designer said she never realized how important it was to dream until last summer when she and sister Zephyra had a breakfast date in their backyard with Aunt Natasha Martindale and were given a one-hour challenge.

“During that time (Aunt Natasha) told us about little girls our age who were able to change the world in a positive way and asked us what we would do to change the world.

I started to think about my desire to become a fashion designer and what I can do to make a positive impact in the world. I suggested owning my own fashion designer company, inspire other young girls to achieve their dreams and also give back to those less fortunate. My sister opted to become a professional soccer player as well as my assistant. She designs as well,” Sapphire Turn to page XII ►►►

XII ◄◄◄ From page XI

Autumn explained.

By sundown her brand was named and logo designed.

“We started braining names for my company. As my mom has her last name in her company brand name, ColeFacts, I decided that I wanted to incorporate Rose as a part of my company’s name as swell. My mom said: “It’s obvious” and it was then that we all said the same thing “The Obvious Rose” -- I however, dropped “the” for the “D ‘apostrophe” to give it a French touch,” Sapphire Autumn related.

Her logo represents beauty, freshness

and many layers of creativity -- almost like a garden full of possibilities.

A few weeks later she was tasked with an academic project of producing an essay entitled “My Dream Is,” outlining her career dream and giving reasons for her choice.

Her mom encouraged her to combine the project with her design goal and she named her first brand awareness campaign “Heart full of dreams.”

To build on her dream, she constantly sews and sketches new designs and attends weekly art club, dedicating more time to be creative.

“I see myself succeeding with my own dreams to become a young fashion designer.

Chronicle Pepperpot January 8, 2017

I attend Alvin Aily dance school and creative edge modeling and acting classes which both have something to do with being creative in a way. I take art classes and theater because they are the two most artistic classes to choose from. They can help with my career of being a Designer. Art helps with sketching and theater helps with public speech,” she said.

She is also an honor student of Success Academy Elementary School in New York.

Sapphire Autumn is encouraging everyone to visit her online store www.dobviousrose.com after its launch on January 28, and support her introductory “Heart full of dreams” line, which features her original cre-

Displaying so me of her Heart Fu of Dreams lo ll ckets

orn, Paulette Clegh With designer Creative Director r, Head Designe ft Productions Lo r ne ig at Des

Visiting a fash

ion center

ations of necklaces, bracelets, scarfs, dream pillows, T-shirts, blankets and charms.

“One dollar from every item sold from this collection will go towards my heart full of dreams project,” Sapphire Autumn said.

She is asking everyone to support her new project and life dream by supporting her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ dobviousrose, and following ‘dobviousrose’ on twitter and Instagram.

“I am a nine-year-old designer who dreams of changing the world in a positive way. What I like most is that I am able to take what I love and be very creative with it,” Sapphire Autumn told Pepperpot Magazine.

Chronicle Pepperpot January 8, 2017 ◄◄◄ From page IV

treated her up to 5th August 1968 .

He again examined her on 23rd August 1968, when she complained of pain and after examination in which he could find no physical cause he referred her to a specialist Dr. George .

This doctor saw the patient again on the 26th August, 4th September and 8th September , 1969.

Dr. Abbensetts stated that the appellant complained of pain in the small of the back which would include the lumbar sacral region but he found no muscle spasms.

Dr. Brahman testified that he examined the appellant on the 4th August ,1968, and physical examination revealed no abnormality. He saw no external sign of injury whatever, all movements of her neck, back and spine were full, free and normal, her reflexes were normal and equal.

The only thing seen on the X-ray was a sacralisation of lumbar 5 to the right and early osteoporosis.

Sacralistion is a frequent ungenical abnormality and osteoporosis is the decalcification of the bone which is very common in elderly people and post menopausal women.

She remained in hospital until the 19th of August, 1968, when on examination, he found that she was fully recovered .

Finally, Dr. George the specialist, examined the appellant on the 24th August, 1968 and found there was probably tenderness over the lumbar sacral region, the movements of the spine were normal and there were no muscle spasms.

X-ray revealed no abnormality of the bone, he recommended one week’s light work.

On the 4th of September ,1969, this doctor saw the patient for the last time and could find nothing wrong, not even tenderness.

Under cross-examination Dr. George stated that the complaint was consistent with the type of injury the patient had suffered and that on the first occasion when he saw her he thought she was incapable of doing her normal duties.

On the second occasion when she complained of pain he diagnosed that she was suffering from low back ache and should not be given work which involved bending such as weeding.

On this evidence the Magistrate after a consideration of the evidences of Dr. Hugh stated in his Memorandum of Reasons – “It is not possible that she could be suffering from all these complaints. It is not possible that she could be suffering from these complaints from the accident as none of the doctors before Dr. Hugh found anything of the kind . I therefore could not accept the evidence of Dr. Hugh and accordingly dismissed the applicant’s claim for compensation”.

Concluding the Full Court’s judgment Chief Justice Bollers added : The medical evidence was overwhelming that the appellant had not suffered any permanent partial incapacity which she had made the basis of her claim but we consider that the reasoning of the learned Magistrate here is faulty. Surely it was possible for the minority opinion of Dr. Hugh to be judicially acceptable in the face of all the other contrary medical evidence , especially having regard to Dr. George’s diagnosis of low back ache and his evidence that a person suffering from low back ache should not be given work which involved bending such as weeding . It cannot be assumed that the learned Magistrate, made the correct approach to the medical evidence but unfortunately expressed his finding in infelicitous language.

The language he used unambiguously shows an unjudicial approach to conflicting expert testimony.

But assuming that the learned magistrate was right to find that on the evidence before him the appellant had not suffered any permanent partial incapacity which she made the basis of her claim, there remained, however, the question of periodic payments, and it was the submission of counsel for the appellant that the periodic payments could not be brought to an end by the respondents until they had complied with the provisions of s. 12 of the Ordinance .

For the reasons submitted the appeal was allowed and the order of the Magistrate set aside.

Judgment was entered in favour of the appellant and the respondents and were ordered to pay to the apellant a periodic payments at the rate of $40.72 from the 30th July, 1968, until the expiration of a period of five (5) years (less one month’s payment already made) or until the incapacity has ceased whichever be the shorter time.

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Chronicle Pepperpot January 8, 2017

New Year, new fun, fearless and fabulous you AS you transition into 2017 remember that it's your prerogative, your destiny, your truth, and your sole purpose to feel and look your best. Embrace it! You deserve a greater and bigger life...wear the glitter, buy the Mary Kay lipsticks, bring on the bold blue blazing eyeshadow. Express yourself, no one can do that better than you. Fear not the fabulous.

As Vogue writer Zoe Ruffner said "This year, rather than spending precious hours trying to fake razor-sharp cheekbones or a narrower nose, why not embrace the wild, playful, and fantastical side of beauty instead?"

Many of us have made New Year's resolutions and are conscious that at this point,

we will not fulfill our hearts desires and accomplish every goal by simply speaking them into fruition. Action is necessary. Your face beat will only #slay when you pick up that brush and get to work...honey!

In other words, as Lady Catherine so eloquently describes it “I often tell young ladies that no excellence in music is to be acquired without constant practice.” - Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

The beat, the rhythm, the ebb and flow of makeup, begins with you taking initiative and can only be achieved with persistent effort, thus molding you from tyro to maestro. Let go of the fear, your future began yesterday...let the whimsical makeup show up. Enough with

happiness, not your spouse siblings, friends or colleagues, not even the ever persistent, tax inducing over compensated political leaders accomplishing little to nothing in congress... since, it is inevitable to live, just do it!

the natural look, enough contouring, more molding, more blending, more fabulous lashes, more insightful indigo, subtle hues, and bluish colours. Whether it's lavish lipstick, nail lacquer, popping Eyeshadows, or subtle highlighting, remember to embrace the inner you, no matter what the jealous might say. Be bold, be empowered and let your beauty shine through, life isn't going to catch up with you, you're the one who is responsible for your

WHERE TO START? When it comes to makeup, the top is always the best place to seek inspiration and channel innovation. You can't apply blush without a good foundation. The forehead, the top of the face, is what separates the sopranos from altos, the neophytes from the connaiseurs, the tyrants from the tycoons. The deciphering factor of a student versus a professional, is the ability to blend foundation, making the skin look as realistic and perfectly impeccable, while disguising imperfections.

The forehead, is usually more tanned, and appears darker in complexion than the rest of the face.

Since it's connected to the hairline, the wrong shade of foundation can be repulsive, and displeasing to the eyes receptor rods and cones. Skin can look dull, lacking alacrity, and can result in embarrassment for the wearer.

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Chronicle Pepperpot January 8, 2017

Literature Kate Chopin’s

By Subraj Singh

“The Story of an Hour” WHEN one thinks of great feminist short stories, it is certainly not the American South in the 1800s that comes to mind. However, Kate Chopin, one of the great American writers who lived and wrote in the South during the late 1800s, is the writer of one of the most easily recognized short stories in the world. “The Story of an Hour” has a blatant feminist slant, presents all the components of a typical short story in a non-complicated manner and, moreover, is a very entertaining read, and these are per-

(Kate Chopin, 8th February, 1850 – 22nd August, 1904)

haps the reasons why the story is used in so many universities around the world, particularly in classes introducing students to feminist literature or the short story form.

Mrs. Mallard, our protagonist, afflicted with heart trouble, opens the story when we learn that her husband has died in a tragic accident. As one would expect, Mrs. Mallard bursts into tears and begins to mourn her husband’s passing, but then the story takes its first interesting turn when our housewifein-grief sits near to the window of her bedroom and looks out at the world in front of her. Chopin uses lush, sumptuous, beautiful, beckoning imagery to describe the setting. Looking out of the window Mrs. Mallard saw “…the tops of trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life”, “the delicious breath of rain” that was “in the air”, “patches of blue sky” showing between the clouds. The images manage to remind Mrs. Mallard of the beauty still existing in the world despite the presence of death and, therefore, it is not surprising that right after observing the activities outside of her window, the widowed woman realizes that she is free – and she even shouts it out for herself: “Free!” – from both her husband and presumably repressive marriage.

The act of a woman celebrating, and rejoicing, in the death of her husband would be a scandalous thing today and it was probably even more so during the time when the story was written. Chopin does not present any actual evidence to show how our protagonist was being repressed in her marriage.

We have no evidence that Mrs. Mallard’s husband was abusive or controlling and yet, we know that the marriage was not a good one, and was in fact one that Mrs. Mallard longed to be free from because of the way

XV the woman begins to react to her husband’s death, the way she experiences a great, ironic (one of many examples of irony in the story), “monstrous joy” upon realizing that her husband’s death has freed her.

A woman’s notion of freedom, when being trapped means being confined to an unhappy marriage, may seem like a trivial thing to those who are not inclined to the feminist ideology. However, if there is one thing that “The Story of an Hour” does right is the way in which it shows how much a woman’s independence and freedom means to her. Mrs. Mallard’s immediate plans for her future life, her wish for life to be long as compared to herself wishing for a short life when her husband was alive, and the thought of having her days and life as her own are all expressions of bountiful joy that ultimately cancel the grief and sorrow that is expected to be apparent when one’s husband dies.

However, all of this comes to a sharp end in the climax of the story when Chopin writes her final twist and brings all of Mrs. Mallard’s hopes and dreams and indeed, Mrs. Mallard herself, to an end. It is a startling reminder that patriarchy, when alive, limits and destroys the dreams and hopes of women who suffer because of it.

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Chronicle Pepperpot January 8, 2017

Chronicle Pepperpot January 8, 2017

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United Nations declares 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development AS you begin the New Year, we hope that among your resolutions are many that are green. After all what better way to keep your lifestyle in sync with Guyana’s goals for a green and clean economy? Just think about it, the New Year gives us 365 days filled with opportunities to achieve great things for ourselves and the environment. It may encourage you to realize that there is already good news globally for our environment since the United Nations (UN) General Assembly has declared 2017 as the “International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development.

The Environmental Protection Agency intends to support the promotion of 2017 as International Year of Sustainable Tourism Development in view of the enormous tourism wealth of Guyana and the need to promote its sustainable use. In declaring the International Year for 2017, the UN recognizes the importance of international tourism, and more so sustainable tourism for development. Moreover it also recognizes, the inherent values of different cultures, and the importance of fostering better understanding among peoples everywhere, in leading to a greater awareness of the rich heritage of various civilizations. The Year provides a unique opportunity to advance the contribution of the tourism sector towards the three pillars of sustainability – economic, social and environmental, while raising awareness of the true dimensions of a sector which is often undervalued.

TOURISM AND THE ENVIRONMENT The idea of sitting back, and relaxing in an impeccable five star hotel or taking a swim or long walk on white or a sandy beach brings peace of mind. For nature lovers, venturing deep into the pristine forest just to be in sync with the intrinsic value of nature is a priceless experience. Regardless of your idea of tourism, and as good as it might seems, some forms of tourism can have negative impacts on our environment.

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM By its very nature tourism will not be completely sustainable. The industry is known to be energy and water intensive and to generate a lot of waste. Tourism also has

an impact on natural habitats and biodiversity and may even affect local culture in an unwanted way. As such, while tourism can contribute to the Gross Domestic Product of a country, its unsustainable aspects must be taken into account.

The focus of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism is to seek and find ways to make tourism “greener” or more sustainable.

Sustainable tourism is about re-focusing and adapting. It is about finding a balance between limits and usage so that continuous changing, monitoring and planning ensure that tourism can be managed.

This requires thinking longterm – 10 - 20 years ahead - and realizing that change is often cumulative, gradual and irreversible. Economic, social and environmental aspects

for development. ● Stay at hotels, resorts, lodges and other places that are authorized to operate by relevant Agencies. This will indicate that they are operating in a manner that is safe and sustainable for the environment. of sustainable development must include the interests of all stakeholders including indigenous people, local communities, visitors, industry and government.

ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORIZATION OF TOURISM FACILITIES The Environmental Protection Agency grants Environmental Authorization for Hotels of with more than (10) guest rooms to operate.

Environmental Authorization is one way to support sustainable tourism since in order for it to be given, the EPA must be satisfied that a facility will address any significant impact it may have on the environment. This also applies in the case of resorts which may wish to operate in the vicinity of a sensitive area e.g. close to a watershed, wetland or heritage site. By requiring that tourism facilities obtain an Environmental Authorization,

measures are put in place to reduce or prevent any significant impact they may have on the environment. Some of the aspects of tourism facilities that are considered before an Environmental Authorization is granted include ability to properly manage solid waste, adherence to building codes, adequate energy and fuel storage, visitors and workers health and safety etc. The EPA also works closely with the Guyana Tourism Authority towards the Environmental Authorization of tourism facilities and operators.

TIPS TO PLAY A PART IN SUSTAINABLE TOURISM Here a few tips to help promote and support a more sustainable tourism

● As much as we like fancy swimming pools at the five star hotels and resorts, it’s good to take a trip to an eco-lodge or park. Guyana boasts a few of these with lots to see and do, that will make your stay an enjoyable one. This form of tourism is low impact on the environment and usually benefits local villagers and the communities in which operate. ● And when visiting plac-

es with natural, and cultural significance, the only thing you should kill is time, the only thing you should leave behind is your foot print and the only thing you should take away are pictures and memories. Do encourage others to do the same.

So remember when planning for this year’s vacation, to promote and choose a more sustainable form of tourism in support of this year being dedicated “International Year for Sustainable Tourism Development”.

C/O EIT Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail.com

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Chronicle Pepperpot January 8, 2017

Vreed-en-hoop squatters pleading for water

By Svetlana Marshall AFTER squatting for more than 25 years on Vreed-en-Hoop Foreshore commonly called the jetty, residents are pleading with the authorities to regularize the area – a move which will pave the way for them to have access to electricity and much needed potable water.

“Thirty-two years ago I came in this area, it was bush all around, no other house just me and God alone,” one of the first occupants of the area said under anonymity as she fears victimisation.

As she sat under one of the many two storey wooden and concrete houses now erected on the foreshore on the West Coast of Demerara, the woman said she was in desperate need of a place to live, and with little choice, had decided to squat on the jetty.

It was not long after that she was accompanied by two or three other families, who took up residence in the area, and as a unified voice, they had made representation to the then Government, the People’s National Congress (PNC) to have the area regularized. Today, the community has approximately 37 houses.

“About 10 years after I come hey to live, the REO give us a letter to get light and telephone. So only about four persons at the time get electricity and telephone,” she recalled.

She said after defeating the PNC in 1992, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had promised to regularize the area, however, only a section of the foreshore called “Best” was given residential status.

“The thing is, if they don’t want to regularize the area, at least give us permission to have potable water. Is 32 long years I deh living without water,” the woman said as she complained bitterly about the situation.

According to her, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) had signaled its willingness to supply the community with potable water but had requested permission from the Best-Klien/Pouderoyen Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Chairman Omesh Balram.

Thristram Daharry, one of the many residents who have been living on Vreed-en-Hoop Foreshore for more than 20 years

“GWI is willing to give us water but the NDC Chairman is refusing to give us the letter to take into them. I don’t know why, but he just aint giving it,” she lamented.

Residents in the area depend on rainwater for the purpose of cooking and drinking, however, during the dry season, they are made to pay $1,500 for one drum of water.

“All in all, we asking this new government to look into the situation,” she pleaded.

Forty-three-year-old Sunil Dat, who lives just a few houses away from her, said

Sunil Dat pointing to one of his black tanks that collects rainwater for consumption during the rainy season

he started living on the foreshore inn 1991 – some 25 years ago. Dat said he is tired of the promises. “Every time a minister visited, was, we will try to do this and we will try to do that and nothing,” he said while noting that the lack of potable water is the biggest problem facing the squatting community.

“When it is not raining, I would load my vehicle up with all the jars and a pump and I would head to somewhere where I could get water,” he shared.

This road was developed by Sunil Dat and Thristram Daharry to allow their vehicles to have easy access to these homes. According to them, beneath the thoroughfare, water pipes have been laid, and connect to a main which supply GPL power station

One of the 39 houses on the Vreed-en-Hoop Foreshore (Photos by Samuel Maughn)

Dat said it is unfortunate that residents are unable to have easy access to potable water in the squatting community when the Guyana Power and Light’s (GPL’s) power station a stone throw away is being supplied with water.

“GWI already have a four inch main in which they are supplying the power station with water. The pipe is just in front of our gates, just about 2ft out 2ft deep and they pass all of these gates and they don’t want to give us water,” he pointed out. Dat is one of the few residents in the area that have access to electricity.

Another resident, 55-years-old Thristram Daharry contended that GWI had conducted an assessment of the area but was awaiting

approval from the NDC. “GWI came and did an assessment. They had planned to use a two inch pipe, but it was just for him (NDC Chairman) to sign,” he further contended. Daharry has been living in the area for more than 22 years. When it is not raining, and he is in need of water, Daharry would use his canter to transport water to his house in black tanks. He has eight tanks in addition to two 450 gallon square tanks.

The NDC Chairman, when contacted, however had a different story. He told Guyana Chronicle that the area is not within the Council’s jurisdiction. “It is not regularized, it is a squatting area,” he said.

Balram said water is vital to life, and the council would never bar residents from having such necessity. Although Vreed-enHoop Foreshore is not within the council’s jurisdiction, the NDC Chairman, who has been in office for approximately five years, said “sometime ago” he had made representation to GWI on behalf of the affected residents but the water concerned about the possible wastage of water. “They were going to put a stand pipe, but they were worried about control,” he said.

However, contrary to the Chairman’s and the residents’ take on the situation, GWI Public Relations Officer Leana Bradshaw said the water company has no such documentation within system.

“GWI does not have in its possession any petition or document requesting water service connection from the area in question to say it lacked the signature from the Chairman,” Bradshaw told this newspaper.

“However, GWI is willing and ready to assist the community should residents approach us. Matter of fact, GWI is committed to ensuring equal access to water for all citizens and is in the process of providing new service connections to a number of areas that have never had water access,” she added.

She said just late last year, GWI facilitated new service connections for Andy Ville in Linden and Timehri North.

Chronicle Pepperpot January 8, 2017

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No bounds for Courtney Noel’s talents

By Vishani Ragobeer and Daniel Haynes

IT’S A NEW YEAR and in Guyana, one of the first celebrations we begin preparing for, is our Mashramani. During this time, throughout the Children’s competitions into the adult celebrations and gyrations one song you are sure to hear is the patriotic but upbeat- “Arrowhead.”

However, not many know the singer of this song- Courtney Noel, a son of the soil and one of the most talented individuals ever produced from Guyana’s shores.

“I couldn’t sing to save my life,” Noel said offhandedly as he reminisced, “I couldn’t carry a tune to save my life.”

He highlighted that his elder sister Cheryl was the really talented one who was always singing and dancing but noted too that the creative vibe flowed through his family. He recounted too, that his grandmother played the harmonica (and she was self-taught), his father wrote poetry and his elder brother who writes screenplays now, always had a knack for writing.

Despite not being as talented as his family members, especially not as talented as Cheryl, Courtney knew that singing and expressing his creativity was just what he wanted to be doing. He believes that his talent was already in him, probably due to his ancestral heritage and maybe he just “willed” it into emergence because of how badly he wanted it.

The 55-year-old revealed that he has been a part of the “jackabout” trade of singing, song-writing and writing screenplays for about 20 years and attested that he has written hundreds, maybe even thousands of songs- despite not studying music professionally nor learning how to play any instruments.

Moreover, one of his original songs has remarkably been used

by UNICEF in Guyana for their

base his songs on, then he ponders upon the elements of the subject he wants to highlight and then he is just able to write- with the accompanying tunes playing in his mind.

Although explicitly talented, Courtney did not exploit his talent entirely here in Guyana. Leaving Guyana in 1979, the musician spent his time working with the United Nations but found the time to fiddle around with music

‘Unite for Children-unite against AIDS’ campaign and well, “Arrowhead” can attest to his prowess even though he affirms that he isn’t a soca singer.

Noel explained, “There are no perimeters for my creative spirit.”

He highlighted that he could hear a tune being played by a piano and instantly he could write a song.

Despite sometimes being frustrating and other times being absolutely fun, “It [songwriting] has gotten much easier as I’ve gotten older,” Courtney said. He said that he can find a subject to

and screenplays and making them a big part of his life.

Currently however, Noel is in Guyana promoting his new song‘Chutney Gyal’, his first song stepping into the Chutney arena.

This song was inspired by a girl working at the Guyana Permit Mission in New York and while on a train heading back to Brooklyn, he found himself spewing lyrics about this girl and he knew he had to document what he was singing.

He gave a sample of exactly what came to his mind at the time: “The pleasures of the Kama

sutra you keep inside your hips, baby The treasures of the Taj Mahal can’t compete with your lips, lady The tabla drum, the sitar strum, I hear heaven calling …”

Eventually this song would incorporate Hindi in its lyrics and would become- “Chutney Gyal” and he would get Terry Gajraj to be a part of the song too.

He noted that he involved Ter-

“I’ve been talking about this for ten years and I’m praying that this year is it.”

He explained that the film, like the song “Chutney Gyal” is about an inter-racial love story that starts in Richmond Hill, New York and ends in the Iwokrama canopy, Guyana. The working title of this film is “Similar differences.”

The screenplay took him about three months to write after writing for about three hours each day.

“There are so many moving parts of this project,” he disclosed and expanded on the soundtrack aspect which will draw artistes from all of the diaspora.

He also said that the project would feature other local talents such as fashion designers Sonia Noel, visual artists and every other creative sector within the Guyanese society and will highlight Guyana’s panoramic beauty with scenes Courtney Noel performing of the Kaieteur “Arrowhead” at a recent Sonia Falls and IwokraNoel fashion show ma canopy being in the film.

“My idea is for ry Gajraj in his work since Terry Guyana to look sexy when this is “a renowned chutney king” and, film is finished,” he underscored. according to Noel, “the Guyanese While he remains hopeful that entertainer who has literally flown his dream of this film becoming a the flag at more places than any- reality very soon, his next move one else.” will be to create positive inspira“I want to make a point about tional songs. races working together with this To be able to express himself song,” he said after highlighting honestly, through music; through the seemingly endless racial dis- film, or whatever other medium courses he has found emanating he uses is something he strives from Guyanese, especially on towards. social media. He also disclosed Believing in his spirit and that this song is a “precursor” to the spirit of his ancestors, his another project he has in mind. advice remains: “Go hard all The project, according to the time and go harder when it’s Courtney is the creation of a film. that time”.

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Chronicle Pepperpot January 8, 2017

Peaceful and Prosperous Democracy in Ghana

By Francis Quamina Farrier "YES, we do have a new president in waiting to take office in January 2017. "It's the opposition NPP. "Everybody is excited and hopeful things will change for the better." So wrote my journalist colleague and friend in Ghana, Efam Dovi, to me, after the recent Presidential Election in Ghana.

And today, Nana Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party, is being sworn in as the new President of the Republic of Ghana. This was the third attempt by Nana Akufo-Addo to become the President of Ghana, in his father's footsteps. He has previously served as Ghana's Attorney General as well as the country's Minister of Foreign Affairs. He was also the Leader of the Opposition in Ghana for two four year terms.

Nana Akufo-Addo is a hero of mine, even though I

have never met the gentleman. Let me tell you why that is so.

When he was defeated in the December 2012 Presidential election, Nana Akufo-Addo claimed that he was cheated, and challenged the results which was as close as roughly 50.7 percent to 47.3 percent.

In the face of that defeat, he instructed his party members and his supporters not to demonstrate with any protests, and not to engage in any violence. They followed his instructions to the man. Akufo-Addo's challenge was based on what he claimed, was that those responsible for the registration of voters, did not go to one of his strongholds in the north east region of the country, until it was too late. He claimed that many of those who would have voted for him, were effectively disenfranchised.

Farrier with Ghanaian friends at the Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park Nana Akufo-Addo took the matter to the Ghana in Accra, Ghana, on March 6, 2012 High Court, but his effort was not successful. On exiting the court after loosing the case, he told the Media, "I do not agree with the decision of the court, but I will abide with it." He then repeated his instructions to his party members and supporters not to protest, and not to engage in any violence. For such a selfless and heroic and patriotic act, I am of the view that this Ghanaian politician and patriot should have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. That is something which I've told many of of my friends and acquaintances here in Guyana, over the past four years.

Just imagine how many lives have been saved by the new Ghanaian president, four years ago, in taking such a stance in the face of losing that 2012 Presidential Election,

Nana Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party

at which he claimed the was cheated. Nana Akufo-Addo took his seat on the Opposition side of the Ghana Parliament in 2013, and worked as hard as he could with his focus on the 2016 Presidential Election; his patient wait and diligent work has paid off. He gained 5,716,026 votes which was 54 percent of the popular votes. The incumbent, President John Dramani Mahama, secured 4,713,277 which was 44 percent of the votes. Out-going President John Dramani Mahama is the first president in recent Ghana history, to serve just one term. The new president, Nana Akufo-Addo, is the son of a previous president of Ghana.

It is apt to mention that Ghana with is slightly larger than Guyana with 95,000 square miles, and with a population of 25 million, of which 15.7 million are of voting age. Yet the result of that December 2016 Presidential Elections was announced by the Electoral Commissioner, Charlotte Osei, the very next day. Defeated President John Dramani Mahama immediately made a phone call to the victorious Nana Akufo-Addo, conceding defeat and congratulating the newly elected president. In addressing the Ghanaian people after his victory, the New President praised his predecessor saying, "I think all of us in Ghana have to be thankful that we have in him, a man who is also devoted to peace and stability of our country. "He has comported himself in a manner to ensure a smooth transition."

Most adult Ghanaians are very involved with their country's politics. When on a visit to that West African country in 2012, which was an elections year, I saw that for myself.

There were scores of large campaign posters all over the place. While travelling on a bus from Kumasi to Tachiman, which is located in the heartland of the country, a heated argument broke out between most of the thirty or more passengers. Although it was in their native language, I realised that it was about the then up-coming Presidential Elections, since I recognized the names of the principal contestants being mentioned. Even Turn to page XXIV ►►► the driver be-

Chronicle Pepperpot January 8, 2017 ◄◄◄ From page XIV

HOW TO BLEND AND MAKE IT WORK Because the natural oils of the skin will not adhere to the foundation or base being used. It doesn't matter how much powder and foundation you blend towards the hairline it just won't mesh. There's no synchrony with the beat, no harmony, its just noise. And that's exactly what the face looks like when makeup is overdone...noisy.

When clients demanded that their complexion was lighter, the art of contouring and optical illusions take preeminence, though for some it may be difficult to satisfy delusional dilettantes, a true artist can swallow pride, suppress ego, and allow abnegation to suffice.

Creating a balance and happy medium for all and give the client what they want without making a complete mockery of the ancient sacredness of art. I first discovered a quick simple technique when I started applying makeup in Guyana, everyone with their perfect sun kissed glowing skin, that many North Americans and pale toned humans who would happily risk their health for it, with cancerous and dangerous tanning treatments, would swear that their skin-tone was a shade or two lighter.

To prevent war, and channel my inner Dali Lama, I would simply make the skin look lighter by using their correct shades on the outer rim of the face and the lighter tones towards the center, then blending them where they meet. No fancy sculpting techniques or highlighting and contouring, just plain simple art, it's often referred to as depth.

No matter how opaque the coverage of

the foundation or base is applied, the eye functions according to what is perceived, and perception is governed by comparisons.

While one party sees the other as benefiting from the spoils of tropical weather, the other is envying cool, calm and collected nature of colder temperatures. There really needs to be a balance.

SHIFTING PERSPECTIVE The best way to combat both feelings, and protect against skin damage in any weather is to use the best skincare products and color cosmetics. Or, there's always the boring plain coping mechanisms of ignoring and stifling your conscience, allowing your ego to manifest. Subconsciously all you want is to look and feel your best, but it's the effort, energy and joules measured, as you think, thinking can be treacherous at times. Accomplishing anything is just too time consuming, if only you allow the laziness to go. I know! Smart people don't work hard, but they do achieve greatness chronologically with gradual accomplishments. Wear the makeup!

According to psychology: Our conscious attention is selective. It's all in our head, and we can change our perception from one state to the other as often as we want. But one impossible task is to mix attentions, we can only perceive one image at a time, we can only choose laziness or willingness. Inactivity and lethargy can coexist but not mesh. We control our perception and this year, before we judge it's imperative that we do and appreciate the efforts of others around us, channel our inner artists, and exercise our talents towards a greater good. Be beautiful, be radiant, inside and out.

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Chronicle Pepperpot January 8, 2017

Heading back to school after a hearty vacation

By Vishani Ragobeer WHILE in school, Christmas vacations will always be the hardest vacation to recover from and groove back into your normal routine.

School reopens tomorrow after these three very short weeks. If you were lucky, you wouldn’t have had any school work to do over this period, but if you were unlucky (like me), then your holiday might have been filled with days of pondering when to start the work you should be doing (and maybe, actually doing some of this work).

The question at hand however, is: Am I upset that I have to go back to school now? Or am I happy?

How am I supposed to wake up, get ready and be at school for 9 o’clock for five days a week, when for the past three weeks I’ve been getting up at 10 o’clock? How am I supposed to wait until 12 o’clock to grab a bite, when I’ve been snacking on... well everything- at any time of the day for the past three weeks?

However, I would express my utmost

elation at being back and seeing all my friends after a whole three weeks of being away from them, but I still got to speak to some of them and even “see” them almost every day. Technology, eh?

I would also express my elation at seeing my teachers too, except they might not be too elated to see me… without their work at least.

Then there’s always the constant and “cheerful” reminder that I have to write CAPE in May. CAPE! IN MAY! Maybe, I’m being dramatic and exaggerative.

Sometimes (well… a lot of times) being in school and interacting with your friends and associates is an incomparable feeling, that not even Snapchat and its crazy filters

can replace.

I am also very fond of education - not the kind where you learn sometime and then you get tested on that, but the kind where you feel good about knowing something and that you can ACTUALLY relate to what you’ve learnt. Luckily for me, I get this feeling from each of the four subjects I’m doing (maybe it’s because I’m not doing Maths until next year).

Well, whether I wholeheartedly want to be back at school tomorrow or not, I still have to say good-bye to my bed and to the Danish butter cookies and say hello to the joys and terrors of being back in school.

Let’s hope that this term, all of us heading back to school can be diligent with our work and reap successful results at the end of the term.

Chronicle Pepperpot January 8, 2017

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A passion for make-up and a love for being creative

– MUA Onica Narr is on top of her game

in the beauty industry, and no industry has seen more boon than the makeup industry, more so those always in demand make-up artistes.

These days make-up artists come a dime a dozen, yes even in Guyana with less than a million people we have quite our fair share. Some are in their learning stages and show good potential (keep working on that crease sweetie!)

There are of course those extraordinary Guyanese MUAs like Renee Chester, who is in a league all her own, and won-

By Tamica Garnett WITH the social media days we live in right now everyone is always concerned about appearance, this phenomenon has its pros and cons, but it’s been mostly pros for those

derfully talented Tenisha Garnett-Billington, and then there’s Chester’s protégé Onica Narr.

Just three years in the MUA business, and petite Ms. Narr has made quite the name for herself, and it’s quite evident why – her work speaks for itself.

“I decided to become a makeup artist because I’ve always had a “thing” for beauty and fashion, so after becoming a Turn to page XXIX ►►►

XXIV ◄◄◄ From page XX

came involved in the argument, and was waving his arms all over the place, sometimes both arms were off the steering wheel, as the bus was travelling at about 55 mph. That chaotic situation all ended when a grim faced woman who was in the seat in front of me, shouted in the local language, what certainly was "Stop the damn nonsense before the bus crashes and kills all of us". Because after her out-burst, everyone became quiet and the driver did what he was supposed to do; drive the bus with due care and attention.

In recent years, Ghana set itself a national objective; that is to be regarded as the most peaceful country on the continent in Africa. For the better part, Ghana is making their democracy work. Travel-

ling around most of the country, I saw lots of infrastructural work in progress; highways in particular. The result of that 2012 Presidential Election, and the patriotic stance of the now-President, Nana Akufo-Addo, was a test of how well such an objective of making Ghana the most peaceful country in Africa, and that it is working well in that West African country.

So those here in Guyana who celebrate Ghana Day every year, can do so this year with even greater pride. For those who do not know, in recent years, Ghana Day is celebrated here in Guyana on March 6; the day Ghana celebrates its Independence anniversary, which they gained in 1957.

Ghana's new president is marred to First lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo. They have five daughters and five grand-children.

Chronicle Pepperpot January 8, 2017

Aries You Rams are known for your directness, yet today you could easily outdo yourself.

Messenger Mercury's direct turn in your 9th House of Big Ideas would normally be enough on its own to have you spontaneously spouting your thoughts, whether they are valid or not. However, several cosmic factors are also encouraging you to express your feelings even if you know you are likely to push someone's buttons. In fact, you might even exaggerate your message to increase the shock value. Author Caroline Schoeder wrote, "Some people change their ways when they see the light, others when they feel the heat."

Taurus Your friends may confront you with an issue that was recently swept under the rug.

However, it's like someone opens Pandora's Box when communicator Mercury shifts into forward gear today, accentuating your 8th House of Deep Sharing. Although you might feel uncomfortable with the topic of discussion at first, accepting the inevitable can actually feel liberating. Change often doesn't come easily, but this time you will be glad you switched to the new program as fast as you did. Your willingness to compromise opens doors that were previously shut.

Gemini If it seems like you have reached the end of your rope, take a few deep breaths and prepare yourself for a pleasant surprise. Everything is about to change once your key planet Mercury completes its retrograde period in your 7th House of Partnerships.

However, you may need to take responsibility for your feelings before you see the tension in a relationship begin to dissipate. Standing up to someone who is holding you back shifts the dynamics and puts you in control of your destiny.

Cancer Interpersonal dynamics have been quite complicated lately, making you wonder whether or not the stress is truly worth it. Thankfully, the cosmos gives you the green light today, informing you that things are about to improve if you're willing to do the work. Cerebral Mercury resumes its forward movement in your 6th House of Habits, reminding you that the planning period is over and it's time to make your move. Remember, you don't need to reach the finish line right away; many small steps will successfully lead you to your destination.

Leo Although it may take a while to get going today, there's no stopping you once you do. Mercury's direct turn in your 5th House of Self-Expression triggers a barrage of creative communication that sets the tone for the days ahead. Don't wait for a better time to put a project into motion, especially if it's one that you've been thinking about for a long time. As Zig Ziglar said, "You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great."

Virgo You might be looking forward to a day of relaxation but the pace of events picks up suddenly, requiring you to leave your idyllic daydreams behind. Your key planet Mercury resumes its forward motion in your 4th House of Family, redirecting your attention to your closest relationships. However, your relatives don't seem to be playing the parts in your script that you previously assigned to them. Instead, you must manage your own feelings because you're not in control of everyone else's.

What happens to you is not as important as how you react.

Libra Your inner rebel awakens today, encouraging you to behave contrary to what others expect. Of course, this urge to stir the pot conflicts with your natural desire for everyone to live in harmony. Nevertheless, your key planet Venus forms a stressful alignment with revolutionary Uranus, temporarily altering your values. Currently, it's more critical for you to be different than it is to conform, and interactive Mercury's direct turn in your 3rd House of Communication pushes you to speak your mind in the present moment. You must be willing to be uncomfortable if you want to change your world.

Scorpio Your psychic antennas are overly sensitive these days, dissolving boundaries between your internal and external worlds. Although your heightened awareness deepens your compassion, it also can be emotionally overwhelming. You want others to become more conscious of everyone else's feelings and to contribute to the well-being of humanity. Meanwhile, talkative Mercury spins forward in your 2nd House of Values, urging you to share your perspective with your friends, whether or not they want to hear it. Author Neale Donald Walsch wrote, "Speak your truth but soothe your words with peace."

Sagittarius You've been not so patiently waiting for the moment when the clouds part and the endless blue sky becomes visible again. Logical Mercury's shift into forward motion occurs in your philosophical sign, allowing you to express your thoughts without restraint. However, it's crucial to know your limits, especially when the horizon appears so far away. Although you have little reason to moderate your opinions, you'll lose your audience unless you know when to stop. Leave them begging for more, not less.

Capricorn There is a sense of urgency in the air and it's challenging to maintain a rational mindset when you get swept up by unexpected circumstances. Although these are intense times and the issues you face are real, your need for immediate resolution is not necessarily based upon the current situation. Trickster Mercury turns direct in your 12th House of Destiny, convincing you that an impulsive reaction must be the correct one. Acknowledge your feelings and let them flow through you without taking action. Remember, you don't have to say or do everything you think.

Aquarius One of your special gifts is the ability to get away with weird behavior that somehow seems acceptable to your fans. Today's stressful Venus-Uranus alignment inspires you to take these eclectic actions to new places. Clever Mercury's shift of direction in your 11th House of Friends signals a change of dynamics in your social landscape.

Although others may just give you a funny look, they might be struggling with the real issues behind your non-conformity. Remain authentic at all costs. What makes you different makes you beautiful.

Pisces There are many ways to distract yourself from what's really important today. Although this may be an intended day of rest, you might choose to fill it by pursuing unusual experiences that could bring you pleasure. Whether you go skydiving, visit an art gallery or make new friends, you don't want your activities to consist of the same old things. Nevertheless, once the amusement is over, your thoughts return to your career trajectory over the weeks ahead while your 10th House of Profession is activated by intelligent Mercury. Fortune sides with those who dare.

Chronicle Pepperpot January 8, 2017

XXV

YOU CAN GET YOUR LANDLINE PHONE NOW

SINCE December last, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) under its Chairman former High Court Judge, His Honour Justice (retd) Prem Persaud CCH has been conducting Hearings to consider GTT’s request to increase landline rates. The Guyana Consumers Association (GCA) has been opposing such increases, and late r in this article we will outline the respective positions of GTT and GCA and the consumer community.

As a spinoff of these Hearings, however, GTT has indicated that it has always been willing and able to supply landline telephones to those who require them. Many consumers have complained that they had applied to GTT, sometimes years ago, for landline phones, but GTT has never sup-

plied them. Now it seems that the situation has changed and landline phones would be supplied on the asking.

If any members of the public require landline phones now, they may ofcourse apply to GTT, but as a service to consumers and to be able to follow up on their requests, they may send the GCA an e-mail stating name, address, and desire to have a landline phone. The GCA e-mails they may use are jainarined2001@ yahoo.com or patdial26@ gmail.com. If they have any difficulty in respect of their application to GTT, they may contact the PUC at their office at 106 New Garden Street, Queenstown, Georgetown or e-mail them at their complaints section.

Together with this easy availability of landline phones to those who require them, GTT

are also promising to repair with promptitude landline telephones which have been out-oforder. This failure to repair telephones in good time and failure to supply landline phones have forced many people who live alone, the poor, the sick and the aged, to be driven to buy and use cell phones whose charges are 8 to 10 times more expensive than landlines. Many parents would like to have landlines so that their children could use the internet to help them in their studies since cellular smart phones are very expensive and inappropriate for the purpose.

But GTT assures the public that these two lapses will be corrected and will be things of the past.

But back to GTT's demand for increasing landline rates: GTT claims that the international calls which had always been priced higher than elsewhere, were always high-priced in Guyana

by GTT so they could cross-subsidize the landline. The persons who paid these high rates were Guyanese telephone users trying to keep in contact with their relatives abroad. GTT are now complaining that these lucrative rates they enjoyed as a monopoly are being overtaken by the advances of modern technology and affecting their monopoly international market. As Turn to page XXXI ►►►

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Chronicle Pepperpot January 8, 2017 ◄◄◄ From page XXIII

certified cosmetologist I got deeper into to the beauty industry. Every time I saw someone with a flawless beat I would stop and stare, and say to myself I wish I had the ability to master that art. So I went and I did the training, and here I am today loving every bit of it,” Onica fondly recollected.

Onica trained under Renee herself and then branched off on her own. Onica was born and bred in Linden, but now she works at her Plaisance on the East Coast of Demerara make up studio Aurora Rush Professional Make-up Artistry.

Like most professional Guyanese MUAs Onica also conducts make up classes, where you can learn the trade for yourself if you’re looking to get good at it. Her go to brands MAC and Black Opal leaves her clients absolutely flawless, and customers and fans just adore her and her work.

Just check out her Aurora Rush Facebook page and see the rave reviews from her customers and fans “Great personality, superb work... would recommend to anyone.....keep up the awesome job Aurora Rush Professional MakeUp Artistry,” said Dinessa Boss who booked Narr for her bridal make up last November.

“I just love the way she does her makeup. U should do a youtube account,” another fan thought.

At 5 feet 2 inches, Onica isn’t towering over anyone but her skills are tall, and she is more than able to hold her own in the cutthroat MUA industry.

“It’s quite a competition now with Guyana so rampant with new makeup artists, but it doesn't really affect me because it all comes down to a good recommendation and amazing work. I'm well known in the makeup industry so having frequent clients is not so hard for me,” she confidently remarked.

Doing what she loves, Onica doesn’t have much to complain about where it concerns her job, but no job goes without its challenges and annoyances.

“My number one challenge is being at a hotel room

or wedding house and having to wait for a bride for hours, this is so irritating. Sometimes I may have another wedding or job to attend and because of their latest, I also end up being late for my next appointment. Then

there’s when a client says “I want something simple and neutral” and after giving them just that, and I do next person’s makeup and they see the other person sparkling, then they come back to ask to change the makeup to glitters

or something,” Onica vented.

So now you know ladies.

Always a creative girl, Onica is not just about that make-up life. This innovative 28 year old is also a certified cosmetologist, a beauty educator, and into cake decorat-

XXIX ing, and face painting. But despite her many talents at the end of the day being an MUA is still what she craves the most.

“I love to express my confidence through my work, the fact that I'm

not just a makeup artist is what sets me apart, I can wake up tomorrow n say I will take on face painting more or cakes or hairdressing, but I choose makeup because it's my passion,” Onica says.

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Chronicle Pepperpot January 8, 2017

Google pushes virtual reality harder with new phones from partners

By Julia Love ALPHABET Inc's Google quickened the pace of its push into virtual and augmented reality this week as its hardware partners announced new devices featuring the company’s technology at the CES electronics show in Las Vegas.

Google has been trying to position the vast network of smartphones running its Android operating system for virtual and augmented reality, known as VR and AR, fields that many in the technology industry say are poised to go mainstream after years of niche appeal.

Chinese manufacturer Huawei Technologies Co [HWT. UL] announced on Thursday that two of its phones will soon work with Daydream View, a VR headset released last year

by Google. Meanwhile, Taiwanese manufacturer AsusTek Computer Inc announced that its ZenFone AR will support

Amit Singh, vice president of Google business operations virtual reality and augmented reality speaks during the Huawei keynote address at CES in Las Vegas, January 5, 2017. REUTERS/Rick Wilking

both Daydream and Google’s Tango software for AR, in which computer-generated content is overlaid on the real world.

While the announcements expand the line-up of participating phones, Google still has much to do to take its technology to the masses, said analyst Jan Dawson of Jackdaw Research, noting that Samsung Electronics Co, the largest Android manufacturer, has yet to sign on.

“Google’s ecosystem for both AR and VR is in the very early days,” he said.

As growth in the global smartphone market shows signs of slowing, some manufacturers are voicing optimism that AR and VR will revive consumer enthusiasm.

“This is the next wave of technology that is really going to get consumers excited about smartphones,” Erik Hermanson, Asus’s head of marketing for mobile products, said at the show.

But mainstream consumer interest in the technology remains largely unproven. Apps might be expected to stimulate demand, but until Google’s technology is available on a wider range of phones, it will be tough to persuade developers to build for the platform, analysts said.

“We are waiting for app developers to really use the platform for what it’s for,” Amit Singh, a vice president for VR at Google, told reporters.

In addition to supporting Daydream, Huawei said that it is exploring opportunities for Tango with Google. The Asus phone became the first to support both technologies.

Google has stressed that the programs do not overlap for now, but by pursuing both, the company can position itself for success regardless of whether AR or VR becomes a mainstream hit.

“By having options for both, they can cover the full potential market,” said analyst Bob O’Donnell of TECHnalysis Research.

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such, their gradually contracting international business could no longer subsidise the landline rates and so the landline rates have to be increased.

The GCA in addition to pointing out that every telephone operator in every country in the world is faced with the same challenge, has met the challenge by skillful management and up-grading their technology and has not surcharged customers.

Most important, the GCA has shown that the landline is lucrative in its total earnings but these earnings have never been credited to the landline. If its earnings were credited to the landline, the landline would be self-sustaining for many years to come. In its filing with the PUC, GCA has identified some of these sources of income owed to the landline, but we could not list them in the interest of space of this article. However, we give an example of one such earning: GTT uses the landline's fibre optic and copper lines to transmit cellular and internet traffic but the landline has received no rental for this which we estimate to be US$1.5 to US$2. millions per annum.

GTT tries to prove its case by hiring foreign consultants instead of having proper Accounts. If GTT had proper disaggregated and segmentalised accounts, whatever position they wished to have taken would be transparent and acceptable. But GTT, for its own reasons, have been fiercely resisting having disaggregated and segmentalised Accounts which every big public company in Guyana has.

It is well-known that companies choose consultants who are sympathetic to them. The GTT consultants use "models" to prove the case they are making. "Models" imitate reality, they are not reality and invariably produce conclusions based on the data fed into them. Proper accounts would have avoided the excursions into consultants, models and other such activities. The next PUC Hearing into this matter would take place on 16th January at 10.00a.m.at the PUC's office and interested members of the public are invited.

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English 2017-01-08

STUDY SUCCESS Dear Student, Now that you are more conscious about various ways of developing a paragraph, you should be able to tell study partners that methods of paragraph development are patterns of organisation used by writers to organise their ideas about a topic. Also, you should be able to add that good paragraphs follow a fairly definite kind of development, which depend on their writers and purposes for writing. Surely, an understanding of paragraph patterns will help you organise your ideas and get you writing more quickly.

Be wise.

Love you.

THE PARAGRAPH Paragraph by explanation of cause I left the woods for as good a reason as I went there. Perhaps it seemed to me that I had several more lives to live, and could not spare any more time for that one. It is remarkable how easily and insensibly we fall into a particular route, and make a beaten track for ourselves. I had not lived there a week before my feet wore a path from my door to the pondside; and though it is five or six years since I trod it, it is still quite distinct. It is true, I fear, that others may have fallen into it, and so helped to keep it open. The surface of the earth is soft and impressible by the feet of men; and so with the paths which the mind travels. How worn and dusty, then, must be the highways of the world – how deep the ruts of tradition and conformity! I did not wish to take a cabin passage, but rather to go before the mast and on the deck of the world, for there I could best see the moonlight amid the mountains.

I do not wish to go below now.

- THOREAU

you are asked to deal with either causes or effects. Before you start writing, however, you should be clear on whether you will be dealing with causes and not effects. Most often, we examine causes so that we can learn how to prevent things from happening again.

Something to Do Do a good bit of research on child abuse before you attempt to write a paragraph or short essay on the causes of it. Read it in the presence of your study partners for their comments.

COMPREHENSION Drinking and bike riding are a dangerous mix Riding a bicycle under the influence of alcohol increases a person’s risk for serious injury or death, Maryland researchers have found.

Among cyclists ages 15 or older who were killed or seriously injured in Maryland from 1985 to 1997, 13 per cent had blood alcohol levels that were equal to or greater than 0.02 grams/dĕciliter (g/dL), the amount of alcohol from about one drink. In comparison, this level of alcohol in the blood was seen in only three percent of cyclists tested

Chronicle Pepperpot January 8, 2017

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

You daren’t handle high explosives; but you’re all ready to handle honesty and truth and justice and the whole duty of man, and kill one another at that game.

GEORGE BERNARD SHAW (1856-1950), Major Barbara (1907), Act III

at random, according to researchers led by Dr. Guohua Li of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore.

Currently, US states vary on their definitions of legal intoxication, ranging from a blood alcohol level of 0.08 g/dL to 0.10 g/dL. “Alcohol use while bicycle riding is associated with a substantially increased risk of fatal or serious injury,” write Li and colleagues in February 21st issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

In the study, the researchers evaluated reported deaths and serious injuries among 124 bicycle riders. They compared these cases with a control group of 342 bicycle riders who were stopped and interviewed and had their blood alcohol levels measured.

The researchers found that riders with a blood alcohol level of 0.02 g/dL or greater were nearly six times more likely to die or be seriously injured, while the risk for those with a blood sugar level of 0.08 g/dL or greater jumped 20-fold. In addition, Li’s team found “that bicyclists with a positive (blood alcohol level) are less likely than other bicyclists to be wearing safety helmet.”

Previous reports on the subject have found in about eight per cent of people

treated in emergency departments for bicycle injuries, in 16 per cent of adults admitted to hospitals, and in 32 per cent of those who died, the researchers noted.

“Each year,” according to Li’s team, “more than half a million people are treated in emergency departments and 20,000 are admitted to hospitals for bicycling injuries.”

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) What to Do Evaluate the above passage by answering the questions that follow: 1. Is the subject one that the writer seems to know something about? From what did he garner his information? What can you call this kind of writing?

2. Is the author’s purpose clear?

3. Does the phrasing of his language reflect truth, or does he just use known phrases and ideas?

4. Is the report well planned? Is the sequence of facts clear and logical? Does it have unity, coherence, and emphasis?

5. Does the writing arouse your interest?

How could it cause you to respond?

6. Are specific, forceful words and phrases used?

7. Make a statement on sentence variety.

8. Is the division into paragraphs helpful and effective?

GOOD WRITING Consistency in writing Read the sentences, and then make them into consistent ones.

1. Go to number eleven, and then you stay in that box for four minutes.

2. The great parade entered the city square with the people marching, and all its sections were alert.

3. Eating at this hour is to show discourtesy to both kitchen staff and management.

4. They were pleased at seeing the uniforms and decide to promote the band leader on the spot.

5. The manager sent the recommendation by mail instead of runner.

6. One can usually get 10” bolts at the Great Store down Regent Street.

7. Sadie faced the choice of enrolling at the Bible School or to take a job.

About paragraph by explanation of cause The paragraph of explanation gives the reasons (causes) why something happened.

The causes of pollution, divorce, heart disease, anorexia, domestic violence, child abuse, etc., can be identified and presented so that the reader gains a better knowledge of how the causes brought about certain results.

Generally, in a paragraph or short essay,

Amazing Facts

Chronicle Pepperpot January 8, 2017

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Bollywood Movie Review STORY: A middle-aged electrician is smitten by a diva who comes to live in his society. He wants to marry her, but his orthodox mentality comes in his way.

Will he overcome his hang-ups to marry the love of his life?

REVIEW: When a movie has a character actor like Hemant Pandey (Pandeyji of Office Office fame) as its leading man, you expect the story to be something special, especially when the film is marketed as a slice-of-life comedy.

But Prakash Electronic packs too much – melodrama, a message and suspense in a movie that is an hour too long.

An orphan, our protagonist Prakash is conned out of the property his parents left him by his sister and brother-in-law. An introvert by nature, butt an overall nice guy, he grows up to be a moderately successful electrician and

Prakash Electronic does pro bono repair work for neighbours.

A pretty girl, Barkha (Hrishita Bhatt), rents a house in his building and he is smitten and

wants to marry her. There’s only one problem here. No, it’s not that Barkha is way out of his league. Just that Barkha is an aspiring

actress and Prakash doesn’t like people who work in films. According to him, “Film industry waali ladkiyan aise waise kaam karti hain.”

In a film that tries to dispel the myth that all actresses take the casting couch route to stardom, it’s surprising that Prakash doubts her character on more than one occasion. Interestingly, the only word beeped out in the film is ‘item’, which is how most of the characters refer to Barkha. Still, misogyny is not the weakest point in the film. As a viewer, you’re cheated of a twist concerning Prakash’s romantic life, which could have been fun to watch. It does have a handful of funny scenes, but you have to wait for the jokes through cringe-inducing melodrama.

Prakash Electronic itself is in serious need of repair on its script, music and jokes.

Entertainment

Trump blasts 'Apprentice' ratings; Schwarzenegger cites Lincoln from Lincoln's inaugural address in 1861, about bringing Americans together, saying he hoped it would serve as an inspiration.

"We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies," the quote begins.

Some 20 million Americans were regular watchers of "The Apprentice" in the show's first year, falling to around 6 million in 2015 for the last episode of "The Celebrity Apprentice" hosted by Trump.

Executive Producer and host Donald Trump (C) speaks about the NBC television show 'The Celebrity Apprentice' during the TCA presentations in Pasadena, California, January 16, 2015. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Friday mocked his "Apprentice" successor Arnold Schwarzenegger over ratings for the TV show, sparking a Twitter fight between America's two biggest celebrities-turned-politicians.

Former action movie star Schwarzenegger responded by suggesting that Trump turn his attention to his work as the nation's new president. He quoted Civil War-era President Abraham Lincoln in advising Trump.

Trump, who became a household name as the tough host of "The Apprentice" and sister show "The Celebrity Apprentice" for 14 seasons, slammed a 43 percent fall in the 18-to-49-year-old audience for the new TV show hosted by Schwarzenegger, which premiered on NBC earlier this week.

"Wow, the ratings are in and Arnold Schwarzenegger got 'swamped' (or destroyed) by comparison to the ratings machine, DJT," tweeted Trump, who controversially retains an executive producer credit on the reality show.

"So much for being a movie star - and that was season 1 compared to season 14. Now compare him to my season 1," he added.

Schwarzenegger, a Republican who served two terms as California governor but who has said he did not vote for Trump, responded swiftly.

"I wish you the best of luck and I hope you'll work for ALL of the American people as aggressively as you worked for your ratings," the "Terminator" actor tweeted.

He then asked Trump to study a quote

The TV audience for Monday's revamped show with Schwarzenegger in the boardroom was 11 million, with a larger, 43 percent, drop-off in the 18-49-year-old demographic coveted by advertisers compared with the show's last premiere in 2015, Nielsen data showed.

Trump will be inaugurated as U.S. president on Jan 20.

Banana Bread Ingredients • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour • 1 teaspoon baking soda • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1 cup white sugar

• • • •

Directions 1. Grease and flour two 7x3 inch loaf pans. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. In one bowl, whisk together flour, soda, salt, and sugar. Mix in slightly beaten eggs,

melted butter, and mashed bananas. Stir in nuts if desired. Pour into prepared pans.

3. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour, or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

2 eggs, beaten 1/4 cup butter, melted 3 bananas, mashed Add all ingredients to list