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Chronicle Pepperpot January 10, 2016
Thinking & Writing: English or Guyanese? “Magically greased, out of the locks and chains of definitions, slips the personal I...I, too, chase my dream, wrestle with it, give it shape, but seldom taste it...” – Julian Mayfield
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long time ago, on a late afternoon at Yukuriba Falls while sitting on the verandah of my cabin with photographer Ken Moore (he has since joined the ancestors) we perceived a perfect metaphor for ignorance; not only because its concept is based on an experience etched in living colour on my Yukuriba Heights canvas. On that occasion Ken had spent an entire weekend with me, from Saturday morning on to Sunday afternoon, so I could deliver to Cork Smith, my editor at Ticknor & Fields, US publishers of my novel Clarise Cumberbatch Want To Go Home, “photos of you in your rainforest environment.” Ken Moore marched me first downhill, into the belly of the Essequibo River below Yukuriba Heights, where we rambled through congregations of boulders that cause Yukuriba Falls’ rapids in the high-water season. He settled me on a “throne of rock” to snap the shot the US publishers would choose for the book’s back cover; then led me uphill again, into the cornfields on a nature walk in the forest, constantly clicking away. Finally, when we’d retired to my veranda looking out on the Yukuriba vista, I asked: “Would you believe there’re mountains out there?” “Where,” the photographer snapped, “must be in your writer’s imagination, ‘cause you not going to find a mountain in any one of the pictures I took here this weekend.” “But that’s only because the mist never lifted from over the mountains all weekend you were here,” I told him. But Ken Moore just could not believe until I dug up this picture with the Akaiwanna Mountains resplendent in full colour to prove my point. “Oh my God, I didn’t know,” he declared over and over gaping, staring at the view from Yukuriba Heights (devoid of mountains) that he’d been photographing all weekend, examining the reality shot he held in his hand; a picture of the constant Akaiwanna Mountains that boast a remarkable thumbs up peak, like a victory sign hovering over the forest environment. It’s called One Finger Mountain. Because those mountains were shrouded in mystery all that weekend he spent at Yukuriba Heights, Ken Moore had no idea. That, we agreed, was a metaphor for ignorance. THE MIST OVER THE MOUNTAIN In a recent Stabroek News letter entitled “When Will Guyanese Uphold Their Language Rights? Charlene Wilkinson poses a question that needs to be addressed urgently. It’s a question that conjures up that dense fog of ignorance like the mist over the mountain representing the dilemma we face in the teaching of English to Guyanese children. There can be no better time than now, at the dawn of 2016, heralding a new era, fifty years since we began to “emancipate our minds from mental slavery” as Brother Bob Marley urged, for us to begin inspiring some serious thinking on this subject. Guyana’s children should ► Continued on page VIII
65-year-old seeks help to walk again
Chronicle Pepperpot January 10, 2016
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- Has been hospitalised for a year following an accident - Was struck down while waiting to buy newspapers - Has no relatives to take care of him
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By Shirley Thomas t is said that “Justice delayed is justice denied.” And indeed, for 65-year-old Brian Aubrey Devine, languishing on hospital bed for more than one year after suffering debilitating injuries in a fatal accident on Cemetery Road, East La Penitence on January 1, 2015, nothing could be truer. That accident also claimed the life of his friend, George Baker, of Freeman St. East La Penitence. Following the accident and during his year-long travail, Devine claims he never once saw the man who struck them down. “I tell you, I can hardly bear this pain – is night and day. But despite what I going through, the driver never even sent a bottle of water for me, let alone come and see me. It’s like you hit a dog and never look back.” He said to compound the grief he has heard nothing from the police.
difficulty reaching the top of the cupboard to take down his meals whenever he has to. The pains that had long left him have now returned and he groans night and day for pains in his right leg. He is however, grateful to the doctors and nursing staff
“All in all, I think that I would one day be able to walk again, but I can’t do it on my own. Would somebody help me please?
EXERCISE OF FAITH For the first few months following admission to hospital, even though seriously injured, Devine was generally referred to, even by doctors, as being “rather strong” to even survive the accident, let alone endure the pains associated with his injuries. Over time, he has been in and out of theatre for some surgery or the other. Eventually his left hand became paralyzed so that he is now unable to use it. He therefore has
Brian Aubrey Devine
of the institution, who, even after he had been officially discharged, have continued to treat, manage his condition and accommodate him, because he has no one to care for him. The medical staff at the hospital continue to be quite patient with Mr. Devine, but he has now run out of finances to meet his personal needs and that is taking a toll on him psychologically. POLICE FEED BACK One year after the accident, just as the beleaguered Devine is beginning to throw up his hands in despair, he has received word from the police who have advised that the motorist, Roger Bess of Cummings Street, Georgetown,
Brian Aubrey Devine on hospital bed. He mostly uses old towels to cover himself, since he has no one to take clothes for him.
has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving and is before the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court. INJURIES SUSTAINED Tragedy struck on January 1,2015 as Devine and Barker were standing outside a fruit stand on Cemetery Road, East La Penitence, waiting to buy copies of the daily newspapers. Around 6:30 hrs, an out-of-control car hit a speed hump, crashed into the fruit stand, brought it down, them ploughed into the tow, sweeping them off their feet. The car came to a halt after it had ended up in a nearby drain. The badly injured men were picked up by public-spirited persons and rushed to hospital. Moments later, Baker who was pinned under the car, died on his way to hospital. Devine arrived at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) alive, but almost crippled. He suffered severe injuries which included: broken ribs; both legs broken; severe injuries to head and eyes; spinal injuries and a paralyzed left hand. In addition, a cut on his right leg has been sutured with 30 clamps to assist in the healing process, while his left hand is now paralysed. He spent the anniversary of his accident prayerfully. “I asked God to bring me back on my two feet again,” he told the Guyana Chronicle. Asked how would he react if that were to happen sometime soon, he replied, “What, I would shout (rejoice)! That would be the best day for me.” Throughout his period of hospitalization, the patient has never gotten out of bed and he is now expressing the view that if he gets two persons to prop him up and hold either hands he can probably learn to walk again. Devine has one sister who is about 72 and his nephew in his 30s who previously visited and cared for him is probably out of the country at this time. “All in all, I think that I would one day be able to walk again, but I can’t do it on my own. Would somebody help me please?
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Chronicle Pepperpot January 10, 2016
2015 in review
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t is that time of the year when we take stock, sometimes merely naming the best of the year in various fields of human endeavour and oftentimes giving out awards. At this time of the year, every which way you turn, on every form of the media, you will encounter such agendas. In the field of Guyanese Literature, there are many things in which we can take pride and shout aloud. But for now we would just take a peek at one issue - some books that surfaced in 2015. (In part two, I will attempt to capture the literary scenario of 2015).
Books that surfaced in 2015 FICTION “A Dip at the Sangam” by Rueben Lachmansingh is a “work of historical fiction about the abduction of the protagonist, Raja, from his Indian home and wife, his transportation to the cane fields of Guyana, his experiences and success in Guyana and his eventual return to India.” “Johnson’s Dictionary” by David Dabydeen* - ‘This novel depicts and juxtaposes, in Dabydeen's richly textured and sensuous prose, the two worlds of 18th century London and British Guyana (Demerara). It also contains several echoes of previous Dabydeen literary and scholarly works that depict the 18th century: William Hogarth, William Turner, Samuel Johnson...Adam Smith...The novel transforms past and present into the sensuous, imaginative world(s) of the author and is a tour de force of Imperial will, art, literature and human sensuality- a compelling read’. “The last ship” by Jan Lowe Shinebourne – “A historically and culturally important novel about three generations of a Chinese family in Guyana. The physical conditions, the family myths and the invented traditions are powerfully evoked in a
simple and direct language.” “All decent animals” by Oonya Kempadoo “is about a variety of characters and interests woven into the complex fabric of Trinidadian life and culture--prominently including Carnival. The language is rich and sensuous and will remind readers of their pleasure in the earlier Kempadoo novels, Buxton Spice and Tide Running.” “Halfway tree” by Roy Brummell is a novel about a tree at Perseverance Village which is said to be half way between Georgetown and Rosignol. Brummell “skillfully weaves strands of Guyanese folk beliefs, proverbs, ethnic relations, and history’ into an entertaining story.” “Small fortune of Doreathea Q” by Sharon Maas is a novel about three generations of women – a grandmother, a mother and a granddaughter waiting to exhale, to offload a burden, to ‘sort out some unresolved matters, end their cold war’ and make peace while doing battle among themselves with a hardness of pride eating away at their relationships.” “Sunday’s Child” by Anne Lyken-Garner deals with real contemporary issues affecting the child and offers solutions. Offering of solution is what makes this “memoir” stand out as a remarkable book – engaging, inspiring and empowering. “Death in the family” by Ryhaan Shah is a novel that looks at family relationships played out when the family “gathers for the religious rites and burial and recall the troubled relationship… death becomes a transformative event that leads them to renew their familial ties.”
POETRY “60 years of loving by Maggie Harris”* - “This is Harris's sixth collection of poetry and it evokes her 60 years of life in Guyana and the UK. These 74 richly textured, mature and celebratory poems sparkle and impress with a language that resonates with original imagery and insight.”
(Part one)
“Love in the time of technology” by Sasenarine Persaud is a “fine collection of brief, succinct poems. The imagery is emotionally charged and reverberates with cultural memories: the references to the language, traditions and cultures of India are particularly poignant and interesting.” “The Hinterlands” by Stanley Niamatali* is a “wonderful debut collection of poems centered around the author's haunting memories of life on a sawmill in the Berbice river. The poet, now living in the US, straddles two cultures and his poems depict and question the values of both.” “Rasta lyrics” by Cedric Castello is a “first collection by a Rastafarian teacher/singer/songwriter: these rich and very readable poems range over the author's many interests and activities and celebrate Rastafarianism and its founder, Haile Selassie I.” “God’s spider” by Cyril Dabydeen is a “collection of carefully-wrought and polished poems that celebrate the many places and cultures that have shaped the poet's consciousness--including his native Guyana, Canada (where he now lives) and India. These physical/mental/cultural landscapes breathe extraordinary life and feeling into the poems.” “River Dancer” by Ian McDonald is the author’s sixth collection where “the poems describe a full range of his experiences of love, sadness, family, ordinary people and their troubles and triumphs, the places he has known and loved and above all his wife’s garden and the great Essequibo river…the daily wonders of his long life.” “A bouquet of flowers” by Robert Laljee is an anthology of poems spanning over four generations of Guyanese writers including ‘the most acclaimed poets of the early generation, poets that came after them and of the new emerging generation’. MANUSCRIPTS Manuscripts also made onto my list like the following entries submitted to the Guyana Prize for Literature and to the Burt Award for Caribbean Literature. “Desperate for Relevance”* by Harold Bascom is an “interesting drama script in which most of the characters are dead Caribbean writers. Funny in parts, it is also in parts a sad and poignant commentary on the plight of our writers and societies...The writing makes the reader long to see it powerfully enacted on the local stage.” “New York, New York” by Milton Bruce’ is a “carefully contrived and interesting play about the lives, the dreams and the disappointments of Guyanese immigrants in New York.” “Rebelle and Other Stories”* by Subraj Singh is a “first collection of wonderfully written short stories, rich with the flavour, culture and folklore of coastal Guyana.” “Dancehall Lyrics: Top of the Charts” by Keisha McCammon is a “fast-moving contemporary work of fiction centered on a much-acclaimed Dancehall singer, Aaron Mills (known as A.M.). The fiction casts interesting light on the Dancehall music scene in Guyana.” “Children of the Spider” by Imam Baksh won the 2015 Burt Award for Caribbean Literature. Of course, for the year 2015, there may be many other publications by Guyanese writers and many other books on Guyana, some have not come to my attention and I hasten to say this is not a sin of omission. *entries that won the Guyana Prize in various categories.
Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com
Chronicle Pepperpot January 10, 2016
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No place for performance art
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By Dominique Hunter
he headline should actually read “No place for performance art or any kind of new media art in Guyana” because let’s face it, that is the unfortunate reality of art in this microscopic Earth pocket that we call home. Too soon into the New Year to hop back onto the wagon of despair? Perhaps. But with the season of merriment coming to a swift end, and an upcoming year of much anticipated “cultural extravaganza,” there is no time like the present for us to pause and consider all the ways we have failed artists and art lovers alike in this our dear land of Guyana. Why now, you ask? Well, the answer is quite simple. Last week’s article about the work of Guyanese born New York-based performance artist Damali Abrams inadvertently exposed a number of flaws in the way art is being taught and practiced here in Guyana. It set into motion a chain of thoughts that ultimately led me to the belief that our reluctance to acknowledge the value of art forms that deviate from the traditional canon of art history is perhaps less about personal preferences and more about institutionalized thinking within our school system. For years Guyanese have been brainwashed into believing that it had to be pretty to be considered art and that the deal breaker is always, “But does it go with my living room chairs?” This is where I insert my earnest plea for patrons to desist from buying art simply because it matches their chair set and makes the cushions “pop.” Please stop. The artwork should stand out on its own, not disappear into a sea of highly questionable prints and dusty artificial floral arrangements. Selecting a work of art that will be permanently housed in a space in your home should not be likened to choosing complimentary colour swatches from Torginol Paints. Having said that, in the spirit of celebrating the newness of 2016, let us take a moment to be completely honest with ourselves. As an independent visual artist, I’ve been in the belly of many an ugly and incredibly mangled beast. I can
Dominique Hunter is an independent visual artist who recently graduated from the Barbados Community College with a Bachelor of Fine Art (First Class Honours).
say with certainty that every single educational institution in Guyana is broken. I don’t care that we now have students successfully writing 20 CXC subjects. More than likely there would’ve been at least one art related subject thrown in there to help make up the numbers because art is super easy and your baby niece could do it, right? Cue the outrage. While it’s an impressive accomplishment, an average of 20 CXCs per student does nothing to fix this flawed education system. The fact remains that a working system would not require students to attend lessons to supplement more lessons to then supplement the work actually done in the classroom. A working system would require high school art students to produce more than a still life composition of four glass bottles or an abstract interpretation of the best day of their life. Where is the challenge? These are children that have figured out how to unlock their parents’ phone and download cartoons before they learned how to ride a tricycle. And yet we wonder why art isn’t being taken seriously. Art is not taught to be taken seriously. Years ago French and Spanish were introduced at the primary levels in schools but today critical thinking courses, concept development and art theory are noticeably absent at the secondary levels.
The way studio art and art theory is being introduced to students needs to be revamped without question. And this is not to cast the blame on teachers by any means. They are required to follow a fixed syllabus. But it is this tired and outdated syllabus that needs to be overhauled. Its content and the manner in which the material is being taught in school needs to reflect the world we now live in. Students need to be taught that there are options available to them that do not include well-executed landscape paintings or portrait drawings. There needs to be space for students to engage with technology, new media and even social media as legitimate vehicles for expressing creative ideas and critically engaging with audiences. This would hopefully go a long way to diminish the tendency of students to pursue art simply because it’s an easy A. And if we can shift their thinking as students then perhaps there will be hope for those who choose to pursue art as well as those who choose to pursue something entirely different but would’ve had a solid enough foundation to appreciate art in all its forms, old and new.
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Chronicle Pepperpot January 10, 2016
Getting help
Hey Everyone,
Last week I wrote about the importance of identifying and accepting a problem. There will never be any solution without this. This week I will get into where one can go for help after this important first step. If I’m being honest, there aren’t many drug treatment options available and those that are, are mostly situated in Georgetown. This means that the majority of our population is not afforded the opportunity to seek treatment. There are two main types of treatment available- inpatient and outpatient which means ‘live in’ or ‘at home’ treatment respectively. The options I’m going to discuss today are the Detox program at Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), Phoenix Recovery Project (PRP), the Salvation Army and Self- Help meetings. GPHC offers both inpatient and outpatient care. Dr. Bhiro Harry, Psychiatrist at GPHC, recently gave me a more detailed view at the process of admission. The person usually enters the Accident and Emergency Unit where numerous tests are done, based on the individual’s presentation – this can be anything from regular blood-work to x-rays. The results indicate whether the person should be admitted and where. This would either be the general ward or the psychiatric ward- depending on if the drug/alcohol use has caused any mental illness. If it hasn’t, the patient goes into the general The Psychiatric ward of the Georgetown Public Hospital ward and begins detox. This means the patient will now comAfter the detox, the patient becomes a member of the clinic and is treated as an outpatient pletely stop taking the drug and is given medication to avoid painful withdrawal symptoms. case from there on. This process can last days or weeks- depending on the individual. GPHC is a good, supported and free option for addicts. However, it is difficult to fully
recover from an alcohol/ drug addiction without long term inpatient care. There are two inpatient options which are Phoenix Recovery Project at 90 Block C Mon Repos (220-6825) and The Salvation Army Guyana at 6 Water Street Kingston (226-1235). The Phoenix Recovery Project accommodates both men and women for a 2 phase program. The first is a live- in 6-9 months stint while the second is the after -care phase and lasts on average 15-18 months. This means the client can live at home but still attend the classes offered, some of which are relapse prevention, disease concept and effective communication which encourage positive behavior changes. PRP has also housed Guyanese from all 10 regions and foreigners. PRP is also in the finishing stages of constructing their half way house for phase 2 treatment which means clients have another means of effectively reintegrating into society with supervision. The cost for the 6-9 month treatment is $60,000GYD per month The Salvation Army is a men’s only facility where the average stay is 6 months. They also offer classes such as anger management, building self- esteem, group therapy and individual counseling. The cost for this is $50,000GYD per month After/ during inpatient or outpatient care, self help meetings are vital for recovery. Examples of these are Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and Cocaine Anonymous which are there for recovering addicts to offer support to one another. Many of these happen throughout Georgetown and below are a list of the locations, days and times. Location: Phoenix Recovery Project:
► Contiuned on page VII
Chronicle Pepperpot January 10, 2016
Getting help
► From page VI
VII Sundays- Narcotics Anonymous at 6:30pm- 8pm Tuesdays - Cocaine Anonymous at 6:30pm-8pm Thursdays - Alcoholics Anonymous at 6:30pm -8pm Location: Brickdam Cathedral’s Life Centre: Tuesdays- Alcoholics Anonymous at 7:30-9pm Sundays- Alcoholics Anonymous- 6:30- 8pm Fridays- Alcoholics Anonymous- 6:30- 8pm Please note that Fridays at Brickdam are Open meetings, which means any one, whether they are an alcoholic or not, can attend. Tuesdays and Sundays are strictly for alcoholics, current and/or recovering. Redeemer Lutheran Church: Mondays- Alcoholics Anonymous- 6:30- 8pm Wednesdays- Alcoholics Anonymous- 6:30- 8pm Calvary Lutheran Church: Saturdays- Alcoholics Anonymous- 9:30am – 10:30am If you believe you have a problem and live in more remote areas, please go to the nearest health centre. They will do screening and identify your specific needs and refer you to other places such as the aforementioned. Finally, for those who feel the need for immediate support, please reach out to the Guyana Suicide Prevention Helpline. It is open 24 hours and takes no holiday. Please do not be afraid to reach out and seek help. Next week I will talk about a different kind of acceptance – self acceptance and love during recovery. This is important to remain abstinent and being happy while doing so. Say yes to life and no to drugs! Always!
The Phoenix Recovery Programme centre
Suicide Prevention Helpline numbers: 223-0001, 223-0009, 623-4444, 600-7896 ****************************** Keep writing in at caitlinvieira@gmail.com or drop it off in the box at Chronicle Head office on Lama Avenue.
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Chronicle Pepperpot January 10, 2016
Thinking & Writing ... ► From page II be encouraged to express themselves in the language they use in their homes, their playgrounds and their classrooms – in sum they should be free to communicate in their own Guyanese language in which they think. Though I agree with Brander Matthew’s notion that "language lives on the tongue and in the ear; there it was born and there it grows” this view should be complemented by the fact that language is conceived in the mind. Guyanese of my generation, born before our nation became independent, were taught to think in English by our British colonizers; most of us became consciously bi-lingual in thinking and expression, while others remained locked into that old colonial value system - a fact which imposes opposition to communication in our own idiomatic Guyanese context and an alarming myopia about new approaches to the teaching of English. I believe that English should be taught as a foreign language for students to effectively grasp the connection between how they think and speak in everyday life at home, in playgrounds and classrooms, and what they must write to satisfy CXC and other English examination requirements. This approach requires a paradigm shift not only in the Teaching of English, but education methodologies in general. This emancipation of the Guyanese imagination, especially that of our children - our youth - will be the genesis, the first step, in creating a truly national consciousness, defining the soul of Guyana’s independence.
In my metaphor for ignorance, the mist shrouded this view of the Akaiwanna Mountains from Yukuriba Heights, the hill above the falls.
It’s the view expressed in this extract from a piece I wrote before May 11, 2015, with great expectations of/from a change of government. YUKURIBA CREATIVE FARMING COMMUNITY; DREAM FOR GUYANA’S CHILDREN “I too, have a dream, my dream is for Guyana, especially for Guyana’s children, that one day soon after the (May 11 Elections) the floodgates damning the creative energy in our communities will be released; that we will see active vibrant children in schoolrooms, on playgrounds and on stages everywhere, giving new meaning to education; first learning to think through uses of the imagination before their exposure to academic discipline. My dream is for Guyana’s young minds to be stimulated by an understanding of both the significance and value of national patrimony with encouragement to create images of their future (ten, twenty years from now) in the place, the space they hope to be, doing what they have been dreaming of so long ago – …is a leaf is a tree is a greenheart silviculture spree… ...is unilateral pharmaceutical and other collateral – we got a notion that a portion belongs to we… (Excerpt from Playscript; TINGALINGALING SCHOOLBELL RING; D BUSH TUN RAIN-FOREST) In my dream the children make their way from day to day to that vision of a future they themselves have etched on their horizon; eager to wake up every morning to continue the journey there; finding joy and fun in the experience of some new approaches to education; developing scripts and role playing skits; video movies and documentaries and reality TV series; theatrical presentations through experimental drama such as spontaneous street theatre and conceivably, endless other creative strategies.” For a writer taught to think in English, consciously bi-lingual, yet not possessing the academic skill of a linguist, “Connecting Mind, Research, and Everyday Experience” presents a challenge to communicate the phonetics of the Guyanese idiom, especially when creating fiction. This is where the “tongue” of her character(s) is conveyed through the writer’s “ear”; thus the character’s mind is populated to inform the narrative in a convergence that consequently, the reader will believe. ‘Free as a Bird” is one such narrative in the Guyanese vernacular completed (like the novel “Clarise Cumberbatch Want To Go Home’), during my sojourn at Yukuriba Falls. It draws heavily on my own philosophy that birds were not meant to be caged, and benefits from my research and everyday experience as well as a story told by an itinerant pork-knocker who stopped by to share. Next week: ‘FREE AS A BIRD’
Clarise Cumberbatch Want to Go Home: Publishers chose this Ken more photo for the back cover of the book.
Harvesting in Yukuriba cornfields with young Andre McCoy.
Chronicle Pepperpot January 10, 2016
WHAT IF DRONES COULD CARRY PEOPLE?
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rones are currently best at carrying cameras for recording (sometimes-illicit) videos of sunsets, special events, sporting events, etc. But what if drones could carry people, too? That apparently simple question seems to have been answered, at least hypothetically, by the Chinese drone maker Ehang- which has unveiled what it claims is the world's first autonomous helicopter drone. The Ehang 184 is a 440-pound, eight-rotor aircraft which the company claims is able to lift a single person 500 metres into the air and fly them to any point on Google Maps, avoiding objects automatically and safely handling take-off and landing (as long as it can be reached within the 23 minutes battery limit). Google is also attempting to develop new communications standards to form the backbone of the system. Someone will eventually build a working human-carrying drone, even if it proves Ehang are slightly more confident about the 184, in January 2016, than they should be.
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SMART SHOWER FLASHES WHEN YOU'VE USED TOO MUCH WATER
smart shower head that flashes red when someone uses too much water is aiming to make people think seriously about water conservation. Developed by French firm Start & Blue, Hydrao has built-in LED lights that change colour as more and more water is used. Once a 50 litre limit has passed it flashes red to suggest it might be time to get out of the shower. The system works with a companion app, available for iOS and Android, to let users track water use over time with further options to change the water consumption threshold and what colour the shower head flashes. The first generation, which sold around 1,000 units, reduced water use by an average of 25 percent, according to the company.
SAMSUNG SMART FRIDGE TELLS YOU WHAT TO BUY
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orget making a list for the grocery store. Now all you need to do is pull up a photo on your phone that your refrigerator sent you showing all its contents. Yes, that's right. Your new Samsung Family Hub Refrigerator just sent you a picture of what's on its shelves, confirming that you do indeed need milk. Samsung's latest and flashiest appliance has more bells and whistles than some mobile devices. The G$1,000,000 fridge comes with three cameras hidden inside to take photos of all the foodstuffs on its shelves. Samsung has some reason for concern. The South Korean company, like many other tech giants, is making a big push in the market around Internet of Things, where everything from washing machines to TVs use sensors and other technologies to connect to the Web. If it's up to the tech industry, pretty soon every appliance and gadget you buy will be smart. Microsoft to end support for Internet Explorer 8, 9 and 10 next week Microsoft has announced that it'll end support for The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the ever-growing older versions of Internet Explorer beginning next network of physical objects that feature an IP address for week. Here's everything you need to know in the event internet connectivity, you're running a legacy version of Microsoft's web browser. and the communicaFrom January 12, 2016, only the most current version of Internet Explorer available for a supported tion that occurs beoperating system will continue to receive security updates and technical support. Internet Explorer 11 is the tween these objects latest version of Microsoft's browser for Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 and thus, will be the only and other Internet-enversion to continue to receive support. abled devices and In other words, if you're using Internet Explorer 8, Internet Explorer 9 or Internet Explorer 10, it's time systems. A network to move on to something a bit more modern. of physical objects or The only exception is Windows Vista users as Internet Explorer 9 is the most recent supported version "things" embedded with electronics, softof the browser. Vista will reach the end of its extended support phase in April 2017 at which time it'll join ware, sensors, and Windows XP on the unsupported list. network connectivity, Microsoft will issue an "end of life" upgrade notification as part of its January 12 cumulative security which enables these update that'll urge users to update their browser. Those that insist on sticking with their old version objects to collect and can modify a specific registry key to disable the upgrade notification. Instructions on how to do that exchange data. can be found over on Microsoft's support site.
Q & A of the week: WHAT IS THE INTERNET OF THINGS?
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Chronicle Pepperpot January 10, 2016
THE LURE OF THE INTERNET BECKONS THE TRAVELLING ARTIST TO SUCCUMB OR SURMOUNT
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y buddy Roderick Harry told me, when I went online driven by my children’s assignments, “Bro, going online is one thing, coming
off, another.” I shrugged my shoulders and proceeded to evolve with the rest of 21 century mankind, to do or die. As young men we all digested the novels of Cyril Hoskin writing under the name Lobsang Rampa. Well here we are today, astral travelling in the mundane world while sitting in a desk chair, and what a view. I soon realized that the internet is also the bazaar of the current modern man, and like all things human there are enchanted forests, mirages and quicksand. Now here comes the artist, eager and inspired by all that he’s seeing in this incredible garden of creative fruit. Off course, he is not alone. Every Tom, Dick and Harry is picking fruit, and he doesn’t see the legal wardens apprehend them, so he assumes its cool, the in thing. The problem is there are lots of things happening. The internet has opened the door to volumes of imagery, enticing artists, but it must be remembered that everything you see on the net belongs to somebody else in a world that’s unfriendly but presents a polite posture. It also has expanded the realm of critics; your work will be judged, and judged harshly as you dare undertake unfamiliar topics without the adequate research support. You will want to make a statement using social, historical or fantasy material that you may conclude to be obvious, but grab the chance to learn from a shared experience. In the 80’s I had penned a novel that my close friend and fellow artist Andrew Anderson advised me to illustrate, because of its Sci-Fi, historical nature. I had created this 23 page graphic story. I was still in training at the Walter Roth Museum, and had a great artistic relationship with the director Dr. Denis Williams, so I presented it to him. It was returned to me some days later, with the question: “Where do you want to take this
concept?” I eagerly replied. He looked at me and responded “all you know on these matters are through Hollywood, which means you know nothing, do something else now, you will need about twenty years in volumes of books before you do this properly.” And he was finished, I could have exploded and I cussed him behind his back for about a month. I’m doing that project now; thank God I didn’t do it then, he was so, so, on the ball. My initial concept and prop line was superficial. Had I done it then, I would
have fallen, even seriously cracked. Likewise with the artist today, the demand is evident. Plagiarize an existing Logo or paragraph from some book you fall in love with and it will be known; redo a concept or photograph because you’re gripped by loyalty to an expression or image - if that photo or artwork is in the public domain, Judges will disqualify you in any competition or if you grab attention and make ► Continued on page XI
Chronicle Pepperpot January 10, 2016
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THE LURE OF THE INTERNET ... ► From page X lots of money, the owner of the artwork will sue you. However, should you apply the mastery of your skill and capture the gist of whatever it may be, anatomy, facial expression or physical interpretation on your own terms, adding your mood, geography and timeline, then you have surmounted the critical trench warfare of artistic skirmishing. Regardless of how many artists paint or render the Kaieteur Falls, the Town Hall or the Berbice Ferry there are no violations unless specific adornments added are copied and reproduced. The artists of this age, unlike past craftsmen, have to READ MORE BOOKS if he/she is aiming for grand attention. Register your work, copyright by collection. The danger with the internet is that it can neutralize the inner perspective. All of Guyana’s top artists, those that inspired me and my peers were men and women who conducted intellectual and philosophical exchanges on where they stood on the worldview landscape. Hype has to be placed in perspective. For example, remember that items on the internet, from Wikipedia to Pinterest, are posted there by people who are subject to error and self-interest opinions, so verify all that is before you, after all; art is serious business. I want to give two examples on why keen examination of material is not a casual suggestion to just dismiss. Our Fort Nassau has an official circulated image. But if you can access the ‘Journal of the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology 10- 1995 and 12-1998’ you would recognise the debate on the legitimate image of Fort Nassau and the accompanying history, as presented by both the Dutchman, Martin van Wallenburg -1995 and by the contending response of our Anna Benjamin-1998, refuting his claim on descriptions of Fort Nassau. Both were guided by keen research; are we circulating the wrong image?. Many Publishing houses, to avoid unnecessary critique, post in there credits, or in captions, clarifications and corrections on supporting art work that they are using to interpret the content of their main articles. Thus their contracts with artists have become aggressive over the property of images, ownership rather than licensing. These are now accepted business practices in respect to the artist, so be careful with how you conduct your art business, because there’s wisdom in the proverb the more things change, the more they remain the same.
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Chronicle Pepperpot January 10, 2016
HOW MUCH WATER SHOULD WE DRINK DAILY? Do we really need 8 glasses a day?
The body the adult male human body is approximately 57% water. I’m sure we all have heard that the required amount of water the body needs daily to avoid dehydration and stay healthy. I’ve always found this very confusing. How can a person who like myself lose more water via exercise (perspiration) and someone who doesn’t exercise need the same amount of water? Also, how can you measure water in other forms such as fruits and juices? Let’s break down this myth that just wouldn’t go away! There is absolutely no evidence to back this up, and there never was. Water is present in fruits and vegetables. It’s in juice, it’s in beer, it’s even in tea and coffee. A significant number of advertisers and news media reports are trying to convince you otherwise. The number of people who carry around water each day seems to be larger every year. Bottled water sales continue to increase. Although I recommended water as the best beverage to consume, it’s certainly not your only source of hydration. You don’t have to consume all the water you need through drinks. You also don’t need to worry so much about never feeling thirsty. The human body is finely tuned to signal you to drink long before you are actually dehydrated. So where did the great water myth come from? It's generally believed that the source is a 1945 Food and Nutrition Board Recommendation that declared, "a suitable allowance of water for adults is 2.5 litres daily in most instances. An ordinary standard for diverse persons is 1 millilitre for each calorie of food. As you might have guessed, 2.5 litres more or less works out to be around eight glasses. But what's usually ignored from that report is the crucial next sentence: "Most of this quantity is contained in prepared foods." In fact, depending on your diet, there may be no reason to drink excess water at all. "Water is present in fruits and vegetables. It’s in juice, it’s in beer, it’s even in tea and coffee. Although I recommended water as the best beverage to consume, it’s certainly not your only source of hydration. You don’t have to consume all the water you need through drinks.” Before you object and tell me that coffee, tea, and alcohol dehydrate us, and therefore can't count towards our daily water intake, science has debunked that myth too. A 2002 review by physician Heinz Valtin from Dartmouth University in the US found that not only was there no peer-reviewed evidence to support the eight glasses a day rule, there was also no research to suggest that other drinks couldn't be used to adequately hydrate us. "This conclusion is supported by published studies showing that caffeinated drinks (and, to a lesser extent, mild alcoholic beverages like beer in moderation) may indeed be counted toward the daily total, as well as by the large body of published experiments that attest to the precision and effectiveness of the osmoregulatory system for maintaining water balance," Valtin concludes. In the same study, he also broke down the myth that by the time we feel thirsty it's 'too late'. In reality, we feel thirsty exactly when we're supposed to: "when the concentration of blood (an accurate indicator of our state of hydration) has risen by less than 2 percent," he says, "whereas most experts would define dehydration as beginning when that concentration has risen by at least 5 percent." Of course, it's worth noting here that these recommendations are for healthy people living pretty sedentary lifestyles in non-extreme temperatures. People living in hot climates, anyone who's exercising a lot or battling with an illness may very well need to drink eight glasses - or more - of water a day in order to alleviate their thirst. And that should be what it all comes down to, according to the research - drink more water when you feel thirsty. Take a bottle of water to work, school and gym but don't stress out about following some pre-prescribed formula to health, because all it's going to do is see you running to the bathroom more often than you need to and ain't nobody got time for that!
Noshavyah King (Certified Personal Trainer, aerobics instructor, Sports and Conditioning Coach and Zumba Instructor) Owner of Genesis Fitness Express Located at Transport Sports Club
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Woman who won lottery during divorce can keep it all - Dutch court (REUTERS) A woman who won a 2.1 million euro ($2.3 million) lottery prize during a divorce has no obligation to share it with her ex-husband, according to a Dutch court decision published on Tuesday. The Amsterdam District Court ruling said the couple had listed the shared assets they wished to divide at the time they filed for divorce on Oct. 20, 2014, though the divorce was not formally granted until June 2015. The woman won the Post Code Lottery on New Year's Day 2015. The man had argued that he and his estranged wife always played the lottery using shared household funds during their 30-year marriage, and it should be included in their divorce
Chronicle Pepperpot January 10, 2016
settlement. But the judge noted they had separated their finances at least four years earlier when he went to live with his new girlfriend. The woman paid for the winning ticket from her own bank account. "The above means that the prize won did not belong to their joint assets and that the court will hold the prize apart in its division of goods," the written decision said. The ruling was made on Dec. 23 and published Tuesday. The judge divided up the couple's other assets, which amounted to less than 10,000 euros in value.
Chronicle Pepperpot January 10, 2016
New Year, New Look, New Skin Care regimen
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hether you're a woma n , man, or child, reality is and will forever be that beauty is skin deep. Not everyone is blessed with flawless, anti-aging, anti-damaged skin. We can't all be superhuman! So thank God for skincare products that help us to be invincible.. A g o o d s k i n c a re routine can help fight against sun damage, harsh UVA/UVB rays, environmental elements, such as dust, grime, microbial bacteria, acne, blemishes, and dryness. It can replenish skin, and prevent further aging. After all, it takes less than eight seconds to judge someone, and that time is spent staring at the face. The face is the first thing people notice about you and leaves a lasting impression. You don't want to be known as the person with the huge zit. Be remembered as the person with amazing young fresh skin, or at least the illusion of it! Here are some vital tips: • For women (and men), before you can apply makeup daily, it's imperative that your skin is prepped properly for makeup. It should be clean, smooth and supple. That's always the best canvas to work with, because dry, flaky skin, just wouldn't hold makeup properly. • There are five basic steps for a good skin care routine that should always be followed: Cleanse, Exfoliate, Tone, Moisturise, and Protect. After you would've gently removed dead cells, be rid of bacteria, and evened your skin tone, you should always moisturize. The skin loses moisture every day and drinking water helps to hydrate internally, but the skin is exposed to external elements, and must be treated accordingly. Lack of moisture causes wrinkles, so always moisturize. • Did you know that your foundation is part of your skin care routine? It can adjust to your specific tone and skincare needs. Let's say you're oily skin type, your foundation should be able to provide a protective barrier and be able to adjust and balance your skin's oiliness to give a more matte appearance. • Knowing your skin type isn't as simple as Oily, Combination, Dry, and Normal. There is more to it; you must find out whether you are oily with dry patches, or if your dry skin has been stripped from extensive scrubbing and has become shiny as a result. Ask your dermatologists, or have a consultation with your cosmetologist or aesthetician to find out, what category or categories you fall under. • It's better to splurge on pricey skin care products than to risk buying cheap stuff that may cause more damage. In the long run, you pay less for the better products. Sample, your products first, then decide, avoid medicated products, unless recommended by a dermatologist. • The best way to reverse the signs of aging is to avoid aging in the first place. How? Start your anti-aging regime early, don't wait until you have wrinkles to prevent
it, no product can actually remove your wrinkles. Skin care companies are very particular with their branding, always claiming to “reverse the signs of aging" and "may reduce the appearance of wrinkles" no one says "this product will remove all damage to your skin." The products are good, but not that good. It will indeed prevent any new damage and replenish skin; it may reduce the chances of looking old and can prevent further breakouts. These products are made to be used when you are young and have little to no damage, if you want a young and fresh face, start taking care of your skin when you're young and fresh...the time is now.
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- John Abraham explains wh barber shop instead of a caree
By Telesha Ramnarine
O
“When you are a barber, you a a psychiatrist, everything! E deal with different people and peoples’ lives.”
N the sidelines of his studies at the University of Guyana (UG), John Abrahams did barbering to rake in a small income. But little did he know that he would eventually opt to pursue barbering above any other career that he could have secured in the “Communications” field. Today he is the proud owner of the popular “Bold Xpressions” barber shop at Lot 177 Charlotte Street, in Georgetown, which he has managed to establish on his own some three years ago. John, also known as Kevin and Junior, was born to John and Gloria Abrahams and raised at West Ruimveldt and Wortmanville, in the City. He attended St. Gabriel’s Nursery and Primary Schools before moving on to St. Josephs High. He worked briefly with the Lands and Surveys Commission and then enrolled at UG to do Communications. “I just wanted something to do so I went to UG, and barbering was like a part-time thing.” Although he has been working as a barber for some 15 years, he started cutting hair much earlier as a hobby and would practice mostly on the kids in his neighbourhood. “Barbering is something you develop with practice. It’s not just having the knowledge; the more you practice, the better you get,” he told Chronicle recently as he stood cutting a customer’s hair. Before deciding to open his own business, John worked with Clippers Barber Shop (now closed) and Barber Shack. Despite the negativity he dealt with from people who were not supportive, John pursued his dream and succeeded. Nothing could convince him that he couldn’t do it. “You have to be careful who you share your dreams with because not everyone around you is your friend. Some
people are just negative.” Furthermore, raising capital to begin posed a challenge and coming up with a high rent every month was also d i ff i c u l t , n o t to mention the competition he had to deal with. “But my w i f e ( Tr u d y ) was very instrumental in me having my own business be kept pushing me, along with m and pastor. If you have a dre careful who you share it wi believe it will happen and so it will. Once you have the be keep working hard, eventual will get it. SET APART
John believes that the thing his barber shop apart from oth he works with. Including him,
dreams
Chronicle Pepperpot January 10, 2016
hy he chose to run a er in communications
are a preacher, Every day you d get to impact ”
ecause she my mom eam, be ith. Just omeday elief and lly you
g that sets hers is the team of barbers that there are 12 barbers, along with
hair dressers and tattoo artistes. “Your team of barbers is what makes your shop exceptional. I have 12 barbers who have been in the business for over 10 years. We just had Clippers closing down and many of them came over here. So we have like 12 of the most senior barbers in Guyana. So that’s what sets us apart from the other shops. We have guys that are well established in the industry and we work together. We live like family and support each other.” Barbering, to John, is one of the most fun careers that one can pursue. You actually get paid to do what you love and have fun every day! “When you are a barber, you are a preacher, a psychiatrist, everything! Every day you deal with different people and get to impact peoples’ lives. You get to talk about a host of different things. It’s one of the best jobs when it comes to socializing with people.” Judging from his own experiences, John said life is not determined by someone’s beginnings. “How you finish is what’s important. For instance, I come from very humble beginnings; poor and grew up in the ghetto.” John’s intention is to continually strive to improve his business and maintain high standards. “My intention is to have my business grow and every year we have been seeing improvement. One of the main reasons I think I am successful in anything I do is because of my strong belief in the lord Jesus. I hold fast to the principles we learn in the bible and that’s it.”
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Lisa Punch: ‘If you feel beautiful, you will look beautiful.’
Chronicle Pepperpot January 10, 2016
We knew her as Guyana’s leading female singer, Rising Star and whatever else catapulting her to fame, but when she was handpicked to represent Guyana at the Miss World pageant, we weren’t so sure. “Speak for yourself,” the bandwagonists will say, but really, we didn’t see her as quite the pageant girl. Whatever defines a pageant girl anyways? But she owned up to the role and stunned the judges at the Miss World pageant. It was her voice that worked for her after all. She won the talent segment and that took her to a platform with a global audience of over a billion. She cemented a place among the finalists, and would come back home a proud lady we are proud of. Today, she shares some of her style. The outfits are by Randy Madray and Marcie DeSantos.
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Petition challenging legality of 2001 General and Regional elections failed Application dismissed by Courts
IN 2001, Appellant Veronica Delph instituted a petition challenging the legality of the General and Regional elections held in 2001. That petition was dismissed on March 12, 2002. A few days later the Appellant appealed. That Court affirmed the dismissal. Six months later Senior Counsel Ashton Chase advised the Chief Elections Officer that the Elections Commission could destroy all the documents and papers from the last election since there was no appeal pending in any court from dismissal of the petition. The Marshal effected service of the Notice of Appeal on March 26, 2002 after the time allowed for such service had expired. The Appellate Court held that the filing of the Notice of Appeal and serving of it on the majority of the interested parties on March 26, 2002, which was exactly two weeks after the appeal was dismissed established that the Appellants always had the intention to prosecute the appeal. The Court would therefore exercise its discretion and grant an extension of time to the Appellant under Order 1, Rule 8 to serve the Notice of Appeal on the Chief Election Officer. The Application was dismissed. Twelve cases were referred to. Mr. Ashton Chase, S.C., with Miss. Chase appeared for the Appellant while Mr. Younge represented the Attorney General. Mr. Basil Williams represented the Respondent. On March 12, 2002, Chief Justice Carl Singh
dismissed the petition. On 26th of March, the Appellant appealed. By a letter dated 9th September, 2002, Senior Counsel Mr. Ashton Chase, advised the Chief Election Officer , Mr. Gocool Boodhoo that the Elections Commission can destroy all the documents and papers from the last elections since there was no appeal pending in any court from the dismissal
stroying the documents. On 6th November 2002 Counsel Mr. Chase filed a Motion seeking the following orders: (a) That the purported appeal herein dated 26th March 2002 in Election Petition 135 p of 2001 Demerara be and his hereby struck out and/or dismissed. (b) A declaration that there is no proper and/or sub-
of the petition. On 16th September , 2002, Counsel for the Respondent wrote the Chief Election Officer informing him that appeal was pending and at the same time attached receipts evidencing the payment of fees for the filing and service by Marshal of the said appeal. Despite the contents of the letter, checks at the Registry revealed no trace of any such documents. By letter dated 11th October , 2002 the Chief Election Officer informed the General Secretary of the P.N.C.R. that the Commission would destroy the documents by the week-end by the 12th of October 2002. As a consequence, the Appellant sought and obtained an Order restraining the Chief Election Officer from de-
sisting appeal by the abovenamed Appellant touching the 2001 general elections. Mr. Chase in support of his application based his arguments on three grounds namely. (a) That the notice of appeal was not served on the Chief Election Officer within the time prescribed in accordance with order 2 rule 4 (2), but some 5 ž months later on 18th September,2002. (b) that there was no due authority for Basil Williams to act as Attorney and neither was he authorized to file an appeal ; and (c) that the appeal was in a non-existing cause since the rubric referred to ► Contiuned
on page XXVI
George Barclay
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Patient assessment A
lthough it is often the case, no patient should suffer any deterioration of health as a consequence of dental treatment, and it is therefore essential to establish as clearly as possible, within practical limitations of dental practice, the presence and significance of mediDr. BERTRAND cal problems likely to affect oral care. R. STUART, DDS. It is important to foster awareness of the magnitude of the medical history and patient assessment to determine whether a patient is fit to undergo dental treatment. The health and life expectancy in many countries is interesting, mainly because of improved ability to treat the main killing diseases –myocardial infarction (heart attack), cerebrovascular accidents (stroke) and cancer and improvements in medical care of hitherto fatal diseases. There are also relatively new diseases, such as AIDS, and a range of other medical problems consequent on advances in medical and surgical care. The more people are surviving with chronic illness, many are on long term medication; and there are many more old people. Oral health care has not always been forthcoming for the patient with medical problems and oral diseases are not always recognized as being part of a generalized medical disorder. This has been particularly highlighted at a recent conference on AIDS. There is little, if any excuse for the unwillingness of dentists to treat seriously ill patients as it is clearly their professional responsibility. Moreover, such medically compromised persons present, in general, for special treatment problems for the dental practitioner working with the analgesia only. Although in rare circumstances, patients can die as a consequence of sequelae resulting from lack of oral health care or the diagnosis and treatment of oral lesions. The prevalence of medical disorders that might affect dental treatment depends on the type of patient. Although everyone should be questioned on their medical history, the elderly the handicapped and the hospitalized should be especially medically assessed before dental treatment. In societies where it is common for patients to request having their dental treatment done under general anesthesia, there is greater need to carry out medical examination. It should be noted that despite the fact that dental fear and anxiety is totally eliminated because the patient is asleep during the dental procedures, the serious medical risk involved when general anesthesia is induced should be a concern. This author is of the opinion that dental fear and anxiety are not sufficient justification for the use of general anesthesia. The basic reason why it is so important for a medical assessment to be done on a patient seeking dental treatment is because many dental procedures can impact negatively on the patient’s well being when certain medical conditions exists. In this country, because it is not usual for a patient to sue a dentist for malpractice or professional negligence, dentists generally disregard their duty to adequately screen their patients. This being the unfortunate reality, patients themselves do their own screening.
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Chronicle Pepperpot January 10, 2016
West Dem seniors treated by overseas group Members of the Windsor Forest New York Association (WFNYA) recently sought to bring joy and happiness to over 100 seniors of seven West Coast Demerara villages. The elderly residents of La Jalousie, Windsor Forest, Ruimzeight, Harlem, Wallers Delight and Blankenburg enjoyed a hamper filled with goodies for the holiday season. Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Treasurer of the WFNYA, Naro Balli, disclosed that the Assocaition sought to carry out the activity. â–ş Contiuned on page XXIII
Naro Balli hands over a hamper to one of the oldest villagers.
Chronicle Pepperpot January 10, 2016 The elderly villagers gathered at the Windsor Forest Community Center to receive their hampers.
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West Dem seniors treat ... ►From page XXII “We feel that this is another way in which we could give back to the community, as such two members from the group conducted a survey to see who were the neediest out of the lot. Hence 105 persons were listed and received their hampers,” said Balli. Being in existence for 21 years, the WFNYA has been helping not only the elderly but also children who excel in their studies. Balli said incentives of US$100 and US$50 are given out to the younger students who pass the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) with high marks. Apart from that, with caring for the youths in mind, Balli highlighted that they have developed the playground at Windsor Forest so that the children can enjoy man activities. The Community’s Health Center has also benefited from the group in numerous ways over the years. Villagers commented positively on the initiative.
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New fragrance inspired by Putin goes on sale in Russia
MOSCOW - A perfume, whose creator says was inspired by Russian President Vladimir Putin, has gone on sale in Moscow. The "Leaders Number One" scent, created by Belarussian-born perfumer Vladislav Rekunov, is sold in a black bottle featuring Putin's profile at Moscow's luxury GUM department store as well as online for 6,500 rubles, or $95.
Kyrgyzstan deports Briton after horse penis comment
(Reuters) A British employee of Kyrgyzstan's biggest gold mine, detained by police after comparing a national dish to a horse penis, was told on Monday to leave the country within 24 hours for working without an official permit. Michael Mcfeat posted a comment on Facebook saying that his Kyrgyz colleagues were queuing for their "special delicacy, the horse's penis" at New Year celebrations, sparking a brief strike at the Kumtor mine as well as calls for criminal prosecution. The dish in question, chuchuk, is a sausage made from horse meat and intestines. Police detained Mcfeat on Sunday for questioning but the state security service only gave him a warning despite workers insisting that his actions constituted inciting hatred, a crime punishable by three to five years in prison. A local court found that Mcfeat, who worked as a welder for a contractor at Kumtor, had no work permit and ruled that he must be deported within 24 hours. The mine is at the center of a dispute between the government and Canada's Centerra Gold.
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Petition challenging legality of 2001 ... ► Contiuned on page XXIX “Elections holden on the 15th day of December, 1997” instead of 19th day of March, 2001.” The Appellant deposed in her Affidavit in answer to the motion that on 26th March, 2002 the notice of appeal was filed along with the requisite number of copies for the purpose of effecting service on the Respondent and other interesting parties. Marshal Evans deposed in his affidavit of service that on 28th March, 2002 he served the Notice of Appeal on the following persons: (a) Bharat Jagdeo, (b) Hugh Desmond Hoyte, (c) Manzoor Nadir, and (d) Paul Hardy. The Chief Election Officer was not served until 18th September, 2002, making it obvious that the notice was not served within the time stipulated in the rules, therefore before service was effected, Counsel for the Appellant ought to have sought an extension of time from the court. This, he did not do. Senior Counsel, Mr. Chase submitted that the Court can only exercise its discretion to extend time if there are special reasons. He argued that service by Marshal is not a special circumstance on which the Court can act. Mr. Basil Williams referred to the case of Guyana & Trinidad Mutual Fire Insurance Co. Ltd. –v- Chandroutie [1991 – 1993] GLR 177,and Boodnie Farouk’s Estate v- Persaud 36 WIR 275. In the latter case, the Plaintiff had died before the action was heard in the High Court and the husband of the deceased was substituted. The case was dismissed and a notice of appeal was filed. On the notice of appeal, the dead woman was named as Appellant. An application was filed seeking to substitute the husband as a party. This was opposed on the grounds that: 1) There was no appeal before the Court as Boodnie Farouk had died since 1976. (2) The notice of appeal was a nullity because of the rubric. The justice of Appeal who delivered the judgment had said: I have perused exhibit “F”, the ex parte application filed by the Appellant seeking an interim injunction to restrain the Respondent from destroying the documents. “Despite the rubric, elections holden on the 15th of December 1997,” it is crystal clear from its contents as to the date of the election under challenge. Moreover, at paragraph 4 it is stated that the petition was dismissed on 12th march, 2002 by Chief Justice Carl Singh. “And, the Guyana Court of Appeal constituted by Chancellor Desiree Bernard, with Justices of Appeal C. Singh and Nandram Kissoon declared , “for the reasons stated the application is dismissed. Each party to bear his own costs.”
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English
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Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan’s security trimmed; withdrawn for 25 others - Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan were provided additional force in the wake of their comments on the subject of intolerance (THE INDIAN EXPRESS) In a major overhaul, Mumbai Police have downgraded or nixed the security cover for 25 Bollywood celebrities, including actors Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan. Senior officials confirming the development stressed that the move was needed to nix ‘unwanted’ security cover. The two Khans were provided additional force in the wake of their comments on the subject of intolerance. The officials said an assessment review had pointed out the actors no longer faced any threat. While Shah Rukh Khan has been considered a target since 2013, Aamir Khan got an additional cover after he expressed his views on the raging debate over acts of intolerance in November. But now, after the overhaul, only two armed constables will shadow the two actors in two shifts. The armed protocol and armed vehicles have been called back, confirmed officials. “We were providing security to around 40 Bollywood celebrities. But now we have trimmed the list and have brought it down to around 15 personalities against whom there are genuine threat perception,” confirmed an IPS official. “A lot of manpower gets wasted in providing security to celebrities, and it is at times unwarranted. An audit was recently conducted and security of over 20 personalities have been either nixed or trimmed,” added a police source. (Amitabh Bachchan first choice to replace Aamir Khan for ‘Incredible India’ campaign) Of the 25 personalities whose security has now been fully withdrawn are Bollywood director and producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra, director Rajkumar Hirani, director Farah Khan and producer siblings Ali and Karim Morani. Police said the threat perceptions concerning Shah Rukh Khan had begun surfacing during the release of his movie My Name is Khan. Further, in January 2013, Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed’s comments, offering the actor
asylum in Pakistan if he felt insecure in India, saw fringe groups attacking him. The actor had written an article in a leading English magazine about how he was a ‘soft target’ and always has to prove his patriotism. The article led to another bunch of vicious attacks against him on social media, with several threats coming his way. “However, the latest assessment does not indicate any imminent threat to the actor and, hence, we have downgraded his cover,” said a senior official. Security to Aamir Khan was extended post the release of his movie PK. Last November, the actor had also allegedly received extortion calls from gangster Abu Salem. Recently, the actor spoke on the issue of intolerance, saying that he was “alarmed” by a number of incidents of intolerance and that his wife Kiran Rao has suggested that they should probably leave the country. His comment sparked a row and BJP workers staged protests outside his Mumbai residence. “Post their comments on intolerance, we had provided round-the-clock security to the two actors which included two armed constables and an armed guard on two shifts and an armed escort vehicle. Following the recent assessment, we have pulled out the escorts and the armed in-charge. Now only two armed constables will cover them in two shifts,” said a senior official. Of the 15 Bollywood personalities who continue to remain under the security cover are actor Akshay Kumar and producers Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt. “While Akshay Kumar had a threat perception since the release of his movies Khiladi 786 and Oh My God, he also received extortion calls from the underworld. He had also complained that he received death threats after he sacked his 46-yearold domestic help. The Bhatt brothers have threat both from the underworld and terror outfits like the Indian Mujahideen,” said a source. Lata Mangeshkar, Dilip Kumar and Am-
itabh Bachchan, viewed as iconic figures, will enjoy round-the-clock security cover, besides a police escort.
While Shah Rukh Khan has been considered a target since 2013, Aamir Khan got an additional cover after he expressed his views on the raging debate over acts of intolerance in November.
race wide open, host Ricky Gervais prepares barbs
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ith free-flowing champagne and blistering jokes that have yet to be told but have already been apologized for, Sunday's Golden Globes promise a rowdy night featuring Hollywood's top names and a wide-open awards race to keep viewers in suspense. The Globes, chosen by Hollywood Foreign Press Association voters, often offer a prescient preview of the more prestigious Academy Awards. Britain's acerbic Ricky Gervais will take over hosting duties from comedy duo Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. He has already tweeted a cheeky apology for those who will be offended by his jokes. With films such as "Spotlight," "The Revenant," "The Big Short" and "Carol" vying for Golden Globe wins, the Oscars field may start to shape up. "This year's Globes are a free-for-all," said Tom O'Neil, founder of awards tracker GoldDerby. com. "The Golden Globes is an Oscars audition." The nominees cover a varied field of genres and topics. "Spotlight," about The Boston Globe's probe into sex abuse by Catholic priests, is the likely frontrunner for best drama while Wall Street misdeeds movie "The Big Short" could win best comedy, O'Neil said. Globes voters are not members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences who determine the Oscars. But the Globes has honored many films and actors who have gone on to win Oscars. Oscar nominations will be announced on Jan 14. This year, pundits favor Leonardo DiCaprio in the best actor race for his role as a fur-trapper bent on revenge in Alejandro Inarritu's Pioneer-era drama "The Revenant." DiCaprio is up on Sunday against Eddie Redmayne ("The Danish Girl"), Will Smith ("Concussion"), Michael Fassbender ("Steve Jobs") and Bryan Cranston ("Trumbo"). "Carol" star Cate Blanchett will contend against co-star Rooney Mara for best drama actress, as well as Saoirse Ronan ("Brooklyn"), Brie Larson ("Room"), and Alicia Vikander ("The Danish Girl"). Gervais will host the dinner ceremony for a fourth time. In the past, he has skewered everyone from Charlie Sheen and Robert Downey Jr. to Kim Kardashian. Potential targets on Sunday include movie star Mel Gibson, a scheduled award presenter, and the sex scandal surrounding comedian Bill Cosby. "Because I can see the future, I'd like to apologise now for the things I said at next week's Golden Globes," Gervais tweeted last week, adding: "I was drunk." Cast members Leonardo DiCaprio (L) and Tom Hardy pose at the premiere of Golden Globes are also awarded to TV shows and actors, with contenders including "Game "The Revenant" in Hollywood, California December 16, 2015. This year, pundits favor Leonardo DiCaprio in the best actor race for his role in the movie. of Thrones," "Veep," "Transparent," and "Empire."
David Bowie releases new album 'Blackstar' on 69th birthday
David Bowie performs during a concert in Vienna, Austria in this February 4, 1996 file photo.
(REUTERS) David Bowie marked his 69th birthday on Friday with the release of a new album, "Blackstar", with critics giving the thumbs up to the latest work in a long and innovative career. The singer, songwriter, actor and artist returns to the music scene after 2013's chart-topping "The Next Day", itself released after a 10-year gap. "Blackstar", co-produced by Bowie's long-time collaborator Tony Visconti, features only seven songs, but critics praised the latest work, with Britain's Guardian newspaper calling it "a spellbinding break with (Bowie's) past". The album is part jazz but full of what NME describes as "warped showtunes, skronking industrial rock, soulful balladeering, airy folk-pop, even hip-hop". Ahead of Friday's release, Rolling Stone magazine last month wrote that the "arty, unsettling 'Blackstar' is Bowie's best anti-pop masterpiece since the Seventies".
The singer this week premiered the video for single "Lazarus", in which he is seen lying in what appears to be a hospital bed with his eyes bandaged. It was directed by music video and commercial director Johan Renck, who also worked on the film for the album's nearly 10-minute title track. "I have no desire to do any more videos knowing the process never ever gets as formidable and fulfilling as this was," Renck said in an online statement. "I've basically touched the sun." Born David Jones, Bowie rose to fame with 1969's "Space Oddity" and a bit later through his jumpsuit-wearing alter ego Ziggy Stardust. In the last few years, the chart-topping singer has kept a low profile after undergoing emergency heart surgery in 2004. His last live performance was at a New York charity concert in 2006.