Pepperpot 06 05 2016

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Lance Corporal Shannon Ross –Cox (left) was the most recent woman soldier to climb to the top of Mount Ayangana to raise the flag while Staff Sergeant (ret’d) Beverley Somerset was the first to do so

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 5, 2016

THE BURNHAM DREAM & GUYANESE NATIONAL IDENTITY – A CULTURAL MOSAIC OF AUTHENTICATED HISTORIES OF THE PEOPLES

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hough I’d promised to talk about Baracara Village, a historic maroon settlement and a potential heritage site and a tourist destination this week, I’ve been given pause.

In her Arts & Culture column in last Sunday Chronicle’s Pepperpot, Dominique Hunter concluded a four part series entitled “Points of Departure” in which she explored ideas related to “The politics of shaping a cultural identity”. For me, her piece was evocative, recalling a time 50 years ago when I was more concerned with bringing fashion news home from London, Paris, and Rome via the catwalks of the Dusseldorf Fashion Fair and the haute couture of Carnaby Street in Soho, Central London, even while providing publicity for our local designers including Lloyd Lawrence, and George Morrison on my weekly Petticoat Page.

That was before I was led away from my interest in fashion by the compelling combination of marriage to Julian Mayfield, a Senior Special Political Advisor to President Forbes Burnham,

and the stimulus of the Burnham Feed House and Clothe the Nation by 1976 epoch.

Dominique Hunter’s piece began with historian Vere T Daly’s challenge to the new nation’s artists in June 1966, less than a month after our first Independence celebrations: “Can our writers and artists live up to Burnham’s dreams?”

Daly said: “Mr Burnham communicated to us what he called his dream – Burnham’s Dream. It was the very blueprint which the pragmatic limitations of the artists had made them fail to conjure.

Mr Burnham said: •

I dream of literature inspired by the peculiar temperament of the West Indian artist ► Continued on page III

In this Ministry of the Presidency, Press and Publicity Unit photo, we see the proud faces of descendants of the maroons who first settled on Baracara Island

Chronicle Pepperpot June 5, 2016 ► From page II •

I dream of paintings inspired by the tropical jungle of Guyana and the beautiful waters of the Caribbean

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I dream of sculptures depicting the forms of our forefathers

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I dream of research in art forms, of artists being capable of borrowing from the Europeans without slavishly imitating them

This is the Burnham vision that motivated the creation of the Caribbean Festival of Creative Arts...inspired Philip Moore to produce our Cuffy National Monument.

From Daly’s historian POV, ”the artists did not appear to have in their minds any clear image of the Caribbean – Guyanese personality which, by right of their genius, it is their job to fashion” (emphasis mine); the cultural expressions in 1966 were a “staggering tonnage of pointless inanities”, he said.

The question: “CAN OUR WRITERS AND ARTISTS LIVE UP TO BURNHAM’S DREAMS” is as relevant as it was in 1966; perhaps because fifty years later, “pragmatic limitations” – the day to day economic anxieties – what to eat, where to live, how to pay the bills – still blur our vision of the role we should be playing in creation of an authentic Guyanese/”Caribbean personality with the creative arts at its foundation”. Discussing Burnham’s Dream since 1966, the historian said: “The statesman stole the artists’ thunder.”

At the same time Daly confessed: “The Prime Minister, Mr Burnham, surprised me at the sharpness and clarity of his vision of the personality which should be fashioned”. Like Daly, I believe that the role of creating an authentic Guyanese identity is definitely in the purview of practitioners of the Arts.

In a recent summary of the essential concept of Yukuriba Creative Farming Community the contemporary interpretation of such “pragmatic limitations” facing our artists was described thus: “At present in Guyana, there is a dearth of quality creative/cultural works for stage and TV; many of the country’s naturally talented youth are eager to give expression to their creativity. However, they are marginalized and discriminated against in terms of financial sponsorship and capital funding generally. Consequently, many are homeless, penniless; desperate for a reprieve from the humiliating prospect of stomping the pavements of the city with a begging bowl held out to sponsors who pay exorbitant sums to import foreign performers, in preference to encouraging and taking advantage of a burgeoning local talent resource. It is the opinion of YCFC members & Associates that this prevailing disrespect for the value of home grown artistic contribution is contributing to an overall lowering of standards. For example, many creative and performing artists are forced to compromise their talents, regurgitating the kind of mediocrity that thrives on sensationalism and elicits cheap laughs from masses of uneducated theatre audiences. This level of production is more likely to get the nod from sponsors, rather than any work of substance, with a serious message. This situation is unacceptable”.

In her well researched piece, Ms. Hunter also quoted an A.J. Seymour cultural policy proposal published by UNESCO in 1977, in which the poet stated inter alia – “the revolution cannot sustain its momentum without an ever deepening apprehension of national identity. For artists of Guyana, the revelation of a national identity is the most revolutionary possibility that exists. The Guyana man has to re-create himself in his own image as an indispensable basis on which to realize the image of a national identity.”

I see Seymour’s “revelation of a national identity” as the depiction of a cultural mosaic – unique, clearly defined identities based on the authenticated histories of Guyanese men and women re-creating ourselves in our “own image” even while freeing ourselves from the mental slavery of our colonial past .

Academic research and creative analysis were refreshingly combined in Dominique Hunter’s

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thought-provoking piece was recalling the time which shaped who I am today. In the early 1980’s less than two decades after Forbes Burnham, Father of Guyanese Nationhood (any other claim is false), had communicated The Burnham Dream, I’d made my way to Yukuriba Heights to dream as President Burnham did, of a vibrant Artists’ community; till now, thirty years after that, we’re creating The Maroon Sculpture Trail, first of its kind in the Caribbean.

The Maroon Sculpture Trail, to be created by artists of all ages and nationalities, invited to be a part of a memorial dedicated to the Maroons Of The Americas in this United Nations Designated Decade For People Of African Descent, is part of The Philip Moore Artists’ Retreat at the Yukuriba Creative Farming Community. It will bring together a unique collection of original permanent creations “sculptures depicting the forms of our forefathers” marrying art, history and conservation. Every sculpture along the trail will tell a story reflecting maroon life.

All of which brings me back to my own question addressed weeks ago in this column, “primarily to Guyanese historians, especially our President Brigadier David Granger, a historian himself: IS THERE A PEOBLEM ABOUT HOLDING A NATIONAL CONVERSATION ABOUT WHO REALLY WERE THE FIRST GUYANESE? Is it possible that this could be a disquieting aspect of “The politics of shaping a cultural identity”?

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 5, 2016

Passing the torch - A conversation with multi-disciplinary artist Sean Thomas

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urnell “Acku” Thomas, M.S. was a man of many talents. The Linden native sang calypso, painted signs, worked at the Guyana Graphic in the 70s and was the first person to set up the diesel-operated German offset printer acquired by the newspaper company. He was a gifted drummer, actor and performer who specialized in fire dancing. In fact, he was the event coordinator responsible for activating the culture in his hometown. It was through his efforts that Palm Tree Cinema in Wismar, Linden was established as a place where residents could meet to support each other’s talents.

When the crowd got too big for the cinema the show was moved to the McKenzie Sports Club and became an annual Christmas production “No Big Ting.”

Sean Thomas’ father, without a doubt, served his community (and country by extension) in many capacities. It was this same spirit of productivity that young Thomas would

A giant ball of fire is seen above Burnell Thomas’s body as he performs at an event

Burnell Thomas performing at the Guyana National Festival of Arts, 1982 inherit and later apply to every facet of his own life. Although he admittedly shied away from participating in his father’s performances due to childhood bullying and wild speculations, he eventually warmed up to the idea of carrying on his father’s tradition by adding his own unique trademark to the family legacy.

Thomas recalled an interesting story of how he came into

fire dancing one night just hours before his father was scheduled to perform at an event.

“He was just busy that day and had endless work to do.

Then he started saying ‘What am I gonna do tonight? I can’t even get any help. Nobody ain’t helping to wrap the fire stick or anything at all,’ Thomas recalled.

“It was just getting to his head. He was just knocking the wall as he passed by. So I said, ‘You want me to do the fire dance?’ He said ‘Boy what nonsense you telling me!’ So I told him that I could try and then he kinda softened because he knew that I never asked him for anything. Every time he asked if I needed something I would always say no.”

At that point, the elder Thomas agreed, but not before a lesson of how it is done: “Okay but first you gotta know how to blow the fire, how to keep the kerosene in your mouth and you gotta know how to wrap the stick.”

That was followed by the exhortation: “Show me’.”

After some hesitation his father finally agreed to teach him everything he needed to know for a successful, but more importantly, safe performance. Thomas learned how to keep the kerosene oil in his mouth without swallowing; the differ-

ent ways to spit out the oil to create the desired effect; how to wrap the sticks with the right fabric; and all the additional tools he would need to get the job done.

And so after impressing his father with two brief demonstrations at their home that night, Thomas’ journey into fire dancing began. He managed an even more impressive performance at the show later that night by incorporating back flips into his fire dancing routine. He recalls his father was not too happy about the spontaneous addition to the programme.

When he came off the stage, there was a stern warning: “Don’t you ever do that. Let me know you’re going to do it first.”

In addition to the obvious risks with the fire and swallowing the kerosene oil, his father told him that sometimes he had experiences with the stage not being properly built and he could risk his life by jumping and falling through due to poor construction.

Regardless of his disapproval of the back flips, Thomas spoke of the pride he heard in his father’s voice when he overheard him boasting about his performance with the other members of the group.

“I was washing out my mouth when I heard him and the boys saying ‘Your son looked good man’ and he said ‘Yeah, he’s my backbone.’”

Since his debut performance that night, Thomas explained that he has been trying to keep his performances as lively possible in order to hold the crowd’s attention. He has done extensive experimentation including lighting cotton balls on fire, juggling them and putting them out in his mouth. In some cases he also replaced the fire sticks with spears. He would light them on fire and use them to create different shapes as they spun in the air. His son even introduced him to using hand sanitizer as an alternative to create different effects with the fire.

However, as fun and exciting as it can be, Thomas explained that fire dancing is not without its risks. There are serious health hazards associated with this type of performance, particularly the risk for cancer in the mouth and other ailments linked to the accidental ingestion of kerosene oil.

At first Thomas used malt beverages to help in the event that he accidentally swallowed the kerosene oil but this remedy soon became ineffective. Someone then told him about using alcohol as a replacement. But since he was intolerant, this was not a practical option. Eventually he experimented with using milk and after a successful trial he continued to drink it before and after his performances.

During his own research and experimentation, he also learned that blowing cornstarch on the stick to ignite the flame was a much safer alternative to kerosene oil. However, the same effect could not be achieved simply because most outdoor venues in Guyana are usually very windy and the cornstarch would be blowing everywhere before he got the ► Continued on page V

Chronicle Pepperpot June 5, 2016

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► From page IV chance to ignite it. And much to the annoyance of the audience, depending on how close they were to the stage, the cornstarch particles would rain down on them creating a mess.

Thomas explained that although most organizers usually expressed shock at the suggestion of an indoor fire dancing event, he has performed his routines at places like the National Cultural Center, without any accidents. In some cases, through the insistence of the organizers, there were fire trucks present as a safety precaution. However, he has never had to use them. Thomas would always do site visits beforehand so that he knew exactly which direction to blow the fire and which techniques would be most effective in each situation.

“I learned a lot of things through fire dancing and now I’m using them as teaching aids for my students. I tell them there is so much they can do but they’re not putting their minds to it. Start questioning yourself and then you will realize what you can do. That’s how you learn things.”

Thomas is open to passing on the gifts his father gave to him. In fact, quite a few of his younger siblings are also talented drummers, although they are no longer actively drumming.

And while he is the only one in his family that is carrying on his father’s tradition of fire dancing, he has noticed that his youngest son has shown some interest in perhaps one day continuing the family’s legacy.

Thomas was a member of the Guyana National Service (GNS). He enrolled at the E.R. Burrowes School of Art through the encouragement of GNS and graduated from the school in 1995 with credits in Graphic Design, Textile Design and Ceramics. In 1994 his proposed design for the face of Guyana’s one dollar coin was chosen by the Bank of Guyana. He was employed at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport before moving over to the art school. He has been the Graphic Design tutor there since 2000 and has been designing costumes and floats for the Ministry of Culture, through the art school. Thomas is a sign language expert and interprets for hearing-impaired individuals.

One of Sean Thomas’ costume designs for Mashramani Sean Thomas’ second time performing on stage in 1990.

“Fitness Jaguars” designed

by Sean Thomas Burnell Thomas performs circa 1980

Sean Thomas blows a huge fire at the same event in 1990

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 5, 2016

By Subraj Singh

Anita Diamant’s The Red Tent

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nyone who has read the Bible knows that sometimes women are often not well represented in the not so many instances where they are sought to be represented by the men who wrote the book. Take the story of Dinah, for example. She is the daughter of Jacob who is “defiled” by a prince of the city of Shechem and then avenged by her brothers who proceed to execute all the men in the city. That, basically, is all the Bible tells us about the daughter of Jacob. But is that all there is to Dinah’s story? Is she only meant to be a victim whose only purpose in the Biblical texts is to be raped and serve as a catalyst for the murder of the men of Shechem? American author, Anita Diamant, doesn’t seem to think so and her excellent revisionist novel, The Red Tent, goes back to Dinah’s story and retells it from the perspective of Dinah herself.

In The Red Tent, Dinah is a fully-developed character, as the author makes the readers’ connection with Dinah stronger by tracking her life even before she was born, through childhood and then adolescence and adulthood. It is a marvel to read Diamant as she transforms and shapes Dinah into something much more than what she was in the Bible’s version of events. Yes, Diamant does take many liberties with the tale and some of her choices (such as portraying what has become known as the “rape of Dinah” not as rape at all but as a consensual relationship between two people who love each other) might be considered controversial or upsetting to Biblical purists, but her task of giving Dinah her own voice is fully accomplished.

Dinah is not the only character to be reviewed and developed in the novel. All of the women who are married to Jacob and known primarily in the Bible to be simply his wives and mothers to his children are given individual personalities and roles in Diamant’s book. Leah is portrayed as strong and dutiful with strange eyes; Rachel is kindly, beautiful and a bit spoiled in the beginning; Zilpah is religious and very peculiar, while Bilhah initially appears small and timid only to conduct one of the most shocking acts halfway through the novel.

It is important to know that while the author is aware of the job she, as a Jewish woman, has to do with regards to the revision and reconstruction of the stories of Biblical women, she never loses sight of the fact that she is a novelist, a storyteller, who has to entertain. Like the Bible itself, The Red Tent is filled with sex, murder, curses, various surprises and shocking moments and everything else that ensures it is an entertaining,

(Picador, 2007) heartbreaking, beautiful work that keeps the reader enthralled throughout.

There also seems to be an implicit message in the novel about the necessity of telling women’s stories due to the fact that a lot of information, knowledge and lessons can be lost if women’s stories disappear or are retold by men and not women themselves. Dinah in the novel says to the reader of her own tale: “We have been lost to each other for so long. My name means nothing to you. My memory is dust.

This is not your fault, or mine. The chain connecting mother to daughter was broken and the word passed to the keeping of men, who had no way of knowing.”

Chronicle Pepperpot June 5, 2016

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Hello Everyone, hope this week has treated you well.

I would like to share a huge success story today, one pertaining to someone whom I greatly respect and admire- Mr Clarence Young. Mr Young is currently the coordinator for Phoenix Recovery Project- an inpatient drug rehabilitation centre in Mon Repos.

He is very successful and admired in his field of work but his situation has not always been that way.

Mr Clarence Young is a recovering drug addict and this is his story.

Clarence, born and raised in Trinidad, began with the occasional use of tobacco/ cigarettes, marijuana and alcohol at the age of 11. By age 15, he was a consistent and daily user. By age 18, he had moved on to harder drugs such as cocaine and mandrax. Surprisingly, while on these drugs, he managed to graduate from John Donaldson’s Technical Institute at 17 in Trinidad. He then worked for a year as an electrician at the University of West Indies. During this time, he claimed that while he knew his family loved him, they were worried and frustrated by his obvious usage.

Clarence then decided to go for a holiday to New York City as his brother was living there and heavily involved in the drug trade. This led Clarence to stay illegally to continue his habit of drug using and dealing. By this time, his drugs of choice had increased and expanded to heroin, LSD, angel dust and crack –cocaine- his favourite of all. He claimed that the disco era made the drug use, especially cocaine, easy to continue.

After four years of this lifestyle, his family became very worried and insisted that he moved back home to Trinidad, especially as he was having numerous troubles with the law. Since he also believed that crack–cocaine had brought him to his lowest point, and in a life-threatening situation, he agreed and moved back to Trinidad at the age of 23.

In Trinidad, Clarence kept using and dealing drugs, not being able to sustain employment.

Again, he was having issues with the law and his relationships with both family and friends were deteriorating.

At the time, he lived with his mother and brother- who was also using and dealing drugs.

This eventually drove their mother out of the house. When I asked him if he ever lived on the street himself, his response was “I was a vagrant with an apartment.”

This serious drug abuse/ dealing continued until age 31- which he recognises as his turning point in life. In 1990, he contemplated quitting and thought of many ways of doing so; one particularly being religion. That year, he entered his first self- help drug rehabilitation programme called Rebirth House. He remembers it being quite challenging and ended in a relapse four months after.

Relapses are quite common among drug users and should not result in self- hatred or giving up.

Clarence did not let this relapse define him as he re-entered treatment in November of 1990. He completed three months which, unfortunately, resulted in another relapse of crack-cocaine- his main drug of choice at the time.

He attempted rehab for the third time at Trinidad’s New Life Ministries Rehabilitation Centre on April 16th 1991 and after using just therapy and no medication be became clean and sober, and has been ever since.

This means that on April 16th of this year, Clarence Young celebrated his 25th year of being sober. (Congratulations Mr. Young- that’s amazing!)

When he completed his successful stint in 1991, he decided that he wanted to dedicate his life helping others who have been in his shoes and therefore, started training to be a drug counsellor. This was also a suggestion made to him by his counsellors during rehabilitation. He studied addiction studies at the University of West Indies

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and after two years, returned to New Life Ministries to give back as a drug counsellor.

During his work there, he met some Guyanese individuals who asked him to come down to do some work here. Clarence agreed and came to Guyana for three weeks in 1995 where he facilitated a drop in clinic for current drug abusers.

Thankfully for us, something told him to make a more permanent move to Guyana and has been here ever since.

Upon his arrival, Clarence got involved with Guyana’s first structured drug rehabilitation treatment program at Prashad’s Hospital. Then, in 1996, he designed and implemented the Salvation Army’s Drug treatment programme.

In 2000, his own project, Phoenix Recovery Project opened its doors. Today it’s successfully functioning with over 35 clients and is the only inpatient facility that treats women in Guyana.

When I asked Clarence if he had any advice for current drug users, his response was “To use is to lose. Use every possible opportunity to stem the downward spiral that you’ve embarked on. Life could be better without the use of drugs.”

I could write so much about Mr Young’s and Phoenix’s accomplishments and clients so I will save that for another day. I will leave with you their contact information for anyone looking to seek treatment. (Address: 90 Block C Mon Repos. Telephone number: 220-6825) Clarence Young’s story, while inspirational, demonstrates the typical pattern of a drug abuser. It starts off innocent and casual and more often than not, leads to heavy substances.

The consistent use leads to low self-esteem, familial and other relationship issues, unemployment, troubles with the law and so much more. I hope this story encourages current users to seek treatment and allows the belief of future success, much like Clarence.

If you would like to share your story, anonymously or not, please write in to caitlinvieira@gmail.com. Also, continuing letting me know what else you would like to talk about OR stop in and see me at Woodlands Hospital Outpatient Department. For issues with drugs/ alcohol – Monday’s at 4:30. General mental health issues- Wednesday’s at 4:30.

Say Yes to Life and No to Drugs! Always!

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Sunday

Chronicle Pepperpot June 5, 2016

Nostalgia The revival of Kaieteur Legend Minister Correia in Independence reception

Minister of Communications, Mr Eugene Correira, on June 3, 1966, was host at his Camp Street home to members of his staff at a post-Independence cocktail party. In photo, Mr Correia is seen in a serioes discussion with a female invitee.

Mr Verney Jones of the Information Service is at right

Guyana Legend

The National History and Arts Council received 300 copies of the score of the Legend of Kaieteur from the government of Jamaica, following suggestions from Guyanese artistes, that this work by Guyanese A.J. Seymour and Guyanese composer Phillip Pilgrim be revived. In the photo, Billy Pilgrim, brother of Phillip Pilgrim, discusses one of the scores with Ms Lynette Dolphin, chairperson of the National History and Arts Council. Mr Billy Pilgrim wrote some of the scores which his brother had discussed with him but never wrote.

“Allyou come leh we dance” was the theme for the grand finale of the May 31, 1966 Theatre Guild Production “Guyana Legend” which was one of the highlights of the Independence celebrations. The picture shows the dance troupe in their final number which was choreographed by Beryl McBurnie. The Guyana Legend featured the Woodside Folk Singers, the Pelicans steel band and Bishop’s High School junior choir. Included in the cast were Pauline Thomas, Marguerite Lynch, Robert Narain and Dennis Lileyman. Guyana Legend was scripted and produced by Ricardo Smith with music by Hugh Sam and Val Rodway

Chronicle Pepperpot June 5, 2016

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The ’76 case of Fatty’s Bush Rum CONSEQUENT to an appeal in which Doolarie, called Fatty, was in 1976 found guilty of a Bush Rum offence, the Appellate Court constituted by Chancellor Haynes and Justices of Appeal J. A. Luckhoo and Keith Massiah, set aside the conviction and sentence.

According to the facts, the appellant was charged with unlawful possession of spirits contrary to Section 89 (1) of the Spirits Act, Chapter 82:24 after the police found two bottles of “bush rum” on premises occupied by the Appellant and her husband.

One bottle was found in the yard while the other was found in a bath room in the yard. The Appellant was convicted of the offence and fined a sum of $750.

On appeal, it was held that the Full Court failed to consider the circumstances surrounding the actual finding of the bottle in the bathroom.

As such, the finding on the mental element of possession by the Full Court was based on an erroneous view of the evidence and on a misconception of the facts adduced in evidence by the respondent and so the appeal was allowed.

Mr.S. E.Brotherson appeared for the appellant and Mr. D. J. Christian, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions for the respondent.

The facts of the case were that in a search executed by the police under a search warrant on premises occupied by the Appellant and her husband, the latter not being present at the time, three bottles containing liquid were found.

In two of the bottles was bush rum. The search took place at Doorn Haag, Leguan on 2nd May, 1975 , at two O’ Clock in the afternoon.

As a result of the finding of bush rum, the Appellant alone was charged with, and convicted of, the offence of

the unlawful possession of spirits contrary to Section 89(1) of the Spirits Act , Chapter 82:24 of the Laws of Guyana, and was fined the sum of $750.00.

The premises comprised a house, bathroom and yard.

The yard was enclosed by a barbed wire fence three feet in height attached to wallaba posts. The bathroom was a rod and a half away from the house and it was without a door. The neighbour to the west was, at the material

contained bush rum. The remaining bottle had no bush rum. The Appellant denied that at the time of finding and at her trial a search was made of the house but nothing was found.

The Respondent admitted under cross-examination that anyone could have thrown the bottles which were found in the yard.

The Full Court held that so far as the evidence was concerned, with respect to the bottle with bush rum

time, not on terms with the Appellant.

The police party began their search in the yard. Sometime after, there was no evidence how long after, the Appellant excused herself saying that she wanted to urinate, and then went into the bathroom.

Police Constable English (the Respondent) said he became suspicious and hurried behind the Appellant.

His evidence continued: “I saw her in the bathroom fumbling with a blue plastic bucket. I then upturned the bucket and found a large Eldorado rum bottle corked and containing a clear liquid.”

As the search continued, in a clump of grass in the yard another bottle, was found corked and containing a liquid and a third bottle with liquid was found under the kitchen portion of the house. The bottles were tendered and admitted in evidence as exhibits “A”, “B” and “C”. The bottles found in the bathroom and in a clump of grass in the yard

which was found in a clump of grass, it was equivocal and that had the charge been confined to that bottle only, to use the words of the Court, “it may well be the Appellant would have been dismissed.”

The appeal really centred on the finding of the bottle in the bathroom and the mental element necessary to be proved before a case could be said to be established against the Appellant for the offence charged.

The substantial question posed was this: Was it proven that the Appellant had knowledge that there was bush rum in the bathroom?

According to Chancellor Haynes, it was quite sufficient for the prosecution to prove facts from which it could be reasonably be inferred that the Appellant knew that she had the prohibited article in her possession.

There were facts proved in this case from which such an inference might be drawn, and also facts from which an

inference of a lack of guilty knowledge might be drawn.

The Full Court, as a Court of rehearing did not based its judgment on inferences from the facts proved, but on findings due to a misconception of the facts proved.

The Magistrate, as the Full Court quite correctly observed , gave not the slightest assistance in his reasons for decision on this important aspect, but it would appear, he also had fallen into error because of his misconception of the evidence.

“We can see no reason to disturb the Full Court’s assessment of what the Magistrate had accepted and believed.

“The Full Court said that the Magistrate had based his decision on an acceptance and belief of the evidence that the Appellant was ‘caught red-handed attempt-

By George Barclay ing to cover up the bottle in the bath room ( … ) by placing plastic bucket over it.’

If, as we feel, the Full Court was right in saying that the Magistrate had so based his decision, then the decision could not be justified.

“We cannot conclude that the Magistrate would still have convicted, and that the Full Court would still have upheld the conviction, had both Courts not misconceived what was the evidence adduced in proof of the offence and so misdirected themselves on this vital

issue of the mental element.

“All the above-mentioned possibilities and the circumstances giving rise to them were not considered by the Full Court because that Court had through its error of the facts surrounding the actual finding of the bottle misdirected itself on the issue of the mental element.

“For these reasons we find that it would be unsafe to uphold the conviction.

“The appeal is, therefore, allowed and the order of conviction and sentence set aside.”

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Parents can ensure children pass CXC Maths and English at no cost

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onsumers and members of the public in general who have children attending secondary schools are worried that their children would not be able to pass Mathematics and English at the CXC Examinations. Passing Maths and English is a necessity, for if the child does not pass those subjects, he or she would be unable to find decent employment or would not be able to proceed further in higher education. The University of Guyana, for example, would not admit an applicant except he/she has obtained a minimum of Grade II in both subjects.

Very often, parents and others, including teachers, tend to conclude that the

reason why the child is not doing well in the two subjects is because the child has no aptitude for them.

This conclusion is completely erroneous in more than 90% of the cases. It is the school system on which the blame must squarely rest and not on the child.

A child who has achieved an 'A' grade in one or more subjects but does badly in English and Maths, does so, not because of poor aptitude, but because of poor teaching at both the primary and secondary levels.

At Queen's College and Bishop's High School, for instance, at the time they did the British General Certificate in Education (GCE), both schools achieved, as a norm, nearly 100% of passes in Maths and English because

of proper teaching.

The secondary school system today needs to have early remedial classes in both subjects and older and experienced teachers should conduct such classes. Indeed, the school may well recruit retired teachers of proven competence to teach such classes.

One of the main subscribing causes of the poor results in English and Maths, and indeed other subjects, is the education system condoning "lessons" out of school hours.

These "lessons" are given by private tutors or by the very class teachers. These "lessons" are charged for by the hour and are quite expensive and many parents are unable to afford them and thus their children are neglected. This "lesson system" causes many

class teachers not to teach during working hours; they do their teaching at "lessons" with only those who could afford to pay attending.

There is the case of an English teacher in one of the most expensive secondary schools in Georgetown who never teaches her class but spends the whole class period browsing her IPad. She confidently expects the parents will engage English tutors for their children. And if any of the parents raises the issue of the lazy and inept English teacher with the Principal, she points to the fairly good CXC English results, which are attributed to the teacher.

Such results were, of course, due to the private tutors' efforts. As soon as the remedial system is established in any school, private lessons must forthwith be banned in that school.

It should be mentioned that all of the very few schools which do not permit private lessons perform extraordinarily well in all subjects and a very notable example is Swami Aksharananda's Sarswati Vidya Niketan (SVN) at Cornelia Ida, W.C.D. But parents do not have

Chronicle Pepperpot June 5, 2016

CONSUMER CONCERNS: to sit by helplessly waiting for the school or education system to solve their own problem and so ultimately their children's problem.

They hold the key of success in their hands and must use it.

The key of success is simply this: The base or foundation of CXC Maths is Arithmetic.

Arithmetic is usually badly taught at the primary level and when the child begins secondary school Maths, he/ she does so on a very weak foundation. He/she is unable to fully understand what is being taught and this becomes much more apparent when he/she is in the CXC class.

Most parents know enough Arithmetic to be able to help their children at the primary level. They would be able to teach them basic Arithmetic and drill them in the Addition and Multiplication tables to 19. Once children have a good foundation in Arithmetic, they would both easier understand and perform better in Algebra and Geometry and Modern Maths.

Reading is neglected at all levels in the school system. Parents must ensure that their children begin reading at a very early age.

They could begin with fairy tales and Greek and Roman mythologies as well as Indian mythology. They

PAT DIAL would then be introduced to the various children's books and later the classics.

Reading develops their personality and knowledge of human beings as well as expanding their vocabulary and writing skills. CXC English would then no longer be a bugbear and children would approach the subject with enthusiasm and pleasure.

Parents have to introduce their children to the public library system, and for those in the countryside, the available travelling library. The Internet also offers children's books and the classics.

If parents were to make their own efforts to help their children in Arithmetic and Reading at the primary and early secondary years, there would be no fear or worry of CXC Maths and English.

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By Akola Thompson

F

rom the time she was a student at the Bishop’s High School, now 28-yearold Nirmala Narine knew that she would be an active participant in the theatre scene in Guyana, and she has achieved that goal, and is most known for her Creole on stage.

From Leonora, West Coast of Demerara, she had a very typical “country” childhood of climbing trees, stealing fruits from the neighbors, exploring the backdam and visiting the canals.

It was at the age of 15 that Nirmala entered the world of theatre and never left.

She starred in her first play “Smile Orange” in the role of a boy during an annual drama competition between houses at The Bishops High School.

“It was both humiliating and fun at the same time,” she said, adding “being a shy person and a first timer on stage having to play another gender plus there was this line I had to say ‘these oranges go rotten off me balls Sir’ whilst grabbing my fake ‘package’ in front of the entire school.”

Whatever the case, the experience was a “new but profound and exhilarating” one and that was the defining moment when she realized she had a sincere love for the arts. From that point, she said, her passion saw her auditioning for several other roles in different plays and her love for acting kept her.

Confessing that she is more comfortable playing roles that speak Creolese as it comes natural to her having grown up in the countryside, Nirmala said that every role she plays is a great one. Recently, she performed in the play "The Colour of Race 2."

“It wasn't a lead role,” she said, “but I really enjoyed it and I felt that my performance was powerful and so was the message of the play. The stage manager was like ‘I would give you an award for that role.’”

Nirmala is proud of how far she has come from her first performance and the fans who continue to support her everyday.

Nirmala’s raw talent and devotion to theatre saw her collecting various awards over the years. She has won the Best Supporting Actress Award for "A New Beginning" in 2011 and Best Actress Award for "Virtue" in 2012 at the Theatre Guild Guyana Awards ceremony. She graduated from the National School of Theatre Arts and Drama, where she received an award for the Best Graduating Student for Production. She is also proud that she is a member of the Re-Actors, the National Drama Company and the fact that she has done street theatre performances in different regions for Merundoi Incorporated and played characters for their radio drama series.

Aside from the joys associated with a life in theatre however, Nirmala pointed to the lack of respect actors and others in theatre face in Guyana, particularly when it comes to the timely for payment for their work.

Nirmala said that one of the solutions is for those involved in theatre to put together a union so that they can be represented and their rights and interests protected.

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The emergence of the National School of Theatre Arts and Drama

T

By Subraj Singh

he Guyana National School of Theatre Arts and Drama (NSTAD) graduated its first batch of students in 2013. Since then, the number of graduates has continuously risen over the years and the School has emerged as one of the strongest artistic institutions in the way that it offers practical and theoretical aspects of study that focus on the performing arts.

NSTAD is a part of the network that is the Institute of Creative Arts (ICA) along with other schools such as the E.R. Burrowes School of Art, the National School of

Music and the National Dance School.

It is interesting to note that even though some of the other schools are decades older than the still quite young Drama School, at the ICA’s 2015 Convocation Ceremony, NSTAD had the second highest number of graduates, behind the Burrowes School of Art, which highlights not only the growth in the number of students attending the school within the short span of three years since it came into existence but also, more importantly, but that there is a notable interest in the performing arts and that people are willing to dedicate the time and energy necessary for proper training. The NSTAD fills a gap and serves a purpose.

(Students from the 2014 batch perform “Stickfight” Photo by Kojo McPherson) The students who attended the evening classes for the entire year it takes to graduate are proof of this.

Like other institutions, NSTAD offers core modules of study along with electives that students can select from during their school year. Some of the core subjects in the first semester of study include Acting, both practical work and theory; History of Theatre, which introduces and expounds on many of the early forms of theatre that students can use in their own work; English Language and English Literature, as it is important for drama students to know how to analyze a text; Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, which aims to prepare students to succeed as creative and artistic entrepreneurs; and Stage Management, which teaches students how to operate in various capacities (lights, sound, costume, make-up, etc.) in the world of theatre.

In the second semester, students can choose from a wide range of courses, including Playwriting, Directing, Film, Dance, Music, Design, etc. Currently, Margaret Lawrence serves as the Administrator of the National School of Theatre Arts and Drama, with Mr. Al Creighton as Director of Studies.

Several other Guyanese who are prominent in the performing arts, such as Ron Robinson, Godfrey Naughton and Vivienne Daniels, function as lecturers at the school.

At the end of each semester, the students, as part of their course work assessment, have to put on a production usually simply referred to as “The Performance.” With two such grand performances in each school year, the students are able to apply all the skills they would have learnt into their production. The scripts are always written, directed and acted out by the students

themselves.

However, in addition to that they also have to create their own costumes, props and set, and they also have to promote the event, which is always free of charge to the public. In this way, the students learn not only skills relevant to “creating” a play, but also the skills that are necessary to ensure the successful production of that play.

“The Performance” at the end of the semester has become something to look forward to within the theatre fraternity and one wishes that the general public would become more willing to attend and support what are usually lavish and exciting productions staged by the young dramatists of our country. At these productions, students have and adapted and ► Continued

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► From page XII staged well-known work such as Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex and the Indian epic, Ramlila. At the same time, they also write their own plays, focusing on social issues in Guyana, as well as often reaching into our rich cultural makeup and using Amerindian creation myths, African rituals and Indian traditions to create their own unique forms of Guyanese/Caribbean theatre.

The National School of Theatre Arts and Drama also runs the National Drama Festival (NDF) which is undoubtedly one of the most important literary events in the country. Each year, scores of plays are written just for this event and this, therefore, makes it easy to see why the National Drama Festival is important since it functions as a catalyst for the creation of many, many plays on an annual basis. The Festival offers dramatists the opportunity to win prizes but, more importantly, it offers creatives in theatre the

Storytelling Day events and often host workshops or conferences for the students by hosting prominent troupes or theatre personalities who may be visiting the country.

It is also important to talk about the alumni of the NSTAD who make up the National Drama Company of Guyana (NDC).

Apart from hosting workshops in a variety of fields, the NDC has also represented Guyana at Carifesta last year in Haiti and has participated in numerous events as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations. Currently, most of the NDC are engaged in the plays for the Jubilee Theatre Festival, where, in integral roles, they serve a variety of functions: as directors, stage managers, playwrights and, most prominently, actors.

With such widespread reach and the ability to infuse its main resource – the talent possessed by its students (former and current) – in a variety of cultural events, the National School of Theatre Arts

(2016 Students in “Spirits” Photo by Godfrey Phil, Department of Culture) while ensuring that it is still moving with the rest of the world by encouraging newer theatrical forms (such as postmodernism and avant-garde theatre), the NSTAD is clearly very determined to carve out a niche in the Guyanese cultural landscape for a newer breed of theatre

(Students from 2015 perform “Oedipus Rex” Photo by Godfrey Phil, Department of Culture) opportunity to stage their work without having to pay for use of the stage or rehearsal space, which is a great initiative since paying for a venue is one of the most costly aspects of drama production.

The NSTAD has also been a part of the World Poetry Day and World

and Drama has emerged as an important force in Guyanese culture and is beginning to revive the theatrical movement that fluctuated so often in our country’s history. With its emphasis on the traditional (such as rituals and the dramas of social realism)

practitioners who will be able to sustain themselves with what is new, while paying tribute to what is old.

The Ministry of Education has hinted at plans to create a campus for the creative arts and this emphasizes the concept of the various

schools under the ICA not being separate, but functioning almost as a singular network that is meant to push the creative arts in Guyana to new horizons. The actors the Drama School produces might find work with the rise of new filmmakers in Guyana. The Playwriting class at the

School is set to make the Drama category of the Guyana Prize for Literature Award the most interesting it has been in years. The National Drama Festival offers roles not only for dramatists but also for dancers, musicians, and designers. There are cultural networks all around us

and the National School of Theatre Arts and Drama, with everything that it is trying to do and everything that it is aiming for, is more than representative of the ways in which a single cultural hub can contribute to and aid other aspects of the Guyanese cultural network.

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 5, 2016

A Jamaican ‘Taxi’ Ride Chronicle sports reporter Stephan Sookram recently travelled to Westmoreland, Jamaica for a Caribbean motor racing meet. He did not bargain for the “taxi” ride to the event’s venue.

Stephan Sookram

“Unah affi not worry bout de boyz in blue!’’ he said.

“Meh breddah, ah iz the bass round dis here parts!” As if that was supposed to ease my mind from the fact that his faded black and mud splattered Jialing motorcycle was barely evading the resident dogs and the intermittent pot holes that seemed to appear almost out of nowhere.

This was a taxi ride in Westmoreland, Jamaica: A Rasta man half trying to sell me a stake in his “blooming” herbal business and half explaining why his five “child mothers” always hounded him for a small “bly.”

I mean, sure, when in Rome do as the Romans, but this was crazy!

Here I was, backpack in one hand and camera bag in the other, pelting down the winding access road to the Jamwest Raceway.

Not sure it was the “lil” Jamaican Pearl emitting from his blunt or the sound of “nah far mo fuh go man!” that eventually comforted me, but it sure kept my mind off the fact that his front wheel had more wobble than new-born Bambi.

According to the proprietor of the house we had rented, “Garvey solid! Him gun tek yuh way safe safe tuh unah racetrack,” and while there was a car outside the house waiting 10 minutes after my phone call with the owner, that was only his son collecting spares from the Garage.

“Bless!” Garvey first said to me and for the next five minutes. He bent my ear with his business plan to transform his “herbal plot” into the next largest Jamaican export, with the explanation interrupted intermittently by his irritable expression of “Bumbaclaath taxes!”

I learnt that taxis in Jamaica meant motorbikes, and the best place to hide your weed stash was behind your bike’s number plate.

Though his tales came to an end due to the fact that I’d reached my destination; it was a brighter spot on account of the fact that his rolling death-trap, which idled as though the cylinders were arguing, got me there safely.

I paid him his 300 Jamaican dollars and thanked him; not for the drop, but for keeping my mind off the bloody shoddy state of his taxi.

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WHO experts say Zika may cause birth defects in thousands of babies (Reuters) World Health Organization officials on Friday cautioned that "many thousands" of infants infected with Zika virus could suffer neurological abnormalities and said nations dealing with an outbreak need to watch for problems beyond the widely reported cases of

microcephaly.

These include spasticity, seizures, irritability, feeding difficulties, eyesight problems and evidence of severe brain abnormalities.

Health officials had previously concluded that Zika infection in pregnant women was a cause of microcephaly in babies, a rare

birth defect characterized by unusually small heads and potentially severe developmental problems.

They now believe the range of potential neurological problems in infants could be much wider.

In an editorial published in a WHO bulletin, experts said 37 countries and ter-

A scientist displays Aedes aegypti mosquitoes inside the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) insect pest control laboratory in Seibersdorf, Austria, February 10, 2016. (REUTERS/LEONHARD FOEGER) ritories in the Americas are now dealing with Zika, which is mainly spread by mosquitoes, as well as unprotected sex with an infected man. In Brazil, the country hardest hit so far, authorities have confirmed more than 1,400 cases of microcephaly believed to be linked to Zika.

"With such spread, it is possible that many thousands of infants will incur moderate to severe neurological disabilities," the editorial said.

"Existing evidence and

unpublished data shared with WHO highlight the wider range of congenital abnormalities probably associated with the acquisition of Zika virus infection in utero," the editorial said.

The organization called for routine surveillance systems and research efforts to be expanded to include a larger population than simply children with microcephaly.

U.S. officials are girding for local outbreaks, especially in southern states such as Florida and Texas,

as summer mosquito season gets under way.

Local transmission is already present on the island territory of Puerto Rico, where officials have predicted there will be hundreds of thousands of cases. Other reported U.S. cases have involved people who had traveled to Zika-hit areas.

WHO has also said there is strong scientific consensus that Zika can also cause Guillain-Barre, a rare neurological syndrome that can cause temporary paralysis in adults.

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Jubilee visitors sample local products

Chronicle Pepperpot June 5, 2016

GMC’s banner and display of products for distribution at Eugene F. Correia International Airport

T

he Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) in its mandate to promote the consumption of fresh fruits and value-added products, distributed samples to visitors who came to Guyana during the last week leading up to Guyana’s jubilee independence anniversary.

The team from the Guyana Marketing Corporation took the opportunity to present visitors from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and the Eugene F. Correia International Airport with packages of fresh and Agro-processed foods.

Samples of plantain chips, cassava chips, cassava bread, tamarind balls, peanut bars, nut cake, sugar cake and a variety of fresh fruits including watermelon, banana, papaw and pineapples were distributed. A total of 790 Agro-processed sample packages and 750 sample containers of fruits were prepared and distributed to incoming visitors at both Airports. Guyana Shop post cards were also given to the visitors who received samples.

General Manager of Guyana Marketing Corporation Ms. Ida Sealey-Adams stated that the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of the Corporation were elated to capitalize on the opportunity to promote the local commodities. This undertaken was made possible through collaboration with the Authorities of both International Airports. Ms. Sealey-Adams affirmed that the benefits that were derived from this activity included increase awareness of locally manufactured products and more importantly through distribution of the postcards visitors were able to visit the Guyana Shop and purchase additional locally manufactured products. Some of the visitors who made pur► Contiuned on page XIX

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Jubilee visitors ... â–ş Continued on page XVIII chases at the Guyana Shop at Robb and Alexander Street after the distribution of samples stated that they were appreciative of the warm welcome that was afforded to them through the distribution of the samples. Purchases of similar items were made at the Guyana Shop.

This initiative, the General Manager stated, certainly will not be the first of its kind that the Corporation will embark. (GMC)

Staff distributing samples to arriving visitors at CJIA

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A day in the life of Picasso: artist's same-day works up for sale (Reuters) Two still life works by Pablo Picasso painted on the same day are among offerings at an upcoming London auction that also features works

by Amedeo Modigliani, Claude Monet, Wassily Kandinsky and Paul Klee.

Picasso's "Nature morte" and "Nature morte aux volets verts", from Dec. 29,

1946, are each are estimated at 2 million pounds-3 million pounds ($2.89 million-$4.33 million) and will go under the hammer at Christie's auction on June 22.

Art handlers pose with "Nature morte" (L) and "Nature morte aux volets verts"

by Pablo Picasso, at Christie's auction house in London, Britain, June 1, 2016.

(REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth) "It gives such an amazing insight into how Picasso was working," Jay Vincze, head of the Impressionist and Modern Art department at Christie's London, told

Reuters. "Rarely do we see a pair of paintings painted on the same day."

Estimated at 5 million to 7 million pounds, Modigliani's "Madame Hanka

Zborowska" portrait is leading the sale alongwith Monet's "L'Ancienne rue de la ChaussĂŠe, Argenteuil", estimated at 4.5 million to 6.5 million pounds.

Chronicle Pepperpot June 5, 2016

Makeup diva

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Tennecia Garett A

By Akola Thompson

aims for Hollywood

s a child, now 21-year-old Tennecia Garrett dreamt of following in her grandmother’s footsteps and working in the hospital. As the years went by however, Tennecia realized that while she still cared about helping people, she could not stand the sight of blood and as such, would not be able to care for anyone who was injured or bleeding.

Throughout most of her teenage years, Tennecia was not sure as to what exactly she wanted to do but the answer became increasingly clear after a while.

While she began dabbling in the art of makeup at the age of 16, it was not until she became 18 that Tennecia began to take it seriously.

“When I began, I had no intention of doing it as a business; I was just doing it for fun.

“Art has always been a part of me my entire life so doing makeup helped me to freely display my creative side.”

Often, Tennecia would try out makeup looks that she saw online for the fun of it and then post it on social media. Eventually, people began to ask her whether she would do their makeup but because she was very shy and felt that she was no professional to be entrusted with someone’s face, she would reply in the negative.

The first time she did makeup for someone was for a wedding.

“It was a school friend who asked me to do her sister's makeup and I felt com- Tennecia Garrett (Saajid Husani photo) fortable because I knew her and all, but I was still a little shaky because it was her big day. After that, I realized it wasn't as bad as I thought and making the client happy was the best feeling ever; it gave me so much confidence and then I starting taking appointments.”

Before long, Tennecia had a steady stream of clients who not only loved her makeup but loved her personality as well. Tennecia makes such a mark on her clients that several of them have flown her to various destinations so that she could do their makeup. The Philippines, New York and Los Angeles are just a few of these places.

“There's nothing better than doing what you love while making a living from it; work never feels like work,” said Tennecia, “I really enjoy being creative and having challenging looks to try; satisfying my customers is priceless and at the end I look back and think did I really just do that, with a big smile on my face.”

While she is well known for her work as merely being someone who does women’s makeup exceptionally well, Tennecia has another side to her make up skills, one that she enjoys more but does not get the opportunity to do as much as she would like.

When she first started to play around in makeup, said Tennecia, it was the special effects side of it that caught her attention, “I was not able to do much back then because the equipment and products weren't available in Guyana, so I just focused more on the beauty aspect of it.”

While passion and talent is good, often it is not enough, as being a special effects artist in Guyana was not something she could earn sufficient money from as not many movies are done here. As such, it is only around times such as Halloween that she would be in high demand.

She says that while she hopes Guyana will start filming videos which require special effect makeup, she also hopes to someday soon work in Hollywood and have her own makeup line.

Commenting on the pitfalls new makeup artists face, Tennecia said that when she started four years ago, it was a lot easier as Guyanese weren't that much into makeup.

“I was self-taught, so I wasn't that good at the start but at the same time the client didn't know any better; it was easy for me to get away while knowing my own flaws but now, pretty much everyone is into makeup and they will know what you did wrong and call you out on it.

“So for the beginners, please make sure you do a lot of research before you apply any product to a client's face.”

Conscious of the challenges in their way, Tennecia urges young makeup artists and others to invest in their passion and to give it their all.

“Try to stand out and make people remember you. There will always be competition, someone fresh, new and different, but who likes you will stick with you.

“Just be kind to your customer because nothing goes together better than awesome work and a great personality.”

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The women who took the flag to Mount Ayangana T

By Sherah Alleyne

he Golden Arrowhead being hoisted at the top of Mount Ayanganna as an annual feature dating back to 1966 when a team headed by the Late Mr. Adrian Thompson, and including members of the Guyana Defence Force and Amerindian Guides planted the National Flag on the summit of Mount Ayanganna.

Each year, on the eve of Guyana’s Republic Anniversary soldiers would brave the many flowing rivers, mountainous terrain and harsh weather conditions to hoist the Golden Arrowhead at an altitude of 6,700 atop Mount Ayanganna.

One notable feature, however, is that over the years female soldiers have taking up the challenge to overcome the crest of Mount Ayanganna.

The Women’s Army Corps made history when the first female conquered the peak in 1992 and again when an all-female patrol climbed the mountain in 2005 and 2009.

This year, a team ventured to the top of the mountain to raise the flag for Guyana’s 50th Independence anniversary and that team included Lance Corporal Shannon Ross –Cox, the only female in the contingent.

Guyana Chronicle recently had the opportunity to meet the first woman soldier to climb to the top of Ayanagana for the event, and the most recent female Along the way

soldier to do so, namely, Ross-Cox. Staff Sergeant (ret’d) Beverley Somerset made history when she was recorded as the first female climbed the mountain 24-years ago. Her accomplishment paved the way for other females to take on the challenge of conquering Mount Ayanganna.

Somerset said that she requested to climb the mountain to send a strong message to the male soldiers.

This was after she was denied the opportunity to complete the para-trooping course.

The patrol left Timehri on February 8, 1992 for Imbaimadai with eleven male soldiers including two Officers - Captain Lee and Second Lieutenant Jackson, along with Somerset.

When she left the airport, she was very excited. She stated that she undertook vigourous training before the trip so she was physically fit.

They went through the Mazaruni River to Chi Chi Falls in Region 8 (Potaro –Siparuni), which is about 350 feet high. They then headed to the Chinoweng which took them about four hours.

On arrival at the village, the villagers were curious as to why she was on the expedition, since they were accustomed to seeing only men. Some of them even encouraged her not to go, as they explained to her the challenge she would have face when climbing to the summit. But Somerset used their ►Continued on page XXVI

Stopping at a stream along the way

Chronicle Pepperpot June 5, 2016

The Mount Ayanagana 2016 team with the pilot who took them to Chinoweng.

Lance Corporal Shannon Ross –Cox is 4th from left

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The women who took the flag ... ◄ From

page XXIV discouragement as motivation to complete the patrol.

Somerset explained that out of the twelve persons who were on the patrol, only six of them made it to the summit. They had to cover

difficult terrain and contend with harsh weather conditions at the same time, even going through a rocky tunnel where they were guided by each other’s footsteps.

But as they reached the summit, it was what Somerset described as savannah.

She stated that the view from

the summit was amazing.

“There is a very large rock on the summit, it is clean without mass, and it is very shiny.”

When they reached the peak, she felt that she had accomplished that mission she had set out to do; indeed she had. When asked if she

would do it again she said “I will because I have the belly.”

The Women’s Army Corps made history again when Lance Corporal Shannon Ross –Cox (the Medic) was the lone female who participated in Operation Arrowhead after successful completing the mission of raise the Golden Arrowhead on the summit of Mount Ayanganna, in observance of Guyana’s 50th Anniversary of Independence.

The members of the Guyana Defence Force patrol was headed by Lieutenant Wavon Samuels, and included Lance Corporals Milton Isaacs,

Teusimar Peters and Privates Kenroy Samuels, Chavez George, Colliin Hinds and Winston Williams.

Ross- Cox described the experience as a wonderful one. She stated that while the walks were long and the climbing was rough, she was prepared for it.

Unlike Somerset, who had to cover an additional set of walking from for Imbaimadai, Ross- Cox and the team were dropped off at Chi Chi and they walked to get their guide at Chinoweng, who took them to the mountain foot.

She stated that the climbed was most challenging of the expedition; she

compared the climbed an assault course, where she was under and over trees among other obstacles.

When she reached the peak, the team said the Army creed, sung the song of the Republic and said the National Pledge and planted the flag.

Ross-Cox was satisfied that the task was accomplished. After all, she had the responsibility of bearing the flag through the journey and that has imbued in her a sense of deep pride.

Indeed, she swore to put country first, and by accomplishing this feat, she has surely demonstrated her loyalty to country.

Chronicle Pepperpot June 5, 2016

'Daddy went past a red light': Massachusetts boy, 6, busts father (Reuters) A police dispatcher outside Boston got an unexpected call last weekend when a 6-year-old boy dialed 911 to alert them that his father had run a red light on the way to the car wash, according to a recording posted online by the Quincy Police Department.

"Daddy went past a red light. My daddy went past a red light," the boy said in the recording. "It was in a brand-new car, my mommy's car."

The operator then asked to speak with the father, who seemed unsurprised when he learned of his son's call, according to the recording and a report in the Boston Globe.

The man apologized and the police dispatcher told him not to worry, that

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he simply wanted to make sure everyone was OK. The Globe on Thursday identified the caller as Robbie Richardson, who told the newspaper he wants to go into police work when he grows up.

His father, Michael Richardson, told the newspaper his son had warned him that he had planned to call police. "He's a smart kid," the father said.

"When he says he's going to do something, he does it," Richardson could not be reached for immediate comment.

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Tasmanian devil returns to San Diego Zoo after pacemaker surgery A Tasmanian devil named Nick is back in his exhibit area at the San Diego Zoo after receiving a pacemaker to make his heartbeat normal.

In January, zoo veterinarians discovered that Nick suffered from an abnormally slow heartbeat and his cardiologist decided that surgery was in order.

Nick is only the second of his species on record ever to be implanted with a pacemaker, according to staff at the San Diego Zoo. “His heartbeats were too slow and now the pacemaker is going to actually take over (pacing) his heart and is going to determine when to pace fast or slow depending on his activity,” said Dr. Joao Orvalho, a cardiologist at the University of California, Davis, Veterinary Medical Center in San Diego.

While pacemakers are routine in humans, implanting one in a marsupial known for screeching, biting and a pungent odor proved challenging.

“Typically when a pacemaker is placed, it’s placed within the neck area,” said Dr. Fred Pike, the surgeon during the procedure. “But because of the conformation area and the shape of the neck, that’s not possible."

Instead, Pike placed the device in the animal's abdomen and sutured the electrode to the heart.

A Tasmanian devil named Nick is seen at the Conrad Prebys Australian Outback at the San Diego Zoo in San Diego, California May 31, 2016. Nick has undergone sugery to implant a pacemaker - the second time the procedure has been performed on a Tasmanian Devil.

The surgery was performed on May 11 and Nick was released from the hospital later that day. He is now back to feeding and screeching in his enclosure at the zoo.

“So far everything looks really good," Pike said.

Tasmanian devils, which are about the size of a small dog, are native to Australia's island state of Tasmania. The nocturnal hunters face extinction due to a rare, contagious cancer found only in devils - devil facial tumor disease.

The disease kills every animal infected and has no cure.

It is transmitted through biting, a normal behavior among devils when mating or feeding. The San Diego Zoo's four devils are free of the disease, the zoo said.

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Doll confusion delays Israel-bound flight from Cyprus Brief panic over a label on a toy box caused a short delay on a flight from Cyprus to Israel on Tuesday when an aircraft cleaner thought it was a warning of a bomb.

The Aegean Airlines flight bound for Tel Aviv via Larnaca, was searched by police at the Cypriot airport on Tuesday after a cleaner

found a label with the word "Booba" on it in the Latin alphabet.

"Booba", which means doll in Hebrew, looks alarm-

ingly like "bomba", or 'bomb' in Greek.

"Cyprus's civil aviation authority checked it and there was no problem.

There was a small delay, but the alarm was lifted immediately," an Aegean Airlines spokeswoman said in Athens.

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 5, 2016

BMW revamps R&D for new era of self-driving cars BMW is overhauling its research and development activities to focus on self-driving cars, board member Klaus Froehlich told Reuters, a move which includes a revamp of its "i" sub-brand of carbon-fibre based electric vehicles.

The company is updating its zero-emission vehicles after a lackluster response to its only fully battery-powered car, the i3, which recorded only 25,000 sales last year. By contrast, Tesla already has more than 370,000 orders for its Model 3.

To help improve sales, BMW is increasing the battery range of its i3 city vehicle by 50 percent this year.

Its next full-fledged new electric car model is not due until 2021, but the Bavarian auto maker is also planning to build a new version of its i3 electric car to be released by 2018, a source familiar with the matter said.

"It is a sportier brother for the i3," said the source, who declined to be named.

Rival Tesla is due to release its Model 3 in 2017, and as rivals Porsche and Audi are working on all-electric cars for release by 2019.

A new BMW flagship model with autonomous driving capabilities will follow in 2021. As a result, Froehlich is increasing the proportion of software and technology experts.

Today, software engineers make up just 20 percent of the 30,000 employees, contractors and suppliers that work on research and development for BMW. Within the next five years, BMW wants to raise that proportion to 50 percent of overall R&D staff.

In an interview at the company's headquarters in Munich, BMW board member Klaus Froehlich, who is in charge of development, said he reorganized company-wide research and development in April.

"It is now in ramp-up stage. We call it Project `i Next'."

As part of its push in autonomous driving, BMW is hiring experts in machine learning and artificial intelligence. It is also integrating the functions of existing computer-driven assistance systems like cruise control, emergency braking, lane-keeping support and automatic parking.

The revamp follows high-profile staff defections from the "i" electric car division this year. Dirk Abendroth, manager of BMW's "i" powertrain group; Henrik Wenders, vice president for product management BMW "i"; and Carsten Breitfeld, vice president engineering, head of the i8 vehicle program, were poached by a Chinese electric vehicle startup.

RIDE-HAILING With a fully autonomous vehicle, BMW could launch a ride-hailing business without having to pay drivers, Froehlich said. That would give carmakers a competitive edge over ride-hailing companies like Uber [UBER.UL] and Lyft, which are eroding car sales by making part-time use as convenient as ownership.

Earlier this month, Toyota Motor Corp said it would invest in Uber, and Volkswagen announced a $300 million investment in Gett, a smaller ride-sharing company.

BMW may partner with a ride-hailing firm, too, particularly in markets like China. But the Bavarian carmaker is still working on its strategy on potential partnerships with such companies, Froehlich said.

Sales of highly autonomous vehicles - those where permanent active input from the driver is not required - are not expected to take off until 2020. But they could then rise to around 9 million a year by 2025, according to analysts at Exane BNP Paribas.

China, the world's largest car market, is likely to be the market where autonomous cars will first emerge on a large scale, Froehlich said.

"China is extremely fast implementing technology. Last year more electric cars were sold in China than in all the other global markets combined," he added.

BMW is also considering expanding in the area of reserving parking spaces and electric car-charging stations over mobile phones, a market which is still fragmented within countries. The carmaker has already invested in ParkNow and Parkmobile, two digital parking and payment services.

"We want to actively participate in a consolidation process," Froehlich said.

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Seven beauty mantras to repeat daily Think on things that are lovely...and it will permeate through your beauty.

Most women just need a confidence boost to feel beautiful. This week let's focus on inner beauty.

Mantras are, according to the Oxford dictionary, statements or slogans repeated frequently. It's often used in meditation; most Yogis can relate to it, or anyone religious can relate to waking up to first thank God or their deity for their blessing.

Inner beauty is just as important as outer beauty and it's imperative to always believe in yourself. True beauty comes from within, and it's truly a gift to understand that life is more than the physical.

There are beauty mantras in some religions that are believed to cure skin diseases and aid in radiating the beauty of a person. If repeated daily for a number of times, they will boost the beauty. Some may call it ridiculous. However, anything is possible once you believe.

Every time you wake up in the morning (or whatever time) just look in the mirror, and channel your inner diva, and repeat the empowering phrases or statements that make you feel better and look better. It's the perfect motivation. There's nothing more beautiful than a woman who exudes confidence 1. Don't let anyone tell you that you have to be a certain way. Be what you feel. - Melissa Ethridge 2. Nothing makes a woman more beautiful than the belief that she is beautiful - Sophia Loren.

3. Put on some red lipstick and live a little.

4. Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself. - Coco Chanel 5. Your outer beauty will capture the eyes, your inner beauty will capture the heart. - Steven Aitchison 6.

People will stare make it worth their while. - Harry Winston 7. Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it. - Confucius

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Three simple steps to having a kitchen garden - Seedbed preparation, sowing and transplanting

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itchen waste is truly useful. Oftentimes, persons discard vegetable and fruit seeds as waste. But, seed is an expensive commodity that should not be tossed out. So, the next time you peel your fruits and vegetables extract the seeds. This could be the start of a flourishing kitchen garden.

Vegetables are grown either by directly placing the seeds into the ground or by transplanting seedlings that were sown in seedbeds. However, fruit plants are initially produced as seedlings in nurseries. Some are grafted or budded before planting.

Irrespective of the method or propagation, it is essential that the basics of seedbed preparation, sowing and transplanting be followed closely to maximize the benefits from crop production.

Seedbed Preparation Setting up a seedbed or nursery to begin your vegetable production is simple. This is a small area set aside for raising tender young plants for transplanting to other areas. Whether raised or flat, the seedbed should be firm allowing seeds to be in close contact with soil particles.

It is important that the seedbed is free from trash and vegetation, which usually hinder seedling growth.

The seedbed should have sufficient moisture for seed germination and to support the growth of seedlings.

For small vegetable seeds, the best type of seedbed is a mixture of sand and compost or well-rotted pen manure. Too much sand dries quickly causing the soil to form a crust on the surface, which is bad for germinating seeds. Meanwhile, excess compost causes the soil to retain too much moisture, exposing the seedlings to “damping off,” a fungal disease.

The width of the seedbed is very important. If the bed is too wide it may not be possible to tend to seedlings in the middle of the bed without injury to those on the outer edge. Seed boxes or seed trays could also be used to produce the seedlings.

The seedbed/nursery should be adequately shaded to protect seedlings from wind and heavy rainfall. Evenly distributed shade reduces the intensity of the sunrays, and water loss by the crop and soil, and the amount of ► Continued on page XXXIII

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► From page XXXII stress on the seedlings. The amount of shade should be reduced gradually until the time of transplanting.

It is a very good practice to sterilize the soil in the seedbed before sowing. You could either use chemicals or hot water. Boiling water poured onto the soil at a rate of one water can per square metre of bed is enough to disinfect that area. Using a jute (plant fibre) bag or any suitable material, cover the bed for a few hours. In addition, all the tools in the nursery should be cleaned so as to reduce the possibility of contamination of the soil or crop.

Sowing Now that the seedbed/nursery is prepared the next step is sowing. Make a furrow across the width of the bed about four inches from the edge of the bed. A furrow is a long, narrow trench used especially for planting seeds or irrigation). You should repeat this at 7.5cm intervals along the length of the seedbed/seed box.

Where planting is done on a seedbed, mix the quantity of seed with about six times as much sand; then take the sand/seed mixture and let it slip slowly through the finger into the furrows. This will ensure that the seeds are not planted too close to each other. Cover the furrow lightly with the soil and press gently to ensure proper seed/soil contact.

Water the seeds immediately after sowing. Watering should be done lightly to avoid the seeds being displaced or for “damping off” to occur. The seedbed/box should be placed in a shade for protection from “dry” winds and sunlight.

When the seedlings emerge, they should be toughened. Placing them in the early morning or late afternoon sunlight does this. As the plants get older, gradual exposure to more sunlight will prepare them for the time when they will be transplanted into the field.

A seedbed of Poi callaloo

Transplanting

Khadu, a farmer from Laluni, transplanting germinated seeds into seed tray

While the seedlings are growing preparation for transplanting them must be put in place. If they stay too long in the nursery their productivity will decrease. It is best to transplant plants when they are a few centimeters high and have between three and five leaves.

It is preferable to choose a cloudy day or after 16:00hrs, when the heat of the sun is less to transplant. This will expose the plants to the cool of the night to overcome the transplanting shock. At least one hour before taking out the plants, soak them thoroughly with water to cause as much soil as possible to cling to the roots.

When transporting them to the site for planting, ensure that the roots are covered and not exposed to the sun and or wind. Carefully separate the plants making sure that the roots are not damaged. Make a hole in the ground large enough to accommodate the roots and the soil adhering to the roots. Do not pour water into the holes before planting. Place the plant with soil into the hole making sure that the roots are pointing downwards.

Make the soil firm around the plant to force out any air pockets but do not press hard enough to break the roots. Water the plants immediately and use leafy twigs as shade for a day or two.

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Guinness Rishi, 74, multiple world record holder including most flags tattooed on his body, poses for a photograph outside his apartment in New Delhi, India May 20, 2016.

For world records, Indian man removes teeth and gets over 500 tattoos An Indian man obsessed with setting Guinness world records got 366 flags tattooed on his body and had all his teeth removed so he could put nearly 500 drinking straws and more than 50 burning candles in his mouth.

Har Parkash Rishi, who claims to have set more than 20 records, now calls himself Guinness Rishi.

Born in 1942 in a cinema hall in the capital, New Delhi, Rishi first got into the Guinness Book of World Records in 1990 when, with two friends, he rode a scooter for 1,001 hours.

The passion to get his name in the record book led him to perform some bizarre acts, including delivering a pizza from New Delhi to San Francisco and gulping a bottle of tomato ketchup in less than four minutes.

He even got his family involved - his wife Bimla holds a 1991 record for writing the world's shortest will: "All to Son".

While it is the tattoos on his body, more than 500 in all, that brought him fame, Rishi, an auto parts manufacturer by profession, says the toughest one was stuffing the straws in his mouth.

"I am the world record holder of 496 straws in my mouth ... For that record, I needed space, I had to remove every tooth so that I could put maximum straws in my mouth," Rishi told Reuters Television before re-enacting the feat on camera.

He is now getting images of global leaders tattooed on his body to add to images of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, U.S. President Barack Obama, Britain's Queen Elizabeth and Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of India's independence movement.

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Dig for victory!

Hungarian grave diggers compete to be the best A gravedigger takes part in the first Hungarian grave digging championship in Debrecen, Hungary, June 3, 2016, competing for the national crown, which is awarded based on accuracy, speed, and aesthetic quality. (REUTERS/Laszlo Balogh) (Reuters) In a graveyard in Hungary, solemn contemplation gave way to frantic sportsmanship on Friday as dozens of grave diggers battled to prove they were the fastest and best in the business.

Taking their places at plots selected by pulling names out of a hard hat, 18 two-man teams waited for an official to shout "Start!" before shoveling at the ground to dig a precise, regulation-size grave as quickly as possible.

"I don't think this is morbid," the Hungarian Undertakers’ Association's deputy chairman, Zoltan Juracsik, told Reuters at the national grave-digging contest at the wooded cemetery in Debrecen, Hungary's biggest city after Budapest.

"This is a profession, and the colleagues who toil in competition today are proud and deserve our respect."

In less than half an hour, the local team, perhaps enjoying the home advantage, finished their grave first. The stragglers took almost one hour.

The graves were then judged on neatness and whether they complied with the regulation size: 200 cm long, 80 cm wide and 160 cm deep (7 feet by 2 feet 7 inches by 5 feet).

The winning team wins a place in an international tournament against Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

The contest is meant to improve the prestige of grave digging and attract young men to a job that must still be done by hand in crowded graveyards where mechanical diggers cannot fit.

One of the competitors, Csaba Halasz, 21, began by taking summer job after high school. Although he graduated with a degree in physical education, he stayed in the business.

"This job chose me," he said. "It's hard but it's worth it.

Relatives come and thank me every time. The profession just lured me in."

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Amitabh Bachchan celebrates 43rd wedding anniversary (Indian Express) Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has thanked his fans for wishing him and wife Jaya on their 43rd marriage anniversary.

The 73-year-old actor, who tied the knot on June 3, 1973 with the actress-politician, said Jaya is again abroad on the occasion.

“So another year has gone by between Jaya and I… And another year has gone by when we have not been able to be in town together… She is away overseas and me is within the seas..!!

“Thank you for the anniversary greetings to all the Ef… its been 43 years and that is a long time…,” he wrote on his blog along with the pictures of them.

The star couple got married after working together in Prakash Mehra’s “Zanjeer”. Their wedding was a hush-hush affair with only a few of close industry friends and family members in attendance.

The “Te3N” star recalled it was raining on his wedding day.

“It began to drizzle as I was preparing to leave for the location of the wedding in Malabar Hill at a dear friend of Jaya’s father .. our neighbours came running out and said ‘hurry up and depart for the wedding, this rain is a good omen’…”

Their wedding also paved way for two other persons in their families — Bachchan’s late driver Nagesh and Jaya’s maid — to tie the knot.

“Left in my pride of the moment a Pontiac coupe, driven by long serving and dedicated driver Nagesh, who married Jaya’s maid soon after we got married … Nagesh’s son Rakesh now works with us at Jalsa… Nagesh passed away some years back…,” he added.

We are not targeting anyone in ‘Udta Punjab’: Alia Bhatt (Indian Express) Actress Alia Bhatt says the intention behind making “Udta Punjab” is not to condemn those involved in drug problems but to empathise with their struggle to emerge out of it.

The Abhishek Chaubey-directed film is based on the issue of drug addiction in Punjab.

There were reports that the censor board was not clearing the fillm but the makers have clarified that the film is still under process for certification.

Alia says “Udta Punjab” is not villainising anyone but introducing audience to an issue, which is plaguing not only India but the whole world.

“Whosoever watches the film he/she will realise it is a story, which is important because it is almost like education of what the

situation is. We are not attacking anybody in particular, we are showing a perspective, it’s a backdrop,” Alia told PTI in an interview.

“The problem is not only in Punjab, it is in India. We are not targeting India, in fact this exists in the world. People are battling it, they are dying at young age. It is very sad to hear these things.

“We are not being preachy and saying that you are wrong if you are a drug addict. In fact, we are empathising with them because it’s a battle. Full mention and regard has been given to that,” she added.

Co-produced by Phantom Films and Balaji Motion Pictures, “Udta Punjab” also stars Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh.

It is expected to hit theatres on June 17.

Alia Bhatt says the intention behind making “Udta Punjab” is not to condemn those involved in drug problems but to empathise with their struggle to emerge out of it

Anil Kapoor’s son Harshvardhan bags role in Vikramaditya Motwane’s next film (Indian Express) Anil Kapoor’s son Harshvardhan, who will be making his debut in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s love story ‘Mirzya’, has now bagged a role in Vikramaditya Motwane’s next film titled ‘Bhavesh Joshi’ even before his debut release. Filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane, who has directed critically acclaimed films like Udaan and Lootera, was impressed with Harshvardhan’s appearance and acting skills, and he decided to cast the star kid in his upcoming film. The movie will go on floors next month. “Yes, we are making Bhavesh Joshi with Harshvardhan Kapoor and the film will be going on floors from next month,” Motwane confirmed the news without disclosing much about the film’s subject.

Gucci takes fashionistas to Westminster Abbey for catwalk show

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Models present creations by Gucci at a catwalk show in the cloisters of Westminster Abbey in London, Britain June 2, 2016. (REUTERS/ Neil Hall)

ondon's Westminster Abbey has hosted royal weddings as well as burials and memorials for numerous famous British subjects. On Thursday, its cloisters were the setting for a rather different gathering -- a fashion show.

Italian luxury label Gucci took fashionistas to the famed venue, where Britain's Prince William married Kate Middleton in 2011, to present its colorful and eclectic 2017 cruise collection.

With "Punks, Victoriana and schoolboys" the inspiration for creative director Alessandro Michele, models strutted down the walkways of the cloisters, which date from the 13th to 15th centuries, in bold designs adorned with peacocks and snakes.

Dresses sported lace and frills, skirts came in colorful check prints and handbags were decorated with floral embroideries. There was also plenty of ruffles and polka dots.

The decision to hold the show in the Abbey did draw criticism from some religious figures. London newspaper The Evening Standard quoted Michele as defending his location choice because "history is what is really cool".

The Gucci show in London follows French fashion house Dior's cruise line presentation at the majestic Blenheim Palace outside Oxford, northwest of London, earlier this week.

Cruise collections, originally designed for wealthy clients holidaying on yachts or cruises during the winter months, are outfits produced by stylists on top of seasonal lines.

Madonna prevails in copyright lawsuit over 'Vogue' song

Madonna performs during her Rebel Heart Tour concert at Studio City in Macau, China February 20, 2016. (REUTERS/BOBBY YIP)

(Reuters) Pop singer Madonna prevailed on Thursday in a copyright lawsuit over her song "Vogue" that alleged one of her producers copied a fraction-of-a-second segment of horns from a song he had also worked on.

In a 2-1 vote, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Pasadena, California ruled that a general audience would not recognize the 0.23-second snippet in "Vogue" as originating from the song "Love Break."

Shep Pettibone, a producer of "Vogue," also recorded "Love Break" in the early 1980's, according to the court ruling.

The plaintiff, VMG Salsoul LLC, owns the copyright to "Love Break" and alleged Pettibone sampled the "horn hit" from the earlier work and added it to "Vogue."

But the appeals court ruled in favor of Madonna, Pettibone and other defendants including Warner Bros Records.

"Defendants copied, at most, a quarter-note single horn hit and a full measure containing rests and a double horn hit," Circuit Judge Susan Graber wrote for the majority.

"A reasonable jury could not conclude that an average audience would recognize an appropriation of the 'Love Break' composition."

The dissenting judge, Barry Silverman, said even a small sample of music, used without a license, should be a copyright violation. "In any other context, this would be called theft," Silverman wrote.

Robert Besser, a lawyer for VMG Salsoul, said in a phone interview: "I agree with the dissent because it should be an infringement for copying any piece of any sound recording." He said his client would review its legal options.

A lawyer for Madonna could not immediately be reached for comment.

Snapchat horror film 'Sickhouse' released for sale (Reuters) An unconventional horror movie made from hundreds of 10-second clips shot for and published on Snapchat has been released for sale after drawing millions of views on the popular social media site.

Entitled "Sickhouse", the made-for-mobile film follows social media celebrity Andrea Russett and her friends as they head into the woods to explore an abandoned cabin. It was shot on iPhones over five days and released via her Snapchat account.

Snapchat, a mobile app where posts disappear within 24 hours, has more than 100 million active users, most under the age of 25. The clips blending real life and fiction were compiled into a 68-minute film now available on the online service Vimeo.

"I don't think people are ever going to lose interest in sitting down and watching a movie but I think it's interesting to try out these new different things," Russett, who has 2.5 million subscribers to her YouTube channel, told Reuters.