Pepperpot 2015 10 4

(Emil Mendez poses with Mitzy Campbell, Public Relations Officer of the Georgetown Hospital. His inspirational story as told by Shauna Jemmot inside)

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 4, 2015

Bullets and Blood – Conclusion

S

By Maureen Rampertab

he hummed softly, a Tina Turner song, as she busied herself with the food preparation, different moments of yesterday replaying in her mind – the fear that had gripped her heart when she was taken to the police station and questioned about Mark and that evening with Raj, when the tension had dissipated and she had forgotten for those hours, the trouble that had been burdening her mind.

“He’s such a nice person,” she mused, a little smile playing on her lips, but, she remanded herself soberly, “I’m with Mark.”

She left with her containers to the food court, anxiously awaited by the vendors nearby who were worried about her.

“Why deh want yuh at de station? Is wah dey question yuh about?”

“It’s nothing to worry about,” Tanya assured them, “It was something about Mark.”

“But yuh come home late.”

“I was with Raj.” A slip of the tongue, words she could not recall and Aunt Stephanie exclaimed, “Aha, I knew it!”

“Oh boy,” Tanya groaned, “What have I done?”

The women looked at her with keen interest and she dismissed them causally, “Nothing happened.”

“Okay,” they accepted, happy she had found someone new, “But is ah good start,” Just before the lunch break, Mark came by her stall and as they talked, a team from the tactical squad and a few detectives arrived with an aggressive approach. Mark showed no sense of guilt or fear, adopting a brave stance when he asked the investigators why they taken his girlfriend in for questioning.

“We’re following all leads,” was the crisp answer.

A look of disdain crossed Mark’s face and he said in a harsh tone, “That was wrong man, you have nothing on me.”

Raj, who had been talking to two businessmen, was walking to her stall when Mark spoke and he responded without looking at Tanya, “Not now, we don’t, but we are on the right track.”

The two men, different in every way, looked at each other, a daring look on their faces as though Mark was saying, “You can’t touch me, I’m too clever” and Raj countering, “You’ll make a mistake and we will get you.”

Mark turned to Tanya and said in a low tone, a harsh edge in his voice, “I’ll talk to you when you get home.”

He left, driving off in a show of his fearless attitude.

Raj looked at her, a glint of worry flicking across his face.

“Is there any problem?”

“No, we were just talking.”

“So,” he said smoothly, changing the topic, “When do I see you again?”

She shook her head, uncertainly, “I don’t know and I don’t think it’s…”

“I’ll find a way,” he interrupted her, “so I can see that beautiful smile.”

The look in his eyes stirred something strange in her

heart, like an impending storm and she asked a question of the Heavens, “What is happening?”

Mark came home early that night, a grim look on his face, not saying anything throughout dinner. He poured a glass of whiskey after and sat for a long while in deep contemplation, the taut muscles on his face telling her something was wrong.

He took another drink, poured one for her, then he asked her, “What did you tell them?”

maureen.rampertab@gmail.com

A new life, lost dreams found, dancing on the clouds

“Nothing of worth,” she answered truthfully, “Because I know nothing.”

He nodded, still tense, troubled about something, then he got up and said, “They’ve been investigating in this area a bit too often then they picked you up for questioning. It means they’re onto something and they’ll question you again so we’ll have to leave.”

“Why Mark? Why is the police interested in you?”

“You’ll know everything in time.” He snapped at her, “I have to work out some new plans to find someplace safe for us.”

“No,” she cried in her mind, “this isn’t good.”

But she said nothing further, because he was not in a good mood. He left early the next morning, telling her he would be back in two days and once again worry crept in her mind. Songs helped to calm her mind and she was humming a Whitney Houston tune when a young boy pulled up on a bicycle and gave her a note.

It was from Raj, telling her he would pick her up discreetly, at 8 o’clock.

She had not been sure it was a good idea to see him again, but if she wanted a change in her life, this was a good chance she had to take. It was another wonderful evening, somewhere quiet outside the city, a relaxing atmosphere, dim lights and music to soothe the soul. Raj’s charming personality she was beginning to love, his humour and the new dance steps to Bollywood music he taught her. One night they embraced, not wanting it to end, a beautiful couple in a world of their ► Continued on page III

Chronicle Pepperpot October 4, 2015

III

Bullets and Blood ► From page II own, as danger lurked on the outskirts.

Mark came home the second night, not troubled or angry, but confident and he hugged her.

“A perfect plan is in place for us to leave tonight.”

“Where are we going?”

“To a little paradise, where the arms of the law can’t touch us.”

She made up her mind, knowing if she didn’t take a stance now, he would drag her with him in a world of crime where there would be no turning back.

“I am not leaving with you,” she said firmly, “until you give me some answers.”

He took a step towards her, in aggression, then stopped and exhaled sharply, to control his anger.

“Yeah, I can tell you now, that I was the mastermind behind the high profile robberies.”

She looked at him stunned, for even though she had harboured suspicions of something bad, his confession was a great shock.

“I’ll take you away from here and give you a better life.” He told her with a smug look, “It’s what you wanted, isn’t it?”

“Yes.” She answered, her heart sinking with deep disappointment, “But we were supposed to realize our dreams through honest and hard work, not with blood money.”

“It’s not blood money!” he shouted, grabbing her around the neck, “It’s my money, I earned it the hard way!”

He pushed her roughly and strode across the room, punching the air angrily.

She gasped for air and as her breathing steadied, she told him in a trembling voice, “It’s not the life I wanted, Mark, I think we should go our separate ways.”

He said nothing, just stood there, staring out the window and just when she thought he hadn’t heard her, he turned around, dark anger on his face.

“Oh God, I’m dead!” a voice screamed in her head and she turned to run and lock herself in the bedroom, but too late.

He grabbed her by the hair and dragged her from the

doorway, slapping her and kicking her as she fell down, until she fell on the floor, gasping for air. He picked her up, throwing her on the sofa and he wiped the blood from her mouth, saying in a deadly, low tone.

“You’re not leaving me now or ever.”

He left her lying there in blood and tears, and went into the bedroom to pack two bags for them to leave. She was hurting so bad, she could hardly move, but she had to get to the phone to call for help. Raj’s card was hidden in one of the cook books in the kitchen and she literally dragged herself to get there.

She dialed his number with badly trembling fingers but his phone went to voicemail and she left a message that was barely a whisper, “Raj, I need your help.”

She heard Mark coming and dropped the phone and card under the table.

“What are you doing?” he asked, still angry.

“I don’t want to go!” she cried, but he was unmoved by her plea and grabbing her arm, he forced her out of the door.

He stopped at a dark alley somewhere in the city to change vehicles and drove for hours up the highway until they reached an area along a long trail with small houses like huts, nestled together.

“We will stay here for a couple of days,” he told her, touching her cheek, maybe to say ‘sorry’. but she pulled

away from him.

An elderly woman tended to her wounds, helped her with a bath, made sure she was comfortable and brought her some food; but she ate nothing, crying quietly all night, a prayer in her thoughts for help to find her.

Raj had been at an emergency meeting when she called and he could hear the pain and desperation in her voice as he listened to the message. He responded immediately, but too late, she was gone. The blood on the sofa and torn bits of her clothing were evidence of an assault, but worse yet was when he found her phone and his card under the kitchen table, knowing she could make no further contact with him.

“He’s running and he has taken her with him,” Raj announced to his team of investigators, “He knows we’re getting close, so he’s moving fast to create a gap.”

Tanya’s food vendor friends were put on alert to report to the police if she called and were briefed on what questions to ask her so they could pinpoint a location. Reports were sent out to border patrols, road blocks were set up on all the highways and as the search intensified, Raj prayed silently for her safety.

“Where are you, Tanya?” he whispered.

She did not know herself, opening her eyes the following morning to a strange place, somewhere far from home. She had heard voices, swearing outside, a few with

foreign accents, and she got up, wincing in pain as she limped to the window.

Mark was standing amongst many men in deep discussion, four of whom she recognized as suspects wanted by the police. All the men were heavily armed and Tanya retreated to the sofa, wondering what they were planning.

The elderly woman brought breakfast for her, a mild, sympathetic look in her eyes; and as Tanya tried to eat something, Mark came in and sat in front of her. She did not look at him nor say anything.

He knew she was hurt and disturbed and he apologized.

“I’m sorry I hurt you again, but as soon as we cross the border, everything will be fine.”

“What border?” she asked alarmed.

“Brazil, a good place to hide for now.”

Tanya’s heart sank, the dark clouds hovering, now darker, for she would have to live her life with a fugitive.

“I want to go home.” She said quietly.

He gave her an angry look and went back outside, leaving her in tears. The elderly woman looked at her, unobtrusively from the kitchen, touched by her sadness, having lost her only daughter a few years ago; and late that afternoon, she sent an urgent message to her son in the city.

Tactical units had already

been dispatched to different areas and one was not far from the suspects’ location when the report was received.

“Thank God!” Raj exclaimed, with deep relief, as he sped to the location with two units; but they were still a long way coming when the shooting started as the criminals engaged the police with heavier fire power.

“Stay down!” Mark shouted to Tanya as bullets pierced the walls, shattering everything inside.

There were gunmen everywhere, with heavy weapons, and it sounded like a war zone with causalities on both sides, but the police skillfully held their own until back-up arrived. By that time, the main suspects had escaped on ATVs, heading for the border. Two speed boats were waiting at the river crossing and at that moment, Tanya knew she had to make a break for it. It was a ‘do or die’ effort for her and seeing two police vehicles coming in the far distance, she jerked her hand from Mark and ran.

The pain in her legs where he had repeatedly kicked her hampered her, but she kept going, hearing him shouting, “Stop Tanya, stop or I’ll shoot you!”

She stopped and turned, gasping for breath, one of the boats already speeding away, the other waiting for her. She shook her head and cried, “I

can’t, I can’t!” and turned to run again as the police vehicle got closer.

That was when she felt the sting of the bullets as he shot her, shouting in rage, “You’re not leaving me!”

She fell to the ground, gasping as blood seeped from the bullet wounds in her body and the last thing she heard as darkness clouded her senses was Raj’s voice shouting her name.

People from the entire deprived community that was her home seemed to be at the hospital when the police arrived with her body, torn by bullets and covered with blood. They prayed and sang songs as she laid in the ICU battling for her life.

A wild flower left to bloom by the wayside, now seeming to wither.

Days later the darkness that had descended slowly cleared and she painted in the sky, the portrait of a rainbow.

She smiled and opened her eyes and the one person who had shown her glimpses of a beautiful life was sitting on a chair beside her bed, holding her hand.

“Raj.” She whispered.

“Thank you, dear Lord,” he exulted, kissing her hand and whispering her name, he said, “I want you so much in my life.”

She could now dance on the clouds for she had found her dreams.

IV

Chronicle Pepperpot October 4, 2015

opyright and you (Part 8)

(Excerpt of an interview with Dr Mark Tumbridge, Georgetown, Guyana, August 2015. One of his interests is comparative cultural studies. ) PP: The more I look at copyright the more intriguing it becomes. Although there are set rules, patterns, laws, conventions etc., the more you look at it the more you run into different scenarios.

Coming from the University of Warwick, UK, now on attachment to the University of Guyana, let’s look at copyright in the UK. MT: With regard to copyright, it is very interesting, it is highly complex, and kind of varies from region to region.

And I might add it is a legal instrument; but to fully understand all the legal implications, you need to be a lawyer to get into the dense details. I think lawyers probable make a lot of money in this area.

My interest is really where the cultural aspects come into it - the ramification on the economic, the social, the political, and on the internet.

There is the basic of copyright in the UK which can be found on the websites www.gov.uk/copyright and www. legislation.gov.uk,/ where you get the really heavy legal stuff.

Essentially speaking, literary texts are protected as they term it for life plus fifty years… For example, let’s take Virginia Wolf who died by suicide around World War 11, her work is coming out of copyright.

With music it is slightly different, in that copyright is seventy years from time when it is published/performed.

We also have to think about now - there other things apart from literature and music, like software …the basic is seventy years particularly in the UK, and slightly different in the US. For me, it is interesting in comparing the different forms and comparing the examples of different forms to illustrate the grey, greyer areas of what we are talking about …

PP: So far we have touched on the basics of copyright.

What about enforcement in the UK? MT: Enforcement, well, this is really interesting. In terms of literature, it is definitely harder to pirate a work of literature in the UK – that’s my general experience. Some books that are available where you could just download them and pirate them - I know there are some Russian sites on the internet where you can go and download copyrighted material; those sites are actually blocked in the UK, when you are actually, physically in the UK, you cannot not gain access to those sites once they know, they block them. And that goes for not only music but for literary sites as well…

PP: You are a UK citizen and you are in Guyana so you could get access to those sites MT: Yes, once you are outside of the UK, in any part of the world where sites are not blocked, you can have access.

The bothering thing is that persons have thrown their

energies in producing this thing and essentially they are not going to get paid if you go and download, sort of rip off the author, you are essentially taking away money from that artist.

Mark Tumbridge When you come to people who are well off - U2 would be a proper example because recently they have made their album completely free, you don’t have to pay, they have essentially given it away. This move to me smacks of they reducing their music to being sort of advert.

PP: I remember the Mighty Sparrow saying in this same studio he is not mindful of people downloading his work because more people would get to hear his work…

MT: Yes, so U2 is basically doing this as a promotion for their world tour where they make all their money, travelling around the world, charging large amounts of monies PP: The moment an idea leaves the mind and is recorded in some form and on some format it is copyrighted. There are cases of people taking parts of copyrighted material, especially music and using it, I am getting back to a term you used earlier, ‘the artist integrity’, expand on that.

MT: For me, it is really important for anyone, be it the artist or the scholar …whatever you are working within cultural production to have this idea of the artist integrity. Here we are talking of an ‘artist’ going and completely ripping

something off and representing it as their own work …in such a case the artist loses credibility completely.

There are some interesting cases. One would be Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams ‘Blurred Lines’, which was a massive international hit, every which where you turn you could hear that song and they made a huge amount of money from it. But the actual music comes from a Marvin Gaye tune back in the late1970s called ‘Got to give it up’, and I would encourage everyone to go and listen to Marvin Gaye’s song because it is fantastic and these guys just rip this off without going to Marvin Gaye’s estate and getting permission and Marvin Gaye estate sued them in a multimillion dollar lawsuit and won ….

PP: Which was the correct thing to do, get permission, pay their dues to the estate…

MT: …if they had done that, their creditability would have been rescued and I would not be using them now as an example of poor practice…

PP: There was another example you shared with me about a book…

MT: Yes, the book – in reference to books, there are grey areas like satire, parody. But one example would be J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter Series and another series of books which have done quite well in the UK called ‘Barry Trotter and the Shameless Parody’ by Michael Gerber, and it is clearly a parody, but the books are there in the shops…

All these are interesting cases and they help us to understand copyright much better.

To me that integrity is really important - the artist integrity. The artists who have thrown their body and soul into their work must be paid, we must pay them, we must support them …

PP: Yes, we must support the artist and there are systems in place – seek permission to use the song, book, play, film etc, pay your dues to the copyright holder, and get something from the product legitimately; a win-win situation, everyone is happy. No need to…

MT: Rip off….

PP: …Do this criminal act.

But I am happy with the recent announcement that our government will soon enact modern IP legislation…

MT: That would literally change everything, the culture will have to change as well, because a whole generation of young people who are growing up expecting music to be free will find it is not so when that happens….

PP: Thank you for your insight into this subject and for throwing light on different forms of copyright.

(Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com)

Chronicle Pepperpot October 4, 2015

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 4, 2015

Full Court had no jurisdiction to hear appeal …

Power company loses legal battle against Revenue Commissioners ‘61

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By George Barclay

HE Demerara Electric Co. Ltd applied to the Commissioner of Inland Revenue to review and revise the assessment which he made in respect of their income tax.

From the Commissioner’s decision, they applied further to a judge in chambers who confirmed the assessment.

From this decision, they appealed to the Full Court, constituted by Chief Justice, J.A. Luckhoo, and Justices H. B. S. Bollers and Aubrey Fraser.

That appeal was struck out with costs to the respondents, on the ground that the Full Court, in the circumstances, had no jurisdiction to entertain the appeal.

Section 89 of the Supreme Court Ordinance as re-enacted by the schedule to the Federal Supreme Court Ordinance , 1958, provides that an appeal shall lie to the Full Court from any order made by a single judge of the Supreme Court in the exercise of its civil jurisdiction in respect of which there is no appeal to the Federal Supreme Court.

Section 9 (2) of the Federal Supreme Court Ordinance , 1958, gives a right of appeal from any order of a judge in chambers made “(d)… upon appeal from any other court , tribunal, body or person;” and s. 9 (7) provides that “the jurisdiction to hear appeals vested in the Federal Supreme Court under the provisions of this part of this Ordinance shall lie to the exclusion of the jurisdiction

of any other court”.

In reply to an objection in limine to the jurisdiction of the Full Court, it was argued for the appellants that there is no judicial hearing where an objection to an assessment is heard by the Commissioner and that therefore the proceedings before the judge in chambers were in reality original proceedings and did not constitute an “appeal” in the sense in which the term

of the Full Court, Chief Justice Luckhoo had said: “When this appeal came on for hearing counsel for the respondent submitted in limine that this court – the Full Court of the Supreme Court - had no jurisdiction to entertain the appeal. ”The appellants, The Demerara Electric Company, Limited, had under the provisions of s. 40 of the Income Tax Ordinance,

is used in s.9 (2) (d) of the Federal Supreme Court Ordinance, 1958.

The Full Court held: (i) the proceedings before the judge in chambers constituted an appeal in the sense contemplated by s. 9(2) (d) of the Federal supreme Court Ordinance, 1958 . (ii) the Full Court has no jurisdiction to entertain an appeal from the decision of a judge in chambers given on appeal from the decision of the Commissioner of Inland Revenue on an objection to an income tax assessment .

An appeal from such a decision of a judge in chambers lies to the Federal Supreme Court only.

Cap. 299, submitted to the respondent a return of their income tax for the year immediately preceding the year of assessment 1955, in which they claimed the sum of $15, 920.00 incurred by them for certain purposes as an expenditure wholly and exclusively incurred in the production of their income during the year immediately preceding the year of assessment, and therefore deductible under the provisions of s 12 (i) of the Income Tax Ordinance ,Cap. 299, in ascertaining the chargeable income of the appellants.

“The respondent disallowed the above mentioned sum of $15, 920.00 as a deductible expenditure and the appellants were accordingly assessed to Income Tax on an amount which included that sum. ‘’Notice of this assessment was sent by the respondent to the appellants on

APPEAL STRUCK OUT. Mr. J. H.S. Elliot, Q.C., appeared for the appellants.

Mr. R.M.F. Delph, Solicitor General (ag.),for the respondent.

Delivering the judgment

George Barclay

the 31st of December 1960.

The appellants disputed the assessment and on the 4th January 1961, the appellants applied to the Commissioner under the provisions of s. 56 of the Ordinance to review and revise the assessment .

After hearing the appellants’ in that respect on the 30th 1961, the respondent and the appellants failed to agree as to the amount on which the appellants were liable to be assessed and the appellants , being aggrieved by the assessment made upon them , duly appealed against the assessment to a judge in chambers under the provisions of s. 57 of the Income Tax Ordinance , Cap, 299, as amended by s. 13 of the Income Tax (Amendment) Ordinance ,1956 (No. 22).

“The judge in chambers duly heard the appellants’ appeal and confirmed the assessment. It is from the decision of the judge in Chambers that the appellants have appealed to the Full Court.

“Prior to the enactment of the Federal Supreme Court (Appeals) Ordinance , 1958 (No. 19), by virtue of s.57 (10) of the Income Tax Ordinance , Cap. 299 the decision of the judge in Chambers was final; but the judge , on the application of an appellant or the Commissioner of Inland Revenue , was bound to state a case on a question of law for the consideration of the Full Court. The decision of the Full Court was final apart from any right either party may have had to appeal to Her Majesty in Council”, Chief Justice Luckhoo and the Full Court had disclosed.

Continuing the judgment, CJ Luckhoo pointed out “ It

was conceded by counsel for the appellants that by virtue of the combined effect of the provisions of sub-s. (2) (d) and sub-s. (7) of s. 9 of the Federal Supreme Court (Appeals) Ordinance ,1958, the Federal Supreme Court has exclusive jurisdiction to hear appeals from orders of a judge in chambers which are made upon appeal from any other court , tribunal, body or person.”

The judgment concluded “It seems to us that the legislature was fully aware that the effect of that provision would be to abolish the right of parties approaching the Full Court after the decision of a judge in chambers on such a matter because the proviso to s. 2 of the Income Tax (Amendment No. 2) Ordinance , 1958 (No. 21), specifically saves cases stated as well as applications for cases to be stated by a judge in chambers for the consideration of the Full Court made prior to the commencement of that Ordinance . Such a provision would not have been necessary if the jurisdiction of the Full Court had not been ousted.

“We may observe that those appeals under the Ordinance which have been heard by the Full Court subsequently to the enactment of the Federal Supreme Court (Appeals) Ordinance , 1958, were all caught by the proviso to s. 2 of the Income Tax (Amendment) (No. 2) Ordinance, 1958 (No. 21).

“We have come to the conclusion that the court has no jurisdiction to entertain the appeal. The appeal is therefore struck out with costs to the respondents. Appeal struck out.”

Chronicle Pepperpot October 4, 2015

Claudette Henretto

- The 47-year-old MVP in Women’s Football

By Ravin Singh A wrinkle-free face and a well-poised body shield the true identity of Claudette Henreto, an avid footballer who was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the recently concluded Indigenous district games held during Indigenous Heritage month.

But there is the fact that Claudette is actually 47 years old and a mother of five children – not exactly the sort of description that would fit the “regular” footballer.

Claudette is an Arecuna woman. She spent all her life in the village of Paruima (pronounced “pa-ree-ma) in the Upper Mazaruni.

The village is home to the only known group of Arecuna people in Guyana.

Her prowess on the football field is not too hard to fathom, when one considers that her

daily exercise routine includes 10 four-hundred metres lap.

She carries the distinction of being the oldest on the community’s female team, and took the younger players to school, walking home with the enviable MVP award.

Claudette attended school in her village and was only exposed to primary education.

At the age of 17, she married fellow villager George Henreto, and together they bore five children.

Describing life in Paruima, soft-spoken Claudette used the word “nice” but challenging, as she juggles the role of mother and sportswoman – together with working the farms to help provide for the family.

“Whatever we farm, that is what we eat; things like cassava, calaloo, nuts and so.

Sometimes I have to go with my babies to the

farm because I have no one to keep them,” she said.

But while farming is done primarily on a small scale, mainly on a subsistence basis, she would sometimes sell some of it to nearby communities, including Kamarang.

Football Her love for sports started at an early age, while in primary school.

She remembers with pride being rewarded with titles such as “Champion Girl” at inter-school sports, which was held annually.

She trained for events, including sack race, needle and thread, three-legged race, long and high jump, and sprints. ► Continued on page IX

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 4, 2015

Chronicle Pepperpot October 4, 2015

IX

Claudette Henretto ► From

page VII

“I never run long distance races” she added.

From as early as age six, she remembers, she would play football with the males, using then a “hard grapefruit” as the ball.

This passion for sports, which was fueled by her ability to compete with males, led to her representing her community at the age of 15, when she made her first trip to Bartica for “circle tennis.”

A trip to the mining town of Linden followed soon after.

Sharing her secret to a healthy life, Claudette was eager to note that “the more you care your life, the better and longer you live.”

“I always tell the young people in the community and my nieces that they are damaging their lives when they drink and smoke.

“I don’t smoke or drink and I never get tired when I am playing. I enjoy running and jumping. The other females would get tired faster than me and I would

tell them that they are not living a healthy lifestyle.”

She also encourages the male footballers to stay away from alcohol and smoking.

Her healthy lifestyle though is supported by the fact that she exercises every morning, which entails her running 10 laps on a 400 meters track in the community. Following this, she would head to the farm where she would begin the day’s work.

The inter-district football championships, held during

Indigenous Heritage month, she said, is a highly-anticipated event for her, since it is not just about the games, but the ability to tour and meet people from different parts of Guyana.

This year, Claudette was awarded the Most Valuable Player after competing with teams from other Indigenous communities across the

country.

Winning in their district, her team was then required to represent Region 7 at the inter-district games. However, a more aggressive Georgetown defeated them in penalties.

But although they were defeated, the footballer was keen to add that the happiness and unity that surrounds the

team is one which cannot be bought.

“I love playing with the people here. I get to share experiences with them and teach them about life. We play as a team and always look out for each other.

“Even when we lose, we are still happy because we know we have to train harder to become better.”

X

Failed Ascent I

am 27, with two young children.

I recently separated from my husband, seeking divorce. My husband was never home because he is a workaholic.

Four months ago I met a man at my workplace. He came for a doctor's appointment. He chatted and flirted with me, and I found myself extremely attracted to him.

Before he left he asked for my number.

I never give out my number, but that day I decided to be brave and give it to him.

Before I did I warned him I am going through a separation. He leaned in and told me so is he.

Thinking I'd found a kindred spirit, I typed in my digits. We began spending time together: walks in the park, lunches, movies. My

husband and I have a custody agreement, and on days my children were with my husband, I saw him.

I spoke of my struggles with my husband and he told me about his situation. He is married to a woman here on a green card. She doesn't want to become a citizen because she will lose citizenship in her own country. Nobody but their parents know they are married.

She lives in California and he lives in New York City. He said he came here because she caught him cheating.

Rather quickly we became sexually involved, yet he turned cold after we were done. It made me feel dirty and cheap, and I told him I don't want to sleep with him anymore. A few days later he said he wants to work things out with his wife and wants us to be friends. I felt utterly used.

By this time I managed to

Chronicle Pepperpot October 4, 2015

fall head over heels for him.

Out of fear of losing him, I agreed. It didn't last long. In less than a week we found ourselves in bed and a pattern formed. We'd say we were not going to have sex, only to fail a few days later.

I was seeking him for companionship, and he was seeking me for sex when the mood struck him. I realized too late, when I was sobbing in bed, he will never feel the same way towards me.

I know I have to cut free from him but feel I can't until I confess to his wife. My motives are not completely pure.

I won't pretend I don't want to hurt him back, because I do.

C

Camille

amille, earlier this year a Google executive was killed in an avalanche on Mt. Everest. Last year this same man was almost killed in another avalanche on Everest, and as many people know, there are so many dead bodies on the mountain they serve as trail markers. â–ş Continued on page XXIII

Chronicle Pepperpot October 4, 2015

India’s Modi prises Gandhi family legacy from heirs (Reuters) A stately New Delhi mansion, once home to India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and now a museum to his life, has emerged as a flashpoint in the growing ideological war between his heirs and the Hindu nationalist government.

Since trouncing the Congress party of the Nehru-Gandhi family in a general election last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has chipped away at the dynasty's grip on India's post-colonial history. For long-term dominance in the world's second-most populous nation, Modi has to ensure his pro-business, conservative ideology prevails over the secular, socialist legacy bequeathed

by Nehru. Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma, who is in charge of overseeing the teak-panelled museum that preserves Nehru's portraits, writing and the rooms he lived in, wants the institution to reflect a wider range of India's past and present leaders.

Earlier this month, the government of Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) forced out the head of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, a historian seen as close to the Gandhi family.

The historian, Mahesh Rangarajan, did not respond to requests for comment. A replacement has not yet been named."It is not in the interest of any country or society to focus itself on one individual or a family," Sharma said in an interview. "So many people have contributed to this country and our institutions should reflect that."

He described Rangarajan's appointment as "illegal" and said he had planned to investigate his appointment.

Rangarajan resigned a few days later.

Starting with Nehru, an independence hero before becoming prime minister, the Gandhi-Nehru dynasty has been intertwined with India's transformation from struggling developing nation to emerging superpower. Nehru and his descendants ruled India for more than half of the seven decades since independence in 1947, and hundreds of public projects, airports, parks, universities and stadiums are named after Nehru, his assassinated daughter Indira Gandhi and her son Rajiv Gandhi, also murdered.

They all served as prime ministers.

Rajiv Gandhi's wife Sonia is the current president of Congress, and her son Rahul is seen as a budding prime minister.

Before Modi, the BJP had only sporadically run India.

"We have elevated this family to royalty and built a personality cult around them," said Mohan Guruswamy, president of the Centre for Policy â–ş Continued on page XII

India's Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma, poses next to an Indian national flag and a portrait of India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi before an interview with Reuters inside his office in New Delhi, India, September 23, 2015. (REUTERS/ADNAN ABIDI)

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XII

A rear view of the Nehru memorial museum and library in New Delhi, India, September 24, 2015. (REUTERS/ANINDITO MUKHERJEE)

Chronicle Pepperpot October 4, 2015

A portrait of India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru is pictured inside the Nehru memorial museum and library in New Delhi, India, September 24, 2015.

(REUTERS/ANINDITO MUKHERJEE)

India’s Modi prises Gandhi family ... ► From

page XI

Alternatives, a think tank.

"What the BJP is doing is pure politics. But, at the same time, the need to give space to other people is justified."

STAMPS, PLACES, SCHEMES Since Modi won power in May 2014, the names of Nehru and his descendants have been erased from about thirty government schemes or places and been replaced mostly with

the names of ideologues who view India as a Hindu nation. Earlier this month, the government discontinued publishing two postage stamps that featured Indira and Rajiv Gandhi from the 'Builders of Modern India' series, a decision that led to

opposition protests.

The government instead plans to feature stamps of the ideological founders of the BJP, who blame Nehru's economic policies for many of India's ills, including poverty and corruption.

At the end of last week, the Nehru museum for the first time hosted celebrations for the birth of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, a Hindu nationalist critical of Nehru's economics and the co-founder of a Hindu nationalist party that was the predecessor of the BJP. The opposition Congress party has accused the government of diminishing the legacy of one of India's greatest statesmen."The government is manipulating historical facts and dis-

torting truth only to serve their political agenda," said Kapil Sibal, a lawyer for the Gandhis and a former government minister. "You cannot belittle Nehru's contributions."

Modi has already moved far from Nehru's economic moorings. Earlier this year, the government named right-leaning economist Arvind Panagariya to run a new policy bureau, after Modi scrapped a Nehru-era Soviet–style socialist planning commission.

In his first full budget in April, Modi saved money on federal social and subsidy expenditure, the hallmark of Congress governments, and pumped funds into an infrastructure stimulus he hopes will

trigger a spurt in economic growth.

Under Modi, organizations that support the idea of a Hindu state have gained prominence. His followers believe Nehru and his successors pandered to India's Muslim and Christian minorities and crimped the aspirations of the Hindu majority.

"The BJP realize that this family enjoys a lot of political goodwill and they will need to destroy that if they want a free run," said Satish Misra, a political analyst at the Observer Research Foundation.

"Historical and cultural institutions are being used as proxies in the battle for the idea of India."

Chronicle Pepperpot October 4, 2015

XIII

Wounded Belizean soldier returns home … after being attacked by gunman in Kitty

By Shauna Jemmott “AM I my brother’s keeper?” This was the question posed to confirm a prior one during the interview.

“Yes I am my brother’s keeper,” responded Belizean Army Officer Raul Coc, before justifying the “buddy” status in his relationship to wounded teammate Emil Mendez.

He said as soldiers in the same army, training made them understand that “brother” is what they are.

The two army men within the Belizean Defense Force (BDF) had just been certified with diplomas as Orthopaedic Technicians equipped to serve the medical department of their army’s work. The graduation ceremony was held at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation Thursday.

The two officers arrived in Guyana a year ago on at-

tachment to a Ministry of Health Orthopedic Technician programme, and have been staying at the Guyana Defence Force Base at Camp Ayanganna, in Georgetown.

Raul’s partner, Emil Mendez, had a life changing encounter when he stepped outside the GDF compound one night: “I went out to buy food and I was assaulted.” He said the attempted robbery took place in Shell Road, Kitty, a stone’s throw away from Ayanganna.

On that Monday night on December 22, a man wearing a hooded outfit approached him as he was walking and sending a text message. He said the man demanded his phone, and as he refused to comply, putting up a defense, he was shot twice in his abdomen and twice in his right leg.

An excerpt from the Guyana Chronicle article dated December 24 says: ► Continued on page XXVI

Flashback: This photo of BDF Army Officer Emil Mendez was taken before the shooting incident and published in Guyana Chronicle on December 24.

“I am my brother’s keeper!” Raul Coc supports his wounded colleague Emil Mendez while he receives his token of honor from Dr. David Samaroo. Photo

by Delano Williams)

ORTHOPAEDIC Technician Emil Mendez making his way back to his seat after receiving the award Thursday (Photos by Delano Williams)

XIV

Chronicle Pepperpot October 4, 2015

ONLINE OR ONFIELD Which is best for your kids?

Pro-active steps parents can take include: 1. Educate yourself about the types of social media and other technology your kids are using. Learn how to use Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, etc.

2. Understand how privacy settings work—and check to make sure your child is using the strictest settings.

3. Limit internet access during late-night hours—or make it unavailable altogether. This may decrease the possibility of encountering someone who is up to no good.

R

easearch suggest teenage kids are spending on average 25 hours per week in front of screens, and parents are increasingly concerned that screen time is robbing them of real world experiences. Evidently, most kids these days know little about the “real-world” play field, but enough to “brag” about the virtual play field.

Beyond gaming, kids are filling their free time with other internet activities: social networking, instant messaging (IM), blogging, downloading etc.

Encourage your child not to keep secrets, especially if the secret makes them feel weird, uncomfortable, nervous, or unsafe. Your child needs to know that they can tell you about these things, and that you can handle it calmly. Stress that you will love them, no matter what. The bottom line is that children need facts and skills to protect themselves. But, they also need to know that you will calmly listen and understand what is going on, before reacting.

Online Safety Precautions Since kids of all ages go online (whether on the computer, through their gaming systems or even your smartphone), education about online safety is as important as safety in the community. Even very young kids need safety rules, such as what sites and apps are okay for them to use. Establish very clear expectations about the use of technology, backed by consistent consequences. Some rules to consider implementing with your kids: • Do not talk online to someone they don’t know.

Discuss with your kids what it means to “know” someone; give clear examples about who they can and can’t interact with online.

• Ignore “friend” requests from people they don’t know well. Be specific. Is someone who follows a friend-ofa-friend considered by you to be a person they “know well?”

• Do not share personal details, like where they live, go to school or play sports. Remember, online accounts are vulnerable to hacking-a complete stranger can literally hijack an account and chat, pretending to be your child’s friend.

Even small bits of information shared in a public profile or postings can be put together to locate your child. Pictures and information you share can also be used to gain access to your child.

The following are potential warning signs for children with pathological internet use: 1. Loses track of time while online 2. Sacrifices needed hours of sleep to spend time online 3. Becomes restless or angry when online time is interrupted 4. Checks email several times a day 5. Becomes irritable if not allowed access to the internet 6. Spends time online in place of homework or chores 7. Prefers to spend time online rather than with friends or family 8. Disobeys time limits that have been set for internet usage 9. Lies about amount of time spent online or “sneaks” online when no one is around 10. Forms new relationships with people he or she has met online THE EMOTIONAL COSTS Internet addiction among children is a growing concern.

Online access is a vital part of the modern world and an important tool in the education of our children. In addition, it is a highly entertaining and informative medium. However, these very qualities also make it an enticing escape for many children.

They can be anyone in an online chat room, or play thrilling and challenging games against other players from all corners of the globe. With the click of a mouse, they can enter a different world where the problems of their real life are no longer present, and all the things one wishes he or she could be or experience are possible.

“Like addiction to drugs and alcohol, the internet offers children and adolescents a way to escape painful feelings or troubling situations. They sacrifice needed hours of sleep to spend time online and withdraw from family and friends to escape into a comfortable online world that they have created and shaped”.

Children who lack rewarding or nurturing relationships or who suffer from poor social and coping skills are at greater risk to developing inappropriate or excessive online habits.

Because they feel alone, alienated, and have problems making new friends, they turn to invisible strangers in online chat rooms looking for the attention and companionship missing in their real lives. They may come from families with significant problems, and they cope with their problems by spending time online.

Socially, they learn to instant message friends rather than develop face-to-face relationships, which can impact their way

of relating to peers. As one principal explained: The internet is hurting their ability to work in groups.

Teachers struggle to get them to participate in any kind of team assignments; instead they would all rather stare at the computer. When I observe them talking to one another in the streets, the public “car parks” etc, I see young girls and boys who are socially aggressive or inappropriate, and I can’t help but think that the internet is socializing them in ways that emotionally stunts them and makes it difficult for them to deal with others in the real world. I see danger in the future, I see mental catastrophe!

WHAT CAN PARENTS DO? In a two-parent household, it is critical that both parents present a united front. As parents, each must take the issue seriously and agree on common goals. Discuss the situation together and if necessary, compromise on desired goals so that when you approach your child, you will be coming from the same page.

In a single-parent household, the parent needs to take some time to think about what needs to be said and to prepare for the likely emotional response from the child. A child who is addicted to the internet or becoming addicted to it will feel threatened at the very idea of curbing computer time. A single parent needs to be prepared for an emotional outburst laden with accusatory phrases designed to make the parent feel guilty or inadequate. It is important not to respond to the emotion-or worse yet, get side tracked with a lecture on disrespect.

Acknowledge your child’s feelings, but stay focused on the topic of his or her internet use.

► Continued on page XV

Chronicle Pepperpot October 4, 2015

ONLINE OR ONFIELD Which is best for your kids?

Show you care: It will help to begin your discussion by reminding your child that you love him or her and that you care about his or her happiness and well-being. Children often interpret questions about their behaviour as blame and criticism. You need to reassure your child that you are not condemning him or her. Rather, tell your child you are concerned about some of the changes you have seen in his or her behaviour and refer to those changes in specific terms: fatigue, declining grades, giving up hobbies, social withdrawal, etc. Assign an internet time log– Tell your child that you would like to see an accounting of just how much time he or she spends online each day and which internet activities they engage in.

Remind them that with television, you can monitor their viewing habits more easily, but with the internet, you need their help and cooperation to become appropriately involved. Put them on the honour system to keep the log themselves for a week or two to build trust between you. If they balk at this idea or clearly lie in their log, you are likely dealing with their denial of addiction.

XV

► From

page XVI

Become more computer-savvy: Checking history folders and internet logs, learning about monitoring software, and installing filters all require a degree of computer savvy. It is important for every parent to learn the terms (both technical and popular) and be comfortable with the computer, at least enough to know what your child is doing online. Take an active interest in the internet and learn about where your child goes online.

Set reasonable rules: Many parents get angry when they see the signs of internet addiction in their child and take the computer away as a form of punishment. Others become frightened and force their child to quit cold turkey, believing that is the only way to get rid of the problem. Both approaches invite trouble– your child will internalize the message that they are bad; they will look at you as the enemy instead of an ally; and they will suffer real withdrawal symptoms of nervousness, anger, and irritability. Instead, work with your child to establish clear boundaries for limited internet usage. Allow perhaps an hour per night after homework, with a few extra weekend hours. Stick to your rules and remember that you’re not simply trying to control him or her – you are working to free them of a psychological dependence. The power is in your hands, your minds, at your fingertips-use it!

XVI

Chronicle Pepperpot October 4, 2015

Lloyd Stanbury is certainly a Caribbean Pioneer

L

By Alex Wayne

LOYD STANBURY is hailed as a Caribbean pioneer in the field of Entertainment Law. His expertise and experience span a wide range of related activities in culture and the cultural industries, including the practice of law, media management, artist management, music production, event promotion, research, creative industries policy development, and lecturing.

Mr. Stanbury started his journey in the business of music in 1983 when he organized and presented the Sly and Robbie 10th Anniversary concert in Kingston Jamaica. His impact on the international music scene began in 1990 with his role as co-founder and vice-chairman of the world’s first all-reggae radio station, IRIE-FM, established in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. From 1988 to 1994, Mr. Stanbury had specific responsibility for the station’s legal and business affairs, the supervision of its music-programming department and the coordination of the IRIE-FM

concert series “White River Reggae Bash.” In 1999, Mr. Stanbury established the Caribbean Music Expo (CME), and served as its Executive Chairman. Between 1999 and 2004, the CME staged a series of international music business conventions and training workshops, which resulted in participation from hundreds of musicians, music and media business representatives, as well as civil society ► Continued on page XVII

Chronicle Pepperpot October 4, 2015

XVII

Lloyd Stanbury is certainly ...

► From page XVI and government organizations from more than 40 countries.

His consultancy services include research, project development and management, workshop and seminar presentations to and on behalf of entities, such as the Government of Jamaica; the Caribbean Common Market (CARICOM) Secretariat; the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (CRNM); the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD); the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); the Organization of American States (OAS); the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and Culture et Developpement from Grenoble, France. His collaborations with international organizations have resulted in visits to and work done in several countries in Europe, North America, Central and South America, Africa, and the Caribbean.

As an entertainment attorney and artist manager, Mr. Stanbury has represented such top artists, music producers, and corporations as Chronixx, Protoje, Assassin aka Agent Sasco, Robert Livingston, Super Cat, Half Pint, Freddie McGregor, Steely and Clevie, Queen Ifrica, Busy Signal, Arrows Recording, and Garnett Silk.

He has participated in and presented at several international music business conventions, including MIDEM in Cannes, France; WOMEX in Rotterdam, Holland; A&R Worldwide in Los Angeles;

the New Music Seminar and the College Music Journal Conference, both in New York City; the National Association for Campus Activities Conference in Atlanta; the Music and Internet Conference in New York City; South By Southwest in Austin, Texas, and the Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Conference in Nassau, Bahamas.

As a champion for structured development within Jamaica’s entertainment industry, he has been instrumental in the establishment of a number of music associations and copyright collection societies, including the songwriters agency, Jamaica Association of Composers Authors and Publishers (JACAP); the music producers agency, Jamaica Music Society (JAMMS); and the Recording Industry Association of Jamaica (RIAJam), a trade association that represents corporations in the businesses of production, distribution, and publishing of music.

Mr. Stanbury has served on the board of directors of the Recording Industry Association of Jamaica, the Jamaican Association of Composers Authors and Publishers, the Entertainment Advisory board of the Government of Jamaica, and as a member of the CARICOM Task Force on Cultural and Creative Industries Development. He has also been an associate member of the USA based Association of Arts Administration Educators, and has lectured in law and entertainment management at the University of Technology and the

Institute of Management and Production in Jamaica. Between March 2011 and June 2015 he served as a member of the Pool of Experts for culture for the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) www.unesco. org/new/en/culture/themes/ cultural-diversity/2005-convention/technical-assistance/ pool-of-experts/stanbury/ Lloyd Stanbury continues to practice as an international music business consultant with offices in Jamaica and South Florida, where he resides with his wife and Herbalife business partner, Janet Stanbury. He is the author of the book “Reggae Roadblocks - A Music Business Development Perspective”. Contact: lloydstanbury@yahoo.co.uk and www.lloydstanbury.com A MUSIC BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVE BY LLOYD STANBURY Florida based Jamaican entertainment attorney and international music business consultant Lloyd Stanbury announces the release of his first book "REGGAE ROADBLOCKS, A Music Business Development Perspective". The book is published by Abeng Press in Canada, and was officially made available on August 20 in digital e-book format as well as hard copies through Amazon, the Abeng Press official website www.abengpress.com and Stanbury's own official website www. lloydstanbury.com . There is a full colour edition, as well as a black and white edition, both including photographs

taken by Austin Texas based photo journalist Beverly "Sista Irie" Shaw.

According to Stanbury, REGGAE ROADBLOCKS discusses key issues that have affected the development of the business of Jamaican Reggae at both the local and international levels, as seen from his vantage point as an industry practitioner for over 30 years.

The cultural and political environments that gave birth to, and affect the development of Reggae music are explored, and the attitudes of local music practitioners towards international music

business structure, norms and trends are examined.

Particular emphasis is placed on the impact of Rastafari on the development and global marketing of Reggae music.

REGGAE ROADBLOCKS is targeted at persons directly and indirectly involved in the business of Reggae at the creative and representational levels, as well as the avid Reggae music fan. It also provides very interesting and informative insights for students, academics, and policy makers with interest in music industry development from a developing country per-

spective in the context of increased globalization and digitization.

The book includes quotations and interview excerpts from several Reggae music practitioners and influencers, including Copeland Forbes, Chris Blackwell, Neville Garrick, Tanya Stephens, Etana, Dermot Hussey, Wayne Jobson, and others.

On August 22, Stanbury made his first official public presentation of REGGAE ROADBLOCKS as a panel participant at the Reggae University sessions during Rototom Reggae Sunspash in Benicassim, Spain.

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 4, 2015

Chronicle Pepperpot October 4, 2015

Meet Melissa Ann Robertson

XIX

… She gave some of her best years to Guyana’s judiciary

M

By Telesha Vidya Ramnarine EET the phenomenal Melissa Ann Robertson, who, with much inspiration from her godfather, Senior Counsel Peter Britton (now deceased), decided to become an attorney-at-law.

Today, she is pushing some 25 years in the judiciary!

Ms. Robertson was heard of almost daily in the local press when she sat a few years ago as the Acting Chief Magistrate in Court One of the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court. On September 8, 2010, however, she was sworn in as Commissioner of Title (Land Court Judge).

The once quiet, reserved Robertson, who changed to a more outspoken, no-nonsense kind of woman over time, gave some of her best years in service to Guyana and ought to have been at the peak of her career by now.

Although it was easy for her to settle overseas and be in the company of almost all of her relatives, not to mention obtain top job offers, Melissa, a former part-time lecturer at the University of Guyana (UG), decided that she wanted to serve her country. In fact, her desire to become a lawyer has always been driven by a passion to assist the less fortunate.

A member of the Assemblies of God Church, Melissa, also a ‘Sunday School’ teacher, believes that God sees everything and in his due time would grant her all that she desires, and of course, deserves.

She worked hard to qualify herself academically in order to gain an advantage in her career. Little did she know that she would eventually become side-lined, while others with far less qualifications and experience would be celebrated above her.

“I had hoped that I would have been further up in my career already,” the former president of the Guyana Amateur Weightlifting Association told the Chronicle in an interview last week.

Explaining what it feels like to be side-lined, Melissa said: “You feel like giving up. Because of work, I would have done my Master’s so as to give me an advantage. You qualify yourself in the hope of being at an advantage. It’s not a good feeling. It’s only your faith in God that keeps you going because sometimes you feel like giving up and moving to another country where you will be celebrated; where you feel like your faithfulness would be rewarded.

“I could have left the country and [it’s] not like I would not have had offers, but the government sponsored me and helped me to qualify. Furthermore, I love Guyana. I want to serve, but you feel as though you are being pushed out.”

Nevertheless, the former Guyana Association of Women Lawyers’ Treasurer, believes that she will eventually be awarded what is due to her. “God is in charge and all is well.”

ACADEMICS Melissa, now 51, and hardly looking it, was born on September 14, 1964, to Thomas and Shirley Robertson, who both served with distinguished records in Guyana’s education system.

Although being born in Georgetown at what used to be a hospital at Ptolemy Reid’s current location, Melissa grew up at Hope Town, West Coast Berbice. She shared her primary school days at Hope Town and Latchmansingh Primary Schools, and continued at St. Rose’s High once she would have written the Common Entrance Exams.

Following her admission to the Bar, she worked at the Attorney General’s Chambers for five years (1990 to 1995).

“I was on a government scholarship so I had to serve as a requirement,” she explained.

Between 1995 and 1998, she took up work at Oliver Valz Chambers in Hadfield Street and later began practising privately at the Robertson Law Firm. In 1998, she was sworn in as a magistrate and in 2010 to date, as Land Court Judge.

After school, Melissa went to the Government Technical Institute (GTI) where she did the Ordinary Diploma in Commerce (ODC). She pressed on to UG where she did her

pre-law and then completed her LLB (Bachelor of Laws) at the University of the West Indies. She was later awarded the Legal Education Certificate (LEC) at the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad.

Among several other educational institutions she attended are Assemblies of God Bible Institute, Carnegie School of Home Economics, Languages Services Centre, and the Queen Mary University London (as an external student).

Melissa, former secretary/treasurer and then president of the Magistrates’ Association of Guyana, was awarded the Regional Magistrate’s Conference Certificate, Christian Workers Diploma (valedictorian and best all-rounder), International Olympic Committee Certificate, a Spanish Diploma and Masters-LLM – International Dispute Resolution.

Melissa’s style of dealing with the public has always been impressive. For instance, everyone appearing before her in court had a brief opportunity to express themselves; she was not just quick to pronounce judgements. No one was ever dealt with in a harsh manner and in many instances, she proved that she had a heart in the way she listened, advised, and even counselled those who were before her.

Melissa executed her job in a thorough and professional manner, and her unique style included making detailed notes of the individuals on the case dockets which proved her real interest in them.

HANDWRITING GIFT Melissa’s father, who taught at several schools along the West Coast Berbice, died of bone cancer in 1993. Her mom, who was also a head teacher, is still living in Berbice and is now 80 years old. Melissa’s twin sister is Maxine and her older sister is Charmayne.

Reflecting for a bit on the life of her father, Melissa said while he was studying at Howard’s University, he was invited to work at the United States White House because of his attractive handwriting.

He worked at a hospital Melissa’s dad, Thomas, on the sidelines to assist him found an error in the financially and a member of Oxford Dictionary the hospital board saw his handwriting and fell in love with it. He however declined the job offer because of his busy schedule at school.

Melissa further recalled how her dad once found an error in the Oxford Dictionary. “He wrote to Oxford, they corrected the error and then sent him a copy of the corrected version of the dictionary. Now who goes through a dictionary to find errors?” she laughed.

The handwriting episode made her remember the time in school she won a handwriting competition and was awarded a manger set for Christmas. “Maybe I got this from my father,” she observed, adding, “Now my handwriting is like crab marching.”

such as domestic violence.

“Generally, I am quiet, but I have changed with age and experiences. I have always been so quiet that my mom told me I never got into trouble as a child and she always wondered if something was wrong with me. I was so quiet and obedient.

“Over the years, because of my marriage…nowadays I am more vocal. I let it out. I have zero-tolerance for nonsense; I just speak my mind although I believe I am a very respectful, very loyal person; easy going and quiet.

Melissa, who would love to be married again, said she permitted herself to be taken advantage of in her past relationships. “Now, I just drop you like a hot cake. In life, experiences modify the way you deal with issues. I learnt to take things in hand and deal with them. My experiences have toughened me, made me more resilient. Promises alone don’t work. I am an action woman. Don’t promise me anything. I want to see the action. If you tell me you are going to do this, do it and let me see. And then I will believe you.”

Melissa has however acknowledged that everyone makes mistakes and ought to be forgiven. “You don’t always walk the straight and narrow path. We are all human beings and we make mistakes. You need to forgive because we all err.”

‘I WANT ACTION’ Growing up, Melissa’s interests ranged from becoming a nurse, to a nun, to an attorney-at-law. An aunt of hers, now 85 years old, has been a nun all her life and is now a ‘Carmelite Sister’ based in Trinidad. Although this example provided inspiration for her, that which she got from her godfather won out and so she ended up in the field of law.

“There are no regrets professionally, but personally, sometimes I wonder if I should have been a nun,” she joked. Her marriage ended in divorce and Melissa, like any other woman, was a victim of all the issues associated with relationships,

Melissa Ann Robertson

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 4, 2015

Pilot A Peters an ‘Aunt Th beauty F

By Shauna Jemmott

tect skin from the sun and dehydratio many skin problems, minor cuts and b “Mango butter has natural emollie ties, high oxidative ability, wound he regenerative activity… it has a protec against UV radiation. Dermatologists ommend mango butter for treatment of as most people who use it will notice signs of aging and the disappearance o

ROM runways to bank offices, charities and aeroplane cockpits, former Miss Guyana Queen Asha Peters is quite a dynamo, flying high in the distant north and creating things for natural hair lovers who desire softness and perfume.

She is on her way to becoming a Licensed Pilot, and is already a producer on the hair and skin care market with the launch of a personal line of products under the ‘Aunt Thelma’ brand - one inspired by her late grandmother whom she remembered as a lover of natural hair products.

The product available by contact includes oils, hair lotions ….

Just Asha! The natural hair lover boasting her own!

“I love mixing oils and coming up with new products to enhance the natural beauty of a woman’s hair and skin,” she stated in an interview with Pepperpot Magazine. She added: “I am what people will call a natural hair junkie. I love natural hair products. Two years ago I cut off all my relaxed hair so I can grow it natural (because) I missed my curl.”

Before she created her blends, finding products to moisturize her The future Pilot Asha hair was challenging. taking flight in Canada “It was difficult to find products that were all natural that would give my hair the rich moisture it needed, so I started experimenting with oils, shea butter and mango wrinkles within four to six weeks of d butters, and created a line of creams for online sources said. body and skin called Aunt Thelma's Shea Aunt Thelma is deemed a healthy l Butter Mix,” the beauty explained.

Flying was nowhere in her imagin Inspiration came from “Thelma (who) child, but as she began travelling by was my grandmother” she said. “She died growing up, it became a hobby. Afte in April 2015… I remember her always Miss Carival in 2005, she landed a Fli using these natural oils to comb my hair dant job with LIAT and grew more an as a child and when she was done it was love with flying. nice and soft, so that was my inspiration She has already completed the theo for starting my line”. pect of the programme and is now flyin Shea butter, coconut oil and sweet plete the required hours on the practi almond are some of the ingredients used the programme, securing her valid Pilo to concoct the cosmetic solutions.

“I went to flight school, completed m Being from a country to which co- school” and is still building hours wit conut oil is native, she understands its Airways, to earn her private Pilots’ lice benefits and just couldn’t omit it from Her career aim in that field is to b her product.

Instructor - a Pilot who is trained to t Health.com, a trusted online source student pilots to fly. for health and beauty literature, states, “I want to fly privately. It's a hob “coconut oil isn't just for cooking: it's also career for me just yet. a beauty multi-tasker that you can use to She said she became interested in fl hydrate your skin, fight frizz, and reduce landing a Flight Attendant job after win premature signs of aging”.

Carival in 2005.

Both mango and shea butter also pro“I always admired the female pilo Aunt Thelma Shea Butter, the new line of cosmetics created by the Miss Guyana Queen

Chronicle Pepperpot October 4, 2015

Asha nd her helma’ line

on and heal burns. ent properealing, and ctive effect often recf wrinkles, decreased of lines and

daily use,”

line. nation as a y air while er winning ight Attennd more in

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day I decided I wanted to fly planes. It was always a hobby for me. After completing my ground school in Edmonton, then Toronto, I thought about becoming a flight instructor and now I am currently building my flight hours and completing my inflight training towards accomplishing that goal!”

Asha is one of those queens who have accomplished in competitions at all levels – nationally, regionally, internationally – and is known for offering a total package of talent, intelligence, beauty and deportment.

Now a resident of Canada, she is employed as a Senior Fraud Investigator at Capital One Bank. She works and pays for her studies in the aerodrome field and considers flying a hobby and the financial investigating field as what she loves.

“I also love what I do now at Capital One Bank Canada… it’s a challenging job but it is also fulfilling and I have learned so much.

She mainly investigates Credit Card Fraud and she loves the status of the company she is employed with as well as the team of people in her department.

“I work with a great team of people.

We all get along and we learn from each other. I enjoy working for such a prestigious company, there is so much room for growth and development and they push you to be your best self. It’s a diverse work environment where everyone's opinion matters and the main focus is getting the job done correctly and effectively.”

Asha has always been a known “free handed” girl, with her regular charity drives to the Mahaica Children’s Home and other care dwellings.

She recently launched a project at St John’s College, the school to which she is ex-student.

“I believe in giving back, so recently I started a drive called the St. John’s College Project, asking people to donate money so we can buy books for the school. I attended St. John’s College as a teenager and it was an amazing environment for learning. I made lasting friendships and learned a lot about life and myself. I had so much fun there (and) the teachers were amazing,” she recalled.

Asha said now that she is older and is in a position to help, she thought it a great way “to do something positive”. She said she first did some ground work, talking with teachers and students, and realized that it was her duty “to give back in any way that I could and this book drive was the perfect way to do it”.

“My only wish is that I inspire other students to give back when they leave the school.

In total we raised $146,000 Guyana dollars for books and the books were bought and donated to the school in September 2015 for the new School Term.”

XXI

St. John’s College students take time out to pose with Asha Peters, Coordinator of the newly birthed St. John’s College Project

Some of the books donated

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 4, 2015

Brazilian farmers wake up to their own specialist coffee (BBC News) AS soon as the sun rises in the Caparao Mountains in southeast Brazil, Tarcisio Lacerda takes me on a tour of his property.

We drive up the hills in his pickup truck to see farmers harvest the coffee beans in the vast valley

around us.

Coffee has been the economic backbone of this region - on the border between the Brazilian states of Minas Gerais and Espirito Santo - for more than a century.

But after years of a commodity-fuelled boom, econ-

omies like Brazil are having a hard time adjusting to slower global demand and lower prices.

Over the decades, the Lacerda family has known fortune and poverty, with their wealth always oscillating around coffee.

Droughts, government pol-

A growing number of Brazilian coffee growers are trying to take their crop upmarket

icies, global consumption, currency problems - these were blessings and curses that determined the fate of the Lacerdas.

But in the past five years, farmers in this region are finding new ways to make their own fortunes, trying to move away from producing cheap commodity beans and instead invest in top quality production.

Tarcisio drives me to the top of the hill and lets me in on their secret.

SPECIALTY The valley is filled with coffee trees - but not all of it produces particularly good coffee. In the past, farmers would collect all beans, put them in bags and ship them abroad, getting whatever prices were listed in the commodity markets.

Now Tarcisio and his family are separating the best beans - most of which are from trees 1,500 metres above sea level - and producing their own specialty brands. The rest is sold to the market as cheaper, unprocessed green beans.

"Usually you double your price - going from commodity to specialty,"

Brazilians don't export all their coffee

he says.

"A bag of commodity coffee is now worth 450 reais ($110; ÂŁ72) - but we can sell specialty at around 900 or 1000 reais ($220 or $240)," he says.

Tarcisio takes me to his neighbour's farm - Forquilha do Rio - which has been winning some of Brazil's top awards for coffee.

Their quality has to do with the favourable local conditions - mild temperatures, good sun exposure and high altitude.

"We knew our coffee was good, but we had no idea it was this good," says Afonso de Abreu Lacerda (no relation to Tarcisio), in front of a cabinet packed with trophies.

"It wasn't until we started competing in awards, about five years ago, that we learned just how valuable it was," he adds.

In 2012, when Forquilha do Rio won one of Brazil's top awards, they were able to sell one of their lots for $950 - more than six times the commodity price at the time. They are now exporting their finished brand to China and Japan.

YOUNG FARMERS' REVOLUTION The "specialty revolution" is partly the brainchild of Tarcisio's son, 26-yearold Jhone.

When he was just 15, Jhone dropped out of school and moved into the family property, determined to learn everything about the coffee trade.

With each harvest, father and son experimented with different ways of harvesting, drying up and roasting their product.

Jhone designed, built and patented a new coffee drying equipment - which is one of the crucial elements of turning commodity beans into gourmet food.

He also became a licensed Q-Grader - a special category of coffee tasters.

They started developing their own brand - Fazenda Santa Rita - after buying roasters, and now have their own packages.

MARKET IMPOSITION "This change in direcâ–ş Continued on page XXXIX

Chronicle Pepperpot October 4, 2015

XXIII

Failed Ascent â–ş From page X

Not to be callous, but when life sends us a message, we need to pay attention.

You let your need for another man cloud your vision. When he said he was in a bicoastal marriage of convenience no one knows about, you should have asked him to repeat that. Who are you? James Bond?

When he said his wife caught him cheating, you should have said, "Give me your phone so I can delete my number." Normally we advise people to tell on cheaters because the victim of cheating needs to know.

But this man appears to be a serial cad. There's no way to get revenge on a scoundrel unless you can brand the letter A on their forehead. We doubt his wife, if he has a wife, would care if you told her.

You are the one with the problem. You have a problem staying away from him. Tell if you want, but more importantly, learn from this.

Don't date or have sex with anyone while you, or they, are still married. Admit to yourself, "I made a mistake, I got tricked, I learned my lesson.

I'm not going to give him another thought. This wasn't real."

Wayne & Tamara Send letters to: DirectAnswers@WayneAndTamara.com

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Dr. BERTRAND R. STUART, DDS.

Chronicle Pepperpot October 4, 2015

You may not have to fill your child’s teeth

S

EALANTS offer protection to the most vulnerable chewing surfaces in the mouth. They are not fillings in the true sense, as there is no drilling and therefore no injection of anaesthetic. Notwithstanding, parents need to realize that in addition to sealants, there are available alternatives. Studies have shown that sealants can lower molar decay rates by up to 76.3 percent after four years, provided they are checked and reapplied whenever they are chipped or broken. On the other hand, a study in 2000 compared school-age children who chewed xylitol gum regularly with children treated with professionally applied sealants. After five years, there was no difference between the groups. The protection offered by chewing xylitol gum was equal to that offered by the sealant.

Xylitol is a naturally occurring alcohol found in most plant material, including fruits and vegetable. The

product is usually used as chewing gum or mints. There must always be the plan to work to eliminate harmful bacteria from the mouth, with or without sealants. Bacterial cleaning of the mouth is especially important before new molars erupt, no matter whether it is the baby molar of a two-year old, the first permanent molar of a six-year old, or a third molar of a twenty-year old.

Fighting to eliminate harmful germs should be everyone’s priority, but especially in the year before new teeth are expected. The greatest concern is for the children at high risk for cavities because of a dry or acidic mouth. This includes almost all children at some time in their childhood, since the list covers those who have acidic saliva, acid reflux, or an active lifestyle, as well as those who enjoy acidic drinks, citrus fruits, or sugary or starchy foods, or who take medications – especially for those for allergies or asthma.

One day a friend told me about his teenage son’s ► Continued on page XXV

Chronicle Pepperpot October 4, 2015

You may not have to ... ► From page XXIV

visit to the dentist. The dentist had found tooth decay in the boy’s new molars. The dentist suggested putting sealants on the teeth to prevent early cavities from growing bigger. He insisted that without sealants, the teeth would end up with big cavities by the time of the boy’s six-month checkup.

My friend and I had talked about the options with the risks and benefits of sealants, as well as the things his son could do to avoid them. He decided to postpone his son’s sealant appointment and instead to use a regimen of fluoride mouth rinsing and mints made with 100 percent xylitol.( I will try to obtain some when I attend the American Dental Association Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, next month). The boy closely followed the daily regimen for six months; then he went for his next dental checkup. Understandably nervous, the father watched while the dentist checked his son’s previously decayed teeth. The dentist looked at his notes and examined the boy’s mouth. He looked closely at the molars where the cavities had been starting six months previously. The dentist checked the teeth with an explorer. He checked them again, searching for cavities. The dentist was puzzled to see that the teeth were strong and firm.

The teeth had rebuilt themselves, and the cavities were no longer there.

The dentist called his assistant over, insisting she had forgotten to write in the notes that the sealants had been applied at the previous appointment.

“No sealants were applied,” said the father, explaining how he had cancelled the appointment. He further explained how the teeth must have repaired themselves with the mouth rinses and xylitol the boy had used. The dentist may have been confused, but my friend was convinced, and he continues to make sure that his son protects his teeth every day with this regimen.

Discuss sealants with your dentist, because they are not the only option for dental health. There is no reason why a groove in a molar tooth cannot remain healthy. The most vulnerable time for this groove is as it erupts into the mouth. Creating a healthy environment for a tooth before it erupts into the mouth is of vital importance. Remember that molar grooves take up to a year to fully harden and that it is acidic attacks that destroy the teeth of teenagers and young adults.

A fluoride varnish is another good preventative method and another alternative to sealants if your child appears to be slightly at risk for cavities.

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 4, 2015

Wounded Belizean soldier returns ... ► From

page XIII

“Emil Mendez, a solider attached to the Belizean Army, sustained four gunshot wounds to his body, including to his abdomen and thigh, on Monday night during an attempted robbery in the vicinity of Stanley Place and Shell Road, Kitty, Georgetown…”

He said up to the time of the interview his shooter was not caught and he himself could not recognize the man.

“It was too fast and it was in the dark. All of this happened in about thirty seconds and he was wearing a hood.”

Mendez told this reporter one of the bullets to his abdomen has hit and damaged his spinal cord, causing him to lose physical strength in his back and leg, resulting in him being lodged in a wheelchair.

The Belizean army and his family were notified and his parents visited April last.

The event had changed the lives of both partners. Soldiers are usually trained to uphold one another in desperate situations, being in a “one a part of the other” team spirit.

Coc said he was saddened by the unexpected events, but was mentally prepared for the new journey. His life changed instantly and a stronger bond developed, as he now had no option but to pay closer attention to his “brother” “From the time of his incident I had to put in more. I had to look at me and look at him,” he said, and added, “I find it a bit (challenging), but it is good overall”.

Many might have given up, but there is something implanted inside of him that keeps this man going ahead.

“I am a soldier. I don’t give up! In my military training I learnt to never give up,” he stated.

In high spirits, he sat at the head table at end of the ceremony and received much love in the form of hugs, food and conversation, and paused to talk with this publication.

He has been shot and wheel-chair bound and his performance was affected. But Mendez still managed to obtain a credit on his series of examination.

He explained that his injury prevented him from standing to do practical work, but he has the faith that soon he will be walking again.

The soldier said doctors told him walking is possible with therapy, and he has been assisted greatly in the necessary areas, especially by Dr. Fraser at the GDF Medical Corps.

Since the unfortunate event, he underwent surgery twice to repair organs in his abdomen and to repair his spine. Since the surgery, he has “recovered a little, but I’m still far from it.”

Mendez, scheduled to return to Bolivia yesterday, along with his partner, said on their return they will be positioned as Orthopaedic Technicians in the BDF, but he does not plan to stop there.

“I want to go to university and continue my studies. I will do my Associate Degree at home (in Bolivia) and then go out to further my studies again,” he says.

“In everything that has happened, I have become stronger in my personality, my character… strong is the only option.”

Chronicle Pepperpot October 4, 2015

XXVII

Kross Kolor’s

‘Ossie O’

is a talented behind-the-scenes artiste

T

By Alex Wayne

HERE are indeed some very talented artistes who remain secluded for their own private reasons, and are not talked about often regardless of their valid musical exploits.

That is indeed the reason that I take great pride in presenting to you Ossie Oth’Neil Nedd, who is quite a shining star, but remains hidden behind the clouds.

Known for his unique voice that always creates havoc among the ladies, Ossie was born in Ann’s Grove Village, East Coast Demerara. His mother has often described him as “singing ever since he was in her belly” and his main influence as a young boy was the legendary pop artist, Michael Jackson.

He performed for the first time on stage at age eleven at the St. Rose’s High school when he offered the Whitney Houston classic, “I believe the children are our future”, and received a standing ovation. He also won an elocution

contest on that very stage one week later, against the entire school. From that moment, his love for poetry and song writing began.

Years later, while at the University of Guyana, he performed at an annual music feature, Talent Festival, (Talfest) in 1998, singing the Indian hit song ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’, along with an East Indian girl and was hailed on campus as a cultural icon and by newspaper editorials in Chronicle and Stabroek as playing a significant part in bringing ethnic groups together.

In 2001, the Theatre Arts Awards (TAA), nominated ‘Ossie O’ for the Best Male Singer Award for the song “Hooked on your love”, which was actually his first recorded song, and it saw him winning the coveted award.

He later won a competition, “R n B Flava’, with the identical song which he said he penned as a ballad for his first love.

In 2003,’ Ossie O’ got the opportunity to serenade Mi-

This son of the soil has left his ‘musical imprint’ on the minds of his many fans

This multitalented lad has a far way to go in the musical world

Hidden behind that simple face is a treasure chest of musical surprises

chelle Williams of the famous ‘Destiny’s Child’ song group and once again his fame hit the newspapers. In the year 2005, he penned the lyrics for the now famous Guyanese Timeka Marshall who won the GT&T Jingle Competition.

He is one of the many artistes signed to Kross Kolor Records, and with his song writing skills, he has penned numerous songs for his label mates.

Being a well-rounded musician, ‘Ossie O’ also plays the acoustic guitar (which has become his trade mark), the recorder, piano and harmonica. In his leisure time, the singer sketches portraits and cartoons. He is also a music teacher by profession, with song writing being one of his strength.

While it seems like he has retreated into the shadows, his fans are still clamouring for more of his melodious ballads.

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 4, 2015

Forty years of celebration Fr Montrose after a hectic day

W

By Neil Primus

E often celebrate festivals, seasons and grand occasions. Birthdays are an especially joyous celebration for many people. All peoples of the world celebrate their birthday (Anniversary). As Guyana approaches its 50th Anniversary as an independent nation, a son of the soil celebrated his 40th year as a priest in Guyana. On Monday, 10th August, 2015, friends and well-wishers celebrated this milestone with their spiritual guide, friend and brother.

Born on the 7th March 1948, in Georgetown, Terrence Montrose grew up in three different communities: Albouystown, La Penitence and Alexander Village. He came from a large family which consisted of nine children. His dad Reginald worked on the waterfront and his mom stayed at home to

take care of the family.

He attended the New Preparatory School and received a scholarship to enter the Tutorial Secondary School. As a young boy, he loved playing table tennis and football.

He remembers going to church every Sunday with his family. His father attended the Brickdam Cathedral while his mother and all of the children went to church at Meadow Bank.

Fr. Monty does not remember a startling moment of revelation about becoming a priest. “It was a gradual process. I hardly knew any priest when I was growing up. I did not even know any nuns. The call must have come straight from God. I just wanted to serve and felt a strong call to become a priest. “ “I told my mother and she in turn told my father. He did not object. Dad went out and bought a grip (type of small suitcase). ► Continued on page XXIX

Fr Montrose with friends

From left, Fr John Persaud, Fr Terrence Montrose, Bishop Francis Alleyne, Fr Oliver Farnum (deceased) and Fr Keith Hardless

Chronicle Pepperpot October 4, 2015 a great lot with my spiritual development so his expulsion had some effect on me.

“I have been blessed to have preached in many countries.

Some placed that I have celebrated mass are: -Carnival Mass in England.

-Guyanese Mass in NY. (10th October 2015 will be its 26th year). I will be celebrating mass there this year.

-Other parishes in the USA -Italy -Rome -The Caribbean “Even though I love the priesthood I always think about Guyana and wonder how I could help . I am aware of our racial situation and think there needs to be a real conversation so that we can be a better people and realize our full potential.

We are a small country and need to live together in mutual respect. My opportunities and my pains must not be judged by my race..”

Fr Montrose offers communion

Forty years of celebration ► From page XXVIII Every week, he would buy something for me and put it into the grip. That was his way of showing his support and approval. Sadly he died shortly before I went to the seminary to begin studies for the priesthood.”

“This took place at a very sensitive time in my life. My first response was to think about the welfare of my large family. I felt I should forget the priesthood and find a job so that I could help to support my family.”

“When my mother heard about my plans she sent for me and asked,“Monty, do you have children?”

“No mummy.”

“Then go to the seminary!”

“I proceeded there with a heart at peace. Mom was a great source of support both morally and spiritually. She was always there to give me her love and prayers.” “ In 1965 I entered the Minor Seminary at St. Paul’s on the ECD. There were about thirty five youths attending the institution: Amerindians, Africans, Chinese, Portuguese, East Indians and Douglas (of mixed race). We lived, ate slept, worked and studied together. It was a great experience mixing with so many other races.”

“After four years of studies in Guyana, I entered the Regional Seminary in Trinidad and Tobago in 1969. In 1974, I returned to Guyana and served one year as a Deacon. On the 10th August 1975 I was ordained priest by Bishop Benedict Singh at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Brickdam.”

“Sometime later I was sent to Rome for two years to study Spiritual Theology. On my return to Georgetown I was sent to Meadow Bank as Parish Priest. After that I was assigned to the cathedral for twenty years. Then it was on to Malgre Tout, Hague, New Amsterdam, Buxton and Kurupung.”

Fr. Monty disclosed that one of his highlights as a priest was when he was asked to go to the cathedral.“I felt very proud because I was a young Guyanese priest and there were others around who were more experienced than me.”

“One of my low points as a priest was when my friend and mentor was sent away from Guyana. He had helped me

XXIX “ As a priest each day is different. The only feature that repeats itself is rising early and going for a jog. Sometimes the day is full; Mass, Funerals, Weddings, Baptism, Confirmation, Counselling and meetings. Other days there is less fatigue and more time for gardening. I love gardening. I grow flowers and exotic plants. This is like therapy after a stressful day.”

Working in the parish has been both rewarding and challenging for this priest. He explained that sometimes it seems as though he was making little headway. Sometime later members of the congregation would tell him how much he has helped them and changed their lives.

“Although I am in my 40th year I still feel enthusiastic about bringing the gospel to Guyana. Sometimes many demands are made on me and not many people stop to consider the spiritual life of the priest. Whenever someone tells me ‘Father I have been praying for you,’ I feel blessed.

Although things were sometimes tough, I stuck with it.”

XXX

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Brazilian farmers wake up to their ... â–ş From page

XXII

tion is something that the markets imposed on us," says Jhone Lacerda.

"We used to depend on the price of commodities - on things like how much coffee other countries are drinking, or whether they are in crisis or not," he tells me.

"We want to be in a smaller market, but that does not depend just on demand. In the specialty market, it is not the global demand that drives prices.

It is the quality of the product that you put out."

Jhone uses his Q-Grader skills to advise all producers in the region on what price to charge for their harvests.

Together with two other families, he created the Montanhas do Caparao, a blend of some of the region's best coffees that has also won a top prize in Brazil.

Jhone is now back in school, studying coffee production at Instituto Federal do EspĂ­rito Santo college.

GOING PREMIUM Jhone's father tells me it took centuries for Brazil to finally wake up and smell its own specialty coffee. His parents had never thought of it before.

Brazil is the world's top producer and exporter of coffee by a large margin. It makes about a third of the world's coffee - but virtually all of it is green beans of very low aggregate value.

In the commodity market, the price for green coffee beans depends on factors such as climate and global consumption.

But other types of commodities - like soybeans and iron ore - are now suffering from the slowdown of the Chinese economy.

As Brazil and Latin America rely heavily on commodities and Chinese consumption, the whole

region is slowing down to the tune of those markets.

Brazil's economy is expected to contract more than 2% this year.

The head of the foreign relations department in Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture, Alberto Coelho Fonseca, says producers in many different areas are now trying to add value to food by exporting refined products, which is a way to compensate for lower international prices.

"A specialty coffee can be sold at 300% more value than a non-specialty coffee," he says.

"Even if they have a very small share in exports, the techniques of producing good specialty coffee can spread value through the chain."

Now some government officials want to help these premium brands take off abroad.

In next year's Rio Olympics, Brazil will serve its specialty coffee in tourism lounges in all venues.

Mr Fronseca adds: "About 70% of the coffee brewed by coffeehouses like Starbuck, Cafe Nero or Costa is likely to be from Brazil. We need to showcases our products better."

TOURISM Back in the Caparao Mountains, local producers found another way to add value to their product tourism.

Local farms opened up special cafes and hostels, where visitors are taken on coffee-tasting tours, modelled on California's wine-producing Napa valley.

This is still in its infancy, but it helps consolidate the region's reputation for quality blends.

Now, say Jhone and Tarcisio Lacerda, half of the beans in their farms are already being used to produce their specialty roast, and they have big plans.

Jhone says: "We want

to produce the best coffee in the world.

"We want the Caparao region to become wellknown across the world."

XXXIX Brazil's premium coffee beans are attracting tourists to farm cafes

Sam Smith’s ‘James Bond’ theme tune tops UK charts (Reuters) British singer Sam Smith went straight to number one in the UK pop charts on Friday with "Writing's On The Wall", the theme song to the upcoming James Bond film "Spectre", making it the first title track for a 007 movie to be a chart-topper.

The song knocked "What Do You Mean?"

by Canada's Justin Beiber from the top spot after three weeks and gave Smith his fifth British number one single, the Official Charts Company said.

R City featuring Adam Levine stayed in third with "Locked Away" with former number

one, "Easy Love", by London-based DJ Sigala in fourth.

In the albums chart, electronic duo Disclosure - siblings Howard and Guy Lawrence - notched up their second number one with "Caracal".

Veteran British band New Order recorded their highest album position in 22 years, debuting in second with "Music Complete", with last week's number one "Rattle That Lock" by Pink Floyd's David Gilmour in third.

Schwarzenegger takes 'Golden Icon' award at Zurich Film Festival (Reuters) Action star Arnold Schwarzenegger has been honoured with the Zurich Film Festival's top "Golden Icon" award for his four decades of work both in film and politics.

The award celebrates an actor's or actress' lifetime achievements. Previous recipients include Diane Keaton and Morgan Freeman.

Schwarzenegger, who first came to fame as a bodybuilder who won the Mr Universe title at age 20, returned to making movies after two terms as California Governor from 2003 to 2011.

Few however have enjoyed the success of "The Terminator" or "Conan the Barbarian" in which he

starred in the 1980s and '90s.

"I'm happy to be back into acting and I'm also very happy that I did my public service ... so I will be doing many more movies," he said at the festival on Wednesday night.

The Austrian-American Schwarzenegger, 68, also presented his new movie "Maggie" at the festival, in which he plays a farmer struggling to look after his dying daughter.

Last month television network NBC said Schwarzenegger would replace U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump as the host of reality show "The Celebrity Apprentice".

‘Quantico’ Star Priyanka Chopra on New ABC Show, Bollywood Roots

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riyanka Chopra stars as rookie FBI agent Alex Parrish in “Quantico,” which bowed Sept. 27 on ABC. The Mark Gordon Co. drama from Joshua Safran centers around FBI recruits who must deal with a terrorist attack that implicates one of them. Chopra, who is a huge star in Bollywood, and also a singer, started her showbiz career after winning the Miss World beauty pageant in 2000.

What’s the difference between working in Indian films and in the U.S.?

I’ve shot all over the world, with crews from all over the world. The work ethic is the same. Bollywood is my career; it’s what I do. I have three movies in India, and this new show in the U.S. I feel like a freshman in high school again. We have an amazing cast and crew; they know I’m alone without family, and they take care of me.

Do you get to improvise?

I’m good with reading lines, and I know Alex’s character. The writers are the backbone in television, like in film, but eventually as an actress, I can bring something.

What about your musical career?

I have no down time; we work six days a week. I’m working on (Bollywood film) “Bajirao Mastani” for Sanjay Leela Bhansali, so I go to India for a few days and fly back. I have no time to write songs. I sang the “Sunday Night Football” theme song two years in a row — my first part in American culture, although I still don’t know anything about American football. (Variety)