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20-Somethings You Should Know
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Muscleman
Hugh Ross
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Contents GEM
Guyana's Premier Entertainment & Lifestyle Magazine February/March 2011 | Issue 43
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LETTERS TO GEM What readers have to say about the last edition
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PUBLISHER’S NOTES All the best for the season and Happy New Year
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BIRTHDAYS Personality milestone
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20-SOMETHINGS Ready to Lead the Country
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PERSONALITY Dr. Shanti Singh-Anthony, Programme Manager, National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS)/ Ministry of Health
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Guyana Relief Council Annual Luncheon & Dutch Auction
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GCCI 2010 Annual Dinner and Awards
20
Guyana Open Golf Championships Sponsored by R1 Vodka
Muscleman - Hugh Ross The New Mr. Universe
COVER CREDIT
The photo of Hugh Ross was taken exclusively for GEM by Charles Peters. 6 | GEM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011
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Contents II GEM
36 Groovy Soca Competition Jumo Primo Wins Ashanti & Jah Cure Headline ‘Unforgettable’ Concert Remembrance Day 2010 Paying Homage to the Fallen Kashif & Shanghai Football Festival Season 21 ICON George Simon – Creating Beautiful Works of Art Biz Outlook ND&S Furniture back in Business HEALTH BEAT The Difference between the Common Cold and the Flu
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Guyana's Premier Entertainment & Lifestyle Magazine February/March 2011 | Issue 43
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RECIPES Multigrain Muffin and Ramen Noodles Vegetable Soup
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GEM BEAUTY Meet Raiza a 21–year-old Gemini
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SAVVY SISTER Women’s Health 101: Take Control of your Health this New Year
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The Wedding Planner 10 things to know when planning a wedding in Guyana 50
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FASHION John Lewis Styles’ "Infatuation II"
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TRAVEL Guyana in Focus: Behind the Advisories
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LAST SEEN HERE Random pictures of people and events. Were you there?
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GEM SINCE 2004
Issue 43 | February/ March 2011 FOUNDER & PUBLISHER Simeon L Corbin EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Pamela Corbin MANAGING EDITOR Coretta Corbin-Rival LAYOUT AND DESIGN Mark James INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Pamela Corbin INTERNATIONAL SALES & MARKETING Director Coretta Corbin-Rival INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION Director Michelle Corbin CONTRIBUTORS Pamela Corbin • Coretta Corbin-Rival • Michelle Corbin • Carl Croker • Naomi Wright • Allan Fenty•Tiya Peterkin • Petamber Persaud • Rawl Welch • Colin Sulker GUYANA AND THE CARIBBEAN GEM, P.O. Box 12396, Georgetown, Guyana Phone: 011.592.225.1738 or 011.592.624.2751 Email: info@GemMagOnline.com Website: www.GemMagOnline.com SUBSCRIPTION Guyana GYD5,500 Caribbean & North America USD40 Rest of the World USD45 http://www.gemmagonline.com DISTRIBUTION To sell GEM at your business, please email sales at sales@gemmagonline.com INTERNATIONAL SALES AND MARKETING Corbin Media Group P.O. Box 255906 Boston, MA 02125 USA Phone: 617.833.7482 Email: CorbinMediaGroup@aol.com MEMBER Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Guyana Press Association (GPA) Tourism Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) ISSN 181-2019 Six times a year, GEM delivers the latest trends in business, charity, art, interior design, real estate, culture, cuisine, sports, entertainment, parties, fashion, events, beauty, weddings and travel. All rights reserved. Reproduction in part or whole without permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. The publisher and editors are not responsible for unsolicited material and it will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication subject to GEM’s rights to edit.
© 2011 by CORBIN MEDIA GROUP
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Letters to that really doesn’t matter. I’m grateful to have it. Without going into details about the things I absolutely like, let me say this — I haven’t found anything you have published to disagree with. Reading your magazine is akin to my dreams for Guyana most of the time, and it’s wonderful to know I’m not the only person with these thoughts and feelings of focusing on the positives. I appreciate your encouragement. Please stay healthy and safe and keep it coming. – Fred Coleman My husband and I, along with our two teenage sons, live in Toronto, Canada, and we haven’t visited Guyana since the kids were born. We all enjoy reading your magazine and it really is “the only” magazine we subscribe to. It makes for a great gift, be it birthday or Christmas, whatever the occasion. I would highly recommend gift subscriptions for those people who “have everything.” We have been subscribers for 3 years. - April and Dennis Persaud
I’ve been reading GEM for about 5 years now and find it to be by far the most practical and relevant magazine for Guyana. It is certainly the only one I look forward to most eagerly. The Savvy Sister and icon articles and the coverage of all the happenings in Guyana are just great! Keep them coming. – Sasha Ramnauth
We welcome comments, criticisms and ideas from you. Let us know what you think about this edition. Send comments to letters@gemmagonline.com. Letters may be edited for space and clarity.
I grew-up as a country girl but now live overseas in a big city. I appreciate that you always give complete information and cover a broad range of subjects like many international lifestyle magazines I come across. At the risk of stating the obvious, you always get to the point fast and avoid boring people with long editorials. Many writers always feel they need to impress the reader with their opinion and end-up chasing you to another medium that has the information in a capsule. Thank you for being different to the rest. - Samantha Sukhnandan This is just a note to say thanks for the great magazine GEM is. I sure don’t remember how I came to find it, but
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011 GEM | 11
Publisher's Notes Defining myself, as opposed to being defined by others, is one of the most difficult challenges I face. - Carol Moseley-Braun Dear Valued Reader, Welcome to the 43th issue of GEM. As we move into our seventh year of production, this publishing milestone would not have been possible without the support of our loyal friends and colleagues, all of whom have continuously believed in GEM and shared in our unique vision. This year promises to be very exciting, as we plan to include more reading material as regular columns for GEM. The aim is to make the magazine more comprehensive and thus, appeal to a wider audience. To make this happen, we will be partnering with various companies to focus more on Guyanese lifestyle trends and the products and services that complement them. January is a relatively slow month, with most people trying to recoup financially and emotionally from a hectic Christmas season. But, before long, we’ll be fully rejuvenated especially in the pocket, and ready for the Mashramani season. I don’t want to bore you by repeating the exciting features listed in the Contents of the magazine, but I must mention that we have on our cover, the Mr. Universe and he is Guyanese - as if you didn’t know that already. Thanks Hugh for everything and the opportunity to feature you in GEM. With the addition of new features in the print version, the display online through our flipbook software at www. gemmagonline.com and the increased fan base at www. facebook.com/GEM.Guyana, these new approaches enable us to create stronger advertising, promotions and
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brand positioning for you as a client. GEM with its high quality presentation, diverse content and multimedia exposure, positions the publication perfectly as the best option to promote your products and services and reach a niche market that knows quality and is willing to pay for it. Off course, you can only enjoy these benefits when you come onboard! Happy Valentine’s Day and have a safe and happy Mashramani experience! Enjoy yourself, Founder & Publisher GEM http://www.facebook.com/GEM.Guyana
A birthday is just the first day of another 365-day journey around the sun. Enjoy the trip.
Sean Devers
Olympia Small - Sonaram
FEBRUARY Athlete - Marian Burnett (2) Pannist legend - Rudy Bishop (6) Sports Commentator / Journalist - Sean Devers (8) Comedian / actor -Kirk ‘Chow Pow’ Jardine (8) Singer - Timeka Marshall (14) Designer - Olympia Small-Sonaram (18) Actor / comedian - Henry Rodney (23) Cricketer - Travis Dowlin (24) Speedster - Andrew King (24)
Andrew King Baroness Valerie Amos MARCH Singer - Eddy Grant (5) Former Guyana and West Indies cricketer - Lloyd Harper (8) Track star - Aliann T. O. Pompey (9) UN Under-Secretary-General Baroness Valerie Amos (13) Former Guyana and West Indies cricketer - Colin Croft (15) TV personality - Donna Shortt-Gill (16) Former Guyana and West Indies cricketer - Roger Harper (17) Former Guyana and West Indies cricketer - Alvin Kallicharran (21) Calypsonian - Malcolm “Lord Canary” Corrica (21) Model - Renee Chester (28)
Finer Flour The
™
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011 GEM | 13
20-somethings
I
You Should Know
1 t r Pa
n an ongoing series, GEM will highlight some of the 20 year olds making a difference in their communities as established leaders or as rising stars. Some of these young people are already making waves in media, sports, entertainment, business, politics, music, medicine and other career choices.
Despite the frequent talk of brain drain in Guyana and disillusioned youths, these young leaders are sticking around and aggressively pursuing their various fields of endeavor. They are intelligent, creative and self-assured, and you won’t find them sitting around and complaining about “what’s wrong with Guyana.” This list is just a sample of the calibre of talent that is moving to the forefront of our society, ready to takeover and lead the country into a bright future.
Abigail Ulana Wade Age: 24 Hometown: Berbice High School: President's College Occupation: Television Journalist & News Anchor Employer: Multi Vision Technology MTV- News Update Channel 65/14 Hobbies: Traveling and meeting new people to learn from their experiences. I also enjoy spending time with my family especially my three year old daughter. Relationship status: Single Idol: Rosa Parks- Because she is the true definition of a strong black woman. Politics is (stress, interesting, huh!): interesting Where do you see yourself in 10 years?: In the next 10 years: I see myself as a very successful entrepreneur; empowering young women across the globe especially teenagers and single mothers who find themselves in difficult circumstances.
Robbie Singh Age: 28 Hometown: Georgetown, Guyana High School: City College '97 Occupation: Entrepreneur Employer: Owner Movietown Video Club, Pulse Entertainment Group and Arcadia Hobbies: Socializing and meeting new people, Playing Video Games PS3/ Xbox360 Relationship Status: Single Idol: Bill Gates Politics is (stress, interesting, huh!): I most definitely have to say ‘Stress’ Where do you see yourself in 10 years?: 10 years from now, I see myself as becoming more successful in the Entertainment industry by expanding and diversifying the businesses that I am currently in control of now. Also, I’ve always wanted to travel around the world and explore different cultures and lifestyles but I most definitely will still be residing in Guyana. In terms of family, ten years from now or maybe more I would like to start my own family and become a father. Ten years from now may seem like a long time but hopefully I’ll achieve and accomplish my goals set forth for that time. 14 | GEM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011
Alexis Tiwari Age: 24 Hometown: Georgetown High School: Bishops’ High School Occupation: Director of BK Quarries Inc. Claim to fame: I think my claim to fame would be my family’s business (BK International). Growing up, most times I’ve been referred to as “BK’s daughter” instead of just my name. Hobbies: I am much more of a laid-back person and rarely have favourites; however, I do enjoy travelling, music and spending time with my family and friends. Relationship Status: In a relationship Idol: My family has been a strong support system for me and I feel truly blessed to have them in my life. I am extremely grateful for both of my parents who have molded me into the person I am today. My mother is the backbone for our family, however; I think my idol would be my father. His perseverance and strength motivates me to keep believing in myself. His accomplishments over the years have made me realise that you can achieve anything you want once you are committed to making it happen and so for these reasons I don’t think there is anyone I personally know that I admire more than him. Politics: At this stage of my life, politics has not been of much interest to me. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?: I set short term goals for myself because I believe that the sooner I can achieve them, the more motivated I would be to keep on going and doing more for myself. I’ve been working and my next goal which is to complete my MBA and hopefully be a successful entrepreneur with a family of my own that possess the ability to make a difference not only in the lives of others but for my country also.
Timeka Marshall Age: 21 Hometown: Linden High School: St Joseph High School Occupation: Singer/Songwriter/Entertainer Claim to fame: Winner of GTT Jingle Competition 2006 Hobbies: Travelling, Modelling, Video Games, Meeting new people, Flirting Relationship Status: Single Idol: God Politics is (stress, interesting, huh!): Stress....whoever supports me I support them Where do you see yourself in 10 years?: Signed to a record label, have few albums out, touring the world and being happy.
Cleveland Forde Age: 25 Hometown: Mabaruma High School: Richard Ishmael Secondary Occupation: Athlete/Student Claim to fame: 2006 Sportsman-of-the year. 2009 Runner-up Sportsman - of - the year. 1,500 meter and 5,000 meter national record holder. South American under-23 5,000m champion. Three times CARIFTA Games 5,000m gold medalist. Went on an IOC scholarship in Kenya from December 2004 to July 2008. Diploma in Management of Information System. Male Athlete-of-the year 2004 to 2010 except 05 and 07 Hobbies: Watching cricket, meeting people, traveling and reading Relationship Status: Single Idol: Haile Gebrselassie Politics is (stress, interesting, huh!): Interesting Where do you see yourself in 10 years?: At least an olympic finalist and a business owner. FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011 GEM | 15
PERSONALITY
Dr. Shanti Singh-Anthony Job: Programme Manager, National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS)/ Ministry of Health Favourite movie: Alladin- the Disney Movie Favourite dish: I am adventurous with food- Love anything that’s Middle Eastern with Balounger. Favourite entertainers: Usher and Shah Rukh Khan
GEM: How long have you been a medical practitioner? Shanti Singh-Anthony: I have been in this profession for 17 years. GEM: If you weren’t in the medical field, what would be your other career choice? SS: Researcher on social sciencesparticularly on women’s issues and on poverty. GEM: What are the functions of NAPS and what are your responsibilities there? SSA: The National AIDS Programme Secretariat has the mandate to coordinate, monitor and evaluate the National Response to the HIV epidemic. As the manager, my responsibility is to ensure that this is achieved effectively. GEM: Which NAPS service would you say is seriously underused by the public? SSA: Prevention services. Whilst the world has done well in putting persons on antiretroviral therapy, the UNAIDS reports that for every one person placed on treatment, five new infections occur. In Guyana, like the rest of the world we have done well in all areas, but prevention remains a major cornerstone for strategic action.
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Photography: Submitted
the family. GEM: NAPS conducted a Week of Testing last November, how was that campaign? SSA: The National Week of Testing was a success with the Secretariat achieving its target of testing 30,000 persons. This is a key public health initiative that has achieved significant buy in from all cross sections of the Guyanese community including the private sector, the faith community and the public at large. The response from all during this week, I believe is an indication that HIV is now less stigmatised and that all are involved. GEM: In your opinion, how is Guyana’s overall HIV/ AIDS awareness drive? SSA: All evidence has shown that progress has been made in Guyana in significantly impacting the HIV epidemic. The recent WHO/UNAIDS/UNICEF publication is testimony to this where among 144 low and middle income countries, Guyana was one of only 15 countries to achieve universal access to prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV.
GEM: A great deal of your spare time is spent..…..? SSA: I enjoy spending time with my family particularly the conversations with my husband and two girls. In my own private time, I enjoy reading both fiction and non fiction. My favourite novels are The God of Small Things by Arundathi Roy and The Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry. I read all of John Grisham. My favourite Non Fictions are Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell and Cheating Death by Sanjay Gupta. GEM: Beer, wine or cocktail? SSA: Rum and Coke. GEM: What are your views on life? SSA. Life is what you make of it. I am guided by basic principles such as everything in moderation, do on to others as you would want others to do onto you and at the end of everyday, I must be able to say that “I have contributed, I have made humanity better."
GEM: What are some of the unhealthy behaviour habits of young people that concern you? SSA: The fact that young people have the knowledge on HIV, but this is not translated in appropriate protective behaviour. I am concerned on the varying and ever-so changing influences on our young people such as music, the World Wide Web, peer pressure, bullying and others. These contribute and in cases facilitate the unhealthy behaviours of early sexual debut, alcohol and other substance use and abuse, unsafe sex and others. GEM: Which University did you attend, and what was that experience like? SSA: The People’s Friendship University in Moscow, St. George’s University in Grenada and University of the West Indies. My experience in Moscow has been most memorable as it allowed me at still a tender age to appreciate and value the culture of another people. GEM: How do you balance being a professional, mother and wife? SSA: I am not sure that I have achieved that balance as yet, but I do make the effort. The evenings and weekends are important in ensuring that quality time is spent with
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GRC Annual Luncheon & Dutch Auction
Photography: Carl Croker
L-r: Chandra Amres, Gail Stoll and Marsha Vyphuis
T
he Guyana Relief Council (GRC),held their annual luncheon and Dutch auction on November 14, 2010 at the Pegasus Hotel Guyana.
The event is held each year to raise funds, but to also recognize individuals and entities who have supported the GRC’s efforts through cash, kind or voluntary assistance. GRC was founded 16 years ago as a non-governmental organization to assist persons in distress after a fire, flood or other disasters. Chairperson of the GRC, Yvonne Hinds, wife of Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, delivered the welcome address at the event. This year, the organization recognized Vic Insanally, Demtoco, Josephine Hill, Nalini Ramcharitar, Metro 18 | GEM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011
Office and Computer Supplies, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Adams and Jain Che Ping for their dedication to the GRC’s hard work. Tokens of appreciation were also presented to Hugh Gooding and Dionne Lewis. The items making the auction block this year were a Zimbabwean leopard stone sculpture donated by Dr. Theodora, which went to Sigi Sanker for $80,000; a handpainted ceramic vase, donated by the New Thriving Restaurant, which was won by Ramdeo Kumar at a top bid of $89,000; a Digicel Blackberry Curve cellular phone which was won by seven-year-old Darren Walrond for $114,000. There also were a number of door prizes handed out. Entertainment was provided by Paul Persaud, Dr. Prashandis Mendis and Marcello, Sandrina Abrams and Laura Walrond, Sandrina Abrams and Cleveland Hutson. The emcee was Wanita Huburn.
Top Left: Yvonne Hinds shows her appreciation to her husband PM Samuel Hinds Top: Parvati Edwards accepts an award on behalf of Vic Insanally Left: Jain Che Ping poses with Yvonne Hinds after receiving her pin Bottom: GRC Secretary Nirmala Ramroop-terWelle accepts her recognition from the Vice-Chairman Maurice Amres
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011 GEM | 19
Photography: Carl Croker
GTT’s CEO Yog Mohabir (L) receives the Business of the Year Award from GCCI’s president Komal Ramnauth
GCCI 2010 Annual Dinner and Awards T
he Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s ( GCCI) Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony was held at the Pegasus Hotel on December 7, 2010. GCCI holds its annual awards dinner to recognize individuals and companies who have made a significant impact on the business landscapes of Guyana. This year’s guest speaker was Chairman Emeritus of
Trinidad based ANSA McAL Group of Companies, Dr. Anthony Sagba. Established under the name "The Chamber of Commerce of the City of Georgetown" in 1889, the organization later adopted the name Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It is the oldest private sector representative in Guyana and currently boosts a membership of over 100 companies that represent various industries.
2010 Awardees GCCI’s Long Service Award Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry ( GBTI) Public Service Award of Excellence Guyana National Bureau of Standards ( GNBS) Corporate Citizens Award Courts Guyana Limited Young Business Executive Award Hits and Jams Entertainment Group 20 | GEM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011
Lifetime Achievement Award Acme General Store GCCI’s President’s Award Demerara Distillers Limited ( DDL) Business of the Year Award Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company ( GT&T) Chamber Award Eon Caesar and Clinton Urling
1
2
3
4 5 1. Mr. and Mrs. Chandradat Chintamani 2. Dr. Anthony Sagba delivers his feature address. 3. Managing Director of Ansa McAl Guyana, Beverley Harper introduces the guest speaker. 4. Hits & Jams team Dwight Ferguson, Rawle Fergusion and Kerwin Bollers accept the Young Business Executive Award from GCCI’s vice president Eon Ceasar 5. L-r: Sean Noel, Shaleeza Shaw, Kathryn Etyle - Mclean and John Tracey.
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Seated Avinash Persaud (L) and Christine Sukhram pose with Carlton Joao and other prize winners and Banks officials.
R1 Vodka Guyana Open Golf Championship N
o amount of intermittent downpours could have prevented the seventy plus golfers from completing 18 holes of golf at the annual Guyana Open Golf championships, sponsored by beverage giant Banks DIH Limited under their R1 Vodka brand. The umbrella became an important device for the two days of golfing, as competitors played through the rain and puddles of water at the Lusignan Golf course on November 20 and 21, 2010. At the end of competition, Avinash Persaud and Christine Sukhram came out on top and retained their men’s and ladies’ titles respectively. Persaud playing off a 2 handicap recorded an overall gross 151 after shooting 73 on the first day and 78 on day two.
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Photography: Simeon Corbin and Carl Croker Mohanlall “Santo” Dinanauth placed second with a gross 154 (78 and 76) over the two days while third went to Alfred Mentore with 156 (78 and 78). In the ladies category, Sukhram (handicap 10) won the best overall gross (173), best gross on day one and day two (88 and 85), best overall net (153) and best net on day two (75). She squeezed past Joaan Deo on a countback for the best net prize after they tied on 153 each. Deo won the first day’s net prize with 75. Persaud and Sukhram were presented with the championship jackets during the presentation ceremony by Banks DIH Sales and Marketing Executive Carlton Joao. Chatterpaul Deo carted off the overall men’s net with 133 as well as the best net on day two in the 0-28 flight.
Christine Sukhram
A member of the Surinamese team
Golfers braving the rain
In the men’s 10-18 handicap flight Colin Ming won with 142 (68 and 74). Seepaul Suknanan of Canada had the best gross in the 0-28 flight and also the best net. Mohamed Shafi of the United States recorded the best net in the 1928 flight on day two while Surinamese George Brahim won the prize for the best net in the 19-28 flight on day one. Joao thanked the overseas players for taking part in the tournament. He said his company was extremely pleased to sponsor the tournament for another year and indicated that the sponsorship will continue in the future.
Troy Cadogan FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011 GEM | 23
Muscleman
Hugh Ross The New
Mr. Universe C
elebrated bodybuilder Hugh Arlington Ross captured the coveted Mr. Universe Masters over-50 title at the National Amateur Body-Builders’ Association (NABBA) 60th Mr. Universe Competition. Ross, who is also a Musclemania contender on his fourth attempt at Mr. Universe competition beat Aivars Visockis (Latvia), Martin Holroyd (United Kingdom), Derek Jones (United Kingdom/Wales), Phil Kuklinski (New Zealand) and John Lee (United Kingdom). Ross’ previous three attempts yielded him a third place finish in 2006, a fifth place in 2007 and another third place in 2009. His October 30, 2010 win makes him the first Mr. Universe from Guyana and the Caribbean and the first athlete from the USA to win since 1994. Hugh, a former power lifting champion in Guyana and New York still enjoys some personal 24 | GEM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011
Photography: Charles Peters
Hugh and his wife strike a pose
best scores for a squat of 650lbs, Bench Press of 430lbs, and a dead lift of 688lbs. Ross who resides in the US, has been returning to Guyana for the last two years to sponsor his annual name sake tournament the Hugh Ross Classic (HRC), a bodybuilding and fitness show sanctioned by the Guyana Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GABBFF). GEM did some flexing with this 51 year-old muscleman to find out how he is handling his new fame and what the future holds. GEM: Congratulations on your terrific accomplishment. How are you handling this new found fame? Hugh Ross: It is a very humbling experience which I am trying to take in stride. Fans’ reaction on a daily basis has been causing me more and more to realize the magnitude of this accomplishment. GEM: What was your thought process like while you were on stage competing? HR: When the competitors in my category were first lined up on stage for the commencement of the pre-judging my first thought was: “WOW, my adversaries are all looking very formidable, but I will not be denied!” After being examined in our four quarter turns I was hoping to be called out for the first set of comparisons and I was. That is usually a clear indication that you are in the top five, hence this further boosted my confidence level. GEM: What kind of diet do you follow to get to a competition physique? HR: My contest prep diet is typically low in carbohydrates with a protein intake that is 1.5 grams of protein per pound of whatever my bodyweight is at the time. My fat intake is very low and is mainly based on my energy level and my appearance. A few examples of my carbohydrate source are: sweet potatoes, rice, oatmeal and vegetables. Protein source are: baked chicken, lean steak, lean ground turkey, tuna and egg whites. Fat FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011 GEM | 25
Muscleman Hugh Ross The New Mr. Universe sources are: almond nuts and salmon. GEM: Does it include any supplements? HR: Yes. I supplement mainly with multivitamins and mineral packs, l-carnitine, BCAA, L-glutamine, whey protein power and additional antioxidants. GEM: How does it feel to be in the same league with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Frank Zane, Steve Reeves, etc? HR: Although the thought is very honorable on account of the fact that they were all prior winners at this event, not for a moment do I think that my feet are large enough to fit their shoes. GEM: Speaking of Schwarzenegger, he is the Governor of California; do you have any political aspiration? HR: Not at this moment. GEM: How and when did you get started in bodybuilding? HR: My first bodybuilding competition was in 2002, prior to that I was a competitive powerlifter. During my power-lifting era there was one individual who was very adamant about me becoming a bodybuilder, the late Claude Charles who was my mentor back then. He was the owner of my original gym, Kingsrow Barbell Club. Subsequently I was invited by Donald Sinclair, the owner of Fitness Paradise gym to guest pose at his Flex Night Event in 2001. I did, I enjoyed it and decided to start competition the following year. GEM: Tell us about your childhood and teenage years. HR: I grew up as a child in a poor family in a little village called Eversham. I was the eldest of five and my mom was a single parent hence I took on the role of a father figure from an early age. This entailed farming to supplement our meals and working as a labourer in other peoples’ farms to raise funds for my school fees and to assist my younger brothers and sisters. As a result I rarely had play time. My initial schooling was at Eversham Primary then subsequently Berbice High and Manchester Secondary Schools. As a teenager I always worked after school and my summer break was spent working in the rice fields. GEM: Which is more important to you during your training, bulk or strength and why? HR: Strength is more important to me as it is a clear
Sport: Bodybuilding Divisions: Masters, Open and Professional Height: 5’ 10” Weight: Off Season weight 212lbs; Competition weight 200lbs 26 | GEM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011
Waist: 29” Chest: 48” relaxed Neck: 18” Biceps: 20” Shoe size: 10
indication of good health and proper nutrition. Added bulk can either be in the form of muscle or fat. The latter can be easily acquired as a result of excessive caloric intake while muscular bulk is much more difficult to attain for a natural athlete. For example, over the years although my training and nutrition have been exemplary I have only been able to gain about 2 – 3 pounds of muscle annually. GEM: A lot of bodybuilders train hard in their early years and do not think about what this will do to them in their later years. Has your training changed over the years? HR: My training has evolved a lot over the years based on my goals. As a power-lifter my focus was developing my strength which entailed regimented programs that were designed to enable me to increase the weights I lifted. As a bodybuilder my focus is now on sculpting and refining. To that effect my training is instinctive. I do not follow a training program hence every training session is different from the other. The only thing that stays fixed is which body part is worked on a given day and my training poundage is based on how I feel on that particular day. While aging I have learnt to listen to my body and allow it to dictate what I do as appose to a rigid program or ego. GEM: What advice would you offer an aspiring bodybuilder? HR: Be disciplined! Be true to yourself! Be consistent! Be prepared to make sacrifices! Be patient! Believe in yourself! Stay clean and healthy and never miss a workout. GEM: What adversities if any, you have had to overcome to perfect your sport? HR: Smile! Just about all I guess! Unlike most of my counterparts at this level for whom bodybuilding is their career, its just my hobby hence my training is done in the little time I have left after my regular job and family chores. Having the time to go out with friends is very rare. I do not have a trainer, dietitian, masseuse, manager, sponsors or any of the luxuries my counterparts are fortunate to have. I do it all myself. It’s exceedingly difficult at times but I view these difficulties as rare opportunities in disguise to test how much more I am capable of. As a result, each time I overcome a difficulty I become much more confident in myself. In addition, being a natural athlete who has been drug free all my life, meant that it took my body much longer to develop to the stage it is at now. It took extraordinary discipline, patience and consistency to wait on that development. GEM: You did well at powerlifting - being a former champion. Why the switch to bodybuilding? HR: After winning just about every powerlifting title which included the New York, New Jersey and the Connecticut State Championships as well as the US Submasters and Masters Nationals between 1995 and 2000, I got bored. In addition, due to my consistently clean diet,
everyone thought I looked like a bodybuilder instead of a powerlifter. Compounding that was the fact that you are consistently susceptible to injuries as a result of the extreme poundage you are required to lift. I have had my share of those. With all of that in mind I decided to make the transition to bodybuilding. GEM: Top 5 highlights of your career so far? HR: • Winning the US Powerlifting Federation Submasters & Masters National Overall title along with the best lifter award in 2000. • Winning both my categories, the Novice & Masters, at my first bodybuilding competition, Musclemania Fitness Atlantic in 2002. • Winning both my categories & the Open Overall at NABBA USA National Championships in 2003. • Winning both my categories & the Open Overall plus earning my Musclemania Professional Card at the Fitness Atlantic in 2004. • Winning just about every event between 2004 to 2010. Smile. • Winning my category at the 2010 Mr Universe. GEM: You spent 10 years in the Guyana Defence Force, what has that experience taught you? HR: That experience has re-enforced some of the values I embrace such as discipline, strength, responsibility, sacrifice and ethics. All of which are necessities for success. I would not trade my experience in the military for anything. GEM: Tell us about your family? HR: Although we are rarely together and function as independent units most of the time due to our busy respective schedules, my family is very supportive of what I do. I am married with three children two girls and one boy. The eldest girl is an officer and an Iraqi veteran in the US army, my son and youngest daughter are in college. I am blessed to have my mother, two sisters and one brother who was a twin before one died. I also have four other sisters and two brothers on my father’s side of the family. GEM: What do you do to relax? HR: Laugh! This is the most difficult question you have asked thus far. No one around me associates me with the word relax. Perhaps that term is applicable to the 3-4 hours of sleep I get every twenty four hours. However, fishing is very relaxing to me. I just wish I could get to do it more often. GEM: Are there any foods or drinks you won’t touch? HR: I don’t consume alcohol, sodas & processed foods. I rarely eat fried foods. Most of what I eat is prepared in my kitchen.
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Muscleman Hugh Ross The New Mr. Universe GEM: Some women go crazy for a guy with a physique like yours, while some guys are intimidated, how do you handle that situation? HR: Over the years I have learnt to deal with that quite amicably. I am civil to all and try very diligently to make everyone around me relaxed and comfortable. Basically, I thank the females and let them know how flattered I am by their attention and encourage the males and give them pointers on how to improve their stature. Generally, my message to all is more so on embracing a healthy lifestyle as opposed to acquiring a contest ready physique. GEM: Are you a religious person? HR: Yes! I do not go around preaching the gospel but I do Believe in God hence I would say I am quietly religious. GEM: You seem to be doing well at this point. How many more years do you think you will keep competing? HR: I would never put a cap on that for a number of reasons. For me, competitions are a tool that I use to keep myself on track. Knowing that I have to display my body under the brightest of lights to be scrutinized by thousands, give me more than enough reasons to keep it looking immaculate. Winning is just the icing on the cake. In addition, I embrace the concept that we should not stop playing because we are aging, rather, we start aging when we stop playing. Smile! GEM: You have just won the Mr. Universe title, what are your future goals? HR: My goals are to start marketing my multiple achievements, to maintain good health and to share the wealth of knowledge attained over the years to upcoming athletes. GEM: We look forward to you keeping the Golden Arrowhead flying high for many years to come. Is there anything you would like to say in closing? HR: I would like to extend deepest gratitude to my family, friends, and fans for their support which has served to fuel my efforts over the years. 28 | GEM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011
Banks DIH Inaugural Groovy Soca Competition Photography: Carl Croker
Jumo on his way to winning the title
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n December 11, 2010, stage regular Jumo Primo edged out Michelle ‘Big Red’ King to win the first ever Groovy Soca Monarch competition sponsored by Banks DIH Limited at the National Park.
with her entry “Wuck it down on Me” and she collected $500K. Dallas Forte added some gospel to his performance with “Unspeakable Joy” and picked-up the third prize and $300K
In the wee hours of the morning, Primo’s “On Meh” got the judges’ nod to beat the thirteen other contestants and capture the crown. His victory earned him the cash prize of $750K. Michelle “Big Red” came in second place
The Groovy Soca Monarch competition was launched in November to help jump start the 2011 Mashramani season.
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Photography: Carl Croker
& Jah Cure Headline ‘Unforgettable’ Concert
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ecember 25, 2010 was an evening to remember as R&B star Ashanti and Caribbean reggae star Jah Cure highlighted the Hits & jams / Kashif & Shanghai show dubbed ‘Unforgettable.’ The two entities collaborated and gave music fans a real treat on Christmas night at the Guyana National Stadium. Thousands of fans packed the stadium to see these acts perform. Also on the list was Jamaican reggae artiste Konshens. Timeka Marshall, Shelly G, Spiderman, Jory made up the local entertainers who performed at the show.
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Ashanti on stage
1. Jah Cure with fans backstage
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2. Shelly G 3. Timeka Marshall 4. Jory 5. Ashanti meets President Jagdeo 6. An Ashanti family moment
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Eighty six-year-old Agatha Edwards of the St John’s Brigade salutes during the march pass.
Remembrance Day 2010 O
Photography: Carl Croker n November 14, 2010, politicians, members of the military and paramilitary organizations, the diplomatic community and civic society gathered at the Cenotaph, Company Path Georgetown to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice in World Wars I and II.
Participants proudly wore the red “poppy” during Remembrance Week as a symbol to remember their fallen comrades. The “poppy” had its origin in World War 1, but in 1921 it was modified as a symbol of sacrifice and later became a symbol of remembering soldiers who served in the different wars. The Remembrance Day programme commenced at 8:00 a.m. and included a symbolic wreath laying at the foot of the Cenotaph, an address by President Bharrat Jagdeo and renditions by the Guyana Police Force Orchestra. The ceremony ended with a march pass on Main Street.
President Bharrat Jagdeo (R) and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds 34 | GEM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011
Members of the Guyana Legion
Leader of the People’s National Congress-Reform Robert Corbin
President of the Guyana Legion Col. (Ret’d) Carl Morgan
City Mayor Hamilton Green
Members of the Diplomatic Corp await their turn to lay their wreaths
Female members of the Joint Services FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011 GEM | 35
President Jagdeo presents the President’s trophy to Alpha’s captain
Text: Rawle Welch Photography: Simeon Corbin and Carl Croker
Football Festival Alpha United edges Pele H aving withstood threats of pullouts and calls for more appearance and prize monies, the 21st Edition of the Kashif & Shanghai Annual Knockout Football Competition produced a classical final that clearly erased all memories of the initial rancor. The two finalists Pele and eventual winners Alpha United fashioned a riveting finale to complement another high class display of organizational skills demonstrated by local football most successful promoters Kashif Muhammad and Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major. The tournament began on December 15 and concluded on January 1 and was by all accounts one of the best ever in its history where all 20 teams demonstrated significant 36 | GEM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011
improvement all round, at times producing some excellent football that was well received by the thousands of fans that descended on the various venues throughout the duration of the competition. In the final played at the National Stadium before a capacity crowd that included Head of State His Excellency Bharrat Jagdeo, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Sport and Culture Minister Dr. Frank Anthony, President of the Guyana Football Federation Colin Klass, Opposition Parliamentarian Basil Williams among other important dignitaries, Alpha United defeated Pele 3-2 in a contest that lived up to its billing. From as early as the opening minute, the fans got a preview
as to what to expect when Alpha United striker Dwight Peters failed to connect to a cross from the right flank, missing his attempted header completely which was greeted with relief from the dominant band of Pele supporters. Both teams played attacking football from the start, while the defensive units were kept busy very early through some lovely inter-passing and threatening crosses. However, it was Pele that broke the game open when the dangerous strike duo of Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson and Devon Millington, both of whom had caused many opposing teams headache throughout the tournament once again combined to give their team the lead. It happened when Richardson blew past two defenders on the right side, before delivering a pinpoint accurate past to a lurking Millington, who hammered a fierce right-foot shot past goalkeeper Ronson Williams. That goal came in the 14th minute of play. The celebration from Pele’s supporters were short-lived as Alpha responded almost immediately through Peters, who took full advantage of poor defensive work from the opposition backline to slot home from close range and level the contest. There was no reprieve for either defence as the strikers on both teams Top: Alpha’s Director Odinga Lumumba (L) receives a trophy from Minister of Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, while GFF president Colin Klass looks on Middle: L-r: Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major, Isaiah Chappelle, Kashif Muhammad and Franklin Wilson Left: Winning coach Wayne Dover (L)
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Kashif & Shanghai Football Festival SEASON 21 continued to look menacing, especially Richardson and Millington, while Alpha’s Kithson Bain, a Grenadian brought in as one of the overseas-based guest players, Peters and the overlapping Howard Lowe kept former national full back Charles ‘Lilly’ Pollard and company awfully busy with their clever build-ups and burst of speed. It was Alpha that broke the deadlock when Lowe was left unmarked in the penalty area following a corner was taken and he nonchalantly booted past custodian Sean Johnson after 26 minutes. His goal silenced the packed Stadium which was subjugated by Pele fans, while Alpha’s support, though not in the same numbers, celebrated. Nine minutes later it was Richardson’s turn to display his silky skills, weaving his way past a host of defenders, before unleashing a telling strike past the outstretched hands of Williams between the uprights to further ignite an already intriguing battle between the two best teams in local football. No more goals were scored in the half and fans were able to enjoy 15 minutes of nerve jarring reprieve, before the final period commenced. It was indeed welcomed after 45 minutes of concentrated rivalry. The final stanza was no letting up either as both units attacked with fervency for the ascendancy, but stout defending repelled the initial blitz as the game remained tied at 2-2. Just when fans were expecting the game to go into overtime, Dominican Kurlson Benjamin ensured that there would be no such development as he raced on to a ball that had eluded the tired looking Pele defence and easily slotted his effort past Johnson just on the stroke of full time, sending the Alpha fans into wild ecstasy. The final whistle sounded shortly and Alpha earned the right to claim the $2million first prize and trophy along with US$25,000 worth kit sponsorship 38 | GEM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011
Above: GTT’s Wystan Robertson(L) hands over the championship trophy to Alpha United's captain Howard Lowe Below, L-r: Tournament MVP Devon Millington, Pele's Head Coach, Gordon ‘Ultimate’ Braithwaite and captain Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson
compliments of USA-based Company + One Fashions. Pele for their effort took away $1million and US$10,000 Kit sponsorship from the same Company. Sunburst Camptown beat Bakewell TopXX 2-1 in the playoff for third place and in the process won $500,000, while TopXX pocketed $250,000. In all, 65 goals were scored during the competition which was four less than the previous year, while Millington, who was joint top goalscorer with Alpha’s Anthony Abrams on five apiece was voted the Tournament’s Most valuable Player and received a US$1,500 voucher from +One Fashions, a motor cycle compliments of Beck’s Trading. Alpha’s goalkeeper Ronson Williams was declared Best Goalkeeper, Howard Lowe-Best Defender, Chris Camacho-Most Improved Player and Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover, Alpha’s Head Coach-Best Coach. Pele was voted the Best Defensive Team conceding just three goals during the entire tournament, while Fruta Conquerors Vurlon Mills netted the fastest goal after only five minutes.
Officials for the final. L-r: Abdulla Hamid, Stanley Lancaster, Sherwin Johnson and Dion Innis
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ICON
George Simon
Creating Beautiful Works of Art
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Text: Naomi Wright Photography: George Simon eorge Simon creates beautiful works of art that bring fresh delight when a new dimension is discovered.
Born in St. Cuthbert’s mission in 1947, Simon spent his childhood living close to the forest, travelling on the river and experiencing nature to the fullest. There were no shops, the community was self sufficient and there was very little use for money. This easy going lifestyle the artist said , is very important to him, as it’s the simple things in life that still matter to him even though he has left the community for a more decadent lifestyle. Through a Government of Guyana scholarship, Simon whose talent was recognized from a very early age was able to study at the University of Portsmouth in the United Kingdom. Trained as a print maker and more recently as an archaeologist, Simon has been a painter of notably accomplished images recording both figuratively and later, experimentally and symbolically his Lokono
Spirits Along the Milky Way 40 | GEM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011
Amerindian heritage. A man he holds in high esteem is renowned writer, painter, anthropologist and founder of the Burrowes School of Art and Walter Roth Museum, Dr. Dennis Williams. “He helped in many ways to shape my art”, Simon said. Other notable artists he had the pleasure of meeting include Omawally Lumumba (sculptor); Dudley Charles (painter);ceramist Stephanie Correia whose brother Stephen Campbell had the distinction of being the first Amerindian parliamentarian; Leila Locke (painter and ceramist); and Billy Pilgrim, the late Director of Music at the Department of Culture. Now a lecturer at the University of Guyana and Head of the Amerindian Research Unit, Simon is currently involved in a summer programme where students study archaeology over the summer holidays. Winner of a national award for painting in 1986, he has been an influential supporter of fellow Lokono artists of his native St. Cuthbert’s and been involved in numerous exhibitions, workshops and cultural institutions in Guyana, the Caribbean, Canada Right: Connection between Earth and Sky Bottom: Palace of the Peacock
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ICON and Africa including ‘Moving Circle’ 2002 and ‘Shamanic Signs’ solo exhibition 2006 National Gallery. His work can be seen in prominent places in Guyana including the Umana Yana, the National Stadium, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the University of Guyana.
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Top: The Spiritual connection between Man and Nature Bottom: Water Spirits
BIZ OUTLOOK
ND&S Furniture is back in Business Text: Naomi Wright
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sed for work, rest and play, furniture is a ubiquitous object of human existence. That’s why ND&S located at New Road, Vreeden-Hoop on the West Coast of Demerara, has made the manufacture of this important commodity their mission for decades. One year after being burned to the ground, the establishment is now bigger and better. For more than seventeen years, the ND&S furniture establishment has offered discerning customers the very best in quality furniture. There is no mass production as every piece is carefully made by skilled workers with each boasting at least twelve years experience. ND&S doesn’t believe that inexpensive furniture has to fall short on quality, so they have made it their mission to offer premium quality goods at affordable prices. Furniture is valued for its design as well as its practicality, and ND&S combines durability, style and comfort. Since
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Photography: ND&S
an important aspect of furnishing your surroundings is making it work in conjunction with walls, lighting, carpeting and other elements, they supply pieces made to order. From elegant beds and luxurious living room suites, to kitchen cupboards and work surfaces - they have it all. Among its offerings for the sitting room, the store offers a line of contemporary recliners covered with faux leather. Why not buy a set for your living room or create a cozy spot in your office? Rocking recliners are available. These marvels combine the best features of a typical rocker with an overstuffed couch and wouldn’t clash with the décor of the room as the rocking elements are cleverly concealed. Beds range from an elegant carved, king sized canopy bed to a simple single bed. Bedroom suites include a variety of styles of wardrobes, chest of drawers, nights stands. Every piece has the personal touch of Sham Mahadeo, the owner of ND&S who designs every piece. With some
thirty-five years in the business in and outside of Guyana, Mahadeo is a man who knows furniture. For customers interested in purchasing furniture, ND&S offers layaway plans, hire purchase and discounts that is sure to entice people to consider their establishment. Those out of town need not worry, ND&S makes deliveries in Essequibo, Berbice and Linden. The store has taken the service of a large organisation and blended it with the level of customer service you’d expect from a family-run business. This combination has made ND&S Furniture one of the country’s leading stores. Mahadeo boasts that he is able to keep his prices down as every piece is made by experienced workers employed by the establishment – eliminating the middleman markup. “There is also no compromising on quality,” he stresses. The best of three continents are combined as European fabrics are imported from America and used to make furniture that utilizes the finest quality local woods, particularly Crabwood. Only the latest fabrics are used as the store imports every three months.
on a series of promotions. Customers who spent $10,000 were given a chance to enter the stores “Double Winner” promotion. Lucky winners of the drawings which was held very Saturday until the end of the season, were also eligible to win in the Grand Prize which took place this month. The winner got to take home a complete living room suite. Whether you’re looking for a new living room, bedroom or just a few extra pieces for decoration, you’ll find everything you need at ND&S. For more information about ND&S Furniture A: K New Road, Vreed-En-Hoop, West Coast Demerara P: 254-1800/1801; E: ndsfurniture_1017@yqahoo.com
Don’t be deterred if you want something and it’s not in the showroom, Mahadeo guarantees that ND&S can fill any order in five working days. Eager to give back to the customers, the store over the holidays, embarked
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HEALTH BEAT
The Difference between the Common Cold and the Flu Text: Coretta Corbin-Rival
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he flu or influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses and could lead to serious illness or death. Each year, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) encourages everyone to be vaccinated, especially the elderly and small children. Some people reported that although they received the flu shot, they still developed the flu. However, the CDC tells us that it is impossible for you to get the flu from the vaccine. Minor side effects reported from the flu shot include redness or swelling in the place where you received the shot, low grade fever, aches and pains. A common cold occurs from 200 different viruses and not from cold weather or being in the rain as many of us believe. Both the flu and cold viruses are spread through contact with someone who has the virus or by touching a surface with the virus. This is why it is important to frequently wash your hands with soap and warm water and to disinfect the surfaces you use. Knowing the difference between the common cold and flu could help you choose the medications that target your specific ailments. Some symptoms of a cold are similar to the flu but less severe and last about five days. On the other hand, flu symptoms are much more severe than the common cold and last for up to one week or more. The flu could also cause serious illness like pneumonia and other respiratory infections. If you are asthmatic, you should take precautions to stay healthy as respiratory infections could aggravate preexisting breathing problems. It is also important to keep a close eye on babies, an elderly person and those with weakened immune systems if they have the flu. 46 | GEM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011
Symptoms of the common cold range from stuffy nose, sore throat, sneezing, mild to moderate chest discomfort and cough, and occasionally, a slight fever or headache. Cold symptoms are usually strong and contagious during the first three days of a cold. Flu symptoms include high fever, headache, severe bodily aches and pains, extreme exhaustion, and weakness. Stuffy nose, sneezing and sore throat may also occur with the flu. Things that you should pay close attention to when experiencing a cold or flu are: (1) Persistent cough that lasts for more than two weeks. This could be a sign of bronchitis or asthma and may need antibiotics. (2) Severe sore throat that makes it hard to swallow: Could be a sign of strep throat, an infection caused by the streptococcal bacteria that infects the throat and tonsils. Persistent high fever: May mean that you have (3) an infection that requires antibiotics or medical attention. In the case of the swine flu, diarrhea and vomiting are also present along with the other symptoms. (4) Headache and severe pain in the face around your sinus. This could mean a sinus infection that needs immediate medical help, particularly if thick mucus discharge is present. If you use over the counter medications to treat a cold or flu, make sure to follow the instructions and try not to misuse or abuse the products. Remember that they are temporary fixes to help relieve the symptoms, and not a cure. Also, if you take over the counter medications for a specific symptom that does not go away after a time stop taking them and consult your physician as it might be signs of a more serious problem.
Ramen Noodles Vegetable Soup (5-minute meal) Photography: Simeon Corbin
INGREDIENTS
• Canned Mixed vegetables (frozen or fresh) • 2 packets Ramen noodles • 3 cups of water
DIRECTIONS
Bring water to boil in a medium sized pot. Add vegetables (cut into bite sizes if fresh) with the contents of one of seasoning packets that came with noodles, or use your own seasoning of choice. Cook for 3 minutes. Add noodles and cook for 2 minutes while stirring regularly. Allow to cool before serving.
Multigrain Muffins
This is a very healthy multigrain muffin! Text & photography: NAMILCO
INGREDIENTS
1 cup Maid Marian Multigrain Flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 egg, beaten 1 cup orange juice ½ cup raisins 1 tablespoon honey
PREPERATIONS
1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Lightly grease 8 muffin cups. 2. In a large bowl, mix together Maid Marian Multigrain Flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Work in oil with fingers, pastry blender or a fork. Add egg, orange juice, raisins* and honey; stir well. Scoop into prepared muffin cups. 3. Bake in preheated oven for 17 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. * Alternatively nuts or blueberries may be substituted for the raisins
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Raiza Age: 22 Occupation: York University Student (Toronto, Canada) and a Student Community Peer Mentor at York University Sign: Gemini Favourite Colours: depends on mood but right now pastels and light colours Favourite Foods: Lasagna, beef / steak, chicken wings, Chinese food Hobbies: Dancing, modeling and traveling Location: Toronto, Canada via Ogle ECD.
Think you have what it takes to be a GEM Beauty? Then send us a professional quality photo of yourself with the required information to letters@gemmagonline.com. Please include a phone number so we can contact you. YOU MUST BE 18 YEARS OR OLDER. 48 | GEM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011
Women’s Health 101:
SAVVY SISTER
Take Control of your Health this New Year Text: Coretta Corbin-Rival
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any times, as the main care givers in our households, we as women tend to forget to take care of ourselves as well, and if and when we do take care of ourselves, we focus only on the outward appearance. This year, I would like to challenge every woman to make this the year to spend time taking care of not just your outward appearance, but your physical, emotional and mental health and well-being. Start your self care routine by getting in touch with your mind and body, and with a visit to your health care provider. The connection between our body and mind can tell us a lot of things about our mental and physical health and wellbeing. Learning to read our bodily, emotional and mental symptoms could literally save our lives. If you decide to take this health care challenge, I would encourage you to begin with a physical, including a gynecological exam. Yearly gynecological screenings are detrimental for women because it helps take care of our sexual and reproductive health and can save our lives. Although a gynecological exam could be an embarrassing and uncomfortable situation, it is an important tool that helps in the early detection of breast and cervical cancers and in the detection of sexually transmitted disease (STD). When detected early, cervical and breast cancers have a better chance of being cured. If not treated, STDs and other sexually related conditions could cause sterility. Gynecological exams could also help to promote healthy pregnancy and childbirth. In addition to your physical and gynecological exams, use the time to discuss with your doctor ways in which you could maintain your overall health. Unfortunately, many times when we talk about health we tend to neglect the emotional and mental aspects of our lives. Because people with mental illness have long been stigmatized in our culture, we are ashamed of being associated with this illness. However, we do not realize that dealing
with mental health issues does not necessarily mean that a person is mentally ill or crazy. Mental health issues include a wide variety of mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, psychotic disorders like schizophrenia, cognitive disorders like dementia and amnesia. Addictive disorders such as substance abuse and gambling are also examples of mental health issues with which many people struggle. Because of the connection between our body and mind, physical illness could be symptoms of our emotional and mental state, and vice versa. For instance, having high blood pressure could mean a person is under great psychological, biological or physical stress. Mood disorders such as depression are known to produce physical or psychosomatic ailments like bodily pain and fatigue. It has been proven that people who suffer from chronic illness and pain also suffer from depression. Emotional issues could affect our health in many ways such as neck or back pain, tensed muscles, changes in appetite and sleep patterns. Good emotional and mental health means being able to bounce back from the negative situations we may experience in our life, and having healthy coping skills to deal with stress and other debilitating events. In the same way that we work to maintain our physical health through exercise, nutrition and yearly physicals, it is also important that we maintain our mental and emotional health. This means finding and doing the things that help you to develop your inner sense of peace, happiness, love and strength in the face of adversity. Many people are able to find their sense of peace through things like meditation, yoga, spirituality and exercise. The most significant thing about the various methods used to develop resilience, is they help refocus and calm our minds to make us well grounded individuals. FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011 GEM | 49
THE WEDDING PLANNER
to do when planning a wedding in Guyana Y ou're about to enter on two amazing adventures - the first, of course, being your life as a wedded couple and the second being the exciting, yet often overwhelming process of planning a wedding. A wedding will probably be the biggest and most involved party or ritual either of you have ever put together. Before you get overwhelmed, take a deep breath, then do these twenty things.
1
Purchase a journal This will be a time of a million moments you won’t want to forget, as well as some frustrations that you'll need to vent about, and not necessarily to your fiancé(e). The journal you keep while planning your wedding will not only help you through this time, but it will be something you cherish for the rest of your life.
2
Announce Your Engagement Tell everyone the good news! The most trendy ways of doing so are: • Word of mouth • Announcing your engagement in print publications such as the newspaper or magazines. • Mailing announcements to your family and friends
3
Set the Date One of the most important decisions you will make
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as you plan your wedding. Not only will it be the first question everyone will ask you, but you'd be surprised how difficult it will be to make any progress on planning your wedding without knowing the date.
4
Set the Budget Look at your finances and figure out how much you already have in savings, and how much you can save each month. Talk to each of your parents and ask them if they'd like to contribute to your wedding, and either how much they'd like to give you, or what specific things they'd like to pay for. Lastly, decide how much you feel comfortable going into debt. I strongly advise couples to avoid debt as much as possible. Costs should include ceremony costs, reception costs, transportation costs, flowers, dressing costs and honeymoon costs.
5
Set the Tone of Your Event This is the time to decide if you're having a formal wedding, a casual affair, or a theme wedding. It's also the time to decide on having a religious or secular ceremony. In short, you need to decide what you want your wedding to feel like. A good way to begin is to sit down with your partner and do some free writing about your ideal wedding.
6
Choose Your Attendants As your attendants do a lot more than just stand next to you on the day of the wedding, now is the time to get them involved. While some couples opt not to have any attendants at all, especially if they're having a casual event, most choose between 2 and 12 members of the bridal party. Look over these lists of responsibilities for bridesmaids and groomsmen before you make your final choices.
7
Look for Venues for Ceremony and Reception Many venues are booked in advance, so the further in advance you start looking, the more likely you are to get the time, date, and cost that you've planned for.
8
Choose the Rings In decades past, the men got down on one knee, ring in hand, and proposed. Today, many couples jointly decide to get married so choosing rings together is normal. Be sure to keep a good record of where the rings were purchased, how much they cost, etc. This will come in
handy for insurance purposes and if you find something wrong with the rings after bringing them home.
9
Make up the Guest List Your guest list generally drives other decisions, so it's often smart to write the list sooner rather than later. Two of the earliest concerns dependent on final guest count are the total budget and the invitation requirements. The size of the guest list can also affect the mood and tone of the day, as well as the size of your wedding party.
10
Select the Stationery You both will need quite an assortment of printed items for the wedding these vary from invitations and envelopes to wedding programmes and thank you cards. Depending on which printer you choose, the items included in the wedding stationery package will vary. Be sure to look at all the package options before you make your stationery order to ensure you get everything you want. In the next issue of GEM, we will continue with ten more items to add to your checklist.
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FASHION
John Lewis Styles’ ‘Infatuation II’ Photography: Carl Croker
J
ohn Lewis Styles Boutique kicked off the holiday season in November at the Pegasus Hotel Guyana poolside with their fashion event entitled Infatuation II.
The show featured pieces from their Christmas collection as well as items from their 2011 stock. On display were the hottest styles in casual wear, formal wear, club wear and office attire.
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Jerrylee Lewis (4th from left) addresses patrons while her husband John Lewis stands at her right FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011 GEM | 53
TRAVEL
Guyana In Focus Behind the Advisories Photography: Simeon Corbin
The eastern half of Main Street Georgetown
G
uyana is in every sense a young nation: a one-time British colony, it gained independence in 1966 and changed its name from British Guiana to Guyana. Today the country boasts a young and fast-growing population of an estimated 750,000 (2003 census) people. The country is 83,000 sq miles, most of which is untouched magnificent rainforest. We are a country where there is still a lot of room to live and play. Set on the Northeast coast of South America, Guyana is surely the essence of a tropical paradise. Colonial architecture, fruit trees, waterfalls, exotic birds and a range of things to do and see that will appeal to the most open-minded travelers. Many visitors come to Guyana harbouring preconceived notions of underdevelopment, excessive criminal activity and an uneducated population. At departure, many would admit that ‘nothing is what I had heard or expected of the country.’ In reality, however, Guyana is well connected to the rest of the world via all forms of communication available. Unfortunately, political bickering has impeded the proper development of many infrastructures and other necessities. Nevertheless, progress is slow but steady. Georgetown, the capital and the only city in Guyana is the major shopping and business area. With a third of the population living here, stores and business entities are tightly lined up especially in the downtown sections. Regent, Water, Camp and Main Streets just to name a few areas, are usually a beehive of activities from Monday to Saturday. As you go more inland and away from the city, you will notice that many villages and towns have their own characteristics and the villagers even have a slightly different spin on the English language. Even farther inland, the landscape could change to mountains or savannahs depending on where you trek. One of the most fantastic experiences you can
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have while in Guyana is spending time at one of the many resorts. They offer rest and relaxation for the wary tourist. For the explorer type, boating, swimming, fishing, bird watching, hiking or camping are some of the activities to consider. These locations also offer many picturesque views and moments for photographers at any level. Modern Guyana is a mixture of people from various ethnicities, religion, political views and class. Religion is an important part of everyday life for Guyanese with churches, mandirs and mosques in almost every square mile in the more populated areas. From Christian to Islam to Hindu, worshipers can be found in every region. Annual festivals like Mashramani, Diwali, Phagwah, Christmas and Uman Nabi are among the major celebrations to look forward to each year. These festivals also make up the more than 10 national holidays enjoyed by Guyanese every year. There is no shortage of leisure activities in Guyana. Sports, entertainment, picnicking, swimming and a myriad of other activities are available. Entertainment events vary from live stage shows with local, regional and international artistes to fashion shows, pageants, and dance productions. Sporting events also provide variety and allows in some instances to be a participant or a spectator of a game of cricket, motor racing, football, golf, cycling, squash and chess just to name a few. Guyana like many countries has a rich selection of local
and international music that receive regular rotation on television, radio and at social events. It is not unusual to hear the sweet songs of a local group using the steel pan, tassa or African drums to play chutney, calypso, reggae or folk music at a gathering. With the many events, visitors to Guyana should be flexible with their time, since functions tend to start later than is printed on invitations and fliers. Accept these delays as part of the culture of the unhurried Guyanese way of doing things. The diversity of the natural environment, people, cultural styles, festivities, food and foreign influences make Guyana a truly unique place to appreciate. We are friendly people who tend to be relaxed and too easy going for some visitors. This can be testing to people who are accustomed to a fast paced society. Try to understand that it is the culture and not the individual you are dealing with. Finally, petty and serious crime accure in Guyana, even though the per capita crime rate is much lower than many destinations. Crimes against visitors are even lower to nonexistent. To avoid becoming a victim, do not venture pass the usual 'touristy' or brightly lit hangouts in Guyana, unless you are accompanied by a trusted person that knows the neighborhood. Bottomline, apply the same safety alertness when visiting densely populated cities or unknown territories. When in doubt, ask your tour operator or hotel.
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TRAVEL
Guyana In Focus Behind the Advisories
The Guyana Defence Force marching band
The main thing is to be generous with your time and patience and will have an enjoyable time here. Relaaaaax mon you’re on vacation! Quick Facts Name: Co-operative Republic of Guyana Motto: "One people, one nation, one destiny" Anthem: Dear Land of Guyana, of Rivers and Plains Capital: (and the largest city) Georgetown Official language: English Government: Republic President: Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo Prime Minister: Samuel Hinds Republic status: February 23, 1972 Area: Total 214,970 km² / 83,000 sq mi Currency: Guyanese dollar (GYD) Time zone: (UTC-4) Internet TLD: .gy Calling code: 011592 Capital population: 230,000 Hours of operation: Operating hours for stores, banks, markets, museums, restaurants and other entities vary by location, day of the week and even time of the year. It is always best to contact the establishment before visiting. Below are some guidelines to follow. Banks: 8:00a.m. – 2:00p.m. weekdays (closed weekends) 56 | GEM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011
A flower from a Daisey plant
Supermarkets: 8:30am – 8:00p.m. weekdays, 8:30a.m. – 7p.m. Saturdays and 10:00am – 2:00p.m. Sundays. Museums: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. weekdays; 9:00 a.m. – Noon Saturdays Public gardens: 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sunday - Saturday Markets: 24/7 General stores: 8a.m. – 6:00p.m. Bars / restaurants: noon Nightclubs: 8:00 p.m. Roads Over the years much has been done to provide access roads to some areas, but potholes are still widespread. Buckle-up, drive on the left, proceed with caution and look out for pedestrians, farm animals, cyclists and motorcyclists. Credit Card Credit cards and travelers’ cheques are accepted by most hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, car rental agencies and tour operators. Cards with CIRRUS and/or PLUS logos can be used at some bank ATM machines. Telephones Land Lines: Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) is the sole provider of local and national (trunk) land line service.
Top: The jaguar, the national animal of Guyana Bottom: Huts in the South Rupununi with the Pakaraima mountain range in the background
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TRAVEL
Guyana In Focus Behind the Advisories The country code is +011-592, and every number has 7 numbers like: ***-****. This is normally read out like the American way with 3 numbers followed by 4 numbers. Cell Phones: GTT and Digicel are the cell phone service providers in the country and cell phone use is common in most areas. Before arriving in Guyana, check for instrument and frequency compatibility from your home cell phone company before you switch on roaming. And be warned that rates for roaming and calling may apply. If you bring your own phone you can also stop by a local dealership to get a free sim card and top up with pre-pay cards or ask the salesperson. Walk with proof of local address and identification. Digicel: http://www.digicelguyana.com GTT: http://www.cellinkgy.com Buying local: Beer, vodka, rum, pastries, juices, water, crafts, wine, clothing, foods, music, art, jewellery, furniture, fruits and vegetables Websites of interest http://www.guyana-tourism.com http://www.exploreguyana.org Scarlet Macaw
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WERE YOU THERE?
International Duck Curry Competition Photography: Carl Croker
O
n November 28, 2010, King’s Jewellery World, held an International Duck Curry Competition at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara. The event attracted 21 local teams and 9 from overseas . Right: King’s Jewellery World Managing Director Looknauth Persaud Below: Rikki Jai, Oscar B, Soca Elvis and TerryG Bottom Right: Carlton Joao of banks DIH (L) presents Essequibo Coast residents and winners Ramesh and Soma Ramlakan with some gifts.
Mario Rings in the New Year Photography: Carl Croker
H
ip Hop act Mario out of the US performed at Edge nightclub on Main Street as part of their “Allure” event to ring in the New Year.
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Last seen here Last seen here Last seen here Last seen here
RANDOM PICS OF EVENTS
Last seen here Last seen here Last seen here Last seen here
RANDOM PICS OF EVENTS
'I'm Ok' Show
WERE YOU THERE? Carl Croker Photo
Tiya Peterkin Photo
Beenieman on stage
Destra and Richie Loop pose at their press conference on December 17, 2010, before performing at the I’m Ok Show with Beenieman on December 18, 2010 at the Stadium.
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Guyana Lottery Company Employee of the Quarter (October 2010 – December 2010) Parsuram Koobeer poses with his plaque