Terri Lyons
Level1,GulfCity LowlandsMall,Lowlands
More than just the two of us does it take a village to raise a relationship?
by Dave Williams
So you’ve made it through dating or whatever brought the two of you together and now this partnership and the two of you is all that matters. “You and me against the world.” And you two become all the social network you need. Great.
Not every relationship gets to start and grow under the best circumstances. Issues you have very little control over, like class, income, past or existing relationships, age, religion, sexuality, family expectations, etc, etc become major factor in something that›s supposed to be one of the best experiences in the human-o-sphere. o f course relationships that satisfy and win the affection and support of all concerned are probably as rare as a politician without an “A” in their name. But sometimes because of the partners we choose,
we can find ourselves cut us off and ostracised from the support of friends, family and sometimes even entire institutions like church, work or community. Even Adam and Eve found themselves a bit put out. But there›s hope. Look how well we – their descendants – turned out!
Romeo and Juliet, Salim and Anarkali, Anthony and Cleopatra... it seems that great love takes great sacrifice and it also seems that they were all unacceptable to others, very painful to all, and none ended very prettily. But they all left immortally glorious stories we love and love to tell. Whether you Google famous romances, famous couples, or tragic relationships you more or less end up with the same results. But unlike Google, searching for love doesn›t allow us to plug in key words nor does it allow us to screen our results from a safe distance.
Love is sometimes a messy, unwieldy beast that can be bigger that the two people that make the passionate monster.
But like Shakespeare said in Hamlet: “To thine own self be true, And it must follow like the night follows day. Thou can not be false to any man.”
This brings us to the recurrent piece of advice we seem to always end with. All you can be is honest to yourself and to those around you. Take it from there and hope for the best. Also, make love a study. Knowledge may be the best support for relationships that defy what society thinks is best for you. Use the Internet, talk to people about it, learn what you can from others who have walked this scary path. It may even prepare you for one of the most unpredictable and unplannable of life’s endeavours.
Give love your best, and give it to all you meet. Enjoy your loves, enjoy loving and enjoy being loved. Good luck and good lovin› to you and yours.
How to apologise even when you know you’re right
You may be right, but are you happy? decide whether winning is more important to you than getting along.
Ste P 1
f in D O ut what it wa S
Find out what the offense was before apologising, or risk making things worse by coming off as patronising. Be willing to act responsibly and make peace.
Ste P 2
aVO i D b L amin G
Take responsibility. Avoid qualifying reservations for the apology, which usually begin with “but” and end with a transfer of blame.
Ste P 3
e x PR e SS R e GR et
Express regret with genuine shame and offer to change. Relationships rely upon honourable behaviour, and nonverbal cues that imply it’s the other person’s fault undermine peace.
Ste P 4
f a C e them
Face each other when apologising instead of doing it over the phone, or in an e-mail or text. Show some class and respect their feelings.
Avoid hurting your mate -- or yourself -- by considering the ways relationships can falter.
Step 1 - Seek S tabi L ity
Surround yourself with good, stable friends. Keeping up and socializing with old buddies can help you maintain the critical connection to good advice and needed perspectives.
Tip - Before starting a new relationship, make sure you are over your previous one.
Step 2 - Di SC u SS S exua L
p RO b L em S
discuss and work on sexual problems rather than ignoring the destruction that can result. Seek to experiment and challenge discomforts rather than let things worsen.
Step 3 - p u LL ba C k
Pull back and recharge periodically, and don’t be afraid to say no when life is getting confusing or too busy. Have some fun once in a while and turn off the brain.
Tip -Any resistance to apologise shouldn’t come from a misguided need to control the partner or to avoid losing ground. Heal the conflict instead of prolonging it.
Ste P 5
Li S ten t O them
Let the other person speak and hear them out, in case their viewpoint has been completely misunderstood. Assure them that no disagreement can change the security of the relationship.
Tip - If you can’t bring yourself to admit you’re wrong, try to agree to disagree.
Ste P 6
S OO the the S ituati O n
Soothe the situation with an activity to leave the disagreement behind. Buy them flowers or a small trinket as a peace offering, and move on.
Step 4 - St O p y O u RS e L f
Stop yourself from rejecting the other person before -- as you might fear -- they reject you. Learn to accept yourself or your self-doubt and confusion may sink the relationship.
Step 5 - C O nf RO nt J ea LO u S y
Confront jealousy before trust and intimacy are destroyed.
Step 6 - Requi R e t R u S t fi RS t
Earn trust and require the other to earn theirs before sharing your secrets and declaring feelings of love. Respect yourself and take time to know someone.
Step 7 - mOD e L hea L thy
R e L ati O n S hip S
Model a good, healthy relationship for the children. Keep children away from negative situations, such as a partner if you’re planning on ending the relationship. It will only make matters worse in the end.
A place to confess your deepest thoughts anonymously
rock fan
I really really love the insane, crazy, “screw it all” aspect of rock and really hardcore metal. I love how they make me so much more in touch and comfortable with my darker side. They’re so cool; they heal my guilt and make for a great session of creative thoughts. Hell yeah!
Karma’s a b****!
Last night I got drunk on my dad’s brandy. This morning, I woke up to realise I’d pissed myself in my sleep. Karma? Maybe, but regardless I’m never stealing booze from my parents again.
i still love her
I love my ex-girlfriend who I had to dump because my friends didn’t like her. She has also told me that she still loves me but I don’t really know what to do. Go back to her or give up all my friends?
Just friends
I met up with a friend I’d not seen in over a year and he made me feel something no one else has. We crossed the boundaries of our friendship into unfamiliar territory and it felt good. Great, Amazing. He inspired me, brought me to life. He is everything I ever wanted. He touched me in a way no one else could. I know he felt it too but he only wants to be friends. I guess I should just accept that and just treasure what we shared but I can’t help but want more. My insides tell me I want more than just friendship. Tremendously gutted right now. If you ever, out of some crazy chance, read this you should know. My friend, you gave me something I will treasure always.
depression
You and I have been through so much this year. We even were going to get married and have a baby. Losing the baby was hard, but you jumping ship was harder. You changed my heart and now it doesn’t fit inside me anymore. My heart will belong to you forever. I will never want to marry anyone else. I will always want to have kids with you. Someday you’ll see that even though it was a rough year, we had something most people never get to experience. We had something rare and beautiful. Hopefully one day, when you recover from all of the sadness you experienced, you and I will be together again, only different. I always want to make you happy. It hurts that you want to be “best friends”, but I’ll take it. Not having you in my life would be no life at all. I love you, and always will.
Jealousy
She’s a whore. But she is my friend. Why couldn’t you like me instead! I’m so much better. I’d follow your rules and love you forever. She can’t. I would have! Too late now. Well…you’re a bit of a man-slut as well so perhaps it would have been awful. There are better guys. Ah, what a catch he’d have been. If only. If only perhaps there is a guy out there that’s like you that would fulfill my dreams like you would have. But…I’m getting quite old and haven’t found him yet (okay, I’m 23, but still…I’ve not had a single BF).
Fresh meat!
I cannot help it if all of my male friends fall in love with me or want something from me at some point. I am a normal girl, a girl who wants friendship, real friendship. But gosh boy, does every guy just want one thing from me?! I just want to be valued. Not lusted after. This is freaking ridiculous. Every one of my girlfriends’ boyfriends want to get off by being with me. What am I?! Am I meat?! And nothing more?!
‘i am not My Underwear’
All of a sudden Tobago is buzzing about boxers and thongs! “don’t label me just for what I wear or how I look” was the general premise for May 24’s spoken word night at Cruz Cocktail Bar & Bistro.
As host and tour guide for the provocatively titled “I Am Not My Underwear” exhibit of words and art, Kevin Fortune charmed the audience with his brand of cool. one of the star performers was Allyson Pouchet , styled with a flower behind the ear and with a señorita outfit. Her poem, “The Secret”, told the story of a stripper which took us to a place of understanding.
The BartoSpeak experience that night was a canvas of colourful expression. An obeah witch had a broom; Superman wore Wonder Woman’s thong; a man danced the butterfly; and “thighs, breasts and tap tap tap” was not rain on anyone’s chicken, but words from one poet who declared that she was more than an object of desire.
The evening of “let me live,
no judgement ”poetry and art was wrapped sexy by design. Two fashion models posed in underwear by CHIZ*L – the Trinidadian menswear line; and US hip-hop artist donny Goines inspired us with his original poetry and freestyle rap. In tune with the night’s theme, artists from the crowd took to the stage during open Mic session and served up whopping portions of sweet, raw, and funny.
Moving the spoken word forward, the alluring slogan made its way to Tobago Fashion Weekend 2012 when designer Peggy-Ann Simon wore Barto’s “I Am Not My Underwear” T-shirt on Saturday at the Pigeon Point Heritage Park event.
“our concept was a night gallery of art. I think this time we fused a bit of theatre with word, art, and fashion. It was something different,” says Nigel Barto who is scheming with fellow artists for his next show. Find them online at facebook.com/BartoSpeak.
HaKKa restaurant and Bar
The oMG team had a delightful time being immersed in the Hakka Restaurant experience by owner Marcus Jagdeo who is passionate and totally focused on giving his guests an exceptional dining experience.
Jagdeo is very pleased that after just over two years, they have some Hakka fanatics. These people have been enthusiastic regulars from day one. Hakka’s decor is clean cut, with bold colours, filled with the sound of trickling water from the entrance to the impressive water wall that separates the bar from the dining area. It is modern with a touch of Indian and Asian influences, just like the food which is an elegant fusion of unique Hakka Chinese recipes with distinctive Indian spices and flavours. The recipes have been uniquely altered to suit the Trini palate by three renowned chefs from Calcutta, India who were hand-picked by Marcus himself. The intention is to offer great-tasting food but they also pride themselves in using premium products to create their meals, from hand-selecting fresh vegetables at the market to only using the best cuts of meats. Sometimes the chef would whip up some great tasting treat at home and it ends up on the menu as the the Hakka folks endeavour to keep every selection on offer delightful. Marcus boasts, “there are no bad choices, everything you order will taste great”.
The selections they brought out for us lived up to the hype. It was definitely Chinese food prepared with Indian spices and flavours. It’s a taste you can only experience at Hakka Restaurant and Bar. They are located at 4, Taylor Street, Woodbrook and you can make reservations at 622-0004 or email info@hakkarestaurant.com.
As usual we are sending one lucky reader and a guest for a dinner at Hakka Restaurant and Bar. All you have to do is like the Express OMG Magazine page on Facebook and say “I want Hakka” and the experience can be all yours. So if you are looking for a unique dining experience, it’s time to check out the Hakka scene.
Swimwear has surely come of age. In keeping with the times, what we wear in and out of the water is no longer only defined by how it was originally designed to be used.
Pragmatic terms like “bathing suit”, “swimming costume”, and “swimsuit” have been thrown under the bus in favour of modern, fashion-forward and style-savvy alternatives. In fact, beach wear on the whole has adopted a performance component. Be it at the pool, on the shore or on the banks, what we wear is more about posture than purpose. Indeed, the business of swimwear indulges in a seemingly scientific dialogue of sun-safe, swim and lifestyle wear made of exceptional endurance fabrics, tried and tested, chlorine-resistant, C-infinity materials, fade- and snag-resistant textiles and, oh yes! – superior synthetic polymers
engineered to keep their shape in spite of the rigours of prolonged use. Truth be told, these amazing qualities may be scout’s-honour factual, but are we drawn in by these semantics, really?
The world of fashionable swimwear has preoccupied itself with elegant silhouettes for women – stylish, sophisticated and simply sexy. We are caught up in the luxury look – posture apparel in unique, cutting-edge, avant garde textures with highend embellishments. It’s positively hedonistic! The buzzed-about trend is FIE (fit is everything). An addiction to hand-crafted detail and a fascination with creative rear cuts concentrating on an enhanced fit are the order of the day. What is consistent, though, are bold statement prints, contrasting textures and pops of eclectic colour.
Runways have even spawned a burlesque touch a la ditta Von Teese – a highly glamorised take on swimwear
as a seduction ploy. Isn’t that the ethos of Victoria’s Secret? Tobago Fashion Weekend had its fair share of offerings for the flagrant fashionista for this upcoming holiday season.
And to those SoBe babes – No! It’s not summer here. We’re in the tropics! From Shurnel oliviere’s metallic gold wet-look maillots, to Capone Noel’s odyssey bandeau sets, to dominique La Roche’s elastic band tankinis, to Jessie Chapman’s crochet tie sides and halter monokinis, the common denominator was flaunt and flatter. It sure felt like indulging in a diatribe of body gossip – either they possess suck-in powers to streamline the silhouette, conceal builtin cups for extra bust line support or carry stings that tie but don’t cut the skin to ensure carefree comfort. The tide of fashion-forward swimwear was not only in but it was high as we cavorted in the affectation of its wash at Heritage Park, Pigeon Point.
style
with Richard Young
M od ELS
Rachel John nicola beepat
STYLING
Anderson Pierre for p. noire. Vou Image and Promotion Agency
CL o THES Kiss and tell Boutique
MAKE UP
Shaina Brown
LIGHTING
Brandon Roberts
PH o T o GRAPHER
Stephen Doobal
STYLING
Anderson Pierre for p. noire. Vou
Image and Promotion Agency
CL o THING
tres Chic Boutique
MAKE UP
Krystal G
makeupbykrystag@hotmail.com
LIGHTING
Ronaldo Roberts
Scan the QR code to listen to “Hell of a night”
Scan the QR code to listen to “Cah stop moving”
Terri
Photography and Story by Stephen Doobal
Terri Lyons is in the studio, working hard on creating that big hit that will take her in the direction of her famous family members. Terri is the daughter of soca icon Superblue. She is half sister of Fay-Ann Lyons and is blessed with a voice that has done background vocals on some of the biggest soca hits. She sang chorus on songs for Machel, Kes, Swappi, Fay-Ann, Nadia Batson, Iwer George, just to name a few. You can check out one of her newest dance tracks produced by Aaron Peters – Track 7, called “Hell of a Night”, on You Tube. She is also working with master hit-maker Kernal Roberts of Rama Studios to mash up Carnival next year. She likes that she is now using the full range of her vocal skills.
Terri started singing at the age of nine, attended the Nelson Street Girls RC School in Port of Spain and sang in several school competitions. Her first song was called “Shake Them off”, written by her stepfather at the time, a calypsonian called Tallest. She did well in these competitions and was trained and supported by her mother who sang back-up vocals in the tents for Kitchener, Cro-Cro and others. At the age of 11 she also started singing at the NJAC tent and soon after entered the first Junior Soca Monarch Competition, singing “Soca in Yuh School Bag” which, she boasts, had an accompanying video that even ran on the country’s first national television station, Trinidad and Tobago Television (TTT). Which led me to ask this teenage-looking, bubbly beauty, “how old are you?” She proudly declared she is 29 and on her 30th birthday on September 23 she is looking out for some gifts. So don’t be shy, she loves gifts. Terri’s teenage years were not only spent in the calypso spotlight. Her mother encouraged her to enter La Reine Rive (the Best Village Pageant), Miss Teen Trinidad and Tobago, Miss Senior Comprehensive and the Radical designs Model Search, which she said stood out for her because “I was like fly on condensed milk. I was the darkest person there. I turned to mummy and said ‘I’m never going to get through’. There were over 300 and something models and I got
through, me, the fly, got through”. At the age of 18 she started to work seriously on a soca career.
Lyons
Tragically, Terri Lyons’ mother passed away from AIdS in 2002. She says, “My family is big, but not close. It was just my mom, my brother and me and it was rough losing her. My father was on tour most of the time so my mom is where I got all my morals, my teaching and my love from and she was gone in a matter of weeks. The deepest pain of that entire experience was how friends and family were not there to support, but they were there to judge, so my mom … was in anguish at how people she cared about looked at her and I think that hurt her more than the disease. I love and miss my mom, but I am better now. I am over that and I am good. It is sad that so many people are still uneducated about AIdS. Some people feel you must be a promiscuous person or the lifestyle you live, that is what you deserve but no, anyone and I must say again, anyone, can contract AIdS. People have come up with all kinds of ideas about who will contract AIdS. it could never be them or somebody they know and associate with and if they do know someone who gets it, they actually block that person out, when what they need to do is get closer and really show love and support. You can’t get it from showing love and kindness.”
Throughout the interview Terri filled the air with a joyous, raspy laughter. When asked what her spare time is like, she says movies. She is in and out of the cinemas at Movietowne every week. They can’t bring new movies fast enough for her and sometimes she checks out two movies in one night and yes, she pays for both shows.
When asked about her likes and dislikes, she says she stays away from ignorant people, or people who cast judgement easily. “They may have never met you and they doh like yuh. ‘I doh like she nah’ and I would ask them, ‘did you ever meet her, did you ever talk to her’ and they would say, ‘no, I just doh like she’. I could never understand this up to this day – people who dislike someone, or draw an opinion about someone without first talking and interacting with that person.”
She loves to eat and she says everybody who knows her know that dumpling and saltfish is
ready TO M ake H er MO ve
her favourite dish. She loves blue food, she says, claiming she gets hungry just talking about it. She also loves doubles after partying and liming. Terri has no kids and actually put motherhood on hold for her career, taking advice from family and friends, but feels if she had children earlier it would have been better. Jokingly, she says she is looking for those who gave her that stupid
advice, to cuff them down. She also loves business and wants to get into real estate, savouring the challenge. Terri’s biggest oMG moment is when she performed on Machel Monday this year. “Yuh know growing up looking at Machel Monday and then being on that stage, looking out at so many people who had to work the next day but decided this is where they would be
on that night. Another oMG moment was when Beenie Man heard my song and said he wanted to sing on it. That was huge. I did not have to ask or beg. He came to me and said he liked what I had. That felt amazing. Again, I grew up listening to him and now we were talking and laughing in person and he is admiring my work. A great moment for me.”
How To’s
Eat for better sexual fitness
Sex qualifies as exercise, doesn’t it? So enhance your performance by eating right—and your body won’t be the only one that benefits.
Ste P 1
e at f OODS with a RG inine
Eat nuts, brown rice, barley, oats, meats, and dairy products. They all contain arginine, an amino acid essential in the body’s natural production of nitric oxide, critical for sexual function in both men and women.
Tip - Vitamins C and E, and herbal extracts ginseng and gingko biloba have all been found to enhance the effects of nitric oxide.
Ste P 2
e at fi S h
Eat fish at least once, or ideally twice, a week. The omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids keep the blood flowing in every part of your body.
Tip - Add ground flaxseed to yogurt, smoothies, or cereal for fatty acids.
Ste P 3
eat CaRbOhyDRateS
Carbs get a bad rap, but they’re absolutely necessary. Eat them in the form of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains.
Tip - The US Food and Drug Administration recommends eating five to nine servings of fruit and vegetables a day.
Ste P 4
e at L ean meat S & n O nfat D ai R y
If you intend to explore the Kama Sutra, you’ll need some muscle. In addition to eating fish, eat a range of lean meats and nonfat dairy to provide the strength you need for the more exotic positions.
Ste P 5
e at wh OL e f OODS
Eat whole, not processed, foods whenever possible. Any food item preserved in a box or can is not as good for you as the fresh version.
Ste P 6
aVO i D fat S
Avoid excessive fats. You don’t tap your fat stores when you’re getting in the mood or when you’re in the middle of it.
Ste P 7
e at b R i G ht f R uit S
an D V e G etab L e S
Eat fruits and vegetables that are brightly coloured. Their antioxidants lower cholesterol, which keeps blood flow unimpeded throughout the night.
Find your personal style
Everywhere you look there are clues to your personal style. You just need to do a little style-sleuthing.
Step 1 - L OO k at a R t
Look at the art on your walls; this is probably the best representation of your style. Abstract prints? You like modern design. A flea market painting? Your style’s eclectic.
Step 2 - L OO k f OR
R e P e A t S
Look for repeating colours, textures, shapes, and styles around your house and in your
wardrobe that can tell you a lot about the things you frequently purchase, and therefore, your style favourites.
Step 3 - Li S t
fa VOuR ite S h O p S
List the shops you go to most often -- even if you just go to browse. Whether it’s a flea market, a hip boutique, or your parents’ collection, where you shop represents your style.
Step 4 - uS e y O u R
fa VO u R ite h O te L
Use your favourite hotel to tell you about your style. Whether you prefer a rustic bed and breakfast or
a sleek, downtown high-rise, that hotel’s clear design style is a tip-off to your own.
Step 5 - L OO k at fa VO u R ite ROO m
Look at the design of your favorite room in the house. Chances are, it’s your style, so feel free to repeat it in the rest of the house.
Step 6 - D O n’t
i G n OR e the ODD I te M
don’t ignore that one odd piece that is different from anything else in the room. It may just hold the key to your true style.
Maro Morrison
Exhibition - Little
Black Girl
Bohemia, Murray street, woodbrook
Maro’s “Little Black Girl” exhibition was influenced by a little black doll her mother had at home.
The doll was an ornament her mom would bathe and dress. She would comb her hair and place her in various parts of the house. But the doll had no voice. Maro saw herself through this doll and was influenced to create her pieces not only as artistic expressions but as a way to exorcise many of the thoughts and feelings she stifled over the years.
“Little Black Girl” is a deeply personal journey that Maro feels many women will identify with. It is not a sad story, she says. It is a story of her life and experiences that she needed to share. You can find Maro’s work on Facebook at http://facebook.com/ maro.sparro
Maro’s oMG moment is waking up one morning and realising what all her bad and good experiences were for and being okay with that fact and not feeling any sorrow, hurt or remorse but rather feeling cleansed.
Photography Ronaldo Roberts
shaggy launches new label
Grammy-winning reggae/ dancehall star Shaggy has launched his own record label, Ranch Entertainment. The reggae fusion label has been around since last year, but now Shaggy unveiled it to the world with an official launch party on June 4 at Santos Party House in New York City.
In a press release sent to the media, reps for the label said a host of artists and producers are already signed up, including Rayvon, Red Fox and Shaggy himself.
“As the music industry continues to pose hurdles and challenges to the success of rising stars, the mission of Ranch Entertainment is to develop and facilitate innovative approaches for up-and-coming artists to excel in the current market,” the statement reads. Jabba of Hot 97 radio hosted the launch party
popcaan angers Belize fans as concert ends prematurely
The girls in Belize say Popcaan is not the “only Man” they want after his concert in that country ended prematurely.
A female party goer in Belize told Urban Islandz that the “Ravin” deejay disappointed his fans who turned out in their numbers for a concert on May 19. According to the fan, Popcaan entered the stage at 3 am and delivered a quick medley of three of his songs before abruptly ending his set.
“Popcaan came on stage at exactly three o clock on Sunday morning sang three songs and that was it for his concert,” the
angry fan told Urban Islandz. The fan added that the former Portmore Empire deejay was “bottled” off the stage before he was escorted out of the venue by police officers.
Popcaan has since released a statement addressing the allegations. According to the deejay, the concert was cut short due to security concerns. “Unfortunately due to security issues beyond the control of the artist and promoters, the concert had to be ended prematurely,” Popcaan said in the statement sent to Urban Islandz.
In a video posted on YouTube Popcaan said his microphone was plugged out in what appeared to be a sabotage of his show.
vybz Kartel: ‘Back To Life’ & other new songs were not recorded in jail
Adidja “Vybz Kartel” Palmer has not recorded any material since his arrest in 2011. This is the statement coming from Adidjahiem Records. Any songs containing material from Vybz Kartel that were released after his arrest, were recorded by the artist in previous years, said a release from Adidjahiem Records.
Various songs containing material from Vybz Kartel have surfaced since his arrest, including a collaboration with Busta Rhymes and a song titled “Back to Life”, which sparked rumours that the artist has been recording at the Horizon Adult Remand Centre. Adidjahiem Records made it clear that both songs were recorded prior to his arrest. The single “Wine and Go down” by Busta Rhymes ft. Vybz Kartel was recorded at donovan “don Corleon” Bennett’s studio in 2010 in a session that was broadcast live on ustream. The lyrics contained in “Back to Life” were also recorded in 2010.
The lyrics from “Back to Life” that was released by U.I.M. Records, were recorded by Adidjahiem Records during the dudus extradition affair – the original title was “Me Waan Go Home”, says Elvis Redwood of So Unique Records, who was an in-house engineer for Adidjahiem Records at the time. “Those same lyrics were re-used on a different track to create ‘Back to Life’.”
popCaan
sHaGGY
vYBZ KarTEL
T&T to adopt wHo anti-tobacco legislation
The Ministry of Health is seeking to adopt anti-tobacco legislation from the World Health organization’s Convention on Tobacco Control.
This was revealed by the Ministry of Health in observance of World No Tobacco day on May.
According to the WHo the legislation will seek to address:Protection from second-hand smoke – Prohibition of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship – Prohibition against the sale of tobacco products to and by minors.
The WHo says the world is facing a tobacco epidemic, stating that most adult smokers started smoking before the age 20 and that tobacco kills up to half its users.
By 2030, the WHo estimates tobacco will kill more than eight million people every year. Additionally the WHo states that tobacco is a major risk factor for chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCds) and in Trinidad and Tobago, two-thirds of all deaths are due to three major CNCds: cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes.
Within the Caribbean region, Trinidad and Tobago has the highest overall percentage of deaths due to CNCds.
Further to this, the WHo states that exposure to secondhand smoke kills another 600,000 people annually.
WHo lists the following health benefits of quitting smoking: –Within 20 minutes: Your heart rate and blood pressure drop; – 12 hours: The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal; – 2-12 weeks: Your circulation improves and your lung function increases; – 1-9 months: Coughing and shortness of breath decrease; – After 1 year: Your risk of coronary heart disease is about half that of a smoker; – After 10 years: Your risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker, and your risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix, and pancreas decreases.
The Ministry of Health urges all citizens to take responsibility for their own health and make preventive health care a part of their families’ life.
CaFra is adding its voice to calls for abortion to be made legal in Trinidad and Tobago
CAFRA makes the call against the backdrop of international day of action for women’s health. CAFRA says it is time for change.
The group insists girls and younger women are among the most vulnerable, most sexually exploited and most powerless in the society. In a statement, CAFRA says women in this country should have the right to make decisions about their pregnancies.
The association believes women and their partners have a fundamental right to make decisions relating to all aspects of pregnancy and reproduction, including abortion. CAFRA says if and when abortion becomes necessary, women should be allowed safe procedures at affordable prices. According to the group, the embryo of a foetus is not a human person, but has the potential to become such.
reggae superstar Mikey spice Comes To T&T
one Blood, Quake Promotions and Rebel Promotions brings to you Mikey Spice - a multitalented Jamaican artiste performing live on June 9th at the SWWTU Hall on Wrightson Road Port-of Spain.
Spice is well know for his Hits “Alli Alli oh”, “one Blood”, “Harder Than Before” and “Walk a Mile” to name a few. This is his first ever performance in T&T and it’s bound to be a treat.
dJ power ‘Fly so High’ video: Kardinal offishall & Machel Montano party on the islands
DJ Power has enlisted soca star Machel Montano and Canadian rapper kardinal Offishall for the video to his current single “Fly So High.” The record spinner, a native of Toronto, headed to the island of St. Maarten in addition to Trinidad and Tobago to shoot the vibrant visuals.
“We wanted to pick the best locations to bring the feel good high energy vibe of the track to video, and it came out so crazy!” dJ Power tells The BoomBox. In the clip, a celebration occurs as dJ Power, Machel and Kardinal provide the soundtrack, ladies flaunt their moves at Carnival and even soccer player dwight Yorke and cricketeer Brian Lara join the festivities.
“Fly So High,” featured on audio company MaxSound’s promotional Cd, was released earlier this year.
rehearsals underway for Little shop of Horrors
Checklist is ready to rock Little Shop of Horrors. The band is providing the live music for the award winning Broadway musical which runs June 9 - 17 at Queen’s Hall. Checklist has racked up hundreds of hours of practice in preparation for the diverse repertoire of music for the Proscenium Theatre Company production
featuring the sounds of Motown, rock and roll, doo-wop and R&B.
Little Shop of Horrors is the story of Seymour Krelborn (Marvin dowridge), a lowly, never-do-well assistant in a failing flower shop. His boss, Mr Mushnik (Keino Swamber) has just announced to him and his blonde, beautiful coworker Audrey (Aurora Tardieu) that the shop will be closed due to bad business. Seymour tells his co-workers about a strange new plant that he found and has been
nursing back to health. Seymour suggested that this exotic plant may attract more business. After five minutes of being in the window, the plant which Seymour named Audrey II attracts a customer who buys $100 worth of flowers. With business suddenly booming, Seymour’s fears of unemployment are replaced with his usual preoccupation, hopeless devotion for Audrey. Sweet but dim-witted Audrey is in an abusive relationship with sadistic, biker-dentist dr orin Scrivello, ddS (Mark Ewing).
CHECKLisT
MiKEY spiCE
paparazzo sues Justin Bieber For Criminal Battery
A photographer is suing Justin Bieber for criminal battery. We repeat: a grown man is suing the Biebs for beating him up. We want to say that again, but won’t be able to type because we’ll be laughing too hard. The deal is that this particular photographer was hounding Justin and girlfriend Selena Gomez in Calabasas, which is where the singer lives. The camera guy’s perspective is that he was trying to take their picture when the Biebs went all “The Hulk” on him, resulting in a fight which made the paparazzo call 911. He then complained that the beat down caused him to hurt his upper torso for which he had to go to hospital in an ambulance. o f course he did. Because when the Biebs hits, he hits hard, right?
onlookers have a totally different perspective, though. The other side of the story is that there was a scuffle, but right after they were done, a lawyer present on the scene went and convinced the paparazzo to file a case so they could both rake in the moolah. The witnesses reckon that the lawyer pretty much told the photographer to straight up call an ambulance and the police because then the situation could turn into a big pile of money.
They also reveal that Justin didn’t get aggressive for no reason. Mr Paparazzo was actually blocking the singer’s car as he and his girlfriend were trying to leave. When Bieber got out and requested him to move, the photographer refused to and that’s how matters escalated. Even though this case sounds like a whole lot of nonsense, the police still have to investigate as a claim of battery has been made by the guy. Hang in there, Justin!
imagine $40m for the taking...
The oMG crew caught up with the NLCB Classic Black promotions team on Ariapita Avenue recently
They had The Avenue pumping with excitement as passersby tried their luck in this fantastic promotion involving $40,000,000 in prizes. Yes, $40 million in prizes to be won. You can win one of five Mercedes Benz motor cars along with one year’s car insurance and cash prizes up to $100,000. Tickets cost just $50. You can win up to $5,000 on the spot. You cash larger amounts at the NLCB. one of those Benz chariots has gone to WINSToN SCoTT, so there are four more to go.
Country Manager for GTECK, Roger Bolai, explained that Ariapita Avenue is just the beginning. They will be visiting Long Circular Mall today – June 9, Grand Bazaar on June 16, Trincity Mall on June 23 and West Bees Supermarket in diego Martin on June 30. They will be in Tobago on July 20 and 21 and then back to Adam Smith Square on July 27. These dates are important because if you purchase a ticket from the promotions team and do not win, you get to play the Classic Black Plenko Board Game, where you have another chance to walk away with mugs, T-shirts, drawstring bags, beach chairs and many other items. This Classic Black Promotion is bringing out everyone. So why not grab a piece of that $40 million. It is just $50 to play. Who knows, you could be reading your next oMG Magazine in a brand new Benz. TaKinG a CHanCE in THE CLassiC BLaCK pLEnKo Board GaMEs
“ CLassiC BLaCK BEaUTY, naTaLiE GioannETTi LooKs vErY FaMiLiar” wHY doEs sHE LooK so FaMiLiar?
passErsBY sCraTCHinG For THEir nEw BEnZ
Brian sawH (LEFT), Board MEMBEr oF nLCB and CHairMan oF THE MarKETinG CoMMiTTEE, inspECTs a TiCKET wiTH roGEr BoLai (riGHT), CoUnTrY ManaGEr GTECK, wE HopE THEsE GEnTLEMEn Know THEY CannoT EnTEr To win
THEsE GEnTLEMEn won BiG in THE CLassiC BLaCK pLEnKo
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Lil Wayne and drake say there is no way in hell they’re going to fork over $400,000 to a company that sued them for allegedly bailing on a club appearance ... because they claim they were never told about the gig.
The rappers have joined to fight a default judgment entered against them. The judge ordered the duo to pay $432,337.50 to Imperial Entertainment Group. The company sued,
alleging Lil Wayne and drake promised to perform at a 2011 event but were no-shows.
The rappers now claim in legal documents ... they were never told about the appearance, never signed ANY contracts and were never even served with papers to show up in court. drake and Lil Wayne claim that Imperial Entertainment Group used a third party to book them – Melanzh Enterprises – which they claim had no authority to book them. The two want the court to cancel the $400k-plus judgment.
Kardashian bans
Rihanna recently performed with Kanye West and Jay-Z on their recent Watch The Throne tour at the London o2 Arena.
According to reports, Kim Kardashian has issued a ban on Rihanna and all other females from entering Kanye West’s dressing room while on tour.
“Kim is incredibly protective of Kanye and doesn’t want any women near him unless she is there — even his friends,” The Sun reported. “Rihanna wasn’t even allowed to go into his dressing room without Kim being there. The fact she was linked to Kim’s brother probably didn’t help.”
“It’s crazy, but Kim knows the attention Kanye gets when he’s on tour, and she doesn’t want any competition,” the source added.
Rihanna was rumored to be dating Kim Kardashian’s
delhi Belly actor will play a punjabi munda
It has been a while since Sajid Nadiadwala acquired the adaptation rights of Chetan Bhagat’s novel 2 States. Initially Shahrukh Khan was supposed to play the leading man in the film that was to be directed by Vishal Bhardwaj. Speculations about the leading lady had just begun when we heard that the makers have decided to shelve the project as it wasn’t going anywhere.
The latest we heard about 2 States is that it has been revived and Imran
The Bourne Legacy
iMran KHan
Khan will be playing the leading man, a Punjabi munda in the film. Imran has come on board because his last outing at the Bo Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu was a hit and he can now supposedly carry a solohero film on his shoulders. Wethinks the success of EMAET had more to do with Kareena Kapoor’s charm, but the dishy dude also did his bit! Anyway, now that the film has been revived, we wonder who might bag the role of Imran’s leading lady.
The Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na boy has come a long way and seems to have found a firm foothold in Bollywood. He will be seen in Vishal Bhardwaj’s Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola and Milan Luthria’s sequel to Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai. Will he present tough competition for Ranbir Kapoor at the awards ceremonies next year?
The Jannat 2 babe is a stunner in this cover shot
After grabbing eyeballs with her scorching screen presence in Jannat 2, esha Gupta has dared to exhibit her inner devil on a magazine cover. We spotted the model-turned-actor on the cover of the June edition of Maxim India and went, ‘Wow’! This gal can definitely send temperatures soaring!
Esha’s black bra with a tight leather strap accentuates her curvy assets and brings the picture this close to being kinky. Her meandering mane tumbles in a sea of chocolate over her sinewy shoulders. Those sexy translucent netted mittens showing off her black fingernails say a lot about Esha’s ‘killer’ intentions. Her nude makeup and generous pout make for a wild and seductive pose. She creates a stunning impact against an interesting backdrop of olive green. do you agree?
The fourth installment of the highly successful Bourne series sees the return of the franchise’s screenwriter, Tony Gilroy, this time stepping into the director’s seat for an entry which sidelines main character Jason Bourne
in order to focus on a fellow estranged assassin (Jeremy Renner).
Edward Norton and Rachel Weisz co-star, with Joan Allen and Albert Finney reprising their roles from the previous films.
Scan the QR code to view the movie trailer
