Who decides what is a good book as opposed to an inferior book on any particular topic? Can all the local school books pass muster in an international book fair? Or am I asking foolish questions? Why do pupils have to cart around all their books at the same time? Is this necessary or just a “Trini to the bone” kind of behaviour?

LYNETTE JOSEPH Diego Martin

I am told CXC examiners will not review the students’ papers but rather just retally the existing scores to ensure the final marks were added correctly. For this we pay a princely sum.

How unfair is that? Further, I was advised that only about 15 per cent of queries ever result in a change of grade. Well obviously.

I hope the Minister of Education looks into this cavalier approach to our students’ future and represents the views of parents like myself who consider such a situation untenable.

Over to you, Minister Anthony Garcia.

ARLENE STEPHEN Diego Martin

And Jones, bound for Germany in January, is ready to shoulder the responsibility, adding that he sees the importance of delivering the goods and meeting the expectations.

The Seattle Sounders left back took part in yesterday morning’s training session at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Couva and immediately began to take aim at the Hondurans.

“It’s a massively important game for us. I think everybody is clear about that,” Jones said.

“The last time we played them it was not a pretty experience for us.

We conceded early and we couldn’t get ourselves back into the match and this time we need to make them know how that experience feels. We are at home and I think we can get it together and pull off a performance that will bring us three points,” he continued.

“I think I owe the country in the hex now. In the past few games, I had what I would say not awful but bad performances .This is like a final to us. We need three points to stay alive. I had a good week of preparation between ball work and fitness. I am looking forward to the game and very excited about it,” Jones added.

He mentioned that there has been constant dialogue between himself and fellow midfielder Kevin Molino about the forthcoming fixtures.

“Everyday, myself and Kevin have been talking about these games. And about how making it to a World Cup can change our lives.

I think that is in the back of our minds but first we need to take care of business on the pitch and that is the main focus now for Friday and then onto Panama,” Jones said.

“Looking back at the last match with Honduras (in November 2016), it’s not much we want to remember but I wasn’t pleased with the way I performed and now it’s a chance to step up. Hopefully by God’s grace and with the right approach we can get it down right on the day and give the fans something to be happy about and keep our chances alive,” the former W Connection man added.

In related news, Honduras have recalled veteran striker Carlo Costly for Friday’s match. The Olimpia player has returned to the national team after an 18-month absence, coach Jorge Luis Pinto has said.

The 35-year-old quit international football in March 2016 after publicly falling out with Pinto, but the pair have settled their differences, the former Colombia and Costa Rica manager told a media conference on Friday.

“Carlo is playing his best football in years. We hope that he can carry on that form for the national team,” Pinto said. “As the coach, I know what I should do, and he knows what he needs to do on the pitch.

We’ve brought him in to the team at an opportune time.” Honduras are currently fifth in the CONCACAF standings with five points, nine points behind leaders Mexico. TT are rooted at the bottom with three points.

Honduras squad (clubs in brackets) GOALKEEPERS: Donis Escober (Olimpia), Luis Lopez (Real Espana), Ricardo Canales (Vida).

DEFENDERS: Bryan Beckeles (Necaxa), Maynor Figueroa (Dallas), Henry Figueroa and Felix Crisanto (Motagua), Carlos Sanchez (Honduras Progreso), Jhonny Palacios (Olimpia), Ever Alvarado (Olimpia), Emilio Izaguirre (Al-Fayha, Arabia), Jhonny Leveron (Marathon).

MIDFIELDERS: Bryan Acosta (Tenerife, Espana), Jorge Claros (Real Espana), Alexander Lopez (Olimpia), Alfredo Mejia (Xanthi, China), Oliver Morazan, (Juticalpa), Esdras Padilla (Juticalpa), Sergio Pena (Real Sociedad), Carlos Discua (Motagua), Boniek García (Houston), Juan Delgado (Honduras Progreso).

FORWARDS: Anthony Lozano (Barcelona B), Rony Martinez (Baoding Yingli Yitong), Alberth Elis (Houston), Romnell Quioto (Houston), Carlo Costly (Olimpia), Ovidio Lanza (Juticalpa), Eddie Hernandez (Motagua).

This was the case with 15-year-old Chelsea Fensom, who began playing the violin at the age of seven under Kenneth Listhrop, the conductor of the Trinidad and Tobago Youth Philharmonic (TTYP), of which both Chelsea and her older sister, Celeste, are members.

Celeste plays both clarinet and oboe with the orchestra.

Wanting to push young Chelsea further after she showed promise on the violin, Listhrop introduced her to the cello, where she blossomed. The cello then became her principal instrument, and she continued to hone her skills on her cello with the orchestra.

“We always wanted to have our children involved in music,” Carlos Fensom, the girls’ father told Newsday.

Carlos and his wife, Shermin, believe in the power of music and music education in helping children to “create a better balance.” “We never thought that it would have reached this level,” he admitted.

Just about to enter Form Four, Chelsea has already completed all eight grades of the Trinity College of London music examinations, in both violin and cello, earning a merit and a distinction, respectively.

In addition, Chelsea, decided to undertake the first level of the Trinity College diploma exams, the Associate of the Trinity College of London (ATCL), a highly challenging test comprising an evaluation of close to 40 minutes of pieces and a viva voce segment, along with comprehensive notes on the works performed. The high-level certification is equivalent to the first year of an undergraduate music programme. Working closely with Listhrop, Chelsea earned a distinction in the exam, and the record of having been the youngest successful ATCL candidate in the English-speaking Caribbean.

Chelsea has already begun to prepare for her ATCL diploma examination in violin, as well as the Trinity second-level diploma, the Licentiate of Trinity College, London (LTCL, equivalent to the final year of an undergraduate music programme) both for next year. (There are three in total, the last being the Fellowship of Trinity College, London, which is equivalent to a postgraduate course at a conservatory.) During her primary school career, Chelsea copped a distinction in the Pan Minors Programme at UWI, where she walked away with the Best Instrumentalist in Primary School Parang Prize for her performance on the violin. At the Biennial Music Festival last year, the young musician took the prize for the Best Instrumentalist (violin) and the second place prize in the cello category.

With the increasing number of distractions for young persons in today’s complex world, threatening to steal them away from the paths that keep them safe and focussed, music has been a grounding force for the girls.

Carlos expressed his relief that music has managed to keep his daughters out of trouble.

“The discipline of the music has carried over into the other parts of their lives,” he explained. The dedicated father continued, “Most of their friends are in music; they associate themselves primarily with other musicians around their age.” Not only has the music shaped their social lives, but it has also supported their performance in school. Celeste is currently in the final year of her studies in Computing at SAM while Chelsea’s efforts at St Joseph’s Convent, Port-of-Spain continue to yield top marks. “Music has a way of stimulating the brain,” Carlos affirmed. “It has done an excellent job in terms of the way that [the girls’] schoolwork has developed.” Not content with solely playing the strings, Chelsea is also a member of both Silver Stars Steel Orchestra and her school’s Mixed Steel Orchestra – where she is the orchestra’s cocaptain – comprising players from St Joseph’s Convent and their longtime neighbour, St Mary’s College.

Clearly influenced by varied genres of music, Chelsea, when asked about her musical tastes, was quite specific in responding, “Everything but country and K-Pop (Korean pop music).” Among her favourite musicians are world-renowned cellists, Chinese-American Yo-Yo Ma, South Korean Han-Na Chang and the late English prodigy, Jacqueline du Pré.

Chelsea described her love affair with the cello as an incremental process in which, guided by her teachers, Kenneth Listhrop and Francis Pau, her passion and commitment grew over the years.

“The more it consumed me, the more I practised; the more I liked it, the more I came to love it,” she told Newsday.

With a strong determination not to limit herself, Chelsea wants still to learn more instruments; young and eager, she began learning the French horn very recently. Interested in doing more than performing, Chelsea has also developed an interest in arranging. As a senior tutor at TTYP, she may well be arranging for the orchestra in time to come.

The TTYP hosts an annual series concert to mark the end of their vacation camp, in which young Chelsea is set to take part as one of the soloists in Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, along with fellow cellist, Tracell Frederick and violinist Keisha Daniel. Titled, Timeless Classics: Love Unlimited, the concert features an eclectic offering of orchestral arrangements, including a tribute to soul crooner Barry White and the Sounds of Philadelphia.

The first show was held last night at Queen’s Hall and the final show is carded for this evening at 5.30 pm.

With CSEC on the horizon, Chelsea seems undaunted still that she would be able to conquer both her music goals as well as her academic work. “During SEA, I completed graded exams; I don’t see why I should have any problems in the future,” the young musician told Newsday, confidently.

Using some of her teaching experience as a senior tutor with TTYP and at St Theresa’s RC School, she plans to open her own school for string instruments in the future. When asked what advice she might have for fellow youth musicians and music enthusiasts, Chelsea offered that the secret is in the small stuff.

“Set small goals such as learning to play a whole song in a day.” She urged young musicians to practise every day, “even if it’s just for five or ten minutes. Keep practising and working and believe in yourself,” she reassured.

Chlorine is a rapid and persistent sanitizer used in pools to kill microorganisms that can cause infections and disease. It is heavily used in pools that have many bathers to ensure everyone’s health and safety. Unfortunately, in addition to its benefits, chlorine strips the hair of its natural oils leaving the hair dry and brittle.

The salt in seawater has an osmotic effect on hair strands. It causes water to be pulled out of the hair shaft, drastically reducing the elasticity and moisture levels of the hair.

The sun’s UV rays can age and damage the hair just like it does to our skin. The cumulative effects of prolonged exposure are what cause hair to become bleached. UV damage causes protein loss, dryness and loss of elasticity in the hair.

Overall, exposure to sun, salt and chlorine can leave your hair dry, brittle and prone to breakage.

You can help your hair bounce back with a few easy DIY hair masks that will target your specific needs.

Intense Hydration Mask

2 tbsp Honey
½ Ripe Avocado
¼ cup Coconut Milk

Mix the three ingredients into a smooth paste.

Cleanse the hair and blot out the excess water.

Apply the mask ensuring all the hair is coated in the mixture. Cover with a cap and apply some heat with a blow dryer or hood dryer for about 10 minutes, or longer. Rinse thoroughly with cool water.

The avocado and coconut milk in this recipe are rich in vitamins and nutrients and will nourish not only your hair strands but your follicle as well. They are also rich in natural oils that help smooth and seal rough cuticles. The honey is also nutrient rich and acts as a humectant and drawing moisture into the hair. Your hair will be left soft and well moisturized after this mask.

Cuticle Repair Treatment

1 ripe Banana
3 tbsp Coconut oil
2 tbsp Olive oil

Mix the ingredients thoroughly.

Apply to cleansed hair, cover with a cap and leave it in for up to one hour. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

This treatment acts like a nourishing hot oil treatment. The banana is nutrient rich and conditions the hair, while the oils repairs, smoothes and seals the cuticles. This treatment leaves your hair frizz free and adds a beautiful luster.

Note: some hair types respond better to heavier oils while other can be weighed down easily and prefer lighter oil. You can substitute your favourite oils for the ones listed in this recipe.

Strengthening Hair Gloss

1 Egg
3 tbsp Plain yogurt
2 tbsp Honey

Mix the ingredients and apply to clean hair.

Cover with a plastic cap and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and follow with a moisturizing conditioner. This gloss provides much needed protein both from the egg and the yogurt.

Since protein treatments can be a bit drying, the honey is used to draw some moisture into the gloss.

Following the gloss with a moisturizer also helps to further condition and eliminate the dryness that can follow protein treatments.

One only has to recall her ground-breaking exercise segments on the morning magazine programme, Dateline, and her subsequent advocacy in the field, to conclude that fitness has played an intrinsic role in her life .

“I have always loved fitness,” Alcantara tells Sunday Newsday .

“It falls among my passions of literature, theatre and communications .

Fitness keeps me strong, focussed, motivated and positive. It is my lifeline to living life in balance.” And while she is satisfied with her years as an enthusiast and campaigner, Alcantara feels the time has come to take things up a notch given the prevalence of chronic lifestyle diseases in the society .

She gave staggering statistics which showed there were an estimated 140,300 cases of diabetes diagnosed in Trinidad and Tobago in 2015 and noted that obesity continued to pose a major challenge for health care practitioners .

“Today, obesity is crushing our country’s health and services sectors and is a problem that ought to be viewed as a national issue,” she said .

“In focusing on obesity and physical inactivity, and all the diseases downstream from that, there is an urgent need to instil the importance of health and fitness in our nation.” Through a new and exciting project which she calls the Fitness Revolution, Alcantara is hoping to, at the very least, begin the process of reversing such trends .

She said the project, set to debut on television in mid-September, will focus on communities, targeting not just the exercise buffs but children and those who generally desire to lead healthy lives. “The Fitness Revolution will target the kids, our most vulnerable. We have to teach them the importance of nutrition and exercise in fun ways so that they avoid the pitfalls of obesity and diabetes which are so rampant today. So, there will be lots of competitions and opportunities for us to work together for the benefit of all.” But The Fitness Revolution, she said, would not be a one-man show as experts in various disciplines – nutrition, weight-training, pilates, capoeira, zumba and other areas – have graciously consented to be a part of the project .

They include top national body-builder/gym owner Dexter Simon; registered yoga teacher Abdullah Mohammed; pilates instructor Madeleine Miller and technical director of Hip Hop International Ian Levia .

Simon, who has won numerous awards, told Spotlight his focus would be on abdominal exercises as well as shoulders, bicep and tricep workouts .

The fitness trainer, who has acquired a huge local and foreign-based clientele over the years, said he would also provide tips on dieting and the approach to training so that people could get optimal results from their workout .

“During the segments, I will provide words of inspiration to the people, not only focusing on training,” said Simon, who has been involved in sport and fitness for about two decades .

“It is not just about what we do but what we could inspire others to do from seeing our efforts and our commitment.” Simon said his goal would be to promote holistic living .

More than a television programme, Alcantara said the health and fitness outreach initiative would pivot social media platforms, events and workshops where the experienced professionals could interact directly with the public .

“The Revolution will educate and inform children and adults of all ages. We want to reach the nation so that together we all learn more about living and enjoying healthy lives.” Observing that much has happened in terms of technology and fitness over the years, Alcantara said the Fitness Revolution would build on the Fit For Life series but would move in a more dynamic and technology-driven direction .

Alcantara, the Fitness Revolution’s producer, was confident that the project would fulfil its mandate .

“There are so many health and wellness programmes, websites and shows around nowadays, a virtual plethora of resources that anyone can access,” Alcantara said. “Yet, I continue to receive feedback from so many people on a daily basis about how hard it is to find the programme that works best for them, how to incorporate a fitness regimen into their busy lives and the overall motivation to keep going and maintain a healthy lifestyle.” She added: “I feel what has been missing is that thread that pulls all of the disjointed elements of wellness together and ties it to the actual day to day reality of a person .

“This is what we are all seeking, a way to become better, healthier, more productive and happier without sacrificing and compromising on the essential components of our lives .

“And we all know, it is almost impossible to experience that happiness and peace if the body is unwell.” The managing director of Media Methods Limited, Alcantara became a household name in the 1970s and 80s as the mild-mannered co-host of the television programme, Dateline, which aired on Trinidad & Tobago Television (TTT) .

During her latter years on the set, she introduced a fitness segment to the show, a rarity on local television at that time .

Later, when she started her own production company, Alcantara created Fit For Life, which dealt, in a more specific way, on exercise and elements of health and fitness .

“The Fit For Life programme was an amazing life experience,” Alcantara said. “It allowed me to interact with fitness professionals across the country and to find ways through which to educate and motivate viewers with respect to living healthy lives.” “It was a journey of evolution and learning and it allowed the brand to build credibility .

For that, I am truly grateful.” Coincidentally, TTT, which was closed in January 2005 because of financial difficulties, is set to return with a focus on exclusively local programming and Government information .

Communications Minister Maxie Cuffie announced on Thursday that State-owned Caribbean New Media Group (CNMG) would be shut down to pave the way for the return of a new and improved TTT .

Alcantara, who welcomed the move, said although TTT had been shut down and replaced by CNMG, its legacy remained etched in the minds of a wide cross-section of the citizenry .

“A brand is a brand and CNMG never really took off, perhaps because of the newness of the name and its struggle to compete. It eventually went the same way as the other stations.” Asked if she would consider offering the Fitness Revolution to TTT when it comes on stream, Alcantara is maintaining a wait-andsee approach .

“I can’t see that it will be a bad thing. TTT had always been a known station and I think it will be a lovely platform for people involved in film and local culture to put their work out there,” she said .

“But, I can’t say what their plan will be. In any event, a focus on local culture is always good.” Unlike the Fit For Life series she pioneered, Alcantara said the the Fitness Revolution has gone a step further by providing resources, information and guidance to address the critical components of daily life with a view to creating balance, improved health and happiness .

Alcantara said while exercise routines and physical fitness were a focal point of the Revolution, the programme would also address mental health, stress management, self-esteem, daily inspiration and time management .

“The Revolution looks at the whole person, the whole being, the balance within the self and outside of the self in our daily lives.” Alcantara hopes the project will receive support from the relevant ministries “so that we can reach communities in meaningful ways.” “I am confident that the Fitness Revolution will inspire and motivate us to live healthier lives and I look forward to bringing it on stream.”

The nuclear scientist who resides in Kingston, Ontario, with her husband, Canadian Ted Bailey and their four children ages two to eight, had been appointed for one term, until December 31, to the inaugural board of directors of the Tourism Kingston (Ontario) Board made up of representatives from the community and city council.

The board sets the strategic direction for the Tourism Kingston Organisation, the destination marketing organisation for the city.

It undertakes tourism marketing and development initiatives to ensure that Kingston remains a destination of choice for visitors from all over the world.

Tourism marketing activities are directed towards promoting the competitive advantages the city holds in areas of leisure, travel trade, meetings and conventions and sport tourism.

As a young university undergraduate, Bowles-Mortley volunteered with an organisation called Youth Diversion Programme and continues as an active member.

One of Youth Diversion’s mandates is to help at-risk youth and give them a restorative approach to be better people.

In June, Bowles-Mortley received the Distinction of Service Award from the Province of Ontario, Canada, for ten years of volunteerism in its Youth Diversion programme.

Accolades already bestowed on this “nuclear” woman in this programme include the Andrea Van Blaricom Volunteer of the Year Award, Youth Division, Kingston, Ontario in 2006, Volunteer Service Awards for five-year service and dedication as a volunteer in Ontario in 2010, and member of the Youth Justice Committee designated by the Ministry of the Attorney General in 2011.

It is an alternative to formal proceedings under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

A police officer or crown attorney can request that a youth participate in the programme instead of going through court.

The committee is selected out of a panel of volunteers who are interested in working with young people and who support the programme’s philosophy.

The aim is to include people who reflect the diverse composition of the community.

As a director of The Herbarium Limited, founded by her mother Cheryl Bowles, which manufacturers Cher Mere natural personal products in TT, Bowles-Mortley is responsible for the introduction of the Cher Mere INatural line specifically created for natural hair grooming.

In 2013 this “millennial” woman opened Cher Mere Canada and runs spas in Kingston, Ontario. More than half of organic shoppers are millennials with children. Parents 18 to 34 represent the largest group of organic consumers in the United States.

It was on Bowles-Mortley’s recommendation that Cher Mere enhanced its organic line to cater for this trend.

“I am now carrying the flame and my goal is to internationalise the brand,” Bowles-Mortley said.

The first four products recently launched in Bowles-Mortley’s new line of products using Trinidad cocoa, moringa and charcoal, called Spa Naturals, are a cuticle crème and three masks all 100 per cent natural with no chemicals.

“We will roll out other products, such as, body oil, massage oil and advanced skin treatments in this line,” Bowles-Mortley said. “The men have not been left out as a treatment for beards is in the pipeline.” Without difficulty, the nuclear scientist swings into explanation of her use of, “Trinidad cocoa which is the best quality in the world for the chocolate mask… It is rich in antioxidants which is beneficial as an anti-aging product for rejuvenating the skin and reducing the wrinkle bandwidth.

“All parts of the moringa plant are beneficial for the moringa mask, which purifies the skin and is also rich in antioxidants, natural vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

It’s a gorgeous skin mask for all types of skin.” Bowles-Mor t l ey continued, “And finally, the charcoal mask detoxifies the skin, reduces impurities so pores look smaller and is great for oily to combination skin which may have blemishes and dark marks.” B ow l e s – M o r t – ley wears numerous hats, yet enjoys being healthy and staying fit through running, boxing and astanga yoga.

She is a firm believer that “all work and no play makes one a dull person” having participated in the ING Ottawa Half-Marathon; Beat Beethoven run and the Wolfe Island 10K Classic Run.

All this and Bowles-Mortley still finds time to be a hands-on mom and is about to take her children on a Canadian vacation road trip.

What next is in store for this nuclear Trini millennial?

Let’s take a look at one of these companies.

A well-known company manufactures tomato ketchup, tomato paste and tomato sauces.

This company buys tomato sauce in drums and plastic squeeze bottles, pre-labelled, from abroad. The drum is dumped in a vat and squeezed into the bottles. That’s manufacturing? That same company has many foreign fast food franchises. Franchise fees have to be remitted monthly in US dollars. That same company also imports and distributes wines and other exotics. So the minister gives it preference as a manufacturer.

Who is to say that those US dollars are not remitted for wine imports and franchise fees. Meanwhile I have to beg.

I distribute machinery not made in Trinidad.

DAVID SALINGER Maraval

It is passing strange that coming on the heels of several questions surrounding the circumstances of the Super Fast Galicia that the Port Authority could so easily make a mess of this arrangement that has left us with a multitude of questions surrounding the Cabo Star and the Ocean Flower 2.

There are reasons to suggest that this is not a simple mistake. The debacle arising from the ferry service has already led to the demise of the Port Authority Board under Christine Sahadeo and is now pointing to the present board of directors and the line minister, who may also have to demit office.

How is it possible for the Tenders Committee at the port to consistently mismanage the procurement process for the acquisition of vessels for this service? Is the committee comprised of incompetent people or is it acting ultra vires to the well being of the people? Is it that someone or some people have more to gain from convoluting the process than to ensure that the country gets value for money from the contracts awarded? It is possible that the problems surrounding procurement of services at the port has nothing to do with the current minister or board, but may reside within the hands of the public officers that operate in the system. Perhaps the mismanagement is something endemic at the port and we may have to look in the direction of long-standing public servants for answers.

Once more corruption rears its ugly head and one wonders why, in the face of the Government that has shown more fight against corruption, this ferry fiasco has exploded, leaving so much speculation. Calls abound for the heads of the Prime Minister, the Minister of Works and Transport and the board, fresh elections and so on. To whose benefit are these calls being made? How will the country profit from new elections at this time? The stench of political interference wafts through the breeze surrounding this situation.

The efforts to have investigations by the Integrity Commission, the President and a joint select committee of Parliament suggest that the opposition forces smell the opportunity to score maximum points from the fiasco and are going in for the kill.

It also distracts from the incomplete probe into the circumstances of the Galicia, which must now take second place to the Ocean Flower 2 and Cabo Star.

Whatever the outcome of these investigations, the bottom line is that there is someone with a substantial amount of power within the system to so successfully manoeuvre the processes within the Port Authority, beyond the reach of the Cabinet, board and the line minister, and who used the urgency for the vessels for personal enrichment. Who has this power?

GARVIN COLE Tobago

The two-day championship paired past winners with novices across all four divisions (A, B, C and D).

Whilst this was a gross competition, there were also net prizes awarded.

The overall club champion was national player Arjoon Samlal, who copped the A Class.

Dubay took the top spot in the B Class, Awong was crowned the winner in the C Class and Sagram won the D Class.

RESULTS A Class

1 Arjoon Samlal
2 Dave Rajkumar
3 Suresh Jagessar

Best Net: Deryck Chanardip

B Class

1 Franklyn Dubay
2 Kumar Ramcharan
3 Amir Ali

Best Net: Amral Ali

C Class

1 Curtis Awong
2 Stephon Singh
3 Pooran Singh

Best Net: Ishanand Lalbirsingh

D Class

1 Eddison Sagram
2 Rahmzan Ali
3 Rol Seecharan

Best Net: Selwyn Henry