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
Sisters United is the embodiment of the dreams of friends and chosen family, Angel Griffith and Shelly-Ann Davis-Cooper, 2012 graduates of UTT’s Academy of Fashion and Design.
With more than ten years’ experience in the field of fashion – their first entrance was in 2000 at the John Donaldson Technical Institute – their wealth of knowledge comes together to form the powerful vision of their brands’ symbiosis: a dream to dress the modern man and woman in trendy, fashion-forward, and modest apparel with a definitive Caribbean lilt.
Both Angel and Shelly-Ann believe it is the synergy of their individual styles as designers that lends to the success of Sisters United. Both have independent fashion lines of their own, but Angel highlights that much more can be conquered and achieved through creative partnership.
“We both have our own brands, our own individual visions and styles – we don’t always see eye to eye! – but it has been a great partnership,” she says, highlighting that although challenges are inescapable, their collaboration lends to the production of something profound and worthy.
Their Summer Breeze collection is a match of their styles and faith, and they proudly highlight their adherence to international fashion standards in both the execution of their garments as well as their Boardwalk fashion show.
Hailed as the first fashion show of its kind at the scenic Boardwalk, the Summer Breeze collection felt right at home at the seaside, with pieces that highlight our colourful society, diverse ethnic links, and tropical paradise. Guest designer featured at the show was Afiya Bishop.
Angel’s “Angel Glow Designs” and Shelly- Ann’s “Soigné” (French for “carefully done or designed, well groomed”) are the designers’ individual lines outside of their Sisters United brand. Both women recently sent their respective collections to Canada for the country’s 150th Anniversary in Ottawa, where they were featured on August 20.
Sisters United is still a young brand, and the “sisters” say the sky is the limit from here on out. Launched in 2015 at Signature Hall, Chaguanas, the brand’s premiere was deemed an overwhelming success and their Summer Breeze collection is no different, displaying high quality craft and fashion-forward pieces.
“Sisters United aims to make the fashion industry in TT recognised, as we work assiduously towards developing a Caribbean brand,” the designers say.
They’re already making a splash, so be sure to keep your eyes on these two talents.
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).
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
This course was a collaboration with the ministry and the Registered Nurses’ Association and ran for three months from April 10. The 31 women did most of their training at the Nursing Annex in Port of Spain. Prior to being accepted, they had to pass psychometric tests to affirm their sustainability for the programme. They also completed modules which dealt with understanding self, learning disabilities, psychology theories and caring for children with communicable diseases among others.
Webster-Roy highlighted the importance of initiatives like these.
“This is part of the strengthening of the child protection system of this country. This was needed for the growth and development for care giving of children in state homes. Quality health care benefits the growth of children physically, socially and intellectually.” Drawing attention to the absence of men, the minister said: “Concerted effort is being made in the next phase to target our males. Boys need role models.” Manager of St Dominic’s Home, Sister Arlene Greenidge, is appreciative of this course. She said, “We are now operating in a different model of child care and protection that is more outcome oriented.
Therefore, people must be trained. Although we have highly experienced staff at the community residences, we recognize the need for trained staff.” Graduate and mother of three, Renee Joy Blackman, who was the owner of a daycare, said it was an eye-opener “learning how to identify minor medical problems and how to deal with it.” Shelly Ann Harrypersad, also a mother of three, appreciated the knowledge learned.
“Learning how to help children and identify the real developmental needs of children who people may label as troublesome was most important to me,” said Harrypersad.
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
Once again another major project, the Curepe overpass, is scheduled to start and the wastage of taxpayers’ dollars continues.
The reality is that the CRH is a roadway with businesses, playground, malls, factories and residences on both sides of the road. There are over ten major intersections along the roadway and many small streets entering or exiting the highway.
That sector of our nation’s highway grid can never be a major highway regardless of how much money is spent on improvement and overpasses. No amount of money spend on that highway will ever bring the much-needed relief from traffic congestion that is experienced daily by commuters along the east-west corridor.
The sensible solution to the east-west traffic congestion is a new highway just south of the existing CRH. There is an expanse of almost virgin land that stretches from the Caroni Swamp in the west to Matura Bay on the east coast. That area should be the location of a new east-west freeway.
Such a project will minimise the inconvenience associated with building overpasses in builtup areas, reduce the cost of land acquisition and provide fast and efficient access to all that traverse from along the east-west corridor.
Additionally, the bus route that is used by the privileged few need to be reverted to a light rail system that will allow passengers to travel along the corridor without the congestion that has now made the bus route another one of our severely congested roadways.
There is no alternative to common sense and proper planning.
In the meantime, one continues to be bemused and bewildered as our limited foreign exchange and taxpayers’ dollars are squandered on projects that make little sense.
STEVE ALVAREZ via email
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.
Sure, there are guidelines that can help you to develop your personal style, but truly, you don’t need to follow them.
That being said, when it comes to matching your makeup to your outfit, I think the easiest way to do so without going overboard is to match elements of your makeup to a part of your outfit.
It’s not meant to be taken too literally. You can imagine how blue jeans, a blue shirt, blue eyeshadow, blue shoes, blue jewelry and a blue purse can be overkill. Unless it’s neutral, matching your eyeshadow or lipstick to the exact colour of something you’re wearing can sometimes look a little dated. Generally neutral colours such as black, white, grey, brown or beige can easily be paired with any other colour, or matched with itself.
If you want to pair your makeup look with your outfit but don’t know where to start, pick an element you want to highlight: your eyes or your lips. If you are ever confused, you can refer to a colour wheel for guidance.
Complementary colours are opposite one another on the colour wheel.
When you pair complementary colours, it can sometimes look costumey. For example, if you pair red clothes with green eyeshadow, it can be reminiscent of Christmas. Instead, if you use colours surrounding the complementary colour, you’ll get a striking yet subtle effect. For example, let’s look at the colour blue.
Orange is opposite to blue on the colour wheel. For the sake of not being too literal, let’s use a derivative of orange. The colour peach will still make blue stand out, but will be softer than using pure orange. Try pairing a peach coloured lipstick with your royal blue top for a chic look. Similarly, let’s look at the colour burgundy.
It falls somewhere between red and red-violet on the colour wheel. Opposite that is green and yellow-green.
Let’s move one shade away to yellow. Yellow will still compliment the colour burgundy, but in a more subtle way. You can even play with textures, so instead of pure yellow, opt for yellow gold. So with your burgundy coloured dress, try using gold eyeshadow. Or with your gold jewelry, use a burgundy lipstick. These pairings will still create contrast and impact.
If you want to create a softer, more wearable look, try matching your makeup to the undertone of your clothes. The harmony of colours will create a cohesive look. To achieve this, I like to stick to one undertone at a time. Let’s say I’m wearing a turquoise dress. I’ll prefer to stick to either neutral or cool toned makeup. Because I want this look to be more wearable, I’m not going to try to create contrast, because that can create a bolder effect. This applies to my highlight and blush as well. I’ll opt for cool toned blush such as pink or mauve, and avoid overly bronze or warm tones for my highlight. Opt for cool silver, soft pink or light champagne hues. Similarly, if you stick to an all warm-toned look, you will look balanced and put-together. Picture this: A white dress, gold accessories, a warm bronze smokey eye, a golden highlight, peachy blush and a bright orange lipstick. I’m sure you can imagine that if you swapped out the orange lipstick for a bubblegum pink, it won’t look as cohesive.
