Classes begin on September 2 and registration for the programme will take place from 11 am to 5 pm on August 30 at the UTT John S Donaldson Campus on Wrightson Road, Port of Spain.

The fashion training programme will allow trainees to earn an income while studying the fundamentals of fashion, leadership, entrepreneurship and self-development to prepare them for the challenges of owning and operating their own fashion business, said a media release.

The programme is designed to equip attendees with marketable skills. It also aids in developing sustainable cultural programming, addressing crime, violence, justice, invisibility and marginalisation among other issues, by critically engaging participants in a proactive effort to manage and better their realities, the release said.

At the end of the training, participants will have several opportunities to take their skills forward either through further study at the Caribbean Academy of Fashion and Design at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT ) or through access to up to $30,000 to start up their own fashion business.

This is Me Global is an IDB-funded programme under Caribbean InTransit – an arts and education non-profit registered in TT , and targets underserved groups in the Caribbean, including, at-risk youth, women, and people living with HIV/Aids.

This is the second edition of a programme that was started in 2016 by the Caribbean InTransit organisation run by Dr Marielle Barrow and her team.

Supporting partners include the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, UTT , the National Integrated Business Incubation System (IBIS), the Citizens Security programme, Imagine Media and Bene Caribe.

The series provides a vital link between Caribbean InTransit, local school systems, and established social work collectives in the region and internationally.

For more info: Facebook.com @thisismeglobal and on Instagram @this_is_ me_global, 305-0539 or email thisisme@ caribbeanintransit.com

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh welcomed this initiative because the growing impact of NCDs on the economy and society is expected to intensify as the population gets older.

Deyalsingh said these projects have already resulted in the screening of more than 5,000 people by doctors. He said the addition of these clinics, “will significantly extend this reach even more into our communities where more work is needed.” NCRHA chairman Steve De Las said the Authority has been networking with religious organisations and other institutions to provide on site screening. De Las said the NCRHA’s “In Touch” outreach programme, takes the service home to critical patients. NCRHA general manager (primary care services) Dr Abdul Hamid said these clinics make it easier for doctors to spend more time with their patients, as they will be closer to the communities that they serve. Hamid said over time, the clinic at the EW MSC will be able to focus on tertiary level critically-ill patients who can receive more specialised attention from doctors.

The new clinics will simultaneously reduce the volume of patients being treated at the EW MSC’s clinic. The World Health Organisation said NCDs accounted for 80 per cent of deaths in TT in 2014. The schedule for the clinics are as follows- St Joseph Enhanced Centre, Mondays, 8 am to noon; Chaguanas District Health Facility, Tuesdays, 8 am to noon and Arima District Facility, 8 am to noon.

For Muslim women in TT, while fashion is not something new, wearing the hijaab as part of everyday attire is becoming more visible and is encouraging mainstream clothing designers to add a stylish dimension to such wear.

Recently a newly-opened beauty salon staged a Muslim women fashion show which saw a variety of styles of hijaabs and Islamic gowns modelled by Muslim women.

Sponsored by Signature House Is Style, the show was recently held at the salon at Munroe Road, in collaboration with Designer Trendz and Swarovski Designs.

Althea James who is the founder of Signature House Is Style, told scores of Muslim women who attended the show that hijaab- wearing women are becoming more visible in the workplace and on the streets. Mainstream designers have begun to develop such styles of clothing that are more appealling to Muslim women.

S ome of the Muslim women who modelled various type of outfits, were Saadiqua Mohammed, Maimuna Keens Douglas and Risha Mohammed.

Saadiqua wore a navy blue brocade- printed dress with a floral band on the waist.

Her hijaab was a purple viscose cotton adorned with a floral crown. Keens Douglas displayed a rosette on a high-low purple and grey gown, with a grey satin scarf.

Wearing a black gown with champagne details, Risha created quite a stir with a glittering burgundy scarf.

The audience greeted Alexandria Rajcoomar’s ball gown dress with a round of applause.

She complemented her attire with a mint viscose silk scarf.

Radeyah Ali wore a signature designer gown. Her brocade- printed skirt complemented the coffee-shade laser-cut chiffon scarf which she wore.

This was announced by Housing Minister Randall Mitchell during a media tour yesterday of five under-construction HDC developments along Trinidad’s East-West Corridor.

“On or before the end of the year, we will have approximately 360 units that will be added to the housing stock. Throughout the country, we should have about 700 on or before the end of the year that will be added.” This will include, by the end of September, 44 apartments in Building A of the Vieux Fort Housing Development in St James. Another 78 keys are expected to be given out by December, when 36 single family units and 42 townhouse units at the Real Spring Housing Development in Valsayn are scheduled to be completed.

These are phase one units in two of five HDC housing developments for which the total construction cost is approximately $1.2 billion. After visiting Vieux Fort and Real Spring, the media was then taken to see Bon Air North in Lopinot/Bon Air, Trestrail Lands in D’Abadie and River Runs Through in Arima.

“It’s $140 million for Vieux Fort in St James. Real Spring Housing Development (in Valsayn) is $114 million. For this development; Bon Air North, $398 million.

Trestrail Lands (in D’Abadie); those 100 units as well as the townhouse units, that is $564 million, I believe, and for River Runs Through (in Arima), the contract price was around $48 million,” Mitchell said.

In total, these five housing developments would cost about $1.2 billion. In all, the ministry has 23 active construction sites, which Mitchell estimated “would add about 4,500 units to the overall housing stock” by 2020 at an estimated total cost of $2.4 billion.

Asked what sort of dent these 4,500 units would make on the HDC’s waiting list, the minister replied, “Not a significant dent because there are 170,000 persons on the database.” He noted however that the five sites toured yesterday form part of the ministry’s “accelerated housing programme, which is just one programme under our overall housing policy.

“There are some other initiatives we’re bringing forward under the Ministry of Housing; you will hear about it (and) our squatter regularisation programme…in the (upcoming) budget presentation.” The ministry is doing construction at each development in phases so that as units in phase one are completed, they can be given out to applications to the HDC.

Whether units are sold, occupied on a rent-to-own basis or simply rented out, Mitchell said money coming in from the occupancy of phase one of these developments will go towards financing the remaining phases.

“We have prioritised a lot of our developments. So for example, in Vieux Fort, we’ve done it on a phase by phase basis and the money coming in from Victoria Keys (in Diego Martin) would be used as collateral to entering into a loan to fund the completion of Vieux Fort on a phase by phase basis.” “With respect to Real Spring, (that) will also be completed on a phase by phase basis. In fact, the contractor has funded the first phase and the monies that we will get from the allocations of those first 78 units, as well as other monies coming in from our mortgage conversions, we will fund the additional phases.” Mitchell also shared that in terms of Bon Air North, “at the end of first phase, we will have 92 units; both townhouse units and apartments which will be done on or before the end of the year, and we will go onto the other phase.” “Of course, with respect to the economic climate, the way we fund our housing construction programme is partly through Government sources as well as through our mortgage conversion programme.” Regarding the speeded up delivery of completed homes, Mitchell told reporters the ministry and the HDC had “realised that over the last years, there was some time lag between the delivery and allocation, and during that time, there was vandalism, theft.

“Of course, we also realised that, that is a cost burden to the HDC, so we need to allocate them and of course, the home seeker, who really desperately needs shelter, we have them first and foremost in our development plans.” Asked about the money HDC owes contractors, Mitchell said, “right now, about TT $700 million” for the 23 sites currently under construction. An HDC official noted that as contractors are paid, new invoices are certified, “so as we go down (in what’s owed), we go back up.” Meanwhile the Housing Minister was keen to point out the higher quality of work being done at River Runs Through in Arima, thanks to a 22-point Quality Assurance Plan that he came up with in conjunction with HDC Chairman, Newman George and HDC Managing Director, Brent Lyons.

“In the past, one contractor would have been given, say, a $1 billion contract to do 700 units and they would just do the units and when they are finished, then you would discover all the problems.

Now, construction is done via a protocol. So before you do your foundation, the project managers must sign off. After you put up your block walls, the project managers must come and sign off and before you get paid as well, all these things must be signed off and quality checked.

So that is what makes it different and I’m sure you can see the difference in quality with our townhouses and our single family units here,” Mitchell declared with a smile.

It seems that at the moment there is a shortage of field officers at the Ministry of Agriculture, making it almost impossible to eradicate the problem. I posit that it can be solved almost immediately with the implementation of this not-new technology.

A search on the Internet reveals that there are several types of drones available, both in the US and even here in Trinidad, that can do the job. They are relatively inexpensive, about US$1,200 and even lower.

The drones come with HD cameras that can be monitored and recorded from a laptop and they can be airborne for more than 45 minutes on one battery charge with speeds of up to 22 miles an hour, recording all the while.

Picture it: our field officers can pinpoint the location of the poacher and have the evidence from their base before going out to arrest the culprits. No need to employ extra staff in this downturn.

I hear that there are people with the expertise and the equipment right here in Trinidad (I know of none personally) and I am sure if approached they can give a demonstration for, say, a month to prove the usefulness of this technology.

The drones can also be used in locating missing people both at land and at sea. I am not even mentioning the use that the Defence Force can also make of it for patrols.

I love both national birds with a passion and I appeal to the relevant ministry to do something now to wipe out this poaching menace. Do not wait to introduce the technology after all the birds are gone. Get the amateur drone aviators on the job now. One arrest or even the advertisement of the drone use on a trial basis and I feel that all poaching of the birds and other wildlife will stop.

It may be that we already have the equipment here as I seem to remember Gary Griffith recommending it to the then government when he was in the Ministry of National Security as a replacement for the much hated and misunderstood blimp. If so, please immediately deploy the technology.

TERRY INNISS Cascade

Avalon Thompson, a labourer of Lachoos Road, Penal, appeared before Magistrate Ava Vandenberg-Bailey in the Siparia First Magistrate’s Court to answer to the charges. It is alleged that on August 15 he chopped to death 27-year-old Paul Mark Teeluck at the family’s home. His mother Dhanrajayia Thompson was wounded when she allegedly intervened.

She was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital where she underwent emergency surgery.

The charges were laid by Cpl Sunil Ramoutar of the Homicide Region Three. The case was adjourned to September 21.

The event is being produced by The Kaiso Unit in recognition of Crazy’s contribution to the art form.

Crazy is well-known for his rib-tickling humour as well as his social commentaries, infectious soca and parang soca music.

He is one of those artistes who have been able to straddle the political divide and remain relevant, His love for the artform and young people has manifested time and time again in his charitable nature — supporting many artistes over the years, the Unit said. The Kaiso Unit which comprises a group of prominent South-based artistes (led by Ras Kommanda) will honour this living legend who has been an inspiration to hundreds of artistes.

The show begins at 8 pm at the C Phillips Pub and will feature performances from Ras Kommanda, Kenny J, Gary Cordner, Lady Adanna, Versatile, Hamidullah, and Nerukhi (The Conscious Lyricist) and Crazy. The Unit said the show is another example of efforts by calypsonians to promote the national artform all year round and promises to be a memorable one.

The new 18,000 square feet, family entertainment centre includes a variety of attractions such as a large bumper car track and an innovative children’s play area as well as lots of other fun games and activities.

The Chaguanas store was opened in response to feedback from the successful South branch according to CEO Steve Maharaj. “Ever since we opened our first store in South, we received a lot of requests from guests to open a branch in central as their family entertainment needs were not being met. We are pleased to finally bring the FunStation brand to Chaguanas,” Maharaj said.

The new laser tag arena is already popular with both adults and kids as they compete to become the champion of the arena. “It’s nice to see parents and children playing together.

We have also hosted a number of laser team-building events for companies. It’s a great icebreaker for staff.” Both kids and adults can also enjoy the new bumper car track. “The cars are large enough that two adults can fit together in one car. It’s especially fun watching kids’ excited expressions as many of them are driving for the first time.” The Active PlayZone is the newest attraction. It is a two-level fully interactive play area with elements such as ball blasters, obstacle course and a spiral slide. The PlayZone is healthy, active fun for kids. It is always supervised by an attendant as safety is a high priority at FunStation.

Continuous improvement is critical to long-term success, Maharaj says. “TT has a very advanced population when it comes to entertainment. Our company has a philosophy of continuous improvement and we’re always adding new games and attractions. FunStation (South) was the first standalone family entertainment centre locally and the first to have fixed-location bumper cars, carousel, train, rocket ride and mini-bowling. We introduced laser tag to TT and this year we added the Active PlayZone. Now Chaguanas can share in the fun!” FunStation opens everyday including holidays and admission is free.

The event featuring six local rock bands, an Aruban and Canadian band takes place tomorrow at Space La Nouba, South Trunk Road, Gulf View, La Romaine.

“This concert features six local bands, all who have made their own sound within these borders, some of which are flying the flag of Trinidad and Tobago high internationally,” said a media release.

LYNCHPiN, Incert Coin, The Supernormal Band, Alter Rootz, Goodnight Parliament and Bound to Oblivion are the six local bands on the cast. Aruban band This Will Be No More and Canadian Keychain are the two international participants.

According to the release, local band Bound to Oblivion was described as “some of the younger blood in the Trinidad rock scene” and as having what it takes to take TT further in the rock world.

Described as a band which merges TT ’s flavour with rock and roll, fans of Alter Rootz can look forward to hearing the band’s fused sound. “These four individuals have created a sound that encompasses a matrix of Caribbean music fused with the sounds of metal, hip hop, far and Middle Eastern influences. Recently they have come back from representing Trinidad and Tobago in Canada’s Club One Releases Showcase,” the release said. Local grunge-metal band Goodnight Parliament, it said, strives to push musical boundaries and blur the lines of musical genres.

The Supernormal Band, one of the five Wacken Caribbean Metal Battle finalists selected to represent TT in Suriname, will also perform at the concert. The release said, “This four-piece Trinidadian rock band was created in 2008 by founding members Andy Rambharat and Mitch Ramberan and is a melting pot of rock, kaiso, calypso and dancehall…” Described as local hard rock legends, Incert Coin, complete with its new members, will also be there. Fans might hear from the band’s fifth album, And in the end..s’all for naught. Rounding up the TT acts will be Wacken Caribbean Metal Battle finalist and winner, LYNCHPiN.

Another Wacken Caribbean Metal Battle finalist, This Will Be No More, who has toured in Suriname and Mexico, will be the regional act at the concert.

Keychain who has played over 200 shows in four countries this year, including the final night of Festival d’été de Québec (with Gorillaz, Of Mice and Men, etc.), Mexico with Crazy Town, and across Canada with Nothing More, Hed PE and The Devil Wears Prada; will perform some of its hits for attendees.

Tickets are available at various malls.

The activities get going at 6 am with a 5K marathon for adults and a 3K run for the children with am added bonus of complimentary massages for race participants.

Breakfast, lunch, drinks and snacks will be on sale and a variety of stalls as well as Purple Dragon products will be on sale. Other activities include bubble football, tug of war and an aerobic burnout will complete the events.

The Ministry of Health will also be on site to offer blood pressure testing, cholesterol and blood sugar tests.

Additional entertainment will be provided by a DJ and moko jumbies.

The organisers are inviting the public to support the event as part proceeds will assist with the medical expenses for one of the Purple Dragon instructors.

For more info and registration for marathons check Facebook