Dusk turned slowly into night.

Flambeaux created silhouettes, heightening the atmosphere created by the smell of the sea and the sound of the waves.

Our stories moved from legends of the First Peoples, to Anansi and Papa Bois. Then came the final tale, that of La Diablesse. Suddenly, without warning, a figure dressed head to toe in white with a broadbrimmed hat and cackling laugh emerged from behind the audience of parents and small children.

“Oh sh..!” The first adult to realise what was going on jumped and almost fell off his chair. Children started to cry, run away and hold on to their mothers. In our view, storytelling on the beach was a great success.

Through the initiative of the staff of the Tourism Development Company (TDC), the community storytelling series carried local oral traditions to the people, a brilliant concept that should have been continued.

I remembered these experiences as we talked in class with a sense of nostalgia about the closure of the TDC, to be replaced by two new, separate entities, promising more strategic harnessing of our cultural products.

The desire for the new organisations to work is tempered by decades of disappointment. There is much that is still not addressed in the approach to our creative industries, either as areas key to our advancement as a nation or as viable options for economic diversification. National projects like community storytelling are not sustained, so their potential to build the character of our citizens is never fully attained.

It is not easy to understand this persistent refusal to support creative and heritage industries to make even greater contributions to the overall finances of the country.

As one commentator writes, “the case for spending public money on culture is greatly weakened by this failure to fully get to grips with its relationship to the economy.” Certainly, at some levels the analysis has been done, for instance, regarding elements of our Carnival, whether room occupancy or expenditure on food and entertainment by visitors. As stated by a local online report some 10 years ago, the cultural and creative sector “makes an important contribution to the economy in terms of employment, exports and foreign exchange earnings.” Unfortunately, the report noted that the business, investment and managerial environments do not do enough to support the workers in this field.

In addition to Carnival, it is time that we also evaluate the worth of smaller, community-based activities, from Gatka in central Trinidad to the Patois festival in Caparo or the dirt oven in Parlatuvier. The truth is, we may understand the intangible value of our culture and heritage, but there is still a tremendous amount of work to be done to fully tabulate how much they are worth.

It is important to note that such an exercise would not be driven by a financial motive. Increased knowledge and awareness of our cultural and heritage endeavours will redound to the community, ensure profits for investors and benefit the country in the long term.

A regulatory body is supposed to be an integral aspect of the new incarnation of the TDC. While this is welcomed, decision-makers need to have a clear vision for institutional strengthening, international promotion of our culture and supporting small and micro practitioners to access opportunities for funding and capacity building.

After so many years of talk, perhaps it is time to summon La Diablesse, Lagahoo, Soucouyant and others to roam the corridors of power, so they can scare up some meaningful action to take our creative and cultural sectors forward.

Dara Healy is a performance artist and founder of the NGO, the Indigenous Creative Arts Network – ICAN

“I have seen on Facebook lovely letters from him,” she said. “On the UTT library’s behalf, I am asking you to share them and to put them into the permanent collection.” Manning spoke with the media on Thursday at the viewing of the collection, “The Life and Times of Patrick Augustus Mervyn Manning” mounted by the University of Trinidad and Tobago at the Adult Library of the National Library in Port of Spain.

Manning, her son David, other relatives and friends viewed the collection of some 3,000 exhibits on the occasion of the late prime minister’s 71st birth anniversary.

The pieces date back to 1971 when Manning first entered Parliament as MP for San Fernando East.

Among the exhibits was a video documentary of Manning’s life. It was viewed against the background music of Frank Sinatra’s My Way, a favourite of Patrick Manning.

Asked how she felt viewing the exhibits on the occasion of his birthday, Mrs Manning said, “I feel sad, very sad. Lots of memories.” Earlier she was explaining stories behind the pictures. “A lot of the stories are not known.

We will have to sit with them and go through as much as we know.” On the exhibits in the collection, she said, “The exhibition gives the essence of Patrick, who he was, how hard he worked.” Asked what stood out, she said, the document, Vision 20/20, “It was his dream and his vision that we could do much more because we have the resources. We have the talent.” She said he believed citizens “could do so much more. He believed that the natural resources would be depleted at some point in time and that human resources would have to take over for the sustainable development of the country.

Based on that he was very much active in getting Vision 20/20 to do that.” Meanwhile, she said, the commemorative committee established to honour her husband’s memory and which she heads, is putting together a programme that includes the publication of a book about his legacy and good governance.

The book will look at the system of good and sustainable governance, integrity, and the potential which could be realised.

“So that at the end of the day, we could do very, very well and be an example to the world, as small as we are.

That was his dream.

That was his thinking,” she said.

The committee also held a church service to mark Patrick Manning’s death anniversary. It is working on a lecture series.

Asked how one could pay homage to Manning in the absence of a site to him, Mrs Manning said, “Just go to church.

Go to church and say a prayer for him.” Of the exhibition, the Mannings’ son David said, “I am forced to compare Patrick Manning, the man, to the vision he had for his country. The country needs to remember what he did, who he was, and the plans he had for the country.” UTT chief librarian Martha Preddie said UTT was proud to be selected to house the collection.

When Manning demitted office, she said, he handed over his collection which included photographs, plaques, some personal artefacts and books that showed not only his political work and international visits but the personal side to him.

The collection is to be housed at the UTT Signature Campus at Tamana which is nearing completion. Plans are also in train to have a roving exhibition periodically before it becomes a standing collection.

In a release, Dr Virginia Asin-Oostburg, director, Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control urged people to take the necessary precautions to prevent and reduce the spread of this illness. CARPHA said conjunctivitis referred to inflammation of the membrane covering the whites of the eyes and the inside of the eyelids. The congestion of blood vessels in this membrane gives rise to a reddened appearance and explains the more common names “red eye or pink eye.” The most common causes of conjunctivitis are viruses, bacteria, and allergens. Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are very contagious and can spread easily from person to person.

Eye symptoms can include, redness, irritation, itchiness, production of excessive tears, clear or yellow discharge that may make the eyelids stick together, especially on mornings, and swelling of the eye lids.

CARPHA advised members of the public to practice good hygiene. They advised people to avoid close contact with those with conjunctival symptoms, keep unwashed hands away from face and eyes. Also avoid sharing personal items such as pillows, wash cloths, towels, eye drops, eye makeup, face makeup, makeup brushes, contact lenses and, contact lens containers, or eyeglasses and disinfect frequently- touched surfaces in common areas, (for example doorknobs, counter-tops in shared spaces).

When contacted Dr Kaiawa Clarke, medical doctor in the ophthalmology department at the Port of Spain General Hospital, said he was aware of the release from CARPHA and indicated that he had not seen an increase of people at the hospital with conjunctivitis.

“I cannot really say I have seen an increase in conjunctivitis patients coming in Port-of-Spain at least right now. Usually when it is in season three or four people will come in per day and I can’t remember when last I saw a conjunctivitis patient.” Clarke said with conjunctivitis, the main thing to reduce the spread of it, is hygiene because it is very infectious.

He said there was a need to do a lot of hand washing, and washing of pillows to really reduce the risk, “Once you get it you just have to run its course, and there is no real treatment to stop it.” He continued, “Some people can have conjunctivitis for a week, or three weeks and if it is a complicated viral conjunctivitis, you can actually have problems for a couple of months afterwards.

But the main thing is hygiene, it is the take home message if you want to stop the spread of conjunctivitis.”

Phoenix went ahead in the 10 th minute, through an own goal by Marcus Ramkhalawan, before Shaquille Ferrier responded for the hosts in the 66th.

Carlon Hughes gave Guaya a 2-1 advantage when he netted in the 75th, and he put the game beyond doubt when he struck in the 90th.

National striker Keron Clarke scored a second half treble to guide FC Santa Rosa to a 4-0 drubbing of Police at the St James Barracks.

Rashad Griffith broke the deadlock in the 72nd before Clarke got his name on the scoresheet, in the 74th, 81st and 90th.

Cunupia were also in winners’ row last Sunday, as they blanked Bethel FC 2-0 at the Mt Gomery Recreation Ground. Stevon Stoute scored both goals, in the 21st and 77th.

And Theon James found the back of the net, in the 22nd, as the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT ) pipped hosts Queen’s Park 1-0 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium’s Training Ground, Mucurapo.

Siparia Spurs and WASA played to a goalless draw at the Palo Seco Recreation Ground while the game between Defence Force and Club Sando Moruga, at the Defence Force Sports Ground in Chaguaramas, was abandoned.

In League Two action last Saturday, Prisons remained atop the standings after a narrow 2-1 win over Marabella FCC at the Youth Training Centre (YTC) Ground, Arouca.

Levi Garcia (own goal – seventh) and Barry Carrington (eighth) were on target for Prisons while Marabella pulled one back from Russel Orie (14th).

Jamal Lucas netted in the 72nd as Perseverance Ball Runners edged Central 500 Spartans 1-0 at the New Settlement Recreation Ground while Harlem Strikers defeated Youth Stars 2-1 at the Frederick Settlement Recreation Ground.

Corie Dhandoolal (seventh and 13th) got both items for Harlem, with Kevin Woodley getting the consolation for Youth Stars, from the penalty spot, in the 35th.

Weekend Fixtures – TO DAY (League Two): Youth Stars vs Petit Valley/Diego Martin United, Roxborough Complex, 5 pm; Marabella Family CC vs Harlem Strikers, Guaracara Park, 6 pm; Central 500 Spartans vs Prisons, Edinburgh 500 Recreation Ground, 7 pm; (League One): UTT vs FC Santa Rosa, O’Meara Campus, Arima, 7 pm.

TO M ORRO W (League One): Club Sando Moruga vs Bethel United, Grand Chemin Recreation Ground, Moruga; Defence Force vs Guaya United, Defence Force Sports Field, Chaguaramas; Cunupia FC vs Queen’s Park, Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima, 4 pm; WASA vs Police, WASA Ground, St Joseph, 4.30 pm; 1976 Phoenix FC vs Siparia Spurs, Canaan/ Bon Accord Recreation Ground, 5 pm.

Young also said Government retained its confidence in the board of the Port Authority at this time.

He told reporters it was not uncommon for several entities to be simultaneously conducting investigations into the same issue. Young cited a commission of enquiry (COE), police investigation and Central Bank investigations into the Clico/ CL Financial fiasco as an example. He said contrary to some media reports, the Port Authority is not conducting any probe into the procurement of the Ocean Flower II and the Cabo Star. He said a statement issued by the Port Authority was in reference to Mouttet’s appointment.

Young said Mouttet is being provided with resources from his ministry to undertake a fact finding assignment and submit a report to Rowley in 30 days. He reiterated that if the findings of Mouttet’s report warrant either civil or criminal action to be taken, the Government will act accordingly. Reminding reporters that the Integrity Commission is free to conduct its own probe into this matter, Young said, “There is no crossing of the lines.” He also said Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, as a former member of the Basdeo Panday Cabinet, is well aware that Mouttet’s appointment is not unique. Young said Persad-Bissessar was involved in that cabinet’s decisions to appoint former judge Jim Davis to look into the Police Service using Cherokee Jeeps

A storm system, which was described by residents as a tornado, did damage to at least a dozen homes and disrupted the provision of basic utilities.

“In a minute or two it did all this destruction in the bedroom and toilet area,” said resident Elvis Harricharan. “To experience something like this was really unbelievable.” But believe it or not, the reality is this type of intense, localised weather is a facet of the overall meteorological profile of Trinidad and Tobago.

The advent of the hurricane season rightly focuses attention on preparation for major storm activity. Tropical storms and hurricanes have proven devastating in territories directly affected by them.

But outside of these major storms, do we take the possibility of bad weather seriously? What the events on Thursday demonstrate is that even smaller, freak storms can do tremendous damage. They can pose a threat to life and limb. They can damage infrastructure and leave families homeless.

Therefore, authorities and communities must also take these matters seriously. We must never lose sight of the fact that during the hurricane season there is the potential for dangerous bad weather to occur.

This means local government corporations should always be ready to offer assistance where merited.

We hope the citizens of Oropouche affected by the storm are able to secure shelter and provisions during this time of need.

Siparia Regional Corporation chairman Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh was at the scene on Thursday. But the corporation must do more than simply make appearances and telephone calls.

Each regional corporation should have emergency facilities in place to offer immediate support to any family affected by a natural disaster.

Further, assistance which has been made available in the form of home repair grants should be quickly and efficiently processed.

These smaller storms are good barometers of readiness for the larger storm systems which we have luckily managed to escape thus far. If damage is being done to households due to localised systems, then we must question whether the housing stock is adequately shored up to withstand bigger threats.

There needs to be a clear and consistent building code which safeguards human life and property. Such a code must be a guideline to all constructions and should also be regularly refreshed to ensure changes in circumstances take place.

It is clear that some codes and practices do exist within the construction and engineering sectors.

Yet, one of the issues raised at two inquiries into public construction projects – the Uff inquiry and the Las Alturas inquiry – is the extent to which there is uniform compliance.

There are serious doubts as to whether the local Town and Country Planning agencies are able to work effectively and consistently throughout all communities.

The economics of house ownership, as well as the proliferation of unplanned housing communities, have made these matters all the more complex.

Citizens would, therefore, do well to be mindful of the need for sound building practices.

And also for the need to be prepared for any eventuality, even the storms between storms.

While I applaud the people who embrace fat people and make life easy for them, there are those who get kicks off them and engage in mental terrorism.

They don’t understand the hurt fat people go through on a daily basis, as they are bullied, verbally abused, called names and humiliated through bad jokes, in the home, on the streets, in offices, while using public transport and at gatherings.

It is high time people stop this nonsense.

Not everyone could withstand the onslaught. Some who can’t end up being depressed with the attendant mental problems and suffer silently. There are those who fight back using creative language.

Some of the names fat people are called are “fatso,” “bobolups,” “fat pig,” “big belly,” “big guts,” “roly poly” and “plus size.” On getting into a taxi they are sometimes asked, “Yuh paying for two seats?” How about “Doh buss meh shocks, eh.” Then there is “Go in the back seat, yuh go squeeze meh.” Or “Yuh should go in the trunk.” As fat people go about their daily lives, there are those who offer advice like, “Yuh eating too much,” “Yuh living in the kitchen,” “How yuh fat so? Yuh need to join ah gym or run round the Queen’s Park Savannah,” “Yuh belly go buss,” “Yuh shirt cyar button.” Or they may be asked, “Yuh making twins?” Lord, when will it end? It is high time influential people speak out.

KEITH ANDERSON via emai

However he reminded reporters at the post-Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s, that discussions are still ongoing with Sandals. He also said he was aware that the CL Financial (CLF) shareholders have a hearing on October 20 for leave to appeal to the Privy Council on the Appeal Court’s decision to appoint provisional liquidators for CLF.

Earlier in the briefing, Social Development Minister Cherrie Ann Critchlow-Cockburn said Cabinet approved a national social mitigation plan, “to cushion the impact of the economic downturn” on the citizens.

She said the people targeted included the retrenched, unemployed, low income families, youths and people with disabilities.

She also said the recommendations in this plan will form part of the upcoming 2017/2018 Budget.

Fans will have the option of purchasing a ticket to be in either of the three party sections that will be created with a closer vantage point to the playing pitch with entertainment and drinks inclusive options.

The three party groups the TT FA have teamed up with are Fantasy and Entice, Warrior Posse by Winerboy Entertainment and the Illusions Family.

Fans can purchase tickets for the respective groups immediately.

Warrior Posse tickets will be available at All Out Restaurant, Queen’s Park Oval and Cellmates (opposite Medford Gas Station, Chaguanas) while for Fantasy and Entice, interested persons can call 221-4966 or any Fantasy/Entice committee member and Illusions Family can be reached at 708-5183 and 320 7024.

Patrons purchasing their tickets from these sections will also access the TT versus Jamaica Friendly at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on August 24 for free, using the same ticket. The TT FA will also create a Fan Zone just inside the main entrance to the venue in collaboration with Teqball Trinidad and Tobago.

Teqball which is already globally popular, is a new and revolutionary sports equipment that took over two years’ testing and research to eventually develop its final innovative and sophisticated shape.

Teqball’s rules and guidelines makes it fun and mentally challenging as it also improves player’s skill level, first touch, stamina and confidence.

The structure of Teqball table, aligned with the rules, does not allow luck or chance to interfere with the game; players can only rely on their skills and abilities.

wFans will have the opportunity to win attractive giveaways at the Fan Zone. Match kick off time on September 1 is 8pm.

The odds will be highly stacked against them to pull off a victory against the high-flying Nationals. In another encounter at 5:30 pm at the Guaracas grounds, sixth placed St Augustine FC will face off against Petrotrin. Petrotrin have found their feet of late, crushing Club Sando on Tuesday 4-0 to find themselves sitting comfortable in third place and will be hoping to do the same against a St Augustine FC side coming off a 5-1 thumping on Tuesday by an aggressive Trincity Nationals outfit. In the first Division, third placed Defence Force will play second placed Jewels FC. With a win, Defence Force can leapfrog Jewels FC and put themselves only one point behind St Augustine Juniors at the top. This game kicks off at 4pm.

STANDINGS: Super League Division – 1.

Flow Sports Real Dimension 24 pts; 2. Trincity Nationals 18 pts; 3. Petrotrin 15 pts; 4. Mic-it- St Ann’s Rangers 11 pts; 5. QPCC 10 pts; 6. St Augustine FC 8 pts; 7. Tobago Chicas 7 pts; 8. Club Sando 6 pts.

First Division – 1. St Augustine FC 11 pts ; 2. Jewels FC 9 pts; 3. Defence Foce 7 pts; 4.

Sweaters Women 7 pts; 5. Malvern 3 pts.