Three persons, including two teenagers, died on the spot yesterday when the  van in which they were travelling skidded off the road and overturned in a ditch at Gran Couva.

Dead are the driver of the ill-fated van Madoo Ramlal, 44, Luke Rampersad, 19, and Sheldon Siewnarine, 15 of Poona Road, Williamsville. A one-year-old baby boy who was seated with relatives in the tray of the van suffered minor injuries, while six others were treated for serious injuries at the Couva Hospital. Reports revealed that around 2 pm yesterday, the 10 occupants of the van left their Williamsville home and were heading towards Waterfall Road, Gran Couva, where they had planned to spend a quiet afternoon, bathing in the river and cooking in a makeshift fireside at the edge of the river.

According to an eyewitness, the driver of the van was proceeding west along the Corossal Road, when the vehicle picked up a skid, overturned and ended up in a ditch. The eyewitness claimed that  he was standing at the side of the roadway when he witnessed the incident. Villagers of Gran Couva ran to the area of the accident and attempted to pull the injured from the overturned van. Fire Officers were also summoned to the scene. Reports revealed that the one-year-old child was the first to be pulled out from the overturned van. He appeared unhurt, but six of his relatives suffered cuts, bruises and broken bones.

A further check revealed that the driver and the two teenagers who were seated next to the driver appeared to be dead. The three were removed from the blood stained van and placed on the Corossal Road. The driver of the van appeared badly crushed while the two dead teenagers suffered massive head injuries. Relatives of the dead three were quickly on the scene, and were seen trying to render assistance to the injured. Officials from the Emergency Health Services took the injured to hospital. Newsday learned that the dead driver worked at Kenny Mohammed Hardware at Williamsville as a driver. Snr Supt Phillip Carmona, ASP Anthony Bernard, Sgt Jeff Jackson and others visited the scene of the fatalities. The van was later towed to the Gran Couva Police Station. ACP Deochand Gosein, the Head of Traffic Branch said that 37 persons have been killed in road deaths for the year so far. Those 37 deaths occurred as a result of 25 road accidents.

SINGING SANDRA made a mockery of Chalkdust’s calypso by snatching the Calypso Monarch title away from him early yesterday morning…..just so.

Although she captured the Calypso Queen title eight days ago, many felt that the Monarch race was between veteran Chalkdust and Revue’s Skatie. But Sandra had other ideas and at the end of a fiercely contested battle, Sandra won the Honda Civic car and $70,000 cash, leaving Chalkdust and Skatie to fill second and third positions respectively. While a new Calypso Monarch was crowned at the Dimanche Gras show at the Queen’s Park Savannah, the King and Queen of Carnival titles remained in the hands of Curtis Eustace and Alana Ward respectively. Both winners come from Legends’ Bedazzled.

But it was the Calypso Monarch title which was the highlight of the night. Singing in position No 10, Sandra scored heavily in the first round with her nation building tune “For Whom the Bells Toll.” She was easily in front at the end of the first round with Chalkdust a close second with “The Rowley Letter.”  It was Chalkdust who reversed matters in the second round with his witty “Just So”. He won sustained applause with this selection which tells how Trinbagonians operate…just so. While Sandra did well in the second round with “Ancient Rhythms”, there was a general feeling that Chalkdust had the edge over Skatie, who eventually managed third place with “In Just Six Years” and “One Man and One Man Alone.” When the results were announced at 1.40 am, a jubilant and tear-filled Singing Sandra walked onto the stage to receive the keys for her new Honda Civic from Minister of Culture Penelope Beckles. She was surrounded by supporters and well-wishers, while some astonished patrons remained in both the Grand and North Stands looking at the crowning ceremony.

The 2002 Monarch Sugar Aloes failed to impress ending in seventh position with “My Only Wish” and “Where’s Dorothy”. He even experienced audio problems during his second selection, but he was allowed to sing over the tune by the judges. But it was not good enough to seriously challenge the leaders. That was evident from the Calypso King finals and the category finals at Calypso Fiesta a week ago. Another disappointment was former Monarch Shadow who placed ninth with “Find Peace” and “Come meet meh family”. Patrons expected Shadow to perform “Go Round So” but that was changed at the last minute.

In the King of Carnival category, Curtis Eustace lived up to expectation, taking the title with “D Sky is D Limit” from the band Bedazzled. Second was Roland St George with “Schizo, the Agony of Xtacy” from Bedazzled. Third place went to Geraldo Vieira Jr portraying “Trouble in de Bamboo” from the band Gathering of the Tribes. Alana Ward walked away with the Queen title with “Fire in D Sky” from Bedazzled. Second was Inez Gould “Chalahiuhtlicue – Goddess of Lakes” from the band Gathering of the Tribes. Third place went to Peola Marchan with “Carnival Goddess of Peace and Love” from the band Forever Carnival, Carnival Forever. Tribute was paid to the late musician Andre Tanker who died last Friday of a heart attack. His name was fitted into Sparrow’s classic “Memories” just as the Dimanche Gras show got underway. Outgoing President Arthur NR Robinson and his wife Patricia attended the Dimanche Gras show.

EXODUS has scored a double for 2003.

After taking the National Panorama title on Saturday night, the St Augustine-based band returned at the Dimanche Gras show one night later to capture Pan Trinbago’s 40th anniversary competition at the Queen’s Park Savannah. There were special rules for this competition. Bands had to play compositions published or sung between 1963 and 1983. They had to have no less than 50 members and no more than 75 and had to remain on stage no longer than six minutes.

Exodus, playing in position number two, delivered Short Shirt’s “Tourist Leggo” and walked away with the title and $50,000. Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove, which placed second in the National Panorama finals, was second, earning $30,000. Phase II chose Sparrow’s hit “Natasha”. Solo Pan Knights collected $25,000 for third place with Sparrow’s “Obeah Wedding”. Tobago’s Our Boys also collected $25,000 for fourth place with another Sparrow composition “Pussy Cat.” BWIA Invaders placed fifth with “Bassman” by Shadow. The Woodbrook band earned $20,000. The sixth and final place was taken by Arima Nutones, which played “This is Madness” by David Rudder. That placing earned the band $20,000.

A steelband competition returned to the Dimanche Gras for the first time since the 1980s. But its inclusion on the Dimanche Gras ensured that the programme went on longer. The time taken up by the six bands to perform was exactly 85 minutes. While the audience accepted the six bands and the tunes of choice, many felt the competition should not have been held on Dimanche Gras night. The decision to have this competition was taken by the National Carnival Commission (NCC).

With worry and stress temporarily put aside, euphoria reigned yesterday as hundreds of masqueraders crossed the stage of the Queen’s Park Savannah (QPS) for the Parade of the Bands, which is back under the auspices of the National Carnival Commission after five years. 

In typical form Harts Ltd was first on stage with its 2003 presentation “The Strip.”  Storming on stage to “It’s Carnival” revellers wore only a part of their costume and the visual effect was a mix of coloured spandex, beads, sequins. They took approximately 20 minutes to dance across the stage to the strains of Faye Ann Lyons’ “Display”, KMC’s “Rags” and Iwer’s “Ah Home.” Lyons seems set to follow in her father’s (Superblue) footsteps by taking her first road march title with “Display”, which was the most popular tune of choice with many bands. But she has strong competition from Destra (Garcia) and Machel (Montano) “It’s Carnival.”  David Rudder and Carl Jacobs “Trini to the Bone” was popular for bands portraying traditional mas.

Rosalind Gabriel’s Presentation for the Junior Carnival “Melting Pot” made a guest appearance  and was well received by the medium sized audience in the North and Grand stands. Masquerade and Funtasia combined this year to bring “Colours of the Wind” which crossed the stage with some semblance of ordered sections all in keeping with the theme. Among the sections were “Snow Storm”, “Typhoon,” “Desert Storm” and “South Sea Winds.” Destra with accompanying band Atlantik kept the throngs flowing across the stage with “It’s Carnival.”

Providing a break from the pretty mas was Ronald and Rodney Alfred’s Original Whip Masters tribute to Nigel Baker. The Jab Jabs, dressed in traditional brightly coloured striped costumes entertained the audience by showcasing their skills with the whip. They were soon followed by Trini Revellers “Gathering of the Tribes” which also had sections blending into each other. One masquerader used the opportunity to send a message of “No War” as she jumped to “Display.” King of the band Geraldo Vieira playing “Trouble in De Bamboo” was last to exit the stage at 1.25 pm. There was a 15 minute lull during which an individual in a costume whose theme was hard to distinguish took full advantage of the empty stage.

Traditional mas characters firemen and fancy sailors were next on stage in Mt Hope Connection in conjunction with Malick Folk Performers presentation of “A Sailors Dream.” In keeping with their characters the masqueraders did fireman and sailor dances to “Trini to the Bone.” Ten minutes later Skandal-Us followed. Other bands crossing the stage before 3 pm were Rampage’s “D Gathering”, Good Hope Associates “All That Splendor”, and President of the National Carnival Band’s Association Richard Afong’s “Come se Come Sa.”  Faye Ann Lyons was on the Island Vibes music truck singing her hit song. Off stage several bands waited to cross—Belmont Original Sailors, Burokeets International, Young Aming and Associates and Anthony Jackman’s “Sioux Festival.” Frederick Street was clear for several blocks. From Park Street Clare Moreau and Associates band “Desire and Pride” was heading towards the Savannah. Minister of National Security Howard Chin Lee with an entourage of security was at the QPS “taking a walk around.”

As the Parade of Bands began yesterday in Downtown Port-of-Spain, bands  were few and far in between as only two of the bigges Carnival bands crossed the judging point on South Quay within the space of three hours.

First to cross yesterday was Barbarosa at approximately 1.30 pm. Patrons in the downtown stands seemed eager to begin viewing the colourful display, as they had begun filling the stands from as early as 11 am. Penny Afong, wife of Barbarosa’s bandleader Richard Afong, revealed that the 14-section band was comprised of some 2,500 masqueraders. As the masqueraders “chipped” along to the music, Penny Afong watched from the sidelines to ensure that everything ran smoothly. She also stated that the band contained five music trucks, which included two live bands — Traffik with Faye Ann Lyons and Naya George, and Island Vibe. Following Barbarosa was the mini band “Sioux Festival.” Persons hustling to find a band stopped to watch, enthralled as the Apache Indians performed their dances accompanied by the occasional war cries.

Port-of-Spain Mayor Murchison Brown received the US Ambassador Roy Austin and family, as they too wished to take in the sights and sounds of Carnival 2003. Crossing at 2.30 pm and taking a half hour to cross the judging point, was one of the favorites — Legends. Their presentation for this year, Bedazzled, was led by the 2003 King and Queen of Carnival, Curtis Eustace and Alana Ward, in their masterpieces “The Sky Is The Limit” and “A Fire In The Sky” respectively. Leading the rest of the band was Juliet de la Bastide, while bandleaders Mike Antoine and Ian McKenzie directed the eager masqueraders.  Music for the 16 sections is being provided by Square One, Triple X, Sound FX and a popular DJ.

Masqueraders thoroughly enjoyed themselves yesterday, despite the scorching sun, and were guaranteed personal safety as the band boasts some 325 security personnel, stated Mike Antoine. Questioned as to whether they were confident that they could cop the title of Band of the Year, Antoine replied that this was all Legends had been working towards, in addition to staying on top. “I am confident that we will win” concluded Antoine, who appeared to be relaxed and happy.

Trevor Thomas is the 2003 Jouvert King and Patricia Goddard,  the Jouvert Queen.

Thomas  dressed as a medical doctor in white coat and carrying his medical kit began administering injections depicting what was written on his placard “Ah want to injek sum peace in this country” impressed the judges and the city crowd which won him the title of Jouvert King 2003. Goddard, the Jouvert Queen, portraying a newspaper reporter with negative reports on her outfit claiming the reports were “Painting T&T Black” also got the judges attention which contributed to her being crowned Jouvert Queen. 

Inspite of all the controversy and fears that Carnival 2003 would be affected by reports of crime and possible terrorist attacks Jouvert began on a good footing and was declared opened by the Mayor of Port-of- Spain, Murchison Brown, promptly at 4 am at South Quay in downtown Port of Spain. All paying patrons who occupied the stands were seated quite comfortably, while the spectators gathered behind the iron bars along South Quay awaiting the parade of ole mas and Jouvert bands.

A large police presence headed by Police Commissioner Hilton Guy, Assistant Commissioners Winston Cooper and Everald Snaggs and other officers created the assurance of security for all present to witness Jouvert. Asst Commissioner,Winston Cooper said zero tolerance would be accepted “even if one is caught with a penknife, he or she would be locked up and released on Ash Wednesday. Asked if  there is the manpower and facilities to cater for this, his smiling response was “yes.” Mud mas again dominated the early morning celebration as several bands all muddied, passed the stage. Some of the other bands which paraded before the judges minus the mud were; Rhythm Drummers, TT Limers, Merry Tones _Nasty Nasty Marabunta Ants, and others.

Final results of Indivduals category were:

Male:
1st Trevor Thomas- Ah want To injek sum peace in dis country.
2nd Peter Christopher- Its Rubber to Trini to D Bone.
3rd Mervyn Foncette- D Hi Cost of Communication.

Female:
1st Patricia Goddard- Newspaper reporter Printing T&t Black.
2nd Helen Fullard- A battered Woman  
3rd Gloria Jones- Celebration of a Nation 40th Independence.

UNC leader, Basdeo Panday, wife Oma, President-elect Max Richards, David Rudder’s “Trini-to-de-bone” 2003 offering and Education Minister’s Hazel Manning infamous “breakfasses” slip were among the most popular depictions at Jouvert 2003 celebrations in San Fernando, yesterday. San Fernando West MP, Diane Seukeran, and Police Commissioner, Hilton Guy also made unexpected appearances at the celebrations which saw one of the largest turn-outs in recent years.

The festivities were declared open by San Fernando Mayor, Gerard Ferreira at 5.50 am, calling on revellers for a “clean, safe Carnival,” while having “good, clean fun.” First band to cross the Harris Promenade judging point was, “Brown Sugar Boys,” who declared their intentions when a female masquerader, carrying a placard reading, “Oma have a big a “count”, courted a male masquerade who was outfitted in a cardboard suit stuffed with “pounds”, with one pound in a strategic location below the groin. Another masquerader was then pounded with a mallet while carrying a placard reading, “oh-mah gets pounds.” While three revellers “jammed” in front the judges under the banner: “A wining president.” Not to be left out were several “Trinis to de bone and skin,” as one extremely thin reveller proudly displaying all of his natural “Trini” bones for the bemused audience. The Sando Warriors presentation of “Sando in K US” followed, with several masqueraders carrying signs reading: “fish market too smelly,” “flood in de bowl,” “ah spring in Vale, with no water” and “el(r)ection paving.”

Then it was the turn of Jouvert Lovers with “Never a dull moment” who proclaimed “Oma have stones” as an extremely endowed woman paraded across the stage, with two large green balloons hanging from her costume. Another proclaimed “Panday have real pounds” while president elect Max Richards was described as “de president like jam and wine,” while a Sadiq Baksh impersonator darted from side to side under the banner “Sadique fraid to appear.” Then it was the turn of the Blue Boys with their presentation of “Blame it on Bas” who blamed the spiralling crime rate on “thong bandits controlling Patrick”. A female “Education Minister” impersonator followed, in a brightly coloured dress, and carrying a menu that read “Hazel breakfasses: eggss, bakess and sharkess, baconss, and buljolss.” National Security Minister, Howard Chin Lee, also came in for special mention when one reveller revealed “Town say Chin Lee must leave the security wok,” and promptly discarded his uniform into a giant wok.

Not to be left out was San Fernando West MP, Diane Seukeran, who appeared in Artherly’s by the park presentation, “Balisier save we” under the banner “bringing out the youth vote.” According to Artherly’s, TT was saved from “Sad dick,” “Ganja singh,” “Oma baba and the 40 thieves,” and “Kamla “ah want pipe.” While the southern “Trini to we bone” band explained the UNC’s defeat at the 2002 general elections ad “Manning give Panday bone,” and “PNM give dem bone.” Several mud bands and steel orchestras also paraded before the judges providing an entertaining mix for the large crowd of spectators who had gathered from as early as 4 am. Afterwards Police Commissioner, Hilton Guy, said he was “satisfied” with security arrangements for Jouvert celebrations after walking through a thick crowd of revellers and spectators who had congregated on the Promenade. He appealed to the public to “behave” themselves, saying the police was ready to deal with any “lawbreakers.”

TUNAPUNA came good for jouvert yesterday.

There were Ole Mas bands galore. People came out in their numbers and the Chairman of the Tunapuna Carnival Improvement Committee, Bert Goodridge said he was happy that after years of non-participation, people seem convinced that Tunapuna is the mecca of carnival celebrations on the East-West corridor. More than 14 bands passed before the judges outside Repubic Bank East. Assistant Superinten-dent Leon Anthony, the police officer in charge of the Tunapuna station said he too was extremely happy, not only about the way Tunapunians and outsiders enjoyed themselves, “but crowd behaviour was really nice”, and he expects today the pattern would even be better. Some of the bands that paraded included – Trini to the Bone, Tropical Wave, Stone Age, Colour We, Holiday in Hawai and Rainbow Colours.

Police officers from the Port-of-Spain CID dressed in plain green jerseys mingled with Jouvert revellers on streets in Port-of-Spain and arrested 55 persons for a series of offences.

During that same exercise, officers seized five guns and a quantity of weapons including knives, cutlasses, and a pick-axe. Police officers believe that the large police presence and the seizure of the weapons ensured that stabbings, fights and crime were kept to a minimum. The exercise which started at 1 am saw a large contingent of police officers dressed in plain green jerseys mingling with the crowd of Jouvert revellers. Officers chose persons at random and carried out searches with the assistance of army officers. Several women were also searched and weapons found in their possession.

Senior officers said yesterday that the exercise was a major success. They added that several crimes normally associated with Jouvert were avoided because of the seizures and arrests. They added that special surveillance was paid on tourists who are normally targetted during the celebrations. Visitors were advised to stay away from certain areas and streets where crime is known to be rampant. Officers expressed concern over the type of weapons seized especially the pick-axe and rambo type knives. Yesterday, Police Commissioner Hilton Guy was high in praise of the work of the officers in Port-of-Spain, and added that the success was due to the planning, surveillance and groundwork of the officers involved. He said that all security measures were put in place, and he was happy to note that the Jouvert was crime free. He said that he expected today’s street mas celebrations to also be crime free based on the measures which will be implemented. The exercise yesterday was organised by ACP Crime Oswyn Allard and Snr Supt Reyes. It was led by Ag Supt Errol Denoon and included officers of the Port-of-Spain CID.