Under their noise-making, I would be encouraged by the revelation of the group’s spokesman that these workers have been coming up with their own designs for important utensils such as a funnel and a swizzle in the absence of these being supplied on time by their employer.

And I would pay special attention to what she said about workers bringing their own blenders and other utensils to make sure they could deliver for the patients of the institution.

While I would secretly wonder at the possible causes of scarcity in the first place, I would let my heart feel uplifted at the way these workers — as it appears — are treasuring their jobs and going beyond the call of duty to serve in these times of constant complaints and threats to strike. I would also take careful note of the spokesman’s complaint of the workers feeling “taken for granted.” As a Prime Minister discerning the positive message coming from the hospital’s kitchen staff, I would appreciate the deeper spirit of resilience, tolerance and optimism that characterises our people.

And I would look to see how my Government can tap into this spirit as a means of navigating the future social storm that threatens to blow much bigger than Bret.

RUDOLPH WILLIAMS St James, PoS

It is usually accompanied by a back-in-times “playlist” which includes songs about floodgates that were not maintained, rivers that were not dredged, illegal dumping of refuse, abuse of the hillsides, illegal buildings constructed over drains, uncontrolled squatting etc.

Our politician play this game to the hilt with promises to set up commissions of inquiry, aerial surveys from helicopters, distribution of hampers, and snap appearances in knee-deep water well clad in boots.

The reality of the present flooding suggests we have reached nowhere in terms of dealing with this perennial problem.

In days gone by it used to be considered a south/central affair.

A few years ago we saw what floods could do in north Trinidad when the Diego Martin River burst its banks.

If we do not deal with this issue all our efforts at diversification, improving infrastructure etc could be wasted.

As we face the future let us admit we are not prepared for any disaster here.

The opening for public education and for State intervention exists now. There is need for public education. The reality is that given our present practices, if we suffer a serious hurricane the entire country will be under flood waters. If the position of the State is that we have to wait for the waters to subside before the authorities swing into action, then we are all going to die. In a chaotic situation, as exists now, the compensation and support required from the State would be impossibly huge.

The laws for the construction of buildings must be enforced.

Land use practices have to be enforced. Squatters have to learn that it is not in their interest to build in certain areas. People must be educated about the effects of illegal dumping. People have to be shown how their individual actions can come back to haunt them and when they do not learn, law enforcement must prevail.

So the solution is civic responsibility and good governance.

The floods provide a fertile opportunity to start.

SAMUEL LOCHAN via email

Harvey spoke with Newsday yesterday after a thanksgiving celebration for his 41 years of service to the Port of Spain Archdiocese at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, in which he made the call for more compassion and understanding from society towards its youth. The Vatican announced last week that Harvey has been appointed Bishop of St George’s, Grenada.

“I don’t think in terms of forgiveness,” Harvey said. “I don’t think forgiveness is what I’m about. It’s not a question of me forgiving them, it’s a matter of them having to forgive us as a society for the rotten deal that we continue to give them.” He said while he understood the lives and circumstances of many young adults in T&T were regrettable, he challenged youths to take charge of their lives and make full use of the opportunities they had before them.

“Lift up your eyes and see the fullness of your possibilities because too many of you are selling yourselves short. Your destiny cannot be to kill and rob and steal. You must have a better destiny and you do have a better destiny.” Harvey also called on society not give up on its youth and encouraged parents and community leaders to continue their support and dedication to their children.

“The human animal is the only animal that has a choice between caring for its young and abandoning them. We have a choice to make: we can either care for them no matter what, or we can just write off some of them. But the latter choice can never be God’s choice. We must never give up on our young people.” He said while he had no advice to offer, he urged his successor to become more proactive in communities and emulate the work ethic and compassion of other community activists.

“The country is becoming more and more aware of the challenges we face and it’s not easy.

We should care for our young people and there are some people like the late Hal Greaves who have given their lives to it and there are others like Gregory Sloane- Seale and officers from the Inter Agency Task Force who are not simply police officers but have become much like fathers to the young men in these communities.”

The charge, laid by PC Ramdatt, was read by Magistrate Gail Gonzales. George pleaded guilty.

Prosecutor Ramdath Phillip told the court the victim reported that George attacked him with a cutlass.

George told the magistrate he went to work and was told the company was going to lay off workers.

“I went to collect money and they told me that they did not have work for me again,” George said.

He said he became angry because he was a hard worker who even worked through the night when Tropical Storm Bret hit on June 19.

“I wanted to keep my work so I beat the man.

I was wrong and I am sorry.” Gonzales told him he could not be wrong and strong.

He was given the maximum fine of $400 or in default of payment will serve three months in prison. He was also ordered to pay $1000 to the victim.

The fact is that emergencies. occur and having a plan within. the household, business and faithbased. organisations, educational. institutions, and communities at. the local, regional, and international. levels remain critical, and may. perhaps be helpful to individuals in. the decision-making process.

Being prepared for an emergency. is essential. Whatever the case,. prior to an emergency you and. members of your household, community,. or even among colleagues. and/or office mates can collaborate. and develop an appropriate plan. of action. For example, parents/. guardians might choose to discuss. with their children and other family. members, bringing awareness. to the family communication plan,. what to do if a disaster occurs or. when there is no electricity, the. emergency food plan, the availability. of drinking water, storage and. other essential information, such. as emergency contact, etc.

Keeping the focus. From another perspective, maintaining. one’s health always should. be the primary focus. Emergencies. be it natural disasters (earthquakes,. hurricanes, landslides, tsunami,. floods, droughts and cyclones),. biological, societal, technological,. accidents, fires r the malfunction. of cooking and storage equipment. may occur unexpectedly. For an. emergency can sometimes not only. negatively affect one’s health, but. also may have significant impact. on economic, social and public. health for a longer period even after. the disaster is long gone.

According to the World Health. Organization, globally many. countries are affected by threats. to public health. These range. from infectious disease outbreaks,. chemical and radiation contamination,. unsafe food and water supply,. natural and technological hazards,. wars, societal conflicts, and health. consequences that might be associated. with climate change.

Maintaining health and preventing. potential risk for disease. remain critical; hence countries. should devise a strategic plan to. meet the various challenges. Moreover,. countries are “encouraged to. strengthen emergency risk management. which includes but should. not be limited to measures of prevention,. preparedness, mitigation,. response and recovery.”.

An approach to consider. The goal is to select foods which. can aid you in meeting your daily. nutritional requirements. Therefore,. as meal managers, chefs,. cafeteria operators, and caterers,. planning ahead can be quite beneficial,. to ensure availability and. access to food, clean water, and any. other emergency supplies; this of. course may include prescription. medicine, baby food or formula,. flashlights, battery-powered radio,. extra batteries, sleeping bags and. blankets, and first aid kit and instructions,. just to list a few. A three. to five days’ supply of food that. will not spoil along with clean containers. for storing gallons of water. should be included in your plan. (Centers for Disease Control and. Prevention).

You should aim to have a nutritious. diet, along with drinking water. available in plain or flavoured. forms. This of course, may also include. planning balanced meals and. healthy snacks, doing a quick inventory. of the pantry, implementing. the principles of food safety. and sanitation, and incorporating. local produce – canned, frozen or. even fresh. The menu should comprise. of these foods.

When purchasing canned foods,. check the expiration date on the. products, take some time to read. the food label, and ensure that. the cans are free from bulges and. dents; for example, you can choose. to buy canned fish such as sardines. and tuna packed in water, chicken. ravioli in tomato sauce, peas and. beans, fruit in its natural juice,. and vegetables. Other products. you might wish to on the grocery. list such as crackers, granola bars,. ready-to-eat cereal, cassava farine,. cassava cakes, rice cakes, peanut. butter, cheese spread, dried fruits,. roasted nuts, bottled channa,. canned liquid milk or dry powder. milk, dehydrated potato flakes,. mayonnaise, macaroni and cheese. and much more.

A brief overview shows that. from the foods mentioned above,. all the food groups are represented.

Always keep some emergency food. on hand, and you can also plan a. few emergency menus. You should. note that depending on the storage. equipment available and the type. of emergency, the menus may differ. somewhat.

Some emergency menus. Breakfast:. canned or fresh fruit, ready-to eat. cereal with milk, crackers and. cheese cubes. canned or fresh fruit, granola. with yoghurt, crackers with peanut. butter.

Lunch:. chicken ravioli in tomato sauce,. veggies, canned fruit. peas and beans, macaroni and. cheese, vegetables, canned fruit.

Supper:. crackers with tuna spread, veggies,. yoghurt with canned or fresh. fruit pieces crackers with cheese. spread, vegetable salad, canned or. fresh fruit, plain or flavoured milk. Take home message: choose. healthy foods and snacks already. prepared for the emergency menu;. keep in mind that each individual. or household should develop a. plan of action for emergency use.

Claudette Mitchell, PhD, RD is. Assistant Professor, University of the. Southern Caribbean, School of Science,. Technology, and Allied Health.

Family members are now depending on the Almighty, and the police, to find out what really happened to Lalman before his death.

“We cannot take justice into our own hands, is the Lord who has to do it.” sad Lalman’s mother, who did not wish to be named.

According to reports, Lalman went to the Quinam Forest on Saturday night to hunt with friends. At about 10 pm, while the group was in the thick, dark forest a gunshot rang out, and Lalman screamed out in pain. When his friends found him, Lalman was lying on the ground, with a shotgun wound to his upper right shoulder. Police and emergency services were immediately called and Lalman was dragged out to the roadway, but he died before police could reach him.

Lalman’s mother yesterday described him as a respectful and friendly man, who worked as a tyre repair man. He was the third of five children.

“He was one of my most mannerly sons,” said his mother, “He never raised his voice to me and he would always turn away from trouble, but he would never hesitate to help someone in need. The last time we saw each other, was on Father’s Day. Since then I had been meaning to call him but it kept slipping my mind.”

The Mystery XI, playing in their first game of the league after their previous match was abandoned due to rain, scored a competitive total of 161 for seven wickets from their allotted 20 overs.

Sunil Narine continued his positive batting form from the recently concluded India Premier League by blazing 35 runs from 16 balls including three fours and three towering sixes.

He was assisted by his opening partner and newcomer to the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force team, Tion Webster, who scored 32 from 16 balls including three fours and two sixes.

The best bowlers for WPI were Teshawn Castro (2/39) and Lendl Simmons (1/30).

In reply, Ottley showed his class with a brilliant knock of 63 runs from 38 balls with four boundaries and six maximums.

The left hander took a special liking to the leg spin bowling of Sheldon Balroop, hitting him for 19 runs in one over – the most in the tournament.

Teshawn Castro and West Indies player Lendl Simmons both had all-round performances on the night as they backed up their bowling performances with 34 and 41 runs respectively.

Simmons brought home the match in style with a six and four off Kashma Mitchell in the 16th over. Sunil Narine bowled superbly with one wicket for 14 runs.

Charlieville Same Side’s Roshan Parag wrecked Younstaz with his medium pace bowling claiming a hat-trick which was the fourth of the tournament.

Batting first, Same Side posted a total of 156/7 from their quota of overs.

Former West Indies and TT batsman Lincoln Roberts powered his way to 48 runs from 33 balls with two fours and four sixes. Stephen Kadoo (2/9) and Uthman Mohammed (1/23) were the best bowlers for Younstaz. Kevin Williams was the lone batsman in double figures with 19 runs as Youngstaz crumbled to 61 all out from 15.4 overs to lose by 95 runs.

The hat-trick hero, Parag, had figures of 3/6 while Jon Ross Jaggesar grabbed 4/11. Underground Warriors won by default against Marabella All Stars in what would have been the third game on the

No doubt in an effort to connect and associate with the Muslim community for the commemoration of Eidul- Fitr, he chose to wear a white “topi” which is normally used by Muslims during the five daily prayers.

To wear a hat rather than to appropriately dress in the traditional “jubba” indicated to me the MP’s intent to dramatise his presentation.

We should therefore not be surprised by the events thereafter in Parliament. Did the MP orchestrate the events?

S RAMJON La Romain

According to a media release, “Through this Celebrity game, we will be donating towards the Daren Ganga Foundation to aid the development of sport academies and scholarship programmes.” This match will feature two 8-a-side teams captained by ex-Trinidad and Tobago cricket team captain Daren Ganga (Team A) and current national Under-15 and Under- 17 team coach Russell Latapy (TEAM B).

Present and past TT cricketers Lendl Simmons, Kevon Cooper and Sherwin Ganga, former TT captain Anthony Rougier, as well as entertainers Neeval Chaitlal, Ravi Bissessar, 5 Star Akil and brothers Raymond and Richard Ramnarine are expected to play in today’s match, while Sports Minister Darryl Smith and TT Football Association president David John-Williams are yet to confirm their participation.

At the cheque presentation, Scotiabank Foundation director Peter Ghany underscored the Foundation’s commitment to helping young people become better off. “The Scotiabank Foundation invests in our young people and communities in the areas of education, empowerment and environment.” This donation, he added, helps us focus on two of these areas – education and empowerment.

Steelpan Education in Primary Schools has many positive outcomes.

Learning to play the steelpan plays an important role in opening doors to young children, helping them to discover opportunities that will help them become to reach their full potential.

“Scotiabank has been supporting the promotion of the steelpan for the past 40 years,” stated Kameel Baksh-Edwards, General Manager of Scotiabank Foundation.

“Those contributions to independent steelbands during the Carnival season helps them continue in their thrust of fostering community spirit. The support of steelpan education for young students is a natural extension of our commitment to not only the rich culture of our country and the promotion of our national instrument, but also helping our young people lead better lives” she continued.

Neil Simon, music teacher at Febeau Government Primary, praised Scotiabank Foundation for its foresight in this initiative and emphasised the positive role music can have on the life of his students “Music opened the door for me to pursue tertiary education studies in spite of a disadvantaged background and not having the required prerequisites after leaving secondary school…my path could have been very different, but I chose music,” he indicated.