Williams-Beckles will host a two-day “boot camp” for beauty professionals, even medical professionals, on hair loss, possible treatments and products with which to work. The event takes place on June 25 and 26 at Courtyard by Marriott, Invaders Bay, Audrey Jeffers Highway, Port of Spain.

The camp, which would be done live as well as virtually, would teach its participants to identify the over 100 types of hair loss and how to treat with them.

She said in an interview with Newsday that at 30 she began suffering with hair loss. “My hair was always thin,” she said. But when she looked in the mirror, one morning, at 32, she found that her hair looked particularly thin. Williams-Beckles visited a variety of physicians trying to get an answer for her hair loss but none was able to provide an answer. Prior to that Williams- Beckles worked in the beauty industry abroad, often having to cover her hair loss with wigs and weaves. It took her eight years to find out what was the cause of the hair loss. “It was so simple. All I needed was a blood test,” she said on determining the cause of the hair loss.

She said the top six causes of hair loss were diet, stress, hereditary, environmental toxins, medications and medical reasons, with most beauty professionals being unable to distinguish the differences. Some people would have been told, by someone or another professional, that stress is the reason for hair loss, without reference to health.

And this, Williams-Beckles said is why she decided to host the “boot camp”.

“They should be able to identify the early signs of hair loss,” she said. Williams-Beckles described it as being sad to see, “so many people coming in with extreme hair loss.” She added that many people often only saw their hair as an accessory and believed if something was wrong, “they could live without it.” Many people, like she once did, suffer with hair loss privately, she said.

But often, she said, people did not recognise that the hair loss was the manifestation of something deeper, happening within because there was an intricate relationship between, “your body and your hair.” Besides skin, she pointed out, hair was the second, most likely place, to demonstrate that something was wrong, through hair loss.

“This is why we need beauty professionals to understand this.” Williams-Beckles began her trichology studies, at 41, at the International Institute of Trichology in Alabama. Then she went on to the Elan Centre for Trichology, with which her studies are ongoing.

She hopes to take her information to other islands and is currently speaking with beauty professionals in Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Antigua and St Lucia.

Besides the boot camp, she also hosts webinars and a subscription website called drgeeshairandscalpfacts.

com, where one can get the latest information on hair and scalp maladies.

Also, Williams-Beckles recently published a book –Why Am I Losing My Hair– which addresses a range of health issues contributing to hair loss such as diabetes and alopecia. The book became a best-seller on Amazon in the health, fitness and dieting category. It helps “people concerned with hair loss either from personal experience or as a hair professional learn a great deal about prevention, restoration and healthy support of the hair growth cycle regardless if diabetes is a direct or influencing factor in the reason for hair growth cycle disruption”.

Over the two-day period of the “boot-camp”, participants would have access to the website, see the different diagnostic techniques using hair loss models as well as have access to speak with other hair loss professionals. For those who might be unable to attend in person, one could attend virtually, after which one would have access to the content on the website for one month. The live sessions cost US$997 and the online sessions are US$797.

For more info: bit.ly/drgees or 627-4659.

In a release last week, Kambon said in a society saturated with news of brutal crimes, the robbery and assault of a man of the cloth caused a shock wave across the country. The RC priest was robbed and tied up last Monday by armed bandits at the St Martin de Porres RC Church in Gonzales, Belmont, where he had spent the night preparing for a seminar at Mt St Benedict.

Since the incident, Harvey says, he has forgiven his assailants.

Kambon said it was the location of the crime – a church, a place of worship – that accounted for the emotional uproar from the public.

However, he said violations by robbers of places associated with sanctity had long ago led to iron bars and electronics to protect many such places.

“The shock and anger provoked by this crime had to do with the society’s measure of the man who was tied and robbed. He was a priest, but not just any priest. It was Fr Clyde Harvey, known not only for words, but for deeds which bear witness to the sincerity of this nationally treasured human being.

“His words and deeds have communicated so deeply to many young men who were trapped in the state of mind of his attackers that some have changed their lives fundamentally. Many others who have heard his appeals and witnessed his caring, but have not transformed their own lives (or not yet), for various reasons, would not even think of harming him,” he said.

In fact, Kambon said if a delinquent was in a position to prevent what had happened to Harvey, they would not have allowed anyone else to do it. “While they still have to overcome the psychological and material pressures they feel from stigma, from social and economic marginalisation in the society, they hold Fr Harvey in high esteem because he speaks to their humanity, presents them with the hope of uplift,” he said.

Kambon said the committee was deeply saddened that “a brother with so much love and compassion,” one with whom they felt a close kinship, had to undergo such an ordeal. However, he said he knew Harvey’s faith, inner strength and commitment would ensure he continued on the path of reforming lives that needed to be touched by such a caring spirit.

“There are those who would see in his pain the justification for collective punishment of the community which they instinctively blame and similar communities they see in the same light. We suggest they consult with Fr Harvey about what may work without being led by guns and a spirit of revenge.

This may just be the moment for a broader consultation, which includes voices from the smouldering communities, to find a way forward, a path out of the downward spiral of violence destroying so many of our communities and potentially escalating into far more bloody confrontations between the armed forces of the state and armed gangs and individuals.” Kambon urged the population to find ways to overcome not only the internal sources of increasing violence, but the ways in which the wider society contributed to the despair and the low self esteem underlying the tragic situations. He said one must include the criminal behaviour of the enablers of the gangs, those for whom they sold the drugs and imported and supplied the guns, those who paid for “hits.” “While we cannot speak for Fr Harvey, we firmly believe that he would welcome a coming together of State and non-state actors with a commitment driven by a sense of humanity to resolve the escalating crisis,” Kambon said.

In addition to the well known names, he listed personalities such as George Weekes, Basdeo Panday, Clothil Walcott, and Selwyn John, who, he said, had made sterling contributions to the growth and development of the movement, and said their memories must be similarly preserved.

Cuffie said while all celebrations of Labour Day are important, this one, marking the 80th anniversary of the labour riots of 1937 which gave birth to the movement, requires even greater need for pause and reflection on the tremendous contribution made by the trade union movement on behalf of its members.

He said the movement remains a strong and vibrant contributor to the national dialogue, and its members can be found across all strata of society, continuing the rich tradition of service to the national community.

The Government was committed to working closely with the trade union movement, he said, to ensure that the rights of workers and their representatives were always respected, and that the gains won over the years were not callously eroded.

Cuffie said his ministry had tried to make sure public officers were provided with the most modern accommodation possible through the opening of the Government Plaza, and when fully occupied, these buildings, together with the new Ministry of Education Tower on St Vincent Street and the occupation of One Alexandra Place in St Clair, would have provided superior accommodation for more than 4,000 public servants.

“I think more and more people who can turn their lives in that direction can become instruments in helping to propagate more spirituality in our society.

I think that would certainly be welcomed by all,” Maharaj said in response to a Sunday Newsday article about John’s observances as both a biological father to his three children and an earthly shepherd (or Father) to his congregation.

Maharaj said he knew people who made that decision while their spouses were still alive saying that should be a consensual decision and not an individual decision.

“Like in the case of some men, the wife is happy that he turned to spirituality and not that he is leaving and going into another relationship. I feel that is a positive move in society.” Asked what his advice would be to the nation’s fathers, he said, “We need to be a little bit more responsible and accepting your responsibility is the biggest thing.”

The houses belong to Marva Cooper and her neighbour Anthony Sambury. Cooper’s car, a GMC Envoy, was also damaged when the milkwood tree fell on the garage.

“I hear a crashing sound in the early hours of the morning and my house shook throwing down vases and kitchen utensils,” she said, adding that she was in shock and called out to family members to see whether they were safe. When she investigated, she saw the tree, said to be more than 50 years old and stood on the left side of her house, had fallen blocking the road.

She estimates the cost of the damage to be close to $100,000.

Sambury said the roof of his house was destroyed as well as the front room and the side walls.

He estimates the damage to be close to $60,000. He lives with his wife Rhonda Patterson-Sambury and his father Irvin Sambury. His house, which was built 30 years ago, was recently renovated.

Leonas Roberts, the owner of the land where the tree stood, told Newsday she visited the Princes Town Fire Station and the Princes Town Regional Corporation several times but was told they did not have the equipment to have the tree cut. “It is only now they got the equipment when the tree fell across the road,” she said.

Fire officers, T&TEC, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management, TSTT and the corporation responded to the report of the falling tree. MP for Moruga Dr Lovell Francis, who was on the scene yesterday, said the Fire Service started work at 5.30 am to remove the tree in order to clear the road.

Thanking the workers of the two utility companies as well the officers of the Fire Service, the ODPM, the Ministry of Works and the corporation, Francis said there had been no support from the Police Service and promised to get a formal explanation as to why the police did not respond.

This flagship programme facilitates the transfer of knowledge from accomplished artists and cultural workers to emerging practitioners in their respective fields. It is also an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of these mentors for their contribution to the artistic and cultural community.

The mentors for this year’s programme are Janice Patricia McLeod, Orisha traditions; Lionel Jagessar, Fancy Indian mas; Rosalind Gabriel, children’s mas; Sharon Pitt, professional development in broadcasting and Simeon Sandiford, aspects of music production and the business of music.

Addressing the audience at the launch, Permanent Secretary Angela Edwards reiterated the commitment of the ministry in investing in the local cultural resources such as the tangible and intangible heritage in the communities and the culture and creative industries, said a media release.

She said the programme was critical to the ministry’s mission to build resilient, culturally- rich communities and sustainable creative industries.

The future of TT is in excellent hands because the programme focuses on the culture, history and the legacy of what makes us unique as Trinidadians and Tobagonians, Edwards said.

Director of the Culture Division Ingrid Ryan-Ruben said the focus of this year’s programme was all-encompassing.

Emphasis will be placed on Carnival arts because there were a lot of masters but few mentees. In addressing the mentees she told them that they had the opportunity to carry their art to a new level.

She also implored them to learn from these mentors but also use their creativity and inject new life into the art forms because these are pivotal to the county’s heritage.

During the event, culture support specialist Elize Rostant paid tribute to two former mentors and national cultural icons, the late Narcenio “Senor” Gomez and Stephen Derek.

The tribute to Derek, master craftsman extraordinaire was done through a Power Point presentation in which tributes were done by Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts; other ministry officials and mentors of the 2016 programme.

Many residents braved heavy showers on Saturday and marched along the streets calling for peace.

They carried placards saying “No more tears”, “Say no to drugs”, “Respect the law”, “Respect the Elders” and “Stop Human Trafficking”.

The march started at the corner of Agnes Street and Southern Main Road and went on to the Manny Ramjohn Stadium.

Coordinator Antonio Seemungal said crime has spiralled over the recent months and it is their hope this initiative can reach the hearts and minds of criminals.

“There are too many murders, and based on the situation we face in the community of Marabella, we felt the need to undertake this initiative and it’s not just about murders, robberies, and other criminal activities taking place here and we want to want to send a message to these criminal,” Seemungal said, adding that the MUWC plans to put a stop to bullying, domestic violence and child abuse in their community.

The committee supports the Marabella Police Station in their fight to curb the crime situation in this part of the country.

The event centered on the theme “Fatherhood in Society: Issues and Solutions” and the discussions focused on the absence of legislation governing parental kidnapping and parental alienation.

Gregoire-Roopchan said the authority also does psycho-social intervention to restore the child’s functioning and this focuses heavily on co-parent intervention so that the parents become aware of how their behaviour impacts on the child and make progressive steps to being the child back into focus.

One of the highlights of the session was input from Scott Berne of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, described as a survivor of parental kidnapping.

Speaking via Skype, he told participants he was abducted by his mother after the bitter divorce of his parents.

He said he was nine years old when his parents divorced and he was placed in the custody of his father.

However, on their first unsupervised visit together, his mother abducted him.

He told the meeting of two years of brainwashing, during which his mother changed his name and warned him against talking to the police if he was stopped. He said he was brainwashed by his mother to the extent that he believed that his father was dead. He said he was kept out of school for two years, had no friends and did not even know his own name.

He said that he was forced to move from place to place at short notice and even when she was caught, his mother did not surrender and had to be arrested and jailed.

Berne said he was placed in “Juvenile Hall” and his recovery was long and hard and it took him a long time to move from being a victim to a survivor.

President of the association Rhondall Feeles said parental kidnapping is an offence against a child and most children who go through parental kidnapping suffer as Berne did. He asked why parents would commit such an offence against their own child. Saying it was an act of domestic abuse, he insisted that there should be deterrence and consequences in local legislation.

Also addressing the gathering was Jennifer Alleyne of National Family Services. She said that the kidnapping of children is not the only abuse they suffer.

She said sometimes one parent wants to leave a dysfunctional relationship and may remove the child or children from the home, taking them to some other relative.

She said the parent might migrate to the United States with the promise of sending for the children at a later date.

Alleyne said children in such situations suffer loss of identity, wondering about who they are, and where their mothers were.

She advised parents to be very careful when making decisions about their children.

Take, for instance, President Donald Trump. He’s had his fair share of controversial headlines, but First Lady Melania seems to be captivating everyone with her sense of style and dignity.

She has overcome her plagiarism incident in the primaries and emerged as a strong, dignified First Lady who swats away her husband’s hand-holding gestures at inappropriate times.

Everyone is waiting to see what causes she will support and how she will define herself as a First Lady.

First Ladies are interesting in their own right as you will see if you decide to read two of my favourite books – First Ladies: From Martha Washington to Michelle Obama by Betty Caroli and Madam President: The Secret Presidency of Edith Wilson by William Hazelgrove.

Students preparing for CXC, CAPE and SAT exams should read both of these books because they are excellent examples of literature that builds analytical skills for Caribbean and US exams.

(The Scholastic Aptitude Test, known as the SAT , is the entrance exam for US universities).

First Ladies: From Martha Washington to Michelle Obama… presents vignettes on all of the First Ladies with the exception of Melania Trump, but what is more important is the book’s ability to present the development of the First Lady’s job, which changed and developed according to society’s definition of wives at various times in history.

Readers will see women developing in three distinct ways: as individuals, as trusted spouses of the president and as representatives of US culture.

On the other hand, Madame President concentrates on one First Lady, Edith Wilson who ran the White House after her husband, President Woodrow Wilson suffered a debilitating stroke.

There is no real dispute that this happened and the author lays out a compelling case for Edith being the first woman president of the US.

Edith’s power is well documented so there doesn’t seem to be much for an author to write about.

Hazelgrove creates an intriguing story of how Edith came into the picture as Wilson’s second wife and how she garnered so much power.

Weaving history throughout the story, Hazelgrove opts for a book that follows no semblance of chronological order. In this way, he is able to present the story like a puzzle with each interlocking piece leading to the big picture. His total disregard for the order of events forces readers to engage in textualisation by constantly turning back to chapters to remind themselves where they are in terms of the past or present. While some readers found the structure disconcerting (there will always be people who prefer a clear time frame for a story) most readers did notice the structure and commented on its effectiveness. Madame President is not a perfect book. The author overdid the mention of Edith as president.

He did an admirable job of showing this so it felt unnecessary to mention it so often.

Hazelgrove paints a clear picture of both Edith and Woodrow Wilson capturing them as a fiction writer would by developing well-rounded characters whose faults are plain to see. It is a masterful blend of biography and history presented with a clearly defined theme.

The inmates were discovered missing on Tuesday last after none could be found in their rooms and on the compound.

The inmates are believed to have escaped by running along a large ravine behind the home, from which they could have accessed a number of different streets within the Diego Martin area.

Officers of the Western Division responded to the report and searched the last recorded addresses of the boys.

Since then, two of the teenagers were found by police walking along Cantaro Extension Road on Thursday afternoon.

Officers questioned them about their intended destination and when they could not give an account, they were arrested and taken to the Santa Cruz police station.

They later confessed to being among the group which ran away from the home.

While being questioned, the two refused to give information on the whereabouts of other escapees.

They also complained about inhumane treatment at the institution and gave that as the reason for escaping.

The boys, who are in their late teens, were placed at the home for a variety of offences including robbery while one of the escapees was at the institution for his alleged involvement in the robbery and murder of former soldier Calvert Dexter James on J’Ouvert morning this year.