I first thought there was really no need to illustrate the dictionary meaning of a word so common. But on second thought, driven by the increasing complaints about bad manners in this society, I felt it better to throw out a reminder that “manners still maketh man,” and that saying “thanks” for kindness – big or small – is a special way of keeping ourselves civilised, even mutually respected. (I will come to who Mr Roberts is in a short while.) Expressing “thanks” one way or another is a core value in every society .

Of course, there are other civilising values such as “respect” and “helpfulness” that, when properly practised, help to make the burdens of daily life easier to bear. No doubt that is what all these “thank you” cards in our stores signal. In fact, there is a Thanksgiving Day national holiday in the US (fourth Thursday in November) and Canada (second Monday in October) .

Our irony is that we celebrate so many religious holidays, only to find ourselves remaining at square one when it comes to everyday manners. Only last Wednesday, a public servant complained how for the third time she said “good morning” to the clerk sitting next to her, but the clerk merely stared back at her. Even a hand signal would have been good, she said .

Some months ago, a Maraval friend, Mr X, explained how a man living just a few houses from him, passes in front of his house every morning, just stares back or keeps looking straight ahead every time when he (Mr X) says “good morning.” And don’t talk about public officers not replying to citizens’ letters and inquiries .

Maybe a lot of people and institutions are suffering from response paralysis. I have a few examples too, but another time. Of course, nothing can be perfect, but certainly, it seems that we can, we should try a little harder. Things are already bad as they are .

Okay, some people may well say all I have said above is simple stuff .

No big ‘ting. And maybe, that is true .

Why spend time and space saying what we all already know? But then why are there so many complaints around us about discourtesy, disrespect and thanklessness at all levels? My newspaper files on consumer hardships have become so fattened .

And now, for Mr Roberts. For several months now, just where Hilltop Drive meets East West Drive (a T-junction) in Champ Fleurs, there are about ten pot holes on Hilltop Drive. Five have grown to oversize with the rain, etc. The younger ones were also heading that way. Traffic heavily flowing down south from Hilltop Drive – dangerously bobbing and swerving around this litter of pot holes, with traffic from East West Drive doing the same thing to enter Hilltop Drive .

Worse yet, there is a resident hibiscus fence so tall at this corner, it blinds drivers. To escape head-on crashes or side-door scrapes, drivers are forced to sink into these gaping pot holes. And it looks as if the authorities do not know about this long-standing danger. So I sat down and wrote a letter on August 17 to Mr Anthony Roberts, chairman, San Juan/Laventille Regional Corporation, chief executive officer Mr Kofi Chapman, and the councillor for the area. I wrote a “seeking help” letter “on behalf of the residents and myself.” I said: “These pot holes not only cause damage to vehicles, but continue to pose traffic dangers,” etc. Fellow citizens, within two weeks all the pot holes were neatly fixed – so far. Great ease for residents and all other drivers .

Yes, this may appear a “lil ting,” it’s the “corporation’s job” etc, but in these times, it makes a big statement about how we should all really live .

This is how ground-level democracy should work. I know there are other problems facing this corporation .

But as a start, little things mean a lot .

Good manners still maketh man, starting from homes and schools. So I say thank you, Mr Roberts, your CEO Mr Chapman and the local councillor .

These questions are heightened by last week’s announcement by the PCA that it has completed its long-standing probe into the infamous day of “Total Policing” in March 2015.

The fact remains that it is for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to initiate criminal proceedings in this country. The PCA may make recommendations for criminal charges to be laid in relation to the conduct of certain officials, but it is for the DPP to decide.

In coming to a decision, the DPP will have to review the case in full and the evidence that has been gathered. Normally a DPP will be in a position to provide advice to police during the course of an investigation as to the fulfilment of certain legal requirements.

With an eye on what may unfold at a trial, the DPP can advise whether or not the elements of an offence are potentially made out in the law. The DPP cannot, however, order police.

But the Total Policing case is distinct from ordinary investigations because the Police Service, very early on, absolved itself from investigating this matter, citing deference for the PCA’s probe.

That was more than two years ago.

Did the DPP advise the PCA during its probe? Will the DPP simply endorse the findings of the PCA? Or will this matter now be investigated afresh by the Police Service’s Professional Standards Bureau? Is the latter even feasible now that two years have elapsed? Time is of the essence in any probe.

In contrast to all of this uncertainty is the indelible experience of citizens on March 23, 2015.

Whether senior officials knew or not what was about to transpire, there is no question of the breakdown of the chain of command and there has been widespread condemnation of the crippling mass road-block activity which was staged amid a wage negotiation.

A key criticism has been the failure of the Police Commissioner to institute disciplinary proceedings.

To this we must also ask why it has taken the PCA two years to probe this matter. Because it was necessary to record 150 statements from police officers and civilians to scrutinise hundreds of related documents, the PCA should have been given the resources needed to do this with speed. The twoyear delay is a stain not only on this institution but the entire system of governance in its fullest non-partisan sense.

It is unthinkable that such a major action as represented by March 2015 could have gone undetected by any branch of the Police Service. Worse are reports of involvement by officers of the Special Branch and the criticisms of an investigating officer, ACP Vincel Edwards, of Special Branch officials during the course of his weeks-long inquiry.

It all demonstrates serious breaches in the way the police operate and are managed. We hope the PCA has gotten to the bottom of the facts.

Whatever action is now taken – assuming any disciplinary action can be taken – one key concern moving forward must be the morale of police officers, already overburdened with the crime fight. Equally, though, are the serious fears of citizens who – citing Total Policing – are weary of police abuse. How can confidence in the Police Service be bolstered? And if the Police Social and Welfare Association, which is a body mandated by law, is found to be truly wanting, how can that organisation revitalise itself in order to best fulfill its mandate? These are all serious matters that will have to be addressed.

One thing is clear: another two years of delay would add insult to injury.

The ex-champion rider sent hgis mount into the lead from the off and gav e the Glenn Mendez-trained pre-race favourite a breather at the top of the stretch.

Big five O grabbed the lead inside 400 metres but Jadoo ® roused his charge again and scooted clear for a 1 1/4 length victory.

One Fortheroad came with a rattle but was a head short of Big Five O who held on for seconhd, It was a day when nojockey managed more than one winning ride, but champion trainer Mendez Terrance Thomas saddled two winners each.

Three-year-old Cactus Treasure surprised in the 1500 metres turf race, a modified Benchmark handicap event to reward backers with $8.85 and $195 on the tote.

And Mirkana was also a surprise winnner to reward backers with $7 $7.50 and $1.80 on the tote.

Although the first Hi5 stumped turfites, one lucky punter left with a cheque for $4,781.20 for forecasting the five in the final race – Cramers Rule, Indy Anna Baby, Raeven Renae, Sing Sing Sing, San Antonio.

Police identified the victim as Clint Beharry, who was snatched from his home at Pleasantville Terrace, Blitz Village, Pleasantville.

Beharry’s brother Rennie, 29, and another man were gunned down in 2010 at Born Free Recreation Club, a bar which the family ran at the same address.

A video of the shooting, now viral on social media, shows a gunman storming the house dressed in clothing resembling tactical uniforms, which appeared to have the Police Service logo and the word POLICE on it. However, the gunman had on white footwear. On his heels was another gunman, similarly dressed but wearing black footwear.

One of the gunmen pushed Beharry out of the premises. The other had a microwave box in his hand. Beharry’s hands were tied behind his back and they walked out. A third gunman, dressed in plain clothes, was also seen leaving the compound.

Police were yet to establish a motive for the kidnapping, which occurred shortly after 11 am, and could not say if the kidnapping was linked to his brother’s murder.

Rennie was shot and killed on November 18, 2010, following a game of “whappie” at the recreation club.

Kwasi Preddy, 25, of Pharaoh Avenue, Ste Madeleine, was also killed. A man was subsequently charged with the murders and appeared in the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court.

Two years later, the main witness Colin ‘Monkey’ Baptiste, of Papourie Road, Duncan Village, San Fernando was shot in the head and upper body near a barbecue outlet at SS Erin Road, Duncan Village.

Investigators from the Southern Division among them Insp Gajadhar and Sgt Pacheco visited the scene. The Anti -Kidnapping Squad was also notified.

So what’s next? If we follow the usual process TT may be looking for a new coach or there will be a shake-up of the management team.

As far as I am concerned, however, the 11 players on the field for those 90 minutes are responsible for winning or losing.

I have been saying it over and over: our players are not up to World Cup standard. We are being outplayed. It is not the management.

The way forward is returning to the drawing board and grooming players from young. Let us stop bringing back players who cannot last 90 minutes. We must do better than that.

I still fully support our footballers but we need to find new talent.

ARNOLD GOPEESINGH via email

When a mature woman does her makeup, the overall goal is usually to create a smooth, lifted, youthful appearance. There are certain trends nowadays that can really cause a more mature face to look droopy, dull, wrinkled and gaunt.

As we age, the skin’s collagen and elastin production slows down. These helps to give skin its plumpness and stretchiness. With depleted levels, skin becomes more prone to wrinkles, sagging and dryness. Always hydrate the skin adequately.

If texture is an issue, you might want to consider priming to smooth the skin and create a more uniform canvas. You should avoid thick, matte foundations because they can settle into lines and wrinkles, accentuating them and causing the skin to look lack luster and dry.

Opt for sheer, luminous finishes. If you need additional coverage, use a concealer. It should also be noted that your under-eye concealer should match your skin tone. If it’s too light, it can actually highlight your under-eye bags and amplify the texture there. Personally, I like to use cream blush as opposed to powder blush because it sits better on mature skin.

When it comes to blush colour, you might find that wines, mauves and dark colours can make you appear gaunt, and bright pinks, oranges and reds can make you look garish. Opt for softer versions such as rose, coral and peach to liven up the complexion in a more natural way. Heavy contour or bronzer can also have a similar effect, so use sparingly.

I don’t recommend powdering the face. If you have oily skin, you can powder lightly on the forehead, nose and chin but avoid any areas with wrinkles or lines. Do not bake! Baking on mature skin is a cakey, cracking nightmare waiting to happen. If you want to set your makeup, opt for a setting spray over a powder.

If your eyes have become uneven with age, your lids have become hooded or droopy or you have any sort of _ ne lines, wrinkles or crows’ feet, you may want to avoid winged eyeliner. It may end up being an odd shape or downturned, which will actually make your eyes appear droopier, thus making you look older. Instead, you can apply a pencil eyeliner at the roots of your lashes to make them appear fuller. Since lashes tend to become thin with age, this will help to create definition and the appearance of thicker lashes.

You can make the liner a bit thicker at the outer corner of your eyes to create a lifted effect.

Don’t forget your brows! Similar to lashes, if you create fuller eyebrows, you’ll appear more youthful. Avoid adding too much dark eyeliner or eyeshadow under the eye, as this will visually pull the eye downwards.

When it comes to eyeshadow, you should take the utmost care in blending; Harsh lines will be all the more unforgiving. Contrary to popular belief, shimmer isn’t bad, but overly frosty, metallic shadows can accentuate texture.

Similarly, pastel and matte eyeshadows can appear dry and chalky. The finish that will be the most flattering is satin. It’s not as flat as a matte and not reflective like metallics. There’s a subtle, natural luminosity to it.

Your lips are the next area that age likes to toy with. Lips can lose fullness and develop wrinkles which will cause your lipstick to feather. You can line your lips with lip liner to reduce feathering and recreate the appearance of fullness, but I’d avoid going overboard for the sake of looking unnatural. If your lips are thin, bear in mind that dark colours will make them appear even thinner.

Also consider that matte lipsticks will dry the lips out causing wrinkles to become prominent. That means liquid lipsticks are a no-no! Opt for balmy, sheer, moisturising colours. Sometimes nude lipsticks can be a bit much for a more mature person. If you want to do something nude, try to add a touch of pink or peach to the nude colour to liven it up.

With a little customisation, these tips and tricks can take years off your face. Feel free to experiment and find a happy medium that satisfies your personal tastes while helping you to look your best!

The United States media has already been expressing their concerns for the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Florida, in other words—the United States citizens who may be in Irma’s path. Sadly, natural disasters do not have passports, and no president nor army could stave off Harvey last week nor Irma this week.

By the time Irma arrives in Florida, probably as you read these words this Sunday morning, destruction and death would have been wrought in the tiny Leeward Islands, and through the too easily dismissed Hispaniola and Cuba.

My heart is heavy for all who suffered and will suffer from these two back-to-back super storms. I spent three wonderful years in Houston way back in the 1960s and am still in touch with friends from those times. And which Trini does not have friends and family all through Florida? But we have long become accustomed to the fact that certain lives matter less than others. Lives like those of Haitians, Cubans and “small islanders”, so we need not look to the United States for rescue or assistance for Irma’s wrath. I say this not with bitterness, but as a statement of fact.

The US currently has its own problems, caused by nature and caused by their current politics.

Storms created in the Atlantic Ocean are sweeping ashore, bringing wind and flood devastation.

But storms created in Washington are sweeping outward across the globe, and these are potentially far more destructive than the benignly- named Harvey and Irma. And even here in our two small islands, we find ourselves drowning in failure of every aspect of our own governance and administration.

Neither the world, nor certainly Trinidad and Tobago can look forward to the next few months with any feeling of comfort or solace of any kind. The current aggravated tensions coming out of North Korea have an essence of dreadful finality about them. We are actually looking at the possibility of mass nuclear conflagration and there is absolutely nothing we here can do about it. And even if the world, or Trump and Kim manage to avoid this catastrophe, there are still the ongoing dangers of ISIS and terrorism which also have the possibility to create mass destruction throughout the world.

And there is absolutely nothing that we in TT can do about all of these dreadful matters. Nothing we can do about the storms, one day we will experience one ourselves, and nothing we can do about the state of world politics and wars.

However, it will not be storm or natural disaster, nor even ISIS or Trump that will cause us to collapse into the heap of incompetence and failure which we so assiduously have been courting. We still have all the natural and physical assets with which to lift our country, our failing society, from its self-inflicted collapse.

Our people, from doctors through scientists, to skilled engineers and builders, all trades and capabilities, can go anywhere in the world and excel and lead. But not here at home. We strive to fail in all that we do except in corruption.

Nothing but corruption is working properly in our country anymore.

And as the various investigations into the failings of our ferry operations are showing, our two political parties are only there to blame each other while the people suffer.

Neither party has any solution to bring to the table. And they never will. Tobago, take my advice of some weeks ago and secede with your own surrounding oil and gas reserves, and develop your country without the handicap of Trinidad.

We see no potential for enlightened and hard-working leadership any where among us—not in governance, business, labour, the professions or among the political pretenders. And the true tragedy with this is that we are a land, and a people blessed and bountiful with talent and amazing natural assets.

Other people with so much less have done so much more with their societies and for their futures.

Of all the storms raging, in the Caribbean and around the world, the most dangerous to us is the storm we have allowed to build within our society. Slackness, indifference, abuse of everything, disobedience and a commitment to filth and failure has brought our society to its knees—and not to pray, but to prey, prey upon each other until we have nothing left to save.

So sad!

Throughout the years, the popularity of wigs has fluctuated and currently, wig wearing has experienced resurgence not only as a fashion or replacement for hair-loss but as a means of protecting one’s own hair.

These days, wigs come in a variety of colours, textures and price-points. Human hair wigs are of course made from human hair, most commonly from Asian donors. The hair is treated for pests and sometimes it is chemically treated to give it a particular texture or colour before it is made into a wig.

Synthetic wigs are made of mono- or poly- _ lament manmade fibres. These fibres are usually made of acrylic, polyester or polyvinyl material and mimic the look and feel of actual hair. Synthetic wigs are usually less expensive than human hair.

Gone are the days when only stage performers, people experiencing hair loss or grandmothers under their church hats, wore wigs. Wigs are worn so that one can experiment with different colours and textures without damaging your own hair by using chemicals, heat and excessive manipulation.

Wigs can be partial, where you leave some of your own hair out to conceal the wig or they can fully cover the hair. A very popular type of wig is made of lace. Wigs can come with a lace closure for middle or side parting (approximately four square inches), a lace front (lace at the front from ear to ear), lace around the perimeter of the wig or a wig can be a full-lace wig. The different types of lace wigs give different degrees of versatility to the wigs.

A lace wig when properly applied can look like the hairs are actually growing from the scalp.

You can consider wearing a quality synthetic or human hair wig for several reasons.

1. If you are currently experiencing hair loss due to stress, genetics or for medical reasons such as chemotherapy.

2. To give your hair a break from the constant manipulation and styling that causes split ends and breakage.

3. If you are growing out your hair from a short style and you’re experiencing that awkward phase when your hair is neither long nor short.

4. To try a new colour or shorter style without actually colouring or cutting your own hair.

The next time you feel frustrated with your own hair, or feel limited with the things you can do with your own hair, try a wig, you might like it.

Numerous patriotic citizens left the comfort of their living rooms with eagerness and passion to view the Independence Day Parade. The patient individuals who stood in line bore the hot sun with the hope of getting to the Grand Stand. Picong and humour came from the crowd, easing the tension.

On reaching the gate, many were disappointed and fuming mad that security had not communicated before that not everyone would be able to enter.

Soon, the Grand Stand was said to be filled and security said no one else could enter.

However, some officers continued to allow certain people to enter. Some citizens who felt cheated waiting in line for two hours left to view the parade on the streets. Others vouched to remain in their homes to view it next year.

Placing additional stands in the Savannah would be welcomed.

GREGORY J NEPTUNE Port of Spain

Duane Muckette had broken the deadlock 12 minutes into the second period for the hosts but the 23-year-old Tobago-born Gordon levelled the game with a minute left for Stern John’s side.

John, Trinidad and Tobago men’s team assistant coach, held the same position at Central, but was elevated for his head coach debut in absence of the Couva Sharks’ Pro League and Caribbean Club Championship-winning coach Dale Saunders who decided to step away due unpaid wages.

Central (10 points) meanwhile, continue to occupy fifth on the standings after fourth-placed San Juan Jabloteh (13 points) edged Point Fortin Civic 2-1 earlier on the day at Mahaica Oval in another rescheduled fixture to now sit within four points of frontrunners W Connection, Club Sando and North East Stars who, in descending order, are all tied on 17 points.

Jesus Perez grabbed the Jabloteh winner in the 75th minute after Civic defender Glenn Sutton had levelled Nathan Lewis’s 49th-minute opening item in the 69th minute.

The result snapped Jabloteh’s four-game losing spell in all competitions while ending the seventh-placed Civic’s five game undefeated stretch.

Both sides, however, were reduced to 10 men with goalscorer Sutton and Jabloteh’s Kennedy Hinkson shown direct red cards in virtually the final play of the game for violent conduct.

There were no such heated moments at the Arima Velodrome although North East Stars are a side equipped with almost a dozen former Central players.

But with goalkeeper Akel Clarke absent; Rundell Winchester unavailable through card suspension, and regular team captain Elton John on the injury list with Kordell Samuel, coach Derek King’s starting line-up included just four – Kevon Villaroel, Kishun Seecharan, Jomoul Francois and Yohance Marshall – former Central players.

King handed debuts to mid-season signings in 2006 World Cup midfielder Densill Theobald, central midfielder Kevon Goddard from W Connection, and former Jabloteh, Morvant Caledonia United and St Ann’s Rangers goalie Jesse Peters, while ex-Central defender Julius James, who spent nearly all of his professional life in the United States, had to look on from the spectators area due to pending international clearance.

Central meanwhile depended on stalwarts Jason Marcano, Sean De Silva, Kaydion Gabriel and Gordon with season signings Taryk Sampson, Sean Bateau and goalkeeper Stephon Seepersad among the first XI that also included Jesse Joseph, Jules Lee and Taryk John.

North East Stars were closest to opening the scoring after just seven minutes through Muckette but Seepersad was equal to the ball, putting the strike behind off the crossbar.

Seepersad made another save on the half-hour mark to keep out a strike at his near post from Seecharan, after the Stars’ winger dribbled past four Central shirts before entering the left of the area.

Muckette had a much better opening in the 56th minute and disappointed when by spilling overbar on a low cross from Akeem Garcia. But the former Trinidad and Tobago youth player redeemed himself a minute later with a powerful strike past Seepersad before being immediately replaced injured by Kerry Baptiste.

Moments earlier Gordon left his coach John screaming at the touchline after failing to capitalise on two opportunities on the opposite end.

But a devastating breakdown at the back by North East Stars with a minute left, resulted in a free Gordon heading into an open net off a Gabriel cross after an overlapping run on the right in support of Marcano.

North East Stars had themselves to blame including a pointblank headed miss by substitute Kerry Baptiste off a Theobald free kick on the hour mark. Baptiste, the evergreen poacher, also put an equalising opportunity off target in stoppage-time and leaving the rivalry to be settled when both teams meet again on September 19.

North East Stars and Central will return to play on Tuesday in two other rescheduled fixtures when they visit Jabloteh and Police FC, respectively, at the Barataria Recreation Ground (5 pm) and Police Barracks (6 pm).

Action in the Pro League however continues today when Morvant Caledonia United visit a new-look MIC-IT St Ann’s Rangers from 4 pm at the St Augustine Senior Secondary School Ground in another rescheduled fixture.

(ttproleague.com)