Smith met members of TTS L’s interim Board of Management on Monday morning at the Ministry’s office, located at Tragarete Road in Woodbrook.

A wide-ranging and very cordial discussion revolved around the establishment of the new league, TTS L’s fundamental principle of being commercially viable and independent and how this could be achieved, the important work of TTS L member clubs with youth in the communities, the availability of community football venues with revenue-generating potential, and the role of the State as a main facilitator of sporting development.

The TT FA, in a media release yesterday, noted though that its Board “fully supports the initiative taken by the current clubs playing in the National Super League to appoint an interim committee to manage this competition. However at the time of its initial submission, the proposed TTS L’s interim committee prematurely applied for membership, since, the National Super League has been, and still is, a TT FA competition whose operations are outsourced.

“Moreover, pursuant to the TT FA’s constitution, the proposed TTS L must first become a duly constituted body governed by a constitution approved by the TT FA.” The TT FA stated that, in order for the TTS L to get that recognition, the recently-formed group “needs to submit correspondence to the General Secretariat of the TT FA, enclosing a hard copy of the its proposed constitution and requesting that the same be ratified by the TT FA.

“Should the General Secretariat of the TT FA receive the proposed TTS L’s constitution, a request will be made to include an application for membership as an Agenda item on the next permissible statutory Board meeting

By now you may realise that beginning to make some changes in your dietary practices and lifestyle will take determination, planning, and effort in order to achieve and maintain good health. Whatever the case, you are unique; therefore, taking some time out your busy schedule to improve and/or maintain health, and to be there for your family, friends, colleagues, and community residents making valuable contributions to society are essential.

Moreover, the lifestyle choices people make today can impact their health either positively or negatively. For example, an unhealthy diet, comprising of excessive energy intakes, little or no fruits and vegetables on the daily menu, but greater consumption of foods low in dietary fibre, high in salt, saturated fats, trans fats, and sugar increases one’s potential risk for heart disease, overweight/ obesity, cancer, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Similarly, in TT, the risk factors associated with chronic non-communicable diseases include obesity, high levels of blood pressure, blood sugar (blood glucose), and cholesterol, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco consumption, and alcohol abuse.

From a global perspective, World Health Organization documented that there has been an increased in unhealthy eating patterns world-wide; showing that since the1980s fat intakes increased quite rapidly in lower and middle income countries.

With globalisation having a critical impact on lifestyle and preferences, and “a growing range of available foods to meet new demands; this of course is complemented and facilitated by increasing urbanisation and demographic change with larger number of women in today’s workforce.” In addition, chronic disease accounts for at least 60 percent of deaths worldwide, and approximately 80 percent of these deaths occurring in low and middle income countries. Half of these deaths may occur in people less than 70-years-old according to WHO. Briefly, taking a look at body weight can provide some insight in helping you to maintain health, and work at weight management. Overweight is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 29.9 kg/ m2 and obesity, a BMI _ 30 kg/m2. Persons who are overweight or obese are at potential risk for developing conditions and morbidities such as hypertension, high blood cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other diseases.” A practical approach So, choosing nutritious foods, eating just what you need, and engaging regularly in physical activity, have great benefits. Therefore, having knowledge of foods you eat and the nutrient content can be helpful in making a healthy choice, planning balanced meals, and using the Caribbean Food Groups as a guide.”

With this in mind, controlling your portion sizes is also critical; as you can begin by looking at the amount and the number of starchy foods you may more than likely consume at one meal.

Some examples of portion sizes: one slice bread, one small muffin, ? cup cooked cereal, ? cup ready-to-eat unsweetened cereals, three cups popcorn, ? cup plain non-fat yogurt, one cup non-fat or low fat fruit-flavoured yogurt, ? cup fresh fruit or fruit juice, 1 pot spoon ( ? cup) cooked rice, 1 small banana, 1 small orange, 1 small apple, 1 egg, 1 oz cheese, 1 cup milk, one pot spoon ( ? cup) cooked vegetables, one cup raw vegetables, two tsp peanut butter, one tsp butter (Exchange Lists for Meal Planning, The American Diabetes Association and the American Dietetic Association, 1995).

Note: aim to eat more veggies, include fruit daily, and at mealtimes divide your plate in half, one half filled with vegetables and the next half, one quarter with a starchy dish and the other with a good source of protein eg fish, poultry, meat, peas and beans. For healthy snacks choose popcorn, veggie and fruit pieces, yogurt, low fat or non-fat milk or soy milk, nuts, etc.

Another important point to consider is your physical activity level. Overall, diet and exercise work together; studies show that good nutrition is needed throughout the lifecycle and promotes growth, development and maintenance in children, adolescents, and adults. The benefits of physical activity include, but may not be limited to: building and maintaining healthy bones, muscles, and joints; aids in weight management when combined with diet, reduce fat, and build lean muscle; prevents and/or help to reduce blood pressure levels and boost levels of good cholesterol levels; improve quality of life, contributing to mental wellness (relieving tension, anxiety, depression and anger) and physical wellness; manage stress and boost energy levels; lowers potential risk for developing cardiovascular disease, stroke; may delay or prevent chronic illness associated with ageing; help to improve self-image; lower the risk for early death, hip fractures, etc; reduce abdominal obesity; and promotes better functional health

According to the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, regular participation in physical activity can also lower your potential risk for adverse health outcomes such as heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and colon and breast cancers. Be flexible add physical activity to your weekly plan, up to 150 minutes per week; example, include a brisk walk, jogging, gymnastics, swimming, jump rope, water aerobics, playing tennis, cricket, football, basketball, etc. Remember, check with your medical doctor prior to beginning your physical

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

Maybe you feel life is too busy for regular exercise. Maybe the dog ate your shorts. While there are a plethora of reasons to vanquish your virtue, one of the most common excuses for avoiding a run/swim/aerobics class is that we’re just too tired.

This lethargic attitude is partly because many of us have no idea how to fuel our bodies for the sweaty task ahead.

Some may also be more prone to throwing in the towel when the scales take too long to tip.

Whatever the motivation (or lack of), eating for exercise is fundamental to success and maintaining the desire to get those overpriced trainers out from their dusty corner.

It doesn’t take a nutritionist to see that healthy, balanced eating with fewer saturated fats and more fruit and veg will see us all a little lighter on the scales. But, making the right choices will also make that run in the park more palatable.

When working out, all eyes are on carbohydrates, (stored as glycogen in the body) and are our main source of fuel. Good carbohydrates include whole grains, vegetables, fruits and beans while bad carbs are often foods that have been refined and processed. Use wholegrain rice and pasta in recipes such as superveg pasta and Spanish seafood rice for a healthy boost and enjoy sweet, sat-fat-free treats with lots of fruit like this mango & banana smoothie.

For high intensity workouts, protein is also a key diet staple to get right. Once glycogen stores are depleted, the body turns to protein to bump up energy levels so eat plenty of meat, fish, chicken and eggs to insure you have solid supplies.

Vegetarians can help back-up their energy levels with dishes containing lots of pulses, nuts and seeds.

Five or six smaller meals a day are recommended for active individuals – as this helps to keep your blood sugar levels on an even keel. Low-GI foods and recipes are also great. They slowly release energy into the body – so tuck in, ideally, two hours before working out.

How much you should eat depends on lots of factors from age, weight and daily activity right through to genetic makeup.

There are lots of online resources to help you estimate what your daily calorie intake should be but if you want to read more check out The complete guide to sports nutrition by Anita Bean – a great resource for anyone interested in exercise and eating towards optimum health

“Lovin’ Carnival” is the theme of the fund-raising event which is being produced by QRC Old Boys Association (OBA), the QRC PTA and the Management Team of the college.

The fete committee is once again going all out to deliver a wider array of delectable food, premium drinks and fantastic music all delivered in an ambience accented by love.

Leading off the big band entertainment will be KI the Band (Fire), Destra Garcia and Bakanal, Kes the Band and Roy Cape All Stars featuring Blaxx, Ricardo Drue and Tizzy. MX Prime and The Ultimate Rejects will make a special guest appearance and DJ Alicia D’ Duchess will also be on hand to pump up the vibes.

All the proceeds from the fete will go directly to the college to assist in the Science Block Restoration project.

“Fete Royale” is noted for its excellent variety of food and patrons are sure to love the high quality fare comprising Thai, Arabic, Chinese – (Hakka version), roti, Mexican, fish and chips, goat-stuffed dumplings, turkey wraps, shrimp foo foo (only at QRC), shrimp cocktail with avocado, jerk pork, ribs; fish chowder.

Vegetarian meals as well as the usual choices will also be available.

The menus will be prepared by some of the popular food providers including Tandoori hut (Rasam), Rib House, Barrow’s Catering, Garden Kitchen, Passage to Asia, Food Starrs and Atlantic Caterers, among others. The bar options will include premium drinks throughout the night, beer, rum cocktails, premium scotch, vodka, Prosecco, a variety wines, a tequila bar and shots. And, of course, there will be a sober zone courtesy Blue Waters and Nestl? to ensure patrons are well-hydrated before leaving the event.

Accent will not only be on food, first class music and premium drinks but even more love will be thrown into the mix via the decor which will reflect the “Lovin’ Carnival” theme. The fete committee is getting a head start on Valentine’s Day and will accentuate the theme so that patrons can “feel the love”.

And, if after all that loving there’s still feel the need for some pampering, a visit to the the Gentleman’s and Ladies Quarters should take care of that. The committee has themed up with Havana Hut so patrons can sit, relax and sip the finest whiskeys by Chivas Regal, Glenlivet Single Malt, Jameson and Royal Salute while enjoying a good Cuban cigar. In addition, there will be a professional barber to maintain that crisp, sharp, handsome look, throughout the night.

For the women, the Ladies lounge will be filled with a full bubbly bar serving Casine Prosseco and wines in a relaxed lounge, with lit mirrors, refreshing wipes, and hair styling compliments John Freida and in keeping with the love theme, Grab and Go pastries will also be served. Secured parking will be available at Tatil’s car park as well as around the venue. Patrons are advised to park responsibly to avoid getting wrecked. Security officers with dogs will patrol the streets around the venue.

There are also door prizes to be won including two return tickets to Miami courtesy Caribbean Airlines, a TSTT- Huawei P9 Mobile handset and grocery vouchers valued at $800.

Tickets are $850 each and are available from the college’s office – 622-1671; Detour Stores, West Mall, Grand Bazaar, Trincity Mall, Arima, Price Plaza- Chaguanas and Gulf City, La Romaine; Champs Fleurs Auto Service, Rumours Sports Bar, San Fernando and committee members: 472-4204, 795-0050, 387-2411.

The event has the support of Carib Brewery, Angostura, Blue Waters, NLCB, Caribbean Airlines, Hott 93.5, TSTT, I 95.5 and the major sponsor, Massy Distribution.

The event will raise funds to send a TT cricket team to the 2017 Lawyers World Cup to be held in Sri Lanka in August.

Live entertainment include KI, Benjai, Saucy Wow, Lyrical, King Bubba, Skinny Fabulous, Teddyson John and DJ George Gonzales.

The bar will be set high with premium drinks and food will include bake and shark from Maracas – being cooked on spot, doubles, corn soup, geera pork, and chicken.

Tickets cost $500 inclusive of food and drinks. For more info: 389-6156, 706-9798, 725-1482, 705-3728 and 786-5552.

Fireball won with his “I’m in Love,” which highlighted his love for calypso music.

Dressed in a white blazer, black pants and a gold and black shirt, Fireball captivated the audience, who sang along when he expressed love for his culture.

In his song, he said calypso music was unique and could be used in any song by anyone across the world, and pleaded with people to appreciate the art form.

In a brief interview Fireball said, “I feel very good because it was a quality show and there were a lot of artistes who put a lot of hard work into the competition, and to see I came out on top, it is a very good feeling.” After learning about his win, Fireball said he firstly gave thanks to God, and would spend quality time with his father.

“Now I know I am on top I will take in a western with my father and enjoy the rest of the day.

I have auditioned three times for the competition, and this is the first time I am in. I have also entered the Calypso Monarch. The song came to me in a dream: the first verse was from God, and everything else came into place.

This song is all about my passion and love for our calypso music,” he said.

He was among 20 competitors at the finals on Monday night, at the Grand Stand, Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of- Spain.

Placing second was Mark Eastman (D Ladies Man) with his “Trinbago Wake Up,” which reminded people that worked in harmony was the only way citizens could fix Trinidad and Tobago, and encouraged people to do more work if the country was to rise.

Clad in a white suit with red shirt, shoes and a red, black and white tie, Eastman called on citizens to say a prayer for TT. Devon Matthews placed third singing “D Journey,” featuring Ella Andall, and dedicated his song to people who went through struggles in life and felt they could not make it. His song was welcomed by the crowd as he encouraged them to: “Keep treading on, don’t matter what they are going through, they would make it.” Soca artiste Orlando Octave also took part in the competition with his popular “Single,” but changed his lyrics and sent a message to stop the gruesome crimes committed against women. He asked his audience if they were not fed up with all the crime taking place. He took eighth spot in the competition.

According to a statement, the location will continue its activities under the name Damen Shiprepair Curacao (DSCu).

The commencement of Damen Shiprepair Cura?ao was celebrated on February 2nd at the yard in the presence of all staff as well as parties involved during the negotiation period. The Damen Shiprepair & Conversion group currently operates 42 drydocks in 16 shipyards worldwide.

The company said in a statement that the move to Curacao allows it to expand its ship repair activities across the Trans-Atlantic Ocean. It adds that the yard is strategically located on the route to the Panama Canal, is outside the Hurricane Belt and offers excellent working conditions within a natural bay. In addition, the statement said that since Cura?ao is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, smooth logistic connections and fast import of required materials are guaranteed.

According to the company, the facility boasts two graven docks or drydocks and almost two kilometres of quayside. In a statement, Damen said that in the coming years it will invest approximately U.S.

$40 million in a third floating dock and the yard’s infrastructure and equipment. A new management team, led by Jaap de Lange as Managing Director, has been appointed and is already on site to introduce and implement Damen working methods and standards.

In addition, Damen, together with the Cura?ao Government, will invest in training and schooling of local technical personnel, ensuring the development of local skills, further developing the local industry and encouraging employment opportunities in the area Durk-Jan Nederlof, Group Director Damen Shiprepair & Conversion said, “The cooperation between Damen, the Cura?ao Government, local trade unions and the personnel of the yard has been very pleasant during the period of negotiations and transfer of ownership. We are very much looking forward to continuing this collaboration in the future. It is excellent to see the enthusiasm of all parties to make this yard such a success”.

“Our demand is that our good Prime Minister re-examine the appointment of this Minister of National Security,” said Ramkissoon.

“He (Dillon) needs to understand the protective services do not operate like the army where there is total command and no allowance for a representative body.

He came from the bosom of the military, but the fire service, the police and prisons have representative bodies and he has to understand that.” Dillon – who is also the Point Fortin Member of Parliament – drew the ire of the Association after he showed up unannounced at the Point Fortin Fire station last year to speak with officers about the dilapidated state of their station.

“We begged and pleaded with him for a meeting and what he did instead was to show up unannounced and made a statement to the media that government allocated $11 million for the relocation of the building.

“It is as if he is trying to deny workers the right to have representation.

He went to deal with the workers without the representative body and that is totally wrong.

He needs to deal with workers through the representative bodies.” Since Dillon made public the allocation of $11 million for the relocation of the fire station last December, Ramkissoon said that nothing has been done.

The Association, he said, sent numerous letters to the Minister asking for a meeting, but the Minister has not responded to any of them by phone nor by letter. Meanwhile, the state of the 85-year-old fire station continues to deteriorate. Since Saturday, officers have placed their bunk beds in the yard of the station under the cover of a tarpaulin to draw attention to their plight.

A report coming from an inspection of the station by the Point Fortin Borough Corporation that Ramkissoon provided for Newsday found numerous structural defaults in the station. It concluded that “the building is in an advanced state of deterioration and should not be occupied.” A second inspection was performed by the Occupational Safety and Health Authority in January. Ramkissoon said the findings were “very concerning” but the final report has not yet been published.

The Point Fortin Fire station is an over 85 year old wooden structure, and the first responder for any emergencies at major energy companies like Atlantic LNG and Trinmar. “It is only when something major happen they would take us seriously,” said Ramkissoon.

A source at the station said he has worked there for 13 of the 20 years that he has been a fire officer, and the building has been the same ever since.

Yes, citizens do have information about crime that they can provide to the police and this is vital. But the fact remains that citizens do not feel safe to provide the police with such information. There are many instances where citizens are targeted and threatened by people about whom reports were made.

Given that we saw many times that police officers are involved in crime, many citizens do not trust the police. We have also heard of witnesses being killed, threatened etc.

What guarantee can the police give citizens that the information they provide is confidential? What is the status of the witness protection programme? How anonymous are those hotline numbers we are encouraged to call? Do the police eventually get the information? Can the police use its cybercrime unit to get the names of people? When the information is entered in station diaries, can any officer have access to it? Even where an information provider collects a financial reward through a commercial bank, there are cameras there and employees who prepare the money can see by whom and when such fees are collected.

If the authorities want the citizens to play a greater role, they must be ensured of the safety of themselves and their families.

Even so, will they be willing to take this risk? Let us be real. It’s a real chicken and egg situation.

Citizens may want to help but are very afraid.

Given that eyewitness testimony may be difficult to get at this time and may not be reliant in the courts, greater emphasis should be made to get scientific evidence that can stand up to much scrutiny. It’s the best option at this time.

Kevin Ram via email

Rather than choosing to borrow so as to spend on these items, the PNM has chosen to borrow large sums so as to “fix” the nation’s Budget deficit. That money will be pumped into the hands of bankers to the detriment of the people.

Rather than opt for the preservation of GATE and the shoring up of the education sector, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has chosen to deprive the people whom he persuaded to support his election and opt instead to fatten foreign and local bankers through injudicious borrowing to further burden taxpayers.

Having embarked on that trajectory of State failure, he will, if he hasn’t already, find that his borrowing will inevitably increase.

The PNM historically has paid just lip service to the creation of a viable education sector in this country. The same can be said of its treatment of the health sector.

Its commitment to both these sectors has been superficial, self-contradictory, chaotic and largely born out of the need for political one-upmanship. My focus will be on the nation’s education sector.

The 1984 Marge Report, commissioned by the Ministry of Education, alerted the then PNM government to the absolute imperative for “special education.” Joan Pedro and Dennis Conrad (2006) re-emphasised this dire need and even went as far as suggesting that that government had failed to recognise the vital importance of that need for this country’s development.

The University of the West Indies can also be accused of dragging its feet in this regard.

Up to today, as a nation, we haven’t learned the lesson of the PNM’s negligence through its habit of not keeping its manifesto promises.

The nation ignored the fact that party, as far back as 1980, had “mamaguyed” the population by exhibiting sham concern for “equity” in education by proclaiming its “commitment” to special education.

Today, after scuttling the hopes and aspirations of countless numbers of citizens who hoped to raise their boats with the rising tide of economic prosperity through the acquisition of a better education, this vie-qui-vie administration that cannot see beyond the tips of its collective noses, has imposed a further threat to the national well-being.

Rowley’s Minister of Education is stifling the education of “special needs” children by reducing the funding of private schools established for that purpose and enhanced by the last government.

The resultant surge in criminality will confront Rowley and his PNM Government (and the nation) because of the thousands of children whose inalienable rights they have willfully and unlawfully chosen to disregard.

They will, when that time comes, in desperation join forces with equally blind social commentators and erstwhile academics.

They will in the face of escalating criminality, hatch some ill-founded and half-baked plan for “affirmative action” in the name of “equity” in education. Is it any wonder that David Rudder can remind us in song that “half the nation is mad?” Or that Funny can tell us that “yap, yap and blah, blah” are all that (PNM) politicians do?

Steve Smith via email