The show which is now in it’s 17th year has grown to become not only a favourite with the women who treat it as a night of high fashion, with increasingly more spectacular outfits, but also a night of enjoyment for husbands, boyfriends, significant others and partners.

For Carnival 2017, there’s a lot more in store than deciding whether “woman is boss”, or whether men rule supreme, says Spektakula Promotions.

This year, there are prizes for patrons and for the first time one lucky female can win a brand new Toyota Corolla, courtesy the sponsor of the event. Early bird tickets went on sale from January 12 and for early buyers, the deal is for two people on one ticket. This is a cooler event as well, so patrons in general admission can walk with coolers. Drinks will be catered in the VIP area.

For more info: Spektakula Events on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

The Maritime team together with the foundation visited the San Fernando Teaching Hospital last month to distribute hampers.

Reeanna Harrilal, founder and president of the foundation, expressed her gratitude to Maritime for its support.

“As head of the Voice of Lupus Foundation, I believe in the power to make a difference and as a champion of Hope, I can attest that hope is a very powerful thing; it keeps us stirred up when our circumstances look bleak.

We are so grateful to the Maritime Financial Group for becoming an official partner of Hope this year,” Harrilal said in a media release.

“Their generous donation of $10,000 worth of food items from Food Giant Supermarket allowed us to add 20 Christmas hampers to our distribution list.

Not only did they donate 20 hampers, but Natalia Nelson, one of their representatives joined us on the day we were giving out the hampers.” For more info on the Voice of Lupus Foundation visit Facebook Page: @TheVoiceofLupus.

Johnson King – Johnny King

Winston Scarborough – De Fosto Himself

Elon Baggoo – Cardinal

Karega Mandela

Dexter Parsons – The Stinger

Francine Edwards – Singing Francine

Curtis Conyette – Dirty Curty

Sheldon Bullen – Sheldon Nugget

Eunice Peters

Wilfred Barker – Young Creole

Alpha John – Bro Alpha

Paula Salandy-Greene – Lady Paula

Anthony Johnson

Gary Thomasos – M’ba

Eric James

Asha Kamachee – Sweetheart

Erphaan Alves

Sonia Francis – Singing Sonia

Julien Hunte – Kid Callaloo

Hammond Bruce – Slick

Walter Taylor

Archibald Skinner- Archie

Jerrisha Duncan-Regis

Rene Charles – Sir Skarz

Trevor Louis – Sugars

Clevin Romero – Surpriser

Ronald Caesar – Blk Czar

However, on Wednesday while he was being moved from the unoccupied house, he managed to escape and made his way to the Port-of-Spain CID where he made a report.

Officers took a report and took Gokool for medical treatment.

He was then referred to the Western Division and Newsday understands that an arrest is imminent.

The temple, which has been in existence for the past 30 years, is a major tourist attraction and is considered sacred not only by Hindus but by others who see it as a place for worship, meditation and quiet reflection. But now, Persad-Maharaj said, the temple and all that it stands for has been violated. “The video is a violation of the sanctity Hindus have for their deities and places of worship.

It is disgraceful and an insult to all Hindus and all people who respect places of worship,” Persad- Maharaj told Newsday yesterday during an interview outside the temple.

He believes the chutney singer starring in the video, Rick Jacob, was looking for a way to fame and to promote his video and song, but went about it in a distasteful and disgraceful manner. Persad-Maharaj said he is the only person who can grant permission for the use of the premises on which the temple and a 90-foot tall statue of Hindu God Lord Hanuman are located. The statue is internationally renowned as being the tallest, outside of India. Persad-Maharaj said the singer did not seek nor was granted approval to use the holy premises.

“The sacred grounds of our Ashram were used without our knowledge and I would also like to mention that it is a criminal offence for any person to behave indecently in any place of divine worship at any time. I therefore request him to act promptly to avoid embarrassment and legal costs,” Persad-Maharaj warned.

The centre’s president said he is not certain when and at what time Jacob gained access to the premises to shoot the music video, which shows Jacob dancing in front of a murti (blessed statue of a Hindu deity).

“Apparently he chose a day and time when the temple was closed and nobody was around to prevent him from doing his mischief,” Persad-Maharaj said.

He is demanding that the chutney artiste immediately withdraw the offensive video from all online social media sites and apologise to the Hindu community for, “this most outrageous conduct in front of our deities.” The two and a half minute long long video features Jacob in different areas of the temple, dancing and singing. In one verse, Jacob sings, “Girl you know you drive me crazy…Girl wine your waist.” Other times he places his hands together in mock prayer. The video also showed the chutney singer dancing in front of murtis.

Even as the music video was roundly condemned and criticised on social media, Jacob also took to his Facebook account to defend himself. He stated in a post that he was not being disrespectful to anyone. “I swear to my Lord that i don’t play with people religions”, he wrote in the post.

In another post (unedited by Newsday), also on Facebook, he writes: “i want alyuh addess me on the streets when alyuh see me come and ask meh why i do the video dey and i go tell alyuh since alyuh dho believe we get permission.” His responses did not go well with many Facebook users who accuse him – some with colourful language – of being disrespectful.

Satnarayan Maharaj, General Secretary of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha – the country’s largest Hindu organisation – also weighed in on the issue, strongly condemning the actions of Jacob and lamenting that a temple, just like a church or mosque, is a place of worship and not for fun and games.

“He had no right to do that! He should be condemned and if there is a legal case to be made, then it should be made. I will support Ramesh (Persad-Maharaj) if he files any court action,” Maharaj said. Also echoing similar views was Chutney Soca Monarch competition promoter and CEO of Southex Promotions George Singh who said that Jacob’s song was distasteful and disrespectful to the Hindu community. “As promoter of the annual Chutney Soca Monarch, I would say this is not a tune that can make it to the semi-finals,” Singh said. Efforts to reach Jacob for a comment yesterday, proved futile.

The temptation for skipping breakfast in the morning can be strong. An extra five minutes in bed before dashing out the door may seem worth it, but aside from missing out on all the brain boosting benefits, any physical activity you plan to engage in before your midday meal will suffer too. If you’re a dawn exerciser and are hoping to increase muscle mass, get stronger or simply improve your fitness, make sure you fuel your body correctly to get the most from your morning routine.

First thing The body’s preferred source of energy is carbohydrates, so if you’re going to be working at a medium to high intensity first thing in the morning, it’s important to eat something before setting out. Give your body an energy boost with some fresh or dried fruit. The natural, simple carbohydrates will help give you the kick-start you need to get out the door, without filling your stomach. If you can’t face food first thing, try a fruit-packed smoothie – still high in natural sugars but easier to digest and handy to sip en route to the gym.

Balanced breakfasts You have about 30 minutes after exercising to optimally refuel your body to aid recovery. To do this, you’ll need a balanced breakfast, consisting of protein and carbohydrates; protein to help repair and build muscles, carbohydrates to replenish fuel stores and to provide a steady supply of energy throughout the day. The following suggestions are perfect either after your workout or a few hours before.

Try to substitute any simple carbohydrates, such as white breads or muffins, with complex carbohydrates such as wholegrains, as these will leave you feeling fuller for longer: The importance of amino acids Amino acids (particularly one called glutamine) act as building blocks for the muscles in the body, forming the proteins that muscles require for repair. Your body naturally produces glutamine, though supplementing your levels with the right foods may assist muscle recovery after exercise.

Cooking destroys much of the glutamine in foods, so while good sources include beef, chicken, fish and eggs, to maximise potential benefits, try eating dairy products such as low-fat natural yogurt.

Sticking with cereal If all you have time for in the morning is a hurried bowl of bran flakes, try adding the following ingredients to give your cereal a muscle-building boost…

Blueberries Findings from a study in New Zealand have indicated that blueberries may help muscles to recover faster after exercise.

Natural yogurt As already discussed, low-fat natural yogurt is a great source of protein. Try adding a dollop on top of cereal to get the benefits.

The probiotics in the yogurt will also help your digestion.

Flaxseeds Flaxseeds are high in protein and also high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are believed to aid protein metabolism, which in turn may help increase muscle mass with training.

Nuts A sprinkling of nuts will help boost your intake of omega-3 and also magnesium, a mineral needed to keep muscle tissue healthy throughout the body.

Belgian-born Saintfiet, who replaced Stephen Hart, was officially introduced as the head coach on December 7 hoping to bring some positive results especially in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in March when TT takes on Panama and Mexico. However, after three losses from four matches, which included defeats against Suriname (2-1) and Haiti (4- 3), which saw TT knocked out of Gold Cup contention, Saintfiet has stepped down.

Saintfiet in his resignation letter stated, “I would like to inform you all that I have decided to resign, today Tuesday 10 January 2017 as national team coach of Trinidad and Tobago.

Given the mandate to guide the team past Panama and Mexico in the coming World Cup qualifiers of March 2017, I have come to the conclusion that I can’t be successful in this environment. From the first day of my unveiling, I did not get the support of the TTFA and its President; support which is needed to be able to do my job in a professional and successful way.

“I never got the chance to work with the players nor the staff requested. Perhaps I should have taken this decision right from day one of my appointment after the President openly second guessed his own choice of employing me, but I gave him and the TTFA the benefit of the doubt. It was an honour and privilege to work for a beautiful nation like Trinidad and Tobago and I wish the players, staff, TTFA, fans and the whole football family the very best.” Saintfiet’s appointment just over a month ago was greeted with much derision and shock by local pundits who were unimpressed by his resume. Stints at Namibia, Togo, Ethiopia and Bangladesh failed to give TT any hope that Saintfiet could turn around TT’s World Cup campaign. Former national footballer Brent Sancho said the decision to hire Saintfiet was doomed from the start.

“I think it has been an absolute circus affair if you look at it, the way it was done. I have chastised the way he was introduced firstly into the national domain, in the press conference from the word go.” At the press conference to introduce Saintfiet TTFA president David John-Williams admitted that the Belgian was not the Association’s first choice but he was affordable and the TTFA decided to hire him.

Sancho added that Saintfiet’s previous record as a head coach did not give the TT public confidence. “When you look at his track record that is not somebody that will get this country to a World Cup. When you look at what he has done during his coaching career he is not someone who oozes confidence into the players and the public.

I am not surprised that he has resigned.” Sancho explained that if the TTFA believes TT can still qualify for Russia the association will have to bring an experienced coach to guide us through the final round of World Cup qualifying.

On the other hand, Sancho says if the TTFA thinks the Russia campaign is over, they should bring a coach to rebuild the national football programme.

He continued: “I do believe that Mr Saintfiet would have made some very damning allegations towards the administration (TTFA) particularly mentioning that he was not able to select the right staff and playing personnel to complete the task and to me those are some very serious allegations.

The role and function of administration has nothing to do with team selection that is the coaches job.” The Central FC managing director also believes there is discord among the footballers and the TTFA.

“You could sense there is a lot of uncertainty around the national programme. I believe there is a disconnect between the administration and the players.

When you have that amount of players not wanting to play for their country particularly in the off season then you know something is wrong.” Numerous players during Saintfiet’s tenure said they were unavailable.

Sancho is wondering if the TTFA can bounce back from this situation saying the local administration has dug themselves a deep hole.

Saintfiet, whose last coaching stint prior to taking the job as TT National Football coach was with 193rd rank FIFA footballing nation Bangladesh, turned heads in his team selections during his brief stint as TT’s head coach.

He refused to select forward Kenwyne Jones for matches to decide the fifth place spot in the Caribbean Cup, but handed recalls to 38-year-old Carlos Edwards and 36-year-old Cornell Glen. He was also at odds with the United States MLSbased players who should’ve been available in their off-season despite the matches falling on a non-FIFA date.

Saintfiet’s shocking departure leaves the Caribbean nation __ the smallest country to qualify for a World Cup finals (the 2006 tournament held in Germany) __ without a manager two months before it is set to resume World Cup Qualifying against Panama and Mexico.

The Trinidadians are currently in fifth place in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying with zero points from two matches.

According to Mohammed, puberty begins when a girl starts to menstruate.

Mohammed, the first Opposition Senator to contribute to debate in the Senate yesterday on a bill to amend the Civil, Muslim, Hindu and Orisa marriage acts, and the Matrimonial and Property Act, in order to make the age of marriage 18 years across the board in TT, said: “The Holy Koran informs us about it. ‘Marry women of your choice. Make the trials of the orphans easy until they reach the age of marriage.’ The age of marriage is defined in Islamic religion as the age when puberty starts.” The age of puberty varies according to climatic conditions, he said.

No change has been made to the Holy Koran and since Prophet Mohammed came to this Earth, Mohammed said, “from then to now the lifestyle of the Muslim has not changed.” While the study of sociology shows changes in the lifestyles of people, Mohammed said, “not in the case of Islam, because God tells us in the Holy Koran ‘the habit of God does not change’.” The Council of Islamic Scholars, which he chairs, he said, supports the law as it is. The current law allows for girls to be married from 12 years.

The council does not agree with, and believes that the criminalising of the solemnising of marriage under 18 and the fine of $50,000 and seven years imprisonment for the offence was “oppressive” to Muslims.

The proposed Bill, Mohammed said, does not say which of the two phases – the contract and the consummation – in the Muslim marriage was offensive. He said that while the contract can be done at any time during childhood, including infancy, he said, the marriage can only be consummated after the individual has reached puberty.

He condemned the Romeo Clause in the Children’s Act which decriminalises sexual activity between children saying that it was responsible for the problems among secondary school children.

He questioned what the Attorney General was doing about it. He said that while statistics show that from 1987 to 2007 there were only 16 Muslims marriages, he said, it was still advisable to retain the law as it is so as not exclude isolated cases.

Meanwhile, at the start of his contribution, Independent Senator Ian Roach said he was forced to look at the definition of puberty which was defined as that, “period during which adolescent reaches sexual maturity and becomes capable of reproduction.” Limiting the definition of puberty to someone who is not fully developed for the institution of marriage with all its responsibilities including sexual intercourse, which for a child is slave labour, Roach said, means “we are missing the point.”

It will add to the landscape of the recently opened South Park, located at Tarouba Link Road on the outskirts of the southern city.

The 120-room hotel will be developed on a two-acre plot of land near the mall. The project is expected to be completed in 18 months.

Speaking at a press conference at the office of San Fernando Mayor, Junia Regrello to outline expansion plans for South Park, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rahael Holdings Limited (RHL), Anthony Rahael, said that within the next six months, his company will be “breaking ground” to begin construction.

“We are in discussions with the Hilton brand and have an agreement in place. So we will be breaking ground to build a Hilton-type hotel, probably a Hampton Inn. Hilton will be coming to San Fernando,” he added. Rahael said the design for the hotel is done and his company simply needs financing.

The hotel will not be the only addition to South Park. On the cards is a gated residential community close to the mall.

“Just across the road from South Park, we have land set aside for a residential project. It will be affordable and not high end, so as to not be out of the reach of the majority of people.” According to Rahael there is a need for residential apartments or townhouses, “so we are talking to real estate agents to get any good company to explore.” Rahael also promised new jobs for San Fernandians as a result of South Park’s expansion.

He will partner with the San Fernando City Corporation in future projects to develop and enhance the city. Land on which the mall is built, was purchased 13 years ago, Rahael said as he noted that entertainment will remain an integral part of the mall. He said there will always be a space for artistes. Regrello welcomed the entrepreneurial spirit of RHL and encouraged other business entities to make similar investments in the southern city. He also promised to work in close collaboration with RHL.

This is a very timely initiative that we certainly support being rolled out nationwide to other faith-based organisations.

Additionally, we suggest the initiative be taken beyond the confines of the traditional hospital/ clinic setting where patients receive treatment, and beyond the stigmatisation that the issue has attracted such as due to its identification with populations such as the homeless.

Mental wellness affects us all.

A 2007 World Health Organisation (WHO) document, “The WHO AIMS Report” on TT, said mental health is not just about pathology but also about one’s ability to simply cope with life, namely, “as an inner balance, ability to manage the everyday deals and to choose a correct solution of personal problems, as well as to adhere to the conventional behavioural standards”.

We would boil it down further, for each person to reflect, “Am I happy, and am I coping?”.

The report also identifies both mild/moderate mental disorders such as depression or anxiety (including phobias), plus more severe psychiatric disorders, saying an underlying stigma (where mental illness is not seen as just another disease or illness) may deter persons from using TT’s mental health system. Other mental health issues are sleep disorders, eating disorders, sexual disorders, personality disorders (such as narcissism) and impulse-control disorders. Behavioural addictions such as gambling, alcoholism and drug-misuse are mental health issues in TT whose prevalence surely needs to be quantified and qualified, and formally addressed. For example, what proportion of socially-marginalised populations such as the homeless and the incarcerated have lives negatively affected by such addictions? For example, United States (US) research suggests that low levels of the brain/mood chemical serotonin can result in impulsive aggression in persons. One US study cut prison violence by feeding fish-oils to inmates to biochemically re-balance their brains and lift mental health.

Outside of pharmaceutical remedy, mental health in some cases may be improved by lifestyle changes such as in diet/nutrition as in these findings by Joseph Hibbeln for the US National Institutes for Health. Healthy eating, more exercise, more time with loved ones, charitable giving, and prayer can likely boost our mental balance.

Research shows that exercise can reduce the occurrence of dementia in the elderly. Conversely, loud and unwanted noise such as from firecrackers or booming bass loudspeakers can cause aggravation, irritability and mental upset in persons unwittingly exposed to such.

The 2007 WHO AIMS report lamented an absence of awareness campaigns to get “buy in” by the public, the need for closer collaboration with other actors in the health sector and the absence of a research culture in mental health.

The Ministry of Health website currently lists objectives for mental health as being more public education, more linkages with State actors and NGOs and a general reduction in the negative perception of mental disorders.

All of the above suggests the need for more efforts towards mental good health at the level of offering primary health care, such as healthy lifestyles.

Such changes can very aptly be conveyed to the population, in the places where they now congregate, such as schools and places of worship, even as we commend the SWRHA’s current initiative.