Jeffrey will lead his side against W Connection in a Digicel Pro League clash today from 6 pm when, for the first time in the history of the League, the Brian Lara Recreation Ground on Sam Boucaud Road in Santa Cruz will host top flight football.

The Santa Cruz venue is the latest community-based location to host Pro League action after the Morvant Recreation Ground, which currently boasts the best supporter turnout averaging between 2,500 and 3,000, and the Naparima College and Barataria Recreation Grounds.

“It’s long overdue,” admitted the Jabloteh coach, who qualified the San Juan Kings for next year’s CONCACAF Champions League qualifiers by finishing runners-up in the Pro League last season. “We can’t go wrong with Santa Cruz. I know what Santa Cruz can offer.

Santa Cruz is a football and cricket community; it’s a sporting community.” Jabloteh are currently one spot behind Connection in third on the League standings, with both sides on 16 points, while leaders and two-time defending champions Central FC are three points ahead on 19.

“It’s a good billing, just right for the people of Santa Cruz,” added Jeffrey. “We will surpass what Morvant had. The people (of Santa Cruz) are saying they intend to bring more than 3,000 (today). So it could be in the region of 3,500- 4,000 or more. That’s the kind of 12th-man advantage we will have over Connection.” Jabloteh have five wins, one draw and one loss after seven league games this term, like Connection who have a better goal-difference, and Jeffrey is targeting nothing less than three points against the visiting Savonetta Boys.

Lewis roared to148 off 122 balls in just his fourth ODI, to propel a run chase against Sri Lanka but West Indies lost by just one run in a tense encounter.

The 24-year-old left-hander struck 15 boundaries and four sixes __ to record the second highest score by a West Indian in Zimbabwe.

“Yes it’s a good feeling.

I got to open (on Wednesday). I went out there and was positive about myself. I felt good,” said Lewis, now the tournament’s leading run scorer with 193 runs in three innings.

“It was always a tough target to get. The players tried their best to get the score. We came very close to winning the game and it is good to see we went out there and was positive.” Lewis stared in an opening stand of 63 with Johnson Charles who scored 26 and 70 for the second wicket with Kraigg Brathwaite.

West Indies must beat Zimbabwe in today’s virtual semi-final encounter to advance to Sunday’s final against Sri Lanka.

“It is a must-win situation we are in against Zimbabwe. We have to go out there and regroup as a team and play our best cricket,” said Lewis.

“It is always a pleasure batting with Johnson Charles; he takes a lot of the pressure off of me.

“It is a great guy to bat with. I felt comfortable.”

Together with the band’s accomplished frontline entertainers, Blaxx and Ricardo Drue who was also born in Antigua, Tizzy promises to excite soca fans when she lends her amazing vocals to the All Stars cast. The Roy Cape band has become a staple at every major Carnival event.

Tizzy recently signed a major commercial contract with VP Records- the largest distributor of reggae, dancehall and soca music globally.

Her contract will see VP distribute her music for three years, through various digital distribution channels. Her single, “Pumpin Iron”, has been receiving approval since its release.

Tizzy recently flew in to TT to deliver the track to several radio stations and took time to interact with the personalities and their audiences.

“Pumpin Iron” was written by Kamau Georges with production work put in by Stadic Rayne Christerfield for Redroom Productions. “It’s the kind of song that matches me perfectly,” Tizzy said in a media release. Like almost every entertainer, Tizzy admits that the performance of a track on stage becomes almost second nature when the concept behind the song is perfectly suited to the personality of the artiste.

“I’m in the gym a lot and while there’s the double entendre that can’t be missed in this particular track, the fact that it’s got that gym instruction in there, is all me. I couldn’t have asked for a better concept,” she said. With respect to her outreach to fans Tizzy said: “It’s important for me to let the people know that I appreciate them. I appreciate their support and I’m really looking forward to entertaining them all, when I step on stage as a part of the Roy Cape family in 2017.” This collaboration between the singer and the Roy Cape All Stars is viewed as yet another great step in the direction of Caribbean cohesion.

Her vocals are said to be on par with fellow female soca stars like Destra Garcia, Denise Belfon and Alison Hinds, the release said. For over a decade, Tizzy has intrigued audiences across the Caribbean and internationally, delivering her brand of soca music, the best way she knows how –with unadulterated fun and Caribbean expression. From the moment she impressed TT with the hit single, “Expose” in 2007, Tizzy remains as relevant as she did, over a decade ago.

“I’ve been to many places; performed in France, Toronto, Belgium, Calgary, Beijing and across the Caribbean, but Trinidad and Tobago is a special place. When the people feel your music here, there’s no doubt that that acceptance will transcend to every other country you touch. It’s the reason why everyone wants to be loved in Trini,” she said.

Tizzy’s made it to the finals of the International Soca Monarch finals twice. She is expected to return to TT soon and plans to work closely with her friends in music.

Via her social media platforms, all handled as Tizzy and El-A-Kru, the Antiguan beauty keeps her followers abreast of her every move, including those gym sessions where she’s often spotted “pumpin de iron”. For more on Tizzy, fans can follow her social media updates on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @therealtizzy.

The sold-out audience was able to see and hear the music from Charles latest CD live and with his band, Creole Soul, did not disappoint. They performed nine songs from the CD in the first half of the show, songs with names that remind us of our Spanish and African heritage: “Boruca”, “Limon”, “Cahuita”, “Hyarima”, “Muwekma”, “Revolt”, “Song for Minh”, “Gold Rush 2.0” and “Speed City”.

The second half of the show was dedicated to a Creole Christmas and featured Clarita Rivas, Enrico Camejo, Ernesto Garcia, Stanley Roach, Pascual Landeau, Gilbert Ravello and vocalist Llettesha Sylvester.

Together they performed songs like “Black Cake and Sorrel”, “So Yo Pudera”, “Indian Parang Chick” (classy jazz) “Go Tell It On the Mountain”, “Every Year Every Christmas”, “Roses of Caracas” and more.

This Sunday and also on December 04, respectively, the community- based organisation will be hosting two events at the St James Amphitheatre, Western Main Road, St James. The former is with children in mind while the latter is for the general public. Both are free.

On Sunday from 3 pm, young children will be treated to snacks and there will also be inter-active gaming, balloon art and face painting.

One week later, the St James CIC will be presenting its Christmas tree lighting ceremony and concert at the same venue.

The December event will feature performances by the Defence Force Steel Orchestra along with the ever popular traditional steelbands, St James Tripolians and Scrunters’ Pan Groove.

Sharlene Flores, Queen of Parang, and a school’s choir will add to festive fare.

The lights will be turned at 6 pm. This will be followed by the Christmas concert. The tree will remain lit and on display at the St James Amphitheatre and Park until January 7, 2017.

These events are the initiative of the St James CIC which extends the invitation to all to come out enjoy the holiday melodies and entertainment.

This year’s event is in memory of the former president, Earl Crosby, who passed away in August.

This year will make it 53 straight years running that bp Marionettes has done a Yuletide production, with almost all the concerts being hosted at the popular St Ann’s venue. No small feat for a group comprising members who are driven mainly by volunteerism and the sheer love of music and the arts.

“Sing Alleluia!” is already shaping up to be yet another memorable offering from the Chorale which includes the adult, Youth and Children’s choirs.

Led by artistic and musical director, Gretta Taylor, the ensemble will perform a repertoire of Christmas selections in several styles, ranging from classical to spirituals, gospel, seasonal local and international favourites, calypso and parang.

Speaking of local music, virtually all the folk, calypso and parang selections performed by the choir over the years, have been arranged by ace musician and music educator, Desmond Waithe.

As a cherished member of bp Marionettes, Waithe is renowned for his catchy, feet-tapping arrangements that traditionally close the annual shows, as patrons chip merrily through the exits.

Far more than just a choir, the organisation was officially incorporated as a non-profit in 2005, and has been sponsored since 1972 by bpTT – support for which they are exceedingly grateful.

Every year, proceeds from the holiday concert have been donated, in part, to a range of local and at times regional charities – as in the case of Haiti.

This year being no different, the chorale has decided to lend support to projects spearheaded by The Living Water Community.

With plans to take patrons on a rich and refreshing musical journey of home-grown, family entertainment, bp Marionettes hopes to do their small part in bringing a bit of much-needed peace, love, goodwill and good cheer into our Trinbago space.

Showtime is 7.30 pm and tickets go on sale at the Queen’s Hall Box Office from November 28.

For more info and to take advantage of early bird discounts, email: orders@marionetteschorale.

com or call: 790-1751.

According to the report which was released last week, Trump, who has indicated he is pro-energy many time during his campaign, will not only open up new sources of domestic oil, but increase investment in shale gas.

The report says, “There are over 100 billion barrels of oil lying fallow in US territory – on land and in shallow water, requiring convention drilling rigs.”

It goes on to outline Trump’s energy plan based on his election platform utterances which include staying independent of energy imports and unleashing America’s US $50 trillion in untapped shale, oil and natural gas reserves. It states that in order to do this Trump will likely incentivize US producers to get the commodities out of the ground.

The report projects that this in the medium term, Trump’s policies could see a further increase in energy supplies on the global market and therefore reduced prices.

FCIS projects that “as a result of these policies and the fact that Trinidad is losing market share to US companies, we see a further downside for the local industry. Further to this, according to BP’s CFO, Trinidad’s natural gas prices are being sold at a discount in the US.”

This was the stern advice yesterday from Point Fortin Magistrate Alicia Chankar, before whom His Worship stood on a charge of drunk driving to which he changed his inital plea of not-guilty to guilty.

The Magistrate, who presided in the Second Court, remarked that holders of public offices must at all times seek to set better examples for society to follow. Paul’s conviction and fine came just five days before the nation heads to the polls for the local government election scheduled for next Monday.

Paul, 71, was expected to go on trial yesterday as he pleaded not guilty to the offence at his initial court appearance on October 20.

But when the case was called, the mayor changed his plea to guilty.

As such, court prosecutor Sgt Ancil Corrie told the court that on October 18, at Grant Trace in Rousillac, police of the South-Western Division intercepted a car driven by Mayor Paul during a roadblock exercise. While speaking to him, the officers observed that Paul’s breath had a strong odour and his speech was slurred.

The court heard that a certified breathalyser technician administered a breathalyser test to the mayor which he failed. The legal prescribed limit is 35 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. Two other evidential tests were administered to him which he also failed. Sgt Gosine, head of the South-Western Traffic Unit subsequently charged His Worship with driving under the influence of alcohol.

In mitigation yesterday, Paul’s attorney James Philbert – a retired Acting Police Commissioner – informed Magistrate Chankar that prior to his client’s arrest he (Paul) consumed DayQuil (a cold medicine) then took two drinks. Paul has no previous conviction and no pending matters before the courts.

The result slips of the breathalyser tests were tendered into evidence yesterday.

“Holders of public offices are to set better examples to society,” remarked Magistrate Chankar who then imposed a fine of $7,000 on Paul with the instruction that it be paid in full within two weeks, failing which, he will serve one year imprisonment with hard labour.

The mayor had been granted $5,000 station bail. The trial was initially scheduled start last week Thursday, however the mayor was absent from that hearing with attorney Philbert then telling the court that his client had a doctor’s appointment after complaining of chest pains.

According to reports, the senior officer who is based in Western Division was detained and taken to the office of the Fraud Squad in Port-of-Spain where he was questioned.

Police sources said that the officer signed the WPC’s duty slips although records showed that the woman was off the job for several months. The signed duty slips enabled her to draw her full salary.

This state of affairs was brought to the attention of the Fraud Squad and investigations commenced.

According to police sources, an SRP not being a full-fledged member of the TT Police Service works in four hour shifts known as ‘tours’.

An SRP must fulfil 40 tours per month before receiving pay.

The senior officer was supposed to attend a strategy meeting yesterday with divisional heads and when he failed to show, calls were made to his cellular phone which was switched off.

It was only later that Western Division seniors got wind that the officer in question was in a cell at Fraud Squad offices. It is not known if the female SRP was on active duty yesterday. The starting salary for an SRP is $4,000.

Garcia made the comments yesterday afternoon following a private meeting held next to the school with government officials, staff and a part of a group of parents.

“There might be minor works to be done and I have instructed the EFCL to invoke emergency procedures so whatever needs to be done, will be done with the emergency it requires. These are things like cleaning and painting,” Garcia told media personnel.

The facility will first accommodate the Standard Fours and Fives on Tuesday and then the rest by December 2 , the Minister assured.

The issue of transportation to and from the new temporary location “will be dealt with” for all of the 248 students.

Santa Flora Government Primary School is the alma mater of President Anthony Carmona.

On arrival at the school yesterday, the Minister together with other officials were greeted by protesting parents and students holding placards at the front gates to the school’s compound. Some of the signs read, “ Rats, bats and snakes Infestation”, “ No Mr Garcia show some respect” and “ We want we school right now”.

Angry parents began accusing the Minister, and by extension the Government, of ignoring their plights.

Garcia together with Minister of State in the Ministry of Education Dr Lovell Francis, Member of Parliament for the area, Nicole Olivierre, and other officials first held a private meeting.

More than an hour later, officials invited the protesting parents inside but a group of them refused to attend on the basis that they wanted the media to sit in so as to broadcast what was said.

While some went to the meeting held next door at the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) , others remained outside .

As the Minister emerged from the meeting, parents accused him of being “disrespectful” and “running away” by not speaking to them. As he walked past the angry group, Garcia in turn accused them of being disrespectful and abusive to him. The Minister insisted that they had the opportunity to speak with him at the meeting but they refused to attend.

One parent – Michael Nemaiquestioned the “timing” of the visit insisting that it was nothing more than a political ploy to gainvotes in Monday’s local government election.

Speaking to media personnel, Garcia maintained that the purpose of the visit was to ensure that the children are aqequately housed “so that learning and teaching can take place in an environment that is peaceful.

He also described the Petrotrin representatives as “kind and gracious” .

Next door to the existing school structure is the ongoing construction of a new school.However, works are being delayed as contractors await outstanding payments.

The Minister confirmed that contractors are not paid and he promised “to sit down and discuss” that issue so as to pay them.

“ I cannot state when they will be paid or when work will resume,” Garcia added.

PTA president Sarah Gopaul admitted that the association was not initailly pleased with the response by the Ministry as he had taken “ too long “ to respond to their plights.

“ It is nine weeks and they (officials) are tellling us that we, the parents, have shut down the school. No. Our children’s satfey is of utmost importance and we are not playing politics with our children welfare,” Gopaul added.

She complained that the floors are moving away from the walls, the roof is falling apart and the steel is “turning into power”. That, Gopaul charged, is not a conducive environment for children.

Thus far, the parents said they are satisfied with the temporary solution and hope for a permanent solution.

Parents Nicoli Rampersad said she has been home-schooling her daughter ,Jan?a, five, since September.

However, the child is anxious to attend classes and interact with teachers and classmates.

Another parent added, “My son, Malachi Bacchus, is a bright student.

He was the valedictorian in his pre-school. Malachi is missing his friends and teachers.”