It will feature the five top steelbands – Desperadoes, Massy Trinidad All Stars, bpRenegades, Republic Bank Exodus and Phase II in association with Hadco, and the show will be done in remembrance of the late pan aficionado Theodore “Teddy” Guerra.

Each band will begin its repertoire with the event’s theme song, after which they will each perform for 35 minutes, inclusive of their surprise guest performers.

Martin Cain, assistant manager of Desperadoes kept the band’s surprises close to his chest. All he would divulge is that the repertoire, comprising seven selections, will be a touch of class, and a touch of every genre of music from hip hop to classical to calypso.

The band will feature two guest performers. One a young pannist who Cain says is very skilful, and the other, a young vocalist who Cain described as a young star and one of Laventille’s pride and joy.

Given the fact that Carlton “Zanda” Alexander is the arranger of the band, it is expected that the band will do a selection or two of his, in light of the concert format.

Massy Trinidad All Stars’ manager, Nigel Williams said the band decided to be a little different in terms of the repertoire. “It is a more varied mix. Given the change in demographics with so many young persons involved in steelband as players, to attract some young people out there, we have taken a different outlook for the event but maintaining our traditional base, he said.

Like Cain, Williams refused to state the composition of the band’s repertoire. All he would say is, the band will do about five pieces but has prepared an extended repertoire.

“Each piece will be a different genre. We are taking this event seriously and will be adding a little more umph. We are coming out to put on a show,” he said.

But it is definite that the band that will also feature a guest instrumentalist, and will play its winning Panorama song Full Xtreme. Michael Marcano, manager of bpRenegades stated that his band’s repertoire includes a medley of extracts of Jit Samaroo’s Panorama arrangements. He said Renegades will also do Maria by Carlos Santana, Be Strong by Barrington Levy and Jennifer Hudson’s And I’m Telling you that will be vocalised by new local sensation Ariel Cowie.

Marcano said the band is particularly excited about its upcoming performance. “They just can’t wait for Saturday. The fact that is not a competition is not going to change anything. Competition or no competition we always put our best foot forward.” Republic Bank Exodus’ manager, Ainsworth Mohammed said: “Exodus will be doing eight pieces. Pan in A Minor, Air On A G String, a light classic, Jordu and Flying Home, two jazz numbers, Calypso Rising with vocals by Natalie Yorke, a Latin selection Bailamos, Eddie Cumberbatch singing an aria Nessun Dorma, then we will end with The Ganges and the Nile by David Rudder.” The band will include four pieces of brass and its arranger Pelham Goddard on keyboard.

Meanwhile Len “Boogsie” Sharpe of Phase II in association with Hadco is so looking forward to tomorrow. He said: “The vibes are nice in the panyard. We practising a lot to give patrons a good show.” He revealed that guest performers are 3canal doing Talk Yuh Talk, and teenager Antonio Waithe who will sing You Raise Me Up. Also on the repertoire are Sunita, Umbayo and a Sparrow medley.

However, Boogsie said: “You know I am a shy person. Now it have an instrument I want to play.

If I get that brave on the night I will come out with it and give the patrons a nice surprise.” Newsday has been informed that in the spirit of all inclusiveness, members of Pan Trinbago executive have all been specially invited to the show.

Many are still living in shacks without easy access to drinking water, electricity, medical and welfare services, education, proper roads to their homes and other necessary amenities.

It really does not matter how much money there is in the Treasury, politicians have turned a blind eye to the needs of the underclass.

This is reflected by the rate in which poverty is becoming widespread throughout the country.

This has not happened overnight. It is simply that our politicians, despite our past wealth, has allowed poverty to grow and are really only interested in supporting the lifestyles of the rich and well-off.

So it is therefore reasonable to assume that when the Prime Minister mentions funds for our lifestyle he is only referring to the upper and middle classes. The poor people are not considered as having any form of worthwhile lifestyle to support with Treasury funds.

The rise in poverty in many districts is reflected by the “hot spot” crime problem.

With the rising cost of living and galloping unemployment there is now no other way for the poor to make two ends meet.

GA MARQUES via email

At a press conference at the association’s office in Arouca, Richards said, “We will always accept that because we have always been saying that we operate in derelict prisons. But the reality of the situation is when you move persons from the Port-of- Spain prison, given the fact that we have our condemned section in Port-of-Spain where we have a number of high risk inmates, where will you put them?” He said he hoped Government was not looking at placing the prisoners at the Maximum Security Prison in Arouca because it was inadequate due to the failure of the electronic system and it does not have an alarm.

“We will not accept or continue to accept the non attendance to these other prisons that is not functioning properly.”

This triggered a transformation among mourners from one of tears and sorrow to anger and confusion as arguments broke out and exclamations of, “what is this?” and, “what really going on here?”, could be heard. In the end, as Fr Pierre left the church, Holder’s casket was hurriedly placed back into the hearse and whisked away to the Funeral home.

The service for Holder, who lost her battle to lupus last Saturday, was scheduled to begin at 9.30 am.

Shortly after it began and while prayers were being said, it came to an abrupt end.

Asked later as the reason for the cancellation, Holder’s brother Carlyle told Newsday, “Somebody made plans without the family.

My other sister and I were not made aware that the funeral was taking place today. I was supposed to get in at 2.25 this afternoon but I had to buy a new ticket and leave my home in New York in order to be here this morning.” He said that what matters now, is that his sister gets an “appropriate” funeral and receives “appropriate respect.” Holder told Newsday that other relatives including another sister were due to arrive in Trinidad late yesterday.

“Look at this programme.

How can you have a funeral and not mention any family member’s name in the programme,” Holder asked.

Family friend Criminologist Renee Cummings told Newsday, “Carlet had love for many people.

What happened today is just an expression of love from all the people who knew her and she was larger than life and fabulous.

This kind of thing only happens to fabulous people.” Cummings added that she was told by a female relative of Holder that flights couldn’t be arranged on time, so many family members couldn’t make the service.

She said this was the reason why the funeral service was halted and postponed to a later date.

Maricel ‘Empress’, who said she was Holder’s adopted sister along with another very close friend of the deceased, who asked not to be identified, expressed sorrow at the feud between relatives and friends which led to the service being cancelled and denying Holder the send-off, “she deserves.” Referring to a close relative of Holder, Maricel claimed, “He stopped the funeral for no reason.” Holder who worked in both radio and television succumbed to her ailment last Saturday, the same day another media worker and soca artiste Devon Matthews suffered a massive heart attack and died shortly after performing at the Tribe band launch.

Newsday was told Holder’s funeral will be held tomorrow at Allen’s Funeral Home in Arima.

Efforts were being made for the service to remain at St Theresa RC, but the Church was booked fully for tomorrow.

Located upstairs at Alexandra Street in St Clair, the new facility features three escape room attractions, which are designed for team-building, puzzle-solving fun among young professionals, friends and family members.

This alternative form of entertainment has been growing in popularity throughout the globe and has been one of the most popular attractions at the annual Republic Bank Decibel Entertainment Festival.

Now, the Escape Room attraction will be available on a permanent basis and is expected to expand to different locations around the nation over time.

Beharry said at the meeting they were told the heavy equipment became too costly to maintain. He said residents expressed their concerns but were told their properties would not suffer any damage.

Sometime today TCL is expected to have a “dry run” and Beharry told Newsday they were told to listen for an alarm in order to prepare themselves.

He said residents were preparing to protest and a meeting is expected to be held at 6 pm today.

Newsday contacted TCL’s communications manager Michelle Langton who said she was abroad but was aware of the meeting to inform residents of TCL’s plan.

It was the first truly homegrown conglomerate that mushroomed into CL Financial (CLF) and spread its wings beyond our narrow national and even regional boundaries.

It demonstrated what is possible for our local business community and it is therefore important how we treat with it in this its hour of need. To simply dismantle and abandon it should, in my view, be the last option, if it is an option at all.

CLF was a victim, like many other major conglomerates, of the recent global economic depression.

In addition, one may claim it was run by some who were too adventurous.

Be that as it may, there should be dialogue with its shareholders and a close look at their plan of restructuring and repayment of its debt.

We must try to find a solution and let the legacy of Duprey live on. To do otherwise would be a sad day in the history of our country.

However, I firmly believe that those individuals at the helm when CLF experienced its “difficulties” should not be part of its new “hierarchy.” Also, in my opinion, it should be clear that the extremely broad range of areas of interest should be rationalised.

Prof emeritus Harold Ramkissoon via ema

This is a myth.

Cholesterol is wrongly blamed as being the major cause and contributor of heart disease. It is widely believed that bad cholesterol clogs our arteries, but remarkably, there is absolutely no scientific evidence whatsoever to substantiate this claim.

Cholesterol is present in a large number of the cell membranes and has the responsibility of giving our cells stiffness and integrity.

The notion that high cholesterol levels lead to heart disease is baffling to say the least.

If we forget the old talk and take time out of our busy schedules to do research we will be amazed to discover that cholesterol levels, whether high or low, have absolutely no impact on the growth of atherosclerotic plaque, which is the major cause of heart disease.

Cholesterol plays a vital role in the repair and maintenance of the intestinal wall, preventing conditions like ulcerative colitis, and a wide range of intestinal disorders.

Cholesterol is craved by almost every cell that in our bodies because it is essential. It is so important that we have been given the amazing ability to manufacture it. Cholesterol is produced by the liver, brain and almost every cell in the body. It is the base structure where all of our sex hormones, bile acid and Vitamin D are produced.

Cholesterol does not indicate the presence of heart disease.

It is a well known fact that many people with heart disease have “normal” cholesterol levels. Remarkably, many people who have high cholesterol levels possess healthy hearts.

A study on heart attack victims shows that many have cholesterol levels within the socalled normal range.

Sugar and carbs are far more dangerous to our health than fat, than we have been conditioned by society to believe. Sugar is the leading contributor of high triglycerides, which in turn contribute to heart disease.

Inflammation is the true cause of heart disease and a diet that is high in carbohydrates and processed foods causes inflammation.

Adding to the causes of inflammation are stress, smoking and too much alcohol.

Low cholesterol is not healthy. Low cholesterol is linked with depression, aggression, Alzheimer’s and suicidal thoughts.

Cholesterol is required to make brain cells. Cholesterol is needed for memory and cognitive function.

It helps the body fight against infection.

When there is an infection present in the body, HDL goes down because it is used to fight the toxins, and this could be one of the main reasons why cholesterol is found at the site of inflammation.

This does not mean cholesterol is to be blamed for the inflammation.

Cholesterol is present to soothe the inflammation.

SIMON WRIGHT Chaguanas

Krishna Rampersad, the husband of one of Paul’s cousins, delivered the eulogy at Paul’s funeral ceremony yesterday morning at the family’s home in Reform Village, Gasparillo.

“On this ill-fated, catastrophic dreadful afternoon, all the dreams and aspirations of BJ were destroyed,” said Rampersad, drawing loud applause from mourners.

“They were destroyed by a reckless driver. I do not know how this person can live with himself knowing what he has done to this innocent family. I do hope the police officers do their part in ensuring that justice is served.” Hundreds of people – the majority of whom were Paul’s Paramount Transport Ltd co-workers and a small group of leather-jacketed bikers – were present.

Paul, described as an experienced rider, died while taking his 15-year-old daughter Nicolette Paul for a ride on his motorcycle which he had bought only three weeks before. A white Elantra motor car which was reportedly trying to overtake a line of cars on the Reform Link Road, collided with Paul and his daughter killing him on the spot. On the website of the company Electrovek steel always in stock 1.4762 rohre at an affordable price.

Nicolette, badly injured, is still in the Intensive Care Unit of the San Fernando General Hospital but is said to be recovering well, not yet aware of her father’s death. The driver of the car was also reported to have been taken to the hospital after the accident.

Gasparillo police are investigating.

Is Gopeesingh for real with his comments on 2014 and 2015 being “the best academic years” in comparison to 2017? What Gopeesingh is failing to mention is that these “best years” came at a time when there seemed to be focus on SE A but school indiscipline was soaring. He needs to give a more realistic view when quoting statistics that only serve to mislead the public.

A comparison cannot be made between 2014 and 2017 as there has just been a change in the way the exam is written. In any initiative, if there is a change, room must be left for teething. The exam now has been reverted to a place where students can have more time for preparation and still attain holistic development which, as a parent, I believe is most important.

The former minister went as far as to highlight that 15 percent of students scored below the 30 percent mark but did he say what will happen with these students? They will be given assistance to aid them in not only being better prepared to rewrite the SE A but the minister has also identified possible areas for attention for these students.

The question should now be asked of the former minister: were proper teaching measures put into place during his tenure and, if so, why were these students unable to attain at least 30 percent? These scores are not a reflection of the exam but a sad reality of the foundation the students would have received.

This Garcia continues to highlight as one of the key areas of concern — literacy and numeracy.

Gopeesingh needs to stop playing politics with our children’s education and let the people who now hold the reigns have an opportunity to do their job.

LANA SINGH Preysal