Sunday Magazine

Fidal Bassier believes it takes an artist to capture life through the lens

Times Bollywood:

Aamir Khan: 'I am not shooting any films for a

Art Williams and Harry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School

- Strengthening the aviation industry

Aeronautical engineer Colonel Charles Hutson believes “necessity is the mother of invention” and out of ‘necessity’ he co-founded the Art Williams and Harry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School.

Since its conception, the school’s mission is to provide lucrative opportunities within the aviation industry. Art Williams and Harry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School was conceived by

Capt Malcolm Chan-a-Sue, an aviation pioneer, and Hutson. It became operational in 1993.

The school was named after the pioneers of aviation in Guyana - Art Williams (Arthur James Williams) and Harry Wendt (Herman Edgar Wendt). Both were pilot-mechanics who, in the early 1930s, laid the foundation for aviation in Guyana and by so doing, opened up much of the country’s interior for the first time.

“When I decided I was going to remain in Guyana to help pull together the aviation industry, there was a need to establish an Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO). To do so, one had to prepare a disposition, which outlines all the procedures that will govern everything in the AMO. As part of the AMO, a training institution is required and that is how the school was established,” Hutson recalled in an interview with

the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine

Located in the Caribbean Aviation Maintenance Services Ltd’s hangar, Ogle International Airport, the Art Williams and Harry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School is a nongovernmental organisation committed to developing aircraft engineering skills and technical expertise essential to the development and safety of air transport within Guyana, the Caribbean community and the world at large.

In 2006, the Art Williams and Harry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School was nominated as the school of Caricom by the Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System (CASSOS). In that same year, the school became the first tertiary institution in Caricom to have ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Systems Standards. The Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards certified the school on 24 July, 2006.

Additionally, the school is accredited and certified by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, CASSOS, the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA), the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Suriname and the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority. The school is also approved under the rules and regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organisation Document 7192, Part D1.

Hutson pointed out that the school’s policy is to ensure meeting the regulatory and statutory requirements of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, customer satisfaction, employee development, environmental protection and safe training practices.

Growing up on the Great Troolie Island in the Essequibo River, three miles east of the mainland

Essequibo Coast, Hutson reminisced being fascinated with the amphibian planes which would land there.

“At a very tender age I expressed to my parents I wanted to become an engineer because of my fascination with planes and helicopters. I joined the aviation industry in 1961. I have studied helicopters in France. In the US, UK, Brazil and Canada, I studied engineering and various plane types,” he recalled.

The engineer disclosed that he never attended high school, but went straight from primary school to the Government Technical Institute where he spent four years studying mechanical engineering. Hutson stated he was successful because of his extensive reading. Additionally, he credits his ruthless dedication, and never allowing anything to distract him, for his success.

He revealed when he came to Georgetown, at the age of 15, he did not know how to ride a bicycle. Hutson counts himself fortunate because he received much needed help from various individuals - something he is very grateful for.

“Part of my roots, and the background from which I came from, I was taught to extend help to those who need it. I never looked at self only and so I never thought

about going abroad to pursue a career. I wanted to remain here to do my part in developing the industry and helping others to be successful in aviation. Being abroad, I observed how extremely bright Guyanese are - especially when they are provided with opportunities. That is why I wanted to provide the opportunities for persons to excel in the aviation field and that is why the school was started,” Hutson mentioned.

Currently the head of training, Hutson stated that the school’s programme is very extensive and recognised internationally. This year, the school is celebrating its 21st anniversary.

Recently, the institution collaborated with the University of Guyana for the establishment of a degree programme in aircraft maintenance engineering. After completing three years of theoretical and practical training at the Art Williams and Harry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School, the partners are planning to have students complete a degree programme at the university.

“For youths, in any area of life, you need to decide what your passion is and pursue it. Don’t be selfish; share your knowledge with others. Most importantly, you must be disciplined,” Hutson urged.

Adroit in glass blowing, Andrew Thom creates impressive artwork using nothing but his hands and a blowtorch.

In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Thom described himself as a “scientific and artistic glass blower”. He shapes molten glass, turning and blowing it into work of art.

“I describe myself as a scientific glass blower because I make test tubes, and artistic because I create various glass ornaments. I have been doing this for the past 24 years and enjoy every moment of it,” Thom pointed out.

After high school, Thom attended the Government Technical Institute. He graduated from the institution but did not get a job. A neighbour noticed this and asked Thom if he would like to learn something different. Thom readily accepted.

“That was when he introduced me to

Blowing glass into various shapes

Mr Denny, a glass blower. He is now in the US and about 90 years old. Mr Denny was very instrumental in teaching me glass blowing techniques and helping me

to excel in it. Also, when I became employed by the Institute of Applied Science and Technology, which has the largest glass blowing workshop in the country, I received further training and was able to

develop my skills,” Thom recalled.

Through a scholarship, Thom attended the Technical University of Nova Scotia in Canada, studying glass blowing. When he returned to Guyana, he registered his business, Creative Glass Works, in 1993. Unfortunately, the business was not established because of lack of funding.

“I never had the funding to do so or anyone willing to invest in it. I am doing the artistic aspect of it as a hobby. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to showcase my talent in Antigua at the ‘GoInvest- Guyana On Show’ exhibition and also at GuyExpo,” he mentioned.

It is impressive to observe Thom at work. He artistically uses florescent tubes to make vases, animal-shaped ornaments, even write out names in glass. At his home, in a humble workshop, Thom fires up his blowtorch, during his leisure time, to create artistic ornaments. He recently made an elaborate glass tree for a client, which was applauded as being distinct and artistic.

Thom demonstrated for Sunday Magazine, in his workshop, how he makes a swan. He stretched and blew the supple glass until it took a swan-like shape. He then mixed red food colouring in water and filled the ornament. Thom molded the glass expertly and effortlessly, creating a swan. It was a spell-bounding process.

“I do make glass ornaments for clients and I am planning on establishing my business. I consider my talent a gift because it comes so easily to me. The tree I did for a client took me about two days to complete. Grateful to my neighbour and Mr Denny for helping me develop my talent, I am now willing to impart what I know to all those interested. If I get the funding or resources, I can start a glass blowing programme,” he declared.

For more information on Thom’s work, call 611-1782.

Former Miss World Guyana cast in international films, commercials

Miss World Guyana 2010, Aletha Shepherd is going to be very busy over the next couple of months. The UKbased Guyanese, a trained actress, has secured her second role in the second of two international short films.

Interestingly, both films have a romantic component to them, one of them, ‘Broken Promises’, being a romantic drama and the other, ‘A Pod Piper’, being a romantic comedy. There must be something about her that is fitting for films with a romantic bent to them.

Shepherd has been on a fast track ever since she

Martha Ruby Holland (nee Nicholson), founder of the Ruby Holland School of Music in British Guiana, was an avid believer in music education and the arts. She believed that everyone possessed creative talent and spent her life providing artistic opportunities for students regardless of their age, social standing or financial

moved Los Angeles to add to her impressive credits acquired back in Great Britain, where she appeared on a number of shows. Shepherd will play the lead in the film, ‘Broken Promises’, a dramatic story about love, ambition and timing. In the romantic comedy, ‘A Pod Piper’, Shepherd has a featured role. That film is about a young man who finds an iPod that has magical qualities over everyone who hears the music, except for the one person he wishes it would impact.

A day after announcing her second casting, Shepherd disclosed she was also cast in a web commercial for Zest

soap. The spot was shot in Los Angeles just two weeks after the actress shot a promotional commercial for the national chain Bed, Bath and Beyond.

"I am just happy to be staying busy," the actress said. "This is what I came over here for. So commercials, films, television, I love it all because it gives me a chance to get better every time."

Already successful back in the UK, she appeared on a couple of popular television programmes over there. She is also an in-demand model and has done print campaigns for such major brands

as Pepsi, Nokia, Playstation and Mont Blanc.

"All I can do is keep putting myself out there and doing the best I can when given the opportunity," Shepherd explained of this string of bookings. "I know there are ups and downs in a business like this so I am grateful to be on the upswing at the moment and will extend it as long as I can. But no matter what I will keep pushing forward."

Shepherd is managed by Harris Management and is represented by Simon & How in the UK and HRi Talent. (First published on www.guyanesegirlsrock.com)

means.

Holland’s approach to teaching music (the piano) was unique and quite enriching. She offered her students a rich array of artistic experiences in performance, vocal pedagogy, piano techniques, poetic interpretation and theatrical acting. Musical plays were always a part of the recital program. She was a caring and dedicat -

ed teacher who touched the lives of many in her community.

One of her greatest gifts was the ability to bring out hidden talents in each of her students. Her teaching principles were patterned against the gradedcurriculum guidelines of the Royal School of Music, London.

In 1978, Holland migrated to Canada where

she became affiliated with the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and continued to teach in her home studio until her retirement in 2001 at the age of 88.

Holland believed that to nurture and encourage the arts is to also develop enlightenment of the human condition and ultimately the development of a well rounded life. Martha Ruby Holland died on 19 February, 2006, at the age of 92.

In an effort to maintain the rich musical legacy inherited from their mother, Holland’s son, Loris Holland, and daughters, Alice Patrong and Elizabeth Fullington – each a graduate of the Ruby Holland School of Music - established the Ruby Holland Scholarship in 2003 to assist students who cannot afford to pay for music lessons. Holland’s son, Loris, is an established Grammy Award Winning producer, arranger/composer and

songwriter.

The Ruby Holland Foundation for the Arts was created to continue Holland’s life work by providing opportunities for aspiring musicians/artists

of all ages to pursue their studies in music and the arts through educational scholarship awards and grants. (First published on www.guyanesegirlsrock. com)

Adoyenne of the international fashion industry, US-based Guyanese Sarah Bacchus enjoys transforming “raw fabric” into “beautiful clothing”, while being eco-friendly.

Born in Grove, on the East Bank of Demerara, Bacchus migrated to the US at the age of 16. There, she was able to hone her skills in designing.

“I was always fascinated by the idea of turning raw fabrics into beautiful clothing. Also, my mother was a seamstress. I bought fabrics with my allowance and she would cut the patterns and I would learn how to sew. It was such a rewarding feeling to sew some of my own clothing and being able to wear them,” she recalled in an interview with the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.

Moving to the US, Bacchus and her siblings were encouraged by their parents to pursue a career to better themselves. Although Bacchus aimed at achieving an accounting degree, it was never an area she was passionate about. She disclosed she did not follow through with her plans, but decided to start a career in the fashion field.

She pursued studies, and graduated, at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and continues to attend fashion classes there. Bacchus considers this as a “way of staying in tuned with all things current in the fashion industry”.

“My first job in the fashion industry was an assistant

designer for a company that supplied to Wal-Mart and Target, worldwide. Later, I worked as an associate designer for a company that had the only licence to manufacture cocktail dresses for Liz Claiborne. The latter company went into bankruptcy. Consequently, I was laid off and started my own business, 34-24-36, in 2010,” Bacchus reminisced.

Since opening her fashion business, Bacchus has launched five collectionthe most recent being the Aurora Collection. Her inspiration comes from the old Hollywood glamour and pays homage to that era via her designs.

“My fabric choice is important. I only use natural fibres because they keep the body cool in the warm months and warm in the cool months. We have been told that a positive side effect of utilising natural fibres is being categorised as an eco-friendly brand. Most importantly, durability is a plus- making the pieces great for wearing year round.

“While the old Hollywood glamour era inspires me to make clothing that evokes strength, confidence and sophistication, I sometimes allow myself to be carried away by the novelty fabrics I use. After all, the intention for 3424-36 is to use luxurious fabrics, colours, design lines for a perfect fit,” she pointed out.

Bacchus is proud of her most recent fashion show at the New York Fashion Week (NYFW). Her Aurora Collection was well-received. The designer is already plan-

ning for another big event in April, which came about as a result of the NYFW.

Apart from designing, Bacchus is a writer and host of the Xposed TV show. It is a production of Stealth Productions- owned by US-

Guyanese. The show features musicians of all genres. Features also include silent heroes in the community, not just West Indian but all walks of life.

The designer’s mission is to help her business to be-

come more recognised and successful. Although it is currently a “small” fashion business, Bacchus hopes to provide lucrative jobs for those who share her passion for fashion.

“My advice to young wom-

en is to be skeptical of things that do not make sense. Investigate for yourself. Stay true to your integrity and allow no one the privilege to change that. It is what makes you unique!” she encouraged.

The Shaping of guyaneSe LiTeraTure Cultural folklore

By PetamBer Persaud

Part two

“Cultural Folklore; Celebrating 44” is the theme for Mashramani 2014Guyana’s celebration of its Republic status attained on 23 February, 1970. Cultural folklore has forever captivated the imagination of Guyanese and non-Guyanese writers. Amerindian folklore is perhaps the first to be explored by writers. Here is a look at “Tales of Makonaima’s Children” by Henry Josiah.

To get a clearer picture of the tales, it is useful to have an understanding of Makonaima family tree.

Who was Makonaima? Makonaima, according to the glossary of the book, was “a mythical personality, one of the visitors to Earth from whom Amerindians are descended”. Makonaima’s twin brother was Pia. Their mother was called Roraima and their sisters were collectively called Pakaraimas. There was no mention of a father which indicated that in such a society, it was the matriarch who held sway. A grandfather is mentioned, his name was Kaie – full of wisdom and it was he who made the ultimate sacrifice to save his people.

Also of note, “Tales of Makonaima’s Children” is a “creation story” and “how it happened story” not un-

like the “just so stories” by Rudyard Kipling. It is quite entertaining how certain things acquired their names.

One day, Makonaima and Pia were playing in their homeland, called the Place of the Sun, when Makonaima discovered a hole leading down on to Earth, which was colourful with singing birds, mountains and many waters. Earth was different from the Place of the Sun which was a place of eternal brightness.

The story goes that the boys let down a rope ladder and clambered down to Earth. After exploring and eating their fill of nuts and fruits, they discovered that the rope ladder had disappeared. They also discovered that other persons had come to Earth using ‘their’ ladder. Two of those persons were girls from their school: one named Mazaruni and the other, Cuyuni.

Time went by but waiting for the rope ladder to be replaced was in vain. And there was no other way for them to return to the Place of the Sun. Time went by and the four were becoming wiser to the situation and older. Eventually, Makonaima married Mazaruni while Pia married Cuyuni.

Over the years, there were many issues from those marriages; the children and grandchildren dispersed and populated the Earth.

While all those things were happening, the stories

of the children and grandchildren unfolded. One such story tells what happened when Makonaima grew tired

of eating “sugary awara and buttery sawari”’ and craved for food cooked by fire. Because of the respect he commanded, Makonaima was able to persuade others to get for him fire from of bowl of Roraima Mountain. Eagle was first to go on this mission. Eagle failed, in the process, getting his feather singed and turning black all over. That was how ever since Eagle detested fire and cooked food. The next was the Vulture who also failed; instead getting burnt black all over and to this day is still looking for the dead eagle and is attracted to anything dead. Jumbie-bird also failed and returned to his usual “business of seeing the shadows of those who have passed beyond death”. Finally a hunter named Akawaio was sent off. He discovered fire but in the process set fire to the whole

of Guyana. Makonaima saved the situation by pouring rain down but fire from a crack in the mountain constantly came into contact the water causing the mountain to be always shrouded in a mysterious mist.

Other examples of the tales included a love story between handsome Arapaima and ugly Perai and the great sacrifice of Kaie who threw himself over the great falls Tuk as a sacrifice to save his people who were dying of starvation - and that is how Kaieteur Falls got its name.

And finally, a story with a moralistic twist: In ‘The Day the Sky Fell Down’ by Henry Josiah, the trees were complaining how the birds were nesting in their foliage preventing them from enjoying the sun and rain. The trees complained to Makonaima asking to be relieved of the duty of holding

up the sky – the solution the trees posited was to let the sky fall. Makonaima who after long thought decided to teach the trees a lesson by sending away the birds and allowing part of the sky to fall in on certain parts of the land, crushing the trees. That is how Guyana got its plains and Rupununi savannahs.

Henry Josiah in the preface of his book, “Tales of Makonaima’s Children”, declared that he had taken the “liberty to recreate them [the stories] in such a way that the familiar and universal English language would breathe the spirit of the old... tongues... and reflect for the new generations those things of value in the old way of life now almost overrun by the new civilisation”.

Further Josiah declared that he collected the stories for other reasons. The writer wished to share his joy and findings of the old “Carib costumes and cookery, arts and crafts, beliefs in magic and medicine, the cool cathedral atmosphere of the forests and the freedom of the wide-open savannah lands which we inherit” and to dig and discover and take “a long loving look at our roots”.

Josiah succeeded in his objectives mainly because of the way he retold the stories emphasising the conquest of good over evil. And the adventures in these tales will resonate well especially with children.

This collection of Amerindian folklore was first published in 1994 with a second edition in 2001, both by the now defunct Roraima Publishers. Illustrations were done by Kathy Thompson.

Responses to this author should be sent to email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com or call (592) 226-0065.

What’s happening: Coming soon, the first reprint of “An Introduction to Guyanese Literature”. It will be available from the author at the above contacts, Austin’s Book Service (2267350) and at the National Library (226-2690).

YoUNG ProfeSSIoNaLS

Kimberly Sattaur Model

By Vahnu Manikchand

Kimberly Sattaur believes that with hard work and determination one is bound to excel at anythingespecially making dreams come true.

Currently, the 18-year-old is living one of her dreams, modeling, while pursuing another. In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, she pointed out that she developed an interest in modelling since childhood.

"I think I was 10 when our village had a fashion show organised by a youth group, which I was a part of so. From then on I was intrigued with the idea of modelling."

Last year, at the behest of her friend, she joined a modeling agency, which provided many opportunities to grow within the modelling industry. Her first gig was being selected as a brand ambassador for Limacol during the inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL). Being brand ambassador, she recalled, was exciting. Additionally, she got the opportunity to meet many dignitaries, while experiencing the hype of the game.

"I don't really look at cricket. However, being there in person and witnessing it live was a great experience. Cheering before the massive crowd was exhilarating."

Sattaur has worked in several other major events including the Guyana Fashion Weekend (GFW). She revealed it was a challenge keeping up with the fashion veterans at GFW, but with intense training she was able to pull it off.

During this experience, she learnt that modeling takes a lot of discipline. “We have to walk the ramp and make it look effortless, but in real it’s a lot of work to master four to five routines for a show.”

While she is passionate about modelling, and plans to expand her portfolio, Sattaur has a different career path. She is currently a final year Sixth Form student at St Rose’s High School studying Law. Sattaur’s interests also include criminal law and journalism.

The young professional’s advice for youths, who are desirous of entering the modelling industry, is to never give up on their dreams and continue to work hard.

"Nothing happens before its time. Don’t be afraid to follow your dreams. You're confined only to the walls you build for yourself, so don't be afraid to chase your dreams.”

Jonathan ‘Lil Red’ King burst onto the music scene in 2002 with the finesse and energy more associated with celebrated entertainers. Immediately he was a ‘hot number’ and blazed a scorching trail which saw him entering the Junior Calypso Contest in that same year while he was still a student at the Redeemer Primary School. Born on 20 June, 1993, to talented soca temptress, Michelle ‘Big Red’ King, he had certainly possessed the fire of music in his veins from the very beginning. Quite naturally he followed in his mother’s footsteps and has been chalking up notable points on the musical charts since. King started singing at the tender age of ten. Since then, his vocal and performing talents have been known to leave his fans spellbound. While pursuing his secondary education at the Apex Academy, he joined hands with some of his colleagues and formed the hit song group, Real Hard Crew. While the group performed remarkably at several school concerts and other entertainment events, King’s mom paved the way for them to entertain at the 2009 Kross Kolor Records Annual School Show. They were well-received by the large audience. Unfortunately, the members of the music group decided to part ways. Consequently, King entered the ‘world of work’, specifically at Qualfon Inc. Three months into his stint there, he rocked the stage when he performed at the annual Qualfon Star Talent Competition. Before a panel of esteemed judges, the artiste wooed the hearts of those in attendance, eventually leaving the judges with no choice but to hand him the top spot in the competition. This accomplishment, of course, fuelled his musical fire and in 2012 he entered the Carib Soca Monarch with the riveting single, ‘Hold me Tight’. Later, King released a music video for the single. He made it to the final segment ahead of many seasoned campaigners, becoming a crowd favourite, although he did not place in the top three finalists. Working feverishly, he soon completed and produced his first mix-tape, which was also a major success. It was titled ‘Just Buss’. In 2013, he again entered the Carib Soca Monarch with another pulsating song titled, ‘Neva Stop’. Again he made it to the finals of the event, but did not win. The very talented artiste has also released, earlier this year, his debut album, ‘Just Buss’, consisting of hit singles ‘Who We Are’, ‘Hold Me Tight’, ‘Sugar Stick Wine’. He is currently signed with Vizion Sound Studios. Recently, King competed in the Carib Soca Monarch with ‘Who We Are’, but was unable to cop the winning title. However, the singer is not deterred. With raw, unbridled talent and powerful vocals, King is determined to follow his passion for music without letup. Visit Lil Red on Facebook to learn more about the artiste.

Pufferfish are able to inflate into a ball shape to evade predators. Also known as blowfish, these clumsy swimmers fill their elastic stomachs with huge amounts of water (and sometimes air) and can blow themselves up to several times their normal size. Some species also have spines on their skin to ward off predators.

Even if a predator gobbles up a puffer before it inflates, it will not enjoy the snack. Most pufferfish contain a toxic substance that makes them foul tasting and potentially deadly to other fish. The toxin is deadly to humans. There is enough poison in one pufferfish to kill 30 adult humans, and there is no known antidote.

In Japan, they are called fugu and are a very expensive, delicious treat. Because the fish are so poisonous, they are prepared only by trained, licensed fugu chefs. One false cut by the chef can mean death for the consumer.

Most puffers are found in tropical and subtropical ocean waters, but some species live in brackish and even fresh water. They have long, tapered bodies with bulbous heads. Some have wild markings and colors to show off their toxicity, while others have more muted colouring to blend in with their environment.

nuMBer SteP

Work out the sums and then write the answers in WORDS to complete the crossword.

Those who believe bats are blind just cannot see the truth themselves.

In reality, all bats can see. Many of them, in fact, can see really well, even in dim light. Most fruiteating bats, for example, have large bulging eyes that help them find their way and locate food by sight. But other bats, especially those that hunt for insects at night, need to rely a lot more on other senses in the dark.

These winged wonders make up for low visibility by "seeing" with their ears, and they do this by using a technique called echolocation. A bat echolocates by sending out streams of high-pitched sounds through its mouth or nose. These signals then bounce off nearby objects and send back echoes. By "reading" these echoes with its super-sensitive ears, the bat can determine the location, distance, size, texture and shape of an object in its environment. In some cases, a bat can even use

The objective of the game is to fill all the blank squares in a game with the correct numbers. Every row of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Every column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Every 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all digits 1 through 9.

Did

you know?

Pufferfish are scaleless fish and usually have rough or spiky skin. All have four teeth that are fused together into a beak-like form. They eat mostly invertebrates and algae. Large puffers will even crack open and eat clams, mussels, and shellfish with their hard beaks.

Some species of pufferfish are considered vulnerable due to pollution, habitat loss, and overfishing, but most populations are considered stable.

Pufferfish are in the family Tetraodontidae, which means “four teeth”. The teeth are fused together and are used to crush their prey.

There are more than 120 species of pufferfish worldwide. Pufferfish can be up to three feet (one meter) long and are carnivores.

echoes to tell insects that are edible apart from those that are not. And even bats which have been blinded can catch their food without a hitch this way. Curious about what bats sound like when they are echolocating? Sorry to say, but your ears alone would not tell you. Those sounds are so high-pitched, they are beyond the range of human hearing. But if you borrow a scientist's bat detector, a handy gadget that converts bat calls to sounds people can hear, you can indeed listen in.

What’s in a name?

The word tile can trace its roots to the French word tuile and the Latin word tegula, meaning a roof tile made of baked or fired clay.

The word ceramic is derived from the Greek word keramos, meaning pottery.

A bit of history

The earliest known examples of decorative ceramic tile are Egyptian and date back to 4000 B.C. The Egyptians dried and baked brick tiles in the sun, and they used a glaze made with copper to create a blue color. The Assyrians, Babylonians and the Islamic Empire incorporated decorated tile into much of their architecture.

The Greeks, Romans, Chinese, Persians, Indians, Syrians and Turks also made important contributions to the art of glazing bricks and tile-making. While Islamic tile art was being perfected in the Middle East from the 6th to the 14th centuries, the Chinese were creating a range of artistic styles and glazes that would later be copied by Europeans. Tile-making in medieval Europe was usually done onsite, using local clays. The process was expensive, and only churches, monasteries and palaces could afford tile. The tiles were handmade using different colored clays. Pieces were cut or molded into shape and fused together. Wooden molds with carved reliefs might be used to press a pattern into the clay, then a liquefied clay was poured into the recesses. Called encaustic or inlaid tile, this method was popular from the 12th to the 16th centuries and revisited by the Victorians of the 19th century.

In the early 1600s, the first blue Chinese porcelain arrived in Europe via Amsterdam and was then traded throughout Europe. Europeans tried to imitate the Chinese porcelain, glazes and designs. The famous Delft potters of the Netherlands were very successful at this, making beautiful tin-glazed, blue pottery. Prior to the 1900s, tiles were expensive, used mainly to decorate important buildings and wealthy homes. The Industrial Revolution allowed for the mass production of tiles. England built huge tile factories and played a vital role in tile innovation and mass production. Higher kiln temperatures and the firing of glaze and clay at the same time created stronger, more durable tiles.

People still make handmade art tiles, but most ceramic tile is manufactured in automated factories. Mexico is one of the few countries that continues to be recognized for its beautiful handmade and painted tiles by contemporary artisans. Private pottery studios and some art schools offer classes in tile-making.

SOURCES: World Book Encyclopedia, World Book Inc.; www.designboom.com; www.handpaintedtiles.org; http://thewisecollector.com; Moravian Pottery and Tile Works, Doylestown, PA; http://www.nederlandstegelmuseum.nl;

Decorative Ceramic Tiles

There are many kinds of tiles, but this page focuses on clay or ceramic tiles, which have been shaped by artists and fired in kilns for centuries. Since their earliest days, tiles have been used as a decorative building material on floors, walls and fireplaces, as murals, in showers or covering rooftops. The techniques involved were often kept secret and handed down from generation to generation. Antique ceramic tiles can be very collectable, and many modern tiles are still made by artisans, crafted for beauty and durability.

Glazing

Glazing is used to decorate, strengthen and waterproof tiles. Glaze is added by dipping or brushing the tile with a material that fuses with the clay when heated. Adding salt to the tile in the kiln is another glazing method. The earliest glazes were blue in color and contained copper or tin. A variety of metal oxides were used to achieve different colors. Iron oxide made a brownish glaze, cobalt oxide made blue, and manganese oxide made purple.

Tin-glazing from different periods and styles is known by many names. Tin-glaze from Muslim Spain is known as Hispano-Moresque

The decorated tin-glaze of Renaissance Italy is called maiolica or majolica. The Italians of the Renaissance learned to blend oxides to produce sophisticated polychrome (multicolored) tile pictures. In the Netherlands, tin-glaze became known as delftware. In France it was known as faience, and in England it was called galleyware or English delftware.

AGuyana’s leading natural fibre and organic companies, encourages the use of eco-friendly and biodegradable materials in the creation of fashionable apparel that appeal to an international audience.

Fraser’s recent collection of leather slippers attests her ability of creating urbane collections while being conscious of her environment.

“The use of natural fibre and organic material is beneficial, not only to the environment but also for humans. It adds value and prolongs product lifecycle and relate better to climatic changes. My aim is to influence building design, the construction sector and interior decor using natural and organic fibres that are in support of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). The main objective of my initiative aims at advancing the LCDS drive and encourage citizens to develop a deep sense of appreciation for eco-friendly practices as a way of life,” the designer said in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.

For more information on Carol’s organic collections, visit www.miraclehandsdesigns. com or call 612-7846.

Harry Shum, Jr. is a Costa Rican-born American dancer, actor, choreographer and singer of Chinese descent. He is best known for his role as Mike Chang on the Fox television show “Glee”. He has appeared in dance films such as “Stomp the Yard”, “You Got Served”, “Step Up 2: The Streets” and “Step Up 3D”. He also plays the character of Elliot Hoon, and choreographed, in “The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers”. He was also one of the lead dancers with stars such as Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez and Jessica Simpson.

Awax figure which is modeled after Anne Hathaway has been unveiled by Madame Tussauds. The ceremony took place on 27 February at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. The life-like figure reportedly was made by 20 artists and they needed three months to finish the work, which was made with a US$300,000 budget.

The art work, especially the smile, looks similar to the real person. The wax figure is styled wearing an elegant-looking black dress. It has long hair which is pinned back. The wax statue also wears sparkling jewelry and holds a matching clutch.

Hathaway is expected to attend the 86th Annual Academy Awards which will take place on 2 March at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center. She previously was announced as a presenter, joining other stars such as Angelina Jolie, Anna Kendrick, Benedict Cumberbatch, Bill Murray and Brad Pitt.

The "Les Miserables" actress was most recently seen at the Diane Von Furstenberg's Luncheon to honor female nominees at the 2014 Academy Awards. Wearing a Diane Von Furstenberg top and pants, she hosted the event alongside the designer and writer Willow Bay. (AceShowbiz)

Miley Cyrus defends using ‘little people’ on concert tour

In a new interview with MSNBC's Ronan Farrow, Miley Cyrus defended her use of ‘little people’ and black backup dancers on her Bangerz tour. The 21-year-old "We Can't Stop" singer denied recent criticism that her show is racist and exploitative.

"It's really funny how serious people take it. And they're like, you're racist. And I'm like, 'Really?'" she told Farrow. "We're like a bunch of kids dancing around in, like, bears, but we don't do choreography," she says of performing with her backup dancer. "They're just like dancing, doing these cute moves and they're awesome dancers like just on their own. It's not me telling them how to be."

As for the claims that she's exploiting little people?

"Fast and Furious 7" crew is expected to get back to work on set soon. The Hollywood Reporter learns that the James Wandirected movie which was delayed following Paul Walker's tragic death late last year will resume production in April to meet summer 2015 release date.

The script was reworked following Walker's sudden passing since the movie was still halfway done when the Brian O'Conner depicter died. Rumor has it, his character will be retired in the film which was originally set for summer release this year but is now scheduled to arrive on 10 April, 2015.

The film stars Vin Diesel, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson, and Jason Statham among others. In the previous six films, Walker played the on-screen sidekick to Diesel's Dominic Toretto.

Another tentpole project "Bond 24" also plans to begin filming this year. "It's meant to start shooting in October," Ralph Fiennes spills to MTV News. The actor will reprise his role as James Bond's new boss after Judi Dench's M met her demise.

Daniel Craig is back as the 007 spy agent. Director Sam Mendes and screenwriter John Logan return to their respective posts behind the

scenes as well. The film is planned to be released Stateside on 6 November, 2015. No other cast is confirmed, but Naomie Harris and Ben Whishaw are expected to return for the sequel.

The storyline is still kept under wraps, but the doors are open for super villain Ernst Stavro Blofeld to fight

the names to Blofeld and his evil organization. (AceShowbiz)

Cyrus said she doesn't worry about that. "No, because we're making them feel sexual and beautiful," she explained. Citing one of her female little person dancers, the "Wrecking Ball singer explained: "We're all about lifting her up and making her feel so sexy all the time, and having her dance -- she's actually an awesome dancer."

Farrow, 26, also interviewed one of Cyrus' former backup dancers, Hollis Jane, who recently spoke out about feeling "degraded" while wearing a bear costume at the singer's 2013 VMAs performance. Jane said she's not blaming Cyrus, but explained: "Little people need to stop being seen, in my opinion, in the media as jokes."

Rather than getting worked up about the criticism trailing her Bangerz tour, Cyrus revealed to Ronan that she's been spending her free time watching her favorite movie, 1990s “Days of Thunder”, starring Tom Cruise and ex-wife Nicole Kidman. "I watched it three nights in a row," she confessed of the racing flick, which introduced the couple to one another. "I want to be Nicole Kidman so bad, slash I'm kind of obsessed and kind of want to - I don't know if I want to be Nicole Kidman or if I want to be Tom Cruise, because his outfits are better." (US Magazine)

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher are engaged to be married. Various sites report that the couple is ready to take their relationship to the next level, as a source tells Us Weekly, "She is crazy about him!"

No confirmation is coming from the former "That '70s Show" co-stars' camps yet, but the "Ted" actress has fueled the engagement speculation. She was pictured wearing a huge diamong ring on her engagement finger when

Ariana Grande, Chris Brown get close in mystery dance rehearsal

shopping with her mom at The Grove in L.A. on Thursday, February 27.

Following the engagement rumor, Life & Style claims that Kunis and Kutcher are already fighting over prenuptial agreement to protect his $170-million fortune. The tabloid reports that the "Two and a Half Men" star is "terrified of getting burned again if things go south with Mila."

A source tells the magazine, "He ended up letting Demi [Moore] have way more than he thinks she was entitled to. So this time he's making sure the prenup is ironclad." However, Gossip Cop begs to differ, saying that a source close to Kunis insists the story is entirely not true.

Kunis and Kutcher began dating in 2012 after he split from his wife of eight years, Demi Moore. So-called pals close to the pair said late last year, "They talk about getting married and having kids. An engagement is imminent." (AceShowbiz)

Kim Kardashian labelled ‘annoying’

After getting over the "buttaflies" in her belly during a recording session with Chris Brown, Ariana Grande took it a step further on Thursday and danced cheek-to-cheek with her duet partner.

Brown posted an image of the pair pulling off a deft ballet move, his hand on her right thigh, her arm wrapped around the back of his head as they stared into each other's eyes in a dance studio. "Coming soon!" Brown wrote, perhaps hinting that we

might see the pair co-starring in a video as well.

Last week, Grande said she was working on new music and manager Scooter Braun tweeted about an "amazing session" she had that will produce an "incredible duet" soon. The next day, Brown posted what appeared to be lyrics, "I dug a single seed into the ground, I hope it grows."

Grande supplied the next line at the same time, "In a year or two if you're around, you'll see a rose." (MTV)

Reality TV princess

Kim Kardashian has ticked-off a billionaire mogul by not fulfilling her contractual obligations, he claims.

Austrian business

Richard Lugner hired Kim for a reported US$500,000 to be his date at the prestigious Opera Ball in Vienna this week, but according to RadarOnline.com, the 81-year-old told local reporters she was not doing what he wanted.

Along with her mother, Kris Jenner, Kim appeared

with Lugner for a photo op in front of his Lugner City mall, but Lugner later griped, “Kim is annoying me because she's not sticking to the program.” Instead, Kim and Kris apparently headed to a restaurant after landing in Vienna to film scenes for ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’. Lugner said, “She’s filming and so she doesn’t want to have me around,” adding, “The guest should be with me and not anywhere else that is not agreed upon.” (Extra TV)

Urvashi Rautela is an Indian supermodel, international beauty queen and Bollywood actress. She won the Miss Tourism Queen Of The Year International 2011 and Asian Super Model India 2011. She was initially chosen as the winner of Miss Universe India for 2012, but was later disqualified because she was too young. At age 19, she starred in the 2013 film “Singh Saab The Great”. Urvashi is also a dancer, trained in five different formsBharatnatyam, kathak, hip-hop, jazz and belly dancing.

Aamir Khan: 'I am not shooting any films for a year'

Aamir Khan has said he will not be taking on any more films after “PK”.

The actor said that he is committed to season two of

‘Satyamev Jayate’ and will be dedicating his time to the popular TV show. According to Glamsham, he said: ''I am as engaged with this season of

Satyamev Jayate as I was for the first season.

"Just to give you an idea, I am not shooting for any film for the entire year. I am just going to be with

Satyamev Jayate 2.

''There are few days of work left with PK, but other than that I am not taking any new film because I am devoting all my time to

the show. Not only am I involved in the research, production and shooting of Satyamev Jayate 2, but also for any other issues that crop up after the show is aired.''

Khan was honoured last year for highlighting social discrimination in India through his TV show.

Directed by Satyajit Bhatkal, ‘Satyamev Jayate 2’ is scheduled to broadcast from March 2,

Sonakshi Sinha, Imran Khan lend voice for ‘Rio 2’

Bollywood actors Sonakshi Sinha and Imran Khan are all set to lend their voice to the Hindi version of “Rio 2”, the sequel to 2011’s hit animation flick. Sonakshi Sinha and Imran Khan will feature as the lovable and memorable macaws Jewel and Blu respectively for “Rio 2”.

The English version of the movie will see the voices of Anne Hathaway and Jesse Eisenberg again which will be dubbed in Hindi by Sonakshi Sinha and Imran Khan.

“Rio 2” which is one of the most anticipated Hollywood movie in India, is an adventure comedy

set in the Brazilian city of Rio De Janeiro. The movie will feature the return of Blu, Jewel and their three kids who leave their domesticated life for a journey to Amazon rainforest. Talking about dubbing for the film Sonakshi says, “I love watching animation films, so when they approached me to lend my voice to the sequel of one of the most loved animations – Rio… I didn’t have to think twice! It’s a completely new experience for me and I’m very excited! It’s a treat not only for the kids, but families as well!” “Rio 2” in 3D is scheduled for release, in April, in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.

Karan Johar denies signing Deepika, Ranveer for 'Shuddhi'

Karan Johar denies signing Deepika, Ranveer for 'Shuddhi'

Filmmaker Karan Johar has denied reports of signing Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh for his most talked about project “Shuddhi”.

The film initially had Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor Khan in the lead, but later both of them walked out of the project.

There were reports that Ranveer and Deepika might replace Hrithik and Kareena in “Shuddhi”.

When asked if Ranveer and Deepika would be doing 'Shuddhi', Karan said, "No they are not finalised."

He refused to divulge any further details.

A few days back Karan

had announced that “Shuddhi” will release in 2015 and the star cast will be finalised soon.

The film got postponed due to Hrithik's health. But, later the actor surprised everyone by saying he won't be doing “Shuddhi”. Kareena too bowed out of the project since it was getting delayed.

(Times of India)

Dandruff may be the result of a dry scalp, or a skin condition called “seborrheic dermatitis”. It could also be caused by eczema, psoriasis, or, very commonly, an overgrowth of a yeastlike fungus called “malassezia”.

Drugstore remedies might include shampoos with zinc pyrithione, which targets fungus and bacteria; ketoconazole, which also fights fungus; coal tar and selenium sulfide, which slow the growth and die-off of skin cells on your scalp; and salicylic acid, which loosens flakes so they can be washed away. But you can skip the dandruff shampoo and try homemade treatments to banish those pesky white flakes.

Aspirin

Aspirin contains the same active ingredient (salicylic acid) as many medicated dandruff shampoos. Keep flaking in check by crushing two aspirins to a fine powder and adding it to the normal amount of shampoo you use each time you wash your hair. Leave the mixture on your hair for 1-2 minutes, then rinse well and wash again with plain shampoo.

Baking soda

Your kitchen could hold the key to an itch-free, flake-free scalp. Wet your hair and then rub a handful of baking soda vigorous-

Your feet are probably the last part of your body you think about- until they start hurting. They are too important to overlook, though: With some 26 bones and a complex framework of muscles, tendons and ligaments, your feet absorb the impact of your full body weight with every step, keeping you balanced and upright in the process.

The problems that can afflict your feet are numerous. Foot odour, cracked skin, fallen arches, corns, ingrown toenails, fungal infections and even damaged bones can cause discomfort and reduced mobility. While some of these problems are congenital, you can avoid many of them with a little TLC. If that wasn't enough of an incentive, all of these problems tend to worsen as we age, so if foot care doesn't seem important now, it will be.

The best way to keep your feet healthy is a simple regimen of daily care that will help keep the skin, bones and muscles of your feet functioning properly.

Wear socks

Socks an integral part of your daily foot care routine. Not only do they protect your feet from wear and tear, they absorb and wick away moisture.

Most of the impact of walking or running is absorbed by a layer of fat in your heels. If you spend a

ly into your scalp. Skip the shampoo and go right to rinsing. Baking soda reduces overactive fungi that

can cause dandruff. Your hair may get dried out at first, but after a few weeks your scalp will start producing natural oils, leaving your hair softer and free of flakes.

Apple cider

vinegarDr. Mehmet Oz swears by apple cider vinegar as a dandruff treatment, as the acidity of apple cider vinegar changes the pH of your scalp, making it harder for yeast to grow. Mix a quar-

ter cup apple cider vinegar with a quarter cup water in a spray bottle and spritz on your scalp. Wrap your head in a towel and let sit for 15 minutes to an hour, then wash your hair as usual. Do this twice a week.

Mouthwash

To treat a bad case of dandruff, wash your hair with your regular shampoo, then rinse with an alcohol-based mouthwash. Follow

with your regular conditioner. Mouthwash's anti-fungal properties help prevent dandruff-causing yeast from growing.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is a "tried and true" dandruff treatment, and it smells nice too. Before showering, massage 3-5 tablespoons of coconut oil into your scalp and let sit for about an hour. Shampoo normally. You can also look for a shampoo that already contains coconut oil.

Lemon

Dandruff relief may be no farther away than your refrigerator. Just massage 2 tablespoons lem-

lot of time on your feet, your heels might need some extra help. You can use shoe inserts, but a soft pair of socks can add some shock absorption as well. As you age, that fat layer gets thinner, so cushy socks becomes even more important. In addition, socks act as a barrier between your feet and your shoes, reducing blisters and calluses.

Socks also play a vital role in absorbing and drawing moisture away from your feet. For basic day-to-day wear, use socks made with natural fibres like cotton or wool. They're absorbent and will eventually wick moisture away from your feet to the breathable portion of your shoes (leather or mesh). For high-performance socks, there are synthetic materials made for athletes that are better at wicking moisture away because the material don't compress as much as natural fibers do when saturated with sweat.

Wear comfortable shoes

Wearing the wrong shoes can affect many aspects of foot health. First, your shoes must fit. Shoes that fit too tightly can cause hammer toe, corns, ingrown toenails and general foot pain. Overly large shoes prevent your heel from settling in the proper place as you walk, causing blisters and calluses, sore heels and excessive shoe wear. Remember that your feet "stretch out" late in the day,

on juice into your scalp and rinse with water. Then stir 1 teaspoon lemon juice into 1 cup water and rinse your hair with it. Repeat this daily until your dandruff disappears. Lemon's acidity helps balance the pH of your scalp, which helps keeps dandruff at bay.

Salt

The abrasiveness of ordinary table salt works great for scrubbing out dandruff flakes before you shampoo. Grab a saltshaker and shake some salt onto your dry scalp. Then work it through your hair, giving your scalp a massage. You'll find you've worked out the dry, flaky skin and are ready for a shampoo.

Aloe vera

Stop yourself from scratching by massaging aloe vera into your scalp before shampooing. The cooling effects of aloe vera will soothe the itch.

Garlic

Garlic's

anti-fungal properties

are perfect for eliminating dandruff-causing bacteria. Crush garlic and rub it into your scalp. To avoid that potent smell, healwithfood.org suggests mixing crushed garlic with honey and massaging into the scalp before washing as usual.

Olive oil

An overnight olive oil soak is a folk remedy for dandruff. Massage about 10 drops into your scalp and

cover with a shower cap overnight. Follow your regular shampoo routine in the morning. For a quicker cure, look for a shampoo that contains olive oil. (Reader’s Digest)

so go shoe shopping after work, when your feet are at their largest. You might gain a half size as you age as well, so your usual size from 10 years ago might not be your correct size today. Take a walk

This might seem counterintuitive, since walking puts stress on your feet. The muscles in your feet are just like any other muscles- they need exercise to stay strong. You can't really lift weights with your foot muscles, so the best way to exercise them is to just take a walk. It doesn't have to be a long walk, but taking one every day will keep those muscles firm and keep your tendons and ligaments flexible. That can prevent fallen arches later in life.

Of course, make sure you wear those breathable, well-fitted shoes when you walk.

Wash your feet every day

Your feet spend most of every day trapped inside a pair of shoes. All the moisture and sweat provides fertile ground for bacteria to grow, and the spaces between your toes are even more hospitable for bacteria and fungi. When you don't wash your feet, you're letting that stuff accumulate from day to day. That leads to unpleasant foot odour - and eventually to fungal infections and other skin problems.

You don't need a special foot

told you about keeping your feet dry. Why would you add extra moisture? The wear and tear endured by your feet each day can result in areas of dry, cracked or scaly skin. If you live in a warm,

pair of cotton socks. The socks will hold the cocoa butter against your skin and keep it from getting all over your sheets. In the morning, the skin on your feet will be much softer. (Excerpted from Discovery Health)

A vibrant pillow can transform an entire room's decor and deliver a bold colour statement. Bring a pop of colour into your home with beautiful, bright throw pillows.

Ingredients:

1 lb potatoes

Potato balls

1 tbsp finely chopped green onions

2 tsp geera (ground cumin)

Minced hot pepper, to taste

Salt to taste

Method:

For potato stuffing:

Wash, peel and cut potatoes into quarters.

Cook potatoes in salted boiling water until soft and tender. Drain well.

Add potatoes to a large bowl along with pepper and geera. Mash well, mixing the ingredients together. Taste for salt and adjust if necessary.

With clean hands, take the mixture, a little at a time, and make into 3-inch balls.

Set aside balls.

For batter and frying:

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, turmeric, and a pinch of salt. Add enough water to make a thin batter.

Heat oil in deep frying pan until hot, but not smoking.

Dip balls into batter one at a time, shaking off excess batter, and add to oil. Repeat and fry in batches: however, do not overcrowd the pan.

Fry until lightly golden brown.

Pan-Fried

Ingredients:

1 tsp seasoned salt, plus more for seasoning 1 tsp ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning

8 pork chops

Method:

Salt and pepper both sides of the pork chops. Combine the flour and some cayenne, salt and black pepper. Dredge each side of the pork chops in the flour mixture, and then set aside on a plate.

Heat the canola oil over medium to medium-high heat. Add the butter. When the butter is melted and the butter/oil mixture is hot, cook 3 pork chops at a time, 2 to 3 minutes on the first side. Flip and cook until the chops are golden brown on the other side, 1 to 2 minutes (make sure no pink juices remain). Remove to a plate and repeat with the remaining pork chops.

Serve with smashed potatoes.

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp ground turmeric

Water to make batter

Oil for deep frying

Pork Chops

1 cup all-purpose flour

Cayenne pepper

1/2 cup canola oil

1 tablespoon butter

Smashed potatoes, for serving

Greatest Cooking Tips

Store spices in a cool, dark place, not above your stove. Humidity, light and heat will cause herbs and spices to lose their flavour.

If you're cooking for someone important — whether it's your boss or a date — never try a new recipe and a new ingredient at the same time.

After working with garlic, rub your hands vigorously on your stainless steel sink for 30 seconds before washing them. It will remove the odor.

If you find you need more oil in the pan when sautéing, add it in a stream along the edges of the pan so that by the time the oil reaches the ingredient being cooked, it will be heated.

When you deep-fry, hold each piece of food with long tongs as you add it to the oil. Hold it just below the oil's surface for five seconds before releasing it. This will seal the exterior and stop it from sticking to the pot or the other food.

Home Help

Sponges can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Disinfect yours every night by squeezing it out and microwaving it on high for a minute. When it’s shredded and smelly, replace it. Make permanent marker stains on walls a little less permanent by priming and painting the stained area.

Freshen a bed mattress by sprinkling a thin layer of baking soda on it to absorb musty odors. Let it sit for a few hours, then vacuum.

When washing your favorite bedding, add some bath salts to the final cycle of the wash for a sweet-smelling fragrance.

Make a paste of vinegar and salt, and spread it onto mildewed area. Let it dry for 1–2 hours and then clean it off with a damp cloth.

1) If it takes six men one hour to dig six holes, how long does it take one man to dig half a hole?

2) Two men play five complete games of checkers. Each man wins the same number of games. There are no ties. How?

3) A farmer has seventeen sheep. All but nine of them die. How many sheep does he have left?

4) If 3 peacocks lay 5 eggs in 8 days, how many peacocks will lay 29 eggs in 76 days?

5) What five letter word becomes shorter when you add two letters to it?

6) You are running in a street marathon and you overtake the person in 2nd place. What place are you now?

7) You throw away the outside and cook the inside. You eat the outside and throw away the inside. What did you eat?

8) What 9 letter English word is still a word each time you take away a letter?

9) What can you catch but not throw?

10) What are four things that have an "eye" but cannot see?

see solution on page 22 see solution on page 22

Creative Writing

Many years ago, there was a little forest village on the bank of a wide river in southern Guyana. All of the inhabitants were very happy as they always reaped good crops from their gardens, and wild animals they hunted for meat were abundant in the forests on both sides of the river.

In this forest village lived twelve teenage girls who always gathered in the evenings under a tall mora tree on the riverside to sing songs their mothers had taught them. After their singing, as the moon rose from beneath the horizon and the stars twinkled in the dark sky, the girls would stare in awe at these beautiful heavenly bodies.

They became particularly interested in these attractive objects since there was a general belief in those days of long ago that anyone who touched a beautiful object would acquire some of its beauty.

“The moon and the stars are so lovely,” said Neca, one of the girls in the group. “I wish we could touch them so we can acquire some of their beauty, but they are so far away.”

“We must find a way to touch them,” replied another girl in the group. “Maybe, we should climb to the top of the mountain, and from there we will be able to touch them.”

So every evening after their singing session, they stared at the moon and the stars and contemplated various ways they could attempt to touch them.

Of all the girls, Neca was more interested in touching the Moon, and in the evening she spent long hours just staring at it as it moved slowly across the night sky.

“I know what I will do,” she declared to her friends one evening. “I will climb to the top of this tall mora tree and try to touch the moon.”

“Well, you may climb to the top of the tree, but I think we can touch the

Omoon and the stars if we go to the top of the mountain,” one of her friends explained. This view seemed to be more popular, and all except Neca decided that they would do exactly that.

One night when the full moon was rising in the sky, Neca climbed to the top of the mora tree and stretched out her hands towards the shining orb. But, clearly, the moon was too far away for her to accomplish this feat. In great disappointment, she descended and tearfully went home to sleep.

Meanwhile, that same night her friends walked through the forest to the high mountain some distance away from the village. After reaching the peak, they stretched out their hands towards the moon and the stars, but they, too, failed to attain their objective. With long, sad faces, they wearily walked back home realising that they could never acquire the beauty of those distant objects.

But Neca never gave up. The following night, when her friends had all gone to sleep, she walked along the river bank once again and stared at the big golden moon as it rose above the

nce upon a time, a long time ago, there lived a spider named Anansi. Anansi's wife was a very good cook. But always, Anansi loved to taste the food that others in the village made for themselves and for their families.

One day, he stopped by Rabbit's house. Rabbit was his good friend.

"There are greens in your pot," cried Anansi excitedly. Anansi loved greens.

"They are not quite done," said Rabbit. "But they will be soon. Stay and eat with me."

"I would love to, Rabbit, but I have some things to do," Anansi said hurriedly. If he waited at Rabbit's house, Rabbit would certainly give him jobs to do. "I know," said Anansi. "I'll spin a web. I'll tie one end around my leg and one end to your pot. When the greens are done, tug on the web, and I'll come running!"

trees. Then she looked into the calm water of the river and there she observed the moon’s glowing reflection.

“Now, this is how I can touch the moon,” she reasoned. And with that, she plunged into the river and reached out to the reflection. But she soon disappeared beneath the deep still water and was never seen again.

But the moon goddess did see Neca as she made that fateful plunge.

“I truly pity her,” she sighed. “Neca always wanted to become more beautiful than ever, so I’ll ensure that people will admire that beauty for all times.”

So, the moon goddess, from the depths of the river, brought up Neca’s body which she transformed into a large majestic pink water lily in the water near the river bank. From that day, people everywhere became fascinated with this most gorgeous flower growing beside its large circular lily pad.

Today, that stately and attractive water lily is widely known as the Victoria Regia. (Taken from “Guyana Legends – Folktales of the Indigenous Amerindians” by Odeen Ishmael)

"Anansi," called his friend Hog. "My pot is full of sweet potatoes and honey! Come share my food with me."

"I would love to," said Anansi. And again, Anansi suggested he spin a web, with one end tied around his leg, and one end tied to the sweet potato pot.

His friend Hog thought that was a great idea. And so it was done.

Rabbit thought that was a great idea. And so it was done.

"I smell beans," Anansi sniffed excitedly as he ambled along. "Delicious beans, cooking in a pot."

"Come eat our beans with us," cried the monkeys. "They are almost done."

"I would love to Father Monkey," said Anansi. And again, Anansi suggested he spin a web, with one end tied around his leg, and one end tied to the big bean pot.

Father Monkey thought that was a great idea. All his children thought so, too. And so it was done.

"I smell sweet potatoes," Anansi sniffed happily as he ambled along. "Sweet potatoes and honey, I do believe!"

By the time Anansi arrived at the river, he had one web tied to each of his eight legs.

"This was a wonderful idea," Anansi told himself proudly. "I wonder whose pot will be ready first?"

Just then, Anansi felt a tug at his leg. "Ah," said Anansi. "That is the web string tied to Rabbit's greens." He felt another. And another. Anansi was pulled three ways at once.

"Oh dear," said Anansi as he felt the fourth web string pull.

Just then, he felt the fifth web string tug. And the sixth. And the seventh. And the eighth. Anansi was pulled this way and that way, as everyone pulled on the web strings at once. His legs were pulled thinner and thinner. Anansi rolled and tugged himself into the river. When all the webs had washed away, Anansi pulled himself painfully up on shore.

"Oh my, oh my," sighed Anansi. "Perhaps that was not such a good idea after all."

To this day, Anansi the Spider has eight very thin legs. And he never got any food that day at all.

The Pawpaw

By Edward Kamau BrathwaitE

Four little boys, tattered, Fingers and faces splattered With mud, had climbed In the rain and caught A pawpaw which they brought, Like a bomb, to my house. I saw Them coming: a serious, mumbling Tumbling bunch who stopped At the steps in a hunch.

Releasing the fruit from the leaf It was wrapped in, I watched them Carefully wash the pawpaw

Like a nugget of gold. This done, With rainwater, till it shone, They climbed into the house To present the present to me. A mocking sign of the doom of all flesh?

Or the purest gold in the kingdom?

Seeing Red

By Elly NilaNd

Red flags remind me of Jhandis. I can see the Doolahin in her expensive Bright yellow orhanee, and bangles of gold The Doolahaa in white koortaa, looking scared.

Jhandi flags remind me of taasaa and taablaa music And the Pandit, paann leaf in hand.

Red flags on towers, poles, outside embassies

Illuminate the picture of my Bhowgee dancing

Like a swizzle-stick with the dhaall ghotnee In one hand, and the water daaboo in the other.

Flags blowing to-andfro like hungry children

Poised to feast on aaloo in geera and masaala. For the old ones, phoulowree And spicy saddhaa roti. And afterwards, fried kalownjee.

Then on Sunday, sweet kheer with sultanas, Prasaad and kurmaa, and gurumaa. Under a fragrant coconut branch maaro, A canopy of customs. Sacred. Rare.

World's longest aircraft unveiled

The world's longest aircraft was recently unveiled in Britain's biggest aircraft hangar.

At first, you might mistake it for a giant airship - gas-filled balloon on top, pod slung underneath.

But the unique, aerodynamic shape of the balloon - it looks as if a series of cigars have been sewn together - means it can also generate lift just like an aeroplane wing.

That is key, because it enables the designers to make the machine heavier than air, which cuts the need to have dozens of crew hanging on to ropes holding it down every time you land.

In fact, you can land it via remote control with noone on board at all if you like. And on water if needs be.

This thing is two-anda-half times longer than the distance covered by the Wright brothers' first powered flight.

With a length of 302ft (92m) the new airship is about 60ft longer than the biggest airliners, the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747-8.

It is also almost 30ft longer than the massive cargocarrying Antonov An-225, which until now was the longest aircraft ever built.

Government funding It costs about US$100m (£60m) and the designers

are planning an even bigger version that will eventually be able to carry 50 tonnes at a time.

The company developing it has now received £2.5m of government funding to develop the technology and engineering for the project.

"We are jointly funding £2bn of research and development into the next generation of quieter, more energy efficient and environmentally friendly planes," says Business Secretary Vince Cable.

"That includes backing projects like Hybrid Air Vehicles' innovative low carbon aircraft which can keep us at the cutting edge of new technology.

"Here is a British SME that has the potential to lead the world in its field."

'We'll fly over the Amazon' All of which will be welcome news to one of the project's high-profile investors, Bruce Dickinson. He is one of those people who can't stop achieving stuff.

As if being the lead singer of one of the world's most successful and enduring rock bands, Iron Maiden, was not enough, he is also an airline pilot, businessman, and is investing in this project.

The airship has always been with us, it's just been waiting for the technology

to catch up”

"It's a game changer, in terms of things we can have in the air and things we can do," he says.

"The airship has always been with us, it's just been waiting for the technology to catch up."

He wants to sell them and he'll be very good at it. As we chat in the hangar, he goes through its credentials.

It is 70 per cent greener than a cargo plane, he says. It doesn't need a runway,

just two crew. And it can plonk 50 tonnes anywhere in the world you like, which is 50 times more than a helicopter.

He wants to drum up publicity with the kind of trip Richard Branson would dream up. A non-stop flight around the world - twice.

"It seizes my imagination. I want to get in this thing and fly it pole to pole," he says.

"We'll fly over the Amazon at 20ft, over some of the world's greatest cities

and stream the whole thing on the internet."

Flight plans

The US military bought it a few years ago and got this aircraft flying as a surveillance machine - it can stay in the same spot for 21 days at a time, and can fly with a lot of bullet holes in it too.

When the US defence budget was slashed, the British developers bought it back, and now they are planning the first UK flight later this year.

They are hoping to sell it to oil and mining companies to deliver heavy equipment to remote corners of the world. But they are also keen to sell its humanitarian possibilities.

The HAV, which has been named Airlander, could ferry tonnes of supplies to and from any disaster zone, day in and day out. All you would need is a crew of two and a patch of ground, or water on which to land. (Excerpted from BBC)

Study reveals 4.4 billion-year-old crystal is oldest piece of Earth

From a sheep ranch in Western Australia comes the oldest slice of Earth known.

Scientists say they have dated an ancient crystal called a zircon to about 4.4 billion years, making it the earliest confirmed piece of the planet's crust. The findings - the first to describe the zircon -- were published in the journal Nature Geoscience.

"This is the oldest and the best dated of all the crystals that have been reported," said John Valley, lead study author and professor in the Department of Geoscience at the University of WisconsinMadison.

This crystal is a translucent red, Valley said, but glows blue when bombarded with electrons. At 400 micrometers long, its biggest dimension is just a tad larger than a house dust mite, or about four human hairs.

The crystal was found in an arid region north of Perth, Australia, in a low range of hills called the Jack Hills, in 2001.

Scientists say the crystal's chemistry - specifical-

ly, the ratio of oxygen isotopes within it - suggests that the temperatures on Earth 4.4 billion years ago would have supported liquid water, and therefore perhaps life. Two isotopes of an element are considered different if they contain different numbers of neutrons.

"What we've learned is that the Earth cooled much more quickly that people had thought," Valley said. "The surface formed a crust much more quickly than people thought."

How they did the study Valley and colleagues reported on a different

crystal from early Earth in 2001 from the same Jack Hills area. But there had been an open question regarding that crystal and others about how to determine the age.

The standard method of dating such rocks involves looking at the radioactive decay of urani-

um atoms to lead. But if the lead has moved within the crystal over time, this could lead to a faulty estimate of age. If lead has migrated away from the area of the rock being tested, that could make the rock appear younger than it is, or older if lead has concentrated itself.

In this new study, researchers used a technique called atom-probe tomography, which allows scientists to image single atoms of lead and determine the isotope ratio.

Scientists found that clumps of lead atoms had formed 1 billion years after the zircon crystallized. These clusters are tiny, about five to ten nanometers in diameter.

All that means that the lead atoms hadn't moved enough to thwart scientist's existing methods of determining the crystal's age, Valley said. They determined that age to be 4.4 billion years old.

"Although incredibly laborious, their analytical technique can be applied to not only additional terrestrial zircons but also to zircons from meteorites and lunar samples, to perhaps tease out a detailed thermal history of magmatism and impacts," Samuel Bowring, professor of geology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, wrote in an accompanying article in Nature Geoscience. (Excerpted from CNN)

Apple tops Fortune’s 2014 ‘World's Most Admired Companies’ list

For the seventh straight year, Apple has been named the “World’s Most Admired Company” by a jury of its peers in Fortune. Despite a rocky year which saw the tech giant’s stock jump and fall and a sometimes-hot, sometimes-cold public battle with billionaire investor Carl Icahn, Apple is still the envy of the corporate world’s eye.

The iconic tech company is known for the iPhone and other stylish and user-friendly products. Apple, the most valuable brand on the planet according to Interbrand, brought in $171 billion in revenues in the fiscal year 2013 and is flush with cash, but fan boys and girls (not to mention the market) are getting antsy to see its next big product. Bets are on a smartwatch or AppleTV, but the company is also reportedly turning its attention to

Google fights court-ordered takedown of anti-Muslim video

Google is fighting a US court’s demand that it take down a trailer for an Islamophobic movie called Innocence of Muslims due to a copyright claim.

The company was ordered to take down the video by the ninth US circuit court of appeals in San Francisco after an actress who appeared in it filed a copyright claim against the company. Google has complied with the order

for the time being, but intends to fight it. It has replaced its standard takedown notice with one specific to this situation. On every copy of the trailer on the site, instead of the video is a note that reads: “This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by an actress over her 5-second appearance in the video. A US court has ordered Google to remove the video. We strongly disagree with this copy-

the versatility of those little plastic blocks was put to use in the era of the smartphone.

The COI+ Lego Power Brick, a block of Lego which acts as an external battery pack for your phone or tablet, is designed to offer on-the-go charging while adding a little creativity to the mix.

Power Brick measures 72 x

right ruling and will fight it.”

Cindy Lee Garcia is the actor in question. She claims that she was duped into appearing in the film, which depicts the prophet Mohammed as a paedophile and womaniser. The short movie sparked violence in the middle east when it was released in 2012, and 17 countries asked YouTube to take it down, including Bangladesh, Brazil, India, and Indonesia.

Three other countries, Australia, Egypt and the United States, asked Google to review the video review to determine if it violated the company’s community guidelines; America’s request was made by Barack Obama personally. Google decided it did not violate their guidelines.

Garcia says that the script she saw for the film, which she was told would be called Desert Warrior, referenced neither Islam nor Mohammed, and that her part was overdubbed in the finished movie. As a result, the court awarded her copyright to her performance in the film, reasoning that she thought it was for a different movie to the one which was ultimately created.

(The Guardian)

120 x 13 mm (2.83 x 4.72 x .51 in) and sports an On/Off switch on its underside with a grid of typical Lego bumps on its top surface, inviting endless possibilities for plastic constructions.

More practically, the included slanted Lego bricks can be used to create a customizable stand for your phone or tablet, which can then be given a little extra juice through a Micro USB or regular USB port on the brick's side.

Housing a lithium-polymer battery with a capacity of 4,200 mAh, the 115 g (4.05 oz) Power Brick is capable of charge speeds of up to 2 A and is compatible with "most smartphone and tablets." While the output of the Power Brick is by no means remarkable, perhaps speaking to our creative inner child can help it make up some ground on back-up battery packs of similar size.

The unit comes in red, yellow, blue or white accompanied by one USB to Micro USB cable and additional Lego bricks. It is currently available for pre order at US$49, with shipping slated for March 2014. (Gizmag)

cars and medical devices. Amazon and Google were No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, having switched places from their 2013’s rankings. Among the other tech companies in Fortune’s top-50 “all star” list: IBM at No. 16, Samsung at No. 21, Microsoft at No. 24, and Facebook at No. 38. (TIME)

Nasty LinkedIn rejection goes viral

AUS woman's harsh response to a young jobseeker who sought to connect on networking site LinkedIn has earned her widespread rebuke since it went viral.

Diana Mekota circulated the email she got from Kelly Blazek, who manages a top list of marketing jobs in Ohio. In it, Ms Blazek excoriates her for her "inappropriate" and "tacky" request, adding she will enjoy rejecting her.

Ms Blazek has since apologised, saying her note was "rude, unwelcoming, unprofessional and wrong".

Ms Mekota, who was relocating to the Cleveland, Ohio, area, emailed Ms Blazek's job board and followed up with a note on LinkedIn explaining her qualifications.

In the response email, which Ms Mekota first shared on Twitter last week, Ms Blazek wrote: "We have never met. We have never worked together.

"Apparently you have heard that I produce a Job Bank, and decided it would be stunningly helpful for your career prospects if I shared my 960+ LinkedIn connections with you - a total stranger who has nothing to offer me."

"Your invite to connect is inappropriate, beneficial only to you, and tacky," the email continues.

"Wow, I cannot wait to let every 26-year-old jobseeker mine my top-tier marketing connections to help them land a job. Love the sense of entitlement in your generation."

Ms Blazek also said she would deny Ms Mekota's request to receive the job bank emails. "I suggest you join the other Job Bank in town. Oh wait - there isn't one."

"Don't ever write me again," the email ends.

Ms Mekota told the Cleveland Plain Dealer she posted Ms Blazek's email online only after her subsequent email trying to explain herself did not receive a reply.

Since the email went viral a few days ago, Ms Blazek has deleted the Twitter account of her job bank listings.

The Plain Dealer reported that commenters on the website of a local business group that named Ms Blazek "Communicator of the Year" called for her to be stripped of the title.

A parody twitter account of Ms Blazek appeared while other Cleveland residents took to Twitter to offer support for Ms Mekota.

In a statement to the BBC, Ms Blazek said she was "very sorry to the people I have hurt".

She said the job bank listings had started as a "labor of love for the marketing industry, but somehow it also became a labor, and I vented my frustrations on the very people I set out to help.

"The note I sent to Diana was rude, unwelcoming, unprofessional and wrong. I have apologized to her, and to others, for my actions which were wrong." (BBC)

-Photographer

Fidal Bassier believes it takes an artist to capture life through the lens

Professional photographer Fidal Bassier enjoys capturing, through his camera lens, memorable moments in life. He considers photography as an art and believes that it requires an artist to capture beauty through the lens.

“My interest in photography started when I was in Israel, at the Baha’i World Centre. The Baha’i gardens and building there are so beautiful. I enjoyed the challenge of trying to capture the amazing sunsets. After coming back to Guyana, I got busy with studies and then with marriage and starting a new life. I got back to photography in 2006 when my first daughter was born. I got my first camera and took as many photos of her as I could. Then I found myself taking the camera around with me and taking whatever I thought was interesting,” he recalled in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.

The ardent photographer is amazed at the technology that allows him to take a photo and see the results instantly, capturing a moment in time and saving it for generations to come. Through photography, Bassier freely expresses himself and is able to share his outlook of the world with others.

“It started off as a hobby, but later became my passion. Now, I'm lucky enough to be able to pursue it as a career. I love photographing people. I also enjoy telling a story, capturing an emotion or a moment in time through my camera. I ask myself what I am trying to capture, what the object is and the story I want to share,” Bassier pointed out.

Bassier mentioned that he has seen amazing photographs taken with a basic camera. He was once told, and believes it to be true, that the “camera is just a tool and the photographer is the artist”. As a professional photographer, Bassier incorporates various techniques and styles so that he can always have something new to add to his work.

“I am still learning the secret to ‘good’ photography. I read a really interesting quote from a late American photographer, Irving Penn, which I think sheds some light. He said: ‘A good photograph is one that communicates a fact, touches the heart and leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it. It is in a word effective,’” the photographer noted.

Currently, Bassier feverishly works to develop himself as a photographer. He hopes to travel to different locations in Guyana to photograph people.

Despite challenges in the photography business, Bassier is adamant in continuing to pursue his passion.

“I think photographers have many challenges to overcome. From being able to maintain expensive equipment, to fair pricing of photographs and educating clients, to copyright laws that need to be updated to protect photographers' work. With patience and dedication, these challenges are slowly being overcome,” he declared.

For more information on the photographer, visit 55 Photography on Facebook. (Cover photo : Photographing nature)

Over the centuries, stained glass windows were used predominantly in churches throughout the world, but were also found in wealthy domestic settings and public buildings such as town halls. The purpose of stained glass windows in a church was both to enhance the beauty of their setting and to inform the viewer through narrative or symbolism.

In Guyana, this valuable aspect of our religious heritage remains intact but not many know, or want to know, of its history. Some of these ecclesiastical stained glass windows date back to the early 1800s.

The 19th century Gothic Revival-style St Andrew’s Kirk church, with the standard features such as a central nave flanked on either side by an aisle and tower with spire over the sanctuary, is reputedly the oldest ecclesiastical structure located in the city of Georgetown. It was officially opened for public worship on 27 September, 1818. Gracing the centre of the eastern wall, over the altar area, is a magnificent stained-glass window depicting the Ascension (the bodily rising of Jesus into heaven). It was unveiled in 1912 in memory of one of St Andrew’s great rul-

elders, Patrick Playfair Fairbain, who died in 1910.

The year 2013 marks the 270th anniversary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana, having been founded on 15 October, 1743. Even though the church, located in New Amsterdam, was established in 1743, it was not until around 1752 that the first sanctuary was built. John Mittelholzer served the church from 1878-1913. His legacy is memorialised by the famous stained glass window with a depiction of Jesus Christ praying in the garden immediately after the Last Supper before his conviction. This pop-

ular scene identifies this as the place of prayer as Gethsemane.

Established in the 19th century, the Roman Catholic Church of Ascension, located in New Amsterdam, came from humble beginnings in the year 1836. Although it faced many challenges, the church established a permanent structure that is still enjoyed today. This Roman-styled structure is 84ft by 28ft and supports a beautifully crafted ceiling. The church boasts 50 exquisite stained glass windows. The most notable stained glass window, which was donated and unveiled by the Mendonca family on

Christmas Eve in 1925, had replaced a painting done by Carrie Gomes depicting the ‘Ascension’ and was subsequently moved to the back of the altar.

Sir Arthur Blomfield is credited with designing the St George’s Cathedral, reputedly the world’s tallest wooden building of its time. Of the most outstanding features of the building, the stained glass windows are ranked among those which function as an energy saving mechanism that allows light into the building and also an admirable piece of art. In the sunlight, myriad colours are reflected through stories of Jesus’

crucifixion and ascension, among others. Consisting of two rows of six windows, the east window was donated by the McConnell family.

The plan for the St Peter’s Church, located in Leguan, was done by colonial civil engineer John Frederick Bourne. The foundation stone for the present brick structure was laid in 1855. At the left of the north-western en-

work and stained windows, testify to the artistry and craftsmanship of Guyanese builders.

The All Saints Anglican Church was founded in 1839. The main section of the building is constructed of wood with gothic arched windows topped with a tower. Queen Victoria donated $750 for the purchase of a painted glass window for the east end of the church.

trance stands a detached bell tower. The windows are pointed and are filled with handsome stained glass. Imported from London, the seven windows on the apse depict the life of St Peter. Those in the nave contain flowered quarrels and roses with rich borders. This church, with its lower tiled sanctuary, massive brick

This stained-glass panel to the left depicts St George and the central panel represents Jesus in his ascended glory. The right side panel shows St Patrick. Reverend George Spencer described these windows as being one-of-a-kind in Guyana, and even the Caribbean.

(Information by National Trust of Guyana)

Brain Teaser Answer

There is no such thing as half a hole.

The two men were not playing against each other.

Nine.

Peacocks do not lay eggs, peahens do.

The word "short".

Corn on the cob.

A cold.

A needle, a potato, the alphabet and a hurricane.

The Atta Rainforest Lodge is situated approximately 500 metres from the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway. The camp is completely surrounded by tropical rainforest which offers a complete immersion in the rainforest experience. The main building is open-sided with views across the gardens to the towering forest on all sides. This building houses a bar, dining area and kitchen.

A feature of the lodge is its bar- Parrot-A-Fly Bar. The bar top is made from a huge slab of Wamaradan (Dicorynia guianensis), and it is believed this is the first commercial use of this wood in Guyana. The dining area is adjacent to the bar and encourages communal dining so that you can get to know your fellow adventurers.

While at Atta, tourists can visit the Canopy Walkway- morning or night. Additional visits are available outside scheduled trips. All visitors to the walkway are accompanied by the Canopy Walkway specialists.

Apart from the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway, tourists can enjoy wildlife and birdwatching walks on the trails around the area. For those interested in botany, many of the trails have the key tree species marked. Many bird species, stunning insects, noisy amphibians, and playful primates make the surrounding forest their home.

For nature lovers, Atta Rainforest Lodge is an idyllic location. (Excerpted from iwokramacanopywalkway.com)

Indians Can’t Get Enough of Spicy Pizza

By Melvin Durai

Wherever we live in the world, there’s one thing you can say about almost all Indians: we love spicy food. If it doesn’t make our tongues burn or eyes water, we’re likely to send it back to the kitchen. India, after all, is the only country in the world where people would be eager to fly an airline named SpiceJet, and where millions of people who don’t listen to rock music have nevertheless ‘liked’ the Facebook page of Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Food companies and restaurant chains who want to cater to Indians had better pay heed to this. They could all learn a lesson from Domino’s Pizza, which operates 650 restaurants in India and sells eight million

Other popular choices include “spicy chicken,” described as “hot and spicy chicken with red pepper that adds an extra punch,” and “5 pepper,” which, according to the Domino’s website, is “topped with red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, capsicum, red paprika, jalapeno & sprinked with exotic herb.” I’ve never heard of “sprinked,” but it sounds delectable.

I looked all over the website, but didn’t see any Bhut Jolokia pizza. Bhut Jolokia, as you probably know, is one of the world’s hottest chili peppers, grown in the Indian states of Assam, Nagaland and Manipur. The omission of Bhut Jolokia on the menu means, of course, that not all Domino’s customers in India are happy with their pizza.

Customer: “Hello, I would like to make a complaint.”

pizzas each month. That’s enough pizzas to feed every single person in Mumbai – and even some of the married folks too.

Domino’s has been so successful that its CEO, J. Patrick Doyle, recently predicted that India, in a few years, will overtake Britain as the largest market outside the U.S. How popular is pizza in India? Well, a recent telephone survey of middle-class Indians found that pizza was overwhelmingly their favorite foreign food. Not only did 60 percent of respondents say they love “pizza,” another 15 percent said they love “peeja.”

Domino’s offers a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian pizza choices in India. Among the popular choices spicy delight are “spicy delight” and “keema do pyaaza,” as well as “peppy paneer,” described on the menu as “chunky paneer with crisp capsicum and spicy red pepper.” If you think the paneer is chunky, wait till you see my relatives who keep ordering it.

Domino’s employee: “Please give it to me, sir. I will pass it on to our ‘Not Hot Enough’ Department in Bangalore.”

Customer: “You have a ‘Not Hot Enough’ Department?”

Employee: “Yes, it used to be called the Complaint Department, but every complaint was about pizzas not being hot enough. A few complaints were about cold pizzas – our delivery drivers sometimes get stuck in traffic – but most were about pizzas that aren’t spicy enough. I assume that’s what your complaint is about.”

Customer: “Yes, I ordered your ’5 pepper’ pizza but it wasn’t hot enough. Instead of crying from happiness, I was laughing from disappointment. I will be very pleased if Domino’s can add Bhut Jolokia to the pizza and call it ’5 alarm’ pizza.’”

Employee: “That sounds like a great idea. Any other complaints or suggestions?”

Customer: “Yes, you know that tomato sauce that you put on all your pizzas, under the cheese? Well, have you ever thought of using vindaloo curry sauce?”

Employee: “Yes, we tried it once. But we almost killed an American tourist.”

Customer: “Didn’t you warn him?”

Employee: “Yes, we did. But he said he was from Texas and nothing scared him. You should have seen him running for the fire extinguisher.”

Ceear-ly wrong: A bemused passer-by stops to look at the spelling mistake at the Civic Centre in Carlisle, UK

Creation or Evolution?

A child asked his father, "How were people born?" So his father said, "Adam and Eve made babies, then their babies became adults and made babies, and so on." The child then went to his mother, asked her the same question and she told him, "We were monkeys then we evolved to become like we are now." The child ran back to his father and said, "You lied to me!" His father replied, "No, your mom was talking about her side of the family."

Black and White

Attending a wedding for the first time, a little girl whispered to her mother, "Why is the bride dressed in white?"

"Because white is the colour of happiness, and today is the happiest day of her life."

The child thought about this for a moment, then said, "So why is the groom wearing black?"

Two babies are sitting in their cribs…

Two babies are sitting in their cribs, when one baby asks the other, “Are you a little girl or a little boy?”

The other baby shrugs. “I don’t know how to tell the difference.”

“I do,” says the first baby. He carefully climbs out of his crib and into the other crib, then disappears beneath the blankets. After a few seconds, he resurfaces.

“You’re a little girl, and I’m a little boy,” he says.

“How can you tell?”

“Easy. You’ve got pink booties, and I’ve got blue ones.”

In Memoriam

Seeing her friend Sally wearing a new locket, Meg asks if there is a memento of some sort inside.

“Yes,” says Sally, “a lock of my husband’s hair.”

“But Larry’s still alive.”

“I know, but his hair is gone.”

Bosses Say the Darnedest Things

Here are actual comments bosses made to employees dur ing their salary re views:

“I’ve got great news. You managed to avoid a salary decrease.”

“No, we don’t pro mote family members first. It’s just coincidence.”

“Before you came to my department, you were such a shining star—full of new ideas and enthu siasm. What happened to you?”

“This is a salary review. Let’s not focus on the money.”

Memory Problems

A 90-year-old couple was having problems with their memory, so they decided to go to their doc tor to get checked out to make

sure nothing was wrong with them. They explained to the doctor about the problems they were having with their memory. After checking the couple out, the doctor told them that they were in good health, however, the best thing to do was to start writing things down and make notes to help them to remember things.

Later that night while watching television, the man got up from his chair and his wife asked, "Where are you going?" He replied, "To the kitchen." She asked, "Will you get me a bowl of ice cream?" He replied, "Sure honey." She then asked him, "Don't you think that you should write it down on a note so you can remember it?"

He said, "No, I can remember that."

She then said, "Well I would also like some chocolate syrup on top. You had better write that down because I know you'll forget that." He said, "I can remember that, you want a bowl of ice cream with chocolate syrup." She replied, "Well I also would like whipped cream on top. I know you will forget that so you better write it down."

Now irritated, he said, "I don't need to write that down! I can remember that." He then goes down stairs to the kitchen. After about 20 minutes he returned from the kitchen and handed her a plate of bacon and eggs. She stared at the plate for a moment and said angrily: "I TOLD you to write it down! You forgot my toast!"

Wise Guy

A very wealthy multi-millionaire has an extravagant bash at his home. He is so rich that he has alligators swimming in his pool. He makes an incredible announcement to his guests. "Attention!! Any man that can swim across my pool without being harmed can either choose to have one million dollars or he can marry my beautiful daughter."

Everyone hears a splash and they witness a man swimming vigorously in the pool racing to the other side. He jumps out of the pool unharmed. The millionaire walks down to meet the brave lad and he asks him, "You can have one million dollars or you can marry my beautiful daughter, it is your choice sir." The man angrily replies, "I don't want your daughter, I don't want your money, what I do want is the wise guy who threw me in the pool."

Seeing-Eye Dog

A blind man walks into a department store with his Seeing Eye dog. All of a sudden, he picks up the leash and begins swinging the dog around

The manager runs up to the man and asks, "What are you doing Sir?" The blind man replies, "Oh I'm just looking around."