GREY: VIOLET age 93 years formerly of La Brea died on March 21st at her home in Finland Street St. James. Wife of Sylvestre Grey (deceased). Mother of Eddison, Michael, Lenore, Godfrey, Gerald and Stanley (deceased). Mother in Law of Frederick, Jewel, Euking, Rano Devi, Victoria (deceased). Grand Mother of Nadia, Nicole, Neil, Richard, Denise, Michelle, Sean, Samantha, Robert, Elizabeth, Alicia, Gordon (deceased), Martin, Leon, Darryl, Jo Anne, Jannine. Great Grand Mother of eleven.

Sister of Jean, Cyril, Ralph (deceased), Carlton (deceased), Sylvia (deceased). Aunt of Evelyn, Joan, Andrew, Frances, Carl, Michael, Anthony, Maude (deceased), Jenifer, Veronica, Monica. Relative of the Greaves and Peterson Families. Friend of the Griffiths, Wiltshires, Inces, Charles.

Funeral service of the late Violet Grey takes place at 10:00am on Thursday March 31st at the St. Agnes Anglican Church, Clarence Street, St. James thence to the Mucurapo Cemetery. Enquiries, Lee s Funeral Directors, 50 Eastern Main Road, St. Augustine, 663-1010.  

IRMA SOLOMON, retired teacher of the Barataria North Secondary School, was called home to her Saviour on March 16, 2016. She was the wife of the late Jonathan Solomon, Sister- in-law of Melvina Hannibal and the Aunt of Pearl McLeod (deceased), her husband Buster and their children, Bryan and Pat, Aunt of Fritz James and children Jen-lystra and Tricia, Aunt of Julius Hannibal (deceased), wife Donna Best Hannibal and children Jason and Nefellee, Aunt of Wallace Hannibal, Ingrid Joslyn, Carol Noray, Wayne Joslyn, Aunt of Patrick Hannibal and sister Patsy, Aunt of the late Ingrid Hannibal, Ricardo, David, Jacqueline, and their children.

Aunt of Andre Hackett, Gemma, Hazel, Denise, Dexter, Susan & Sheldon. Friend of Patsy & Paulette Nevarro, Virlia, Ms. Harrison, Jita, Jacob, Dougie, Theresa, Angela, Don, Florence & Gilbert. Family of the Hay’s, Rodney’s, Edwina & many othe r s .

Funeral Service at 9:00am on Thursday 31, March at Tranquillity Methodist Church, #3 Victoria Avenue, Port-of-Spain (Corner of Tragarete Road), and thence to the Woodbrook Cemetery.For enquiries; call C&B: 625-1170 To send condolences please visit our website www.clarkandbattoo.com 

HAMILTON: EDWIN JOSEPH age 65yrs retired Customs Officer died on 24th March, 2016.He was the son of Pastor Joseph Hamilton and Mother Esme Hamilton (Both dec e a s e d ) . Father of Derryn Hamilton (dec) Brother of Jo-Ann Joseph, Dennis and Desmond Hamilton and Kerwyn Cruickshank. Brother in law of Dimpsy, Gemma and June.

Uncle of Chioke, Rondell, Quincy, Jermaine, Darcelle, Shanice, Takiyah, Kwesi and Jenia.Cousin of Michael, Ann Marie, Hazel, Clive, Merle, Lynette, Nolan, Jackie, Patricia Joseph and many others. Friend of Charles, Annette, Telemaque, Annie, Clement, Pearl Brown, Kelvin Lawrence and many others.

Funeral arrangements for the late Edwin Joseph Hamilton will be given in a subsequent announcement.  

SALLY STEPHEN formerly of Battoo Avenue, Marabella passed away Monday 21st March, 2016 at the age of 64. She would be lovingly remembered as the Former Wife of: the late Osmond Stephen- Mother of: Coleen Solomon, Brendon Stephen, Edmond Stephen, Brenda Stephen and Pauline Palmer (wife of Timothy Palmer) Grandmother of: Jonathan, Kareem, Terrel, Aaliyah, Kiera, Timothy Jr., Josiah, Jalen, Braedon, Michael, Akil, Dwayne (dec) and Shadelle Sister of: Sybil, Shaffick, Sheila, Salim, Jinnah, Nazim, Mustopha and sherrifa In- law of: The Stephen family Aunt of: Many Friend of: Cheryl, Diane, Lucille and others

The funeral service for the late Sally Stephen will be held on Tuesday 29th March, 2016 at 2:00pm at Christ the Lord & St. Michael Roman Catholic, Washington Street, Marabella at followed by cremation at 5.00pm at Belgroves Crematorium #107-109 Coffee Street, San Fernando Enquires can be made at Belgroves Funeral Home & Crematorium at (868) 223-2178 ext 510. To extend condolences to the family of Sally Stephen please logon to www.belgroves.com.  

CLIVE LEBEN formerly of 2nd Moonan Avenue, Princes Town departed this life on Thursday 24th March, 2016 at the age of 74.He will be lovingly remembered as the Husband of: Jacqueline Leben Father of: Marvin, Kevin, Andy & Sandy Grandfather of: Adria, Miyka, Maliq, Jewel, Caleb, Jedidiah and Je Daren Brother of: Esther, Albert Joe, Jean, Gloria, Allan, Pearl, Herman, Juilet Ann, Cheryl and Cynthia Uncle of: Many Cousin of: Many Friend of: Leroy Taylor and others

The funeral service for the late Clive Leben will be held on Thursday 31st March, 2016 at 1.00pm at Princes Town Baptist Church, Princes Town followed by a burial at the Navet Cemetery. Enquires can be made at Belgroves Funeral Home & Crematorium at (868) 223-2178 ext 510. To extend condolences to the family of Clive Leben log on to www.belgroves.com.  

The body of a 27-year-old man has been discovered on the sea-shore in Mayaro.

Authourities believe he drowned after disappearing in the water on Sunday.

Police have identified the man as Trevin Lalla of Balmain, Couva.

He was discovered around 6.30 am on by a passerby, in the vicinity of JR Animal Farm, Grand Lagoon, Mayaro.

The Mayaro police were then contacted.

Lalla went missing around 4.45pm on Sunday while bathing with friends in the vicinity of New Lands Village, Guayaguayare beach. 

Relatives said that Lalla did not know how to swim.

His body was viewed by the District Medical Officer  Dr Chinedu and then taken to the Forensic Sciences Complex for an autopsy.

Six patients, one of whom is a high risk patient, from the Forensic Ward at the St Ann’s Psychiatric Hospital escaped from the Institution at approximately 2 am this morning.

A release from the T&T Police Service (TTPS) stated that five of the six escapees have returned. 

According to reports, initially six persons had broken free from the institution, however, two of the escapees, Keylon Lewis and Jamaican national, Andre Harvey have since been recaptured, while another was returned by a family member.

Lewis, Maikie Hendrickson, 20, Gabriel Solomon 26, Michael Thomas, 26, and Harvey were recaptured within hours of their escape.

Lewis was held by officers from the Guard and Emergency Branch. Hendrickson was held in Rio Claro by officers of the Rio Claro Police Station. Solomon was held by officers from the Siparia Police Station. Thomas was returned by relatives to the institution and Harvey was held on the compound.

The sixth escapee Sheldon Thomas, 31, remains at large and is on a charge of murder. Thomas’ last known address was Mt Plaisance Carenage.

The NWRHA has increased the number of guards in St Ann’s and is now working closely with the TTPS to ensure that the escapees are recaptured.

So Donald Trump, successful real estate developer and reality TV star, loudmouth, bald-faced liar, self-promoter and anti-immigrant crusader, is the darling of the disempowered Republican white, working class US voters. They think he’s just the man to lead them to salvation. It’s like something out of a particularly nasty futuristic movie from the 1970s, a la Sidney Lumet’s Network.

The US establishment has been wringing itself at the possibility of President Potty-Mouth. Will he fire all Mexicans, Muslims, other immigrants? In the midst of all this speculation, in which some precocious Trinidadians have begun to indulge, one thing jumps out: Trinidad has the answer to this question. (Of what would happen if an egomaniacal, morally suspect, hyper-sensitive, fast-and-loose with the truth demagogue were elected into office.)

I can hear those brows wrinkling. Let’s call the Trini Trump Bill W., and investigate the proposition. 

Trump is a successful, dodgy real estate developer, who started off with a loan from his father. Bill W was a successful scholar and historian, whose magnum opus came from a loan (his thesis, Capitalism & Slavery) from his intellectual father, CLR James. He was successful, but never achieved what he felt he was his due (as James and Arthur Lewis did) and carried a chip on his shoulder.

Trump is an arrogant, narcissistic demagogue who relies on invoking fear and xenophobia to cover his own shady past and present (like lawsuits brought against Trump University, and the documentary movie, You’ve Been Trumped, about his battle with a Scottish community.)

Bill W was arrogant, boastful, and not as smart or squeaky clean as he portrayed himself. There was talk of a warrant for him in the US for failing to pay child support. There was talk of insubordination to his superiors at the Caribbean Commission. His dismissal from the CC was the subject of his first peroration in Woodford Square. He boasted (in Inward Hunger) that audience was so enrapt, someone was nearly beaten for lighting a cigarette. Observers at the time noted the “unhealthy temper” he roused in the masses.

Trump’s rallies have begun erupting into violence because of his habit of blaming immigrants, Mexicans in particular, and Muslims. Bill W’s rallies were cultish; long, solemn sermons. Letters were published in the Guardian during the ’56 campaign and onward about the intimidation of people who did not appear to be sufficiently enthusiastic at his speeches. There were numerous stories of members of a certain ethnic group being targeted for violence for decades after he explicitly branded them a “hostile and recalcitrant minority” in a public speech in 1958.

Trump’s success relies upon his audience’s ignorance rather than intelligence. Bill W wrote in his autobiography that his party’s members did not have the time or inclination to buy books and read them so “I did their reading for them.”

Trump has been caught lying several times about nearly everything. Bill W claimed he was an anti-colonial, and enraged his followers to such an extent that crime and emigration shot up post-1956. He then accepted the title British Privy Councilor in 1964 and the Companion of Honour from Elizabeth II (the former colonial mistress) in 1969.

Trump picks fights with journalists, commentators, political rivals, and former allies. Bill W threw CLR James, Albert Gomes, and several others under the bus once he had used them up. Gomes was forced to emigrate as his children were attacked in the streets. James was put under house arrest after he criticised Bill’s party. 

Bill also picked fights with business, like Simplex Business Machines, who he accused of treating him like “a shoeshine boy.” He also provided the slogan “Massa Day Done” to his followers, which was the de facto national anthem, and which has wrecked the work ethic to this day.

Even though their campaigns are separated by six decades, the parallels are there—you might agree or disagree on the strength of the similarities, but not their existence. The good news for the world is that the US will almost certainly not elect Donald Trump, so it’s not like the US needs the cautionary tale of what could follow if a dangerous demagogue came to power. But it appears that T&T does.

Bill W came to power at a crucial time: at the birth of the nation. His personality shaped it the way a domineering parent does a child, as is evident in its anarchic, violent nature today. His enormous popularity was due to the fact that his cult was carefully maintained. Many dissented, but they emigrated en masse. There are stories in the newspapers in the 1960s about Bill W cussing teachers and nurses who were leaving here to work as domestics in Canada, as he replaced them with illegal immigrants from the other islands who were more receptive to his messianism.

And let’s not forget the overarching legacy of electing our very own Trump: endless, protean, fantastic corruption, racism, vice and ignorance which are like viruses we cannot exterminate. 

Much of what’s written above will offend many people who have been taught to venerate Bill W, much like US Republicans venerate Ronald Regan and ignore his many violations of conservative dogma.

The reason for Bill W’s veneration is dangerous as two-fold: first, the new racial politics of the Americas (that is the US) has led to a situation where the English-speaking islands adopt US ethnic politics, and social/cultural responses to the world at large, wholesale. This isn’t good. Second is that this veneration of Bill W distorts the perception of history, and presents a false point of departure for nationalist logic, sentiment, and values, to our collective detriment.

(To Be Continued)

Kevin Baldeosingh

In IQ tests, there is something called the general factor of intelligence, or “g”, which is not to be confused with the g-spot, especially during a job interview. However, it is not necessarily the case that having a g-spot means not having g, since, if the g-spot means that a woman loses her mind during sex, it suggests that she has a mind to lose. But further research is needed on this topic, if anyone wants to provide me with grant money, or just money to buy drinks.

Anyway, in intelligence testing, “g” means that people who score well in one aspect, like logic, will usually score well in other aspects, like making soup. It therefore follows that there is probably a general factor for stupidity as well, which would naturally be called “s”. A study published last year in the journal Judgement and Decision Making actually identified the signs of stupidity in individuals, such as admiration for Deepak Chopra, blaming America for ISIS, and ginkgo biloba. “Those who are particularly receptive to (bs),” the researchers found, “tend to show lower cognitive abilities (like verbal intelligence); are less reflective; more prone to conspiracy theories; more likely to subscribe to religion and belief in the paranormal; and more likely to be a fan of alternative medicine.”

So, for anyone who wants to identify morons, I have created this SQ (Stupidity Quotient) test which, if the test-taker finds offensive, gives you your answer.

1. What kind of tone should you fire someone for?

(a) sepia.

(b) burnt umber.

(c) B-flat.

(d) Drupatie.

2. What are the qualifications to be a State board chairman?

(a) New clothes.

(b) A comb or brush.

(c) Midnight texts.

(d) Breath mints.

3. When is it okay to kill an atheist?

(a) Third period.

(b) During your period. 

(c) Between 12 noon and 12 noon.

(d) Before church, or after.

4. Homosexuality is wrong because:

(a) It is a wrong choice that no one should choose.

(b) No righteous person would choose to be gay.

(c) It is better to choose a woman, even a fat one.

(d) We should not choose the temptations Satan puts before us.

5. A man who criticises feminist theory: 

(a) Hates women.

(b) Beats his wife.

(c) Has a small penis.

(d) All of the above.

6. Capitalism is evil because:

(a) An invisible hand always does mischief.

(b) Supply/Demand=Prostitution.

(c) Comparative advantage is advantage.

(d) It proves Marx is wrong, which is wrong.

7. Socialism is the best political and economic system because:

(a) Poor people get more company, not more companies.

(b) Journalists are responsible, or in jail.

(c) It helps you lose weight.

(d) Toilet paper is a capitalist plot.

8. Cancer is caused by:

(a) Genetically modified food.

(b) Money-hungry doctors.

(c) Big Pharma.

(d) Disobeying God.

9. What is the cure for cancer?

(a) Colon cleansing.

(b) Magnets.

(c) Prayer.

(d) Colon cleansing with magnets and prayers.

10. Earthquakes are caused by:

(a) Capitalists looking to profit from disaster.

(b) Arms manufacturers testing new weapons on non-white people.

(c) Psychic psychopaths.

(d) Aliens.

11. Brain damage from the Zika virus is caused by:

(a) Genetically modified UWI lecturers.

(b) Fornication.

(c) Negative thoughts while pregnant.

(d) Lack of prayer.

12. Organic food is healthy because:

(a) It says “organic” on the label.

(b) Organic crops need more pesticides than GM ones, but aren’t grown by capitalist farmers.

(c) Organic crops have less nutrients, hence activating your chakras to make you healthier.

(d) My great-grandfather lived to be 90, and only ate from his garden.

13. Vaccines are used to:

(a) Cause autism.

(b) Weaken babies’ natural immunity.

(c) Make billions for Big Pharma.

(d) Commit genocide on innocent viruses.

14. A dog is more precious than a baby because:

(a) There aren’t any vicious dogs, just vicious owners.

(b) Dogs can be trained to poop in the grass.

(c) Having children shows lack of consideration for women who can’t have any.

(d) Dogs will not disappoint you, especially if you don’t over-react when they kill babies.

15. It is okay for a politician to hire relatives if:

(a) They are from your party, not the other one.

(b) Nobody finds out.

(c) They have no qualifications except family.

(d) They are working hard or giving hard wuk.

16. You should vote PNM for:

(a) No corruption.

(b) More transparency.

(c) Less crime.

(d) Cheaper KFC.

17. You should vote UNC for:

(a) No corruption.

(b) More transparency.

(c) Less crime.

(d) Cheaper doubles.

Email: kevin.baldeosingh@zoho.com Kevin Baldeosingh is a professional writer, author of three novels, and co-author of a Caribbean history textbook.

I have been reading and listening to the many comments concerning non-violence affecting the education system in T&T. As an educator of 43 years teaching experience in the primary school system, I wish to offer my contribution.

There are many factors affecting non-violence in schools. I will like to emphasise only three: philosophy, concordat and examinations.

Philosophy: An education system must have a relevant philosophy. According to Ornstein and Hunkins (2004), there are basically four educational philosophies: perennialism, essentialism, progressivism and reconstructionism. Perennialism and essentialism deal with the classics, are subject and teacher-centred and exam oriented. Progressivism and reconstructionism are child centred, deals with democratic living, reconstructing the society and school reforms. 

Presently, we are operating on a perennialism and essentialism philosophies, whereas we should be using progressivism and reconstructionism.

Concordat: This document came out of the 60s when the dominant churches were very powerful giving the late Dr Eric Williams very little room to manoeuvre. However, he stopped any further building of secondary school by the boards. This was changed recently when the Pentecostals were given permission to build new schools. Therefore, why can’t this draconian document be changed or removed altogether? Several educators have written about this totalitarian document including the late professor Kenny Julien and recently Dr Winford James. The concordat creates an elitist and undemocratic education system.

Examinations: Our education system is based on passing examinations only. This came out of the essentialism camp dealing with back to basics and excellence in education. It does not involve the total child and changes in society. Students do not have a say in what they want to learn and get to hate school. See John Holt’s book, How Children Fail.

In order to create non-violent schools, I suggest we use a correct philosophy, remove the concordat to create equal educational opportunities and teach students to live in a democratic society instead of only passing examinations. 

Vincent Booker

We need connectivity. Not simply highways. We strongly support the Point Fortin to San Fernando Highway. However, the Debe to Mon Desir highway would have demolished one of the most traffic-free, prosperous and connected districts on the planet. And disrupted the future agricultural potential of the Oropouche Lagoon district. This district once provided a food basket for the island; and now feeds the bulk of food to the Siparia, Debe and Penal markets. 

Debe to Mon Desir was the tail-end of a megalomaniac Master Gas Plan, which included two highways to Point Fortin, not one. This 2001 Master Gas Plan was a product of Gaffney and Cline, an international gas consultant. The Government paid for this plan; Gaffney and Cline threw it at us; like bubble gum and chiclets; and the Government went for it. 

This was development suicide, madness. Luckily, the people deconstructed it: two smelters, three industrial ports; an industrial island off Otaheite; three industrial estates; 14 heavy gas-based foreign owned corporations; and the superfluous Debe to Mon Desir. Our activists fought every inch of the way to rescue this nation from a TT$150 billion fiasco.

If we had gone ahead with this gas-monetisation plan, where would we have got the gas to support it? ArcelorMittal is leaving to build a plant in Iran. T&T cannot, any longer, trade gas in the international investor market, at competitive rates. Too much gas, shale, renewable, coal, oil elsewhere. Dead end. Time to move on. 

Time to move on from our oil and gas tabanca.

Wayne Kublalsingh,

The Highway Reroute Movement

In Ms Panday’s Easter Sunday article, she correctly analysed the Venezuelan economic situation to turn on the alarms in T&T so the country doesn’t follow that path. 

The description was accurate but she avoided analysis of the causes. The main culprit of Venezuela’s woes is the socialist system the leftist government Venezuela has had in the last 17 years. 

With purpose and determination, Chavez and now Maduro have been relentlessly destroying the private enterprise. Construction industry, cement and steel factories, super markets stores, import firms, medical private care, etc, have been seized to be run by the workers or the state. 

The result has been a widespread bankruptcy of all those thousands of enterprises that produced the panorama described in her article. Even the safety net of US$700 billion earned by the oil price did not prevent the present outcome. 

In Trinidad, you have a much better perspective since you have a democratic government, independent judicial and legislative powers and a respect of the law that present to the investor a safe country to invest. 

The other lesson Venezuela could teach T&T is to be aware of the temptation to have a powerful head of state as a way to increase efficiency.

Venezuelan expat

Media Reports are that the United Nations has classified T&T as being at the top of the ladder among countries when measured by the accumulation of waste per capita. 

This does not surprise me as by letter dated February 23 2014, in the wake of the Petrotrin oil spill and the clouds of smoke which were emanating regularly from the Beetham Landfill, I made certain observations, which I do feel are still relevant at this time:

I. It seems that matters of environmental concern are not being accorded the priority standing which are needed;

2. There seems to be very little work on recycling of solid and other wastes, including bottles of all types whatever, and paper;

3. Upon assuming office in 2010, the then Minister of the Environment and Water Resources had boasted that “harnessing” the environment, especially the crying need to recycle solid waste, would be accorded high priority.

So far, I have seen no evidence of this having been so in a meaningful way. It is therefore my hope that this remains an area of high priority with the new administration;

4. In terms of diversifying the economy, new opportunities could present themselves were genuine efforts be made at recycling. 

5. Needless to say the UN report is a matter of concern not only in respect of the health aspects involved, but also as it relates to the stated intention of this country of making a resolute attempt to enter the international tourism market. 

I therefore proffer the following suggestions:

(a) placing all matters concerning the environment within the portfolio of the Ministry of Local Government with the intention of matters of the environment and local health clearly falling within the areas of responsibility of the Regional Corporations; 

(b) the merging of the URP and the Cepep and making employment in the new body full-time thus removing the half-day and make-work syndromes; 

(c) providing tax incentives to companies and manufacturers which have put in place recycling mechanisms;

(d) banning and prohibiting the importation of substances which are environmentally unfriendly;

(e) rigorous enforcement of litter laws and the increase of fines in the Anti-Litter Act as a deterrent against unauthorised dumping of waste; and 

(f) A sustained programme aimed at educating the public accordingly. 

Errol OC Cupid, 

Trincity, Tacarigua

The residents of Pearl Gardens, Petit Valley, would like to acknowledge the yeoman and dedicated service provided by the officers of the Fire Services to the community in fighting a bush fire in the Pearl Gardens and the Palm Avenue area on Monday, March 21.

They battled the flames continuously from around 8 pm until past 1 am Tuesday morning and then returned around 7 am, presumably to make sure it was completely extinguished.

We are often quick to criticise and slow to acknowledge a job well done. We want to publicly thank the Fire Services for their service to the community and country and pray for their safety in this dangerous work.

The President, 

Pearl Gardens Community Association

Substitute Trevin Caesar scored a late brace as T&T Soca Warriors continued their march towards the six-team Concacaf Final Round of Qualifiers with an emphatic 6-0 win over St Vincent and The Grenadines at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, yesterday.

In addition to Caesar, defender Sheldon Bateau, Joevin Jones, Kenwyne Jones and Kevin Molino were all on target for the Soca Warriors who now lead their  Group C semifinal round group with ten points from four matches.

The win for the Stephen Hart-coached T&T squad also comes four days after it laboured in a 3-2 win over the same opponents at the Arnos Vales Sports Complex, Kingstown, St Vincent.

USA is next with seven points after it thrashed Guatemala 4-0 in yesterday’s other Group C match to leave the Central Americans third with six points.

St Vincent and The Grenadines are bottom of the group without a point, and out of contention to advance.

From the first blow of Dominican Republic referee Sandy Vargas’ whistle, the hosts stamped their authority with USA-based Molino coming close to an opener inside the first 45 seconds, off a right sided centre from Jones. 

It seemed just a matter of time before T&T opened the scoring and in the 35th minute defender Sheldon Bateau finally put T&T ahead when he followed up on a shot by Joevin Jones which was parried down into his path by goalkeeper Lemus Christopher and fired into an open goal.

Just before the half-time whistle it was Joevin Jones again who almost made it 2-0, but his scorcher or a left footed from a lay off by Kenwyne Jones just missed the far post after a fast-break started by a a surging Hoyte run down the right side.

Five minutes into the second-half Joevin Jones made it 2-0 when he weaved down the right flank,  cut inside on his favoured left foot and fired past Christopher on his first post.

Molino was then put through after Hyland won the ball and fed it to Joevin Jones, but he also failed to score. Seconds later the hard working Jones (J) eventually made it 3-0 when he side-footed home from close range off a Hyland right sided centre.

Molino then added his name to the scoresheet with a calm finish under the advancing Christopher in the 67th minute before substitute Trevin Caesar who replaced Molino in the 71st minute added two goals of his own in the 86th and 89th minute with clinical finishes to complete the 6-0 spanking.

T&T next entertains Guatemala on September 2nd with a point in that match sealing qualification ahead of its final match away to USA, four days later.

RESULTS:

2018 World Cup Concacaf Semifinal Round results:

Group C:

T&T 6 (Sheldon Bateau 35th, Joevin Jones 50th, Kenwyne Jones 60th, Kevin Molion 67th, Trevin Caesar 86th, 89th) vs St Vincent and The Grenadines 0

USA 4 (Clint Dempsey 12th, Geoff Cameron 36th, Michael Bradley 47th, Jozy Altidore 90th) vs Guatemala 0

TEAMS:

T&T: 1. Marvin Phillip (GK), 2. Aubrey David, 3. Joevin Jones (yellow 35th) (Sean De Silva 82nd), 4. Sheldon Bateau, 8. Khaleem Hyland, 9. Kenwyne Jones (captain) (Neveal Hackshaw 79th), 10. Kevin Molino (Trevin Caesar 71st), 13. Justin Hoyte, 14. Andre Boucaud, 16. Levi Garcia, 17. Mekeil Williams. Subs not used: 21. Adrian Foncette, 5. Daneil Cyrus, 11. Willis Plaza, 18. Yohance Marshall, 19. Shahdon Winchester, 23. Jomal Williams.

SVG: 1. Lemus Christopher (GK), 3. Roy Richards, 4. Jarrel Mc Master, 5. Shawn Benjamin, 6. Shemol Trimmingham,9. Myron Samuel (Dorren Hamlet 73rd), 10. Oalex Anderson, 12. Tevin Slater (Kyle Edwards 62nd), 14. Akeem Benjamin, 16. Jolanshoy Mc Dowald (Brad Miguel 55th), 17. Emerald George. Subs not used: 22. Kevan Hnery (GK), 15. Kevin Francis, 19. Shandel Samuel, 21. David Pitt.

This year Simeon “Sanch” Sandiford plans to release several special CDs dedicated to spirituality and introspection, including a new CD by inimitable pianist Felix “Sugar Fingers” Roach, called Felix Roach Plays the Spirituals, as well as Freedom Sounds of Africa, performed by the Signal Hill Choir in the Little Carib Theatre.

The Felix Roach CD will be part of several releases designed to showcase the more meditative, spiritual stream of T&T music, as an antidote to the current brutalities which all too often dominate our newspaper headlines. For there is certainly another side to T&T which is positive, beautiful, and spiritually affirming, and through the medium of music, Sanch and his partners, friends and musical collaborators aim to spread that message of hope.

Among those collaborators is a most humble and interesting small group of people who first met each other as part of their church’s Men’s Group, which formed as the initiative of their former parish priest, Fr Dr Arnold Francis, in 2005 in the Roman Catholic Parish of Bourg Mulatresse. Called the Sons of God Chorus, they are all men in their mature years: their average age is 50. They came together just three years ago for informal spiritual singing in their Catholic tradition. 

The group comprises six to eight men from the Roman Catholic parish of Bourg Mulatresse. They belong to the Mary Immaculate Queen of the Universe Roman Catholic Church in Sun Valley, lower Santa Cruz. With collaborations from other choirs in their parish, they aim to release a CD of Marian songs later this year, called I’ll Sing a Hymn to Mary.

“Marian hymns are hymns in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus Christ, in our tradition,” explained Walker. “It’s a beautiful collection of music.” The music is a gentle, healing kind of singing designed to ease people’s hurts, as well as celebrate the peaceful power of the old Roman Catholic hymns to and about Mary, said Walker. 

“Felix Roach comes to us every Tuesday, and trains and helps us in our singing and harmonising. We want to do a very nice tribute to Mary, the patron saint of the parish church, and hopefully, we can do a recording for our planned CD by August. Mr Simeon Sandiford has undertaken to do the recording,” said Andre Walker, the Sons of God Chorus co-ordinator. Meanwhile, the singing group will make a guest appearance this Saturday afternoon at an Easter Tea and Fashion show event organised by the Barbados Association (One Caribbean Love), at City Hall in Port-of-Spain from 3 pm. Felix Roach will play some excerpts from his Playing the Spirituals CD at the event.

Felix “Sugar Fingers” Roach has been helping the chorus as their pianist and musical director for some time now. He unwittingly helped give the group its name, when some years ago, he observed: “The Son of God became Son of Man, so that sons of men could become sons of God.” One of the singers, Andre Walker, was struck by the saying, and asked: “Felix: speak that again for me.” And so the group of singers found its name.

Felix Roach is a Berklee-trained T&T musician who played piano and collaborated in many musical performances at the Hilton hotel for three decades; he was the hotel’s music director. He received the Hummingbird Gold medal in 2004, and has been steadfastly contributing his musical talents to spiritual enterprises since then. Roach has worked musically with several religious groups, including the Church of the Incarnation in Maloney and the choir at St Jude’s in Arima. He delights in sharing his music for “God’s work”, so this most recent collaboration with the Sons of God Chorus is an extension of his spiritual musical outreach.

The Guardian spoke to one of the Sons of God Chorus members, Andre Walker, last Friday at Sanch Electronix in St Joseph. Walker, who taught himself to play the harmonica and who says he “plays around” with pan and keyboards, is a retired customs officer; the Catholic Church has always been close to his heart. He was previously a member of the Sacred Heart Church Traditional Choir for more than 40 years, with whom he sang Latin church songs; many may recall that choir’s unexpectedly successful 2004 CD Resurrexit, which was a hit in local RC circles. 

What first drew Walker into singing religious songs? 

“That came directly from home. My mother and my father liked to sing. My father performed in a number of concerts, as a policeman. My mother performed in her school, in dramas and singing. I went to St Mary’s College and I was recruited into the boys’ choir at age 11 or 12. I was the lead treble singer. The musical director was an Irishman who found something worthwhile in my voice, and he used to have me demonstrate to his new recruits how he would like them to sing!” smiled Walker, reminiscing. 

“And that’s how my church singing began.”

“I do feel a kind of personal joy when we sing. Singing these songs written by poets is elevating; it has helped my spirituality,” said Walker: “You’re combining the words with the music, and trying to make that live, from the dead letter, through you, as the living being.” It’s like a musical prayer – a celebration of peaceful spirituality through the power of music, a goal which musician Felix Roach also deeply shares.

Walker says Felix Roach hopes to do a piano recital at their newly renovated Bourg Mulatresse church soon, playing excerpts from his CD Spirituals, to help the Sons of God Chorus raise funds for their own CD project. The network of helping hands for these different but related musical projects is born of genuine community feeling.
Simeon Sandiford is the producer, director and recorder for Felix Roach Plays the Spirituals. He recently gave the CD to a colleague of his, Tim Crable, who is a retired distribution manager for the high-end US audio and video electronics firm Esoteric Audio. The CD of religious music struck a chord with Crable, who commented:
“I have played it at least three times, completely through and have enjoyed it more than you might expect. You see, my mother was a pianist and organist for over 50 years. She played accompaniment for college voice classes and a few choral groups around Los Angeles as well as (being an) organist and choir director for the small Episcopal Church in my home town of El Segundo. My father was a self-professed baritone and was a soloist for a different church. They met when she filled in as the accompanist for an all-male chorale group that he had joined just prior to World War II. Throughout my childhood, I heard many of these cuts being sung by my father and played by my mother. Thank you so much ...” (Tim Crable, March 26, 2016)
Roach was among the very first artists to record with Sanch Electronix when it began in the 1990s. He collaborated with several artistes in genres from the spiritual to the secular, including pan-jazz improvisations. But audiophile Sandiford had always dreamed of hearing Felix Roach play as a soloist on a truly outstanding instrument capable of producing “surreal, ethereal, palpable sound”: the 97-key Bosendorfer Imperial Concert Grand Piano. The CD Felix Roach Plays the Spirituals captures Sandiford’s recording of this music on just such an instrument on April 19, 2011 at the National Academy for the Performing Arts in Port-of-Spain.
Sandiford comments:
“The indefatigable Felix ‘Sugar Fingers’ Roach continues to be one of my role models. He is the epitome of fundamental virtues and values that are vanishing at an exponentially alarming rate in today’s modern society – tolerance, modesty, patience, love, respect, dignity, discipline, perseverance, humility and integrity – but most of all, deep appreciation for soothing acoustic music.” 

MORE INFO: 
Sanch Electronix Ltd Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Sanch.Electronix/
YouTube Amazing Grace excerpt from Felix Roach Plays the Spirituals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RAEuUSE2PQ&feature=youtu.be

It was an emotionally-heightened recollection of events for national sailor and Atlantic Sports Ambassador, Andrew Lewis at the premiere of his short video documentary, Believe, as he recounted his arduous journey of overcoming the physical and mental trauma of what could only be described as a “freak accident” last December. 

The Olympic-bound T&T sailor was preparing for the Copa Brasil Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and while climbing over the wall of his apartment, in an attempt to retrieve the keys, he was crushed by the heavy decorative cap which fell from the top of the wall. 

Lewis suffered debilitating injuries including trauma to his lung, jaw and leg, with less than nine months until his expectant participation at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil. A contender at the 2012 Olympic Games, the gifted sailor represented T&T in the Men’s Laser Class, which also marked this country’s first participation in sailing in 48 years. 

Despite Lewis’ vast challenges following the accident, the self-narrated documentary was a message of persistence and hope, as the film recounts his experience of returning to sailing since his injuries and his aspirations of moving forward in his career. 

In the six-minute film, Lewis takes viewers through the incident by including actual security footage, as well as images which showed the extent of his injuries. Lewis recalled his inability to properly breathe with a bruised lung, as well as the challenging transition from a wheelchair to a walker, before being able to walk and sail again. 

A visibly-emotional Lewis gave special thanks to his family, friends, doctors, mentors and Atlantic for their support, and reiterated his desire to proudly represent T&T at this year’s Olympic Games, a release said.

Atlantic’s vice president of Corporate Operations, Toni Sirju-Ramnarine reflected on Lewis’ story of perseverance, challenge and endurance, while reassuring him of the support he has not only from Atlantic, but also the entire nation.

“The wonderful thing about his life’s plan is that it is not only about Andrew Lewis, but about others. His vision has always included helping others, giving of himself to make the lives of others better. Having Andrew as one of our Atlantic Sports Ambassadors has given us a bird’s eye view to his deep and genuine connection with people—no matter their age, gender, race or social background”, Sirju-Ramnarine remarked. 

Lewis has partnered with the LNG producer as an Atlantic Sports Ambassador since 2012, which he highlighted as an integral part of his development as a sporting professional. 

Specially-invited guests included family, friends, corporate sponsors, sporting organisations and children from the Vessigny Vikings Sailing School, who were all present to show their support at the Digicel IMAX Theatre at One Woodbrook Place.

Also in attendance was Sport and Youth Affairs minister Darryl Smith, who was commended by Lewis for expressing a genuine interest in athletes and understanding various sporting disciplines. 

The event was also partly in support of the Andrew Lewis Foundation, which supports at-risk children by providing them the opportunity to learn to sail.

MORE INFO

​Monetary contributions to the 

foundation can be made to www.gofundme.com/andrewlewissailing.