RAMBEAU; STEFAN HALCON also known as "Doctor Ram-bo," of 21 McDonald Street, Woodbrook, died on Saturday, March 4, 2017. Son of James and Alice Ho (both deceased). Father of Michelle Rambeau. Friend of Ignatius Ferreira, David Hannays, and many others.

The funeral ofthe late Stefan Rambeau will take place at 9.00 am on Friday, March 17, 2017, at the Clark and Battoos Chapel,11 Tragarete Road, Port of Spain then to the Long Circular Road crematorium for cremation For enquiries, callC&B 625-1170 or visit www.clarkandbattoo.com

MAINGOT, GEOFFREY formally of Pointe-a-Pierre,passed away peacefully in Vancouva, Canada, on the 6th March 2017. He was the husband of Patsy and Barbara (deceased). Father of Kathryn,Helen, Alan and Jerome. Brother of Martin (Dec'd), Elaine, David (Decd), Michaeland Betty-Anne. Funeral took place in Vancouva.

Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat has responded to calls for him to recuse himself from the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC) which is looking into expenditure at President’s House among other matters.

Concerns were raised about apparent bias and conflict of interest after the minister played J’Ouvert in a portrayal which included a cardboard sign around his neck which read “Come taste de Presidential wine.”

The photograph was widely shared on social media.

In a text message, Rambharat said he saw the call for him to recuse himself from the PAAC in a letter to the editor published in a daily newspaper.

He said: “I am not involved in the investigation of the expenditure at the President’s House. I am a member of the PAAC which, among other things, reviews the public sector use of budgetary allocations and makes recommendations regarding systemic issues.

“I am sure the chairs of any JSC on which I sit would address any complaint received.”

The PAAC is chaired by House Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George and includes government ministers Rambharat, Maxie Cuffie, Ayana Webster-Roy, La Brea MP Nicole Olivierre and PNM Senator Daniel Dookie, UNC’s MP Dr Lackram Bodoe, Senator Wade Mark and Independent Senator Dr Dhanayshar Mahabir.

The committee, which first met in January, is to examine the Office of the President’s expenditure and internal controls for inventory control, internal audit, accountability and transparency, as well as the purchase of minor equipment, goods and services.

Questions have been raised about the purchase of wine from an Italian vineyard at a cost of $1.4 million which bear the presidential crest and the T&T Coat of Arms.

Concerns about financial management at the office of the President came to the fore in the 2015 Auditor General’s report which found 85 instances of incorrect classification of expenditure totaling $2,685,236.90. This in contravention of Financial Regulation 65 which stipulates that a vote may not be applied for a purpose for which it was not intended.

STEWART, ANGELLA nee Brewster of Gasparillo passedaway on Sunday 12 March2017. Wife of Winston. Mother of Allan, Leah Andrea, Ada, Allister, Philto. Grandmotherof Zara, Chelsea, Emily, Zachary, Gabriel. Sister of Agatha, Elizabeth, Christine(Piola, Eric, Phillip -dec). Sister in law of Joy, Alvin, Loveridge, Clare, Kelvin, Letha, Jewel, Linda (Winston,Christian- dec) Mother in law of Joseph and Stephanie. Niece of Marjorie, Sheila, Laura (dec), May, Gracie, Edmund, Beville. Relative of Brewster, Raghunanan, Mitchell, Henry, Doughty, Abdool, Patrick, Barrow.

Funeral service will be held on Wednesday 15th March at the Sacred Heart R.C. Church,Gasparillo at 2pm intermentin the Church yard Cemetery.

Habitat for Humanity marks 20 years of building shelters, communities and hope in partnership with the people of Trinidad and Tobago today.

The social housing NGO kicked off the celebrations with the annual Hunger Banquet at the Hilton Trinidad on Sunday, where 12 “Spirit of Humanity Awards” were given to stellar supporters of Habitat’s work during the first two decades.

Monica Ramirez, the director of Housing and Human Settlements for the Latin America and Caribbean Region at Habitat International presented the awards in company with Derwin Howell, Habitat T&T’s board chairman.

Habitat homeowners Carlos Greene and Anna Harry, spoke on behalf of the 3,500-plus people who have worked with Habitat to build, renovate or repair their homes.

Habitat completed its 500th house last December.

The organisation concludes its celebrations this weekend with the Leaders Build in collaboration with the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce on March 19, in La Romaine. Top executives and business leaders will work together alongside Habitat homeowners to build or improve a place they can call home.

The awardees

• Clive Pantin of the Foundation for the Enhancement and Enrichment of Life, who introduced Habitat for Humanity International to T&T;

• Former presidents and patrons Sir Ellis Clarke and George Maxwell Richards, for their championing the cause of housing access for all;

• Ronald Harford, the chairman of Habitat’s Capital campaign, who was instrumental in Habitat achieving its goal of 500 shelters built in 20 years;

• Chanka Seeterram, the longest-serving chairman of Habitat’s Board of Directors;

• Austin Peay State University, from Tennessee USA, the most consistent International Volunteer Group;

• TECU Credit Union Cooperative Society Ltd, for broad-based financial and volunteer support;

• Coosal’s Group of Companies for $1.5m in construction materials donations;

• and Republic Bank, the National Gas Company, bpTT and Atlantic for major corporate sponsorship.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley yesterday presented letters of appointments to a seven-member committee that has been mandated to investigate the operations of cash-strapped Petrotrin.

They are chairman Selwyn Lashley, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy, Prof Chandrabhan Sharma, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of the West Indies, former Independent Senator Helen Drayton, Wilfred Espinet, AeroMarine Trinidad Ltd, Gregory Marchan, representative of the Oilfield Workers Trade Union, David Abdullah, representative of the Oilfield Workers Trade Union.

Absent was Robert Riley, Head of Safety and Operational Risk, Competency and Capability Development at the BP Group in London and former Chairman and CEO of BPTT.

The announcement came in a press release issued yesterday by the Office of the Prime Minister.

The release stated that the committee members, who were handed their instruments of appointments by Rowley, have been tasked with conducting a review of the operation of State-owned Petrotrin as of yesterday.

“This appointment honours a Cabinet decision made on February 23rd 2017 to review operations at the company in light of falling revenues, allegations of mismanagement and decreasing oil prices worldwide,” the release stated.

The committee is responsible for making recommendations for restructuring of the company and its first report has to be submitted by June 1 2017.

The appointments came six days after Finance Minister Colm Imbert told the Senate last Tuesday that Petrotrin had a loss $4.5 billion in 2016 and not $600 million which was previously estimated.

Imbert said that the oil company had accumulated losses of $4.2 billion between 2011-2016, which were not shown in its accounts.

Imbert also revealed that Petrotrin owes the Government the net amount of $1.269 billion in unpaid taxes comprising petroleum profits tax, supplemental petroleum tax, VAT, royalties, production levy and licences.

Petrotrin will now be required to treat the $4.2 billion not as a deferred tax asset, but as a loss.

Rowley, in an address to the nation in January, said that the company’s $1.9 billion annual wage bill was close to 50 per cent of its annual operating costs.

“This payout ratio is exceptionally high, even compared with that of other state-owned oil companies,” the prime minister said.

We admit that reading our pages nowadays can be a challenge even for the most optimistic citizen. It is hard to have an edition without seeing more troubling news. Examples from the past few days alone include the deeply troubling data about our economy and the government’s coffers released by the Central Bank last Friday, another woman missing (this time policewoman Nyasha Joseph), a broken down NFM mill potentially jeopardising some of our rice production, gang leaders extorting money from road contractors and methanol plants being mothballed due to our falling gas production are just some of the developments in our nation recorded over the past week or so. They are unlikely to be the last ones.

As we know from our own daily life experience, the first thing needed for someone to confront a problem is to acknowledge the problem in the first place. The second one is to stop blaming others or circumstances instead of working on the solutions to the problem. These steps are easy to explain, hard to follow but essential to deal with if we are to improve things.

Our leaders at the Waterfront Centre should take a leaf from these principles. As more and more people voice their deep concerns with the direction of the economy, poor governance at state enterprises, corruption, rising crime and inefficient health and education systems, the government’s default reaction is of denial by blaming others for the problems.

According to this narrative, all the failings at state enterprises and the bad state of the economy must be blamed on the UNC’s previous administration; at a more personal level, women ought to be more careful with their choice of men to avoid entering a violent relationship to reduce gender-based violence.

There is certainly an element of truth in those statements but we do not elect our leaders so that they can tell us who is to blame for the problems. We elect them so that they can act to fix the problems. This does not mean the government must find and implement solutions in isolation. As responsible citizens, we must also play our part.

However, every time the Prime Minister and his ministers blame something or someone else for any problem, they not only fail to show true leadership but help foster the blame culture as an easy way out of any difficult situation. And, let’s be frank, the choices are always endless: our colonial past, US neo-colonialism in the region, the education system, the drugs cartels in South America, addiction to decades of oil revenue, greedy multinationals and so on.

The blame game must stop now. We urge the Government, our leaders, to start showing what leadership is about, even if their actions may be uncomfortable and painful to many of us. History is very unkind to those who make a habit of just passing the buck by blaming everything and everyone but themselves at critical times. It tends to be a lot kinder to those who acknowledge a problem and deal with it. And that is the kind of leadership we need right now.

Ten ounces? How much she was weighing? Six pounds. And now? Sixteen. So she put on ten ounces in three days… Wow! After losing eight ounces in five days! Is that all right doc, or is that too much? No, no, that is fine, you doing exactly the right thing, breastfeed her on demand, don’t worry with those who telling you to only feed her for ten minutes each side and then give her a half ounce of formula. In case.

So it was that the young woman, who three days before, came into the office, unsure, hesitant and doubtful of her own powers to feed her baby, had grown into her role, moved from being a shy child and became a powerful woman capable not only of bringing a child into the world but of nourishing it from her own body.

Where was the father? Right there next to her, changing the child and supporting her.

They left the office. They will return in two months for the usual follow up. No need to come before, the child is healthy and they know what to do including when to call.

The key to the weight loss was in the phrase, “in case.” In case is the excuse. In case is the hesitation to do something properly, the doubt that prevents action. In case is the escape valve, “in case” something goes wrong. In case is the starting point for the process to end in failure. In fact it is a set up for failure.

The mother is being set up, to be unable to breastfeed.

It is a particularly effective tool for making new mothers feel inadequate and it is well known to psychologists, dietitians and medical doctors who work for infant formula companies.

Gone are the days when you were given company pamphlets with colour photographs of scrumptious looking babies being bottle fed with information that you had to “soap” your breasts before you put the baby to the breast, “in case of infection.” Did those same companies advise their workers to “soap” their genitals before sex?

The more difficult you made it physically to breastfeed, the less anyone would breastfeed. Imagine having to stop whatever you were doing, take off your clothes and clean your breasts thoroughly before breastfeeding.

Nowadays, the advice is psychological. “In case.” Plant that hint, just a wee hint, into the mind of a new mother, that she might not be able to breastfeed and you have succeeded in destroying her confidence. Without confidence in her body, a woman cannot breastfeed. Worth repeating. Without confidence, a woman cannot breastfeed.

For the first two to three days after birth, breast milk production and breast milk let-down is governed mainly by two hormones, prolactin and oxytocin, the so-called hormones of love and contentment. Both hormones are produced by the master gland, the pituitary, nestled at the base of the brain. The pituitary is controlled and heavily influenced by all the other parts of the brain including the frontal lobes which is where most of what we call the personality resides.

New mothers who are in pain, who are hurting, who are depressed or scared or worried or do not have confidence in their body, do not produce enough of the two hormones.

Anything that alters the functioning of that pathway brings hormone production to a stop and the cessation of breast milk production. The most ingenious way to do this is to suggest to the mother that she may be unable to breastfeed. Cut her confidence and in fact you cut her milk production and the ejection of milk.

Hence the advice. “In case,” in case you don’t have enough breast milk, here take this bottle. Plant that little doubt in her mind and sales of formula will soar.

The job of the medical person, nurse, midwife, lactation counsellor, doula or doctor is to assist that mother to be confident and contented so that she can breastfeed. Contented mothers equals successful breastfeeding. Successful breastfeeding equals contented babies.

And contented babies equals less or no colic.

There’s been a lovely little study just published that suggests one way to make babies happy and contented is by singing lullabies to it while it is still in the womb and after. Two groups of pregnant mothers were split between those who were told to sing to their babies and those who were not. Babies in the singing group cried 19 per cent of the time compared with 28 per cent in the group not sung to. Not startling but impressive enough to give it a try. Colic—excessive crying where there is nothing wrong with the baby—was less frequent in the singing group. Babies in the singing group also slept more and bonded quicker to their mothers.

The authors concluded: “Mothers singing lullabies could improve maternal-infant bonding. It could also have positive effects on neonatal behaviour and maternal stress.”

It’s all very possible and fits in well with “old wives tales” which we now know can be rooted in human experience. Some forms of singing eg, lullabies, have a calming influence and stimulates the production of those same two hormones that produce human milk.

Now if we can only arrange for mothers to labour in comfortable surroundings private and public institutions, surrounded by their loved ones, music, singing and smiling faces. Then perhaps we would see less maternal stress, less Caesarian sections, less breastfeeding failures and less colic.

In the early 1980’s when the first oil boom had come to an end, the late Prime Minister George Chambers famously remarked “Fete over, back to work.” Carnival 2017 has passed and we will soon see whether MX Prime is a prophet. With Carnival over, the economy and crime take centre stage as the biggest issues. In thinking about the economy, I wish to deal with two separate issues that were brought to the fore by the Minister of Finance on March 6 and 7 in the House of Representatives and in the Senate respectively.

On March 6, the Minister of Finance, Colm Imbert told the country that Petrotrin had recorded a loss of TT$4.5 billion in 2016. This was an increased loss-making position compared to the approximately TT$600 million loss that was reported earlier. The Minister, as could be expected, put the blame for this bigger hole in the profit and loss statement on the former Government who he alleged had hidden the losses of the company.

Given that nothing Mr Imbert does surprises me, I kept calm and proceeded to study the matter. The issue is simple. When a company makes a loss or if a company has unrelieved capital allowances, it can carry these forward as a “deferred tax asset.” Note that this has nothing to do with deferring taxes or not paying taxes. Carrying losses forward as a deferred tax asset is an accepted accounting practice and it considers that the company is a “going concern.” That is to say, a company is a continuum.

A “deferred tax asset” is carried on the balance sheet of the company. In Petrotrin’s audited accounts for the year 2015, the “deferred tax asset” was reported in the Balance Sheet as being about TT$4.5 billion. The auditors will, however, only allow losses to be carried forward as a “deferred tax asset” if there is a good chance that the company will be profitable in the near future. That is to say, if the company will have taxable income. In 2015 both Petrotrin and the auditors believed that Petrotrin had a good chance of being profitable again and hence they left the deferred tax asset on the balance sheet.

What therefore happened between 2015 and 2016? Clearly it was the view of Petrotrin that the deferred tax asset should be impaired or written off because it no longer had any use. A deferred tax asset can only have a use if there is taxable income. The clincher is now this. The fact that the company impaired the “deferred tax asset” and expensed it in the profit and loss statement says the company believes that it will have no use for this asset in the future. One can therefore logically conclude that Petrotrin is of the view that it would not make a profit any time soon.

Petrotrin may have also been trying to avoid the embarrassment of getting a “qualified opinion” from its auditors. A qualified opinion is a statement issued after an audit is done that suggests the information provided was limited in scope. The auditors may have therefore had an issue with keeping that deferred tax asset on the books given the negative outlook for the company.

The long and the short of all this is that nothing was ever hidden by the former Government and the Minister of Finance was being his usual political self when he made that allegation. Petrotrin’s external auditor is KPMG who audits the company to international standards. KPMG signs off annually on Petrotrin’s audited accounts and these audited accounts are laid in Parliament and made public. It is therefore wrong to suggest that something was being hidden or not reported. To possibly suggest subterfuge can be seen as an attack on the integrity of the auditor who happens to be one of the big four auditing firms in the world.

The second issue has to do with statements by the Minister of Finance in the Senate last Tuesday, March 7, 2017 regarding Petrotrin’s tax liability. In replying to a supplemental question from Senator Wade Mark, the Minister of Finance said, “Under this Government Petrotrin has resumed once again to start paying taxes to the Treasury which it was allowed not to do under the UNC Government.” The records of the EITI show that Petrotrin made significant payments to the Government from 2011 to 2015. In total, from 2011 to 2015, Petrotrin paid TT$20.1 billion in taxes, royalties and other payments.

It is therefore inaccurate to tell the Parliament that Petrotrin was not allowed to pay its taxes under the UNC. Once again, and I’m sure not for the last time, the Minister of Finance allowed his political self to trip him up.

The country is at a most sensitive and critical juncture in its economic history. At this time the country needs leadership on matters of the economy. At such a time, it is critically important that we remove politics from the affairs of the Ministry of Finance.

• Kevin Ramnarine is a former Minister of Energy of Trinidad and Tobago.

Emma Davis, the overwhelming favourite to win the Shell-sponsored Tranquility Open Tennis Tournament at the club’s home base on Victoria Avenue, Port-of-Spain, got off to a bad start yesterday in the Women’s Singles draw, going down in three sets 3-6, 6-3 and 6-4 to rising talent Solange Skeene.

Davis expectedly secured the opening set but could not find an answer to Skeene, whose experience at last year’s Junior Orange Bowl, in Coral Gables, Florida, United States, kicked in thereafter.

Her victory on court two comes a day after the opening day was washed out due to persistent rain.

She has been one of the top junior players over the past year and a half which earned her the obvious choice by the Tennis Association of T&T for the Junior Player of the Year at the coming First Citizens Sports Awards.

Davis, the 2015 under-16 and 18 champion, is now out of the knock-out tourney and will hope to rebound in another tournament.

Meanwhile, yesterday’s day of activities also saw national U-16 champion Yin Lee Assang prevailing over Maria Honore 6-2, 6-2 and Lily Lanser surprising Emily Lawrence 6-4, 6-0.

There were also victories for Victoria Koylass who needed just two sets to take care of Andrea Douglas 6-2, 6-0 and Anya King who triumphed over Kelsey Leitch 6-2, 6-0.

In another match Shenelle Mohammed also got her campaign off to a perfect start by beating Osenyone Nwokolo on court two.

Action resumed today.

Disappointment for T&T Under-16 netball team and its staff on learning that the Caribbean Netball Association’s (CNA) Jean Pierre Youth Netball Tournament has been postponed due to under-participation.

On March 6, president of CNA, Rufina Paul, sent out notice to all its member countries informing them that the 17th edition of the Tournament, which was carded from March 31 - April 7 at the National Cycling Centre in Balmain, Couva, has been deferred.

Four countries Barbados, Dominica, St Lucia and host T&T were the only teams to have confirmed participation.

The letter stated, “Regrettably, our national Under-16 netballers that have been anticipating this experience will be disappointed; however solace can be derived from the guarantee of a deferment and not a cancellation.

“In this regard, CNA has written to the T&T Netball Association (TTNA) requesting a suspension of preparations for the 2017 JPCYNT (Jean Pierre Caribbean Youth Netball Tournament) and feedback from the host country on revised dates is awaited.

Mindful of the tremendous effort as regards preparations for hosting of the 2017 JPCYNT, CNA has conveyed our gratitude and trusts that this request to accommodate the re-scheduling is not too demanding.”

The local netball body had opted to use the Central venue instead of the traditional arena, Jean Pierre Complex in Mucurapo, because according to its president Dr Patricia Bucther, it was not available and not up to standard. The relocation to the premier youth netball event which is named after renowned international netballer, the late Jean Pierre, seemed to have worked against some of the participating countries as it put a strain on them financially.

Apart from flights, countries would have had to pay for its meals and accommodation which was at the NCC, the only form of accommodation in the area.

CNA second vice president Debbie-Ann Francois of T&T confirmed yesterday that a number of countries pulled out of the tournament due to financial reasons. “They could not afford to make the trip and accommodation was too costly,” said Francois. “The cost of a room at the Quad is US$35 per person with only breakfast included.

Teams would have had to secure their own lunches and dinner and that would have cost US$15 each per person per day. Single rooms were US$75 and double, US$185.”

Pulling out of the regional youth competition were Jamaica, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada and Anguilla. The CNA letter continued: “As CNA seeks to sustain a competitive platform for U-16 netballers in the region, expressions of interest in participation are encouraging.

However, the translation of interest into participation is constrained by finances, in the main.

“Though this challenge is not new, the reality in this moment demands a new approach; in order to safeguard the nursery of competitive netball in the Caribbean region. Already, various scenarios are being contemplated for exploration and confirmation by Council.”

The junior “Calypso Girls” were looking to make full use of home advantage in seeking to capture it first ever Jean Pierre Under-16 title.

National football coach Dennis Lawrence has moved his training to the Hasely Crawford Stadium ahead of the first of two World Cup Qualifiers against Panama on March 24 at that venue.

The team began training yesterday, only days after they outclassed Barbados in an international friendly encounter 2-0 at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Balmain Couva last Friday. Lawrence told the media he was pleased with the performance of the team, saying they attempted to do some of the things that they worked on in training.

Sessions leading up to the Panama contest will be conducted between the Stadium mainfield and training pitch going into the Panama affair. The home-based players currently in training are to undergo a full medical examination with TTFA partner Healthnet and Lab Medical today.

Yesterday Panama coach Hernan Dario named his final squad for the match and it includes a number of veteran players as goalkeeper Jaime Penedo; defenders Roman Torres and Felipe Baloy; midfielders Anibal Godoy, Armando Cooper and Alberto Quintero; and forwards Luis Tejada and Blas Perez. Also included in the squad will be former US. international Tony Taylor, who completed a switch to represent Panama.

The Panamanians have four points to date after beating Honduras and holding Mexico to a 0-0 draw, while T&T are still to get its first point in the hex, losing to Costa Rica 2-0 and Honduras 3-1 as well as losing its coach Stephen Hart, whose services were terminated for the poor results. Lawrence who took over from Belgian Tom Saintfiet is expected to announce his squad at the weekend.

In the last encounter between the teams in a World Cup qualifier in Port of Spain, the Soca Warriors came away 2-0 winners after Stern John opened the scoring in the first half and Lawrence sealed the win from a one-on-one with the keeper that resulted from a breakaway. The match was also Leo Beenhakker’s first World Cup qualifier in charge of the T&T team. Incidentally the Panama game will be Lawrence’s first World Cup qualifying game in charge of the team.

T&T goalkeeper Marvin Phillips, in a release yesterday, said he was pleased with the progress shown by the home-based players in the preparations at the moment.

“I think the team responded well to what the coach emphasised on in the past training sessions. Maybe at times we could played at a quicker pace but it was a good outing,” Phillip said.

He noted, “So far we’ve had a good time training under him. We have a lot of respect for him and the rest of the staff and I think that is a major factor in the response he is getting from the players. We have a few players coming into the squad next week and it’s just about getting the camaraderie and love going again and put all our energies into the training and going out there and getting it right in these two games against Panama and Mexico.”

Tickets for both World Cup qualifiers are available at Lotto Locations nationwide. They are priced at $300 (covered) and $160 (uncovered) per game up until March 17th and from March 18th to 28th, tickets will be priced at $350 (covered) and $200 (uncovered) per game.

The 2017 Racing Season entered its post-Carnival session on March 11 with most of the racing world hopeful that something better will happen in the months to come. The Pre-Carnival season was noteworthy for nothing of significance though the Arima Race Club (ARC) chose to conduct a pre-Carnival competition that was difficult for anyone to understand and the winners announced at the close of the competition had everyone wondering exactly what was the point, and who exactly were those people.

Nevertheless, let us extend our congrats to them. While this nondescript competition failed to inspire any interest on the part of the betting or racing public, the Arima Race Club has been unable to revive its tipsters’ competition following the loss of the key employees who were responsible for its upkeep. Hopefully, the club will identify a sustainable mechanism for its replacement.

It was very interesting to read that the club will be implementing live streaming of its Saturday races, commencing on March 18. This innovation is to be commended and one hopes that it proves to be a stepping stone towards expanding the reach of Trinidad racing. It is not beyond the imagination that live streaming could result in increased betting on local racing once the club can find a way to accept wagers online. Since this is already a common aspect to gambling in other countries, there is no reinventing of the wheel required. We look forward to this innovation providing the foundation for increased turnover.

Much more important than the live streaming however is the club being able to generate interest in the racing.

There was some furor over a three horse race on Saturday, but anyone with a knowledge of sport knows that the quantity of competitors is not what makes a race competitive. Three good quality horses contesting the feature event was infinitely more interesting than the twelve to 25 horses contesting one of the other races.

The betting turnover on the event may be small but the interest generated can result in increased turnover in all other events. It is a pity that is not fully appreciated by those in authority. Hopefully, the ARC’s new leadership will bring a greater understanding of this reality.

On the topic of leadership, all congratulations must be extended to the Madoo family (Steve and Allan) for achieving a feat that has previously been reserved for the elite of Barbados society when their Dorsett scored a memorable repeat win in the Sandy Lane Gold Cup.

Add to the fact the top horses sent by owner Ken Ramsey from his stable to this event each year, it is a remarkable feat for young Trinidad and Tobago owners to overcome the might of Barbados racing. That the win was Dorsett’s first success since his success in the 2016 Gold Cup was a remarkable achievement for his trainer Robert Pierce.

As we look to the future, there are a number of exciting races in the offering. The older creoles will be contesting the Starlight Stakes and we could see two Derby winners competing—Academy Award and Bigman in Town. The following week we have the Royal Colours Classic for the Native bred three-year-olds. Both races should bring out the crowds because they provide competitive events. We need a lot more of those type of races.

God’s Own, a solid, durable and an experienced nine-year-old, could prove more than a match for unbeaten Douvan in the grade one, £366000, Champion Chase over two miles of good to soft Cheltenham today. Whatever transpires Tom George’s charge, mount of AP Heskin, represents an outstanding each-way bet with three places available and no prospect of a non-runner!

By process of elimination there are only four runners but Special Tiara, our place fancy for this last year when third, doesn’t seem to be anything like the same force this time round and so expect 7-y-o, Colin Tizzard-trained, Fox Norton, to make the frame.

God’s Own really is as tough as teak, a model of consistency, which comes out similar to Douvan on my time-handicap.

Obviously the latter has continually romped home unchallenged and could have had tons to spare but that is subjective, not reliable enough to support the favourite at 2/7!

Heskin is stable-jockey, ironically God’s Own achieved a career-best mark over two and a half miles of Aintree last April, when ridden by Paddy Brennan, now booked for Sir Valentino, a stable-companion!

This is going to fascinating if the principals run right up to their marks, a real showpiece.

Although it’s a difficult, nigh impossible, seven-race programme we’re pointing you in the direction of Project Bluebook, one of twenty-two decs for the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle over two miles. If this wins Forth Bridge is a cert for the Triumph Hurdle, Friday!

Project Bluebook, trained at Malton by John Quinn, whose Countryside Retreat landed this columnist a Triumph beauty three years ago, was third to Forth Bridge in a fast-run dash around Musselburgh last month. Since then he’s been prepared, specifically, for this cavalry charge!

Race-times have been dreadfully inaccurate this season in the Racing Post but recently I’ve been using my stop-watch as a consequence.

Project Bluebook comes out best-in and, ridden by Brian Hughes, definitely merits each-way support with four places on offer.

It’s How We Roll is an interesting declaration for an aged Maiden Stakes over seven furlongs of Southwell fibresand, mount of Graham Lee!

Michael Murphy, apprenticed to trainer Charles Hills, has been aboard It’s How We Roll on all four occasions but, currently, he’s on a therapeutic break in Tenerife!

Lee is as good as it gets and Hills’ legendary father, Barry, now overseeing operations at Faringdon stables again, in an attempt to get the show back on the road, so to speak, will be a driving force during the next few months.

Barry will be eighty-years-old on April 2!

That is six years younger than Mick Easterby; “you can’t beat experience!”

It’s How We Roll has been in grand form and what beats him will win, of that I’m convinced providing, of course, he handles the deep stuff!

<Altior lands the Arkle>

Altior stayed on powerfully to hand Nicky Henderson his sixth win in the Racing Post Arkle Trophy, yesterday.

Given a no-nonsense ride by Nico De Boinville, last year’s Sky Bet Supreme winner was always tracking Charbel and had just been asked to go and reel in the leader when Kim Bailey’s horse fell two from home.

Altior was near faultless in his jumping, winging the last as Cloudy Dream (12/1) tried in vain to lay down a challenge, and at the line the 1/4 favourite had six lengths in hand.

Charbel still appeared to have plenty to offer when coming down, his fall allowing Ordinary World (25/1) to take third having been handy throughout.

Sky Bet make Altior 5/2 for the 2018 Champion Chase, with Charbel 10/1 and Cloudy Dream quoted at 25s.

<Treble up for Elliott>

Gordon Elliott secured a treble at Cheltenham after Tiger Roll won the JT McNamara National Hunt Chase.

The 16/1 chance was recording his second victory at the Festival having won the 2014 JCB Triumph Hurdle and this was a remarkable effort over double the distance in this four-mile stamina test.

He pulled the arms out of amateur rider Lisa O’Neill all the way round and the combination kicked clear off the home turn and soon had the upper hand.

Edwulf looked to be launching a strong challenge over the final two fences but was pulled up sharply on the run-in to leave Missed Approach and Haymount to fill the places.

Cheltenham, 12.30

1.50 Project Bluebook (e.w);

10.55 It’s How We Roll (nap-e.w)

Pt Fortin Civic and Police FC moved into a two-way lead at the top of the 2017 Flow Youth Pro Football League Under-13 and Under-15 Divisions with six points each when matches continued on Sunday.

However, while Pt Fortin Civic won all its matches away to Ma Pau Stars by default at Ojoe Road Recreation Ground, Sangre Grande, Police FC was made to work hard for its 3-1 victory against Defence Force at Trinity East College Ground, Trincity.

For Police FC, Josiah Wilson bagged a brace in the ninth and 11th minute while Justin Lewis (27th) got the other to cancel out Jerrell Gibbons, 24th minute item in their Under-13 encounter .

Club Sando were the biggest winners on the day, 14-0 over St Ann’s Rangers at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella led by a beaver-trick from Santana Smith and hat-tricks from Anthony Williams and Jeremiah Ottway.

In the Under-15 age-group, Police FC got a goal each from Malachi King (ninth), Matthias Hinkson (12th) and Jaden Andrews (67th) in a 3-1 win over Defence Force, who had Aiden Marcano on target in the 63rd.

However, in the Under-17 Division, Police FC and Defence Force failed to trouble the scoresheet.

Despite being held scoreless, Police FC still leads the Under-17 ten-team table with four points from two matches, one more than St Ann’s Rangers, San Juan Jabloteh, W Connection, Pt Fortin Civic, Morvant Caledonia United and Club Sando.

n Under-13 Division

Pt Fortin Civic 3 vs Ma Pau Stars 0

—by default

Police FC 3 (Josiah Wilson 9th, 11th, Justin Lewis 27th) vs Defence Force 1 (Jerrell Gibbons 24th)

Club Sando 14 (Tyrique Lucas 2nd, 12th, Anthony Williams 4th, 9th, 39th, Ilon Hospedales 6th, Jeremiah Ottway 11th, 59th, 63rd, Joshua Kesney 61st, Santana Smith 20th, 25th, 35th, 45th) vs St Ann’s Rangers 0

n Under-15 Division

Pt Fortin Civic 3 vs Ma Pau Stars 0

—by default

Police FC 3 (Malachi King 9th, Matthias Hinkson 12th, Jaden Andrews 67th) vs Defence Force 1 (Aiden Marcano 63rd)

St Ann’s Rangers 2 (Darius Douglas 67th, 80th) vs Club Sando 0

n Under-17 Division

Pt Fortin Civic 3 vs Ma Pau Stars 0

—by default

Police FC 0 vs Defence Force 0

Club Sando 2 (Chakim Guy 64th, Isa Bramble 89th) vs St Ann’s Rangers 1 (Jesse Williams 53)

It has been a dream start for the Unit Trust Corporation netball team in its debut season in the Courts All Sectors Netball League, already copping two titles and the competitions are far from over.

On Monday night at the Eastern Regional Indoor Sports Arena in Tacarigua, the newcomers emerged the champion of the Jean Pierre Challenge, a knockout competition for teams in the Championship Division.

Led by goal-shooter Ayanna Peters, who netted 15 goals from 23 attempts, UTC defeated the University of T&T (UTT), 21-18 in the final. UTC was the dominant team in the first 20-minute half, leading 12-7 but lost some its spark in the second session.

However, it still managed to outlast a worthy opponent in UTT, who had oustcored them 11-9 in the second half.

Peters opened in the circle with Crystal Noel, who put in four from seven.

Later, Aviann Archie replaced Peters in the goal-shooot position and she added the other two goals from five tries. For UTT, goal-shooter Akeilah Francis was best with 15 in 26.

George-Ann Horsford (2/3) and Oprah Douglas (1/8) combined to score the other three goals from 11 attempts.

UTC has holding its own well in the division despite being debutants, nabbing its first crown on the weekend, resisting all comers to win the Fast 5 competition after defeating Las Lomas, 26-7.

It knocked off Police (21-14) and UTC (12-8), respectively on its way to the final.

In the other matches played earlier in the Retro Division, Carib Senators beat Les Enfants, 29-22, thanks to the shooting of Beverly Hernandez, who netted 19 of 26 and Bermudez downed TSTT, 32-21.

The Bermudez was piloted by Beverly Rodgers, who produced 22 of 31 tries.

Today, these four teams will be back on court, along with Harlem which was on a bye, to compete in their division’s Retro-style knockout competition.

n RETRO DIVISION

Les Enfants 22 (Joanne Payne 7/19, Michelle Hutchins 15/24) vs Carib Senators 29 (Beverly Hernandez 19/26, Cheryl Farris 0/1, Terry Jeremiah 10/13). Quarter scores:9-5 (Senators), 12-8 (Senators), 23-14 (TSTT).

TSTT 21 (Olivia Le Platte 6/9, Debra Alie 15/20) vs Bermudez 32 (Beverly Rodgers 22/31, Debra Beckles 10/13). Quarter scores: 11-4, 20-10, 28-16 (Bermudez).

n CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION

Jean Pierre Challenge final

UTC 21 (Ayanna Peters 15/23, Crystal Noel 4/7, Aviann Archie 2/5) vs UTT 18 (Akeilah Francis 15/26, George-Ann Horsford 2/3, Oprah Douglas 1/8). Half time: 12-7 (UTC).

Last week I participated in a three-day weekend conference on psychological health and counselling as part of an ongoing series of church ministry training. I was the beneficiary of a paid subscription from friends at the church who thought that the programme could be beneficial.

What a weekend it was!

To begin, I am always enthused about requests for my input into mental/psychological health events whether as participant or contributor. To be under the tutelage of the experienced husband and wife team of Drs Michael and Mary Shapiro for me was a high honour.

Michael’s LinkedIn profile says he is a psychologist in private practice in Athens, Georgia, USA, “specialising in the diagnosis and treatment of childhood neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders such as attention deficit disorder, learning disabilities, autism, and closed-head trauma. He also conducts forensic assessments involving child custody, parental fitness, competence to stand trial, and other litigation issues.”

Mike and Mary both earned their PhD degrees in educational psychology from the University of Georgia in 1984 and have been child psychologists in private practice since 1988. Mike is foremost an elder in the Athens Church of Christ and an integral teacher at the Athens Institute of Ministry (AIM). The AIM website says the Shapiros are both accomplished Bible teachers and are frequently asked to speak in churches worldwide.

The Shapiros lecture extensively on topics related to child psychology, parenting, marriage, adoption, and mental health issues in a Christian context. They have authored one of my essential books, Rejoice Always: A Manual for Christians Facing Emotional Challenges.

Last weekend, along with presenters/trainers gospel artiste Shane “Rizon” Gibson and attorney-at-law, J Tyrone Marcus, the Shapiros presented fundamental teaching on counselling Christians and non-believers living with mental illness. The series was hosted by the Port-of-Spain Church of Christ and was held at the Sir Frank Stockdale Building, The UWI campus.

There was so much to take in from the event, but, in keeping with the Lenten theme on improving mental health, I was really intrigued with the presentation on the value of forgiveness.

Mike emphasised throughout the sessions that the scriptures remain essential to Godly and successful living but focussed on a holistic approach to counselling, using the biopsychosocial health model coupled with spiritual intervention and Biblical obedience.

In delivering approaches to counselling and psychology, Gibson touched on the workings of underlying and unresolved issues and their impact on our lives. Mary iterated that the past defines us but noted that from a Biblical perspective, Christians are new creations and therefore can access the possibility of renewal and the renewing of the mind.

The Shapiros taught that forgiveness is essential to reconciliation but that the concept was often misunderstood.

While the unbeliever may use forgiveness to feel better, Mike said for Christians the concept is more than “a therapeutic hint”. He cited Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV) which says: “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” He also quoted Colossians 3:13 (NIV), which says: “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Mary cited Dr Fred Luskin’s et al Stanford University Forgiveness Project, a ground-breaking approach which “offers insights into the healing powers and medical benefits of forgiveness.”

According to Luskin, “The practice of forgiveness has been shown to reduce anger, hurt, depression, and stress and leads to greater feelings of hope, peace, compassion, and self-confidence. Practicing forgiveness leads to healthy relationships as well as physical health. It also influences our attitude which opens the heart to kindness, beauty, and love.”

Mike and Mary both taught that forgiveness is principally for the benefit of the one extending the clemency. Some salient points from this teaching were as follows:

• Forgiveness is a free choice we make by acknowledging the problem and deciding not to hold the person’s wrong against them even while retaining the memory of the infraction.

• The benefits of forgiveness are fewer health problems, reduced stress and improved mental and physical well-being.

• There is no timetable for forgiveness.

• Forgiving 70 times seven (Matthew 18:22) is not a formula but a metaphor for the limitlessness of a forgiving attitude.

• While some incidents may require a one-time act of forgiveness, deeper violations may demand forgiving continuously.

• When dealing with the painful past, meditating on scriptures that make you feel safe is a good intervention.

• Give up the notion that life is fair and perfect; mourn the loss of the perfection you never had, and move on.

• Forgiveness does not mean you condone the actions or behaviour of the wrongdoer/doing.

• We do not necessarily reconcile the relationship when we forgive. Remedy may not be possible if the person has died, for example; and, as well,

• Forgiveness does not necessarily mean the relationship is restored to what it was before.

Caroline C Ravello is a strategic communications and media practitioner with over 30 years of proficiency. She holds an MA in Mass Communications and is a candidate for the MSc in Public Health (MPH) from The UWI. Write to: mindful.tt@gmail.com

It was a Friday evening, one week before his big post-Carnival show, Everybody Loves Raymond, this Saturday (March 18),—Raymond Ramnarine was pumped—not on his music, but on antibiotics and shots from his doctor to obliterate any signs of a nasty cough tormenting him.

It was a battle Ramnarine intended to win before taking to the Centre of Excellence stage this Saturday for his annual love concert.

“God is good and I know when I hit that stage, I will be in control. My voice will be 100 per cent,” the frontline singer for Dil-E-Nadan—one of the top chutney/soca bands—said in a recent Guardian interview.

You see, this level of stress is not novel to Ramnarine. It is a phenomenon he experiences every year at this time, after the hectic Carnival season and before his love concert. And this season, in which he received a lifetime achievement award from Chutney Brass, has been more hectic than others, with the band scoring a mega-hit with the song Ramsingh Sharma, with Omardath Maharaj.

“I sound like this around this time every year. Normally after Carnival, everybody gets a rest, but we have been working day and night since Ash Wednesday, doing all the music for the concert, trying to get things right. We also have other shows. So my voice is not getting much time to rest. On Thursday, I just started to get this dry cough, so I went to the doctor and told him to do whatever he has to do to make me feel better,” Ramnarine said.

The concert, however, is something Ramnarine would never give up. Questioned why it’s being held so soon after Carnival, Ramnarine had a simple response. 

“It is where I started and I cannot forget my loyal fans. It is a family event where people have the opportunity to bring their kids to share the experience.”

Ramnarine explained that this show, in which there is a predominance of Indian classical and Bollywood music, used to be a Valentine’s Day concert which started at Palms Club, San Fernando, many years ago. The concert outgrew that venue in record time, with the show moving to Roxy, Spectakula Forum, Anchorage and finally settling at the Centre of Excellence.

“I mean, last year fans came in two maxi taxis from Cedros, but they did not secure tickets and the venue was at its capacity. Instead of going back home, they made their way to the car park, opened their trunk (for drinks and eats), listened to what they could of the show from outside, and had a merry time. You can’t disappoint people like that,” Ramnarine said.

“Our fans love us for soca and chutney but they also love us for the Bollywood and concert music. I just feel so blessed with this talent to do different genres of music. If you heard the band for Carnival, come Friday night you would not believe it is the same band people were jumping up to and going crazy. Indian classical music is a little more intricate, you have to dig deep to get the whole concert vibes.”

Adding the international flavour of this Friday’s show will be top Bollywood singer Jubin Nautiyal, with his smash hits Kaabil Hoon, Bandeya, The Humma Song, Le Chala and many more. Ramnarine pointed out that when they first contracted Jubin to perform at the concert, he was nowhere on the charts.

“I mean he was a good entertainer and performer, but just like that, you are seeing this guy topping the charts in India. That is another plus for the concert. We have the section that love the oldies and you have the younger generation coming to listen to the new age Bollywood music.”

The children of the brothers, Raymond, Richard and Rennie—referred to as G-3, the third generation of Dil-E-Nadan—have also become an integral part of the concert.

“Over the last six years they have been performing and they basically own part of the show. People look forward to seeing them. We can’t leave them out now.”

There is also a growing international interest in the show, Ramnarine said, confirming that about 40 fans from Miami, New York and Holland will be attending.

There is a package being offered by the Centre of Excellence to accommodate foreigners as well as locals who are travelling from far and don’t want to drive back on the highway after the show.

WHAT: Everybody Loves Raymond—Indian classical/Bollywood music concert featuring Raymond Ramnarine and Bollywood star Jubin Nautiyal.

WHEN: Saturday, March 18, 8 pm - 11 pm

WHERE: Centre of Excellence, 17A Macoya Road

TICKETS: VIP—$450; Reserved—$300; General Adm.—$150

Ticket Outlets: Praimsingh’s Chaguanas (672-4423); Curepe (663-2494); V&L Pharmacy El Socorro (675-6337); Xtra Foods Supermarket—Grand Bazaar, Chaguanas, Arima, Endeavour Highway (285-9872); Discomart—Western Union outlet Tunapuna (663-0062); Bix Blitz, EMR Sangre Grande (668-2480); SNSR Food Centre (655-2249); Angies Fabric & Puja—Penal (647-1766); San’Do (657-2353).

Organisational psychologist Jeffrey Pfeffer and management expert Robert Sutton, both professors at Stanford University, write that one of their favourite sayings is: When two people always agree, one of them is unnecessary.

Their book, which is sub-titled Profiting from Evidence-Based Management, sounds many warnings about managers who feel they know everything. Since knowing everything is impossible, they recommend that companies try as far as possible to base their decisions on empirical data, following the model developed in evidence-based medicine.

Since this latter hasn’t reached T&T yet, it is no surprise that evidence-based management is also more the exception than the rule here. This is so even in capitalist America. “Many companies and leaders show little interest in subjecting their business practices and decisions to the same scientific rigour they would use for technical and medical issues,” write Pfeffer and Sutton. Similarly, many of T&T’s financial challenges, as in most facets of our society, come from lack of data, let alone experimental protocols.

However, they also point out that: “Even when companies have little or no data, there are things executives can do to rely more on evidence and logic and less on guesswork, fear, belief, or hope.” In that situation, they recommend qualitative data and assessment of ideas, as well as searching for research from seemingly unrelated areas which can be applied to a particular initiative. (In this regard, useful companion books How to Measure Anything by IT expert Douglas W Hubbard and Super Crunchers by law and management professor Ian Ayres.)

Nonetheless, Pfeffer and Sutton provide an analytical framework which can be applied across different business cultures, once information can be acquired for implementation. Thus, they recommend that managers ask themselves the following questions before making any major decisions: Is my preference for a particular management practice solely or mostly because it fits with my intuitions about people and organisations? Am I requiring the same level of proof for the same amount of data regardless or whether or not the issue is one I believe in? Are my colleagues and I allowing our beliefs to cloud our willingness to gather and consider data that may be pertinent to our choices?

In respect to major organisational changes by firms, ranging from acquisitions, new software, layoffs or quality improvement, Pfeffer and Sutton also provide a list of questions that should be addressed before, such as: Is the new practice better than the present one? Are people already overwhelmed by too many changes? Will you be able to pull the plug?

Their findings about individuals probably also translate across societies, since human nature doesn’t vary too much.

For example, with respect to top performers, they cite studies related to incentives, finding that, contrary to popular practice, money isn’t ranked very high. Rather, the four leading motivators for performers were: (1) reputation; (2) appreciation; (3) importance of their work; (4) interesting assignments. Financial bonuses ranked ninth out of 10 items (although one assumes this might be because top performers are already well-paid).

With shake-ups occurring in both private and public sector companies, often without seeming rationale, this book may be a useful guide.

Review by

KEVIN BALDEOSINGH

Hard Facts, Dangerous Half-Truths & Total Nonsense

Jeffrey Pfeffer & Robert I. Sutton.

Harvard Business School Press, 2006.

ISBN 978-1-59139-862-2; 276 pages.

Today we have the first part of a contribution from Roseline Lynch, an Alta Tutor who has taught our Level 1 and Level 2 students at Alta’s Arima Boys’ and Arima Girls’ RC School venues for the past 13 years.

It was always my desire to make a special contribution to my country, T&T. This dream was realised when I had the opportunity to volunteer to become an Alta tutor to assist other citizens who struggled with reading and writing.

After being interviewed I was given an orientation to teaching adults through an eight session observation period. This was followed by training in effective delivery of the Alta curriculum in reading, writing, listening and speaking.

My experience as an Alta Tutor is most rewarding. In the initial stages, to my surprise, I discovered that I was not simply giving a service, but was also receiving insight into the finer aspects of the topics I had to present to the students. It was a refresher course for me. In my reflections on my own learning, I discovered the reasons why I used certain language structures and the rules governing the correct usage. I can credit the Alta programme for bringing clarity to my early language experiences.

The Alta programme provides a very interactive teaching and learning experience as students have the opportunity to engage in oral expression on different topics. This helps to refine their thinking processes, brings clarity to their thought patterns, helps with logical sequencing and enhances both receptive and productive speech and language.

Alta’s student intake embraces participants from the age of 16. Most are adults who return to education. The reasons for entering the programme vary among the participants - from a sense of inadequacy to face the adult world with deficiencies in literacy, to being unable to function at a higher level on the job site for social mobility.

It has been noted that a fair percentage of Alta participants display signs of learning disabilities such as dyslexia, which their previous teachers did not recognise while they attended school. Other students were school drop outs for various reasons. Some students come to Alta to master basic language skills, while others want to do the primary school leaving examination.

• See next week for Part Two of Roseline’s Alta Experience.

More info

If you would like to become an Alta tutor, the next recruitment cycle begins in October 2017. Interested people can call Alta and leave their information today. For those interested in starting to volunteer now, there is the Alta Reading Circle Programme. Reading Circle guides work with our Alta students in an informal setting once a week for two hours, assisting them with their reading. To get involved in that programme give call today at 624-2582.

Volunteer, Donate or Sponsor-a-student. Call 624-2582 or email Altapos.tt@gmail.com for more info. Keep up to date with Alta on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: Alta TT