MERRITT: LINCOLN SYLVESTER of Hodge Lane, Tunapuna died on 10th May, 2018. Son of Bron-son and Sylvia Merritt. Husband of Bernadette. Father of Chris-topher, Nicholas and Janneil. Brother of Marina Merritt-Pierre, Dr. Lorna Merritt-Charles, Michael and Lindsay Merritt. Brother in law of Raymond Pierre, Francis Charles, Paula Valentine-Merritt, Avah Eligon-Merritt, Theresa Garcia, Cynthia Ramjit, Rodney and Gloria Sydney, Germaine and Rosanna Guerra, Kelvin, Wayne and Shirley Chrysostom and others. Uncle of Ramona, Mari-elle, Aidan and Stephan Pierre, Azizi Charles and Shaquille and Shenelle Eligon, Cleverin Guerra and Kershaw Guerra-Moham-med. Cousin and Relative of the Otway, Marshall, Chancellor, Ad-dison and Bernard families. Rela-tive of the Alcindor, Walker and Woods families. Friend of Yasmin Harris, Ishwar Singh, Margaret Williams, the Preston family, Ann-Marie Martin-David, Dabrielle Blesdelle, members of the 80’s St. Charles RC Parish Youth Group and others. He will be remem-bered by the staff of the Elec-tions & Boundaries Commission, Customs & Excise Department, Public Service Association and many others. Funeral mass for the late Lincoln Sylvester Merritt takes place at 10:00am on Friday 18th May, 2018 at the St. Charles RC Church, Eastern Main Road, Tunapuna then to the Tunapuna Public Cemetery. Enquiries, Lee’s Funeral Directors, 663-1010.

GRIEVE, KENNETH passed away peacefully on Thursday 10 May 2018. Husband of the late Rita Marshall Grieve. Stepfather of Willys, Kevin and Wynna (Branco). Brother of Victor Grieve (UK) and father of two (UK).Funeral service 9:00am Thursday 17 May at Our Lady of Loudres Church, Maraval; followed by private cremation.For enquiries; call C&B: (868) 625-1170. To send condolences please visit our website www.clarkandbattoo.com

Former T&T international Jlloyd Samuel died yesterday in a tragic car crash in the north of England.

According to reports, the former national defender and Ex-Aston Villa and Bolton Wanderers player Samuel was returning home after dropping his kids off at school and collided with an oncoming vehicle. His vehicle caught fire and his body was discovered burnt.

The T&T Football Association and his former national teammates have extend deepest condolences to his family members both in the UK and in T&T.

Samuel has family in San Fernando where he was born and his cousin Andre Samuel received the devastating news early yesterday morning from Jlloyd’s mom Caron.

The BBC reported, “Cheshire Police said they were called to a serious collision involving a van and a Range Rover in High Legh, Cheshire at 07:55 BST. Police, fire engines and an air ambulance were sent to the scene, amid reports his Range Rover burst into flames in the accident.

“Sadly the driver of the car, Jlloyd Samuel, 37, from Lymm, died at the scene,” they said in a statement.

“His next of kin have been informed and are currently being supported by specially trained officers.

“The driver of the van, a 54-year-old man, sustained serious injuries and has been taken to hospital for treatment.”

According to reports, one eyewitness was on the scene within minutes and attempted to smash the window of the car while it was in flames in an attempt to get the star out.

Samuel, the father of three children Javarne, Lakyle and Amara, made his debut for T&T during the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, appearing in two qualifiers against Honduras in San Pedro Sula on September 5th, 2009 and against the United States in Port-of-Spain four days later under then head coach Russell Latapy.

“It is devastating news. We are indeed shocked and very saddened upon getting the news this morning. Jlloyd was an ambitious, very personable young man who was an asset to the teams he played with. We take this opportunity to extend sincerest condolences to his family at this time,” said Latapy.

David John-Williams president of the TTFA issued a statement which reads: “It is really unfortunate to hear of the passing of Mr Samuel. He represented Trinidad and Tobago on two occasions and on both occasions with distinction. He was just 37 and it is difficult to find words about this situation. We wish his family Godspeed and hope that they have strength in this difficult time of his passing.”

Aston Villa football club tweeted: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of our former player Jlloyd Samuel at the age of just 37 in a car accident. “Our players will wear black armbands as a mark of respect tonight and our thoughts are with his friends and family at this very difficult time.”

Bolton Tweeted “Everybody associated with Bolton Wanderers Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former defender, Jlloyd Samuel.

“Rest in peace, Jlloyd. Our deepest condolences are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”

Stan Collymore paid a heartfelt tribute to his former team-mate, who he described as a fantastic pro. “Devastating news about J Lloyd Samuel,” he said. “Was a fantastic young pro @AVFCOfficial and I know many at our club will be truly distraught today.

Cardiff City: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former Cardiff City defender, Jlloyd Samuel. Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this incredibly difficult time.”

Charlton Athletic: “The club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jlloyd Samuel, who began his career in Charlton’s youth system. The thoughts of everyone at the club are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”

Players’ union, the PFA: “Our sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of Jlloyd Samuel who has died aged 37.”

Former teammate and Liverpool Academy coach Michael Beale said: “Absolutely heartbroken to hear of the passing of my childhood friend and team-mate. A beautiful person.”

The T&T Cricket Board (TTCB) is expected to communicate with the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs—Shamfa Cudjoe today concerning the hosting of international cricket matches in this country next year.

President of the T&T Cricket Board (TTCB), Azim Bassarath told Guardian Media Sports yesterday that his office will make communication today, to see what can be done in order for this country to get international matches that are on offer next year.

“The president of Cricket West Indies (CWI) Dave Cameron met with the minister and from our information he has already sent the package for the ministry, offering them the first Test match against India and two T20 internationals against England. We will write the minister to seek a meeting, so as to see how best we can assist in this country getting those matches. A Test match against India is something we always look forward to and of course, the T20 matches sell themselves. We are happy that this country is getting an opportunity to bid for these two matches and I see no reason why we will not get them.

“We have a good relationship with the minister of Sport and we are going to work closely with her to ensure that the cricket comes our way.” The last time a Test match with India was hosted here was 2016, a damp Oval outfield rendered it a no result.

Cameron explained that England will be touring the region in February/March 2019 for a series of three Test matches, five ODIs and three T20s. He added that after the World Cup in England, the Indians will be making a stopover for three Tests, three ODIs and three T20s as well.

He said:”We have met with most of the governments across the region, letting them know what is on offer and what they need to produce in terms of bidding for these matches. We have met with Barbados, Antigua, St. Kitts, Grenada, St. Lucia and Jamaica and we have already gotten some positive responses, in terms of hosting the matches. We are happy that the governments are showing this great interest.”

Asked whether the T&T government showed interest in hosting the matches, Cameron said:”We had a very good meeting and the minister understands what’s needed. She has asked that we send her all the relevant details and we have done such. We also received an email from the ministry stating that they had received our package. I guess they will now meet to discuss the value in coming on board and will contact CWI after.”

The T&T government which received some licks from the public after not bidding for the ICC Women’s World Cup matches will have until the end of this month to submit their bid.

Cameron said by May 31 they will name the host venues, giving tour operators enough time to work out their logistics.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua—West Indies will face Bangladesh in two Twenty20 Internationals on US soil during the home series in July, Cricket West Indies confirmed yesterday.

The first T20 International is carded for Warner Park in St Kitts on July 31 before back-to-back matches are played at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium in Florida on August 4 and 5.

News of the US fixtures had come via media reports last weekend.

“We are delighted to include the matches Fort Lauderdale on the schedule for the Bangladesh tour,” said CWI chief executive officer, Johnny Grave.

“Both matches are scheduled for the weekend and will be played under the lights, so it’s a great opportunity for Windies fans in North America to see the team play against a very competitive Bangladesh side.”

West Indies have won three of the four T20Is at the venue, with the other one ending in a no-result following rain.

They swept New Zealand 2-0 back in 2012 before beating India 1-0 when the Asian side toured the Caribbean two years ago.

Grave said the continued thrust of staging international cricket in the US was part of CWI’s strategic plan.

“This is one of the initiatives outlined in our new Strategic Plan for the period 2018 to 2023,” the Englishman said.

“Our intention is to work with ICC Americas members, USA Cricket & Cricket Canada in partnership to establish cricket as a popular sport from North to South America, create opportunities for West Indian fans to watch the team live, and build support for the Windies.”

He continued: “Through this initiative, it will support our strategic objectives to increase the number of people who watch and follow Windies cricket, and help unlock the full potential of the Windies outside of the Caribbean.

“We look forward to having West Indians, Bangladeshis and fans of the game from all around the United States coming to join us at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium for the two matches.”

Bangladesh tour of the Caribbean starts July 4 and will see them clash with West Indies in two Tests – at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in Antigua and Sabina Park in Jamaica.

The National Stadium in Guyana will then play hosts to the first two One-Day Internationals of the three-match series with the final match set for Warner Park. (CMC)

Samuel Waldron starred for Holy Cross College to help earn them a narrow 39-37 victory over Trinity College East in the Under-15 Division in East Zone action of the Secondary Schools Basketball League.

This was on Monday in the final match in a triple-header played at the Maloney Indoor Sports Arena and Waldron scored a match-high 17 points in the close affair to keep the Kenyatta Alfred-coached team on top of the standings in group two.

Vhayron Watson almost matched him with a team-high 16 points but Trinity was on the losing end.

Waldron was also key in Holy Cross’ win over Manzanilla Secondary, producing 23 in the 44-36 victory on Wednesday at the same venue. Jeremiah Phipps was best offensively for Manzanilla with 17 points.

On Monday, Phipps performed well again and this time his team got success. Phipps netted 20 points to power Manzanilla, which is coached by Barry Gabriel, past St George’s College 33-18 in the second match.

In the opening match-up, led by Nicholas Watkins with 11, Tunapuna Secondary, coached by Stefan Dillon, topped El Dorado West by a narrow one-point (25-24) victory.

Action continues today with the top four teams in the U-17 Division competing for the “Big Four” title. The first semifinal between Trinity East and Mt Hope Secondary starts at 2 pm, followed by the clash between Holy Cross and Tunapuna Secondary.

RESULTS

Monday
n Tunapuna Secondary 25 (Nicholas Watkins 11) vs El Dorado West 24 (Hezekyah Prescott 7)
n Manzanilla Secondary 33 (Jeremiah Phipps 20) vs St George’s College 18 (Abdullah Ali 8, Jonathan Hooker 8)
n Holy Cross College 39 (Samuel Waldron 17) vs Trinity East 37 (Vhayron Watson 16)
Friday
n El Dorado East 28 (Jelani Blackett 28) vs Tunapuna Secondary 24 (Aaron Patrick 14)
n El Dorado West 32 (Hezekyah Prescott 16) vs Hillview College 17 (Christian Zoe 7)
n St Georges Coll 19 (Isaiah Thorne 7) vs Trinity East 35 (Vhayron Watson 15)
Wednesday
n El Dorado West 27 ( Hezekyah Prescott 13) vs El Dorado East 30 (Jean Blackett 27
n Tunapuna Secondary 29 (Nkosi Ansari 11) vs Hillview College 11 (Gevin Osbourne 9)
n Holy Cross 44 (Samuel Waldron 23) vs Manzanilla Sec 36 (Jeremiah Phipps 17)

STANDING

Group one
Place Team P W L Pts
1 Tunapuna 3 2 1 5
2 El Dorado East 2 2 0 4
3 El Dorado West 3 1 2 4
4 Hillview 2 0 2 2
Group two
1 Holy Cross 2 2 0 4
2 Trinity East 2 1 1 3
3 Manzanilla 2 1 1 3
4 St Goegre’s 2 0 2 2

TODAY’S MATCHES

Boys U-17 Big Four — Semifinals
n Trinity East vs Mt Hope Secondary, 2 pm
n Holy Cross College vs Tunapuna Secondary, 3.30 p

This country’s senior women’s volleyball team will serve off what is expected to be a hectic five months of international competition when they compete in the Norceca Women’s Challenge Cup in Edmonton, Alberta Canada from tomorrow until Sunday.

The locally-based ‘Calypso Spikers’ led by captain Renele Forde and technical staff duo Susan Pierre (manager) and coach Francisco Cruz left on Monday night and were joined by the overseas-based players on arrival yesterday.

The teams will play round-robin pool matches at the end of which the top-ranked teams from each pool will play for the title at the Edmonton Expo Centre Hall D, from which the winner will qualify to the FIVB Volleyball Nations League Challenge Cup Finals.

T&T will compete in Pool A of the six-team qualifiers with host Canada tomorrow (Thursday) and Costa Rica (Friday) while Pool B comprises Cuba, Puerto Rico and Nicaragua.

Puerto Rico, Cuba and Canada are currently ranked third, fourth and fifth, respectively, in Norceca while seven-time champions of the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) T&T, Costa Rica and Nicaragua are seventh, eighth and ninth respectively.

T&T is coached by Cuban-born Cruz and the team includes the overseas-based quartet of former captain Krystle Esdelle (Pursaklar/Turkey), Channon Thompson (Ankara Numune (Turkey)/Foton Tornadoes (Philippines), Darlene Ramdin (Generika-Ayala Lifesavers/Philippines) and Forde (Svedala/Sweden) all included in the 11-player roster.

In addition, the vastly experienced duo of Kelly Ann Billingy, a former captain and vice-captain Jalicia Ross-Kydd, the other are Afiya Alexander, Kiune Fletcher, Mikela Mc Gillvery, Afesha Olton and Canada-based Taija Thomas.

However, a notable absentee is middle-blocker Sinead Jack who is coming off a hectic season with top Turkey Super Liga club, Galatasaray, who were losing semi-finalists in both their domestic and the Confederation European Volleyball (CEV) Women’s Champions League play-offs earlier this month.

T&T TEAM

Renele Forde (Svedala/Sweden), Krystle Esdelle (Pursaklar Belediyesi/Turkey), Channon Thompson (Ankara Numune (Turkey) & Foton Tornadoes (Philippines), Darlene Ramdin (Generika-Ayala Lifesavers/Philippines), Kelly Ann Billingy, Afiya Alexander, Kiune Fletcher, Mikela Mc Gillvery, Afesha Olton, Jalicia Ross-Kydd, Taija Thomas.

Technical staff: Francisco Cruz (coach), Susan Pierre (manager)

One of the major issues confronting our country is the role each of us play in contributing to its growth and development.

At some point in time, the challenge that will confront us is whether we want to get into the game or continue to be armchair jockeys second-guessing every decision that was taken. The latter is a role that many individuals prefer because it allows them to sit aloof on the issue and pass judgement.

When one gets into the action, however, it is only then that the true magnitude of the challenge can be understood. How one deals with the challenge will define their character. It can build your character and allow it to shine, or it can cause your true colours to rise to the forefront, or it can have no impact at all.

The local horse-racing industry continues to be buffeted by internal and external forces and to inflict self-originated blows upon itself at almost every turn. Those of us who tuned in on Saturday night to the post Kentucky Derby news conference must have been shocked to see the Prime Minister of St Lucia sitting at the head table alongside the great Bob Baffert, Mike Smith and the four groups that comprise the owners of the exceptional Justify, who had just won the Kentucky Derby.

That he was there at the invitation of Teo Ah King, the primary owner of China Horse Club International speaks volumes. China Horse Club is the entity behind the Pearl of the Caribbean project currently being developed in St Lucia. A project that many doubted would see the light of the day. Instead, a united front has been presented in St Lucia and all energies are being channelled to one common end.

Prime Minister Chastanet was even invited by Mr King to make a few brief comments and used his 30 seconds to mention the project and invite all of the viewing audience to St Lucia for the grand opening of the centre in early 2019.

This represents a missed opportunity of gargantuan proportions for T&T.

When the pioneering Derek Chin almost single-handedly staged his Caribbean Nations Racing Challenge in 2011, there were almost as many naysayers as there was applause.

Chin himself was eventually sufficiently disillusioned by the negativity in T&T to exile himself from the local sport although he remains a prominent and successful owner in Canada.

There was never to be another Nations Racing Challenge. Now St Lucia, an island with no racing pedigree of any note, is poised to become the premier racing centre in the Caribbean. A position that should rightfully have been ours.

We must blame our great ability to self-destruct through in-fighting and pettiness. The concept of collective responsibility is not understood in the sport. Maybe it is because many of our racing administrators and owners are self-made success stories and, therefore, have never had to subordinate their view to a team. Whatever the reason, when the first gates open in 2019 in St Lucia, T&T would have lost the plot.

Mr King paid us a visit last year but nothing has been heard from him since. Perhaps he was well advised to steer clear of those Trini fellas and their internal bacchanal. Someone was sure to raise an objection to any plan that was put forward.

In T&T, we have a situation in which majority decisions taken at the board level are challenged in the public domain by dissenting directors and the first inclination is to resign when unable to get our own way.

The LiTTribute to ToronTTo with the Zoomers Club of T&T (Zattic) in Mississauga, Toronto, Canada was interrupted by an 80-year-old woman on Mother’s Day—May 13—when guest speaker, author and heritage educator Dr Kris Rampersad began speaking.

Dr Rampersad was explaining the impulse to address the cultural habits that inhibit reading in rural districts of the Commonwealth Caribbean as she introduced her book LiTTscapes Landscapes of Fiction and her efforts with LiTTributes and LiTTours which she described as “the reading room outside the reading room” and other initiatives to make reading an enjoyable experience.

LiTTscapes captures in coffee-table style through photographs and texts the island’s districts, lifestyles and cultures as seen through the eyes of more than 100 writers as early as Sir Walter Raleigh to Nobel Laureates Sir Vidia Naipaul and Derek Walcott, as well as many writers resident in North America, Canada, the UK and elsewhere. It’s comprehensive treatment also features among them Canadian-Caribbean-American writers as Samuel Selvon, Neil Bissoondath, Ramabai Espinet, Shani Mootoo, Ismith Khan, and Sonny Ladoo.

Dr Rampersad was identifying the various countries represented in the room when the well-groomed woman interrupted, “Just before you continue,” said the woman in a strong voice, standing firmly. I taught you at St Julien Presbyterian School.

“I want to say how proud I am at all that you are doing. It is so remarkable. It is Mother’s Day and all my family is waiting for me but I had to come and see you, darling.”

“Oh! Miss Olive,” a surprised Dr Rampersad exclaimed, expressing her pleasure at the intrusion. Turning to the audience while in a warm embrace with the woman she identified as her first teacher, Dr Rampersad said: “This is the woman who taught me to read!” The room erupted with applause and Dr Rampersad explained how Miss Olive was her first teacher in the infant class when she began her formal schooling at St Julien Presbyterian School in New Grant.

Olive Sinanan has been the ‘first teacher’ of more than five generations of children in T&T before she resigned and migrated to Canada with her family. Several of her family members have also been making significant contributions to the Canadian education system in mainstream schooling, special and gifted education and musical and cultural education.

Miss Olive surprised Dr Rampersad as she began her guest presentation to the club on connected global literary heritage of the Commonwealth Caribbean and Canada. She identified Miss Olive as ‘the woman who taught me to read,” as she pointed out the interconnected relationship between the developed and developing world.

Dr Rampersad is on a tour of North America and Canada with her literary tributes and stimulating creative cross cultural conversations about the knowledge economy and creative sectors to sustainable development of both continental and small island economies. The next segment of LiTTribute to ToronTTo is at Windies Restaurant, Scarborough, Canada, from 3 pm May 20, when Dr Rampersad will meet and discuss opportunities and challenges with a cross section of Canada’s cultural groups.

“It is these kinds of surprising and remarkable relationships between the developed and developing world that these literary engagements are unearthing,” she said.

“Our island societies have not been a burden to the developed world but have been holding their own and contributing to their development and prosperity, and in fact, many of our resources are being drained, as with the brain drain in education by the inability to the islands to hold on to their talented citizens because of deficiencies in opportunities owing to weaknesses in political, educational, cultural and social institutions and climate.”

Rampersad also noted that “Globalisation and the information revolution has made even developed nations ‘developing’ and there is much we as small islands who have grappled with the challenges of multiculturalism and diversity can teach the larger metropoles.”

Dr Rampersad, an independent heritage educator, journalist and media specialist, is the former president of the UNESCO Education Commission. She also served as vice president of the UNESCO programme and External Relations Commission when she challenged the notion of developed and developing world and moved a motion that was unanimously accepted that the UNESCO Institute of Statistics begin gathering data to better represent global development and provide these to the United Nations, the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and other developmental institutions.

For more information and to book similar initiatives see social media for LiTTscapes and LiTTributes or email lolleaves@gmail.com.

I live here and for my own wellbeing I would rather that T&T has a well-educated and highly-trained, professional police service. It would be to my personal benefit and could mean better security for the entire nation.

It is imperative though, that such a force also has the continuous benefit of interventions in their personal lives and everyday difficulties in order to ensure a desirable level of good well-being.

This, to me, is mandatory given what must be the high stress levels of those who are required to do our policing.

As a people, we depend on the police to provide a sense of security and therefore, law enforcement is important to our overall well-being. We are no different from any other jurisdiction in that expectation, after all, the motto promises “To Protect and Serve.”

It follows then, that our police service is expected to be populated with officers who risk their lives on a daily basis for citizens.

But to be committed to risking their lives, I also believe as a State we should be committing our best resources—wages, salaries, equipment, training, mentoring, psychosocial support and other benefits—to ensure we provide the best circumstances to the service in order to get the best results.

We should also have rigid systems of evaluation, including assessment of psychological fitness, for entry into such service.

But as yet, after granting 12 acting extensions to Commissioner of Police (Ag CoP) Stephen Williams, we cannot even decide on the appointment of someone we deem suitable to lead the service.

In fact, we seem unable to even resolve how we should interview and hire a CoP.

I’m in my corner wondering if anyone else thinks such actions work against the stability of the force and the security of the country.

And before I could think of someone to ask, the service is again brought into disrepute by another senior officer. This one blatantly breaks the rules choosing to ignore protocols in his effort to groom the T&T Police Service Next Top Model in his own uniform.

This followed so many other questionable incidences including the recent Gunsmoke action by two officers who took their private disputes publicly, with one officer now dead having succumbed to his injuries in a 28-rounds shootout in a public space.

These are some of my contemplations while examining what I consider the less-thanfavourable response by police to the plight of the mentally ill who require intervention.

And it helped that simultaneously with my assessment of the force in this matter there arose a number of other issues which showed the police “in a bad light,” according to one of its seniors.

First, in trying to determine whether the police service had a response for the issue of mental health and whether they had training to treat with the interventions they are called upon to perform for the mentally ill, I am left to conclude that the service is devoid of appropriate training.

There appears no consensus or even an answer to the question among the top brass, including those with ministerial portfolios.

Secondly, I began considering then that if we lack appropriate training for de-escalation of those presenting with acute mental illnesses, what is to be our fate for the foreseeable future when police respond to families asking for help with relatives who are acting violently? Are those who are ill and acting out mostly going to end up dead? Shot by police officers?

Thirdly, if prejudice runs as high in the population as I suspect it does here, then, who is ensuring that the police have a more empathetic view of the mentally ill? Sometimes I hear people speaking of others who are different to them—the mentally ill, the criminals incarcerated and those running wild—and you get a sense that people think some people’s lives are worth less than others.

What if this is the same prejudice that pervades the police service? Still, my contemplation ran deeper. I began to question whether our current concept of policing recognises “the importance of balancing the need to protect people with the need to protect and preserve individual rights?”

And finally, in all fairness to those in the service who work hard to fulfil their duty to us, what are the systems and processes in place to treat with the well-being of those charged to protect us?

Where have we addressed continuous physical and psychological compulsory care for those whom we ask to bend to every circumstance, from domestic disputes to drugs and gun warfare?

Could it be that we are expecting people possibly in worse emotional circumstances than ours to provide us with security and protection?

n CAROLINE C RAVELLO is a strategic communications and media professional and a public health practitioner. She holds an MA with Merit in Mass Communications (University of Leicester) and is a Master of Public Health With Distinction (The UWI). Write to: mindful.tt@ gmail.com

On Thursday, May 3, the Barataria Community Council held the official opening ceremony of its Barataria Community Council Homework Centre, located at the Barataria Community Centre, Lower 6th Avenue, Barataria. The event featured Sharon Rowley, wife of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, as its keynote speaker, and Barataria / San Juan MP Dr Fuad Khan was also in attendance.

The theme for the opening was aptly named Yes You Can to demonstrate the community’s desire to empower its youth. This was embraced by the youngsters as they gustily belted out those words in song to cheers of appreciation from their parents and other guests at the grand opening.

According to June Rogers, Coordinator of the Homework Centre, “the Barataria Community Council, working with the schools in the district, decided to offer this After School Programme / Homework Centre to accommodate the needs of mainly at-risk/financially challenged students from single-parent homes.”

The Homework Centre (the first of its kind in Barataria) opened its doors on January 23, and is one of the only available safe places for most of the children—outside of their homes in the district. There they are welcomed on Tuesdays-Thursdays for assistance in the areas of homework supervision, literacy support and recreation, conducted by a group of qualified volunteers who have been in the education system at the highest levels.

The Centre also boasts a Computer Literacy Programme which is delivered by faculty and student volunteers from UTT, as the Community Council understands the need for Information Technology support for students as well as the senior members of the community

The Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal of 10 men convicted of the murder of the brother of drug kingpin Dole Chadee, who were seeking to quash their convictions on the basis of fresh claims that the State's main witness admitted to fabricating the case against them.
Delivering a written decision at the Hall of Justice in Port-of-Spain, on Wednesday, Appellate Judges Alice Yorke-Soo Hon, Rajendra Narine and Prakash Moosai refused to admit the fresh evidence provided by witness Junior Grandison, almost a decade after the group of men were convicted for murdering Thackoor Boodram in 1997.
As part of their decision, the judges upheld their convictions and the life sentences, which they have been serving. 
Boodram, a pig farmer, was kidnapped from his home at Spring Village, Valsayn on December 20, 1997.
A ransom was demanded by his abductors, but 10 days later his decapitated head was found in a whiskey box at the Caroni Cremation Site.
Michael “Rat” Maharaj, Samuel Maharaj, Damian "Tommy" Ramiah, Bobby Ramiah, Seenath "Farmer" Ramiah, Daniel "Fella" Gopaul, Richard Huggins, Leslie Huggins, Mark Jaikaran and Junior "Heads" Phillip were convicted in August 2001.
Their earlier appeals against their murder conviction to the Court of Appeal and Privy Council were rejected, but the latter commuted their death sentences to life imprisonment as there had been delays in hearing their cases.
In June 2011, Grandison, the State's main witness, gave the sworn statement in which he claimed to have been coerced by Boodram's brother Panalal "Don" Boodram into implicating the men, whom he knew.
The two allegedly met in prison, while Grandison was awaiting trial for the murders of Ian George and Walter Regis and the attempted murder of Courtney Reid.
Those charges were dropped in exchange for his testimony against the group.
Two of the men petitioned former president Anthony Carmona to review their case in light of the new evidence.
In January 2015, Carmona exercised his power to refer the case to the Court of Appeal.
During hearings of the appeal, last year, Grandison repeatedly refused to attend court to testify before the appeal panel and could not be compelled to do so. In addition to the statement, the men were relying on recorded telephone conversations between Grandison and two of the accused men, in which he admitted to fabricating the case. 
State prosecutors relied on another signed statement from Grandison, which said that he was coerced by the men into recanting his evidence.

The Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal of 10 men convicted of the murder of the brother of drug kingpin Dole Chadee, who were seeking to quash their convictions on the basis of fresh claims that the State's main witness admitted to fabricating the case against them.

Delivering a written decision at the Hall of Justice in Port-of-Spain, on Wednesday, Appellate Judges Alice Yorke-Soo Hon, Rajendra Narine and Prakash Moosai refused to admit the fresh evidence provided by witness Junior Grandison, almost a decade after the group of men were convicted for murdering Thackoor Boodram in 1997.

As part of their decision, the judges upheld their convictions and the life sentences, which they have been serving. 

Boodram, a pig farmer, was kidnapped from his home at Spring Village, Valsayn on December 20, 1997.

A ransom was demanded by his abductors, but 10 days later his decapitated head was found in a whiskey box at the Caroni Cremation Site.

Michael “Rat” Maharaj, Samuel Maharaj, Damian "Tommy" Ramiah, Bobby Ramiah, Seenath "Farmer" Ramiah, Daniel "Fella" Gopaul, Richard Huggins, Leslie Huggins, Mark Jaikaran and Junior "Heads" Phillip were convicted in August 2001.

Their earlier appeals against their murder conviction to the Court of Appeal and Privy Council were rejected, but the latter commuted their death sentences to life imprisonment as there had been delays in hearing their cases.

In June 2011, Grandison, the State's main witness, gave the sworn statement in which he claimed to have been coerced by Boodram's brother Panalal "Don" Boodram into implicating the men, whom he knew.

The two allegedly met in prison, while Grandison was awaiting trial for the murders of Ian George and Walter Regis and the attempted murder of Courtney Reid.

Those charges were dropped in exchange for his testimony against the group.

Two of the men petitioned former president Anthony Carmona to review their case in light of the new evidence.

In January 2015, Carmona exercised his power to refer the case to the Court of Appeal.

During hearings of the appeal, last year, Grandison repeatedly refused to attend court to testify before the appeal panel and could not be compelled to do so. In addition to the statement, the men were relying on recorded telephone conversations between Grandison and two of the accused men, in which he admitted to fabricating the case. 

​​​​​​​State prosecutors relied on another signed statement from Grandison, which said that he was coerced by the men into recanting his evidence.

A video of prisoners feasting, chanting, cavorting and recording their activities comfortably on banned cellular phones at the Maximum Security Prison is now the subject of an investigation.

The video begins with a bareback man sitting on a bed, eyes downcast with earphones on. The narrator identifies someone in a white teeshirt as "the Sabbath teacher" before showing off a layout of about 20 bowls of food with rice, fish, plantain and cucumbers.

In the video, the narrator seems proud of the feast saying, "All soldiers... after the Saturday sabbath, rice and fish to feed all (of) you. I am sharing . Hail Selassie, Rasta living. We take a bathe. Its Kings of Kings." 

Someone is then seen dishing out the food. The prisoners then begin a rhythmic chant to the beat of bongo drums and the rattle of chac chacs as they dance around. The video ends with one man taking a
Rastafarian rag and placing it on top of the head of another man. A depiction of Bob Marley emblazoned with the word Legend was seen in the video. Other prisoners were seen in other cells looking on. 

The video, shared more than 22,000 times on Facebook, drew praise and condemnation from the public.

Deli Cadogan wrote, " BWDMA!!!! I guess jail ain’t so bad like people portrayed it to be then."

Kevin Marcano wrote, "With the exception of having a phone I don't see an issue. The video hasn't promoted no badness of gangsterism. Most the time family brings food when they visit so they're having a meal. Actually is kinda a pleasant change to see fellas not behaving like goons."

Damien Kissoondath wrote, " The food they eating is a nun issue what's the big issues is the phone and internet service that is the real problem."

But Pauline Cruickshank added, "Steupzz everyone have something negative to say. So you know no one in jail? You didn't know they have phones and don't get me started with the food. Some people have family who cook and bring them stuff and as u can see they are sharing. Me eh saying it right they having phones but they done have it. So what you gonna do bout it. The whole of Trinidad corrupted. Them in jail already the extra crime they doing is having a phone u think they gonna care?? Really???"

But a source at Prison said the Prison authorities were aware of the video and were doing investigations. Efforts to contact Prisons Commissioner Gerard Wilson and president of the Prisons Officers Association
Ceron Richards proved futile as Richards did not answer his cellular phone. Wilson's secretary said he was engaged in a meeting and could not be disturbed.
 

A very busy Etienne Charles is headed to Trinidad for a concert this coming Saturday at one of his favourite haunts, Phase II Pan Groove pan amphitheatre. The school year is over at Michigan State and he is excited as always to return home and will be working on various projects with the start of a busy summer of travel (“That’s what I do!”) and an ever-growing number of projects.

He will be appearing at Phase II Panyard on Saturday, May 19 (7 pm to 1 am) for the Pan Brass Soca Jam Down with Etienne and Friends the hot band of locals that he burned up the streets with his Monday afternoon Carnival band. He is already committed to next year’s Carnival band, making it bigger and better and has other projects in the works but doesn’t want to talk about them yet until he has things locked down.

Looking back on the school year, he is amazed that he just completed his ninth year teaching in the Jazz programme at Michigan State University where he is an associate professor. He has trumpet students, leads the jazz orchestra, teaches jazz arranging, and regularly performs with a faculty group just called the Professors of Jazz. He wrote several pieces for their double CD, Better Than Alright. One of the strengths of the Jazz programme at MSU is their Jazz Artists in residence and Etienne has been honoured to work with great artists this school year like bassist Ron Carter, saxophonist Steve Wilson. “It was a great year. I was very busy. Three trumpet students graduating, working with lots of guest artistes.”

Besides teaching, Charles is busy performing regularly doing the school year writing and working on numerous projects. Earlier this spring he shared in an NAACP Image award for the outstanding jazz album of the year for Somi’s Petite Afrique album. After working on a horn arrangement on her first album, this time he co-produced, co-composed, arranged and performed on both trumpet and percussion on several songs. For this Guggenheim recipient, the honours just keep coming.

After his stay in Trinidad, he will be off to London in a few weeks for a concert at the Tabernacle on June 3. This will include the premiere of a new suite of music for a multi-media work on the Windrush celebrating the 70th anniversary of the MV Empire Windrush that came over from Jamaica to UK with Lord Beginner and Lord Kitchener on the boat and considering the effort of colonials from their defence of Britain in World War Two to the shocking treatment that have recently come to light of Caribbean immigrants who came decades ago and are now facing deportation.

Later in the summer, besides his concert schedule as well as teaching with the Carnegie Hall program for the National Youth Orchestra’s summer jazz programme for secondary school children. At the end of the summer, he will be featured in a residence at one of New York City’s premiere jazz club, Jazz Standard on August 23 to 26, with two nights of a small group and two nights of a big band. Then he is taking his Carnival suite for its North American premiere in Toronto on November 16.

If that wasn’t enough, just a few weeks ago, Etienne Charles got the call to join one of the most prestigious groups in the jazz world, the SFJazz Collective a legendary super group of eight jazz musicians who tour and record with each year having a focus on the music of a particular jazz composer and adding commissioned works by the members. The focus composer for this season is the great Brazilian composer Tom Jobim. They then tour the world—in this case, they have a European tour in October and November 2018 and will participate in the famous Jazz Cruise from January 19 to 26, 2019 through the Caribbean.

It is all very new so Etienne is still just trying to wrap his head around this new project and what it will entail but it is very excited and honoured. “It was pretty crazy to get called up to be in that group. It was mind blowing because two of the biggest influences on my composing when I was growing up were David Sanchez and Miguel Zenon who are both members of that group.” He noted the strong Caribbean presence for the group with its current lineup with “David and Miguel from Puerto Rico, Edward Simon from Venezuela, Obed Calvaire from Haiti and me from Trinidad.”

For Trinidadians, this Saturday is best chance to celebrate the ongoing success of Trinidad’s great as part of a hot evening with Boogsie Sharpe, Phase II and 3Canal as Etienne Charles keeps becoming an ever better known international jazz star.

PART I
In celebration of our 25th anniversary, Alta hosted an afternoon of Readings Under the Trees at the Royal Botanical Gardens, in late March. Alta tutor Rosemarie Olliverre was the master of ceremony for the Alta Tree—the tree under which most Alta students read stories, poems and reflections of their time at Alta. Rosemarie has written a reflection on the event which Alta will share over the next two weeks.

It was a glorious afternoon in the Royal Botanic Gardens. The sun was brilliant, with a cool, gentle, tropical breeze. We gathered under the shade of some magnificent royal palm trees to celebrate Alta’s 25th anniversary. There was a spirit of love, friendship and camaraderie present. This, combined with the large number of students and tutors who volunteered to participate, made this event a success even before it began and reflected the great work of Alta.

The event kicked off promptly at 2:30 pm, the first item being a welcome poem composed and performed eloquently by Jilean Beharry. There were some words which resonated with us all, “For those who volunteer and come to learn alike…..Alta makes a dim world bright.”

This was followed by resounding applause which warmly welcomed Alta’s founder and CEO Paula Lucie Smith who gave some of her own insights on Alta—what it is and what is not. I think she was divinely inspired to begin this social movement which is a beacon of hope to so many people who were deprived of the opportunity to master the skills of reading and writing. Lucie Smith referred to the myriad of fruitful relationships spawned by participation in Alta.

Bonds between tutors, bonds between students and, most significantly, that between student and tutor. She also spoke of the importance of the volunteers without whom the organisation would cease to exist.

Many students who benefit from Alta classes were very happy for the opportunity to meet Lucie Smith in person and to thank her for her unstinting commitment and dedication.

Alta student Shurwayne Scantlebury was brilliant! Shurwyane belongs to the Alta Reading Circle and the Writers Union. He read his own essay entitled International Men’s Day. It was a very insightful piece and brought to light the plight of males. While the challenges of females seem well highlighted, Shurwayne was very convincing about the difficulties men face. They are always expected to appear strong even when they felt vulnerable. Men need to cry too, and it is not a sign of weakness, he reminded us.

Students from the International School of Port-of-Spain/St Anthony’s College group did a joint reading of Portrait of Trinidad with some witty additional verses. The cohesiveness of the group was evident as students and tutors stood side by side supporting each other. Although it took a lot of courage the group was very excited to render the piece and very proud of their performance.

The presentation, Angels Without Wings by Alta tutor Raphael Sookram, struck us all deeply as the author reminisced on all the ordinary folks in society who do good deeds everyday to improve the lives of others. Alta volunteers were included of course!

n Be sure to catch Part Two of Rosemarie’s piece next week.
Volunteer, Donate or Sponsor-a-student. Call 621-5708 or email altapos.tt@gmail.com for more info. Keep up to date with ALTA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: ALTA

On Sunday evening, the Caribbean Steelpan Connextion Ensemble (CSC) hosted its Mother’s Day concert entitled For The Women In Steel at PanDemonium Panyard, Norfolk Street, Belmont.

The show commenced with an energetic invocation performance by Positive, backed by CSC, singing some of his hits such as Never Let Go, Two Man Army and Mama You’re Beautiful where he took a moment to reflect and remember his passed mother on this special day.

Other artists performing were VP Recording artist Kendell “K Prince” Prince with Leggo De Gun, Shaquille Vincent singing his composition Beautifull, accompanied by his band Suave Steel.

Trevor “Trevor B” Barrow did beautiful smooth renditions of Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get It On among other hits in the genre and the seductive Sophia Alleyne kept the temperature high with her performance of Anita Baker’s Make Me A Woman and Betty Wright’s Sweet Love, aptly setting the mood for what turned out to be a wonderful Sunday evening concert.

Honoured at the concert was Vanessa Headley of Golden Hands Steel Orchestra. She was awarded a token by Codrington Pan Family founder Cary Codrington for her accomplishment of achieving gold in the 2018 National Panorama (Small) competition, as well as for her continued positive influence in youth development and spirit of entrepreneurship in steelpan.

Notable guests in attendence were Hasley Crawford, former Minister of Arts and Multiculturalism Lincoln Douglas, living legendary steelband icon Anthony “Tony” Williams and composer/Desperadoes arranger Carlton “Zanda” Alexander.

(Dion Roach)

Christine Johnston’s, The Calypso Girls, encored over the Mother’s Day weekend billed as a Bagasse Company comedic farce with a “mature” touch. Instead, audiences met an experienced cast, fresh as daisies, with a script that enlivened a pretty predictable storyline.

On show was not only young Brendon O’Brien’s youthful direction, but Johnston’s wit and skill as producer-turned-writer, with accompanying skills on stage to match.

A granny, three ageing, horny women and a smartman/womaniser offering love. What can possibly go wrong?

Though Penelope Spencer’s comedic timing faltered at times, her portrayal of the stoic, matriarchal Clementina (no doubt a friend of Sparrow’s Jean, Dinah and Rosita) kept dizzying pace with Johnston’s demanding narrative.

Fellow veteran, Susan Hannays-Abraham, had played the part during the first run in April.

The prolific Cecilia Salazar, playing Ethel (as in Superblue’s 1981 Road March), was her usual comfortable onstage self and who does not want to hear Patti-Anne Ali (Explainer’s Lorraine) sing “Fire, fire, in she wire, wire” all night long in her uppity accent before eventually dying of laughter?

Marie Chan-Durity, last notably seen in Holmes and Spence’s Carnival Medea and the film Bazodee, was gullible, faith-filled (Calypso?) Rose in the story. She was amazing.

Errol Fabien wonders in his notes as a member of the cast how Johnston could have sought him out as “an old man in the play.” But he also has little difficulty portraying smartman (King?) Austin who preys on the vulnerabilities of three lonely “mature” women.

The storyline has few unexpected twists and turns, save for the very end, but clever storytelling always has a way of wringing new life from the mundane. Here is where the writer’s craft, together with enterprising directing can make important differences.

There was thus little need for much physical humour, and the resort to open slapstick was few and far between—though Fabien’s emergence from the kitchen with a silver rice bowl over his head and a priest’s gown around his waist is hard to match and melongenes/eggplants will never be the same again.

Staged at the Central Bank Auditorium, the facility’s two-level setup provided stage manager, Regina Seabrun, with options the main set (yet another living-room) could not offer.

Award-winning Johnston explains in her producer-writer’s note that the play began “as an idea germinated by a conversation with Cecilia (Salazar) who lamented the fact that as actors get older, parts get harder to come by.”

“This seems so unfair, since as actors age, their skill is honed and their experience is invaluable.”

The credentials of the cast combined with a bright script and skilful directing to make The Calypso Girls an enjoyable and memorable theatre experience. At no time did age appear to be an obstacle to all of this.

Indeed, not much can go wrong with Salazar, Spencer, Ali, Durity and Fabien on stage. Add the Johnston pen and O’Brien direction and the recipe for a grand time is set. Bravo, Bagasse!