January 2013 – Page 6 – Guyana Times International

Abdhur Rahman Slade Hopkinson – The forgotten poet

January 25, 2013 TIMES INT'L

Abdhur Rahman Slade Hopkinson was a Guyanese poet and actor who was born in New Amsterdam, Berbice, British Guiana in 1934. His mother was a nurse and his father a lawyer. He lived a middle-class life in New Amsterdam until his father died and his mother later moved the family, comprising Slade and his sister, to Barbados. In Barbados, Slade attended Harrison College, at the time an all-boys school, considered among the most prestigious in the West Indies. In 1952 he received a scholarship to attend the University College of…

U.S. art gallery to host Guyanese exhibition

January 25, 2013 TIMES INT'L

The Wilmer Jennings Gallery at Kenkeleba House in the U.S.A, will host, ‘Timehri Transitions: Expanding Concepts in Guyana Art’. This exhibition introduces twelve international artists of Guyanese heritage. Curator, U.S.-based Guyanese artist Carl E. Hazelwood, said, “I’ve chosen artists whose practice addresses everything from contemporary abstraction to works that bear a subtle political or cultural critique. For these artists, it’s no longer about periphery and centre. Practically everyone has access to the technological means of engaging with the borderless possibilities of visual knowledge.” The artists are Damali Abrams, Carl Anderson,…

Raymond Ramnarine confident of winning Chutney Soca Monarch in TT

January 25, 2013 TIMES INT'L

A star has risen from Trinidad. He is from the second generation of the world renowned Dil-E-Nadan band, a musical group formed in the late 60’s in the Twin Island Republic. Raymond Ramnarine is a strong contender for this year’s TT Chutney Soca Monarch Competition (CSM) which is an annual event that attracts a number of talented singers and dancers. The second of three brothers all of whom are multi-talented and active members of the Dil-E-Nadan band, Ramnarine has decided to experience the atmosphere on the musical platform and is…

Dare-to-wear collection

January 25, 2013 TIMES INT'L

Sonia Noel showcased an exquisite, eye-catching collection from her Mariska’s Designs line at the Caribbean Fashion Week in Jamaica last year. The very stylish collection features sheer, cut-out designs paired with larger-than-life hats and headpieces. The black and white designs feature a slimming fit for those daring fashionistas. It was a dare-to-wear chic collection that received much praise. The Guyanese designer’s concept of making a statement is fulfilled with this stylish collection. For more information on Noel’s collections, visit her Makin’ Style Fashion Zone page on Facebook or call 592-226-3099.

UPDATE: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”)

January 25, 2013January 25, 2013 TIMES INT'L

By Richard Kistnen, Esq. This is an update on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”) program. As the forms are set to expire at the end of February 2013, and there is no indication whether the program will be extended, it is timely for those who are interested in filing for DACA to do so immediately. In the five months that the DACA program has existed (August 15, 2012 – December 13, 2012), there have been 367,903 applications submitted. Of those, 355,889 have been approved. Cases which were audited…

Skeldon modification works to be completed next month

January 25, 2013 TIMES INT'L

The first week of February 2013 should see modification works to the Skeldon Sugar factory being completed, Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy disclosed during a recent interview with the media. However, he advised that the first crop for the estate is expected to start later than the other estates; this he attributed to the ongoing remedial works. “South African firm, Bosch, has been contracted to modify the Skeldon factory to fix problems it had been experiencing,” he reiterated. Dr Ramsammy explained that since the factory went into operation after its…

Ali unveils Georgetown beautification plan

January 25, 2013 TIMES INT'L

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali recently met with members of the business community to unveil his “Urban Beautification Plan” for a section of the city. The move was a follow through of an announcement made by Ali to clean up the city with the aim to attract more visitors to Guyana. Minister Ali stressed the importance of partnership between the Tourism Ministry and the private sector, noting that great things can be accomplished. “We have been successful in transforming the area on Brickdam, now known as Parliament Square.…

Ditched lover torches house

January 25, 2013 TIMES INT'L

A ditched lover of Queenstown on the Essequibo Coast set his bedroom house on fire last Friday night around 18:30h, leaving four homeless. Matthew Johnson, 31, who is currently in police custody, was motivated to set the house on fire after he had a heated argument with his wife, who subsequently walked out on him. The fire started after he threw a lamp on the bed, which broke and set the mattress on fire. The fire quickly spread throughout the house and the raging flames also caused extensive damage to…

Guyana remains optimistic of oil find – Persaud

January 25, 2013 TIMES INT'L

Government and internationally acclaimed oil companies have expressed optimism in Guyana becoming an economy that will be able to blossom in the oil and gas sector, despite not being able to make major headway in drilling activities thus far. As such, Guyana is making preparations for the management of the sector when it comes into realisation. This was highlighted by Natural Resources and the Environment Minister Robert Persaud, who was at the time outlining the possibilities of the emerging industry during a recent television programme “Under the Microscope” aired on…

Diaries of The Jhaat

January 25, 2013January 25, 2013 TIMES INT'L

Satiricus had been enjoying the peeks into the diaries of various members of the opposition. Brought to him courtesy of his wife’s niece – five times removed but she still called him ‘poopa’! He’d been allowed a glimpse into what actually made these fellows ‘tick’. But to tell the truth, he didn’t relish looking into the diary he held in his hands. Ram Jhaat Tan – or The Jhaat, as everyone called him – was definitely a sick man. Satiricus felt like he was looking into an open sewer. Dear…