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Dhul-Qa'da 6, 1437 AHTuesday, August 9, 2016

CommunityPICPA Qatar Chapter is all set to flag

off its first activity for the season on August 19.

P6 P16 CommunityMuseums across the world put the focus

on felines of all sorts and across mediums in their collections as part of Museum Cats Day.

COVERSTORY

Interactive robot befriends the youngest

patients to soothe away their anxiety P4-5

HELPING HANDS: Tommy Boegler, 4, with MEDi at his side during a visit to Broward Health. The hospital is one of eight hospitals in the US using a child-friendly robot named MEDi to help the littlest patients overcome the anxiety and fear associated with most medical procedures.

Meet MEDi

Tuesday, August 9, 20162 GULF TIMES

COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

Midnight SunGENRE:

Adventure, FamilyCAST: Dakota

Goyo, Goran Visnjic, Bridget Moynahan

DIRECTION: Roger Spottiswoode, Brando Quilici

SYNOPSIS: A young boy attempts to reunite an abandoned polar bear cub with its mother in northern Canada. When Luke fi nds a young polar bear, he decides to help by returning the cub to its mother. The unlikely pair embark on an adventure through the frozen wilderness to bring the bear home.

THEATRES: The Mall, Royal Plaza

ThirunaalGENRE: Action, Drama, RomanceCAST: Jiiva, Nayanthara, MeenakshiDIRECTION: Ramnath

SYNOPSIS: A local rural thug who works for politicians, falls for a girl’s love. Thirunaal marks the comeback of Jiiva-Nayanthara combination after a long gap of 10 years.

The film talks about the life of ‘Blade’ (Jiiva), a local goon working for Naaga (Sharath Lohitashwa). He falls in love with Vidya and thereafter problems start arising from various corners for Blade. What are those problems? Is he able to face those?

THEATRES: The Mall, Royal Plaza

Community EditorKamran Rehmat

e-mail: [email protected]: 44466405

Fax: 44350474

Emergency 999Worldwide Emergency Number 112Kahramaa – Electricity and Water 991Local Directory 180International Calls Enquires 150Hamad International Airport 40106666Labor Department 44508111, 44406537Mowasalat Taxi 44588888Qatar Airways 44496000Hamad Medical Corporation 44392222, 44393333Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation 44845555, 44845464Primary Health Care Corporation 44593333 44593363 Qatar Assistive Technology Centre 44594050Qatar News Agency 44450205 44450333Q-Post – General Postal Corporation 44464444

Humanitarian Services Offi ce (Single window facility for the repatriation of bodies)Ministry of Interior 40253371, 40253372, 40253369Ministry of Health 40253370, 40253364Hamad Medical Corporation 40253368, 40253365Qatar Airways 40253374

USEFUL NUMBERS

Quote Unquote

PRAYER TIME

Fajr 3.42amShorooq (sunrise) 5.04amZuhr (noon) 11.39amAsr (afternoon) 3.08pmMaghreb (sunset) 6.16pmIsha (night) 7.46pm

We should not give up and

we should not allow the problem to defeat us. — APJ Abdul Kalam

Mall Cinema (1): Bad Moms (2D) 11.30am; Ice Age: Collision Course (2D) 1.30pm; Mojave (2D) 3.30pm; Ice Age: Collision Course (2D) 5.30pm; Ice Age: Collision Course (2D) 7.15pm; Jason Bourne (2D) 9pm; Kasaba (Malayalam) 11pm.Mall Cinema (2): Ice Age: Collision Course (2D) 11.15am; Kasaba (Malayalam) 1pm; Ice Age: Collision Course (2D) 3.30pm; Bad Moms (2D) 5.15pm; Jason Bourne (2D) 7pm; Kasaba (Malayalam) 9PM; Suicide Squad (2D) 11.30pm.Mall Cinema (3): Suicide Squad

(2D) 11am; Thirunaal (Tamil) 1pm; Midnight Sun (2D) 3.30pm; Suicide Squad (2D) 5pm; The Legend Of Tarzan (2D) 7.15pm; Suicide Squad (2D) 9pm; Thirunaal (Tamil) 11.15pm.Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (1): Legend Of Tarzan (2D) 11.30am; Kasaba (Malayalam) 2pm; The Legend Of Tarzan (2D) 4.45pm; Jason Bourne (2D) 6.45pm; Kasaba (Malayalam) 9pm; Kasaba (Malayalam) 11.30pm.

Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (2): Suicide Squad (2D) 11.15am; Ice Age: Collision Course (2D) 1.30pm; Ice Age: Collision Course (2D) 3.15pm; Ice Age: Collision Course (2D) 5pm; Suicide Squad (2D) 7pm; Suicide Squad (2D) 9.15pm; Suicide Squad (2D) 11.30pm.Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (3): Ice Age: Collision Course (2D) 11.45am; Midnight Sun (2D) 1.45pm; Mojave (2D) 3.30pm; Bad Moms (2D) 5.15pm; Ice Age: Collision Course (2D) 7pm; The Legend Of Tarzan (2D) 9.15pm; Jason Bourne (2D) 11.15pm.

3Tuesday, August 9, 2016 GULF TIMES

COMMUNITYROUND & ABOUT

Compiled by Nausheen Shaikh. E-mail: [email protected], Events and timings subject to change

EVENTS

Fitness TrainingDATE: Sunday, Tue, ThuTIME: 6pm-7pmVENUE: MIA ParkThere are fi tness classes in the park on

Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday nights at 6 and 7pm. Open to all levels of fi tness. Bootcamp is an intensive and fun way to train and also meet new people in the open and friendly group atmosphere. More information, from Bootcamp, Qatar or [email protected]

Doha Toastmasters MeetDATE: August 20TIME: 7pm-9:30pm VENUE: Holiday

VillaDoha Toastmasters, the pioneer club of

Qatar, trains individuals in communication and leadership skills. Transform yourself into a confi dent public speaker and a strong leader. Acquire this vital skill in a friendly and supportive environment. For more details, call 77036696.

Qatar Summer Festival at The PearlDATE: Until August 27TIME: 6:30pm VENUE: The Pearl-

QatarThe Pearl-Qatar will host several

entertainment activities and roaming musical acts and parades at dedicated locations in Porto Arabia as well as Medina Centrale from 6.30pm to 9.30pm on August 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27.

Barzan Girls Center’s Summer Programme

DATE: Until August 25 TIME: 6pm VENUE: Barzan Girls Center

Barzan Girls Center is organising its summer programme, which continues for a month and targets girls aged 15 years and above. For registration, you can visit the center’s headquarter at 6pm.

The programme aims to exchange experiences and information between the girls, establish the spirit of co-operation between them, and to advance their characters through learning.

It features several educational programmes, workshops, courses, camps, festivals, skills, and trips. For enquiries, please call at: 44789392.

Summer Programme for School Students

DATE: Until August 21 VENUE: Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar is organising its summer programme for all school students aged six years and above. They can choose from a variety of programmes designed for various age groups, with the aim of learning new skills and making new friends during the summer holidays.

Combination of Sun, Sand and Surfi ngDATE: OngoingVENUE: Aqua ParkFor the fi rst time ever in Qatar, it will be

possible to ride up curved sidewalls at 90 degrees to the direction of the water fl ow. Giving visitors and especially surfi ng fanatics an amazing experience available at only one place in Qatar Aqua Park. Come join us and also take advantage of the extra free ticket you get anytime you buy two Stingray Tickets.

Qatar Summer Festival 2016

DATE: Until August 31 VENUE: Doha Exhibition and Convention CenterEnjoy with your family the Qatar Summer Festival, organised by Qatar Tourism Authority throughout the month of August under the theme ‘Color Your Summer’. It will include a wide range of summer entertaining events and activities, art zones, shopping promotions, in addition to a unique entertainment city.

Doha SightseeingDATE: Until SeptemberTIME: 9am-9pm VENUE: Around DohaDoha Bus is Qatar’s fi rst Hop-on Hop-off

sight-seeing bus tour, providing both local residents and visiting tourists a fl exible way to discover the country’s vibrant past, present and future. Each Doha Bus tour highlights a variety of interesting locations throughout this fast changing landscape including Souq Waqif, The Pearl, Villaggio as well as The Museum of Islamic Art. Doha Bus enhances the sightseeing experience with seven diff erent language options to choose from as well as group discounts, private coach tours and corporate outings. Doha Bus is a fun, interactive and highly education experience for every traveller.

Garage GalleryDATE: Until Nov 1TIME: 8pm VENUE: Spaces at the Fire

StationThe Artists in Residence exhibition is a

culmination of an intensive nine-month programme, featuring works by 18 local contemporary artists who have been working in the artist’s studios and spaces at the Fire Station since September 2015. The exhibition showcases new work and projects created by the artists during their residency period, shedding light on the development of their

innovative ideas and diverse studio practices. Photographic, sculptural, and installation based artworks fi ll the Garage Gallery and showcase these talented artists.

Vacation CompetitionDATE: Until September 21VENUE: FCC Offi ceWomen’s forum of Friends Cultural

Centre has announced competitions for Qatar-based Malayalee students of grades IV–XII. There are two competitions including Avadhikkalath an article on vacation experiences and Avadhikkalakazhchakal, on photography. Article on vacation experiences should be prepared in Malayalam or in English with a minimum of 500 words.

Photographs for the competition should be printed on A4 size art paper or photo paper. Pictures should not have been published before and should not be downloaded from internet. Entries for competitions need to be submitted to FCC Offi ce on or before 21 September 2016. More details can be obtained by contacting telephone number 44661213.

QSports Summer CampDATE: Until September 1 TIME: 8am-

1pm VENUE: Al Jazeera AcademyRegistration for QSports Summer Camp

2016 is now open. QSports summer camps are committed to providing a safe, fun and skill-based experience for kids between the ages of four and 14. We have a dedicated team of specialist kid’s coaches and classes and activities are safe, planned, progressive, active, creative, inclusive and designed to maximise participation of all children by off ering a variety of activities.

Yamativo Salsa ClassesDATE: Every MondayTIME: 7pm VENUE: Radisson BluIt’s always fun and always challenging.

Let’s meet and learn some moves every Monday night. You don’t need to do anything, just join us. Level 1 (intermediate level) 7pm and for beginner level 8pm. Be there at Raddison Blu Hotel Cabana Club.

Cake Decoration ClassesDATE: Morning and eveningVENUE: Tavola Royal Plaza, Al Saad StreetTavola off ers a range of cake decorating

and kitchen skills classes. Tavola is the only authorised Wilton method provider in the Middle East.

New Bootcamp Abu HamourDATE: Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday TIME: 6pm VENUE: Doha British

SchoolLocated just minutes from Villaggio and

a walk away from Ain Khalid Gate the Doha British School campus is our newest Bootcamp location. The training takes place on the main grass playing fi eld surrounded by an athletics track. There are showers available and changing rooms.

Pottery workshop for kidsDATE: Every Monday TIME: 5pm-6pmKids will learn a new hand building

technique for creating and fi nishing artworks in clay. For more, call 44865201.

FOODIE CHOICE

RESTAURANT: Urban Jazz KitchenLOCATION: The Pearl-Qatar Fusing the intricacies of making music

with the excitement of creating new fl avours is what makes Urban Jazz Kitchen a unique experience for both music and food lovers.

Aspire Splash and DashDATE: Every Sunday and WednesdayTIME: 7pm-9pm

VENUE: Aspire DomeThe athletics track and swimming pool will be open for 50 participants aged seven years and

above per session and facility. Swimming skills are mandatory for registering at the swimming sessions with a limited number of 50 participants per session. The event is open to public registration on-site from 6 to 7:45pm.


COMMUNITY COVER STORY

Never fear, MEDi the robot is here, ready to calm the nerves of children scared of the hospital and all

the things that go with it — like prickly needles and cavernous hallways and mysterious medical equipment.

MEDi, a blue and white robot now on staff Broward Health Children’s Hospital, has just the right touch when it comes to keeping little ones calm. This nifty little robot, whose name is short for Medicine and Engineering Design Intelligence, resembles a toy at just 2 feet tall and 15 pounds, but he’s been a big hit with the hospital’s youngest patients.

He’s their companion, pain coach and even their teacher, letting them know what to expect next when they’re having blood drawn or a cast removed, said Dr Patricia Rowe-King, paediatric programme co-ordinator at Broward Health Medical Center.

Broward Health is one of only eight hospitals in the US using this particular child-friendly robot to help paediatric patients overcome the anxiety and fear associated with most medical procedures, officials there say.

He’s also bilingual, ready to chat in English or Spanish.

Purchased with a $15,000 grant three months ago, MEDi has been used to comfort cancer patients as young as 2 and up to 14. Programmed just for the paediatric hospital setting, MEDi also gives tips on how to manage pain and stress using deep breathing techniques. He can assist with several procedures, including blood tests, dressing changes, catheter removal, port

access and vaccinations.But most of all, he’s knows

how to buddy up to the hospital’s littlest patients.

MEDi and Tommy Boegler, a 4-year-old diagnosed with kidney cancer in February, have become fast friends in the past few weeks.

When Tommy needs his blood drawn, MEDi is right there with him, telling him what’s coming next and distracting him just before the needle prick. To draw Tommy’s attention away, he asked for help getting something out of his eye, then said, “You’ll never guess what colour my blood is. The same colour as my toes.”

That would be blue, not red.And when it’s all over, he can

sing and dance, tell a story or play a game.

“Hospitals can be a scary place,” said Kasey Castro, a child life specialist who works with Tommy. “We use him to distract them and to educate them about the procedure. He can make it more fun and less threatening for them.”

During an outpatient visit this week, Tommy’s mom asked if he thought his little robot friend would remember him.

Tommy was sure he would — and he was right.

MEDi has facial recognition software and can be programmed to greet each child by name.

When MEDi came into the room, Tommy’s face lit up.

After saying hello to Tommy, the robot motioned for a high-five. When MEDi danced, playing his own lively tune, Tommy moved along with him.

The past few months have not been easy for Tommy, said his mother, Beth-Ann Boegler, of Tamarac. He spent 100 days in the

The nifty little robot, whose

name is short for Medicine and

Engineering Design Intelligence,

resembles a toy, but he’s been

a big hit with the hospital’s

youngest patients, writes

Susannah Bryan

Friend in deed

PLAYFULLY, YOURS: MEDi, the 2-foot tall robot used to overcome anxiety in paediatric patients at Broward Health.


COMMUNITYCOVER STORY

hospital and has undergone two surgeries, seven radiation treatments and 23 chemo treatments. He has two more to go.

But Tommy thinks it’s not so scary now because his robot friend is here.

“MEDi took the fear of being here away,” his mom said. “With two surgeries and chemo and radiation, it was all very scary. There were a lot of dark days for a while. We didn’t think he’d ever get out of the hospital. But he’s doing great now.”

Dr Hector Rodriguez-Cortes, Tommy’s physician, says when the robot helps the patient, he’s helping the staff as well by making it easier for them to do their job.

“This thing that looks like a toy puts the patient in amore calm state so the nurses can move ahead with the procedure,” he said.

The little robot seems to be a hit with doctors as well.

“I’ve danced with him,” Rodriguez-Cortes said. “But it looks like the robot was doing a better job than me.” —Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)/TNS

By Tony Pugh

Prescription opioids help millions of Americans deal with pain, but their addictive qualities have created a public

health problem: rising rates of opioid dependence, addiction and overdose.

To help curb the nation’s appetite for the powerful painkillers, such as OxyContin, morphine and Percocet, researchers at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, are developing a synthetic opioid that they say stops pain without causing physical dependence.

“We’ve fi led a patent and we’ve been told that it’s about to come out in a couple of weeks,” said Andrew Coop, a professor at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy who’s leading the research.

While a patent for a new molecular entity would be a huge step, Coop said the new compound, UMB425, is many years from being available to patients. But early tests on mice have succeeded.

“We designed this so that when you discontinue the drug, the patient doesn’t go into withdrawal symptoms,” Coop said. “We have shown that it doesn’t cause dependency. At the moment, we’ve shown this just in animals. The aim is to move this into clinical” tests on humans.

The experimental compound is the result of more than 10

years of research by Coop and Alex MacKerell, director of UM’s Computer-Aided Drug Design Center.

If UMB425 one day is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, it could one day help make pain management much safer by reducing the likelihood of addiction.

“That would be a phenomenal drug to have,” said Jon Essenburg, regional administrator with Operation PAR, a nonprofi t that operates the only methadone clinic in Manatee County, Fla. “If it does basically everything that a regular opioid does without causing the physical dependence, then that’s defi nitely an improvement.”

Essenberg and Mark Sylvester, an addiction psychologist in the Bradenton, Florida, area, expressed scepticism about the drug, but applauded the eff ort.

“It’s an exciting area of research and I think there’s many more discoveries to be made,” Sylvester said. “But it might be a little bit premature to say it’s a potential solution to the problem.”

Other weren’t so diplomatic.“I’ve never heard of a

nonaddictive opioid, and I’ll believe it when I see it,” said Dr Caleb Alexander, co-director of Center for Drug Safety and Eff ectiveness at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

While there’s a need and opportunity to bring safer, more eff ective opioids to market,

Alexander said the FDA should also provide much more scrutiny of new products.

“Now that we know just how deadly these products are, I think there’s a higher bar to (FDA approval) than there has been historically. And for good reason,” Alexander said. “For far too long we have overestimated the eff ectiveness of these drugs and underestimated their risks. They have been vastly overused at great detriment to the public health.”

A class of narcotic pain medications, opioids include not only prescription drugs, but also the illegal drug heroin.

Nearly 2 million Americans either abused prescription opioids or were dependent on them in 2014, according to federal estimates. And up to 25 percent who take prescription opioids over several months for noncancerous pain will struggle with addiction and physical dependence.

Dr Michael Carome, Director of Public Citizen’s Health Research Group, said that without any testing in humans, it’s too early for optimism about UMB425 since most drugs that show promise in the animal-testing phase don’t ever make it to market.

“The promise that such a drug would have, obviously, would be great,” Carome said. “But I think we have to be sceptical that they have found the magic bullet for treating pain.” —McClatchy Washington Bureau/TNS

Experimental synthetic opioid to break cycle of addiction

PALS: Tommy Boegler with MEDi at his side during a visit to Broward Health.

THE NEW: Yeast growing in petri dish.


COMMUNITY

PICPA Qatar gears up for season with a host of activitiesBy Anand Holla

It seems like a befi tting start to a new year of activities and initiatives. With its technical seminar titled ‘I am not an Accountant’ and the induction of a new set of offi cers, members and associates,

PICPA Qatar Chapter is all set to fl ag off its fi rst activity for the fi scal year 2016-17.

Apart from this, PICPA Qatar will also be using the occasion to launch the US-RP Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for accounting practice, and the tagline chosen for the year is ‘Belong. Innovate. Grow. Transcending Borders towards Global Excellence’. The major event for the accountants’ community will be held on August 19 from 2pm to 7pm at the Oryx Rotana Hotel, and will also present an opportunity for renewals of membership and registration among Filipino CPAs and accounting professionals.

Emma T Vitor, President, PICPA, told Community, “PICPA is really equipping

the Filipino accountants working in Doha, professionally. We are focussing on their professional development so as to keep them abreast with what is going on in the accounting fi eld not only in Doha but also across the world. PICPA arranges free seminars for registered members and also off ers soft skills training, among other things. This particular event is about compliance and corporate governance and is also free for all members. The event will also see the launch of US-RP Mutual Recognition Agreement.”

Venturing into its ninth year as a professional organisation, PICPA Qatar Chapter continues to forge stronger alliances with its members and the Filipino community. This year’s tagline is the emblem of the current council officers. With these words, the message is clear — get involved, create change, and grow in the process of doing it. PICPA Qatar reiterates its belief that, as an organisation, it needs to nurture existing relationships, welcome new challenges and create opportunities not only within Qatar but amongst all Filipino accountants around the globe and

for generations to come.True to the organisation’s commitment

for personal and professional development, the technical session is to be presented by Gregorio D Loayon. The topic touches upon Compliance and Corporate Governance and how the Filipino CPA and those working in the accounts equips oneself in this calling. This year’s Annual Activity Plan will be presented by Vitor including a short brief on the launching of US-RP Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), to be followed by a presentation by Liberty S. Apuyan. The final part of the programme is the induction of the new set of PICPA Qatar Council Officers for 2016 – 2017. This will be officiated by the Ambassador of the Philippines to Qatar, Wilfredo Santos.

PICPA Qatar is one of the most influential and active Filipino organisations in Qatar and is part of the Philippine Professional Organisation-Qatar. It is the only Filipino accounting organisation under the auspices of the Philippine embassy. It continually produces a roster of new CPAs through its Study Group Program

and its annual participation of the Special Professional Licensure Examination (SPLBE) in Qatar since 2010. The Philippine CPA Board Exam will be conducted this year from September 12 to 14, 2016.

For those who want to register and confirm their attendance, you can e-mail [email protected] or visit www.picpaqatar.com. This is open to all Filipino CPAs and Non-CPA Accounting Professionals.

Apart from aiding the many number-crunching exercises, PICPA Qatar also organises activities such as fund-raising campaigns to help underprivileged Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and sports festivals. PICPA also initiates and spearheads board examinations for Filipino accountancy graduates (to be certified public accountants) in Qatar. Like other Filipino organisations, PICPA Qatar, too, conducts gift-distribution activities for distressed OFWs at the Philippine Overseas Labour Office. Some of the gifts that they give include cash, prepaid phone cards, travelling bags and blankets.

A group shot of the 2016 PICPA council.


COMMUNITY

Qatar Chapter of the Institution of Engineers (India) in association with Al Majed Technologies-Qatar recently organised a day-long workshop on ‘Psychrometrics, Piping, Pumps and District Cooling Systems’ last weekend at Radisson Blu. Eminent subject expert Aniruddha S Kulkarni, Director-Technical of Qatar Cool, delivered in-depth interactive technical sessions, with insight into theoretical as well as practical aspects. Sixty engineers from various consulting & contracting companies attended the event. The chapter is conducting various technical seminars and workshops for the benefit of engineers in Qatar and is offering free annual membership to engineers for this year. More details at [email protected]

Workshop on ‘Psychrometrics, Piping, Pumps and District Cooling Systems’

DPS-MIS students win laurels at World Scholar’s Cup Global Round, Prague

A DPS-Modern Indian School delegation of 34 students along with coaches and co-ordinators Jaya Majumder and Nadia Khan attended the World Scholar’s Cup Mini Global Round in Prague, Czech Republic recently. Their research, constructive debate and writing helped them bag laurels in ‘Collaborative Writing’, ‘Team Debate’, ‘Scholar’s Challenge’ and ‘Scholar’s Bowl’ in both Senior and Junior divisions. Ten teams from DPS were listed among toppers at the Global Round and will compete at “The Tournament of Champions” at Yale University, United States, in November 2016.


COMMUNITY TRA

Finding King Kamehameha:

By Anne Z Cooke

“King Kamehameha fought lots of battles on this island,” said Kahakahi’i, who

was sitting cross-legged in the sun, carving what he described as a battle knife, when we stopped to watch him work.

“But there was no fi ghting here, not in the City of Refuge,” said this docent,

naked to the waist as a traditional warrior would have been, at the Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park, on the Big Island’s south Kona Coast in USA.

“This was a sacred place, a retreat where kahunas performed secret ceremonies,” he explained to a group of visitors from Iowa who crowded around the thatched, Polynesian-style shelter to listen. “The king was a great general. But he came here to pray.”

When the talk turns to famous generals, you could make the argument that King Kamehameha I,

also called Kamehameha the Great — who conquered the Hawaiian Islands between 1781 and 1810, was every bit as skilled as his better-known contemporary, George Washington.

Unlike Washington, however, Kamehameha the man remains something of a mystery. Though the number of rival chiefs he defeated and the valleys and coastal villages where he pursued each campaign for weeks or months was legion, his reputation rests primarily on oral histories.

Burnished in the glow of the past, he’s described today as charismatic,

powerful, confi dent and a fair but autocratic leader. Beyond that, what little we know comes from the few foreign visitors who, after having met him, recorded his commanding presence, courteous hospitality and thoughtful intelligence. Indeed, the very qualities we sometimes despair of fi nding in today’s leaders.

But there’s another way to see this remarkable man and the culture and era in which he rose to power. Set aside a day to go where he went, to some of the places, parks and historic sites on the Big Island that mark his evolution from fi ery youth to revered leader.

We hadn’t expected to trace Kamehameha’s footsteps when we fl ew into Kona International Airport, on the Big Island, and checked into the Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, in Kailua-Kona. The Volcano National Park was fi rst on our agenda.

But you can’t walk into this hotel’s lobby without spotting the wall-size mural of Kamehameha dressed in a simple pareo, surrounded by his chiefs in their robes, painted by Herb Kane, Hawaii’s best known and most prolifi c artist. But what was it doing there?

“Because it shows this place right here, Kamakahonu Bay, the king’s royal compound,” said the desk clerk, pointing out the window toward the beach, where hotel guests splashed in the water.

And there on the edge of the bay was the thatched Polynesian hut on a rock platform, the restored Ahuena Heiau (sacred temple), as shown in the painting. Constructed in 1812, this was Kamehameha’s last home and spiritual centre, a refuge from a vanishing culture. By 1819, when the great king died, most Hawaiians had adopted Christianity. But Kamehameha, fi rm to the last, vowed he would die as he lived.

Today the hotel grounds are the venue for the award-winning Island Breeze Luau, an outdoor dinner theatre presenting Hawaiian styles over the decades on a raised stage. The guests, dining on luau specialties, sit at family-style tables below. As night falls and the drummers and dancers chant, you can’t help wondering if the king is still there, listening.

Kamehameha, born in north Kohala, on the Big Island (some say as early as 1740, others say 1758, the year that Halley’s Comet appeared), was raised in the remote Waipio Valley. But it was on the Kona coast where he fi rst showed his chops.

Twelve miles south of Kailua-Kona, by the coast road, turn west toward Kealakekua Bay, where the young Kamehameha, accompanying his uncle, King Kalani’opu’u, fi rst met Captain Cook in 1778 and again in 1779.

Soon invited aboard Cook’s ship, Kamehameha looked around and quickly recognised that the strange newcomers’ iron tools, knives, muskets and canons were far superior to stone clubs. The conclusion: the white men would someday make useful allies.

A mile farther south, near the present-day village of Ke’ei, is the

site of the Battle of Moku’ohai, in the bay now called Moku’akae. Here, in 1782, Kamehameha defeated one of two hostile cousins, earning the support of Kona’s leading chiefs and consolidating his control of north Kohala and the Waipio Valley.

Several miles farther south look for signs to the City of Refuge, Pu’uhonua o Honaunau, overlooking the ocean. A spiritual sanctuary, this was where criminals fl eeing a death sentence were absolved of their crimes and where members of the ali’i (ruling class) — Kamehameha and others — could join secret prayer ceremonies.

Stop at the Visitors Center, then walk through the site to see traditional Hawaiian thatched shelters and cultural and craft demonstrations. At the heart of the site is the sacred heiau (temple), guarded by carved fi gures of Hawaii’s many deities, and gawked at by the dozens of tourists that walk past every day.

For sites in the north, follow Kamehameha’s footsteps for 35 miles from Kailua-Kona to the Kohala Coast and the Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site, set aside to preserve one of Hawaii’s largest heiau.

Dedicated to Kukailimoku, Kamehameha’s family war deity, the king built this enormous monolith in 1791, an off ering in hopes of good fortune in the battles still to come. A perfect stack of countless rocks, carried to the site by thousands of workers, it was piled together without cement in less than a year, forming a giant polyhedron. To sweeten the gesture, the king also restored an adjacent, smaller and much older heiau, once used for human sacrifi ces.

With paths circling the hill, this spot is ideal for ocean views, photos,

Polynesian cultural dances are the theme of the award-winning dinner show at the Island Breeze Luau, at the Courtyard King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel, Big Island, Hawaii.

Tourists now use the lawn and beach on w

WALK THROUGH HISTORY: Guided tours at the now-restored City of Refuge, on the south Kona Coast, explore the 180-acre site where law-breaking Hawaiians sought refuge from punishment.


COMMUNITYAVEL

Charting a path to greatness

fresh air, and long or short walks. If you follow the path downhill through a shaded grove you’ll come to tiny Pelekane Bay, where Kamehameha defeated his last Big Island enemy, another rival cousin. Learn more about it at the Visitors Center, staff ed by informed rangers who sell history books, maps, charts, prints and souvenirs.

As for the Ahuena Heiau, at the Courtyard Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, it is believed that when Kamehameha I died, a loyal follower prepared his bones according to an ancient ritual and hid them in a secret burial place nearby, most likely a cave somewhere along the coast.

Shortly after the king’s death, his son and heir, Kamehameha II, a

Christian, destroyed many of the sites and artefacts associated with the old religion. Not until many years later was the Ahuean Heiau fi nally restored.

As for Kona, the town, when the young Kamehameha became chief of Kona, he designated it as his seat of government. And it remained the capital of all the Hawaiian Island after Kamehameha became the sole ruler.

If you’ve got time to squeeze in one more site, visit the ancient village settlement, now an archaeological site, and the man-made fi sh ponds at the heart of Hawaiian cultural life, in Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, near Kona. I had trouble fi nding the road, so ask for directions. —TNS

Pool and beach at the Courtyard King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel.

Dancers at the Island Breeze Luau pose after the show.

what was King Kamehameha’s royal grounds.

Docents demonstrate canoe building and wood carving skills to visitors in airy, open-sided Polynesian structures at Pu’uhonua O Honaunau (City of Refuge) National Park, South Kona, Big Island, Hawaii.


COMMUNITY INFOGRAPHIC

ARIESMarch 21 — April 19

CANCERJune 21 — July 22

LIBRASeptember 23 — October 22

CAPRICORNDecember 22 — January 19

TAURUSApril 20 — May 20

LEOJuly 23 — August 22

SCORPIOOctober 23 — November 21

AQUARIUSJanuary 20 — February 18

GEMINIMay 21 — June 20

VIRGOAugust 23 — September 22

SAGITTARIUSNovember 22 — December 21

PISCESFebruary 19 — March 20

There are some things in life you simply can’t avoid today Aries. With

Venus having moved into your 6th house of health and well–being.

Now is the time you have to face up to whatever health issues you

have — whether you’re a few kilos overweight or quite a few...

Be open to new ideas and visions today Cancers. Mercury the think

tank of the zodiac along with Venus the lover in your communication

zone makes this a great time for you to voice your opinions loud and

clear.

If your inner voice is screaming at you about something — important

or not so particularly important, listen to it! With your ruler Venus

and Mercury the communicator both holed up in your past karma

zone. This is a good time for you to go over important things from

your past.

Sometimes there is nothing you can do but to throw up your hands

and make other plans Capricorns. You may feel you are on the right

track but the Universe does not agree.

Now that Mercury the communicator and Venus your ruler are in

sync in Virgo, your fellow earth sign and romance zone, single bulls

should be on the lookout for someone fabulous entering their life.

Now that the planner of the zodiac Mercury has joined up with the

planet of love and Jupiter in your 2nd house of money and self–

worth. There are ways to spend money and definitely ways to make

more money. Try to do a little of both!

Don’t let someone turn you off doing something you feel is a really

good thing for you to do and something you know you would enjoy.

They’re not the boss of you — you’re the boss of you.

If you don’t feel like being overloaded with work today, delegate

Aquarius. As long as you do it in the nicest way possible, no one will

object.

Don’t disparage someone simply they are following their dreams

right now — even if you feel their dream is way too unrealistic or

something they will never be able to achieve. Let them find that out.

Your ruler Mercury is now firmly settled in your sign — a place he

feels very comfortable and happy in. You will feel a lot more in

control and at ease with yourself and your plans and the things you

say and do.

There is nothing to be gained by trying to outsmart someone today.

You need to focus on what it is you want to do versus what everyone

else is doing right now.

Every now and again you simply have to rise to the occasion and do

whatever it is you’re expected to do Pisces. No questions or issues

either!

Are you in need of a vacation but would rather skip the cost and the crowds during the busy travel months? You're in luck; fall is considered the

shoulder season at destinations, which means you can relax and enjoy without breaking the bank.

Shoulder seasons are travel enthusiasts' best-kept secret. Autumn, falling right between the busier summer vacation period and end-of-the-year holidays, off ers plenty of aff ordable options. So give into your wanderlust and start planning with these travel tips for an amazing fall getaway.

Watch the weatherWhen deciding on a destination for fall

travel, be sure to research the weather. In some locales, fall is the rainy season. In others, fall is simply an extension of summer. Temperate weather and warm ocean water, paired with fewer travellers, makes this a prime destination for fall adventures.

Analyse accommodationsThe shoulder season brings fewer crowds,

which means not only a less stressful trip, but also less costly accommodations.

Resort costs often drop during fall months, but so do the costs of private accommodations. House rentals may be the right home-away-from-home for you. Bonus: You might even have some negotiating power during the slow months.

Explore eateriesThe fall provides a bounty of fresh

fl avours in regions throughout the country, making this time ideal for foodies or anyone who simply enjoys a scrumptious meal. Some destinations off er "stay and dine" deals to highlight local cuisine at an incredible price, so do your research and make reservations early.

The secret's out: fall may just be the ideal time for a vacation. Because you'll get more for less, you may just make it an annual tradition.

©Brandpoint

The smart traveller's guide to aff ordable fall travel


COMMUNITYLIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE

Adam

Pooch Cafe

Garfield

Bound And Gagged

Codeword

Wordsearch

Every letter of the alphabet is used at least once. Squares with the same number in have the same letter in. Work out which number represents which letter.

Puzz

les

cour

tesy

: Puz

zlec

hoic

e.co

m

ABEDBARBEDBEDAUBBEDAZZLEBEDECKBEDEVILBEDLAM

BEDOUINBOMBEDCOMBEDCRABBEDCUBEDGARBEDGRABBED

LOBEDPROBEDRIBBEDROBBEDSOBBEDWEBBED

BED Time

Sudoku

Sudoku is a puzzle based

on a 9x9 grid. The grid is

also divided into nine (3x3)

boxes. You are given a

selection of values and to

complete the puzzle, you

must fill the grid so that

every column, every anone

is repeated.


COMMUNITY PUZZLES/CARTOONS

Colouring

ANSWERS

WORDSEARCH CODEWORD

Down2. Comforts (5)3. Knightly tournament (7)4. Nakedness (6)5. Beneath (5)6. Tropical pear-shaped fruit (7)7. Argumentative (11)8. Chance (11)14. Staying power (7)16. Set aside (7)17. Drinking vessel (6)19. Dress feathers (5)21. Steel tower (5)

Across1. Oblong (11)9. Weak (7)10. Sag (5)11. Lac, for example (5)12. Cyclone (7)13. Written compositions (6)15. Holiday location (6)18. Hair-washing agent (7)20. Become ready to eat (5)22. Indian corn (5)23. Pamphlet (7)24. Extremely careful (11)

Across1. Dangerous as our teachers can become (11)9. Do wrong in row concerning dog (7)10. Bail out one with a defence of being elsewhere (5)11. Everyone has to love a Scottish town (5)12. Recollections or mimes, perhaps (7)13. Hat for a good chap (6)15. Prison boss Andrew could become (6)18. Do away with and possibly boil in fire residue (7)20. Plate design showing part of a flower (5)22. English literature note for the chosen few (5)23. Can fair play be applied to such a man? (7)24. Ability to adapt variety list, perhaps? (11)

Down2. Right by a Russian river in the country (5)3. I meant a change to give life (7)4. Injures English leader caught in seraglios (6)5. Kingdom mentioned in the Old Moore Almanack (5)6. Joined if one is in the nude, perhaps (7)7. Ideal tracts about being prudish (6-5)8. What an exile might do as a beauty queen (4,7)14. Cater for a group of lions about nought to five (7)16. Dismay at seeing the engineer in clothes (7)17. What about the right to frustrate? (6)19. Articles in “The Times” (5)21. Unspoken diplomacy about one (5)

Quick Clues

CRYPTIC CLUES

Yesterday’s Solutions

QUICK:Across: 1 Aptitude; 5 Asks; 9 Pose; 10 Estrange; 11 Chute; 12 Intrude; 13 Strategically; 18 Ecstatic; 19 Send; 20 Raffish; 21 Mused; 22 Dull; 23 Identity.Down: 2 Prophet; 3 Inertia; 4 Distinguished; 6 Sensual; 7 Scenery; 8 Critic; 13 Steered; 14 Restful; 15 Tragic; 16 Assault; 17 Lenient.

CRYPTIC:Across: 1 Prospect; 5 Shoe; 9 Ecru; 10 Runner-up; 11 Guide; 12 Tribune; 13 Storm-troopers; 18 Repairer; 19 Ruse; 20 Nest-egg; 21 Canto; 22 Sure; 23 At random.Down: 2 Recount; 3 Sounder; 4 Counter-weight; 6 Hirsute; 7 Express; 8 Indigo; 13 Springs; 14 Opposer; 15 Maiden; 16 Pertain; 17 Risotto.


COMMUNITYPUZZLES


COMMUNITY POP SPOT

By Geoff ery Rowlands

You always need good luck in life. No matter how talented you might be, the right person has to believe in you at the right time. This applies just as

much to someone trying to get a job they particularly want as an artist hoping to get through the auditions on Britain’s Got Talent.

For Calum Scott, the person who believed in his ability was Simon Cowell. Kingston Upon Hull-born Calum auditioned for the ninth series of Britain’s Got Talent in April, 2015. He performed his own soul interpretation of Swedish singer/songwriter Robyn’s 2010 hit, Dancing On My Own. Simon was so impressed that he awarded him an automatic place in the live semi-fi nals by pressing the Golden Buzzer.

“It meant the world to me,” recalled 27-year-old Calum. “Getting the Golden Buzzer from any of the judges would have been fantastic. But Simon pressing it and then saying so many complimentary things about my singing and my arrangement of the song was something very special. He also described me as an artist rather than just a singer. That meant so much to me.”

His Twitter followers increased from 400 to more than 25,000 almost overnight. This greatly enhanced social media presence would prove signifi cant in terms of the enormous UK and international chart success Calum is currently enjoying with Dancing On My Own.

Despite winning his semi-fi nal and all the critical acclaim which came his way on Britain’s Got Talent, Simon Cowell did not off er Calum a record deal after he could only fi nish sixth in the fi nal.

“It hit me hard. Coming sixth was a real blow after I’d been among the favourites to win. Even so, One Direction, Susan Boyle and quite a few other acts who went on to become big names didn’t win Simon’s talent shows but he knew their potential. After everything he said, I really thought he would sign me to Syco. When it didn’t happen, I felt devastated.”

Calum’s time on the programme had given him the taste for show business. He felt unable to return to his job as a recruitment offi cer.

“I’d won a local talent show in Hull, sung with a Maroon 5 tribute band and been in a duo with my friend John McIntyre. But they were part-time things. I still needed the regular income from my day job.

“The encouragement I got from my followers on social media made me feel there was the opportunity for me to have a career in show business. I may not become a star but I could at least earn a living and who knew what the future might hold.

“My lawyer set me up with management and an agent who got me a lot of live work on the back of people knowing me from Britain’s Got Talent. But I felt like I’d moved on from the show. I still did some covers in my live performances but I also sung original songs which I’d written myself.”

Although his own material was much appreciated, the greatest demand was always for Calum to perform his rendition

of Dancing On My Own.“It wasn’t just singing live. I had

so many people asking for a recorded version of the song. I didn’t have a record deal so I eventually decided to release it myself as a digital download. There was no fanfare, I just told my social media followers it would be made available and I suddenly found there were about 3,000 pre-orders.”

National radio support was virtually non-existent. Dancing On My Own was in the UK top fi ve before it was even added to the C list on BBC Radio 2. By this time though, Calum’s talent and popularity had fi nally been recognised by the recording industry. A number of Los Angeles-based labels off ered deals. Calum chose to sign with Capitol Records.

“Everyone at the label made me feel very welcome. It just felt like being in one big family. I know they are going to look after me.”

Calum is currently working on his fi rst

album for Capitol.“I’m sure there will be one or two covers

but it will mainly consist of my own songs. I’ve developed my style now so I’ll concentrate on the kind of ballads with which I’ve made such a strong connection to my fans. I love many other types of music so it won’t be exclusively ballads but I’ll always try to give the fans what they want to hear.”

Did Calum wonder if Simon Cowell now regrets not signing him to his label?

“I don’t know, it might depend on how successful I become and over how long a period of time. But I’ll always be grateful to Simon. Pressing the Golden Buzzer and all the wonderful things he said effectively set me on the way to where I am now.

“My fans have made the success happen and I owe them so much. But if Simon’s opinion had been diff erent, I probably wouldn’t have anything like the fantastic following I enjoy today.”

in brief

Cowell’s comment spurred Calum Scott to success

RECORD DEAL: Calum Scott is currently working on his first album for Capitol.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Sophie Ellis-Bextor gave birth to her fourth child

last November. But motherhood to four boys aged

from 12 to nine months hasn’t prevented Sophie

from continuing her highly successful music

career.

The 37-year-old singer, songwriter and model hit

number four on the UK chart with her last album,

2014’s Wanderlust. Her sixth solo album, Familia,

will be released early next month.

“My new album is the bolshier, more extrovert little

sister to Wanderlust.” Sophie remarked. “It sees the

Wanderlust girl move away from eastern Europe to

the warmer, sunnier climate of Latin America.”

Lead single, Come With Us, has just been released.

An uptempo dance number, the song video can be

seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F8mEQsXVkQ

Cousin Stizz

Sadness lies behind MONDA, the new mixtape

from Boston rapper Cousin Stizz. The title comes

from the nickname given to his friend Damone

Clark who died from cancer last January.

“He was only 16,” Stizz stated. “The cancer was

inoperable but Damone was braver than all of us

even though he was the youngest. My mixtape is

dedicated to him.”

The 14 tracks can be heard and downloaded for

free at www.datpiff .com/Cousin-Stizz-MONDA-

mixtape.794142.html

His debut mixtape, Suff olk County, can also be

heard and downloaded for free at www.datpiff .com/

Cousin-Stizz-Suff olk-County-mixtape.713550.html

Icon For Hire

American alternative rockers Icon For Hire will

release their third studio album, You Can’t Kill Us,

towards the end of this year.

Citing creative, ideological and technical

diff erences with the label, they left Tooth & Nail

Records just over a year ago. The band did not seek

a new record deal. They wanted to be independent

and raised the funds to record and promote

You Can’t Kill Us through a hugely successful

Kickstarter campaign.

Contributors have received digital downloads

of the album tracks as they were recorded.

Everyone else now has the opportunity to hear

lead single, Supposed To Be. The accompanying

video is posted at www.youtube.com/

watch?v=hO9qTXrXoe8

Kerli

Estonian singer/songwriter Kerli is another artist

who used fan funding to finance her new album.

The songs were written during a nine-month

period which Kerli, full name Kerli Koiv, spent living

in an Estonian forest in a tiny cottage with no

running water.

“I’m 29 now and I’ve been in the music industry

since I was 14,” Kerli stated. “I’d gotten sick of it.

I wanted to cleanse my palette by getting back

to nature. Living on my own in the forest was

one of the scariest things I’ve ever done. But the

experience was priceless. I felt completely reborn.”

Kerli revealed the first of her new songs, Feral

Hearts, last February. This was followed by Blossom

and Racing Time. She has now released her latest

single, Diamond Hard. The video, which Kerli

also directed, is posted at www.youtube.com/

watch?v=TmVFjctH7bU

Song promos for Feral Hearts and Blossom, plus

behind-the-scenes clips, can be found at www.

youtube.com/user/kerlimusic/videos

There is only a fan-made audio posting of

Racing Time. This is at www.youtube.com/

watch?v=O9SVCuV7VQU


COMMUNITYSHOWBIZ

Jacqueline Fernandez keen to work with SRK, Aamir Khan

Actress Jacqueline Fernandez, who starred with superstar Salman Khan in the 2014

actioner Kick, now wants to work with Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan.

Asked if she is keen to work with Bollywood’s other two popular Khans, Jacqueline told IANS: “Absolutely. I think that is on everyone’s wish list... It enriches you as an actor... More the actors you work with, you learn a lot.”

The 30-year-old actress, who is currently riding high on the success of her latest release Dishoom, an action-adventure fi lm which also features Varun Dhawan and John Abraham, says it is a “dream” to work with superstars like Shah Rukh and Aamir. “They are legends,” she said and added: “It’s about growing and learning as an actor, so defi nitely, I would love to work with them.”

Jacqueline is currently gearing up for her next release A Flying Jatt, directed by Remo D’Souza. The fi lm also stars Tiger Shroff and is set to hit the screens on August 25. — IANS

Actress Saiyami Kher, who is making her Bollywood debut with Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Mirzya, says she fi nds it “mind-blowing” to see Alia Bhatt’s range as an actor. “There is so much to learn from any generation (of actors). Currently, I am completely blown away by Alia’s work. She is completely on another level altogether,” Saiyami told IANS.

“The kind of fi lms she does is mind-blowing. I watched Udta Punjab and she is phenomenal,” she added.

In her debut fi lm Mirzya, Saiyami is paired with newcomer Harshvardhan Kapoor. Asked if she hopes to make inroads into international cinema someday, Saiyami said: “I would love to, because I don’t see language as a barrier in acting. If something comes along, it would be wonderful. I would love to do a Japanese fi lm someday.” — IANS

Jared Leto’s Joker was inspired by David Bowie

Actor-musician Jared Leto has revealed that his portrayal of Joker in the film Suicide Squad was partly inspired by glam-rock icon David Bowie, who passed away in January.

Leto, who is also the frontman of the rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars, said that Bowie can be an inspiration for almost anything, reports ew.com.

“I think David Bowie’s probably an inspiration for, like, almost anything you could

do creatively,” Leto told NME magazine. In developing his take on the iconic DC Comics villain, Leto said: “We discussed David Bowie a bit — not necessarily the music of David, but his class, his elegance, his timelessness”.

Leto also said he would love to see his Bowie-inspired Joker get his own standalone movie. “I think that would be great to dive in deeper to the Joker and expand the story and to learn a bit more about this sick and twisted, but lovely, strange man,” he added. — IANS

Renée Zellweger slams attacks on her appearance

Actress Renée Zellweger says public scrutiny of her appearance is just a symptom of a greater problem faced by women. In a new essay for the Huffington Post, Zellweger decries how “a woman’s worth has historically been measured by her appearance”, while refuting tabloid claims that she underwent plastic surgery on her face — rumours first sparked by a

red carpet appearance she made in 2014, reports people.com.

“Not that it’s anyone’s business, but I did not make a decision to alter my face and have surgery on my eyes,” wrote the Bridget Jones’s Baby star.

Previously, Zellweger had told People magazine of the rumours regarding her appearance. “I’m glad folks think I look diff erent! I’m living a diff erent, happy, more fulfi lling life, and I’m thrilled that perhaps it shows,” she said. — IANS

WISH LIST: Jacqueline Fernandez

ADMISSION: Jared Leto

Sohail Khan’s Freaky Ali to release on September 9

Sohail Khan’s upcoming directorial Freaky Ali, which features acclaimed actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui and is based on golf, will hit the screens on September 9.

Sohail’s brother and superstar Salman Khan last week took to Twitter, where he shared the fi rst look of the fi lm. “The Freak Nawaz, poor man in the rich man sports who became the game changer Freaky Ali,” Salman tweeted.

This is not the fi rst time Sohail will be directing a fi lm. The 46-year-old actor-director made his directorial debut with the 1997 action thriller Auzaar which starred his brother Salman and Sanjay Kapoor.

He then directed both of his brothers Salman and Arbaaz in the hit fi lm Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya and Hello Brother. He recently directed Jai Ho in 2014. — IANS

MAKING A POINT: Renée Zellweger

In her eight-year journey in Bollywood, she has mostly essayed roles of the girl-next-door on screen. Now actress Prachi Desai, who is keen to break that image, says artistes do get slotted in genres.

Asked if she is open to break her girl-next-door image, Prachi told IANS over phone from Mumbai: “The very moment someone off ers me a fabulous role, I am totally game for it. I think it is certainly a matter of chance and opportunity which I think is needed here.

“Yes, I do think that actors do get typecast. I think you do get slotted into genres.”

Prachi, whose last big screen outing was with the sports

drama Azhar, which will be airing on Sony Max on August 14, feels people slot actors and “just try to exploit that over and over again.”

“Also, I think it’s easy for the audience to relate to you with that... (But) I have a lot more to off er,” she said.

The 27-year-old actress says she can dabble in various genres of fi lms.

What genre would she like to explore? “The one genre I really want to do is a love story,” she added.

Prachi is currently gearing up for her upcoming fi lm Rock On! 2, which stars Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal, Shraddha Kapoor and Purab Kohli. — IANS

Actors do get typecast, says Prachi Desai

I’m blown away by Alia Bhatt’s work: Saiyami

LEARNING CURVE: Saiyami Kher, left, and Alia Bhatt

With the Internet bursting with cat love, it might have been hard to ignore the global merriment over International Cat Day

yesterday (Monday). However, only last week, it was ‘Breaking Mews’ for culture and art lovers as the world – including the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, which has in the past years – celebrated what is now known as Museum Cats Day.

Trending famously through the day with the hashtag #museumcats, July 30 is dedicated to showcasing, on social networking sites like Twitter and Instagram, cat-related art and artefacts in museums worldwide. Museums from far and wide put the focus on cats of all sorts and across mediums in their collections.

From the 18th century Bristol Delftware tile from @bristolmuseum to a portrait of a child with a cat, which went missing from Paris’ Musée Cognacq-Jay@museecj during World War 2; the gathering of culture-centric cats was fascinating.

It’s well known how cats are Internet’s darlings and the web is full of them – funny cat videos, cute cat pictures and GIFs, cat memes, cat cartoons, you name it – and cat facts such as the following were shared on Monday, World Cat Day, at will: Cats sleep for almost 70 per cent of their lives; spending anywhere between 13 and 16 hours of the day asleep, or that a cat’s heart beats twice or thrice as faster as a human’s.

With cat lovers, or ailurophiles, known to

take a special interest in cat-related art in museums, a Twitter account dedicated to celebrating all things cats and collections, @CuratorialCats happens to be the home of hashtags such as #MuseumCats and #MewseumMonday.

In celebration of the hashtag, Canterbury Museums shared a post about ‘Mummified

Cat’, which can be found in the museum’s Ancient Egypt, Explorers and Collectors, The Beaney section. In Ancient Egypt, mummification was not limited to humans, explains the post, as from snakes and beetles to hippos and crocodiles, the Ancient Egyptians mummified all sorts of different creatures. Cats, being sacred, were not excluded from this.

“Many cats were mummified in the city of Bubastis, the centre of worship of the cat goddess, and then buried in special cat cemeteries,” the post says, “This mummified cat, whose face can still be seen, would have had its insides removed and filled with earth or sand before being wrapped in bandages soaked in natron (salt) or resin.

The cat’s front legs were laid by its side, and its back legs tucked up against its tummy. Bandages have been removed from the cat’s nose and mouth, but you can still see its sharp teeth, fur and whiskers.” Interestingly, during Victorian times some 300,000 mummified cats were shipped to Liverpool for use as fertiliser.

Doha’s Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) has previously participated in the celebration by tweeting and posting its own enviable feline collection. MIA had shared some paw-some works like an illustration of a leaping leopard from the Marvels of Creation & the Oddities of Existence,

Yemen, 16th or 17th CE, and a fritware ceramic dish from Turkey with underglaze painting of a chained leopard, dating back to 1600-1610.

The occasion had turned out to be a good opportunity to flaunt the range of MIA’s collection. A bronze oil lamp from 12th Century Iran, a bronze tap from 11th Century Egypt, an ewer in the form of a cat on a fritware piece from Iran, circa 1200, a 17th Century bronze ewer from India, a bronze zoomorphic figurine with copper inlay from 12th Century Iran, and a bronze incense burner in the former of a lion from 12th Century Iran or Central Asia, were some of the objects that MIA had pitched in with.

A fascinating place that professes its true love for cats is The State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, Russia. The museum has a spectacular history of treating cats like treasured guardians, and even today, the army of felines keeps the basement free of mice and rats.

To honour them, the museum holds an annual day of the Hermitage cat, and several top cats have been captured in rich photographic portraits wearing the cool attire of imperial court servants. Last week, much to the delight of cat lovers, The State Hermitage tweeted, “Hermitage cats into a virtual reality soon! A special video is being prepared in the 360 degree format.”


COMMUNITY

Breaking mews: Catshog museum spaces

Museums across the world put the focus on felines

of all sorts and across mediums in their collections as

part of Museum Cats Day. By Anand Holla

FOR THE LOVE OF CATS: A portrait of a child with a cat, which went missing from Musée Cognacq-Jay@museecj during World War 2.

Interesting cats @BrightonMuseums

An Old Grumpy Cat at the American Museum of Natural History, and, right, Andean cats.

An 18th century Bristol Delftware tile from @bristolmuseum

meet medi - m.gulf-times.com

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