When Dan Brown’s deftly plotted work of fiction, The Da Vinci Code, was released in 2003, the book succeeded in stirring controversy, challenging the origins of the Christian faith and its central founding figure, the Galilean Jesus Christ.

Since then, numerous incisive and persuasive responses have been produced to challenge Dan Brown’s speculative endeavor that threatened to malign an established religious institution. Among the publications that provided the most thorough and impassioned debunking is Persaud’s work. Unlike other undertakings refuting Dan Brown’s novel, however, The Da Vinci Code Revisited highlights the historical inaccuracies Persaud identifies in The Da Vinci Code, countering his arguments with an insightful presentation of the Christian gospel.

“The Da Vinci Code, the book to which my own book, The Da Vinci Code Revisited: A Conclusive Refutation of the Widespread, Sinister Lie, constitutes a response, is a deliberate, shameless assault on my religion”, Persaud insists. “I felt I had to defend my faith.”

This book was adjudged the first prize winner in the theology category of the 2010 Christian Choice Book Awards, a national inspirational book competition held annually, which attracts hundreds of self-published books from across America.

“There will not be a sequel to The Da Vinci Code Revisited as far as I know, but I am working on my sixth book, Little Miracles, Big Miracles & Supernatural Experiences, a true story of my experiences as a Christian believer.”

When asked what his advice to would-be authors, Persaud says, “Read widely and objectively and never be afraid to defend your beliefs and convictions.”

Persaud served as an auditor with Touche Ross, Deloittes & Co. (UK) as a senior banking official at Guyana’s premier full-service bank, the Guyana National Cooperative Bank, and as a member on the board of directors of the Guyana National Cooperative Bank Trust Corporation, the largest lending institution at the time in Guyana, South America—the land of his birth.

After emigrating to the USA in the early 1980s, Persaud continued working in the financial services field and held senior positions at The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP, New York) and at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

All of Persaud’s books—The Da Vinci Code Revisited, God In Our Midst, Famous People Speak About Jesus and Transformed Lives —are available at the Xlibris bookstore.

Every woman fears a ‘turkey neck’, which is the result of textural changes of the neck skin and laxity due to years of sun exposure. And since wearing a turtleneck year round is not an option, Dr. Greenfield recommends a product produced by REVISION SKIN CARE called NECTIFIRM®. “This is an amazing niche product that really targets all of the aspects of the aging neck”, she says, “for too long we have just been applying our face cream to our neck but those days are over, the neck skin has different needs and this product really hits the spot”. NECTIFIRM is the first and only skin care product designed specifically for the neck and can be purchased at www.skincareanthology.com, Dr. Greenfield recommends using a generous amount twice daily to the entire neck area for maximum results.

Age spots, uneven pigmentation, and thinning of the skin on the backs of the hands are other tell-tale sign of aging and too much time spent in the sun without protection. Since it is impossible to hide or cover up these signs of aging we asked for some advice regarding these troublesome spots. ”Protection with a daily application of sunscreen is always going to be the first thing I recommend”, says Greenfield, “if my patients drive a lot I even go so far as to suggest keeping a light pair of gloves in the car to keep the sunlight off, this can be very helpful since UVA radiation does penetrate the windshield of a car.” Her go to product for rejuvenating damaged hands is a new product in the REVISION SKIN CARE line called LUMIQUIN®. This is another very unique product in that it specifically addresses the 3 main issues of the aging hand by working on moisturizing, brightening and plumping of the skin.

So, when shopping for your next round of skin care products, don’t forget to address your hands and neck before it’s too late. All of these products are available for sale only through a physician and can be purchased at Skin Care Anthology.

His practice is dedicated to clinical dermatology including various cosmetic procedures like Abdominoplasty, scar revision, Acu Clear, various laser treatments, fillers and more.

Dr Levit specializes in MOHS surgery, the gold standard microscopically controlled surgical procedure for the treatment of common types skin cancer.

To accommodate his patient’s multilingual needs, Dr Levit is fluent in Polish, Spanish, Hebrew, Russian and English. This he says enables for better understanding and communication of patients concerns and better patient care for individuals with language barriers.

To be able to serve patients in Brooklyn New York, Dr Levit recently launched a new website which he says will be used to provide up-to-date information regarding the advancements of dermatologic care.

To learn more about Dr. Levit’s medical practice, log on to nyskinclinic.com or visit his practice at 1220 Avenue P, Brooklyn New york (718) 375-7546

*Dr Eyal Levit is the author of “A Lost Art”, a powerful and reflective novel based on his experience as a Dermatologist.

Shaan, who this year became a Tobacco Control Ambassador for India, has worked closely with the Indian government and tobacco control groups such as the Salaam Bombay Foundation to help Indian youth live a healthy, smoke-free life. In India, more than 50,000 Indians under the age of 15 try tobacco for the first time each year, and five million of the country’s young people smoke regularly.

The artist has committed to setting an example for India’s youth by not using tobacco, and is drawing attention to the harmful effects of tobacco consumption through his music. Shaan’s new song, “Life Se Panga Mat Le Yaar” which translates as “Don’t Mess with Life, Friends” speaks of living life to the fullest and not destroying it with tobacco.

It is fitting that Shaan’s efforts at protecting people, especially youth, from the harms of tobacco should be recognized by Mayor Bloomberg. Under the Mayor’s leadership, New York City has placed itself at the forefront of global tobacco control by implementing comprehensive tobacco control measures that have led to a dramatic reduction in youth and adult smoking rates in the city. In 2006, Mayor Bloomberg also announced the formation of the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use to combat tobacco use in low- and middle-income countries, where more than two-thirds of the world’s smokers live. With more than 275 million tobacco users and a mortality rate of approximately one million per year due to tobacco-related diseases, India is a priority country for the Bloomberg Initiative.

The world’s first public health treaty, the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, commits ratifying nations such as India to implement scientifically proven measures to reduce tobacco use. These measures include a complete ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; requiring all workplaces and public places to be 100 percent smoke-free; implementing large, graphic health warnings on tobacco packaging; and increasing the price of tobacco products through tax increases.

The film had initially been selected to be shown out of competition but will now be the 20th film in the festival’s main slate, AFP reported.

The Russian film, Elena, directed by Andrey Zuyagintsev, has also been slated for screening on May 21 at the end of the parallel “Un Certain Regard” section of the festival.

Serbian filmmaker Emir Kusturica will be the president of the Un Certain Regard jury.

The members of the section’s jury also include French actress Elodie Bouchez, British critic and Guardian journalist Peter Bradshaw and Geoffrey Gilmore, Tribeca film festival’s director.

The 2011 Cannes Film Festival will be opened on Wednesday, May 11, by Woody Allen’s romantic comedy Midnight in Paris and will run until May 22.

He noted that since there is a lot of sun exposure in Guyana, there are multiple problems with people of darker skin pigmentation especially in women. There are white spots or “hypo” and dark spots or “hyper” skin pigmentation on multiple areas of the body.

Dark spots he says appears on localized areas of the face due to high levels of sun exposure and extra hormones during pregnancy.

White spots he says are localized to the legs on individuals who came from countries close to the equator, Guyana and Colombia. The spots are about 2 to 3 millimeters each and are more frequent in older women who lived in these countries for a long period of time. The reason why this occurs is still unknown.

The treatment Dr Gladstein says varies for both conditions and his office specializes in treating these conditions.

Hyperpigmentation on the face is treated with various prescription agents called hydroquinone and glycolic peels among other products but he warns that if not used appropriately and under professional supervision, hypopigmentation can occur.

For Hypopigmentation, Dr Gladstein says patients don’t always respond to treatment but he primarily uses various cortisone crèmes to get the pigmentation to regenerate itself.

To learn more about Dr Gladstein, visit him at AstoriaSkincare.com

The event hopes to raise public awareness of JAMPACT and their mission to make positive contributions towards the improvement of social and economic conditions in Jamaica.

Advance regular admission tickets are $100 and

I Am C.H.I.C (VIP) tickets are $125 (donations accepted). Proceeds from the fashion gala will benefit JAMPACT’S Maxfield Park Basic School rebuilding project and the Adopt-a-School Program which provides financial and in-kind support to early childhood institutions located in some of Kingston, Jamaica’s challenged inner-city communities. The young children of Maxfield Park Basic School, who are also wards of the state, are being taught in a sub-standard, termite infested building in serious disrepair. The event will help to raise the much needed funds to building an adequately equipped learning institution.
Date: Saturday, May 14, 2011

Show Time: 8:00 to 11:00PM Location: The powerHouse Arena

37 Main Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201

This latest comedic masterpiece, which hails from Stages Productions, boasts a seasoned cast including the one and only Keith “Shebada” Ramsay, Abigail “Maude” Grant, Maxwell “Run Tings” Grant, Maylynne “Barbara” Walton, Luke “Makka” Ellington, Junior Williams and Orville “Ruler” Hall. Notably, the premiere of “Ghett-Out” marks the highly anticipated return of popular actor Keith Ramsay to New York and Connecticut and to his namesake role of “Shebada.” “Ghett-Out” features several members of the breakout sensation “Bashment Granny.”

Over the past two years, Irish and Chin has brought some of Jamaica’s best theater to New York and the tri-state area. Dedicated to providing a top rate entertainment experience to patrons, Irish and Chin incorporates a dancehall element into all of their stagings. Irish and Chin has teamed up with JW Promotions, headed by Junior Wellington, for the Hartford, Connecticut leg. With many years of theater promotions and event production experience under their belt, JW Promotions is an ideal company to partner with. Like Irish and Chin, JW Promotions aims to please patrons. It’s always a success when Irish and Chin and JW Promotions collaborate.

From the overall ambiance to the guest hosts, giveaways and dancehall infused intermissions, Irish and Chin’s stagings resemble full-fledged bashments. Fit for patrons of all ages, everyone exits Irish and Chin’s shows with smiles on their faces. To add to the exciting Hartford and Queens productions of “Ghett-Out,” the over-the-top and witty Jamaican comedian Pretty Boy Floyd will take on the role of host and resident comic. Impressive giveaways will go down at both stagings. And of course, it wouldn’t be an Irish and Chin promotion without top dancehall music from DJ Roy of IrieJam radio.

“Ghett-Out” is centered on real-life inner-city struggles of residents seeking a better life. “Ghett-Out” follows the lives of residents in a tenement yard who are met face to face with corruption as their little “piece” of real-estate is set to be transformed into a thriving housing project and commercial district. As the action unfolds, things get sticky for all involved. Humorous injections, especially from Shebada, Maude and Ruler, will ensure eruptions of laugher among audience members.

On the surface, “Ghett-Out” is all fun and games, but an undercurrent exploring corruption and socio-political commentary in Jamaica lurks throughout, adding to the appeal of the production. Fast-paced and entertaining, theatergoers are guaranteed spontaneous laughter from cast performances, especially the antics of Shebada, Maude and Ruler.

ATTENTION BROOKLYN MASSIVE, NEGRIL RESTAURANT IS NO LONGER A TICKET OUTLET FOR GHETT-OUT” ON 03/20

TICKET OUTLETS

BROOKLYN OUTLETS:

TOPAZ RESTAURANT
1875 Utica Ave (Flatlands)
718-444-7070

428 Church (East 48th Street)
718-693-6328

TICKET DELIVERY:
347-781-3653

ONLINE:

http://www.irishandchin.com/buy-tickets

OTHER RETAIL OUTLETS:

QUEENS
GENESIS RESTAURANT
162-23 Hilside Ave
718-739-8443

VP TICKET OUTLET
170-21 Jamaica Ave
718-297-5802

LONG ISLAND
CUTTING EDGE BARBERSHOP
958 Front Street
516-564-0466

SAM’S CARIBBEAN MARKET
430 Main Street
Hempstead, NY
516-858-0054

BRONX
MOODIES RECORDS
3976 white Plains Rd
718-654-8368

NEW JERSEY
TASTY RESTAURANT
973-416-2290

Though impressed by the positive feedback she been receiving, Keera Rootz has not allowed the new found attention to impact her laid-back personality. In fact, she tapped into her creative well and produced another reggae anthem entitled, ‘Fall’ (http://soundcloud.com/newimage-music/keere-rootz-fall). This song is “a combination of experiences personal and otherwise that most if not all women can relate to at some point in their lives,” says Keera.

‘Fall’ is another authentic Reggae song where the artiste lays down riveting lyrical content over live instruments: utilising the art of both singing and the spoken word to convey her message. With ‘Fall’ she captures the sentiments of a typical Jamaican woman who finds out her partner is cheating; weaving in feisty and humorous elements throughout. ‘Fall’ comes courtesy of the Kleva Roots Productions label, the company which also manages this promising Reggae artiste.

The response to the AFC in New York was overwhelming; with significant funds raised and excitement about the changes it will bring to Guyana.

Expanding on his theme, Mr. Trotman emphasized that “it is AFC’s plan to see a President who will be the custodian of the Constitution and the vehicle for the preservation of the independence and power of the National Institutions, while the Prime Minister will become the Head of the Government accountable to the people’s representatives in the National Assembly.”

In a well received presentation, Trotman outlined two promises he will personally take responsibility for as the Leader of the Alliance for Change:

Arrest the crime wave in Guyana by whatever means necessary, with whatever legal mean it takes including inviting the DEA, Scotland Yard, and Indian Police. The objective of the AFC Government will be to stamp out organized crime in Guyana.

Mobilize the Diaspora since we in the AFC cannot develop Guyana alone. He outlined how Guyana needs the talent and financial resources of the Diaspora to truly develop Guyana. Trotman stated that the AFC will establish a National Diaspora Policy that will facilitate the utilization of the resources of the Diaspora in a meaningful manner for the good of the Guyanese State while exploring Parliamentary representation and voting.

Presidential Candidate Khemraj Ramjattan in his featured address spoke on the urgent imperative for racial unity among all Guyanese both at home and in the Diaspora. He was emphatic that under the PNC/PPP Governments, all they did was give lip service to the racial unity of our people and thus they never really address the fundamental obstacle to the nation’s development. He observed that Guyanese of East Indian descent goes to Antigua and Barbados and do well for themselves and live in harmony with those communities yet those countries are Govern by people of African descents. Why can’t this situation happen at home in Guyana? Ramjattan quested why at the bottom house meeting the two major parties drive the message of vote for your own and he is sadden that some people still listen to these racist undertones. Ramjattan was however hopeful that the facebook and twitter generation has no time for the racist politics of the PNC and PPP and they shall drive the change that Guyana that is coming to Guyana.

He stated under his Presidency, an investor, public servant or ordinary Guyanese will not benefit from Government’s resources because of the texture of your hair, but the merit of your case and he is on the road in Guyana to encourage all Guyanese of all races not to fear one another but to do what it takes to mold our nation into a more harmonious and progressive one.

Ramjattan spoke about the emerging class of people in Guyana who are accumulating huge sums of money without work under the PPP. He stated that there is a total breakdown in the work ethnics in Guyana as a result of the masses recognizing the unfairness of the system perpetuated by the Jagdeo Government.

Ramjattan stated he is committed to solving crime in Guyana and creating jobs when he becomes the President. He spoke of the AFC policy to educate our people and to make UG an accredited research institute to find solution to our developmental challenges intelligently. He made note of how important the Diaspora is to the process of evolving our knowledge needs by their investments in education in Guyana to create the critical mass of knowledge workers to take Guyana to the next level. Ramjattan stated we cannot continue with losing the majority of our best minds to the developed world. He encourages the Diaspora members to read the AFC Action Plan and help the party build a new Guyana under an AFC Government.

Ramjattan spoke of how his Presidency will be guide by their philosophy of liberal democracy which will preserve the independence of national institutions, keep in check the lobbying power of vested interest and preserve the civil and human right of the people.

“No more will an investor have to be the business buddy of the President to invest in Guyana; the entire process will be professionalized under an AFC Government. No longer will illegal investments be made in Guyana and then the Government after the facts changes the law to regularize these illegal acts. No longer will millions of dollars be awarded to so-called contractors for a road when that contractor has no skill, talent or resource to build that road as in the case of the Amailia Falls Road”, stated the Presidential Candidate.

Other Speakers at the launch include the Campaign Director Salim Nausrudeen, AFC Executive Member Dominic Gaskin, AFC NY/NJ Executive Members Lionel Peters, Professor Shamir Ally, Ewart Marshall, and Latchman (LP) Singh.

Lionel Peters spoke about the potent fear enveloping Guyana at home. Peters said many of his friends have told him how the agents of the PPP were attempting to influence them with messages of fear in Little Guyana, Richmond Hill. This he found most worrying since the PPP operates as if it has transport on the people in Richmond Hill. Peters urged the audience to not be consumed by fear but to rise up and tell their families back home to support and vote for the AFC.

Professor Shamir Ally traced the history of the action plan from its genesis of a 141 page document carefully prepared which resulted in the 28 page document it is today. He encourages members of the Diaspora and across Guyana where the conference was streamed live, to read the document, and make constructive criticism to that the final product to be used in Government can be a product of the people.

The Professor paid his respect to the Prime Ministerial Candidate Ms Sheila Holder, who is recovering from an illness in Guyana. Ms. Roxanne Sukhai, a professional cake designer, delivered a special cake with a key. The cake was served by Mr. Ramjattan and Mr. Raphael to the large audience.

The launch was chaired by the Chairperson of the NY/NJ AFC Chapter Dr. Rohan Somar. AFC Team now moves go Florida and Canada to launch its Action Plan and 2011 Campaign in addition to meetings with investors in the USA/Canada.