In an unusually very high voter-turnout in midterm elections in the United States that observers say illustrates strong opposition to President Donald J. Trump, several Caribbean Democratic candidates in New York romped to victory Tuesday night with overwhelming majorities.
Uninterrupted rain throughout Tuesday and problems with the voting machines did not prevent voters from casting ballots in an era of Trumpism.
According to New York State Board of Elections results, popular Caribbean American Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, won in a landslide, garnering 167,199 votes, or 87.59 percent, to her Republican Haitian-born challenger, Lutch Gayot, who received 10,336 votes, or 10.13 percent.
Clarke, who represents the 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, noted that her victory came on the 50th anniversary of the first Caribbean American woman, Shirley Chisholm, to run for the United States Congress.
The late Chisholm, whose mother was Barbadian and father Guyanese, was also the first Black woman to run for the US Congress. She had represented the then 11th Congressional District in Brooklyn.
“I’ve demonstrated to the people of this district (9th Congressional) that I am committed to them,” Clarke told Caribbean Life Tuesday night.
“But I still have more work to do in the era of Trump — that this district has opportunities to sustain itself, that we use voter-strength to push for the goals of my community,” she added.
With the Democratic Party regaining the US House of Representatives, Clarke, a senior member of the House Energy Committee, said she will be in a better position to help her constituents.
“The victory will help to invest in infrastructure, health care, among a host of other things,” she said.
In the New York State Senate, Democratic Senator Roxanne Persaud, a Guyanese-born immigrant, regained her seat in a landslide in the 19th Senatorial District in Brooklyn.
Persaud received 64,940 votes, or 86,90 percent, to her Republican challenger, Jeffrey Ferretti, who received 7, 419 votes, or 9.93 percent.
“By winning the seat, we can continue doing what we’re doing,” Persaud told Caribbean Life Tuesday night at the Democratic Party Club headquarters in the Canarsie, Brooklyn. “I’m not focusing on one group of people. When you do that, you’re polarizing people.
“I do a lot of social issues in my community — foster care, senior care, etc.,” Persaud added.
For just the third time in 50 years, the Democratic Party gained control of the New York State Senate Tuesday night in what pundits said was a clear repudiation of Trump’s policies.


In the 20th Senatorial District in Brooklyn, Zellnor Myrie, a young lawyer of Costa Rican parentage and Jamaican-born grandmother, defeated the incumbent Jesse Hamilton, who ran for the Independent Party. Democrat Myrie had trounced Hamilton in the Democratic Primary.
In Tuesday’s midterm, elections, Myrie received 67, 803 votes, or 88.06 percent, to Hamilton’s 5, 327 votes, or 6.92 percent.
In New York State Assembly, Caribbean Democratic candidates were also triumphant.
Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, who represents the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn, handsomely beat two challengers.
Bichotte garnered 26, 817 votes, or 87.66 percent; Republican Matthew Williams received 2,173 votes, or 7.10 percent; and Jamaican Anthony Beckford, of the Green Party, received 631 votes, or 2.00 percent.
“I feel good!” Bichotte exclaimed on Election Night. “I think, throughout the whole year, I’ve been working hard to fill all corners of my constituen­cy.”
Bichotte’s Assembly Democratic colleague, Diana Richardson, the daughter of St. Martin and Aruban immigrants, was unchallenged in the 43rd Assembly District in Brooklyn. Richardson received 33,345 votes, or 92.94 percent.
In her first bid for elective office, Haitian Dr. Mathylde Frontas, a Columbia University professor, was victorious in the 46th Assembly District in Brooklyn.
In a four-way race, Democrat Frontas received 14, 750 votes, or 51.84 percent; Republican Steven Saperstein received 11, 823 votes, or 41.55 percent; Ethan Lustig-Elgrably, of the Working Families Party, received 421 votes, or 1.48 percent; and Patrick Dwyer, of the Green Party, received 284 votes, or 1.00 percent.
Trinidadian Jaime Williams was overwhelmingly re-elected in the 59th Assembly District in Brooklyn. Democrat Williams received 26, 229 votes, or 77.69 percent, to Republican Brandon Washington’s 6,306 votes, or 18.67 percent.
Source:  Caribbean Life, Nov. 2018

Bernadette's father was born in Trinidad, and her mother is French Canadian.  
Clement is the first woman to be elected mayor of Cornwall as well as being the first visible minority to hold the office, and she said she is “very proud of that.” It’s a significant milestone for the community and it’s one that she hopes will inspire children in Cornwall.
“(I want) children – boys and girls — everywhere to see that running for office is just something that women do,” she said. “I am also proud to be the Francophone black mayor of Cornwall. But I want to remind people that Cornwall elected its first Jewish mayor (Aaron Horovitz) decades ago, so this is nothing that necessarily unusual for Cornwall to do.
“Now we’re just going to continue to build on the history of diversity that we’ve had here for the past 235 years.”
Bernadette has been a city councillor for the past 12 years, and  won the position with nearly 54% of the vote, handily defeating the incumbent Mayor Leslie  O'Shaughnessy.
We at the TTAO wish you the very best in your new position of Mayor.  Congratulations.

Source: Portions taken from the Standard Freeholder, Oct 2018

Here are some interesting cleaning hacks.  Click on the link here

​The Word "Laventille" is actually French. Its derived from "La Ventaille", which means The Vent..Its named so because of the winds that passes through..Here's an exotic painting of the hills.

​Trinidad and Tobago has been known to experience tremors and earthquakes due to its location along the southern border of the Caribbean Plate. 
On August 21, 2018, a 6.9 earthquake caused massive panic, terror and confusion as citizens reported houses shaking, items falling off supermarket shelves and cracks forming in walls and along the ground. 
The earthquake measured an earth-shaking 6.9 and was felt in both Trinidad and Tobago, as far north as Grenada and as far south as Guyana.
The epicentre of the 'quake, which was recorded in Venezuela, registered a magnitude of 7.3 on the Richter Scale.
The US Geological Survey said this was the largest historic event within 250 kilometres of this location in the 20th and 21st centuries. 
Here’s a look at some of the worst earthquakes to hit T&T:
1. 1766 – San Jose 
The catastrophic earthquake of 1766 destroyed Trinidad's original capital of San Jose, now known as St Joseph, by a 7.9 earthquake, which may have been a factor in relocating the capital to Port-of-Spain.


2. 1888 
Records show a 7.5 earthquake occurred within the Caribbean region, causing damage from Trinidad to St. Vincent.


3. 1954 - Trinidad
Another strong earthquake was reported in 1954, with a magnitude of 6.5.
A newspaper clipping titled ‘Earthquake in Trinidad’ in Australia’s Cairns Post was more concerned, however, that it spoiled the impending visit of Princess Margaret:
“Trinidad, correspondent says that the earthquake yesterday seriously damaged the room in Government House which Princess Margaret is to use on her visit early next year.”
The report added that “Heavy slabs of fallen masonry were piled high in the passage between the Princess' living room suite and the bathroom. The rooms were recently re-decorated in readiness for her arrival and will now have to be repaired.”
“Glass lampshades were shattered and hardly a room in Government House does not show cracks, caused by the tremor, which was the worst in living memory,” the report said.


4. 1968
In 1968 a 7.0 earthquake was reported to have occurred near Trinidad, causing significant damage to neighbouring Venezuela with some damage to Port of Spain.


5. 1982, Tobago
A 5.2 earthquake struck Tobago, which was the largest earthquake to occur up to that time.


6. 1996 – Trinidad, New Year’s Day
A 5.2 was recorded as occurring just north of Trinidad on New Year’s Day. Luckily, there were no reported injuries.


7. 1997 – Tobago
The 6.1 earthquake which occurred in 1997 caused major damage with an estimated US$25 million in damages occurring in Tobago, causing two persons to be injured and leaving 15 people homeless.


8. 2006 – Trinidad
The country was rocked by a 5.8 earthquake in 2006, according to a Newsday report. No lives were lost, however some damage was reported and there were some injuries reported.


9. 2007 - Martinique, felt in T&T
According to the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) a massive 7.3 earthquake occurred near Martinique but it was felt throughout the Eastern Caribbean from Puerto Rico to Guyana, including T&T, with damage reported in Martinique, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Barbados.


10. 2013 - Trinidad
A massive 6.4 earthquake reportedly occurred just 74 kilometres north-west of Port-of-Spain on October 11, 2013, the strongest to occur since the ‘quake of 1997.


Here are some helpful earthquake terms:

• Seismic wave: Seismic waves pass through the Earth and ware most often the result of an earthquake, sometimes from an explosion. Seismic waves are also continually excited by the pounding of ocean waves and the wind.
• Intensity: Describes the level of shaking during an earthquake.
• Magnitude: This is a measure of the strength of an earthquake and is related to the amount of energy released.
• Hypocentre/Focus: This is the area within the crust where rocks ruptured and released their stored energy in an earthquake.
• Epicentre: This is the point on the earth’s surface that is directly above the hypocenter or focus. The epicenter is usually the location of greatest damage.

Here are 5 safety tips if an earthquake occurs:

1. Before an earthquake even occurs, keep an emergency storage kit of medicine, food, drinking water and basic tools.
2. Identify safe places to retreat to during an earthquake – this can be a sturdy desk, strong doorway or other strongly supported area.
3. When the earthquake occurs, don’t move around as falling items may injure you. If you are near a sturdy desk or table you can go under it for cover. Tuck your head down and between your arms.
4. Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as light fixtures or furniture.
5. If you are in a moving vehicle, stop as quickly and safely as possible and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires. Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. 

Stay safe!

Former U.S. President Barack Obama has recommended 'A House for Mr Biswas' by the late Trinidad and Tobago-born writer, Sir VS Naipaul, as one of five books for reading over the summer period.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, Obama wrote: "One of my favorite parts of summer is deciding what to read when things slow down just a bit, whether it's on a vacation with family or just a quiet afternoon. This summer I've been absorbed by new novels, revisited an old classic, and reaffirmed my faith in our ability to move forward together when we seek the truth."
During his eight years in the White House, Obama turned to books to find balance, "slow down and get perspective."
With regards to Naipaul's book, he wrote: "With the recent passing of V.S. Naipaul, I reread 'A House for Mr Biswas,' the Nobel Prize winner's first great novel about growing up in Trinidad and the challenge of post-colonial identity."
The book was one of many in which Naipaul explored the cultural elements he felt tied to as a man of Indian ancestry, born in Trinidad and raised in England.
The other four books on Obama's list are "Warlight" by Michael Ondaatje, "Educated" by Tara Westover, "An American Marriage" by Tayari Jones and "Factfulness" by Hans Rosling.
Source:  CNC3

Port-of-Spain has quite a compelling history, with nuances and facets that we see every day without actually knowing their origins.
Before the Twin Towers, there was Freetown. Before the International Waterfront, there was Puerto d’España, a port kept under wraps from pirates and enemies of the Spanish. 
The city of Port-of-Spain is 104 years old and for the month of June, the Port-of-Spain City Corporation will be hosting a number of events to celebrate this anniversary. 
To help commemorate, we dug up some pretty interesting facts about the nation's capital. Here are 10 facts about the city you probably didn't know.
1. Belmont was previously called Freetown
The British abolished the slave trade in 1807 but the British Royal Navy were ordered to patrol the African West Coast and prevent the illegal transportation of slaves by British ships. As a result, a number of Africans were freed and some of them were brought to Trinidad.
Coming from tribes including Yoruba, Rada, Mandingo, Ibo, and Krumen, they were brought here, not as slaves, but as free men and given land in Belmont. Belmont became known as Freetown for a while, extending from the East Dry River at the north end of Circular Road, and up into the Belmont Valley Road.
2. Before there was St. Ann’s, there was Belmont Asylum
The Belmont Asylum was founded in 1851 and was located on Circular Road, opposite to where the secondary school is today. It was eventually moved to St. Ann’s and became known as the ‘Mental Hospital’.
3. The capital was intentionally kept uninhabited at one point
Under Spanish rule in the mid-16th century, Trinidad was a strategic outpost to the Orinoco delta. In an attempt to avoid drawing the attention of pirates and other Spanish enemies, the Spaniards kept Trinidad unpopulated, keeping the island as just a port to keep Spanish ships safe in the Gulf of Paria. They spread rumours that Trinidad was dangerous and was a catchment for diseases like yellow fever and malaria. The main anchoring place didn’t even receive a proper name but was just called a ‘Harbour of Spain’  or Puerto d’España. 
4. The 'jamette society' originated in Port in Spain
At one point, the streets of east Port-of-Spain were known as the ‘French Shores’, and those who inhabited them were known as jamettes (from French ‘diamètre’). The term referred to those outside the circle (the ‘diameter’) of polite society. In the eyes of the colonial government, the jamette society was outrageous, vulgar and obscene.
5. Everyone and everything was thrown in prison
The Royal Gaol on upper Frederick Street was completed in 1812 where criminals, along with debtors, the insane, and even animals were thrown into it.  
6. Governor Woodfood passed an interesting law to protect the streets of Port-of-Spain
After he became Governor in 1813, Sir Ralph Woodford was keen on modernising the face of Port-of-Spain. Sidewalks were constructed and paved with gravel. To preserve the new (and expensive) streets, a law was passed in 1824 forbidding the keeping of pigs in the city. Additionally, cows, goats, horses, and mules had to be kept in compounds and were not allowed to roam the streets anymore.
7. The first boys' school opened in 1823
The first primary school for boys was opened in Port-of-Spain in April 1823 followed by a primary school for girls in 1826. 
8. Queen's Park Savannah was initially intended for cattle 
Governor Woodford purchased Paradise estate in 1819 from the Peschier family. The area, originally called 'The Savannah' was cleared ‘for the recreation of the townsfolk and for the pasturage of cattle’. It was later officially changed to 'The Queen's Park Savannah' in 1845. 
9. The Botanic Gardens had Far East influences
The Governor bought additional land from the Peschier estate at St. Anns, which was constructed for the new Government House and the Botanic Gardens. Botanist David Lockhart was hired to design the Botanic gardens; he introduced many trees from the Far East into Trinidad, the most notable being samaan tree. 
10. The Queen's Park Savannah was used for many sporting events
In addition to being an open pasture, the Savannah provided the residents of the town with their first golf course and the game was played with the grazing cows and running horses. 
Horse-racing was also introduced in 1828; by 1854, after the erection of the Grand Stand, horse racing was held annually. The Savannah was quite the multipurpose venue, with cricket, polo, football and other sports taking place in the open space. 
Source:  The Loop

Mareena Robinson Snowden, is the first Black woman to graduate from MIT with a Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering
Black girl magic was in full effect earlier this month when Mareena Robinson Snowden, became the first black woman to earn a Ph.D. from MIT in Nuclear Engineering. Snowden’s dissertation focused on the development of radiation detectors for future nuclear arms control treaties. According to her personal website, she is a native of Miami and earned a B.S. in Physics from the illustrious Florida A&M University. Snowden took to her Instagram to share some of her thoughts on her achievement:“No one can tell me God isn’t. Grateful is the best word I have to describe how I feel. Grateful for every part of this experience – highs and lows. Every person who supported me and those who didn’t. Grateful for a praying family, a husband who took on this challenge as his own, sisters who reminded me at every stage how powerful I am, friends who inspired me to fight harder. Grateful for the professors who fought for and against me. Every experience on this journey was necessary, and I’m better for it.”
She went on to shout-out a few Black women who’re also displaying Black girl magic. 
“When they ask where the skilled black female technical minds are, know there are many – @joymariejohnson, @_sai_89, @rhondalenai, @being_niaja, @jtiaphd, @siangoan, April Gillens, @beyoncizzle, Tiera Fletcher, Ciara Sivels, Grey Batie, @tashaleeb, @special_kay868, Staci Brown, Njema Fraizer, @jedidahislerphd, Delonia Wiggins, Jami Valentine Miller and many more – who show up proudly in the fullness of their black womanhood and fight each day for our place in these fields.”
Thank you Mareena Robinson Snowden, Ph.D. for all your hard work and dedication we look forward to seeing all the amazing things you will accomplish next!
Source:  The Black Detour2018