Archive for the ‘People & Things’ Category
LA TOYA STRUTS ZADD & EASTMAN
- La Toya Woods
A combination of style and beauty
During her career as a model, woods presented fashion pieces by various designers including Point Fortin’s own Zadd & Eastman.
We hereby present to our viewers, designs by our very own Zadd & Eastman as portrayed by La Toya Woods
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VAUGHNETTE BIGFORD THRILLS
Local jazz singer thrills
At Louis Armstrong’s home
By Wayne Bowman wayne.bowman@trinidadexpress.com
Extracted from Trinidad Express Newspaper
Local jazz singer, Vaughnette Bigford over the Fourth of July weekend performed at the home of Louis Armstrong in New York. Now a museum in tribute to the life and work of the legendary musician, the Armstrong home is each year visited by thousands from the world over and it is considered an honour to be invited to perform there.
The concert Bigford performed at was in celebration of Armstrong’s birthday and produced by the Director of the Louis Armstrong Museum. Bigford was invited by Gwyn Jay Allen, a singer born in Sierra Leone, Africa, who is hailed worldwide as the person whose voice sounds the most like Armstrong. He was headlining the show and invited Bigford who he met when they performed at this year’s Tobago Jazz Experience to perform alongside him.
“If someone told me five years ago I would one day sing at the home of Louis Armstrong, I would have replied, no way. This phenomenal weekend came to be when Gwyn came to Tobago for Jazz and was a hit with the local audience. We also hit it off immediately upon meeting. I performed immediately before Gwyn on the beach and his words to me before he went on were, “Now what the hell do you want me to sing after that set?” He later mentioned the concert at Armstrong’s home to me inviting me to come and be his Ella, making reference to the Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald duets,” Bigford said.
The audience comprised friends of Armstrong’s in their late 80’s and 90’s as well as Armstrong fanatics and lovers of classic jazz. The band was made up of graduates of the Manhattan School of Music and included drummer John Davis, Phillip Dizack on trumpet, Matt Arinoff on bass and Karim Merchant on piano. Allen and Bigford performed “They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” “Stars Fell On Alabama” and “Someday,” while Bigford sang “Girl From Ipanema” on her own.
“I thank Gwyn so much for taking me along for this ride. It was such a moment, just to be in that space, in that yard, at Armstrong’s house among his instruments and books. Wow. What a feeling. Gwyn’s and my voice worked so well together and the band was fabulous. The highlight of the evening for me was when I was introduced to an older woman who, I was told, was Armstrong’s neighbour and personal friend. She kissed me and said to me, “My dear, you are a delight, such a voice, Ella would be proud of you.” Making that trip was one of the best decisions I ever made,” Bigford said.
MAYOR TAKES OATH
Mayor Clyde Paul
MAYOR’S SWEARING IN CEREMONY
Newly elected Mayor of the Point Fortin Borough Corporation, Alderman Clyde Paul (left) took the oath of office on Thursday August 5th 2010.
Paul succeeded Victor Mitchell. The new Mayor has served many years in the Public Service and was the Town Clerk of the said corporation. The position of Town Clerk has since been reclassified as CEO.
Pointalive was onhand and would like to share photos from the event with our viewers.
Click on any image to view more photos from the event,
Bottom photo: Mayor Paul is flanked by all members of his council.
Members of the Point Fortin Borough Corporation 2010-2013 council
KARLON IS MR. T&T
Karlon at the On-Point 2009 audition - photo by Denzil James
Point Fortin male heartthrob Karlon Richards, has copped the first ever Mr. Trinidad & Tobago for Mr. World Competition which was held on August 4th, at Queen’s Hall Port of Spain.
Karlon is no stranger to emerging competitions as last year, 2009, he entered the inaugural ‘On-Point’ male pageant and was the crowd’s favourite.
Though he did not win the competition back then, Karlon went on to engage himself with associated events and his success as Mr. Trinidad & Tobago may seem as vindication to his claim and those of his numerous fans which believed that he was the best on the night at the ‘On-Point’ show.
Pointalive hereby sends heartfelt congratulations to our boy Karlon on his gargantuan success
Karlon Richards poses for lens man Denzil James
CLYDE PAUL IS NEW MAYOR
Former Town Clerk of the Point Fortin Borough Corporation Clyde Paul has been selected as an Alderman and subsequently nominated to become the next Mayor of the Deep South Borough. He will be inaugurated on Thursday August 5th 2010.
Information reaching the website is that this selection has not found favour with quite a few PNM Point Fortin constituency members and some are saying that the new Political Leader Dr. Keith Rowley is adopting the same path like his predecessor, former Prime Minister Patrick Manning by not listening to the people and employing whatever he wishes.
Though the final decision was left with the elected councillors, the opinion of the political leader is normally that which is employed.
In what is considered as a blatant slap in the face for Member of Parliament (MP) Paula Gopee Scoon, by the Political Leader, Scoon’s choice of Brenda Mc Cree was rejected by the decision makers which included the elected PNM candidates.
Some are describing Paul’s selection as part of a local palace coup led by former Point Fortin Mayor and Minister of Labour Lawrence Achong, who was sidelined by then Prime Minister Manning. Achong and Paul has been long standing friends and were both present together at the infamous Chatham community meeting where Achong was accused for using obscene language and subsequently charged. Achong’s mistress, Marlene Coudray is tipped to become the Mayor for the City of San Fernando, however, not as a PNM, but under the banner of the People’s Partnership.
Paul is no stranger to controversy and can be considered to be like Achong in many ways. His tenure as Town Clerk was not without controversy since this website was told that he has been suspended from performing on as Town Clerk on more than one occasion.
The former Town Clerk will bring with him years of experience from within the said Point Fortin Corporation which is the reason why many believe that he was selected. Some burgesses are wondering whether his highly controversial persona will be a setback for the corporation since the PNM in not in government.
A contestant in the recently concluded General Election lamented to this website that Paul’s selection is a retrograde step.
However, there are those in support of the new Mayor who believe that he is the best person to take the corporation through what PNM members consider turbulent times. One member told this website that Paul has the experience, ability and the know how to deal with inefficiencies within the corporation and deliver what is needed at this time.
Peter Bharat the brother of former councillor, Paul A. Sean Bharat, who was the lone defeated PNM Point Fortin candidate, will be seated as the Corporation’s other Alderman alongside the New Mayor. Information reaching this website is that Abdon Mason will be selected as the Deputy Mayor.
The new council will comprise 5 PNM members and 1 COP.
The website will be covering the inauguration and swearing in ceremony.
PNM IN POINT
Pt Fortin MP Paula Gopee Scoon (3rd from right) presents the PNM candidates for the Borough of Point Fortin
The Red Army of the People’s National Movement (PNM) rolled into the Victor Chin Kit Park, Frisco Junction Point Fortin, on Thursday July 22nd to present and support the party’s candidates for the area. Though candidates from three (3) municipal corporations were being presented to the audience, a smaller than anticipated crowd was on hand to hear speakers which included the party’s political leader and Opposition Leader, Dr. Keith Rowley. The Corporations represented were, Point Fortin, Siparia and Penal/Debe.
During his speech, Dr. Rowley touched on the issue of closure of the Point Fortin refinery, saying that it was uneconomical to continue managing it. He also spoke about the Alutrint Aluminium Smelter saying that the present government now indicates that they will review the smelter’s construction. Dr. Rowley asked the crowd; ‘if they (govt) are now going to review it, what was their previous criticism of it based on?’ He said, if they never reviewed it before, then they have no facts and if they already did, then they should be in a position to make a definite pronouncement at this time. He also said that during the last general election, the smelter’s construction was a major issue and the people of La Brea voted overwhelmingly in favour of the smelter. The opposition leader stated those opposed to the smelter are not the ones living in the area and they are trying to dictate what should happen in areas where they don’t reside.
Preceding Dr. Rowley’s address, rookie politician and opposition Senator Dr. Lester Henry spoke. His speech lacked badly the acumen and command which is typically associated with those on political platforms and even worse; his presentation followed Councillor Paul A. Sean Bharat, who was in a thundering mode.
Councillor Bharat who was definitely the most lively platform speaker on the night, energised the supporters with clichés like ‘masa days done’, in reference to purported monetary inducements being made by the People’s Partnership in exchange for votes. He stated that the people of Point Fortin are free citizens and will not be bought. He ended his presentation by saying a prayer which included asking the almighty to grant the people the wisdom to vote the PNM on Election Day. Bharat received a standing ovation from his colleagues at the head table and whoever was seated during the meeting.
Community activist, Abdon Mason and Councillor Marlon Richardson also spoke on the platform and entertainment was provided by Nekisha Lewis and Tamika Darius.
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