Justices, magistrates and members of the Bar are pictured in procession from Christ Church Cathedral to the Supreme Court following the Divine Service to start the Legal Year.

Members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band and officers participated in the colourful ceremony.

Chief Justice Sir Michael Barnett announces that Justice Indra Charles was sworn in as a Justice of the Supreme Court by Governor-General, Sir Arthur Foulkes at Government House on Friday, 6th January, 2012.

Justice Charles served as a Justice of the High Court of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court since January, 2000. She served as a resident Justice in the British Virgin Islands from 1st January, 2005 until her retirement from that Court in December, 2011. Justice Charles also served as an Acting Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court on three separate occasions.

George Damianos and Virginia Damianos-Premock, the brokers and owners of Damianos Sotheby's International Realty congratulate their 2011 top producers Samira Coleby (Bahamas), Bill Albury (Abaco), and Jonathan Morris (Eleuthera).

Reflecting on the continual movement in the market, Samira Coleby notes: "The market is changing; clients are continually challenging us. Despite the economic recession, the Bahamas has retained its place as one of the more affordable and attractive markets.

The second annual St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital Trike-A-Thon in the Bahamas is all set to return to Sandyport on Friday January 27th to raise money for St Jude's Hospital- the world's premier center for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases.

Organizers hope to repeat last year's tremendous success where preschoolers from Tambearly and The Meridian Schools raised over US$13,000. At St. Jude's, no child from anywhere in the world is ever denied treatment because of the family's inability to pay

Doctors Hospital welcomed Kriston Rolle, the first baby born in the Maternity Ward in 2012. Kriston made his debut at 3:15pm Tuesday January 3rd, 2012 weighing in at 7 pounds 3 ounces.

Kriston's mother, Kristen Farrington, was not actually due until January 16th, and was relieved that all went well despite the early arrival. She and the baby's father Lynden Rolle say they are excited to spend time with their first child.

After canvasing five countries across the Caribbean and interviewing hundreds of persons executives from Sandals Resort International have chosen four team members from the Sandals Bahamian properties to take part in the resort chain's innovative and intensive Manager Trainee Program.

Christopher Davies in the Accounting Department and Delino Moss in the Butler Department were both chosen from Sandals Royal Bahamian as well as Dwayne Johnson in Food and Beverage and Lorrell Taylor in the Accounting Department from Sandals Emerald Bay won scholarships that will send them traveling throughout the Caribbean to the 21 Sandals and Beaches properties over the next two years.

Scotiabank has again joined forces with Marathon Bahamas as a Corporate Partner for the 3rd annual Marathon Bahamas event. As a Silver Partner, Scotiabank has contributed fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) to support this event which directly benefits the fight against cancer in The Bahamas. The event-filled weekend is taking place this weekend, January 14-15, 2012.

Through a partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world's largest breast cancer organization, the Marathon Bahamas weekend will again include the Susan G. Komen Bahamas Race for the Cure 5K scheduled for Saturday, January 14, 2012. All funds raised from the Race for the Cure as part of the Marathon Bahamas 2012 weekend will benefit the fight against breast cancer programs in The Bahamas.

The Dive industry is a multi-million dollar business and relies heavily on selling one of our country's biggest assets, the ocean! As part of UNEXSO's on-going effort to preserve the sensitive aquatic environment, dive instructors and staff whose livelihoods depend on the sustainability of our undersea paradise, have spearheaded a campaign to execute mooring systems around Grand Bahamas' oceans.

Since September 2011 the UNEXSO Dive Team have re-moored 24 of the 25 active dive sites on Freeport's south side. Mooring systems consist of spliced polypropylene and/or dacron line attached to an inflatable mooring ball, which is subsequently secured to a mooring anchor eye on the sea floor or wreck site.

Merchants in the Port Lucaya Marketplace (PLM) are still smiling after Saturday's visit of the MSC Poesia. The 93,330 ton specially chartered ship discharged over 71% of its 2,500 passengers onto shore to enjoy a day of fun and festivities in the Lucaya area.

Keenan Baldwin, Dock Manager, Reef Tours, offered tendering services for the vessel. "We spent the day transporting hundreds of passengers to and from the ship. Along with transportation, we offered drinks and snacks and our onboard bar sold out extremely fast," he said.

How hungry does a dog have to be to get her head stuck in an empty jar of Now or Later candy? Not even pickled sausage, not even mayonnaise, both of which we've also seen in the past. Now or Later candy?! Evidently she has to be completely starving beyond what the normal person can imagine.

The Humane Society of Grand Bahama got a call from someone at the West End School Tuesday morning, saying there was a dog running around the school grounds with a jar stuck on her head. This had apparently been going on for three days, as we were told the kids had tried to pull it off (those that weren't chasing her or throwing rocks at her, that is) and so had the owner.

Bahamas Express has launched a special offer for Bahamians who wish to travel to Florida at a price of $49.50 per journey when they buy a return ticket. Please note that taxes are not included in this price and places are limited. The service connects Freeport with Fort Lauderdale port in two and a half hours.

As well as this new offer, the company has also provided Bahamians with a greater number of cargo bins to facilitate the transportation of heavy luggage. Cargo bin reservations should be made in advance of the date of travel at a price of $200 each (only available on the Fort Lauderdale-Freeport route).

In their fight to protect the natural beauty of our island, the Keep Grand Bahama Clean (KGBC) Committee has been joined by a cadre of exceptional 'green citizens' throughout the residential and business communities, and civic organizations, who are doing their part to keep the environment clean.

According to KGBC Chairperson, Nakira Wilchcombe, "these individuals have shown deep concern regarding the state of the environment of the island and have made a point to do something about it by going above and beyond what is expected of one to do. They are therefore worthy of recognition."

Pastors Eddie & Margo Victor along with the Congregation of Living Water Assembly received a generous gift for the new year. An anonymous donor gave the ministry a new 2012 Toyota Hiace 16 passenger bus.

Pastor Eddie Victor states that "the anonymous donor is a person who loves the ministry of Living Water and wanted to help the ministry in a tangible way by giving us a needed brand-new bus. This vehicle will be used for the transportation of persons attending church, youth ministries and outreaches."

This is an extract from the introduction to the fourth chapter of the historical novel 'Bahama Saga' by Peter Barratt published by Authorhouse in 2002

Chapter 4 - Admiral of the Ocean Sea (1492)

nudo nocchier, promettitor di regni
(a pauper pilot, promising kingdoms)

Without the persistence of Columbus, permission and support for a voyage into the unknown would never have been granted. The fact that he obtained ships at a time when all available vessels were being utilized to carry the former citizens of Spain to North Africa who had been declared heretics is even more remarkable. But it should be noted that Columbus was not the first person from the 'old world' to have visited America. The strongest contenders for that honour are probably the Vikings, who around 1000 AD discovered Greenland and Labrador, snow-covered lands in the throes of almost perpetual winter.

Remarks by Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham, Prime Minister, at the renaming of Red Bays Primary School to the Bertram A. Newton Primary School on January 6th, 2012:

I am particularly delighted for the tremendous privilege to be in Red Bays on this special occasion. I thank the residents of Red Bays as well as Principal Ms. Kim Curtis, and the teachers, staff, parents and students for your hospitality and warm welcome. Today, it is our shared privilege to join in the renaming of the Red Bays Primary School to the Bertram A. Newton Primary School.

It's time to shine up your bikes, get your teams together, and design your jerseys, but first, REGISTER for the 7th annual Ride for Hope. On April 14, 2012, 600 riders of all ages will take to the streets of Eleuthera, one of the many beautiful islands of The Bahamas.

Take advantage of the Early Bird Special! Register for only $50 until February 14, 2012. Regular registration fee of $75 applies from February 15 until March 14. Don't be late! Late registration fee is $100.

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham surprises teachers and students at the Mastic Point Primary School, popping in briefly to greet the school's 5th and 6th graders.

While in Andros he also viewed the $2.5 million roadworks project in Staniard Creek. The work is scheduled to take six months, but is far ahead of schedule.

The temperature has been dropping and we're getting into some chilly nights so that calls for some good old-fashioned home cooking. Most of all, some good braised dishes. Braising is one of my favorite cooking methods as it usually lets you use tougher, more flavorful cuts of meat and break them down slowly over time, leaving them melt-in-your-mouth tender.

Some of my favorites are included in this week's piece like lamb shanks and osso bucco. There's just something about a great steaming hot braised lamb shank to make you feel all cozy inside and ready to take on the winter. Here are some of my favorite cold weather dishes.

Attendees will be treated to a kaleidoscope of talent when young Bahamian musicians and dance troupes join forces with award-winning Touch of Class dancers from Philadelphia to raise funds for the Ranfurly Home and the Children's Emergency Hostel. The "Love That Child" benefit concert sponsored by BOB will be held on Sunday, January 15 at the Rainforest Theatre, Wyndham Nassau Resort.

More than 13 groups will participate in the showcase which brings together local performers including Funky D, Trez Hepburn, Damien Davis, Chelsea's Kids, The Meridian School Choir, Yodephy, Dance Bahamas School, Virtue Dance, Live to Dance, Eurhythmics Dance Studio, Kaleidoscope Dance Company and Juice Unit Hip Hop Group. A group from The Meridian School Choir will perform a pop number inspired by the hit television sitcom Glee.

The Miss Grand Bahama Beauty Pageant Organization was busy in 2011 helping young ladies follow their dreams, traveling to China and Colombia. Rayne Armbrister competed in Miss Bikini International; Peandra Knowles competed in Miss Yacht Top Model competition in China; Raquel Oliver competed in Miss Global International pageant in Jamaica; and Miss Grand Bahama Keriann Stuart is now competing in the Miss Coffee International Beauty Contest in Colombia.

The Organization is pleased to announce they have another franchise under their belt, the Mrs Universe Bahamas. Mrs Universe LTD believes that physical beauty is not just a part of the whole allure of a person, and therefore Mrs Universe Bahamas will be awarded to the most honourable married women.

Some of the most creative artists and managers who are reshaping the local music business scene will come together to compete at the first BAHAMIAN GLOBAL BATTLE OF THE BANDS. This event is presented by All Things Mobile [ATM] Ltd and The Bahamas Virtual Mall [BVM], in association with CTI Cellular and Electronics, and will be held in Nassau, starting February 25th - March, 2012.

GBOB is the world's largest live talent competition for bands of all genres. Starting in 2004 with 16 countries participating, the competition now attracts over 30 countries annually. This global completion finds raw talent and exposes it to a wider audience. Every year Local Qualifying Heats and National Finals take place in participating countries around the world, with the winners of these going forward to the World Final.

Donnie Knowles, co-founder and co-director of the Grand Bahama Girls' Soccer Development Programme will be honoured for his contributions to soccer in the country by the upcoming Bahamas Law Enforcement Sports Challenge which will take place from January 18th to 23rd in Freeport.

If you pass by the Freeport Rugby Football Club field on Saturday's you'll see Donnie Knowles busy setting up 10 fields for the Grand Bahama Girls' Soccer League. All this he does while running his busy Saturday business at Town and Country. Working alongside his wife, Mary Knowles with love and dedication, not only to the world's most popular sport, but toward their interest of bettering the lives of the youth in Grand Bahama, his story is one of perseverance.

Hold the dates! This year Grand Bahama's most popular summer event for kids - the Sir Jack Hayward Soccer Camp - will be held from Monday, June 25, until Friday, June 29. AND the price is being held for the sixth successive year

The island's best summer children's activity - and the best-value camp - will again feature 30 hours of activities, with lunch each day; fresh fruit and drinks morning and afternoon; the chance to swim as well as play soccer; authentic uniforms (shirts, shorts and socks); as well as loads of fun with old friends and new. It is the island's only one-stop shop for parents looking for fun for their kids.

Ride for Hope held its first email auction, of a Ride for Hope branded Cervelo bicycle, in December 2011. The custom built and painted bicycle, with parts by Cervelo, Mavic, Rotor, and SRAM, proved to be a hot item. Bids rolled in up until the final hours of the four week auction.

The winning bid was placed by Mr. Rob Rothwell. From he placed his first bid, he stated in his email, "Fingers crossed I will be riding it in Eleuthera on April 14th 2012!" Rothwell has been cycling for pleasure since he was 14 years old. He has participated in a few local races with the New Providence Cycling Association. He also competed in the 2011 Nassau and Freeport Conchman triathlons.

The World Health Organization's (WHO) current cancer fact sheet, released October 2011, lists cancer as a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for 7.6 million deaths in 2008. Lung, stomach, liver, colon and breast cancer are the most prominent cancer deaths each year. Many Grand Bahamians, have either an unfortunate first-hand experience with, or knows someone who has been touched by this disease.

With this knowledge, it was without hesitation, that The Grand Bahama Port Authority offered monetary sponsorship support to the Marathon Bahamas organizers of the Sunshine Insurance 2012: Susan G. Komen Bahamas Race for the Cure Weekend, scheduled for January 14th and 15th 2012 in Nassau, Bahamas.

Action has resumed! Scotia Bank Pee Wee Division: Just a reminder to parents the league has re-started and the coaches are looking for our little darlings.

Mini League:

Bellevue Business Blue Jays 5 goals vs Waugh Warriors 0 goals

Top Scorers:

Robin Haven 2 goals
Jack Gape 1 goal
Elcott Johnson Jr 1 goal