Due to finances the "Russian" Sergei Morozov is no longer rowing but now plotting his route for the run he will take to ROW AROUND THE WORLD. "It's going to take me a year and half to sail around the world to plan my route and get back to Novia Scotia," said Sergei Morozov. "I am hoping to gain publicity that can help me fund my effort to break Guinness Book of World Records. I think it will take me two (2) years to row around the world!"

Sergei's travel from Bermuda to Grand Bahama was blessed with beautiful weather and only one storm reaching max winds of 15 knots. Much different from the start of his trip from Halifax, Canada to Bermuda which was fraught with many problems and horrible weather. His trip to Grand Bahama was just slow due to fighting against the jet stream with only sail power.

Representatives of the District Grand Lodge of The Bahamas (Scottish Constitution) recently held a joint press conference with the College of The Bahamas at Tyreflex Star Motors to announce two new fundraising initiatives that will benefit the College over the next few years. Speaking on behalf of the nine daughter Lodges of the DGL, Right Worshipful District Grand Master Charles Johnson announced the District's pledge of a $100,000 endowment fund contribution to the College of The Bahamas over the next four years via an annual national raffle and gala ball.

Mr. Johnson was pleased to note that Tyreflex Star Motors had agreed to partner with the DGL as a co-sponsor of this year's raffle prize: a 2012 Mercedes Benz C180.

It was an evening like none other. Like never before, the Heart Ball Committee hosted its annual Heart Ball. Hundred of persons gathered together to raise funds to help repair children's hearts. Past patients and parents were also present for the common goal of raising funds to help repair children's hearts.

Under the theme "Repairing a broken heart ... What a gift" the Heart Ball Committee hosted the 48th Annual Heart Ball on Saturday February 18th at Sheraton Nassau Resort. The Heart Ball was held under the patronage of Sir Arthur and Lady Foulkes.

Lamarque Drew gave his wife, Lynieka an extra special and completely unexpected Valentine's Day gift this year - he delivered their baby girl. Not due until March 6th, baby Lamiea had plans of her own and surprised the couple by coming early and fast in their bathroom.

Lynieka woke up around 3am on February 14th in some pain and after a while, decided it was time to shower and head to the hospital. "We weren't nervous or panicking yet because with her first pregnancy it took about seven hours before the baby came," explains Lamarque.

The Grand Bahama branch of the Bahamas National Trust is pleased to announce that they will be hosting their first Farmer's Market called "Da Market" on Saturday February 25th from 9am to 1pm at the Rand Nature Centre. Admission is FREE!

The concept will be an open Farmer's Market where participants can sell fresh produce, plants, hand crafted items, homemade teas, oils and more. Following the success of Nassau BNT markets, held monthly at The Retreat Gardens, Village Road , the GB BNT is hoping to offer an outlet for locals to sell their specialty items.

The Scurvy Few Motor Bike Club members love to get on their bikes and go for long casual rides during the weekends. The members are not hell raisers, but rather consist of big hearted members of the community who are business persons, serious about riding, road safety and are passionate about helping others. They are no strangers to reaching out and making things better for others.

The Club Members saw a need at the Beacon School who continue to champion the cause for special education and provide training for our challenged youth. Determined to find a way to assist, they planned a Bike Night at Red Beard's Restaurant ...

"Is there room for growth in today's economy?" is what young Bahamian entrepreneur James Roker Jr. asked himself. He took on the challenge and at only age 21 is the owner of what, for the Bahamas, is a very exciting shop.

The 44th of May is a European style men and women's accessories store with a large selection of affordable costume jewellery, shawls, sunglasses, handbags etc. Not only are the style of the accessories unique but James went to the next level regarding display and decoration of the shop.

There are so many great pets at the shelter - and they need your help! There are a couple of fun and painless ways to help coming up.

Don't miss A Night of Love this Saturday night at the Foster B. Pestaina auditorium. Our 27th annual Dog Show is the following Saturday, March 3rd, on the shelter grounds on Coral Road.

Whether you have a dog to show off or not, there is something for everyone to enjoy at the dog show! Dogs can be entered starting now at the shelter, or on the day. The Dog and Owner Look-a-Like group is always fun; whether you and your dog resemble each other or you simply dress alike.

Under the theme, 'Reset, Restart, and Restore'; Mr. John Swain, Senior Manager of Deloitte, was officially installed as President of the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce. It was evening set with much pomp and pageantry as the Grand Bahama business community converged on the ballroom of the Grand Lucayan in support of the new President and the Board of Directors of the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce.

Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham also showed his support of the Grand Bahama business community as he extended congratulations to the President and the Board of Directors during the Jazz and Art Welcome Reception.

Felix Bowe, a second year advisor for Junior Achievers, is off to the annual BAHAMAJAC-2012 Conference in Nassau, scheduled for Sunday, February 26, 2012. Bowe will travel as chaperon for 10 achievers from the Grand Bahama Port Authority Group along with 10 other achievers and GB JA senior advisor Telina Smith.

"Junior Achievers program helped steer me in the right direction, motivated me so I wanted to return the favour one day," said Bowe. "It gives me a refreshed feeling when I can look at the students and see I once was where they sit now and the recall the invaluable experience I gained from JA."

Nassau is a quiet, hollow sort of place, with a bright sun always shining on its pure white streets.
- J.H.Stark

After Queen Victoria's accession to the throne a third of the way through the nineteenth century, the world enjoyed almost unprecedented peace. Two revolutions in France and America respectively had passed into history and the brief skirmish known as the War of 1812 was over. Britannia, it was said, ruled the waves. European imperialists were now in a race to accumulate new territory to add to empire. The main focus of the new acquisitions was now Africa and Asia and small island colonies like the Bahamas became backwaters in the imperial swell.

After 1807, due mainly to the efforts of William Wilberforce, Parliament passed a law banning the slave trade, as a consequence of which, slaves in the British Empire could look forward to their eventual freedom. Twenty seven years later, on 1st August 1834, slaves living in the Bahamas were emancipated but their new-found liberty was immediately followed by crippling economic and social deprivation.

The new $27.3 million international terminal, air traffic control tower and fire/crash rescue facility under construction in Marsh Harbour, Abaco is nearing completion. The current 3,315 square feet building is being replaced with a new 24,000 square feet single storey terminal immediately west of the existing terminal. The modern, state-of the-art facility will have the capacity to serve approximately 200,000 passengers who use the airport annually.

"We have a lot to be done," said contractor Fletcher McIntosh. "In order to be finished there is some rough work that needs to be done." The airport's design includes among other amenities a taxi call-up and public parking area; police, security and airport manager's offices; concessions stands, combined domestic and international passenger departure lounge.

The new bypass road under construction on the Great Abaco highway is taking shape. Six months ago the Government awarded a contract for $965,818,95 to Knowles Construction and Development Company Ltd. to build the bypass road in Central Abaco.

"There is traffic congestion in downtown," said Public Works and Transport Minister the Hon. Neko C. Grant. "This road will eliminate the heavy traffic in the downtown area which permits one to land at Marsh Harbour International Airport and proceed to north Abaco without going downtown.

14 private planes swarmed Governor's Harbour Airport (MYEM) via Showalter Air in Orlando, Florida on Thursday, February 16th, 2012 for the 10th Bi-annual Bahamas Habitat Fly-In and Help Out event. The volunteer pilots and crew flew in their services to Eleuthera residents affected by Hurricane Irene in partnership with Bahamas Methodist Habitat (BMH) based at Camp Symonette in James Cistern.

The planes and participants were members of Bahamas Habitat (BH), a US-based aviation enthusiast non-profit that provides construction assistance and disaster relief primarily in The Bahamas and Haiti.

The new Current Island Dock is nearing completion. Julita Turnquest former principal and the other 49 residents of this settlement look forward to the day when it is finished. "We need the dock," she said. "It is timely. Since the hurricane it has been rough."

Known as the main dock, Current Island Dock was destroyed by Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

Experiencing new wine is always a fun adventure for me; discovering new wines, new grape varieties and new aromas continues my learning and passion. I spend countless hours researching and reading trends and regions and winemaking to ensure I can keep learning. Wine is a huge subject one can never learn everything about.

I think that the most crucial factor in learning about wine is creating flavour memories. Each time you drink a wine, you should remember what you had it with, how it tasted and what the combination of food and wine was like. While I wholeheartedly believe that wine is easily enjoyed and appreciated on its own, strategic wine and food pairings can change the way one enjoys the food and wine.

A.C. Hanna left his settlement of Fortune Hill, San Salvador, to finish high school in the capital city of Nassau. Years later, when he was in his late 20s, he decided to take advantage of a prime opportunity for economic advancement and joined many other Bahamians who sought work outside The Bahamas to support their families.

"In those days, there wasn't much work around," recalls Mr. Hanna, "There was no job, no money whatsoever." He decided to leave The Bahamas in 1948 and migrate to the United States of America to work on contract in the agricultural sector. His journey, like many others, began in rural towns in North Carolina picking peaches, beans and potatoes. While living abroad, he also worked in Florida and Alabama picking limes, sugarcane, celery, peanuts and oranges.

Celebrating 50 years of the Freeport Players' Guild and 40 years of the Regency Theatre, it was an event to remember on Saturday, February 4th. The night of memories, music and milestones began with a lovely spread of hors d'oeuvres in the beautifully decorated new lobby with programmes from past shows hanging from the ceiling attached to gold and ruby balloons.

Guests were then taken into the Peter Aston Auditorium where they were treated to a fabulous show that started with a surprise tribute to Lois Seiler with the opening number "One Singular Sensation." The number was also choreographed by this unstoppable legend of the Guild who's choreographed countless shows on that very stage.

Now in its eighth year, Transforming Spaces began with a core group of participants-Jackson Burnside, John Cox, Antonius Roberts, Tyrone Ferguson, Jay Koment and Erica James-who shared one common goal: to get artists to work together to expose Bahamian art. It was an exciting time at the turn of the century-The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas opened its doors with an Inaugural National Exhibition in 2003, finally formally spotlighting Bahamian visual art in the eyes of the country and indeed the region and sparking a series of artistic projects and new galleries that continue to develop Bahamian visual art at a rapid pace to this day.

Transforming Spaces 2012 Planning CommitteeOne such project is Transforming Spaces, an annual island-wide tour of Nassau's art galleries. The project has proved to be a great success as artists and art-lovers alike have looked forward to that weekend in spring where participating galleries curate their spaces to present innovative displays of Bahamian art.

Opening TONIGHT, Thursday, February 23rd, don't miss THE FOX ON THE FAIRWAY, the hilarious new comedy directed by Angela Hackman and written by Ken Ludwig, writer of Lend Me A Tenor. Check out the behind-the-scenes photos from dress rehearsal ... what a stylish ensemble! With a top-notch cast made up of many Regency Theatre familiar faces this is a comedy that will definitely tickle the funny bone.

Tickets are available at the Seventeen Shop (downtown), Art of Giving (Intl Bazaar), and Antoni's Pizza (Seahorse). The Regency Theatre box office opens one hour prior to showtime.

The ninth annual Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) will be held from December 6-9th, 2012.

Submissions are now being accepted - deadline for entries: July 23rd, 2012.

Ride for Hope 7 is less than two months away, and over 350 riders have registered. Thousands of miles will be pedaled on the island of Eleuthera by sponsored riders, teams, and families. Together, registered riders have already raised $12,800 to help fight cancer in The Bahamas.

Saturday, April 14 is sure to be a great day for riders, volunteers, and spectators. Those interested in riding are encouraged to register online before March 15 when the registration fee increases from $75 to $100.

If you like to swim, bike, run, or all three in the same day then make plans to attend the inaugural Great Abaco Family Fitness Weekend March 23-25th.

Weekend events are scheduled to include an open water swim, both sprint and Olympic distance triathlons, and 5K and 10K fun runs/walks. This is a great opportunity to test your fitness and race against your friends in one of the most scenic locations anywhere with warm Bahamian hospitality at every turn.

Online registration is now open.

The island's most successful youth sports program, the Grand Bahama Girls' Soccer Developmental League finally came to an end over the weekend after a 5-month season packed with excitement. More than 200 girls played their final matches in front of a large number of family supporters at Freeport Rugby and Football Club before gathering for the awards ceremony.

For the first time this year organisers had to close the doors to would-be players when 260 signed up. A further 40 girls were added to a waiting list before, and that too had to be closed with no more name s being accepted. The sight of hundreds of girls playing highly-coloured team t-shirts has often caused passing traffic to slow on East Settlers Way.

I hear there is a new law that it is mandatory that everyone has a passport. When did this law get passed?

On trying to open a bank account a young man was told by no less than two banks that if he didn't have a passport they wouldn't open an account for him.

Shouldn't that be two government issued IDs? After all, not everyone chooses to get a passport. Some people don't choose to travel out of their country.