Free National Movement Mass Rally at R. M. Bailey Park
Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham, Party Leader
12 April 2012

Fellow Bahamians;
Young People;
F-N-Ms:
Colour Red, thanks for Red Splash!

I hear others complaining about all those posters of me being put up around this island. They must have had a change of heart since 2002 and since 2007 when they plastered our town with life size posters of Perry Christie declaring him to be "the Right Man for the Job". Now that he and the Bahamian people know that he is NOT the Right Man for the Job, he wants to protest who's putting up posters of whom.

Well, that is what we do during election time in The Bahamas. We put up posters to remind voters of their choices. Very importantly, we want to remind voters that they are electing a Government.

Click here to view the manifesto
Click here to read more

BTC announced Tuesday the appointment of veteran broadcast journalist Jerome Sawyer to its senior management team. "We are excited to have someone as qualified and experienced as Jerome Sawyer join our team as part of our ongoing commitment to recruiting the best local talent to become a part of the BTC family," said BTC CEO Houston.

Sawyer, whose appointment is effective April 17, will serve as Senior Manager, Public Relations. managing BTC's internal and external communications as well as the company's civic involvement in the community. He will report to Marlon Johnson, Vice President, Brand & Communications

One Bahamian agriculture science teacher made history on being the first Bahamian to qualify for the International Talent and Innovation Awards that took place April 9-13th, 2012 in Cartagena, Colombia. "I was glad for the opportunity to compete, I wanted to bring home the top prize to show fellow Bahamians and young entrepreneurs that they have the power to be successful small business owners," states Mr. Raynard Burnside, Siphiwe Honey Gold Farm & Preserve's CEO.

Raynard Christopher Burnside, the owner of the business concept Siphiwe Honey Gold Farm and Preserve in Rum Cay, Port Nelson, had beaten off over 4,000 young entrepreneurs from 35 countries to become one of the 9 teams short-listed in the TIC Americas' Talent and Innovation Eco-Challenge Award category. He eventually won the top prize in his category.

Lyford Cay International School (LCIS) is pleased to host a public talk by Natalie Warne on April 27th at 7pm in the Rainforest Theater, Sheraton Cable Beach. Natalie, a young but experienced speaker will be sharing her inspirational message that you are never too young to start changing the world.

When she was 17, Natalie joined Invisible Children after seeing a film about the child soldiers and Joseph Kony in Uganda. She led a team to raise awareness in major cities throughout the United States, particularly Chicago where she set her sights on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Natalie and her team staged peaceful demonstrations outside the Oprah Studios until Oprah gave them airtime and the Invisible Children Film was made accessible to millions on a global scale.

Bahamas Striping, the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture Self Starter grant winner, was chosen by the Ministry of Public Works & Transport to stripe the revamped Fort Montagu Park off Eastern Road during the busy Easter Weekend. As hundreds of residents and visitors enjoyed the redeveloped beach and environs, Bahamas Striping's nine-strong crew set down parking bays and traffic flow markings designed by Ministry of Public Work engineer Fred Horton.

To aid pedestrian and traffic safety, traffic now flows one way to the northwest. The traffic enters the park from two entrances in the southeast and exits at a single exit in the northwest near the Nassau Yacht Club.

The social and economic value of the Bahamian coastline cannot be overemphasized, said the National Coastal Awareness Committee, which is encouraging Bahamians to commemorate its tenth anniversary by participating in a Fun, Run, Walk on April 28.

April marks Coastal Awareness Month on the national calendar, and the committee hopes to "invoke a deeper appreciation" for the coastline by drawing greater attention to the many ways in which Bahamians coexist with the coastal ecosystem. The April 28 Fun, Run, Walk, for a healthy coastline and a healthy waistline, is the committee's signature April event for its tenth anniversary commemoration.

Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes presented Rachel Elizabeth Jennings with a bouquet of flowers in honour of her 100th birthday, during a visit at Government House, April 13. Mrs Jennings who hit the century mark on April 14, was born on the island of Salt Cay in the Turks and Caicos Islands. She was the last of 10 children born to Melvina and Joseph Kennedy. Mrs Jennings is blessed to have all 10 of her children and three stepchildren alive. She is also blessed with 60 grandchildren, 98 great grandchildren and 24 great-great grandchildren, and in-laws.

According to her youngest daughter, Ruth Burrows, Mrs Jennings recently stopped her two passions that she learned at the age of 12 - cooking and baking. However, while she was able to bake, Mrs Jennings always made sure to give away baked goods to those in need.

Perhaps the most remarkable development ever conceived and built in the Bahamas was Sir Billy Butlin's project at West End. For the venture Butlin chose the (almost) nearest point of the Bahamas to the Florida mainland on Grand Bahama. Viewed in retrospect, the audacity of the concept, considering the straightened financial times of Britain and the Bahamas just after World War II, perhaps even surpassed Wallace Groves' Freeport project.

The problems of distance from 'home base' were compounded by the dearth of building materials and labour on the island and the totally unknown American tourist market. Yet in 1948 Butlin started work on a large hotel complex and holiday village at the western end of the island.

Eric Nabb, who is only fourteen years old, won The Bahamas National Laser Radial (singlehanded) division in November last year. Nabb has now qualified to represent The Bahamas in the 2012 International Sailing Federation (ISAF) World Championships to be held in Dublin, Ireland, June 12th- 21st. He will be the third Bahamian to ever compete at this stage and age for his country. Young Nabb is part of a phenomenal sailing program that began five years ago in Grand Bahama and has produced a group of confident sailors and independent young men and women.

This young sportsman has only been sailing for 3 years and since finding out that he will represent his country Eric, his coach, and his family have been working to secure funding for to cover travel costs, shipping, insurance and sponsorship collateral for this trip.

Friday's official opening ceremony of the transformed Churchill Square will mark the successful completion of the Downtown Turnaround Project (DTP) spearheaded by The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA).

Started three years ago, the three-phase project was aimed at bringing aesthetic and infrastructural improvements to downtown. According to GBPA President, Ian Rolle, "The overall aim of the Downtown Project was to make the city's centre more appealing and user-friendly. As an integral component of GBPA's 'Making It Happen' initiative, we wanted the downtown facelift to result in a commercial boom with more businesses opening in the downtown area, along with more residents and tourists frequenting it."

On Saturday, May 12, 2012, Buddy Walk Grand Bahama will take place. The Buddy Walk is a 1 mile walk event held all over the world to raise awareness and to promote the acceptance and inclusion of children and adults with Down Syndrome*. It is an inspirational and educational event that celebrates the many abilities and accomplishments of people with Down Syndrome.

This year will be the first time this event will be held on Grand Bahama, and organisers are seeking support from the Grand Bahama community to ensure its success. It is our sincere hope that you will encourage your colleagues, family and friends to participate in this worthwhile event.

Speech to the Rotary Club of Lucaya

Good afternoon, The Ministry of Tourism asked me to come this afternoon to talk to you about Coastal Awareness month. The Honourable Prime Minister, Hubert Ingraham has declared April Coastal Awareness month and also has rung the bell for election on May 7th.

The Bahamas has signed on to several International Conventions related to the environment. In 1992, The Bahamas Government signed the Convention on Biological Diversity recognizing the importance of marine biodiversity and the need to develop mechanisms for the sustainable use of coastal and marine biological diversity. In June, 1997 The Government of The Bahamas signed the RAMSAR Convention which provides for the protection of wetlands including shallow coastal and marine ecosystems.

When engaged couple, Alexis Russell and Joaquim Dean attended the 24th Annual Bahamas Bridal Show in Nassau, the thought of purchasing a property in Grand Bahama never even crossed their minds. After walking away as grand prize winners of over $30,000 in gifts and prizes, the possibility of land ownership became a reality. The stunned couple stood in silence as they accepted a jumbo cheque from The Grand Bahama Development Company, Limited (DEVCO) for 20% off any DEVCO land purchase.

"We were speechless and in utter shock," reflected Joaquim. In fact, prior to attending the bridal show, the couple were planning a December wedding but were excited to move the date up after receiving a plethora of prizes.

Act Of Valor - The tagline for this movie: The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday. When a mission to recover a kidnapped CIA agent results in the discovery of an imminent global threat, an elite team of highly trained soldiers must immediately embark on a secret operation. During the new objective the skills, training and tenacity of the soldiers is showcased and the outcome of their call to duty may determine the fate of the free world.

Chief Petty Officer Dave is a soldier who is part of Bandito Platoon, SEAL Team Seven on a mission with his team to free a taken CIA operative in Costa Rica but the success of that mission uncovers a terrifying threat to the security of the world.

Bahamian student Marie Irene Ajero presents an artistic hand painted aviation chock to President of Florida Air Museum, John Burton at the recent Sun N Fun Aviation Show, Lakeland, FL.

Ajero, a 12th grade student at St. Francis de Sales School, Abaco, was the overall winner of the annual Bahamas Out Island students artistic chocks competition sponsored by the aviation department of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation.

Stakeholders in the E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival Adjudications are pictured with Great Guana Cay School students and Principal Ms. Dianne Williams, on April 16, 2012, during a visit to encourage the small school in the Abaco Cays to participate in the Festival.

(BIS Photo / Eric Rose)

You are invited to connect your inner soul to Eleuthera! Get ready to have one amazing weekend with five events to choose from. The One Eleuthera Foundation's 'Jammin' in Nature' Earth Day Weekend 2012 is a series of exciting events to celebrate the island's diverse heritage and culture.

Click below to view poster and visit www.oneeleuthera.org for more information.

Teachers, Students and Parents from Spanish Wells All-Age School are pictured with Governor-General Sir Arthur Foulkes, during a courtesy call Tuesday, April 12, at Government House.

(BIS Photo / Derek Smith)

One week before Exuma welcomes the biggest Family Island event on the Bahamian calendar, the National Family Island Regatta, one of the island's key businesses will unveil its new look and feel, ready for the crowds and a future that looks vastly different from its past.

BTC in George Town will open its doors April 19 following a major two-month renovation that transformed dated administrative offices into a 2,500 square foot sophisticated, vibrant retail experience with a wide selection of devices and products not previously available in the Exuma retail marketplace. The store will include interactive experience stations for downloads, games, music and data and a range of services that include instant hook-up.

Mother's Day is fast approaching! Mother's Day for most people is a day of brunch and celebrating the moms in our lives. Brunch means several things to me: champagne, mimosas and Bloody Marys!

A mimosa is traditionally a cocktail made with one part champagne and one part chilled citrus juice, mainly orange juice. Many recipes call for Champagne, but most definitely any sort of sparkling wine will work. Prosecco from Italy or a Cava from Spain are an excellent, more budget friendly alternative to Champagne. There are many different twists on the classic recipe. Try one of these on mom and your guests:

Patrick Forbes, multi-media production artist will be the second speaker in the Art Nucleus series of "Articulate Talks taking place TONIGHT, Thursday, 19th April 2012, at 8pm, in L'Utopia (Behind Candies Cabana on East Sunrise Highway, Freeport). Patrick will present Introduction to Photography: Lighting and Depth of Field.

Patrick Forbes, who is originally from Grand Bahama, completed his studies in Atlanta, Georgia. After experience in the record industry and forming his own non-profit record company Shinobi Records, Forbes returned to Grand Bahama and is currently in pre-production of his first full length film, Arawak.

The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture officially announced, on April 12, 2012, the introduction of a National Regatta Song Competition with various prizes and opportunities.

Regatta Desk Coordinator for the Ministry Ms. Angelique McKay said that the new initiative is a result of a partnership with corporative entities - currently Burns House and Kalik Beer, Dungeon Studios and Quick Draw productions - and some persons from the cultural community.

Last fall, the Public Treasury Department celebrated the launch of its new art initiative, the Public Treasury Art Programme (PTAP), which transformed the foyers of its building into gallery spaces to showcase original art by both professional and emerging artists.

After its well received five-month inaugural exhibition 'Bahama Mama', an amalgamation of visual and literary works from twenty-five talented Bahamian female artists and writers, PTAP will be returning this May with an exciting new exhibition, 'Nurturing Brotherhood'. PTAP aims to build upon its reputation for empowering aspiring artists by allowing art students to take center stage of the creative arts industry.

The Bahamas may be trailing powerhouse Jamaica in the medals league table, but the country is winning the 'Battle of the Bands'.

The traditional Junkanoo band is winning hearts and minds at the CARIFTA Games at the National Stadium in Hamilton, Bermuda. And band leader Derrick Brown said it may be giving the Bahamian athletes a lift as well. Mr Brown said: "It's a tradition we try to keep going at Carifta. We try to bring the band down and have entertainment in the stands as well as on the track."

Accolades for Carifta Swimming Championships

I am a parent from Trinidad. Christian Marsden is my son and he has just been a part of the most wonderful experience of his short swimming life. We returned a couple of hours ago from Carifta 2012.

Thank you! Thank you for ensuring that your entire country welcomed us. From the taxi at the airport to the priest at mass on Sunday morning and then up to the immigration officer at the airport for our departure. Every single person welcomed us, helped us, embraced us and made sure we had an incredible time.

Click here to read more

Times too serious to risk turning leadership over to PLP and Christie

Like him, hate him, or love him. Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham makes tough decisions in tough times. We can rally and make all the noise we want; the next five years is critical and will be about who leads the Bahamas.

Ingraham restored the reputation of the Bahamas and was able to bring Polymers, Our Lucaya, Grand Bahama Ship Yard, Container Port, and so many other investors to Grand Bahama. The PLP braggs about creating twenty-two thousand jobs during their last term in office and nobody can point to ten percent of them on Grand Bahama.

Click here to read more

Grand Bahama still FNM country

As if senior voters had an early morning memory of how a Pindling PLP Government strangled Grand Bahamians in the 1980's and early 1990's ... and Grand Bahama residents gave thought to what Opposition Leader, Perry Christie and the PLP did for Grand Bahama between 2002 and 2007 ... ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! ... Not a single school, clinic, or completed project or programme ... The RED showed face today.

Thousands proudly wore their FNM colours this morning and walked with the GRAND BAHAMA FNM TAKE 5 TEAM.

Click here to read more