Thirteen educators and community leaders from Nassau, Andros, Great Exuma and Grand Bahama participated in the Bahamas National Trust Environmental Stewardship Programme workshop July 16 - 20. The workshop provided training for the leaders in the implementation of the BNT's Navigator's Certification Programme which is the third level of Discovery Club which targets high school and college students between the ages of 13 -25.

The workshop focused on the Birding Certification course for the Navigators Programme. Participants were introduced to Bird Identification through a series of PowerPoint presentations that introduced the birds by habitat. The presentations were supported by field trips to the Pine Forest, Wetland and Coppice Forest ecosystems.

The Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Local Government the Hon. V. Alfred Gray told fishermen that the Government has agreed to purchase 11 new vessels for the Royal Bahamas Defence Force to be able to better police Bahamian waters. Speaking at a meeting with the fishermen at Pilgrim Baptist Temple, July 23, Minister Gray explained that the RBDF only has four boats that are operational, making it difficult for them to be on the lookout for poachers.

"So most of the problems we are having right now are a result of the Defence Force not having the sufficient number of vessels it needs to police the Bahamian waters," he said.

The Islands Of The Bahamas will launch a major promotion during the upcoming AirVenture Show, in Oshkosh, WI, that will feature the country's culture, advise on the ease of flying to The Bahamas and identify the 700-island archipelagic nation as the ideal destination for general aviation pilots.

The promotion, a reception and dinner, will feature the music of the country's world famous Royal Bahamas Police Force Pop Band. The band, a fully regaled British military-styled marching band, will perform cultural island songs. Bahamian cultural dancers will perform to the music of the band and Bahamian chefs will take over the kitchen at the Holiday Inn, Appleton, WI, to provide a Bahamian gourmet meal.

The Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas (BCB) having secured exclusive rights as the Official Olympic Broadcaster in The Bahamas, announced Wednesday that in exercising its rights BCB has agreed to sub-lease certain rights to Cable Bahamas Limited (CBL) to allow Olympic coverage under specified conditions in a cooperative effort with the private cable facility.

Executive Chairman Rev. Dr. William Thompson noted that, "while BCB and Cable discussed the possibility of joint negotiations for the rights no such joint negotiations ever took place. BCB's agreement with CBL to carry Olympic coverage is contingent on CBL not inserting any local advertising on any of its 'Olympic' channels during the period of the Olympiad.

Dr. Andre Rollins, Member of Parliament for the Ft. Charlotte Constituency looks on as a building on Tyler Street, which allegedly housed stolen goods, is bulldozed, during the Urban Renewal Programme cleanup of the area.

(BIS Photo / Letisha Henderson)

Hon. Bernard J. Nottage, Minister of National Security, makes presentation to Ashley Adderley, winner of the ages 13 and over speech competition during the 5th Annual Royal Bahamas Defence Force Summer Youth Programme closing ceremony July 20 at Coral Harbour Range.

Also pictured is Commodore Roderick Bowe.

(BIS Photo / Patrick Hanna)

More than 40 students selected from schools in the St. Anne's Constituency participated in the first annual St. Anne's Constituency Summer Camp held for four weeks at the St. Anne's Anglican Church rectory community centre.

Students of all ages enjoyed math, reading, art, Spanish, music, and PE while being mentored by rising high school seniors and adult supervisors. The campers also participated in field trips that included; touring various historical landmarks around Nassau, a trip to the main New Providence Fire Department, making Junkanoo pieces with Arlene Nash Ferguson at Educulture and meeting dolphins face-to-face at Dolphin Encounters on Blue Lagoon Island.

Planning a fairy tale wedding on a shoe string budget can be a stress filled experience for anyone. For the bride and groom it is the first true test of how you and your spouse will handle a lifetime of money matters. Here are a few tips to start the process of planning the fairy tale wedding for you and your guest.

1. Talk about money - Most couples embarking on this wedding planning adventure are afraid to simply talk money. Other than a house, this is one of the biggest spending sprees you will share. If a parent, or future in-law has agreed to foot the bill, sit together and talk about it. Start with a list of wedding day wishes and wedding day must haves and work together from there.

2. Create a budget - The choices are no longer limited for couples.There are unlimited tools to assist you in creating a realistic wedding day budget. For those do it yourself brides you can search the net for a wedding planning guide. We highly suggest hiring a certified wedding consultant to assist with your pre-budget planning. Here is a big question; Would you allow a car mechanic to operate on you? Never! You would consult a specialist. Hire a specialist. Think not of it as extra money spent, but of money and time due to expert advise received.

Despite choppy seas, forty two intrepid swimmers from age 7 to 61 took part in last Saturday's Paddle for Potcakes, the HSGB's annual "pre-Basra" swim race and family fun day. Congratulations to all the swimmers, (winners below) especially to 14 year old Joanna Evans who was the top overall swimmer, with a half mile time of 8:11. Michael McIntosh was the overall male swimmer with a time of 8:35. The swim relay race was won by the team of Lauren Butler, Michael Hendley, Sarah Hamilton and Letitia Parker.

Swimmers and spectators (including a few former shelter dogs!) then enjoyed an activity packed day of fun and sun, including tug-of-war, volleyball, food and drink, scavenger hunt for the kids, and a raffle with some great prizes. The Junkanoo Beach Club "Rottweilers" were the champions of both tug of war and volleyball, edging out the GB Nature Tours Labradors, and the HSGB Potcakes in hard fought bouts.

Executives of the College of The Bahamas traveled to Grand Bahama recently for its regular board meetings. While there, officials made good of the opportunity and liaised with executives of The Grand Bahama Port Authority Limited (GBPA), to discuss important issues relating to the country's educational institution.

GBPA's executive management team inclusive of newly appointed Vice Chairman, Miss Sarah St. George, GBPA President, Mr. Ian Rolle, President and CEO of the Grand Bahama Development Company (DEVCO), Mr. Graham Torode, GBPA Vice President, Mrs. Ginger Moxey, and COB board member and GBPA Vice President of Building & Development, Mr. Arthur Jones all attended the event.

Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville said the Urban Renewal 2.0 Programme is the right tool to address many of the social ills in the country, including the island of Grand Bahama. Dr. Darville's comments came as the programme was officially launched in Grand Bahama July 18 by Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie. The launch took place at the Hilton Outten Auditorium.

The Minister for Grand Bahama said Urban Renewal 2.0 is an innovative programme that is designed to support and mentor at risk youth, identify and solve problems affecting communities while taking into consideration the need to create opportunities for all Bahamians.

The Grand Bahama Port Authority Limited (GBPA), as the sole Regulator for the City of Freeport, has been working diligently on implementing a new electricity 'Regulatory Framework and Operating Protocol'. This strengthens and amends existing regulations. In 2010, GBPA retained a regionally recognized and highly respected independent advisor, who is the former Chairman of the Organization of Caribbean Utility Regulators, to advise and assist in this comprehensive exercise.

The new methodology establishes, for the Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC) and Emera Inc, a protocol for the regulation of the activities of GBPC. This is consistent, and transparent relative to time-lines, process review, rate-setting, reliability and efficiency, while securing an environment that encourages investments in system infrastructure.

Six new vehicles were presented to the Grand Bahama District of the Royal Bahamas Police Force on July 24, which are expected to enhance the operation of the Urban Renewal 2.0 initiative in the Grand Bahama community.

The vehicles comprise five cars and a bus.

THE VANISHING REEF

In the mid-1960's a sailing boat was moored in Freeport named the 'Big Jimbo' that every day took visitors fishing on the continuous fringing reef just off Lucayan Beach. Sometimes there were as many as 40 people aboard, all with boat-supplied fishing rods. Almost everybody caught something, some people several fish: Queen Triggers, groupers, snappers, grunts, the occasional barracuda and even moray eels. Nowadays you will be lucky if you catch a fish in this location in an hour or more of fishing. And the reef? Now totally vanished except for an over-visited portion of the original reef near the Bahama Reef entrance canal.

And the reason for the destroyed coral reefs?

Overfishing, pollution, global warming, disease, turbidity caused by groynes and canals? Possibly a combination of all the above, nobody seems to know the exact cause. But the 'New York Times' 18/8/2011 offered a clue ... the culprit is humans of course!

TONIGHT, Thursday, July 26th, will be the grand finale of Junkanoo Summer 2012, with a live performance by Grand Bahama's superstar, KB! "So, we invite everyone to come on out for one more night of tasty food, great performances and an all-around grand event on Taino Beach from 5 PM to Midnight!", said Sanique Culmer, Coordinator of Business Development, Ministry of Tourism.

After a hiccup due to inclement weather, Junkanoo Summer Festival returned Thursday, July 19th, with a vast multitude of patrons! Ms. Culmer added "last Thursday's event was heavily supported by locals and guests alike. The weather was tranquil, with a cool breeze blowing off the ocean, and the various vendors throughout the park saw lots of foot traffic, while entertainers performed for a large crowd."

The Hon. Daniel Johnson, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture officially welcomed children of various summer camps to Emanji Circus Arts, the first Bahamian circus on Thursday, July 19. The third production entitled "Odruda" opened at the National Centre for the Performing Arts on July 19 and ran until July 21. Campers got to learn the art of circus.

"Odruda" is a circus-oriented show that features a variety of acts such as trapeze arts, silk cloth, acrobatics, pole climbing, and much more.

An impressive slate of judges has been assembled to choose the national beauty queens of The Bahamas. Assigned to the task of selecting the new Miss World Bahamas and Miss Universe Bahamas Universe:

BRANEKA BASSETT - Bahamian beauty Braneka Bassett knew that she was destined for fame by the age of 15. From that point until now she has accomplished more than she could ever imagine and is still thriving for more. Braneka was born in Freeport, Grand Bahama and was raised there until she was 10 years old at which time her family relocated to the United States. At the age of 16 she convinced her parents to move to Hollywood so she could pursue a modeling career. Braneka took Hollywood by storm, landing a spot on the hit reality TV show The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency where she was featured for three seasons.

Braneka entered and won the 2010 Miss Bahamas Beauty Pageant, becoming the first and only Miss Bahamas to have the opportunity to go to both Miss Universe and Miss World within the year or her reign.

A team of BTC executives arrived in London Monday morning ahead of the start of the Olympic Games to begin preparations to host scores of Bahamians participating and watching the London Games. Their first stop: the Bahamas High Commission. The BTC team -- Tellis Symonette, Senior VP Commercial & Family Islands, Jerome Sawyer, Senior Manager Public Relations and Events Manager Carol Barnett -- paid a courtesy call on the Bahamian High Commissioner His Excellency Paul Farquharson at Bahamas House.

"It was an excellent meeting and we are grateful for the High Commissioner to host us," said Sawyer. "Already, we are hearing murmurs around the Olympic Village about eyes being on The Bahamas and Jamaica for track and field events so it's really been great to be on the ground and feel the excitement."

After a highly rated inaugural event this past March, the Great Abaco Family Fitness Weekend will be back in 2013 with dates set for March 22-24th. The fun-filled weekend consists of an open water swim, Sprint and Olympic triathlons, a Kids 1-Mile Run, and a 5k/10k Fun Run/Walk. In other words, an event for every member of the family! Competitors can choose to compete individually or as a relay team in the triathlons.

Taking place at the Treasure Cay Resort and Marina athletes and spectators can enjoy the spectacular beach, quiet roads, and a friendly Bahamian welcome. The inaugural event in 2012 was very successful and highly praised. Participants came from across Abaco, Nassau and Freeport and from as far away as Canada, Illinios, and even the Faroe Islands.

Minister of Labour and National Insurance the Hon. D. Shane Gibson giving thank you remarks to Palm Cay Marina, during a press conference July 19, for coming to the aid of the Acklins Regatta.

Pictured from left to right: Minister Gibson, 'King' Eric Gibson, Richard Browning, CEO Palm Cay; and Curtis Hanna, chairman of the Acklins Regatta.

(BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Hon. Daniel Johnson travels to London July 23 in preparation for the 30th Olympic Games in London, England. A press conference was held at Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture on July 20, outlining the Minister's plan during his three-week visit.

The Minister, accompanied by Director of Sports in the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture, Tim Munnings, will participate in the Commonwealth Sports Ministers Conference. He said that this year's conference will focus on the use of sports in social and national development.

Dear Editor:

We are indeed living in some seriously interesting times in The Bahamas, where chief political victimizers like Hubert Alexander Ingraham and his band of political yes men and women - now find themselves in the victims' seat.

I am one of those Bahamians who have politically and socially been unmercifully victimized all of my adult life; starting from the days of the C.C. Sweeting students' revolt of 1983. I was scorned under the Pindling years to the point of being turned down for every opportunity in which I attempted to take advantage of in the public domain. Thanks to good Bahamian people who rescued me along the way.