The Government has committed to identifying an appropriate place for a national heroes park by the country's 40th Independence anniversary on July 10, 2013, Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie has announced. He made the statement during a service by the National Heroes Committee held at the Golden Gates World Outreach Ministry on Wednesday, October 3, 2012.

October has been declared National History Month; the committee is also proposing a national honours system to replace the Queen's honours and a national heroes day.

On Wednesday, October 10, U.S. and Bahamian officials attended the official launch of "The Caribbean Grant Solicitation and Management Program" a new PEPFAR initiative that will be executed locally by the U.S.-based nonprofit World Learning through USAID.

U.S. Chargé d'Affaires John Dinkelman, the Minister of Health, The Hon. Dr. Perry Gomez along with representatives from PEPFAR, USAID, World Learning, UNAIDS, and PAHO participated in the opening session. The local HIV/AIDS organizations that have been identified by PEPFAR to receive training by World Learning include the Bahamas AIDS Foundation, the Bahamas Red Cross Society, Bahamas United Initiatives Ltd. and the Bahamas Urban Youth Development Centre.

A UK certified striping technician and trainer, Brian Bostock, has arrived in the Bahamas to help create a robust and strong Bahamian striping industry. Bahamas Striping, the country's leading paint and thermoplastic striping company, contracted the Liverpool-born Bostock to continue training more than 13 young men in the art and science of thermoplastic to meet a likely demand for $4.5 million of striping over the next five years.

The company says it's time for Bahamians to get serious about providing jobs and careers for work that Bahamians are capable of doing themselves. To stop jobs being poached by multi-million dollar foreigners, the company feels it must create a highly skilled "Bahamian Striping Industry."

Bahamas Medical Center on Blake Road has opened, providing fast and convenient access to emergency care, laboratory, imaging and rehabilitation services, as well as major and minor operating theaters for elective procedures and doctors' appointments for people living and working in Western New Providence. The emergency room is initially open from 7am-11pm with the intent to expand to 24-hour service as the need is assessed.

The Blake Road facility also houses the International Patient Program. Every year, thousands of patients from the U.S. and Canada travel to the Bahamas to receive affordable, world-class health care. The Bahamas Medical Centeraims to meet this growing need by catering to the unique needs of its international patients by providing the high-quality health care services of world-renowned specialists.

Champagne is such an art and is definitely worth celebrating. October 26th is International Champagne day! But before you just pop a cork and enjoy, brush up on some of the details surrounding the topic.

There are some technicalities that are necessary to cover when talking about sparkling wine. The name "Champagne" is frequently misunderstood. To call a wine "Champagne", it must come from within the tiny area in Burgundy, France called Champagne. As you may recall, a region of origin or appellation dictates certain wine practices like irrigation use, grape variety(ies), alcohol level, grape yields and labeling necessities. Champagne is a region of origin/appellation for a certain sparkling wine we know as "Champagne". Technically, to be champagne the grapes used are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Pinot Meunier and only these in various combinations.

By Terence R.H. Gape

The premise for this open letter is that given the economic crisis now affecting Freeport and Grand Bahama, an Action Task Force Committee be formed under the direction and auspices of Government, the GBPA and Licensees to determine and effect both a Short Term Solution and a Long Term Solution, which will include the formation, for the long term, of a professional marketing organization to be formed and paid for by the GBPA/GBDevco in accordance with their covenants made to Government and the people of The Bahamas in the Hawksbill Creek Agreements of 1955 and of 1960 and in the Freeport, Grand Bahama Act, 1993 to promote Freeport and Grand Bahama for the benefit of the Country.

(A) Present State of the Economy - Tourism

I am alarmed at the present state of the economy of Freeport due mainly to its Tourism base (hotel room visitors) being reduced to less than 25% of what it would have been prior to 2004, when two major hurricanes forced the closure of what had been the Royal Oasis and El Casino, leaving the Grand Lucayan (formerly Our Lucaya) as the only beachfront 4-star Hotel with its mini-casino already struggling these past 5 years and continuing so to do.

Minister for Grand Bahama the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville on Friday applauded AML Food Stores for the opening of its new Solomon's Lucaya store. He said that the new Solomon's Lucaya retail food store has unquestionably filled a void that existed in Freeport after the closure of City Market Food Store at the Sea Horse Shopping Plaza.

"The residents of Lucaya, including myself are pleased to once again have a beautiful, well stocked retail food store in close proximity to our residential community.

The last weekend in September was one of the busiest weekends in Grand Bahama. Everything seemed to be going on! Despite this and the ever-growing rumbling about the economy in Grand Bahama, the GB Children's Home Steak Fest, was a huge success - with the Home serving over 1,000 meals.

The first annual "Steak Fest" for the Home was held on the grounds of the residence in aid of much needed funds for Home, which has provided a safe haven for more than 2,000 abandoned, abused and neglected children in Grand Bahama for over 30 years. The donations were so successful that the committee sold out of tickets, printed 200 more and sold them too.

RBC Freeport branch recently celebrated its 49th anniversary by hosting a special customer appreciation day to thank the Grand Bahama community for their support over the past 49 years. The celebration kicked off with special prizes to the 1st and 49th customers to enter the bank and clients were treated to a range of fun activities throughout the day.

Ericka Rolle, Manager, Personal Financial Services, RBC Freeport branch stated, "RBC is grateful to its customers who have placed their faith in us as financial partners in their businesses, homes and families. We felt that it was appropriate in our celebrations to incorporate the many persons in the Freeport community who have helped us achieve our goals over the past 49 years."

The Eastern End of Grand Bahama will come alive on Friday, October 12, 2012 (Discovery Day Holiday) as residents, descendants and friends of McLean's Town come together to celebrate the 40th year of entertaining The Bahamas and the world with Conch Cracking Contest & Festival.

The categories for this year's events are: Visitors, Media/Business, Junior, Relay (3 persons per group), main event female and main event male. The Registration Fee for both Main Event is fifty dollars ($50.00), cash prizes are: First Place $1,000.00, second Place $700.00 and third Place $300.00.

In a seminar and demonstration attended by local contractors and business persons on Monday, October 8, 2012, Paint Fair announced that its new Acrocrete product line was part of its continued focus on offering the best coatings solutions for its customers.

"We are committed to finding ways to deliver solutions for our customers in Grand Bahama. Acrocrete wall systems are already well known in our community," explained Lesley Davies-Baptista, General Manager, Paint Fair. "Being able to supply - and support - such proven texture coatings along with water proofing and energy-saving options and many other innovative products from BASF, all helps us to deliver total coatings solutions and specialized service for our customers," she added.

by Tip Burrows / HSGB

I had the great good fortune to spend eight days in Colorado recently where I was hosted by a number of longtime friends, most of whom I had never met in person before! I was overwhelmed by everyone's hospitality. Too many folks to mention individually either hosted me and Heike in their homes, held parties, showed us around, took us to meet other potcake fosters and adopters, toured area shelters, and also showed us amazing local sights.

Old and new friendships were cemented and celebrated. Our Colorado friends are very special indeed. It was wonderful to see so many of our potcakes and especially heartwarming to hear and see firsthand how much our potcakes are appreciated and loved, and how happy they all are.

Mrs. April Crowther Gow was elected President of the FNM Grand Bahama Women's Association in September 2012 at its Annual General Meeting at the Sir Cecil Wallace Whitfield Center, Freeport, Grand Bahama.

Mrs. Gow, an FNM National Party Officer, former Grand Bahama Torchbearer's President and a former local government councilor, defeated Ms. Caline Newton in an election where over 260 FNM women members voted for the candidates of their choice.

Fresh off the heels of a $40+ million investment that netted an 800% increase in data usage following transformation of its mobile network, BTC's CEO said the telecom company is spending another $60+ million to upgrade landline service in a bid to win loyalty from business and residential users and to create the nation's fastest internet service.

With a fully competitive environment closing in, BTC is pulling out all the stops -pushing the largest investment ever in the history of telecommunications in The Bahamas. And, as each section is completed, the company is deploying door-to-door sales forces to inform customers and demonstrate improved landline and faster internet service. Teams are focusing on businesses and in both commercial and residential cases, completing standard internet and phone installations in one day that used to take up to a week.

Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie has promised residents of Bimini that their island stands to reap economic benefits from the number of developments coming on stream. He made the statement during the unveiling of a Bust of the late United States Civil Rights Leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, who made Bimini his place of solace and wrote two of his most notable speeches - the Nobel Peace Prize and sanitation workers speech in 1964 and 1968, respectively.

The unveiling ceremony was held Saturday, October 6, 2012, at the craft centre in Alice Town, where the Prime Minister also spoke of economic developments on tap for Bimini, known as "The Gateway to The Bahamas".

The hilarious Comedy PLAY "Election 2012-What Just Happened" will hit the stage in Freeport Wednesday 17th of October, and then Thursday 25th, Friday 26th and Saturday 27th October 2012 at 8 PM night. The theatrical production is brought to you by the same writers and producer of "Election 2002- If You Don't Laugh, You'll Cry" and "Election 2007- Count It Again Man, Count It Again." It is suitable for the whole family; you do not want to miss this one!

The talented cast from the last two shows are largely back. They include Will Stubbs, David Wallace, Patrice Johnson, Tameka Forbes, Tawari Rogers and Michael Pintard. There will be guest appearances by Mr Bamboozle, Howard Johnson, Pakesia Parker, Cassius Stuart and many others including PLP and DNA candidates.

Having established itself as the premier medium for presenting the talent of local and regional filmmakers, producers, and directors, the organizers of the Travelling Caribbean Film Showcase are scheduled to launch the Fourth Edition of the event on Monday, 22nd October, with the Opening Film and Reception at Galleria 6, Thompson Boulevard.

The Showcase, which selects and spotlights over thirty shorts, animations, documentaries, and full feature films produced around the Caribbean, has a primary objective of making the local population aware of the talent and creativity existing in the region in the film industry. The Showcase is presented at different times of the year in most countries of the Caribbean. The event in The Bahamas will feature eight shorts, two documentaries, and seven full-feature films representing such countries as The Bahamas, Venezuela, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Trinidad & Tobago.

Organizers of FLIFF On Location: Grand Bahama Island are pleased to present the official schedule for the 4-day event from October 25th through 28th. All Access passes are now on sale for FLIFF On Location: Grand Bahama Island and the other passes will be available onward from Monday, October 15th.

All Access Pass $50 (All movies, Career Tribute, VIP Receptions, Awards and Wrap Party); All Movies Festival Pass $10; and All Movies - 1 Day Pass $7, can be purchased at the Ministry of Tourism office at Fidelity Financial Centre, Poinciana Drive; or at the Pelican Bay Hotel reception.

The following letter was written after Wangari Maathai was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2004. It was published in the Freeport News. Wangari (1940-2011) was the founder of the Green Belt Movement and the author of several books on the environment. Wangari was born in Nyeri, a rural area of Kenya. She obtained a degree in Biological Sciences from Mount St. Scholastica College in Atchison, Kansas (1964), a Master of Science degree from the University of Pittsburgh (1966), and pursued doctoral studies in Germany and the University of Nairobi, before obtaining a Ph.D. (1971) from the University of Nairobi, where she also taught veterinary anatomy. The first woman in East and Central Africa to earn a doctorate degree, Professor Maathai became chair of the Department of Veterinary Anatomy and an associate professor in 1976 and 1977 respectively. In both cases, she was the first woman to attain those positions in the region.

WANTED - A BAHAMIAN WANGARI MAATHAI

When Wangari Maathai, the first African female recipient of the Nobel Peace prize, accepted the honour, she said she hoped the world would follow her example in trying to save the natural environment. Maathai is particularly concerned in preserving world forests. Yet in the Bahamas, we destroy trees (whether in a forest or not) for buildings and a variety of other uses at an alarming rate.

A record 215 enthusiastic Grand Bahama girls signed up for the first week of their new soccer league season. It was a first day total nearly 50 more than last year - when the final enrollment was more than 300 and a waiting list had to be closed - and it astounded even the lead coaches, Mary Woodside-Knowles and Donnie Knowles.

"It means the GDSL, with its age range of four to 17, just has to be the largest programme for school girls the island has seen," said organiser Richard Malcolm. "The turnout was no surprise though. Ever since this year's highly-successful English Premier League soccer camp way back in July the coaches have been getting questions about when the league was going start up again. In fact many kids were so scared they would miss out there were 167 pre-registrations ahead of the day." he said.

From the start of the Regatta season in the Family Islands the Bahamian Brewery & Beverage Company has sponsored both the Sands Beer 'Man in the Boat' Sculling races as well as the E-Class Regatta races. They continued this tradition in Grand Bahama, while here for the Sculling National Championships, proud to support Bahamian culture.

"The Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Co., has put its name behind the TRULY BAHAMIAN Regatta's this year," said Lynden Johnson, Sales and Marketing Manager of Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Company. "Our company was founded on the principals of Bahamians first and when we give back to the community we want it to support our heritage!"

When dozens of classic and exotic race cars roll out for Bahamas Speed Week 2012, all media eyes are expected to zero in on one specimen so rare it is believed to be the last remaining one of its kind in the world in original condition.

"We are very excited about the arrival of the only remaining 375MM PininFarina Ferrari Spyder in original condition," said Speed Week President Jimmie Lowe. "This same car actually raced in Nassau during the original Speed Weeks when it was campaigned in the Governors Trophy and the Ferrari Race by driver Duncan Black. That was in 1955, 57 years ago."

The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) lent their support to a worthy cause as sponsors of the first annual Relay for Cancer Road Race which was presented by Fast Track Athletics in conjunction with the Grand Bahama Cancer Association. Additionally, several GBPA staff members walked in a show of solidarity and captured the overall group walking category.

"We are certainly pleased by the efforts of our team members who exerted themselves," said GBPA Vice President Ginger Moxey. "However, what is even more important is to raise awareness of this deadly disease that has affected each and every one of us in some way. If one more person is alerted to preventative measures or a cancer victim is able to receive life-saving treatment, then our support and financial contributions would not have been made in vain."

PRIME MINISTER CHRISTIE'S RECENT COMMENTS TO BAHAMIANS SHOULD BE ROUNDLY CONDEMNED.

At the outset, let me state that I am not a supporter of either leader of the major political parties in The Bahamas at this time. That being said, I as a Bahamian need to make a statement on the comments made by our Prime Minister at his party's by-election rally in Abaco this past weekend, wherein he told Bahamians there that unless they vote the way he wants them to, they should not expect to easily get what they are entitled to as Bahamians - whether that be basic infrastructure, roads or other needs that Bahamians expect their government to meet for Bahamians.

Prime Minister Perry Christie is quoted by the press as saying the following: "If Hubert Ingraham, or [Hubert] Minnis, if they want something to happen for you, listen now, I know they want something to happen for you if not this year, next year or even the year after, but guess what? Do you know who the prime minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas is? You could go to Hubert. You can go to [Greg] Gomez. You even could go to Minnis, but then they got to call me. They could have the best intention in the world. They can pray and [say], 'Oh God I want to do this'. But God has spoken. God has made me the prime minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas."