As Hurricane Sandy left flooding and damage in its wake throughout The Bahamas, Cable Bahamas crews and response teams were being activated to deal with the aftermath. According to John Gomez, vice president of engineering at Cable Bahamas, "The company's emergency response group initiated our emergency plan when the track of Hurricane Sandy approached the south coast of Jamaica on Wednesday morning. Our network extends over 500 miles from Inagua in the southeast Bahamas to Grand Bahama in the northwest, so it is vital that we are prepared for any effect that a storm like this can have anywhere in the country."

Cable Bahamas' five-stage disaster readiness plan includes preparedness, monitoring, assessment, response and support. Throughout the storm and in the days following, the company's emergency response group maintained regular contact via conference calls with key personnel at their main headquarters in Nassau, as well as on Grand Bahama, Abaco, Eleuthera and throughout the Family Islands.

Bahamian Cabinet Ministers, Government technical officers and private sector stakeholders met with several Government counterparts, on October 29, 2012, in the Dominican Republic on the first of two days of Bilateral Talks on various issues.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration the Hon. Frederick A. Mitchell is leading the delegation and is joined by Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Local Government the Hon. V. Alfred Gray, Minister of National Security Dr. the Hon. Bernard J. Nottage, Minister of Financial Services the Hon. Ryan Pinder. The Talks will involve the discussion of issues such as illegal fishing by Dominican fishermen, illegal migration and trade relations, particularly in the area of agricultural imports and medical products.

The Minister of Financial Services, who has responsibility for international trade, Hon. Ryan Pinder, held bilateral discussions last week with the Director General of the World Trade Organisation, Mr. Pascal Lamy, on the way forward for The Bahamas' accession to the WTO.

The two heads also discussed the steps taken by the Government since its second accession Working Party Meeting with members of the WTO in Geneva in June of this year, and the preparation being made for the third Working Party Meeting scheduled for March 2013. The Working Party meetings are the forum in which members of the WTO collectively scrutinize an acceding country's domestic trade regime.

For many young couples the discovery that you are pregnant can be shocking, especially when you are trying to achieve career and academic goals, before having children. Often times, it can be considered an unwelcome addition and even a burden.

For Joretta, a medical student, and D'Angelo, a banker, the discovery that Joretta was pregnant was rather surprising. In fact, she originally thought she had the flu. Joretta was at home, in Freeport Grand Bahama, studying for a major medical exam. She had planned to return abroad once she would have completed this phase of her studies.

Senior Callenders & Co. attorney and aviation law specialist Llewellyn Boyer Cartwright is attending one of the world's largest aviation conferences, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) 2012 being held in Orlando, Florida, October 30 - November 2.

According to Cartwright, the conference brings together "all the major players in the business of aviation," a contingent, he believes, that represents trillions of dollars of research, development, investment, transactional and operational business. "There is no other event quite like it that attracts every segment of the industry from manufacturers using the forum to unveil new hull designs to leasing companies presenting offers for financial services to airlines and private or corporate jet financing."

One of the country's top real estate agents is predicting an accelerated luxury property market recovery spawned by new offerings locally, including Baha Mar, and worsening financial conditions elsewhere. Dana Pinder, who has more than seven years experience, recently joined the quickly-growing, progressive firm of Mario Carey Realty, believes the $3.5 billion Baha Mar resort and residential project has "amazing" untapped potential that has not yet begun to be realized locally.

"It is a common phenomenon that those farther away are quicker to appreciate what those who close to home do not yet see in their own back yard," said Pinder.

Well! You are back here again, not sure what went wrong the first time but let's ignore that and rejoice in the fact that you do have the opportunity to live, love and laugh with someone new "and improved" shall we say. For your second time around, what we really want to do is let you know what a second time bride should expect or look for when planning this event.

First, decide if you are going for the gusto or looking for a more sedate wedding celebration. Are you thinking, "I want everything I did not get in my first wedding" or are you thinking, "Been there done that" not reliving the drama in planning the first but celebrating the union of the second with just the two and a few.

Once you have made this decision, you are back to the basics, where and when. For those wanting the quiet union of hearts, a destination wedding is a great option for you. Whether you select a vineyard, a beach destination, a cabin in the snow, or the court house followed by a private dinner for two, make this event worth remembering.

It's that time of year again. Oct 15th brings joy to eaters all over the region as Stone Crab season officially opens for another year. Stone Crab is to me the jewel of our waters. It's also an amazingly sustainable fishery. Stone Crabs have the unique ability to regenerate their claws. So when harvesting, fisherman take one claw from the crab and return them to the water to regenerate that claw again and again. One claw is left to allow the crab to defend itself from predators. To be kept, claws must be a minimum of 2.75 inches in length from the tip of the immovable finger to the first joint.

99% of all Stone Crab claws harvested are cooked on the boats then put into freezers immediately in order to let the meat release from the shell for easy extraction. The two main ways people enjoy the claws are simply cracked from the shell and eaten warm with drawn butter or cold and eaten with a tangy mustard sauce. Both have their merits. However, if you go outside the box there are endless ways to prepare these delicious creatures of the deep.

The annual general meeting of the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce was held Wednesday, October 31, 2012, and elections held for the upcoming year. Elected to positions on the new slate of officers and directors of the board of directors, as follows:

Officers of the Board:

The island of Grand Bahama was spared the full wrath of Hurricane Sandy, but residents on the northern shore experienced severe flooding to their homes.

Minister for Grand Bahama the Dr. Hon. Michael Darville led a team of officials from the Royal Bahamas Police and Defence Force, Road Traffic Department, Department of Environmental Health and members of the Grand Bahama Disaster Consultative Committee on a tour on the island around midday on Saturday, October 27, 2012.

Rotarians on Grand Bahama came together during Hurricane Sandy with the activation of the emergency Rotary Water Plant from October 24-28, 2012. Commissioned after the devastating hurricanes of Frances and Jeanne in 2004, the plant provides potable drinking water to residents during times when serious weather impacts the local supply.

Rotarians activated the plant's RO machine in advance of Hurricane Sandy, putting about 5,000 gallons of water in the tank. Sandy impacted Grand Bahama for much of Friday and into the evening and early hours of Saturday. The plant was re-activated early Saturday morning and Rotary volunteers began to assemble to help. On Saturday, between the hours of 10:00am and 7:00pm, Rotarians estimate they gave away approximately 3,600 gallons of water.

Grand Bahama has had the unfortunate experience of another devastating storm and the resulting surge that took many by surprise.

After being unable to access the eastern end of the island for two days, we were finally able to make it into Gold Rock Creek, Freetown, Bevans Town and High Rock on Sunday, October 28th, to assess the effects of Hurricane Sandy on these communities and to deliver much needed potable water, which was provided courtesy of the Rotary Clubs of Grand Bahama, as well as emergency grocery rations to residents running low due to their inability to cross flooded roads leading into Freeport to restock supplies. This experience has brought to mind the unpleasant devastation from the storms of 2004/2005 and reminds us that we have so much work to do in ensuring the safety and accessibility of our people during these predictable events.

The Humane Society of Grand Bahama is glad to report that our shelter weathered Hurricane Sandy like a champ. No damage at all other than some downed trees. Thanks to all those involved in the building of our new shelter for insisting the property be raised, and that the building itself be raised even more. Despite widespread flooding very near to us, our shelter and our animals were safe.

Thanks also to the benefactors who built our new shelter for agreeing that a generator was a necessity. While not having water is a hardship and major inconvenience for anyone; for an animal shelter it would be a crisis. Our generator allows our pump to provide us with water at all times. Being able to clean properly is critical for us to prevent disease. We have come a very long way from the old shelter on Cedar Street

From tribune242.com

FAMILY Island hoteliers said it was back to business following Hurricane Sandy, with several executives telling Tribune Business their properties had not sustained any major damage. Sandals Emerald Bay's general manager told Tribune Business the resort had suffered no structural damage as a result of the storm, and the property had already been cleared of debris.

"We did OK. The entire island fared pretty well. We suffered no structural damage. There was some landscaping, which we took care of, and there is the golf course that will take a few days because of flooding, but other than that we did well," said Jeremy Mutton.

Dear Editor,

Abaco sadly, sustained the most damage of all islands in The Bahamas as a result of what climatologists now call the super-storm, Hurricane Sandy.

When the government wanted to win the seat left vacant by former MP Hubert Ingraham in North Abaco, the entire Cabinet of The Bahamas (many times at taxpayer expense) was on that island campaigning. Abaco was inundated with government presence out of New Providence bearing promises overflowing, all to capture what it apparently saw as the crown jewel of its now 30-seat majority in Parliament.

But now, three (3) full days after Abaco has sustained major flood damage and other structural and infrastructural damage due to Hurricane Sandy, the government has yet to travel to Abaco.

Local medical supplier Ports International Limited recently made a donation towards the AIDS Foundation's 19th Annual Red Ribbon Ball.

Organized by Colina Insurance Limited, The Bahamas AIDS Foundation is inviting persons to be as a part of the 19th Annual Red Ribbon Ball, on Saturday, November 10, 2012 in the Grand Ballroom of the Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island. Under the theme "An International Affair" this year's ball event highlights the concerted efforts that nations around the world are taking in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The food, entertainment and attire will reflect an international flair.

The Islands of The Bahamas invite you to celebrate their 40th Anniversary of Independence with a celebration honouring one of our greatest sons - Sir Sidney Poitier. As The Bahamas begins a year-long celebration of their independence, join us as we honour Sir Sidney with a bridge dedication and fireworks spectacular.

Friday, November 2 at 7.30pm: A Soulful Celebration on Paradise Harbour

Featuring performances by an exciting lineup of Bahamian artists including the legendary Ronnie Butler and Grammy Award winners Baha Men. There will also be a special performance by Grammy Award winner Bebe Winans and an all-star Bahamian Choir. To finish it all off will be a spectacular fireworks display - the likes that has never been seen in The Bahamas before!

UNEXSO partnered again with the Cancer Association of Grand Bahama Island for its Second Annual Pink Party Event. The affair is held every year to draw awareness of breast cancer to Bahamians while raising funds for the organization.

Several breast cancer survivor speakers gave a moving lecture while guests were able to interact and ask questions at the end. The highlight of the evening however was the raffle prizes. Numerous companies supported the event by donating fantastic prizes including roundtrip tickets for travel and hotel stays.

100% of the raffle proceeds were donated to the organization. In addition event tee shirts were for sale with 100% of the profits also donated.

Mark your calendar for Thursday November 8th to ensure that you will be at Glory Banks Art Gallery where a special event is being planned for opening night by the Grand Bahama Artist Association. For over sixteen years the Grand Bahama Artist Association has presented art exhibitions, lectures and workshops to promote the appreciation for art to the community.

Once again the Grand Bahama residents will have the opportunity to enjoy and purchase an eclectic selection of artistry at the GBAA annual Thanksgiving Exhibition in the Rand Nature Center on East Settlers Way. New, well known and emerging artists will be in attendance from 7 to 9 pm to meet and greet visitors to the exhibition where new works are being presented just in time for the holiday gift giving season.

The special event for all visitors attending the opening night is a Live and Silent Art auction. The auction will include works of art donated by members of the Grand Bahama Artists Association with proceeds going to the BNT and GBAA Scholarship Fund.

Comments on naming of Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge

By K. Peter Turnquest, M.P.

The Government of the Bahamas has consented to the 40th Anniversary of Independence committee's or others recommendation for the naming of one of the Paradise Island Bridges in honour of Sir Sidney Poitier, who has received international acclaim as an actor, ambassador and philanthropist.

Let me say at the outset that I do not begrudge Sir Sidney's due as a native son. I believe that it is right and proper to recognize and honour all of our native sons and daughters who have made such a significant contribution to our country and to the world. A grand celebration to do just that is in order while he is yet alive to enjoy these accolades. His achievements are a living testimony to our youth that despite their circumstance at the start of their life's journey, that they too can achieve internationally once they work hard and maintain disciplined focus on their goals.

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The Opposition FNM is too important to be derailed by Leadership's personal vendettas

Dear Editor:

In the May 7 General Election, 65,000 Bahamians cast their vote for the Free National Movement. Thousands more either still do, or have at one point supported the FNM or voted for the FNM in previous elections. In short, this 41-year-old political party in The Bahamas is one of our two major Parties, having led The Bahamas for 15 of its almost 40 years as an Independent nation.

It is a pivotal organisation. It is her Majesty's Loyal Opposition. Healthy democracies must have a strong Opposition, and in the case of The Bahamas where the government currently holds a 30 seat majority of the 38 seats in Parliament, a strong and competent Opposition is not only necessary, it is critical.

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With the Holiday's quickly approaching and October kicking off with Breast Cancer Awareness Month there are letters and ads everywhere ... "Donate to this cause" ... "Support our event" ... "Sponsor this charity" when in actuality sometimes you are only sponsoring the marketing of a business or personal agenda. This October I have seen some businesses go as far as using logos that have not been approved by breast cancer foundations in the Bahamas or United States. People will stop at no end to promote themselves in the shameless act of pretending to support a cause. It should make us all stop and ask the question, "Who will I support this Holiday Season?"

While it is always a great notion for businesses to support and use their influence to raise money for community organizations it can sometimes become a confusing path of misleading information. My cry to all Bahamian businesses, individuals and even non profit organizations is to be knowledgeable about who you are donating to.