On the 7th November, 2012, the executives and advisors of the Bahamas National Youth Council (BNYC) were extended a courtesy call on behalf of His Excellency Hu Shan, Ambassador to The Bahamas for The People's Republic of China.

During the courtesy call, the President of the BNYC mentioned that the Council aspires to build a closer relationship with Chinese youth. His Excellency Hu Shan explained a number of opportunities for Bahamian youth to engage in dialogue with Chinese youth beginning with an invitation to speak with the young Chinese engineers working on the Baha Mar Development. He continued stating that the initiation of that dialogue will open other doors and further welcomed the Council to attend their events.

It was a weekend of celebrations in honour of Bahamian son Sir Sidney Poitier. Beginning with the re-naming of the Paradise Island Bridge in his honour to a celebrity studded gala concert at Atlantis, BIS photographers captured it all. Photo: Sir Sidney Poitier greets the crowd assembled at the former Paradise Island Bridge, now re-named in his honour.

The recent Bilateral Talks between Bahamian and Dominican Republic Ministerial officials concluded with positive linkages being made over the course of the four-day visit.

"Our delegation is pleased with the quality of the response which we got here in the Dominican Republic," Bahamian Delegation leader and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration the Hon. Frederick A. Mitchell said during an interview before returning to The Bahamas. "It was a very well-organised programme. The Government here was receptive from the highest levels at the concerns we raised about fishing." Minister Mitchell added.

On Saturday November 3rd twenty-four (24) high school seniors began a journey of a lifetime toward greater leadership development. They enrolled in The Bahamas Institute for Youth Leadership Development or BIYLD, formerly the Marco City Youth Leadership Development Programme started by Zhivargo Laing, former Marco City Member of Parliament and now senator.

A new feature of the programme will be the inclusion of students from New Providence, which reflects its more national thrust and hence the name "Bahamas Institute for Youth Leadership Development." Senator Laing hopes eventually to extend the programme to all the major islands of The Bahamas.

The range of colours of the topaz gemstone are limitless and diverse, from clear white to mystic blue. If there were an explosion of the many shades of topaz, you would see the rainbow: white, yellow, orange, blue, pink, brown, green and many more shades of topaz. Explosions don't just happen. There is always a reason for an explosion, be it natural or other. On November 18, 2012, there will be an explosion of topaz for a most worthy cause.

Under the theme, "Explosion of Topaz" the 2012/2013 Heart Ball Committee will jumpstart their fundraising activities and host their 7th Annual Tea Party & Fashion Show, in aid of The Sir Victor Sassoon (Bahamas) Heart Foundation.

Five years ago, James 'Jimmy' Sands' vision to launch the 100 percent Bahamian owned truly Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Company Limited became a reality in Grand Bahama. This year, his goal is to supplement that with the opening of their new distribution and administrative center in Nassau.

The complex, when completed by the end of the year, will be located on Nassau Street North adjacent to the Nassau Palm Resort and in close proximity to the new shipping harbor. It's another unique project by Sands, whose goal is to sensitize the Bahamian public to its concept of buying Bahamian, since its operation started five years ago.

Less than one month before exotic and classic race cars from the UK, US, Canada and The Bahamas gather in Nassau for the second running of Bahamas Speed, organizers have revealed that despite financial losses to the dream team that put the event together last year after a 48-year hiatus, Speed Week 2011 pumped more than $800,000 into the local economy.

Bahamas Speed Week 2012 kicks off November 24 with an antique auto exhibit and auto trade show and continues for one week of non-stop activities ranging from an island parade of some of the world's rarest cars traversing New Providence to a Fort Charlotte hill climb, from time trials to the introduction of limited side-by-side racing.

Every November since the 1950s, the third Thursday in November creates a childish excitement in the wine world. One minute past midnight into that famed third Thursday starts a frantic worldwide shuffling of millions of cases of Beaujolais Nouveau. Beaujolais is a tiny area in Burgundy, France that spans about 35 miles long and 5 miles across and produces a light, fruity red wine from the Gamay Noir grape.

The Gamay Noir grapes in Beaujolais are picked by hand (the only other region in France that legally has to do this is Champagne) to ensure the most ripe, luscious fruit.

Grand Bahama's annual Auto Show, presented by the New Car Federation, is making a move to the Circle Mall for 2012. The 7th Annual Auto Show was planned for October 27th but was moved due to the untimely appearance of Hurricane Sandy.

"We definitely felt we made the right decision about postponing," said Larry Albury, Freeport Jet Wash General Manager. "We are very energized about our move to the mall, where we will have more room, be under cover, and attendees will also be able to shop, have lunch and keep their children entertained, all while buying a new car."

Bring your dirty, salty, car, truck, van, or any other type of vehicle to the Humane Soceity of Grand Bahama's shelter this Saturday, November 10th, for the annual 'All in One Dog & Car Wash' to benefit our four-legged friends!

In addition to the wash, the Humane Society will be host a 'No Fleas - Flea Market' and mini bake sale where you can indulge in some sweet treats while getting your vehicle cleaned. Stop by from 11am - 3pm, and while you're there, why not visit with some of the beautiful dogs and cats available for adoption.

The shelter is the bright yellow building on Coral Road, just before the airport. Call 352-2477 for more information.

You can always tell when the holidays are near; decorations start lighting the stores, people move a little faster with all there is to do, and everywhere you go you see the distinctive red kettles and their sweetly tinging bells manned by the happy volunteers for The Salvation Army. Volunteers include those members of local service clubs and organisations that come out each year to assist in this major campaign.

According to Captain Roger Compton, "This is the biggest fund raiser for us each year. The time when we raise money not only for our Christmas Parcel Program but also for our Emergency Pantry that is available year round."

Grand Bahama's UNEXSO has been named among the Cacique Award finalists announced on Friday, November 2nd by the Bahamas Hotel Association. "We are honoured to be nominated in the field of sustainable tourism, receiving this nomination is a testament to the hard work and determination of all of our staff at UNEXSO and The Dolphin Experience," said Linda Osborne, General Manager of the Port Lucaya based facility. "I am pleased that the nominating committee has recognised us and our contribution to the Grand Bahama tourism product since 1965."

The top honours will be announced and presented at the Cacique Awards and People's Choice Music Program - an outstanding event planned for January 27th at the Wyndham Rainforest Theatre in Nassau.

Mauiva AirCruise, based in Orlando, Florida is set to launch their 7 days/6 nights Sun & Fun Experience in Caribbean Paradise with four soft-launch trips: November 5, December 23, December 27, and March 16, 2013. The boutique destination inclusive packages include airfare, accommodations, meals, transportation and activities.

The 29-passenger Mauiva AirCruise Embraer EMB Brasilia 120 aircraft will arrive at the Grand Bahama International Airport's recently completed Fixed Based Operation (FBO). The Ad Hoc flights are intended to be a trial period before a formal launch is announced.

Some time ago I wrote an article about the 'hermitage' on Petersons Cay Beach that owes its name to Father Gerald Groves a former Trappist monk. Father Gerald (no relation to Wallace Groves) was the last inhabitant of the building that was originally built in 1902 as a Baptist Church.

The Baptist Church has architectural relatives in Eight Mile Rock and West End. The building in the Port Area is symmetrical in design, of tabby construction with a hipped roof. The original windows were almost certainly protected by Bahamian-style hurricane shutters (possibly without glazing) and the roof almost certainly would have been covered with Grand Bahamian pine shingles. Perhaps it is not a spectacular structure but it one of the very few links we in Freeport have to the Victorian Era a little over one hundred years ago.

Odyssey Aviation Exuma, the company's newest full-service FBO, has appointed Shervin Penn to the position of Station Manager. Shervin is a veteran in the hospitality industry having held numerous management positions at the British Colonial Hilton in Nassau, and Grand Isle Resort & Spa in Exuma. His areas of expertise include Operations, Customer Service and Event Management.

In his new role, Shervin will report to William Holowesko, General Manager of Odyssey Aviation Bahamas, working alongside a strong team committed to maintaining Odyssey's world-renowned, reliable general aviation services brand.

The butler of Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes, Edwardo Cox, was one of 21 butlers celebrating their graduation from a month of training with the Guild of Professional English Butlers at Sandals Emerald Bay this past week.

The training was conducted by the guild's director Robert Watson at the Sandals property in Exuma where 20 Bahamians underwent training before joining the property's Butlers' Department.

Remarks by Prime Minister Christie

I offer my congratulations to the newest Member of Parliament on this important appointment as Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister.

I have said this before, but it is worth repeating that Mr. Curry is good man, with a good message who joins a good team. He is a devoted father and husband; a church, youth and community leader as well as a local government official. He served his community well and articulated his vision for the future growth and development of North Abaco.

For over sixteen years the Grand Bahama Artist Association (GBAA) has presented art exhibitions, lectures and workshops to promote the appreciation for art in the community. On Thursday, November 8th, 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.

Artists will be in attendance from 7 to 9pm to meet and greet visitors to the exhibition where new works are being presented just in time for the holiday gift giving season. A live and silent auction of art works donated by members of the Grand Bahama Artists will be featured during the evening to aid the GBAA Scholarship Fund and the Discovery Club of the Bahamas National Trust on Grand Bahama. Admission to the Thanksgiving Art Exhibition is FREE with donations gratefully accepted to enable the student programs.

The Freeport Players' Guild and Cascade Enterprises proudly present another entertaining play by Bahamian playwright S.L. Sheppard. 'With a Little Bit of Luck' opens at the Regency Theatre on Friday, November 9th, at 8pm and continues with a performance on Saturday, November 10th, at 8pm and concludes with a matinee performance on Sunday, November 11th, at 4pm.

With a Little Bit of Luck is very topical and newsworthy at this time. It is the story of a strait-laced Reverend who finds out that his wife has been gambling daily. What happens when this wife wins big money is part farce, part tragedy. The Reverend then faces an intriguing moral dilemma.

In the continuing effort to raise funds for the club's charitable community programmes the Rotary Club of Lucaya will present their third annual "Moonlight Jazz" evening at 7:30pm on Saturday, November 17th, 2012, in the Garden of the Groves.

President of the Club, Philip Gaitor expressed the club's thanks and appreciation to the Grand Bahama community for the continuous support of its fundraisers over the years. "We are truly grateful for the support that we have received from the Grand Bahama community for our programmes and in particular our 'Moonlight Jazz' event, which is now in its third year. The funds that we received are used to help various charitable organizations. In particular, some of the funds from this evening will be used to support Columbus House, Disaster Relief, and the Grand Bahama Police Crime Stoppers efforts."

While people all over the globe are talking about the Mayan Calendar's prophecy of some kind of change, whether it be physical or spiritual, happening on a major scale on Earth, Bahamians haven't really put it out there for public discussion, according to Plati, a Bahamian artist who is bout to release his first solo album.

The first single has been released under the title: "21st December 2012". It's a journey to the "countdown to zero" the day which is garnering so much international attention, he says. "I chose this song because there is a huge interest in this subject and it is reflected on the Internet," he said.

The Miss Grand Bahama Beauty Pageant Organization is once again preparing three beautiful young ladies to compete in there prospective international pageants in China. Gabrielle Wong, Miss Yacht Model Bahamas, left for China on November 4th to represent her country at the Miss Yacht Model International Pageant. The finals take place on November 16th but there are many full days of events and pageantry leading up to the big day.

This 19 year old beauty stands 173cm (5'8") tall and her hobbies include songwriting, singing, modeling, and reading. Her talent for the Miss Yacht Model International pageant will be singing accompanied by guitar playing. Miss Wong's ambition is to become a musical performing artist.

The hilarious comedy play "Election 2012-What Just Happened" will return to Nassau on Thursday November 8th, Friday November 9th, and Saturday November 10th, 2012, at the Rainforest Theatre, Wyndham Nassau Resort, 8pm nightly. 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 casts 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.

As the sun rose above the horizon on Saturday morning, November 3rd, it was clear it was going to be a special day at Taino Beach. Athletes were beginning to assemble, bikes racked, bodies marked, and the excitement built as the sun lit up the calm water and still trees. Picture perfect conditions for the 26th annual Conchman Triathlon.

No sooner had swimmers entered the water than it seemed they were out, and off on the next leg, a 15 mile bike course out over the Casuarina Bridge and back via Midshipman Road. Happiness for many cyclists ... no wind!

DNA Chairman calls referendum Christie administration's attempt to 'payback' for numbers' support

Despite all the talk to the contrary by Prime Minister Christie and his administration in the past few months, the recent announcement in the House of Assembly on the proposed "numbers" referendum is the clearest indication and saddest reminder to the Bahamian public yet that this administration is in the hands and pockets of the illegal numbers' men. December 3rd will be nothing more than payback day for services rendered.

To reasonably thinking Bahamians who are taking note of the vamped up public relations campaign now underway by Mr. Christie and the numbers' businesses whose cause he seems to be championing, it is obvious that they are betting on the ignorance and desperation of poor, downtrodden black Bahamians to get their "snake oil" remedy for our pressing social ills made legal. It is the DNA's hope that Bahamians will not buy what they are selling.

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The Free National movement disapproves of the Christie Government's decision to RUSH ahead with the referendum

The FNM's position is that in order for the Bahamian people to be able to vote "Yes" or "No" on a referendum question, they need more information or more time or both!

Prime Minister the Rt. Honourable Perry G. Christie announced that his government will rush ahead with a proposed referendum on web shop gambling. The Government's decision is most regrettable. The Christie Government has decided to ignore the wise advice of religious and civic leaders and throw all caution to the wind. The FNM continues to express its strong disapproval of this rushed initiative.

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My vote will be NO on December 3, and here is why

Dear Editor,

1. The Bahamian people were deceived during the general election campaign about this referendum on gambling in The Bahamas. The Bahamian people thought they would have the chance to vote on casino gambling, a national lottery and the legalising of the numbers business. But the now governing PLP clearly mislead the Bahamian people.

Once elected, they turned around and said there would be no vote on casino gambling and then to add salt to that wound, they announced that foreigners have told them not to have a national lottery in their own country, and so that too is now off the ballot as well. So now, the only thing the Bahamian people are being asked to do is to get the numbers houses, which are said to have heavily financed the PLP's general election campaign, straight ...

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Who will the gambling referendum benefit?

To The Editor,

I was listening to the Prime Minister on the news last night and he was talking about the referendum to legalize gambling and it was an eye opening and decision changing experience. I was always under the assumption that the referendum to legalize gambling was for us to have our own National Lottery that would benefit the country as a whole and make these web shops obsolete. But it seems that I was very misinformed.

With a National Lottery we would have our own numbers and not go by the Florida lottery or late night Chicago numbers etc., and the monies would go into our own treasury and not that of the numbers houses, and the monies made from this would be used to build our own hospitals and schools and other necessary and life improving infrastructures throughout the entire Bahamas. But the way it is being presented it will merely make it legal for a few people to do what they have been doing for years. It will finally make it legitimate to be issued licenses to operate business that have to date been illegal.

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Bahamians must now stop the Government from playing games with the game of chance in The Bahamas

Dear Editor,

Prime Minister Perry Christie Tuesday finally confirmed what I and other informed, discerning Bahamians already knew from day one - there is no actual UK consultant report on gambling in The Bahamas - the report Prime Minister Christie told Parliament and the country would be a basis for his Government deciding what question(s) would ultimately appear on the December 3 referendum ballot on web shop gambling in The Bahamas.

Speaking to the media, Mr. Christie said he is not releasing to the public the report he previously said he would receive by early October at the latest, because it actually does not exist at all: Prime Minister Christie's quote: "What report? The Government has a continuing relationship with gaming consultants on all matters to do with that. It is never a specific report, it's continuing matters where discussions are made, etcetera, so it's no physical report. There are three or four pages of advice that you get from time to time. I don't understand the question of whether there is a report to be released, there is no report."

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House communication on referendum on web cafe gaming by Prime Minister Christie

MR. SPEAKER:

The Bahamian people are aware from previous public pronouncements made by me, including my Communication to this Honourable House on the 8th August, that it has always been the intention of my Government to proceed with a national referendum on the subject of so-called web-café or web shop gaming after the bye-election in North Abaco would have run its course.

Now that we have indeed passed that milestone, I am pleased to announce that a national referendum will indeed be held on 3rd December, 2012.

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An overlooked resource in the Bahamas is hiding in quiet side streets, secretive luxury apartments, and palatial homes in gated communities or just in plain sight. These edifices hide, in the main, retired professionals and former captains of industry who would be happy to give some of their time and expertise to help their adopted country.

What is needed is an organization that can 'pair' these people with local businesses and institutions. This is not to forget the private individuals and organisations, who are already doing great unsung community service.

But I can also foresee that if this idea did take off, some busybody will see a strange expatriate in a factory, office or clinic and go running to the Immigration Department.