Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie addressed the capacity crowd in Christ Church Cathedral December 5, about the life and death of sports icon, Thomas Augustus Robinson, M.B.E. Mr. Robinson died November 25 at the age of 74. The State Recognised Funeral was held at Christ Church Cathedral with Archbishop Laish Boyd as the Chief Celebrant in the home going mass. Interment was in the Robinson Family Plot in the Eastern Cemetery.

"I feel the pain of Tommy's passing very deeply," said Mr. Christie

A national Ecumenical church service and special exhibition at The College of The Bahamas in January 2013, will mark the 46th Anniversary of Majority Rule in The Bahamas; one of the most significant achievements in the country's development.

The Bain and Grants Town Advancement Association is collaborating with The College and the Bahamas Christian Council to organize the two events to observe the watershed period in the history of The Bahamas.

Whatever is keeping much of the world's economy from taking off isn't affecting the airline industry where orders for non-military aircraft are coming in at record highs. So says a senior attorney and aviation specialist who believes what's happening in the airline industry worldwide holds promise of "immeasurable economic benefits" for The Bahamas if the country acts quickly and carefully to establish the long-discussed international aircraft registry.

Llewellyn Boyer-Cartwright, a former commercial jet pilot who has been specializing in aviation law for the better part of two decades, said he has never seen aircraft orders in such numbers.

Members of the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association elected their 2013-14 leadership team at its 60th Annual General Meeting where returning President Stuart Bowe joined with Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe in calling for a greater commitment to elevating the level of service in the country across the board.

According to BHTA President Stuart Bowe, "The industry turned the corner in 2012. This year will end with the highest average occupancy since 2007, our benchmark year, with average room rates continuing to improve but still below 2007. Despite higher operating costs and lower levels of visitor spending, 2012 represents a positive change in our sector of the economy," he added.

The Bahamas Urban Youth Development Center and the Bahamas Family Planning Association sponsored in celebration of Family Planning Month and World AIDS Day, a Community Health Fair in Gambier Village on Saturday December 1st, 2012 to demonstrate the importance of individuals knowing their HIV Status and being aware of HIV and the impact it has on communities and families.

Bahamas Urban Youth Development Center and Bahamas Family Planning BFP presented this opportunity for families and friends to know their HIV Status and receive additional health care services.

With relocating ranked as one of life's three most stressful events, a local real estate firm is taking the pain out of being uprooted by guiding clients from first encounter to final detail. Mario Carey Realty (MCR) has created a relocation division, the quickly-growing firm naming a husband and wife team to work with individuals and families who are moving anywhere from five blocks to 5,000 miles away.

"There is probably no segment of the real estate industry that is more personal or emotional than relocation," said Carey.

In an act of extraordinary generosity for a small company, road marking firm Bahamas Striping donated 200 Christmas presents and pledged a further 100 to be given to under-privileged children through the Urban Renewal Commission.

Urban Renewal Commission's Co-Chairpersons, Mother Cynthia Pratt and Algernon Allen, accepted the Christmas toys along with Police Superintendent Stephen Dean, Permanent Secretary for Urban Renewal Commission Diana Lightbourne and Urban Renewal Programs Director Gregory Butler.

During a fun day trip to Grand Bahama, Food and Beverage Managers from the Atlantis Resort were treated to a tour of the Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Company (BBB). "Tours like these are part of an ongoing process for our clients to see, feel, and of course taste all our products," said Lynden Johnson, Marketing and Sales Manager at BBB. The group of 13 was led by Hilton Bowleg, Senior Director of Food and Beverage at Atlantis.

Atlantis serves the BBB products Virgil's and Atlantis Ale on tap to guests and added Bush Crack in cans for pool service 5 months ago.

Armed with gifts, lots of candies and a message of "Perseverance & Excellence", Employees of The Year (EOTY) along with Executives of The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) distributed gifts to students of the Lewis Yard Primary School, during its annual Employee Toy Drive Initiative on Friday past.

The group got off to a 9:00 a.m. start, preparing the children for their well-earned surprise with Santa, his elves (EOTYs) and an upbeat version of 'Joy to the World'.

The 5th annual Christmas in the Garden celebration was presented as a European-style Christmas Market this year. Vendor tents, musical performances, Santa Claus, and games for the children were arranged in one area which created a festive mood and allowed the over 300 patrons to view or participate in all the activities.

Santa Claus had heavy competition this year from Normandie, the gentle, beautiful draft horse and his Chuck Wagon. Leo Munnings from Trikk Pony expertly transported wagon-loads of parents and children in the vicinity of Garden of the Groves.

Grand Bahama and the Republic of San Marino share many similarities. They both have average populations of over 40,000 persons. Also, their economies mainly rely on finance, industry, services and tourism. However, owing to its strategic location, Grand Bahama possesses an attribute that has caught the attention of this enclave microstate surrounded by Italy.

Christopher Columbus set sail from Europe to discover the New World, similarly Her Excellency Giulia Ghirardi Borghese, Resident Ambassador of the Republic of San Marino to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, embarked on an official tour of Grand Bahama in an effort to identify opportunities for doing business.

The Hon. Hope Strachan, Minister of State in the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, brings remarks on behalf of Minister of Transport and Aviation the Hon. Glenys Hanna Martin, during the opening of the Grand Bahama Airport Company's Fixed Based Operation, at the Freeport International Airport, December 5.

The Hon. Michael Darville, Minister for Grand Bahama, also brought remarks. Guest speaker, Minister of Tourism the Hon. Obediah H. Wilchcombe, spoke of bringing the magic back into Grand Bahama from East to West.

Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville officially opened Bethel's Bookstore on Monday, December 10, telling listeners how pleased he was to see Bahamians investing in the island.

He told the gathering that as Minister for Grand Bahama, it is his mandate to work synergistically with his colleagues, staff of government agencies, and private sector partners to ensure that the specific needs of the residents of Grand Bahamians are identified and addressed and that the economy of Grand Bahama is revitalised.

It's not often we are able to do two big puppylifts in the space of five weeks - but thanks to a generous benefactor, and a whole lot of amazing rescue partners and volunteers, we were able to do just that recently. Following our puppylift of November 9th, this past Friday we sent 73 precious souls on their way to second chances and new lives!

8 adult dogs, 54 puppies, AND 11 kittens are now safe and sound either in adoptive or foster homes from Florida to Massachusetts to Colorado. Huge thanks are owed to so many people and they should be acknowledged here

Hope Town, once the capital of Abaco, may have given up that title to Marsh Harbour, but this year, one of their very own, Miss Erica Pinder, is fighting hard to win the title of Miss Abaco! She is the very first contestant to enter from one of the Abaco Cays in the long and much storied history of this great pageant.

Erica was born and raised in Hope Town, and graduated from Forest Heights Academy in 2007. She feels a deep connection to the area, given her family's roots. Her father's family was one of the first on Hope Town and 8 generations back, she is related to Wyannie Malone, a prominent Bahamian during the American Revolution.

Follow us down the rabbit hole, and hope you don't lose your head ...

Director Liselle Harris brings to life the colourful world created by Lewis Caroll that centers around young Alice as she follows a White Rabbit who disappears down a nearby rabbit hole. Quickly following him, she tumbles into the burrow - and enters the merry, topsy-turvy world of Wonderland! Whimsical escapades highlight Alice's journey, which culminates in a madcap encounter with the Queen of Hearts - and her army of playing cards.

The curtain goes up Friday and Saturday nights at 8pm and a special matinee takes place at 4pm on Sunday.

Since arriving in Las Vegas ten days ago, Celeste Marshall has cemented her billing as a favourite for the title of Miss Universe 2012, thanks in no small part to the help of generous local and international sponsors who have outfitted her for the competition of a lifetime. A $12,000 couture Eduardo de las Casas evening gown; two kaftans designed by celebrity favorite Camilla of Australia; a pair of newly released Fendi sunglasses; and a $5,000 smile are all part of the arsenal that Miss Universe Bahamas Celeste Marshall has taken to Las Vegas, Nevada in her quest to become the first Bahamian woman to become a finalist (and ultimately the winner) of the Miss Universe competition.

The statuesque beauty has been preparing for months for her moment in the spotlight, and she has received a lot of help along the way from a long list of sponsors.

Bahamian author Marina Gottlieb Sarles will launch her new novel, The Last Daughter of Prussia, with a book signing on Tuesday evening, 18 December, 2012, from 5:30 - 8:30 pm at the Pelican Bay Hotel Canal House. Everyone is invited.

The Last Daughter of Prussia is a historical novel based on the family diaries of the author's grandparents-an epic story of suspense, love, and survival centering around the largest and least known civilian mass exodus at the end of World War II. Set amidst a beautiful and vanished way of life in war-torn East Prussia, two unlikely young lovers must fight for their lives and find new heart while struggling to escape one of the most dangerous and tragic landscapes of any generation. The Last Daughter of Prussia is a fast-paced compelling tale celebrating the indomitable human spirit in the worst of times.

Local internet radio company Bahamas Soul Radio is making waves in cyberspace. Launched just six months ago by radio personality Sheryl "Sherry T" Beard and her husband, David, the company is averaging 400 hits per day on the site www.bahamassoulradio.net. Listeners from as far away as Estonia and Gibraltar in Europe and fans in the U.S. and Canada, tune in daily to hear the mix of R&B, Soul and Bahamian music online. People can also access the station on their mobile devices or in their vehicles.

The Beards said cost and the ease of new technology was behind their push to venture into the nonconventional approach to broadcasting. "Internet radio is the fastest growing radio listenership in the world," said David, who spent the past five years amassing a collection of more than 98,000 tracks.

Three Junkanoo Groups -- Fancy Dancers, Colours, and the Music Makers -- became beneficiaries of a seed money December 6, a gift from Bill Simmons Heavy Trucking and Construction Company.

The donations were made under the auspices of the Farm Road Urban Renewal Centre and were given to Junkanoo groups that participated in the 28th Annual Joe Billy/ Blind Blake Festival, and to encourage young people in Farm Road, Centreville, Bain & Grants Town, and the surrounding communities to participate in the upcoming Christmas cultural events.

Scores of enthusiastic students engaged their musical, dance and vocal talents to usher in the Christmas season in grand style during the "Festival of Carols" held at Golden Gates World Outreach Ministries, Carmichael Road on Wednesday, 5th December, 2012. This year's theme was "Jesus - A Gift for All Times" This event, hosted annually by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, was well attended by students and teachers from both public and private schools.

The programme was ably moderated by Miss Edline Major and Mr. Petron Brown, students of C.H. Reeves Junior High School and Doris Johnson Senior High School, respectively. Among the scripture readers was Miss Nadia Smith, the National Teacher of the Year, 2012-2014.

This Saturday, December 15th, at Winton Rugby Centre:
3:00pm - Buccaneers v Cuckoos
Nassau Cup

This is the last regular season game before the new year. The season resumes on January 12th.

Congratulations to Cuckoos and Buccaneers for their wins last weekend. Cuckoos got revenge for their defeat earlier in the season by beating Baillou 27-8 while Buccaneers overcame Freeport 29-22 in Freeport.