Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie participated in the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the visit of United States President John F Kennedy to The Bahamas in 1962. The unveiling ceremony was held Saturday, January 19, 2013 at the 'Conference Corner' - Blake Road and West Bay Street to commemorate the meeting of President Kennedy and then British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan. Trees were then planted to mark that occasion.

Present for the plaque unveiling was Robert F Kennedy Jr, nephew of the late president and son of his brother, the late Senator Robert F Kennedy; and actress Cheryl Hines.

The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture in partnership with CARICOM held the opening of the 2nd Annual Creativity for Employment and Business Opportunity (CEBO) workshop on Tuesday, January 22.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture the Hon. Daniel Johnson, who addressed participants during the opening, challenged all present with a revolutionary concept, the development of 100 millionaires between the ages of 18 and 25 within the region to shift the economic balance and embrace true regional self reliance.

On Monday, January 21, U.S. Chargé d'Affaires John Dinkelman and the Minister of State for Transport and Aviation Hope Strachan attended the opening of a five-day aviation security course held at the Super Clubs Breezes Resort on Cable Beach. The training was organized by the Organization of American States Secretariat of the Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism (CITCE) with funding provided by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.

The seminar will provide airport security officials with the opportunity to assess and review security procedures that are designed to deter, detect and prevent the introduction of illegal contraband on board an aircraft or into the secure area of an airport.

A group of twenty-two students and two chaperones from Drake University took advantage of a unique opportunity to get out of the classroom setting in Des Moines, Iowa and travel to The Bahamas onboard the Liberty Clipper to experience the beauty and interact with the people of The Bahamas.

The visit is part of Drake University's Leadership at Sea Program, a blend of classroom and experiential learning focusing on leadership development, team building, and seamanship. The course features sailing in The Bahamas onboard the tall-mast schooner Liberty Clipper, a U.S. Coast Guard licensed 125-foot gaff-rigged schooner.

At the end of Heart Month 2012, Rahnae Burrrows was one of many children awaiting heart surgery. Shortly after Rahnae's birth, she was examined and testing suggested characteristics of Down syndrome. Because many children diagnosed with Down syndrome tend to have heart disease, Rahnae was also checked for heart defects.

After an echocardiogram was performed on Rahnae, it was discovered that she had a large primum atrial septal defect (ASD), which is a hole in the heart.

Close to 2,000 dogs in New Providence have been sterilised through Operation Potcake, a two-week spay and neuter initiative by the international organisation Animal Balance and the Bahamas Humane Society. And, "irresponsible" pet owners came under fire for abandoning their animals.

Emma Clifford, director of Animal Balance said the only way to combat the high numbers of street dogs is through an aggressive spay and neuter programme. Animal Balance organises high volume spay and neuter campaigns on islands around the world.

"Bahamas Red Cross partners with Urban Renewal in the fight against HIV and Aids" was the theme of a Symposium for Police Officers and Civilian staff of Urban Renewal hosted by the Bahamas Red Cross on Friday 18th, January 2013 at the Red Cross Headquarters John F. Kennedy Drive.

The one-day session that was led by Mr. John Darville, Coordinator of the Bahamas Red Cross Caribbean HIV/AIDS Project gave officers and support workers an overview of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in The Bahamas and covered topics as it relates to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and patient and family counselling.

As part of an ongoing effort to promote study opportunities in the United States, the U.S. Embassy's Education and Cultural Specialist, Ms. Adrienne Hurley attended two Senior Grad Nights for students and parents at St. John's College and Doris Johnson Senior High School on January 16th and 17th.

Students and parents were given an overview of higher education opportunities in the U.S. along with a summary of EducationUSA's "Five Steps" process, which make studying in the United States possible. The U.S. Embassy has conducted similar outreach events at a number of public and private schools on New Providence.

Executives at The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA), are taking advantage of every opportunity to promote the benefits of Grand Bahama Island in 2013. This week, Ian Rolle, GBPA President, Mr. Graham Torode, CEO of the Grand Bahama Development Company (DEVCO) along with Mrs. Ginger Moxey, GBPA Vice President, accompanied a 6 member team of officials from the Bahamas Investment Authority, including Minister of State for Investment in the Ministry of Finance, the Hon. Khaalis Rolle to the American Lodging & Investment Summit (ALIS).

The Summit opened on Tuesday, 22nd January in Los Angeles, California and is said to be the largest hotel investment conference in the world, attracting more than 2000 major investment firms, hedge fund managers, hotel operators, and financiers.

History has repeated itself as the Mary Star Stingrays have shone brightly in the nation's capital. This is the fourth time in six years the Mighty Stingrays have won the Catholic Archdiocesan Spelling Bee. At the conclusion of the competition, Tristen Rodgers emerged as the Catholic Archdiocesan Spelling Champion for 2013.

The school's Spelling Bee Team was Tristen Rodgers, Dwight Malcolm, and Vashtinique Pickstock, along with their coach, Senorita Natalie Marrett. Principal Robert Nabb also traveled with the team.

On February 2nd Junior Junkanoo will take to the streets of downtown Freeport, following the excitement of the Senior Junkanoo on New Year's Day. Back to make sure the streets are clean and pristine after these big events will be Sanitation Services, who are contracted by The Grand Bahama Port Authority to keep Freeport looking shipshape all the time.

"During large events we put out additional thirty cubic yard bins," said General Manager of Sanitation Services, Lou Carroll. "These help with some of the additional garbage that is produced, but we also have smaller bins around non-accessible areas." Carroll and his team have these bins out before events begin and then clean the streets and areas immediately after.

The signing of a 'Regulatory Framework and Operating Protocol' between The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) and Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC) is a landmark event in the Caribbean.

The new methodology establishes a protocol for the regulation of the activities of GBPC. It is consistent and transparent relevant to time-lines, process review, rate-setting, reliability and efficiency, while securing an environment that encourages investments in system infrastructure. It will also allow GBPA to establish critical performance and customer service standards against which the company will be measured.

From: The Tribune

A prominent attorney urged the Government Monday to require that the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) and DevCo form a marketing organisation to promote Freeport to international investors, arguing that both had 'pocketed' millions in tax savings without providing something in return.

Terence Gape, the lead Freeport-based partner at the Dupuch & Turnquest law firm, in a letter sent to Tribune Business, argued that the failure of the GBPA and Grand Bahama Development Company (DevCo) to form such an organisation meant that Freeport - and Grand Bahama - had "missed out" on the previous decade's real estate "boom".

Pointing out that Freeport's real estate market had remained 'stagnant' when compared to the rest of the Bahamas, despite having the advantage of no real property taxes, Mr Gape said the GBPA and DevCo had failed to accomplish something they covenanted to do in 1993.

On Saturday, January 19th, the Humane Society of Grand Bahama held our Annual Ladies Luncheon, aboard the Alexander von Humboldt, also known as the "Green Lady" or simply "the Alex." This 106 year old tall ship docked at the Freeport Harbour provided a unique setting for a fun afternoon. It was a huge success!

Following is a very long list of people we wish to thank who helped make this fundraiser such a success: Our Sponsors - Erika Gates who donated the fabulous venue and Captain Sterling, Dave and crew of the "Green Lady", Bahama Islands Info, Del Foxton, Freeport Advertising & Printing, and Lucayan Nursery & Landscaping.

Women are designed to conceive, grow, and deliver babies in the unfolding process of pregnancy and birth. Trusting their intuition, natural reflexes and, by working with their bodies, mothers can birth simply, naturally, normally and safely.

Since the beginning of time, laboring women have been nurtured and sustained through childbirth by female attendants. One of those advocates was the midwife. Her responsibility was the safe passage of the mother and newborn through the complex physiological and emotional needs of childbearing. The other women present, lay doulas, were the mother's support system, a woman-to-woman ministry that nurtured the mother during birth and through the mother's early postpartum days.

Leo Knowles of G and L Construction (right) points out progressing work at dock in George Town, Exuma, to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Urban Development the Hon. Philip Davis, during his recent tour of infrastructural works on the island.

Davis also spoke with Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Local Government the Hon. Anthony Moss, senior Ministry of Works officials and other stakeholders, at a proposed site for a possible Government building in George Town, Exuma.

In collaboration with the College of the Bahamas, the Government is taking steps to establish a school of agriculture in North Andros. Situated on the site of the former agriculture research centre in San Andros, the project seeks to train Bahamians to take advantage of a nearly $1 billion industry.

Seven Cuban technicians with various specialties including rice and coffee production have been engaged to assist in the operation.

Newly-appointed San Salvador Local Government Junior Council members pose with local government council members and stakeholders, during the swearing-in ceremony for the new San Salvador Local Government Junior Council members, at San Salvador High School, in United Estates, San Salvador, on January 18, 2013.

The Freeport Players Guild have elected a new Executive Board for 2013. Led by incoming president Liselle Harris this is a revitalised board full of energy and new ideas to keep theatre 'live' in Grand Bahama. Liselle, the director of many productions at the Regency Theatre, including the recent well-received Alice in Wonderland is eager to welcome new members into the guild, and encourages veteran members to renew their commitment to the performing arts.

She feels that there is an important and urgent need to reinvigorate the theatre scene and display the work of the many talented actors, writers, set designers, costume designers, and lighting and sound technicians who are integral to the growth and progress of our country's culture. A new membership drive will be implemented and the Young Adults Regency Drama Group (YARD) will be established this year.

The United States Embassy in Nassau is pleased to announce the seventh annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil Rights Contest. This year's theme "Dream Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.: Celebrating Forty Years of Bahamian Independence" will also include an art component in partnership with Antonius Roberts to encourage high school students in government and private schools to express themselves artistically.

The purpose of this contest is to encourage students to explore the life of Dr. King and the impact of the civil rights movement had on Bahamian independence. All high school students in The Bahamas in grades 10-12 are invited to participate in this contest. All essays must be submitted electronically as an attachment no later than February 01, 2013 at 5:00 PM.

The third annual the Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) On Location: Grand Bahama Island dates have been announced! The film festival will run in Freeport from October 24 - 27th, 2013. Organizers have expanded the film competition and are calling for original Bahamian films nationwide for competition in three categories: High School, College and Open.

The Bahamas High School Film Competition is open to every high school student who is a resident of The Bahamas and between the ages of 14 and 18 years on the 1st August 2012. The Bahamas College Film Competition is also open to every college student who is a resident of The Bahamas.

After recording wins over Barbados and the "International" team on the first two days, The Bahamas pulled off its third victory in a row to beat the seeded Austrian team 3-2 in The Bahamas (IC) International Tennis Doubles event taking place at Breezes. On Friday they will take on the USA who won their group to determine the first and second places in this weeklong event.

The Bahamas ladies pair of Dyphany Mortier and Susan Kimball once again proved a source of strength winning their ladies doubles match over Yvette Fischli and Ernestine Kock 6-4, 6-4.

Grand Bahama will host next week's English Caribbean Ladies Softball Championship and World Games Qualifier, and The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) is pleased to assist as a corporate sponsor.

Making a presentation on behalf of GBPA was Director of Community Relations, Geneva Rutherford. "The Bahamas continues to be a major player in regional softball. As the home of our national ladies softball champions, Grand Bahama is proud to be the host venue of this upcoming tournament and many other international sporting competitions," she said.

The sad truth on getting a job in the Bahamas

Dear Editor,

I would like to express my disgust in the way hiring/employment is done in this country. From as far back as I remember since going to primary school your teacher's and elders always told you and expressed to you that getting a higher education is very important which I wholeheartedly agree with. In addition, when I was very young I realized that education was extremely important and would be the key to me being a successful adult. I did not grow up wealthy by any means so I knew that it would be a major sacrifice for my parents to send me away to college. So I worked very hard and diligently to obtain the best grades I could while I studied abroad.

Upon returning home to the Bahamas shortly after graduating College I was very excited to be back home and to find employment where I could meaningfully contribute to society and my community. Well after a few months of being back I was quickly met with the grim reality that getting a higher education does not further advance your chances of getting a job in this country.

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How can South Africans advise us on numbers when the numbers business is illegal in South Africa?

Dear Editor:

Prime Minister Perry Christie announced last week that his government will be bringing in consultants from South Africa who will be advising the government on how to proceed with legalising and regulating the numbers business in The Bahamas.

And that would be less than incredible were it not for this key thing - the numbers business is illegal in South Africa. The legal forms of gambling in South Africa are horse betting, casinos and a national lottery.

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Great job!

Being a daily reader of your newspaper, I feel your new column [Doula Delight] is a great idea.

- AF