The Cabinet Office wishes to advise the general public that Daylight Saving Time will commence on Sunday, 10th March, 2013 at 2:00 a.m. and will continue until 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, 3rd November 2013.

Note: Remember to "Spring Ahead" and set your clocks ahead one hour when going to bed on Saturday night.

The Sandals Foundation has donated $15,000 to The Bahamas National Trust's "Conchservation Advocacy Campaign" which hopes to address the many complex issues related to the sustainability of what is a vital part of The Bahamas' local economy and a staple in the Bahamian diet.

Through this campaign, The National Trust hopes to tackle issues such as unsustainable fishing practices, the need for better enforcement of existing regulations and the need for new conch management regulations.

Minister of Tourism the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe said the Ministry is launching new initiatives to boost the country's tourism product. The Ministry of Tourism will unveil on March 21, a digital platform that will allow potential tourists to make various bookings at one site and explore the islands of The Bahamas.

"The digital platform provides a booking solution. The problem we have in The Bahamas is that people do not have an appreciation that we are more than just a capital city; and we must also remember that The Bahamas almost became Atlantis. So The Bahamas will now have a digital platform where you will be able to search our islands, search for the hotel you want, search for the airlift you want to get to the islands, search for rental vehicles, or whatever else you want to do. It is all free, none of the islands have to pay for it; none of the hotels have to pay for it; it is being done by the Ministry of Tourism,"

A project rising on the western end of Paradise Island is turning traditional real estate sales wisdom on its head -- building multi-million houses on spec during a challenging economy in a location no car can reach. Now, with early signs of success, there's every indication that the microcosm of a community for the very wealthy -- accessible only by private boat -- will create a new intelligence about how to appeal to those with discretionary income and fine taste -- wowing them not just with the expected luxuries and amenities but with an atypical setting so compelling it creates instant value and desire.

The brainchild of successful developers/entrepreneurs David Kosoy, Joe Brennan and Daniel Greenglass, The Beach House Villas is a five residence community on two and a half acres of the last secluded shore-to-shore land on Paradise Island.

On February 28, U.S. Chargé d'Affaires John Dinkelman recognized all of the students from Queen's College who submitted essays and presented Jada Miller with this year's grand prize - a new Apple iPad.

As part of the special assembly Ms. Miller also read her winning essay in front of the entire student body, staff and proud parents. Her essay explored the non-violent struggles her forefathers encountered in their pursuit to secure an independent Bahamas in honor of the 40th anniversary on July 10th.

The purpose of the contest was to encourage students to explore the life of Dr. King and the impact of the civil rights movement on Bahamian independence. All high school students in The Bahamas in grades 10-12 were invited to participate.

Speaker of the House of Assembly, Dr. the Hon. Kendal Major met head students of the C.W. Sawyer Primary School February 27 after he spoke to a special assembly.

He gave the students examples of people he knew personally who became successful because they were driven by an inner desire to become an influence to others.

Planting fruit bearing trees and beautifying abandoned inner city properties with proper landscaping is how the Bahamas National Pride Association (BNPA) leads the transformation process to influence community cleanliness.

Since last year, BNPA Director, Ms. Joann Johnson, has been spearheading the inner city tree planting project to assist in the spiritual alchemy of Bahamians arrested by poverty, broken home syndrome, and oppressed by the Christian ethics of religious and political operatives. The botanical oasis provides a sanctuary of relief where the community can eat fresh native fruits grown in a community orchard.

International Baccalaureate (IB) students of the Lucaya International School (LIS) donated 500 juice boxes to the Grand Bahama Children's Home (GBCH) on Monday. LIS Head Boy Justin Higgs said, "We did this to help the Children's Home and we thought that having a juice box drive was a good way to get people to donate to the home and it's really simple and effective."

The Head Boy noted that the contribution was part of a school program where they had to complete an 18-month Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) element to finish the diploma's requirements. "As part of the I.B. programme at LIS, our students have to complete the 18-month CAS element to fulfill the diploma's requirements," said Vikki Purvis, CAS coordinator.

Graham Couser, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at the Grand Bahama Shipyard, released a mid-term report on the yard's 2012/13 season and was optimistic for the balance of the year and the continued quest to be a 'one-stop shop' shipyard. During September 2012 and through to April 2013 the yard is expecting to work on 17 cruise ships.

Regarding future yard developments, Couser was keen to note that the company is pleased with the development of the 'outfit berth', formally known as 'North Beach.' "Construction of a new sea wall is in progress," he explained. "With completion scheduled for late 2013 we will have a fully-serviced berth with 40 and 80 ton crane capacity and a large lay-down area suitable for prefabrication of outfitted units."

Girl Guides from across Grand Bahama enjoyed the out-of-doors at a day camp held on the grounds of Mary, Star of the Sea. Thirty-two girls participated in the exercise led by leaders Sue McCrea, Ismenette Victor, and Latonia Curry. They also received a visit from the Grand Bahama Commissioner Mrs. Sharon Sawyer and Assistant Commissioner Mrs. Wanrea Roxbury.

Day camp is preparation for the 3 day/2 night camp which will be held in March. The girls received their preliminary qualifications, leaning how to pitch and strike tents, build and take care of wood fires, outdoor cooking and gadgets.

The Humane Society of Grand Bahama's 28th Annual Dog Show was a great success in every way. Despite the very chilly day, over 400 people and almost 100 dogs came out on Saturday, March 2.

Mother Nature smiled on us and the rain held off. The kids enjoyed carnival games, face painting, pony rides and playing with shelter pups and kitties. Parents enjoyed a nice social outing and everyone enjoyed seeing a wide variety of exceptionally beautiful and well behaved dogs from tinies to giants.

Most of all, it was truly the dogs' day to shine. In our book, every single dog that entered is a winner. Their humans' love and pride really showed and it was simply a delightful day.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force on Friday, March 1, became the recipient of a 41 foot vessel, generously donated by the Government of the United States of America.

The boat, which was described as a 41 foot Safeboat Apostle Marine Interceptor, is being positioned at the Police Marine Support Service Unit located near the Sir Charles Hayward Yacht Club. It is designed to further enhance the RBPF's capacity to gather law enforcement information, conduct investigation, and interdict drug and human traffickers operating in The Bahamas.

As the most visited National Park in The Bahamas, Lucaya National Park (LNP) in East Grand Bahama has been in desperate need of more shelter and park seating for tourists and locals. "It is with a deep sense of pride today that we see the realization of a beautiful gazebo for this protected national park," said Eric Carey, Executive Director of the Bahamas National Trust (BNT). "This is the second part of the conceptual plans realized for the LNP, we are now working towards a visitor centre and most importantly protection of the surrounding lands to Gold Rock beach."

The 28k pavilion was financed completely by the Grand Bahama Power Company who is a strong supporter of the Trust on the island.

Cable Bahamas Ltd just opened its new state-of-the-art data centre on Grand Bahama, the first of its kind on the island. The facility, located in the heart of Freeport, complements Cable Bahamas' existing data centre located at the Robinson Road complex in Nassau.

The Grand Bahama Data Centre provides hosting facilities for clients as well as disaster recovery and business continuity services. Attracting clients from the financial services industry, as well as government and private enterprises, clients welcome the new data centre as it now gives them geographic diversity within The Bahamas.

Did you know that there are six natural, healthy, and safe care practices that support normal birth?

This is a summary of the position paper of Lamaze International about normal birth as found in the Lamaze International's normal birth publications at www.lamaze.org. What these Six Care Practices do is summarize the research of the best birth practices that "promote, support, and protect birth, bonding, and breastfeeding for pregnant women and their families." This information is the outcome evidence of scientific research findings that endorse safe, non-intrusive birthing practices.

Care Practice # 1: Labor begins on it's own

Top executives at Sun 'n Fun, Lakeland, Florida, are advertising and promoting a Fly-Out to Grand Bahama and Marsh Harbour, Bahamas, May 23-27, 2013 on the landing page of the Sun 'n Fun website.

Sun 'n Fun's President, John "Lites" Leenhouts, was a part of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism's Aviation Department's annual FBO Fam to The Bahamas in 2012. The Sun 'n Fun official stated that "The simplicity of getting in and out, and the beauty and enjoyment of travelling to The Bahamas, makes it an attractive destination for any pilot."

A magical jazz weekend is coming to the beautiful family island of Eleuthera. The concerts will take place over three days in the Governor's Harbour area during the 22nd to 24th of March 2013.

International artists performing include Antoinette Montague, Samuel Parker, Don Bouchat and Jesse Engle. Bahamian musicians include Peanuts Taylor, Vice Versa featuring Clinton Crawford and Naomi Taylor, Adrian D'Aguilar and Ralph Munnings. All profits from the event will be donated directly to Eleuthera's wonderful Haynes Library (pictured).

Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie said several local contractors and up to 150 persons are being employed to craft the unique facilities of The Cove, Eleuthera as well as the landscaping surrounding the resort.

Speaking at the grand opening of the resort in Gregory Town, Eleuthera, Friday, March 1, 2013, the Prime Minister said the resort in its construction, furnishings and operations showcases the talent of Bahamians and particularly Eleutherans.

When The Bahamas celebrates 40 years of independence this year, many of the activities will be the expected crowd-pleasers -- fireworks, music, speeches and Junkanoo. The one that might just outlast all the momentary bursts of national pride, however, could be a collection of portraits, faces from every walk of life, that will ultimately make up a national portrait gallery.

The organizers of The Bahamian Collection are now proud to announce that Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes and Lady Foulkes have agreed to serve as patrons of the unveiling of the first 60 portraits of the Collection. The unveiling will take place July 11 at The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas (NAGB) as part of the 40th anniversary celebrations.

Under the theme Magic & Dance, Soft Touch Productions is bringing the circus back to town! With show dates in both Freeport and Nassau families will get a chance to experience the wonder and excitement of the circus.

Students at Bartlett Hill Primary School were the first to see the show on Monday. Judging by the smiling faces it was a great afternoon for both students and performers alike.

Bishop Michael Eldon School primary students sing a gospel song, during the first day of the E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival Grand Bahama Adjudications, on March 5, 2013, at the Grand Lucayan Hotel, in Freeport.

Adjudicators will be in Freeport until March 15, 2013, and the events are FREE and open to the public.

The battle for the Bahamas Rugby Cup continued for Freeport on Saturday, 2nd March, at Freeport Rugby Football Club. The Freeport team were determined to win as last season the Cuckoos came second in league so they were the favorites for this game.

The last time Freeport and the Cuckoos played, Freeport lead by two tries by halftime but then the Cuckoos managed to smash holes in their weak defence and win. Everyone was hoping this wouldn't happen again.

In the first half, Freeport had three converted tries and one penalty and the Cuckoos had two converted tries and one try - the first half score was Freeport 24 - Cuckoos 19.

Following two highly successful wahoo fishing tournaments in recent months, the historic Big Game Club Resort & Marina has more world-class fishing news with the announcement today that well-known Captain Chase Camacho will be offering regular blue water charters from Bimini starting on April 1st.

Captain Chase, though his Chase N Dreams Yacht Charters, announced with the addition of The Bahamian Foreign Vessel Charter License and his acquisition of a Class A Bahamian License Captain License, that he and Miss Kethleen II, a 58' Viking Sportfish, will soon be trolling the waters off Bimini for Blackfin Tuna, Blue Marlin, Sailfish, Swordfish, Dolphin, Wahoo and many other sport species that have made Bimini one of the most sought after sport fishing destinations in the world for more than a half century.

The Bahamian People Are Being Mislead

One of the biggest threats to the growth of the consciousness of the Bahamian people is the media houses in our country. Day after day, year after year, media houses get on television, radio and in print and push erroneous information, "stories" void of balance, research and investigation, and in more untenable instances they push propaganda, lies and reports driven by personal interests and/or relationships, be it financial or otherwise, with power players and persons of influence in our country.

Stories about BTC are one of the biggest examples of this.

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To The Country's Lawyers: Help The Family of The Man Killed in Police Custody

Now that it has been ruled by autopsy that one of the men who recently died in police custody, died either by being strangled or being smothered to death, the family of the deceased will need a competent lawyer to defend their deceased loved one's rights at the Coroner's Inquest.

Whether the family can afford such a thing I do not know, but in the interest of justice and the overall stability of our democracy, those attorneys in this country who are considered as being among the best, should rise up and offer to provide the family their legal representation.

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