On March 11, 2013, the U.S. Embassy in Nassau launched a new web-based appointment system that affects visa applicants throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. There will not be a fee increase associated with these changes.

With the new system, applicants will now pay the application fee at a local Cash 'N Go location. After the fee is paid, applicants will be able to schedule an appointment using the new web-based system at http://usvisa-info.com/. Applicants residing on New Providence or Grand Bahama will now have their passport and visa delivered by courier to a local DHL office.

Bernard Kenneth Bonamy served on the police force for 38 years and over half of his life was dedicated to the preservation of peace and the security of the nation, Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie said.

The Prime Minister brought remarks at the Full Military Funeral for retired Commissioner of Police Bernard Kenneth Bonamy, CMG, LVO, QPM, LLB, CLE at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Friday, March 8, 2013.

On Friday, February 15, 2013, the Bahamas Consul General in Miami, Florida, received an award on behalf of The Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association (BASRA). The Caribbean Search and Rescue Lifesaving Award was bestowed on BASRA by the Association for Rescue at Sea (AFRAS) who chose BASRA for its heroic air sea rescue services, over 12 other nominations from across the Caribbean.

On November 7, 2011, BASRA members responded to a distress call involving 6 crewmen whose boat had capsized somewhere along the Man-O-War Passage in Abaco.

RM Bailey Senior High School celebrated Commonwealth Day and marked the 40th Anniversary of Bahamian Independence with a special assembly that featured an address by successful young entrepreneur from Bahamas Striping, President Atario Mitchell.

Students heard Mitchell's advice on preparing now for being a successful entrepreneur at the school's special assembly to observe Commonwealth Day with it's year-long theme of "Opportunities Through Enterprise".

The Organization of Young Professionals (OYP) hosted its first Annual Mastermind Conference on February 25th 2013 at The Hilton British Colonial Hotel under the theme, "Plan, Adapt, Change."

An opportunity for young professionals to embrace the concept of a Mastermind Group, the conference allowed attendees to understand how to utilize the power of collective thinking in a sprit of harmony towards a definite purpose. The Organization of Young Professionals (OYP) is a division of The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers' Confederation (BCCEC).

Last Monday, Lyford Cay International School (LCIS) students took to the track at the impressive, new Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium of the Bahamas. LCIS students, excited to be given the opportunity to run on the "Track Of Champions", showed a marked improvement in their running techniques thanks to guidance from LCIS specialist track coach, Ron Rogers, given during regular PE classes.

Following the success and growth of the Art and Performing Arts Institute model at LCIS, the school administration decided to implement a plan to further develop the students' athletic prowess and sporting abilities by introducing the LCIS Sports Institute.

The officers and executive members of the New Providence Women's Branch of the Progressive Liberal Party joined the Bahamian delegation led by Minister of Social Services and Community Development, Mrs. Melanie S. Griffin at the first week of the 57th Session on the Commission on the Status of Women (the "Session") currently being held at the United Nations in New York City.

The representatives of the Branch that formed a part of the Bahamian delegation was led by Chairperson - Mrs. Arinthia S. Komolafe and included Mrs. Ann Marie Davis, wife of the Deputy Prime Minister, Mrs. Jenniffer Braynen and Ms. Beverley LaRoda.

On Friday, 8th March 2013, women, men and children joined together at the Grand Bahama Labyrinth in the Garden of the Groves to celebrate International Women's Day. With the peaceful gardens as the backdrop, the evening was filled with music, art, refreshments, signing a peace banner, and a ceremony that included speeches about women's issues and empowerment with both a local and global focus.

The highlight of the evening was a speech given by the Honourable Melanie Griffin, Minister of Social Services and Community Development, who flew in from Nassau to join the event.

Kelly's Freeport Ltd. recently received a top honour from the True Value Coporation - The Best Hardware Store In Town Award.

The local store was the only international business to be recognized and will be featured in a global advertising campaign. The presentation took place in Atlanta, Georgia.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration the Hon. Fred Mitchell said he has been spending much time in Grand Bahama where the issuing of the granting of work permits is "most vexing".

While presenting his Mid-Year Budget Statement in the House of Assembly, March 11, 2013, Minister Mitchell said he intends to spend every Friday there in support of the work of the Ministry of Grand Bahama, until he has a sense that the immigration matter in Freeport is brought under control.

Some of the definitions of "foster" include to bring up, raise, or rear, or to care for or cherish. In the animal rescue world, foster families are literally the cornerstone of any successful re-homing programme. A shelter environment is simply not conducive to the nurturing and socialization of young puppies or kittens, nor to healing and socialization of neglected or sick adult animals.

We won't tell you it's easy. It does involve some work, and commitment. Many people say they can't do it, because it would be too hard to give them up. Successful fosters agree that it is hard; but even harder is to contemplate the animals' fate otherwise. Finding a foster family for an orphaned puppy, kitten or litter can truly be the difference between life and death.

"As the Commonwealth of The Bahamas unites in celebration of its 40th anniversary of independence, the Garden of the Groves also commemorates four decades of existence," stated Henry St. George, Vice President, The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA).

Speaking during an official plaque unveiling, St. George noted that since its opening and dedication to the founding father of Freeport, Wallace Groves and his wife Georgette in 1973, the garden has been a vital part of the Grand Bahama community.

At the monthly general meeting of the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce (GBCC) the President, Directors and members were delighted to welcome His Excellency Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba, H.E. Ernesto Soberon Guzman during his first official visit to Grand Bahama.

During the lunch, Ambassador Guzman spoke to the attendees and highlighted the growing economy of his country, its intention to update their current operating systems and create good relations and business opportunities between Cuba and The Bahamas.

Local music lovers are in for a special treat this month when the multi-award-winning Brythoniaid Male Voice Choir, known in Welsh as Cor y Brythoniaid, arrive in Grand Bahama. The 68 members of the choir will perform two shows to benefit the Grand Bahama Children's Home.

The Brythoniaid Male Voice Choir is the largest male voice choir in Wales, United Kingdom and has toured far and wide to destinations including the United States, Belgium, Ireland and Scotland. This grand concert will take place on Saturday, March 30th at 7:30pm at the Regency Theatre. A preview performance will also be held the evening before at 7:00 pm at Count Basie Square, Port Lucaya.

At the direction of FNM party leader, Dr. Hubert Minnis, the public are invited to attend and participate in the annual activities to honour the late founding father and party leader Sir Cecil Wallace-Whitfield.

The FNM Grand Bahama Council announces the following events taking place on that island March 15-17.

On Friday, March 8th, Grand Bahama residents joined with thousands of women, men and children worldwide who gathered on bridges to call for an end to war and to demonstrate that we can build the bridges of peace and hope for the future. As part of the 4th annual 'Join me on the Bridge' event, held at Garden of the Groves, organiser and Women for Women volunteer, Lynette McInnes, invited female high school students on Grand Bahama to submit an essay under the theme "What do Women's Rights and Equality Mean to Me?"

Charlotte Craig, a Year 10 student at Lucaya International School, was the winner with honourable mention going to Sophie Paine and Asiyah Robinson. All three ladies' essays are reproduced below.

The Rotary Club of Nassau Sunrise presents: "Jazz at the Gallery." Indulge your senses with music, culinary arts and the gallery's art exhibits on Saturday April 6th, at the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas from 7pm to 11pm. It promises to be an evening of sights, sounds and temptations!

The grounds of the NAGB will be transformed into an elegant soiree, flowing seamlessly from one attraction to the next. Music will be provided by several artists, known and emerging, with musical styles of Jazz to Rhythm and Blues to Soca.

On March 12, U.S. Chargé d'Affaires John Dinkelman visited St. Augustine's College (SAC) to recognize the Grand Prize Art Winner of the U.S. Embassy's 2013 Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil Rights Contest, Denzel Pratt, and presented him with a new Apple iPad.

Denzel briefly described the inspiration behind his art entry as part of the school special assembly in front of his fellow classmates, teachers, Chargé Dinkelman and renowned Bahamian artist Antonius Roberts. His piece of art depicted Dr. King holding a key which represented his message of freedom for all people regardless of race and how this message inspired his forefathers in their pursuit to secure an independent Bahamas.

Harsh weather conditions made this year's Optimist/Jr Laser Winter Championship Regatta hosted by the Nassau Yacht Club a challenging event all around. It was blowing 20 to 25 knots and temperatures during the days plummeted into the 60s, but junior sailors braved the elements and raced both Saturday and Sunday.

Despite the frigid temperatures, the young sailors enjoyed the competition. Through chattering teeth, they bragged bout their ability to handle their boats in such strong winds - a major physical accomplishment, particularly for the youngest 9-11 year olds.

While a match in Nassau featuring Jamaica's national football squad and England's Tottenham Hotspur will be carried out as a part of The Bahamas' Independence celebrations, it will also be in celebration of the creation of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe said.

Minister Wilchcombe pointed out that 2013 marks both the 40th anniversary of Bahamian Independence and the 40th anniversary of the signing of the treaty of Chaguaramas, which created Caricom. The match will take place May 23 at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.

The "Crazy Eights" golf group, were cited by the Grand Bahama Tourist Office for accumulating more than 3,000 room night visits on Grand Bahama Island over the past twenty-five years.

Director of Tourism, Karen F. Seymour said, "The Ministry of Tourism and the Grand Bahama community value the contribution to the economy of destination over the many years, and we look forward to your continued patronage." She noted that Ministry officials celebrated with the group five years ago on the 20th anniversary and look forward to celebrating the upcoming 30th in 2018.

The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), the Bahamas Football Association and Beach Soccer Worldwide announced Wednesday that The Bahamas will host the 2013 CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship, the qulalifying competition for the 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, May 8-12, at the recently opened beach soccer facility in Nassau.

The winner and runner-up of the competition, which is being hosted for the first time by a Caribbean nation, will qualify directly to the 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, September 18-28, at To'ata Stadium in Papeete, Tahiti.