The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration confirms that a peaceful, but noisy demonstration occurred Minday in Miami outside the Ingraham Building, home of the Bahamas Consulate.

Using loud speakers and placards, eight demonstrators demanded better treatment for four female Cuban Nationals detained at the Carmichael Road Detention Center. The protest lasted two hours, from 11am to around 1pm in the afternoon. There were no physical attacks on the building housing the Bahamas Consulate or on its staff; all are reported safe.

Cable Bahamas Ltd is gearing up for a major change in the way that it communicates with its customers via telephone. The telecommunications company, which launched its REVOICE phone service over a year ago, is switching its own internal phone system over to REVOICE, leaving behind the legacy phone service it has been using for the last 18 years. "We are 'putting our money where our mouth is', so to speak," said David Burrows, head of marketing at Cable Bahamas.

The customer service number, previously 356-2200, changes to 601-2200, their Grand Bahama main number changes from 350-8800 to 602-8800, and the main administration number switches from 356-6780 to 601-6780. Internal direct numbers starting with 356 and 502 in Nassau and 350 in Grand Bahama will also change their prefix to 601 and 602 respectively.

Leading environmental expert, Kathleen Sullivan-Sealey (Associate Professor at the Department of Biology. University of Miami), says: "Clifton Bay is under massive threat. Coral reef is being destroyed, oil spills are increasing and the conch population risks dying out. The root of all this damage is the lack of proper oversight and regulation of fishing, tourism, transport, coastal development and other human activities. The conservation and protection of Clifton Bay is being sacrificed for short-term interests."

To address these critical threats, Kathleen and other leading names in the field of environmentalism and conservation throughout The Bahamas and the United States have joined together to form the "Coalition to Protect Clifton Bay" which launched Monday.

Minister of State for Investment in the Office of the Prime Minister the Hon. Khaalis Rolle said, on March 21, 2013, that the grand opening of the new Solomon's Fresh Market represents a "secure investment" in the Bahamian people and the eastern New Providence communities.

"It is meaningful, not only because it is necessary, but because it is a Bahamian business significantly investing in its country," Minister Rolle said during the Grand Opening Ceremony held that day at the Harbour Bay Shopping Plaza.

Damianos Sotheby's International Realty is pleased to announce that Craig Pinder has joined its Nassau sales team.

Having always had an interest in real estate, Craig made a decision in 1997 to become a licensed Realtor and claims that it was the best decision he has ever made! He has a solid history of sales and in 2000 he was one of two Bahamian realtors selected for the position of on-site sales executives for the prestigious and world-renown gated golf course community of Ocean Club Estates on Paradise Island.

Mary Star of the Sea Catholic School's 17th annual Down Home celebration was a time for reflection for all in attendance who were encouraged to be 'Proud of Our Heritage'.

Addressing faculty, students, parents and other invited guests, Ginger Moxey, Vice President, The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) and Vice Chairman, 40th Independence Committee, described the school event as most fitting in light of the country's 40th Independence anniversary.

One of the leading international shipping companies in the world, Mediterranean Shipping Company Bahamas Ltd. (MSC) has come to the aid of local group home, Columbus House, to repair the roof of one of their buildings.

Columbus House is an organization that supports young boys and girls, ages 12 to 18, who are either from abused or abandoned homes and aims to provide a safe place for them to live, plus social support through mentoring programs.

Easter is right around the corner, and that means the residents of Pelican Point are gearing up once again for their annual Coconut Festival! Featuring authentically Grand Bahamian culture with special emphasis on cuisine and century's old social traditions the Coconut Festival, celebrating its 15th year, is a homecoming event for the otherwise tranquil, picturesque settlement of Pelican Point. The event takes place April 1st beginning at 11am.

Highlights of the event will include fun games and activities such as coconut shell crafts, other souvenirs (such as jams, soap, candles etc.), coconut eating and barking contests, and live music performances.

Girl Guides from the 4th and 9th Freeport Companies of the Grand Bahama District of the Bahamas Girl Guide Association ventured out to a weekend camp March 15-17, 2013. Leaders: Ismenette Victor, Latonia Curry, Noella Anderson and Sue McCrea, were joined by Assistant District Commisssioner Wanrea Roxbury and introduced twenty-one girls to the joys of camping under the stars.

The Hawksbill Yacht Club graciously offered their beautiful grounds for this camp. Due to the generosity of many Grand Bahama sponsors the girls were able to demonstrate their knowledge by pitching and striking tents and cooking over a fire.

So many dogs (and a few kitties) had rescue commitments we were able to do another puppylift one week after the last one! 74 dogs/pups and 3 kittens left the island for better lives last Friday, March 22nd.

Our shelter's dog population was reduced by a whopping 38% and gives us some badly needed space and a respite from high food costs ... at least for now. Our hope is that our crazy high intake will slow down but sadly calls keep coming in about strays, people keep giving up dogs and cats, and puppies are still being born all over Grand Bahama. And ... kitten season is almost upon us.

The Grand Bahama Utility Company (GBUC) joined with organizations worldwide in celebration of World Water Day on Monday under the theme, 'International Year of Water Cooperation'.

This year's event was marked by an educational exhibit in the foyer of the Freeport Post Office where members of the public received water-related 'Did You Know' facts, along with helpful water saving tips.

The 2013 Great Abaco Family Fitness Weekend was a great success, and in the second year managed to more than double the participation from the inaugural year. This year 185 persons participated in the athletic events - including a 1-mile open water swim, a Sprint triathlon, an Olympic triathlon, a kid's 1-mile run, and a 5k/10k fun run/walk.

The weekend opened on Friday afternoon with a 1-mile open water swim, sponsored by BTC, in which 25 participants entered the water at the beautiful Treasure Cay beach in Abaco.

Bimini will be the backdrop for several days of on-the-water filming for Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin, who will join cast and crew for the "The Current," a film focusing on disabled athletes participating in a variety of water sports.

Franklin, a teenage phenom, who took home five medals (four gold's) from the London Olympic Games, made a national news splash earlier this month when she entertained visitors at the Denver Aquarium with an underwater scuba dance routine.

On Thursday, March 21, 2013, a delegation of U.S. and Bahamian senior government officials travelled to Great Inagua Island (GI) for the ceremony to mark the official opening of the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos's (OPBAT) new $20 million USD Aircraft Hangar project at the GI International Airport.

U.S. Chargé d'Affaires John Dinkelman, Rear Admiral William D. Baumgartner, Commander, Seventh Coast Guard District, USCG and Mr. Mark Trouville, Special Agent-In-Charge, Miami Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) headed the U.S. delegation.

Move over Kalik there's a new brew in Alice Town. The historic Bimini Big Game Club Resort and Marina has introduced its own private label draft beer- Big Game Club Ale.

"This is yet another step in our continuing efforts to create a unique brand for this property," said General Manager Michael Weber. "Certainly, we will continue to serve Kalik (a popular local beer brewed in Nassau) and other popular beers such as Sand's Beer & High Rock, but having our own label says something about The Big Game Club being distinctively different."

An internationally renowned choir is coming to Freeport to perform with all proceeds benefitting the Grand Bahama Children's Home, thanks to the generous sponsorship of Mr. David Wynn Griffiths.

This weekend, 50 members of the Cor y Brythoniaid Male Voice Choir from North Wales will arrive in Grand Bahama to perform at the Port Lucaya Marketplace on Good Friday evening at 8pm and then for a full show at the Regency Theatre on Saturday, March 30th at 7.30 pm.

The Grand Bahama Performing Arts Society brought world renowned jazz pianist, Steve Koven to the Grand Bahama Sailing Club in Freeport on March 24th. The audience was treated to incredible improvisational jazz music led by Steve Koven and accompanied by the local musical talents of Dr. Clarence Green, bassist and Patrick Russell on drums.

The music was amazing. Steve Koven played his original songs inspired by his many travels, in particular the Great Wall of China. He also shared songs that he had written after visiting the country of Colombia.

Imagine losing a child and less than two years later, receiving a gift of a life-like portrait to celebrate your child's memory and love. This is what recently happened to Anna Hall of Nassau, Bahamas when she received a life-like black and white portrait of her late son, Garvin Hall, drawn by Jamaal Rolle, The Celebrity Artist.

Known as a portrait artist, Bahamian Jamaal Rolle is internationally known for presenting his work to such stars at Oprah Winfrey, Sir Sidney Poitier and Johnny Depp among many, many others.

As the E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival continues its adjudications on New Providence and throughout The Bahamas, parents laud the programme and commend organizers for what they do for their children.

Kendith Higgs was busy throughout the entire National Arts Festival adjudications, as her daughters, Maurice E. Moore Primary School students 11-year-old Corey and 10-year-old Chelsey, took part in all three of the major disciplines of drama, music and dance. "We truly love it," Ms. Higgs said excitedly.

Miami Heat are trying to beat the NBA record for all time consecutive wins by a defending champion. The Heat have had a twenty-three game winning streak which is ten less than the LA Laker's record of thirty-three which happened during the 1971-1972 season. This is the longest winning streak by a defending champion.

The Miami Heat are a very exciting team with three all stars - LeBron James who is three time MVP, Dwayne Wade who is back after knee surgery and Chris Bosh who is playing strong. The team looks unbeatable.

Minister for Grand Bahama, the Honourable Dr. Michael Darville on Monday pledged his Ministry's support for the upcoming 3rd Annual Grand Bahama Shipyard Fishing Tournament scheduled for 6th April at the Grand Bahama Yacht Club.

In announcing his Ministry's support of the tourney, Dr. Darville said he was pleased to participate in any event whose primary function is to assist the young people of our nation. He took note of the fact that proceeds from the event will benefit the Bartlett Hill Primary School, Martin Town Primary School and Holmes Rock Primary.

As Team Bahamas readies to compete in the upcoming 42nd annual CARIFTA Games, 17 athletes from Grand Bahama are among their ranks as The Bahamas plays host to the region, March 29 to April 1, 2013.

Several well-known Bahamian track and field standouts hail from Grand Bahama, and The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) is keen to do its part to ensure that a new generation of youngsters are able to receive the exposure and experience gained from competing on such an international level as CARIFTA.

Lots of feedback this week with issues concerning Grand Bahama, Bimini, and our nation as a whole. Click on each title to read full letter on BahamaIslandsInfo.com

An initiataive to have March 22 - Sir Lynden Pindling's Birthday - Declared a Holiday in The Bahamas

re Five things wrong with Grand Bahama by Jeffrey B. Butler

Five things wrong with Grand Bahama follow up

The PORT and the Hawskbill Creek Agreement

The one thing wrong with Grand Bahama

You all should get a life

Genting and Bimini Bay poised to destroy one of Bimini's most popular reefs

A letter from Bimini's stakeholders to the Prime Minister, sent almost a year ago