Executives from the global health care venture American World Clinics (AWC) are in The Bahamas this week to discuss the establishment of the country's biggest medical tourism site - a $200 million-plus venture to create over 200 jobs post construction. President of AWC Robert Priddy will be meeting key officials in healthcare, tourism, finance and the business sector. The three-day schedule will include stops in New Providence at the Office of The Prime Minister, Tourism and Health Ministries as well as in Grand Bahama to the Port Authority and the Freeport Container Port, among other visits.

"No one is going to places with cold climates for medical tourism," said Priddy.

Members of the bi-partisan political committee for a shared vision for education 2030 held the committee's first meeting at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology on Monday, April 15. Minister of Education, Science and Technology the Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald said "today can be regarded as an historic day in education, and indeed, our nation."

Members representing the official opposition serving on the committee are the Hon. Desmond Bannister, the Hon. Hubert Chipman and Mr. Carl Bethel. Representing the Democratic National Alliance is Mark Humes and the government is represented by the Hon. Dr. Bernard Nottage, the Hon. Allyson Maynard, the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, the Hon. Melanie Griffin and chairman of the College of The Bahamas Mr. Alfred Sears.

Cable Bahamas has announced a quantum leap forward for its REVON Broadband Internet subscribers and for The Bahamas, with the launch of a dramatic increase in speeds of more than 500 per cent. These major speed increases come with no change in costs to any of the company's existing levels of service. The company also announced an entirely new offering that will be released in the coming weeks and that will deliver up to 70 megabits per second Internet access.

REVON Broadband Internet customers will receive the new speed offerings starting Monday, April 22 in New Providence and Grand Bahama, and Monday, May 20 in Abaco and Eleuthera.

Funeral services were held for former Publisher and General Manager of the Nassau Guardian and former President of The Bahamas Golf Federation (BGF) Kenneth N. Francis on Saturday April 13, 2013, at St Agnes Anglican Church.

In attendance standing left to right Prime Minister the Rt. Hon Perry G. Christie; former Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Hubert Ingraham; Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration the Hon. Frederick Mitchell; and Governor-General His Excellency Sir Arthur Foulkes.

(BIS Photo / Derek Smith)

H.E. Eldred Bethel, High Commissioner, toured the newly opened Baha Mara offices in Central London recently. Ms. Beth Dean-Pope, left, Regional Director, Baha Mar Ltd., showed the High Commissioner and Mrs. Dawne Bethel around the new offices located at 170-173 Piccadilly in Central London.

Baha Mar Ltd. established an office in Central London in order to raise awareness of Baha Mar in Europe and the Middle East and will act as its European Headquarters for the sales of the Baha Mar Residences.

A $10 million upscale dinner, cinema and entertainment venue is slated to open its doors in 3Q of 2014, with 200 to 300 jobs created following construction of the highly anticipated Encore center. The first-of-its-kind contemporary center is expected to answer the calls of Bahamian residents long unsatisfied with the lack of diversity in social options around the country, said principals of the project's development firm, TFG Company Ltd.

Construction of the multi-purpose venue in western New Providence will kick off between late 2013 and early 2014.

DO YOU KNOW about these trustworthy websites for expectant parents to visit?

With the plethora of information available on the World Wide Web (www) and the more recent embrace of social media, healthcare consumers are easily overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information available to them. It can be difficult at times to know which sources are credible and reliable. Contrary to the thinking of many that "because it's on the internet, the information is accurate," a consumer must consider the source of the "facts" with a critical mind and some degree of sophistication.

The following website links provide childbearing consumers with research-based facts. While alike in their efforts to promote natural, safe and healthy birth outcomes, each organization listed below has a unique approach to the message it broadcasts.

On July 10th 1973, the Bahamas an archipelago of over 700 islands and cays, gained independence from Great Britain. This was also the year when on Grand Bahama a 12 acre topical garden was dedicated to Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Groves.

Today some 40 years later the Garden of the Groves is a major attraction for residents and visitors alike to enjoy the tranquility of nature a historic chapel, a spiritual labyrinth, authentic Bahamian shops and a Garden Restaurant.

As usual, it's been a busy week at the shelter. Also, as usual, full of highs and lows. We are ever thankful for the high points; which help us stay motivated to keep fighting for those who have no voice. Last week we finally got the results of the police investigation into the early January shooting death (by a police officer) of Grace Megan, a pit bull mix adopted from us as a puppy by one of our staff.

The police investigators have determined the shooting was justified. They did find the officer erred in not allowing us to remove the dog for medical attention.

Following its mandate of providing relevant information to the business community, the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce hosted the Monthly Luncheon to a packed room, presenting the topic of V.A.T. (Value Added Tax) and other important impending legislation important to the island. This is the first in a series of presentations on these subjects.

Renowned attorney, Carey Leonard, presented the topic and warned us to prepare for the 2013 Hurricane Season. He was not, however, referring to, the traditional weather systems that come and wreak havoc on our country, but a "Legislative Hurricane".

A team of 12 persons from the Ministry of the Environment in New Providence are currently in Grand Bahama conducting a site inspection of the Bahamas Oil Refining Company. The team was joined by officials from the Department of Environmental Health Services (G.B.), the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Police Fire Department, as well as environmental personnel from the Grand Bahama Port Authority.

The Ministry is looking into all aspects of BORCO's operations on Grand Bahama in wake of recent oil spills.

As schools around the country commemorated Patron's Day to mark our 40th Independence anniversary, faculty and staff of Jack Hayward High School (JHHS) paid homage to their patron, Sir Jack Hayward, Honourary Chairman, The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA).

In a morning filled with pomp and pageantry beginning with a flag display and national anthems of both The Bahamas and Great Britain, almost 1400 students were apprised of the history of their institution and contributions of its benevolent benefactor who will soon celebrate his 90th birthday in June.

The One Eleuthera Foundation and its partners are gearing up to host a weekend of events honoring Earth Day with the guiding theme "A Celebration of Earth & Partnerships". Festivities will commence on Thursday, April 25th with the Inaugural Eleuthera Business Outlook hosted by Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce which will be held at the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve, followed by a social with the Rotary Club of Eleuthera.

The major events will take place on Saturday, April 27th with the Cancer Society of Eleuthera's "Fun, Run, Walk" immediately followed by an Open House at the Cancer Society's Wellness Center to raise funding for and awareness of cancer.

Agape Christian School student Michael Albury, 17, sings the gospel song 'Jesus, Friend of Sinners' during the E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival's Abaco Adjudications, at the school in Marsh Harbour, Abaco, on April 15, 2013.

The adjudications will continue throughout the week and visit several settlements. Admission to view the performances is free to the public.

Members of The Catholic Board of Education's Fundraising Committee are gearing up for what plans to be a night of fun, food and fanfare, as they honour some of the men and women who attended Catholic Schools and have given unselfishly of their time and resources to church, community and country.

Under the theme "Beyond Imagination: Making It Happen Through Catholic Education" the Catholic Board of Education will hold a Gala Ball on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort and Casino, beginning at 7 pm.

Dubbed the 2013 Pink Pearls, little angels from across the Bahamas will take to the stage in a grand celebration hoping to capture the prestigious Little Miss Bahamas crown at the Wyndham Rain Forest Theatre on May 20th.

The contestants competes in four age categories (5-7) (7-9) (10-12) (12-14) with a winner in each catergory who then hope to be crowned the overall winner earning the title Little Miss Bahamas 2013.

St. John's College Emerald Chorale sings a powerful rendition of a gospel song about Joshua and Jericho, during the recent E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival New Providence Adjudications, at Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts.

(BIS Photo / Eric Rose)

The young president of Bahamas Striping, Atario Mitchell, has been chosen as one of the Bahamians to feature in the landmark portraiture collection "The Bahamian Project", organisers have announced.

The collection of portraits-that aims to reflect and portray the beauty and distinct character of the Bahamian people from all walks of life-will be the foundation of a permanent National Portrait Gallery. The project is headed by award-winning photographer Duke Wells and works in collaboration with The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas and the Popopstudios International Center for the Visual Arts.

England's Suey Smith is living every soccer mad girl's dream - and she will be sharing that with all the girls who attend this year's Grand Bahama soccer camp. She has played the game ever since she was in primary school but it was in her teens when she first made her mark, playing for the junior teams of a leading UK professional club.

"The opportunity to share time with and work with children from your soccer camp is something I could of only dreamed of and I am very much looking forward to spending that week with you," she told Derek Archer, one of the camp organisers

March 12th, 2013 was the start of free agency in the NFL, we have to wait another week until the 27th April to see what players will be selected. I have decided to do a mock draft from 1 - 10 to get you all football fans thinking before next weekend. First overall pick goes to the Kansas City Chief's my selection - Luke Joeckel.

The Kansas City Chiefs have just brought in 49ers quarterback Alex Smith and Atlanta Falcons corner back Duante Robinson that fills a hole on their defence. The Chiefs brought in tight end Anthony Fasano from the Dolphins. The Kansas City Chiefs had a 4-12 record in 2012.

From: The Tribune 242

THE four Bahamians who were taking part in the Boston Marathon Monday - which was hit by two explosions - are safe and well.

Bahamians Shavaughn Blades, Rhonda Claridge, Sidney Collie and Youlanda Deveaux had been taking part in the event.

To the Editor:

I have spent more than 30 years as an advocate and litigator on behalf of grassroots and minority groups in Canada, the U.S., the Caribbean, and Latin and Central America, challenging the attempts by large corporations and powerful political entities to control and privatize the commons - the air, water, aquifers, fisheries, beaches, and public lands - that are by law, and tradition, the shared property of the broader public including the poor.

In the Caribbean, I have used the courts, community campaigns and public forums to challenge grabs by multinational hotel chains, developers and government agencies who seek to gain exclusive control of the reefs, fisheries, beaches and entire islands. This includes the successful crusade, led by thousands of courageous Puerto Ricans, to halt U.S. Navy practice bombardments on the island of Vieques in 2001 - for which many of us went to prison.