During a radio interview Wednesday on Real Talk with Ortland Bodie, members of the Coalition to Protect Clifton Bay challenged the citizens of The Bahamas to value their natural resources and embrace the opportunity to be on the right side of history by supporting the Coalition's efforts. Environmentalist Samantha Duncombe and Bahamian environmental attorney Romi Ferreira charged the public to make a change by valuing the environment that sustains them. A major component in affecting change relies heavily on the structuring of legislation.

"We don't have the environmental regulations in place. If we had our Environmental Impact Assessment Act or the regulatory component to the Environmental Health Services Act, these things would effectively govern such activities," said Ferreira.

Bahamian Brewery owner, Jimmy Sands, announced at the opening of the company's corporate offices, April 18, that the company will enter the export market to Florida in two months.

And, State Minister for Finance, the Hon. Michael Halkitis, congratulated the Sands family for its history in the beverage business, and that Everett Sands started a store in Grand Bahama, as an entrepreneurial venture, and that company grew as Butler & Sands, to be the largest wine and spirits company in the country.

On Tuesday, April 23, five members of the National Museum of The Bahamas paid a courtesy call on U.S. Chargé d'Affaires a.i. John Armstrong at the U.S. Embassy to discuss their recent participation in a Voluntary Visitor Program (VOLVIS) exchange program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.

The group included Mrs. Kim Outten-Stubbs, Chief Curator; Ms. Shakera Moncur; Mr. Stephen Cooper; Mr. Deon Simms and Ms. Nikita Thompson-Wells. The meeting with Chargé Armstrong served as an opportunity to learn about the National Museum of The Bahamas's restoration efforts and how the group intends to incorporate lessons learned on the visit in the Pompey Museum, which is due to reopen this summer.

Developers of an upscale waterfront community in Nassau have found a way to fight procrastination. "We're taking a page from Benjamin Franklin," says Zachary 'Zack' Bonczek, Sales & Marketing Manager at Palm Cay, the 69-acre seaside community along Nassau's southeastern shore.

"Those who act today instead of waiting until tomorrow will reap the benefit, in this case, those who sign a contract by April 30 will be rewarded by our paying the full government Stamp Tax on the transaction." The standard practice is for buyers and sellers to share the Stamp Tax, each paying 5%.

Just a few months after Bahamas Speed Week Revival brought more than 40 classic and modern racing cars to Nassau from around the world, the organization presented four local charities with a generous donation raised at the Pictet Speed Week Gala and Auction of Promises sponsored by Pictet Bank & Trust.

During a courtesy call with His Excellency Sir Arthur Foulkes, Speed Week organizers donated $50,000 collectively to The Nazareth Centre, The Ranfurly Homes for Children, Project Read and The Lyford Cay Scholarship Fund for Bahamian Children.

Christian Heritage School is set to host its first annual Spring Fling Festival on Saturday, April 27 from 10 am to 8pm at Holy Trinity Church Grounds, Stapleton Gardens.

Families from across the island are invited to enjoy a day of free entertainment featuring bouncing castles, games, prizes, a smorgasbord of food and concerts including storytelling and a combined choir throughout the afternoon with Funky D headlining the local entertainment at 5pm.

On March 24th 2013 the Eta Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha honoured twenty-eight of the nation's best and brightest graduating female students throughout The Bahamas.

The students also had the opportunity to participate in the 40-day community beautification program hosted by the Urban Renewal Center of Bain & Grants Town along with members of the sorority. Inspector Anthony Rolle, coordinator and the residents of the community applauded the young ladies for the willingness to assist in the project and congratulated them on their achievements as honourees.

Mastering international debate prepares future delegates for scholarship and research opportunities in global negotiations. Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister, the Hon. Fred Mitchell encouraged the high school students selected for the 16th Model United Nations Sessions (MUNS), to inherit a heritage of competence in civics, globalisation, communications, and diplomatic relations.

Photo: Lucaya International School (LIS), Grand Bahama, represents The Bahamas.

The Coastal Awareness Committee on Grand Bahama in conjunction with many partners, including the Keep Grand Bahama Clean Committee, EARTHCARE, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Rangers, and many community organizations and young persons staged an island wide Coastal Cleanup on Grand Bahama from East to West.

A large number of companies participated, namely: BORCO, Grand Bahama Shipyard, The Bahamian Brewery, the Hutchison Whampoa Group of Companies, the Container Port, Grand Bahama Airport Ltd., and Freeport Harbour Co. Ltd. The locations targeted on April 20th, 2013 were Barbary Beach, Fortune Beach, Williams Town Beach, all of Pinder's Point, Lovers Beach and Sunset Beach.

We're focusing only on happy stories this week!

Pictured here are a number of our potcakes adopted into loving homes both locally and abroad. We are so grateful to every single potcake adopter both locally and abroad who have welcomed one or more potcakes into their hearts and homes.

Our potcakes now reside in so many places, and more and more people are discovering the special traits of our beloved "national dog". There are potcakes in Florida, Georgia, Texas, New York, Massachusetts, Washington D.C., Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, Virginia, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, New Mexico, Nebraska, Illinois, and we're sure a few more we've missed here.

Director of Education, Mr. Lionel K. Sands on April 19 saluted those outstanding students on Grand Bahama for their accomplishments during the 2011 -2012 school year. Mr. Sands was attending the 6th Annual Grand Bahama District Awards ceremony, held at the St. Georges' High School Gymnasium.

He told the gathering that included many proud parents that the schools in the Grand Bahama District have much to be proud of, having made some noteworthy accomplishments during the 2011 -2012 school year. Touching on the theme for the occasion, "Honouring Excellence in Education" Mr. Sands told the students that to be honoured for a task that you perform is a great tribute.

For over 58 years the priests of the Scarboro Foreign Mission Society have rendered invaluable services to The Bahamas. This era came to a close on August 31, 2012 with the retirement of Monsignor J. Ambrose MacKinnon, S.F.M., then pastor at Mary, Star of the Sea Parish and the last serving member of the Society in The Bahamas.

This Friday, April 26, 2013 at 5:30 pm, under the patronage of the Archdiocese of Nassau, Archbishop Patrick C. Pinder, S.T.D., C.M.G., joined by the Superior General of the Scarboro Foreign Mission Society, Fr. Brian Swords will be the celebrants at a Mass of Thanksgiving for the ministry of the Society in The Bahamas over the past half century.

Land disputes, protecting the environment, sustainable development and the future for Eleuthera are making headlines. The Island of Eleuthera is becoming an important economic hub and the sale of a large parcel of land at the southern tip that is known as Lighthouse Point (LHP) requires close examination. It has the one of the best beaches in the Bahamas and untouched land where habitats, important scientific research and artifacts lay.

The One Eleuthera Foundation's petition to "Save Lighthouse Point" and its surrounding areas that make up 720 acres has gained local and international attention.

The National Coastal Awareness Committee has embarked on a feasibility study to have the unsightly barges removed from Elizabeth Harbour, which have become an eyesore to the community over many years.

Earlston McPhee, Chairman of the Coastal Awareness Committee, Sustainable Development for the Ministry of Tourism visited the area along with Stuart Cove, chairman of the coastal clean-up sub-committee to inspect the area and see how best the cleanup can be done.

Cable Bahamas Ltd announced last week that residents of Wemyss Bight, South Eleuthera can now experience digital TV, broadband Internet, and telephone services in their community.

Residents of this settlement in South Eleuthera can now enjoy all of the advanced services provided by Cable Bahamas, including it's upgraded broadband Internet services due to launch in Eleuthera mid-May.

MOSS TOWN, Exuma - The L N Coakley High School in this centuries-old farming village has a lot to boast about nowadays. One of its highly decorated students, Audrey Culmer, 16, became the second runner-up in the Junior Minister of Tourism Speech Competition.

The grade 11 prefect, Honour Roll student and named on the Principal's List, made history when she became the first student from that school to achieve such a high place during the speech competition held April 11, 2013.

Man-O-War Primary School students sing a medley of island songs, including original songs about their island and boats, during the E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival Abaco Adjudications on the island, April 16, 2013.

The adjudications continued in Marsh Harbour and Hope Town and were free and open to the public to enjoy.

It's often been explored, debated and showcased; the connection between Bahamian music and the preservation of national identity is a provocative subject. And it's one that a small team of skillful filmmakers at The College of The Bahamas have captured for the big screen in a documentary called "Rhythms of The Bahamas".

The short documentary made its debut at the 3rd Annual College of The Bahamas Short Film Festival held last week at the Oakes Field Campus. Produced by COB students from various academic disciplines, it was among six films that made it to the final round of screening. O

The competition has officially started as seven hopefuls vying for the title of Miss Grand Bahama 2013-2014 were recently unveiled during an elegant evening of beauty, fashion and entertainment poolside at Sabor, at the Pelican Bay Hotel.

With the mission of transforming "our young women into true ambassadors for our country" the Miss Grand Bahama Organization is dedicated to grooming young women of Grand Bahama into purpose-driven, community-minded, beautiful young ladies. As the nation celebrates its 40th birthday the theme chosen for this year's pageant is "The Flame: Celebrating Beauty and Independence."

Equipped with their cameras and their ingenuity primed, photojournalism students at The College of The Bahamas have captured the stories behind some of the country's most gripping national issues and displayed their storytelling at the recently held "Writers of Light: Beyond a Point of View" exhibition. The photo exhibition was on display on the top floor of The College's Chapter One bookstore.

Students captured on film images that highlighted issues in health care, adolescence, culture and the environment. College Lecturer Hugo Zarate said, "I believe that the students are really connected with what's going in the Bahamian society and photography is a creative and positive way to show their views."

Manchester United won a record setting 20th league title on Monday in their match against Aston Villa. They won this title with four games to spare showing that they have had a very dominant season. Manchester United won their first premier league title in 1998 and have continued their tradition building great squads to keep the club positioned as one of the best in the world.

Manchester United won the title in their home ground at Old Trafford which is the fourth time the team has done this, they did it before in 1999, 2002 and 2009.

GEORGE TOWN, Exuma -- The stage has been set for the 60th National Family Island Regatta in which sailing sloops will take to the historic Elizabeth Harbour in competition and add another boost to this thriving economy.

Petherina Hanna, general manager of the Exuma Tourism Office, underscores the importance of the regatta to the local economy and the overall tourism product.

This Weekend at Winton Rugby Centre:
3:00pm - Buccaneers v Cuckoos. This is the Heineken (Bahamas) Cup Final.

The Cup holders (Cuckoos) will play Buccaneers who haven't reached the final for 17 years. This will be a huge match!

By Dan Jacobs / Sport Fishing Magazine

QUEPOS, Costa Rica -- In its very first year in Costa Rica, the Offshore World Championship hosted 67 teams from 31 different countries who had earned the invitation to the event by winning one of the 120 Qualifying offshore tournaments held around the world. The 324 anglers experienced a record setting bite for the tournament, recording 821 billfish releases, including 811 sailfish, nine blue marlin and one striped marlin.

Yes indeed there many aspects of our national life that are being butchered by greedy foreign interests, and compromised political leaders.

Bimini is in the throes of the Cappo group creating a cement world casino paradise, and real estate bonanza, smack in the middle of our mangroves, sea grass, inter-coastal wetlands, creeks and sounds of Davis Bank.

The pristine East Wells, Coppice which have supplied green space of exquisite flora fauna and fish, of all description is ear marked for dredging and refilling. The entire ecosystem has been compromised already. The protection provided by the 30 ft. tall mangroves will expose North Bimini flooding.

The new home owners will be able to fish when they get tired of golfing and casino gambling. They will be able to fish without limits and the remaining stock will dwindle.