On Wednesday, May 8, U.S. Chargé d'Affaires John Dinkelman presented awards totaling $14,000 to community organizations in The Bahamas who submitted winning proposals for the 2013 PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) Small Grants Program. Mrs. Hyacinth Pratt, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Mr. Herbert Brown, Managing Director, Public Hospitals Authority were among the invited guests at the ceremony held at the U.S. Embassy's Ship Ahoy residence.

The PEPFAR Small Grants Program provides U.S. government funding to NGOs, schools and community organizations in The Bahamas that are committed to promoting prevention activities focused on reducing the spread of HIV, reducing AIDS related stigma and discrimination, and encouraging the local community to cooperate in fighting the epidemic.

With the words "I name you Campbell Ship Jaden, and I pray that all who sail on you will do so with God's blessings and in joy and good health," Her Excellency Joan Lady Foulkes launched the latest ship which is to be added to the fleet of Campbell Shipping Company Limited and is to be registered in The Bahamas.

The C/S Jaden is a 38,000 dead weight tons dry bulk carrier which is constructed by Imabari Shipping at the Shimanan Shipyard in Japan. His Excellency Sir Arthur Foulkes accompanied Lady Foulkes to Japan for the launching. Their Excellencies are the guests of Mr. Lowell J. Mortimer, the President of Campbell Shipping Company Limited which has offices at Campbell Maritime Centre, West Bay Street, Nassau.

Palm Cay, the upscale waterfront development on Nassau's eastern shore, recently hosted the second annual Bahamas Sports Fishing Network (BSFN) Boat Show. The event drew twice the boats and double the crowds this year and featured vessels on display from $10,000 to $290,000, ranging from centre console open fishing vessels with single outboard engine to elaborate sportsfish models.

Vendors from kayak and rowboat dealers to outdoor furniture manufacturers, from jet ski sales to sailmakers, charter boat operators to mechanics and marine suppliers turned the quiet grounds into a bustling arena for all things related to boating. Bouncing castle, Sands beer stands, burgers and an appearance by heavyweight boxer Sherman 'the Tank' Williams added to festivities.

When Mario Carey opened the doors of a new real estate firm on the outskirts of downtown Nassau in 2008, the global economy was reeling from a burst in the housing bubble. He sat alone with one secretary, a history as the industry's super salesman and a dream -- that he would sell luxury properties despite the market by offering extraordinary personal service, and he would find enough time to dedicate himself to autism awareness.

It was the first chapter in a book that turned out very differently. Today MCR, Mario Carey Realty, is perhaps the fastest growing real estate firm in The Bahamas and Carey, whose son has autism, serves as the very active president of the autism support group, REACH, while taking a new approach to real estate management. It is paying off.

Baha Mar hosted 24 members of the Bahamas Christian Council on a detailed construction site tour of the resort followed by a project briefing in the Residential Sales Preview Centre.

The delegation, headed by the president of the Bahamas Christian Council, Rev. Dr. Ranford Patterson, was comprised of religious leaders from a broad cross-section of denominations. The three hour event was chaired by Baha Mar executives Robert Sands, Senior V.P. of Administration & External Affairs and Uri Clinton, Senior V.P. &General Council.

On May 11th, 2013, members of the Nassau, Bahamas' National Pan-Hellenic Alumni Council gathered at the Bain and Grants Town Urban Renewal Center for its Community Clean Up initiative. The council's members removed trash from Median St., King St., and along Bailou Hill Rd., while interacting with community residents.

Saturday's community clean-up is a part of the council's Greek Month activities and kickoffs a summer of service projects, socials and other events. More specifically the council looks forward to the annual Barefoot Summer Jam Step-show, August 17th, 2013 - Rainforest Theatre, Wyndham Nassau Resort.

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION: Care in Normal Birth: A Practical Guide (1996)
Category A: Birth Practices Which Are Demonstrably Useful and Should Be Encouraged

This article "speaks to" the first of the four categories of common birth practices and the rationale of those interventions WHO identified seventeen years ago. The practices to be encouraged are in bold type and listed below.

1. The acceptance of a woman's personal plan (her wishes) for her birth is important. Birth becomes part and parcel of a woman's sense of self and her life history. Consequently, it is imperative that a mother be allowed to make her own birth choices, the consequences of which later define who she is as a woman and mother.

Bethel Superstore was a part of the international event, this past Saturday, known as FREE COMIC BOOK DAY.

Rev. Adrian Bethel, co-owner, expressed that "it was encouraging to see the excitement of those who participated in Free Comic Book Day." He was excited because the store opens at 9am but kids were there waiting for the store's opening as early as 8am. There was a wide variety of comics available, which got some of the more mature patrons reflecting on the days when "Archie" was a must-read.

We truly don't mean to do a disservice to our amazing cats and kittens by talking about dogs so often! It's just that the fabulous felines make up 20% or less of our intake each year, and our dogs and pups are much more at risk, both in the shelter and in the community. However, in honour of the ubiquitious kitten season, we thought it high time to feature some of our gorgeous cats and kittens.

We would love to find homes for all these kittens before they have to grow up in the shelter. For those who prefer a more mature pet, we have over 50 wonderful adult cats who would dearly love a home and family of their very own. If you've been thinking about adding a four legged friend to your household, and have hesitated because of your busy schedule, we have the answer. Cats are naturally more independent than dogs, and don't require as much time for training.

Yet another relevant and exciting speaker was brought in by the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce to present at its monthly luncheons, Dionisio D'Aguilar, spoke to the over 70 attendees at the packed event held late last week.

Mr. D'Aguilar, a well respected businessman and former President of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce was invited to give his views on the topic: The Freeport Model ... Obsolete Relic or Untapped Opportunity.

Seventeen of Grand Bahama's top primary scholars are set to take part in the country's premier national award recognition ceremony in New Providence and one of them could return with the overall title.

The Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Awards Program was established in 1997 and recognizes the academic accomplishments of six grade students in The Bahamas. This year, the foundation has planned two days of activities in the capital on May 17 and 18 along with a ceremony at the ballroom of Government House to climax the highly-anticipated event.

Mobilising the Registrar General's services to the E-government portals will provide Family Island Local Government Administrators to facilitate basic Justice of the Peace (JP) powers to confirm births, deaths, and marriages.

Attorney General, Senator the Hon. Allyson Maynard Gibson, State Minister for Legal Affairs, the Hon. Damian Gomez, and Permanent Secretary Archie Nairn, along with IT specialists from the Registrar General's Office in New Providence visited the Local Government Administrator Offices in Harbour Island, North Eleuthera, Central and South Eleuthera to install and briefly train staff to access the database and print out certificates for the Administrator to authenticate on site.

St. Francis de Sales Catholic School primary students recite "When Teacher Isn't Looking", during the recent E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival adjudications, at the St. Francis de Sales Church, in Marsh Harbour, Abaco.

(BIS Photo / Eric Rose)

R. N. Gomez All-Age School student Timia Francis dances to a gospel song, during the recent E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival 2013 adjudications, in Bullock's Harbour, The Berry Islands, on May 7, 2013.

(BIS Photo / Eric Rose)

Officer-In-Charge Eleuthera District, Superintendent Ismella Davis said Eleuthera has recorded eight fatalities since she took office on that island in August 2012.

During an Eleuthera Road Safety Campaign Stakeholders Meeting on May 10, Supt. Davis said, "These frightening statistics have raised major concerns throughout The Bahamas, resulting in the partners coming together to launch an aggressive road safety campaign under the theme "Saving Lives - If you see something, say something."

The Grand Bahama Performing Arts Society presents its 5th Annual Comedy Show on 2 nights, Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18, 2013 at the Treasure Bay Casino at 8 p.m. Appearing in Grand Bahama for the first time are stand-up powerhouses from New York City, Jim Mendrinos and Leighann Lord.

Mendrinos (pictured) is a well-known comedian and writer described as the common man with hysterically funny, uncommon observations of life and people. He is the author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Comedy Writing" (Alpha Press, 2004) and performs regularly in NYC, at Caesar's and aboard cruise ships.

This Whit Monday, May 20th, 2013, fourteen (14) beautiful little angels will take to the stage of the Wyndham Rain Forest Theatre for the 10th annual Little Miss Bahamas Pageant doors open at 4pm. Dubbed the 2013 Pink Pearls, the eager contestants from all across the Bahamas are hoping to capture the prestigious Little Miss Bahamas crown.

The pageant is celebrating its 10th year and boasts of sending outstanding representatives for the pass ten years to the world's largest pageant for little ladies, World's Little Miss. This year the international pageant is being held in New Orleans, LA, where five of the vying beauties will officially represent the Bahamas.

Organizers of the Special Olympics 5K Run/Walk are encouraging corporate Grand Bahama as well as individuals in the community to come out and support its annual fundraising event this coming Saturday, 18th May.

Hosted by the Grand Bahama Chapter of Special Olympics, the event is slated to begin at 8:00am, commencing at the Ranfurly Circus (Princess Gate). The route will take runners/walkers north along The Mall Drive heading to the Garnett Levarity Justice Centre (Police Station) round-about and back to the starting point.

Last weekend, the Freeport Rugby Club held their 3rd Annual Junior Rugby International Tournament. It was a great success.

Arriving in The Bahamas were teams from The Cayman Islands and America to play the great game of rugby. The teams all showed great sportsmanship and it was obvious they all enjoyed themselves a lot. There were teams from under nine to sixteen years old.

This weekend was brilliant. The parents from Key Biscayne and Cayman should be congratulated for making the effort to come up to Freeport and for helping put on such a great tournament, without them we would not of had a one. It was also great to see so many people from Freeport come out and support the club and teams.

Team Makin' Reel Memories wasted no time establishing a firm lead in last week's Harbour Island Championship. Angler Kathy Jossim grabbed 1,200 points for the team by catching and releasing two blue marlin on day one of the tournament. Harbour Island is the second leg of the four tournament Bahamas Billfish Championship.

Jossim released her first blue at 10:05 and her second at 3:45. In the meantime, Luis Bacardi on the Rum Bum was busy getting a Grand Slam.

Action continues 10:00 AM on Saturdays with baseball double headers on all fields and girls softball action in the afternoon.

Practice sessions for the 9-10 team traveling to Abaco are in full swing as well as preparation in all divisions for BBF Nationals in June.

The House of Assembly and denial of basic human rights

No guns, no arms, no pipe bombs, no hand grenades, no pressure cooker explosives!

Bearing no arms, no guns, no pipe bombs, no hand grenades, no pressure cooker explosives, a group of our young, intelligent, wise, caring and concerned students of the College of the Bahamas, honorable citizens of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, were unceremoniously, almost forcefully, barred from entering THEIR House of Assembly a few weeks ago. Even though that incident grieved, pained and shocked many of our people, especially the young, I have hesitated this long to comment, hoping to hear some regret expressed in the Honorable House of Assembly, by WHOMEVER, lamenting this dictatorial, despotic action perpetrated by SOMEONE, against young, gentle, wise, conscientious citizens of our so-called "FREE NATION."

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Mangrove Action Project urges letter writing to save Bimini

Help save Bimini's mangroves by pressuring government to establish MPA

Urgent Action Alert: Please copy and paste the following letter to send to the ministers in Bimini Island asking them to "Save Bimini Island from Destructive Development:"

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