Bahamians in South Florida will mark the 40th Anniversary of their country's Independence with month long celebrations in July. The celebratory observances will culminate with a gala Black-tie event, to take place, July 27th at the Doubletree By Hilton, Miami Airport and Convention Center. Prime Minister of The Islands of The Bahamas, the Honorable, Perry Christie is expected to lead the list of distinguished guest.

The nearest offshore destination to the United States, The Islands Of The Bahamas celebrates its 40th anniversary of Independence on July 10th. The Black-tie gala is expected to be the featured event of the month long festivities.

With the words "I name this ship Bimini Superfast and may she bring fair winds and good fortune to all who sail on her," Bernadette Christie, wife of Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie, christened the ferry at the Miami Port, Friday, June 28, 2013.

Prime Minister Christie explained that the Bimini Superfast has a capacity for up to 3000 passengers and will operate daily between Miami and Bimini with a ferry time of two hours beginning next week.

On Friday, June 29, 40 members of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force's (RBDF) Commando Squadron completed an intensive two-week training program at the RBDF's headquarters that focused on enhancing their ability to effectively combat transnational criminal elements and drug trafficking organizations. The training was made possible by the Marine Corps Forces North (MARFORNORTH) and funded by the United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM).

The purpose of the training exercise was to enhance RBDF officers' skills in several areas including rifle marksmanship, close quarter battle, and intelligence gathering.

AML Foods Limited has announced that they were successful in raising $11,000 for Hands for Hunger in New Providence and The Grand Bahama Red Cross' Meals on Wheels Program.

In recognition of World Hunger Day, throughout the month of May, shoppers at Cost Right Nassau, Solomon's Super Centre, Solomon's Fresh Market Old Fort Bay, Solomon's Fresh Market Harbour Bay, Solomon's Lucaya, Solomon's Queens Highway, and Cost Right Freeport had the opportunity to add a donation to their shopping bill to help eradicate hunger in The Bahamas.

Baha Mar, in collaboration with The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA), The Ministry of Education and The Ministry of Tourism, hosted the opening ceremony and initial workshop of the tenth annual 'Educators' Industry Internship'.

The workshop, attended by more than 100 teachers and guidance counselors from schools throughout The Bahamas, was part of a day at Baha Mar which also consisted of a tour of the luxury resort's construction site. The seminar was also attended by notable figures in the hospitality industry such as Frank Comito, BHTA Executive Vice President, and Robert Sands, Senior V.P., Administration & External Affairs at Baha Mar.

Palm Cay, the popular beachfront residential development on Nassau's southeastern shore, today announced the appointment of 28-year-old news personality Celeste Nixon as Sales & Marketing Coordinator. Nixon's appointment is the latest in a series of local recruits as the development evolves with a new team with roots in the community in management, operations and marketing.

"There is so much activity at Palm Cay," said Sales & Marketing Director Zachary 'Zack' Bonczek, "that what was a one-person job has expanded into a two-person sales and marketing team supported by other local agencies.

On Saturday, June 29, U.S. Chargé d'Affaires John Dinkelman and other officials from the U.S. Embassy attended the opening of the Youth Ambassadors Enrichment Fun Day, held at the Marina Glinton Community Center.

The objective of the exciting event was to engage young Bahamians and their families from the inner-city communities of Bain and Grants Town in a positive recreational setting.

Summer has arrived again and with it comes all those wonderful holiday celebrations, family get-togethers, beach days and barbecues. This means more fun for all of us, but for the environment it can mean more plastic cups, plates, water bottles, forks, knives, and beer bottles that end up as waste with nowhere to go except in our landfill or strewn on our beaches and roadsides. It is time to add the word Rethink to the environmental Rs of Reduce Reuse and Recycle.

So how can we reduce our plastic waste? Well for starters take a look at what you are packing in that picnic basket or cooler. Is it really necessary to have a bunch of disposable plastic cups? Using cups that can be reused is not only a greener choice, it is a cost effective choice. It SAVES MONEY.

Remaining top graduating seniors on Grand Bahama Island received their Top Achievers scholarships from The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) as commencement exercises on the island drew to a close.

As expressed by GBPA's Director of Community Relations, Geneva Rutherford, "It is a delight to be able to present such awards to these students in recognition of their hard work in the pursuit of excellence. Additionally, the expressions of gratitude and appreciation we've received in return underscore the significance this contribution plays in the lives of many families on Grand Bahama."

The Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Company (BBB) kicked off their 40th Anniversary Independence celebrations by hosting their valued customers to an all night celebration in Grand Bahama. "At the core of our business are the local restaurants, bars and wholesalers who directly sell and promote our products everyday," said Lynden Johnson, BBB Sales and Marketing Manager. "We are extremely excited to be here tonight in Freeport, at our brewery to serve the owners, bartenders, waiter and waitress ourselves."

He added "They will be working hard over the next several weeks for Independence Celebrations, so tonight we are taking care of them. We have all our beers on tap, we have great food and we've got KB giving them a personal concert!"

With both American and Bahamian Independence Days in the next week, remember that your dogs may not enjoy fireworks so much. More pets are lost due to fright from fireworks than at any other time of the year.

Please keep your pets inside if you live near an area where fireworks are planned. Playing music or leaving the TV on may help to mask the noise for your pets.

Happy Independence Day to our American and Bahamian friends!

For the past four years Clear Blue Maritime Agency, Ltd. has been working with the Grand Bahama Shipyard (GBS) developing opportunities to provide more Bahamian men and women with work. Recently, a group of 15 new recruits were hired by Clear Blue Maritime and brought on board and given the opportunity to train in various departments within the GB Shipyard.

The Shipyard has mandated that employing qualified Bahamians will ensure that as business increases so will jobs for those Bahamians who are interested in working as; scaffolders, riggers, welders, pipefitters, platters, painter/blasters and mechanics. According to Calvis Bartlett, On Site Supervisor for Clear Blue, "It is vitally important for residents on Grand Bahama Island to know that as the Grand Bahama Shipyard grows and employment opportunities increase, we are working with the company to find the best men and women who are qualified in the skills they need and can handle working safely in an industrial environment."

Earlier this week the Minister for Grand Bahama (MOGB) and MP, Dr. Michael Darville, meet with President of the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce (GGCC), Barry Malcolm, to foster a closer working relationship and partnership between the MOGB and GBCC.

"We came away with a sense that we are on the same page and efforts will be made to continue to develop that partnership," said Malcolm. "Simply put, we had a very productive meeting with the Minister and exchanged a wide variety of ideas with him which we feel could help facilitate economic development in Grand Bahama."

The Government of The Bahamas on Monday took over full operations of the Airport Control Tower at Grand Bahama International Airport, which for almost half a century was operated by the Grand Bahama Port Authority.

Minister for Transport and Aviation, the Hon. Glenys Hanna Martin and Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville were both in attendance during Handover Ceremonies at the Grand Bahama International Airport on Monday morning. Also in Grand Bahama were Captain Patrick Rolle and other senior officials from the Department of Civil Aviation, union officials and top executive from the Grand Bahama Airport and Harbour Company. Officially handing over air traffic control tower services to The Bahamas Government was Mr. Godfrey Smith, CEO for the Grand Bahama Airport Company, Freeport Harbour Company and the Freeport Container Port.

Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Local Government the Hon. V. Alfred Gray visited the site of the Local Government complex in Upper Bogue, North Eleuthera, which also housed the Central Government's local office that was destroyed by a fire, Tuesday, July 2, 2013. Annamae Davis, a janitress at the office complex was the first to alert persons of the fire around 11:05 a.m.

Minister Gray said, "I want to say how grateful I am to God that nobody that worked in this building got hurt. I am told that temperatures reached up to 1200 degrees and that's very high, and that is my first thing to thank God for allowing everybody to come out well."

Save The Bays -- the fast-growing organisation that is moving toward what appears to be a national environmental alliance -- announced today it has gained yet another partner in its fight to protect the marine environment of The Bahamas. The Bimini Blue Coalition, formed in January 2013 to lead the fight for the protection of Bimini's reefs, beaches and waters, said today it is partnering with Save The Bays to ramp up its community outreach and enhance efforts as the organisations pursue similar goals.

"We are thrilled and honoured to partner with the Save The Bays team, and together we hope to protect and promote the famous reefs, beaches, and waters around our precious little 'Islands in the Stream,'" said the Coalition that has already garnered over 1,500 signatures to stop construction of a cruise ship terminal.

Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie said to increase overall occupancy and to transform Resorts World Bimini Bay into a year round destination, a strategic transformation plan is being implemented that addresses product placement. The Prime Minister brought remarks at the opening of the Resorts World Bimini Bay Casino in Bimini, Friday, June 28, 2013,

He noted that the strategy also includes procurement of affordable transportation with express cruise ship ferry and airlift offering special rates, island infrastructural improvement, resort activity enhancement, the implementation of an effective marketing strategy, human resource development and training to deliver a world class service.

The man whose voice made 'Bush Mechanic' part of the Bahamian vernacular is bringing his upbeat, lively and fun musical style to a serious cause, saving the environment of his native country, recording songs for Save The Bays and the theme song for a YouTube video released this week.

Called 'What is Save The Bays," the 5-minute video with Kirkland 'KB' Bodie includes dozens of coral reef, marine life and land shots of what the group fears is an increasingly threatened environment. Dramatic footage of oil spills and industrial pollution are interspersed with a positive thrust -- a message revolving around the theme it's not too late to make a difference.

A collection of 40 photographic portraits of men and women from all walks of life, who together represent the heart, soul and spirit of the Bahamian character, will be unveiled at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas on July 11 as part of the 40th Anniversary of Independence celebrations.

Called the Bahamian Collection, the exhibit is the result of the first year of the Bahamian Project and will be opened by the Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes and Lady Foulkes. The portraits will remain in the gallery on West Hill Street for three months. Both the opening night and the continuing exhibition are open to the public.

The 40th Anniversary of Independence planning Committee on Grand Bahama held an Art & Craft Exhibition June 28, at the Rand Nature Centre in Freeport, with Senator Tanisha Tynes bringing remarks.

Senator Tynes is pictured viewing painting with artist Alisa Robinson.

(BIS Photo/Vandyke Hepburn)

The community of West End, Grand Bahama, hosted its 3rd annual Snapper Tournament & Festival on Saturday, June 22, 2013, under the theme "Celebrating the Fishing Legacy of a Community Over Forty-years." The tournament is a 'hand line' competition and has become a popular event among fishing enthusiasts.

West End's rich history has attracted boaters and sailors from around the world. World record big game tuna and blue marlin have been caught offshore and as well attracted notorious bootleggers when rum-running was flourishing during prohibition.

The wind is blowing at Grand Bahama Sailing Club! Every day you'll see Optis, FJ's, and Lasers sailing in and out of the Grand Lucayan Waterway. If you're around the Discovery Bay area, you'll see the southern shore filled with little sail boats tacking and gybing between the beach and the sand bar. This is the result of Grand Bahama Sailing Club's summer sailing camps.

There are 4 camps throughout the summer, each 2 weeks long that focus on teaching children how to sail. On June 29th, Session 1 came to an end after a very successful and fun filled camp. A total of 38 sailors attended the camp, which included 8 sailors from High Rock who received sailing sponsorships to attend the camp free of charge.

On Monday, 24th June, Wimbledon began. Wimbledon is one of the most historic tennis tournaments as it has been going on since 1877 and it is the only major tournament to be played on grass.

When I read that Mark Knowles was playing this year I was really excited. In Year 6 I did my PYP exhibition on Sports and how it can help others. My local sportsman was Mark Knowles as he always holds a tennis event on Paradise Island each year to promote the sport and help raise money for charities in The Bahamas.

Nine student-athletes, who have distinguished themselves in track and field events, will join The College of The Bahamas athletics programme commencing Fall 2013.

On Sunday, June 30th, the athletes signed letters of commitment in the first ever Signing Day held by the Athletics Department. Among the new student-athletes are recent public and private school graduates, as well as transfer students from Dickinson State University.

I have had an awkward experience on a bus stop recently. I met a black American couple who was visiting all the way from Seattle; the husband related to me their experience in a hotel restaurant. He told me that the servers must have taken them for natives, because they were seated for a long while before they were approach for service. They saw the waiter or waitress passing them often, serving the lighter colored guests and other people of whom they apparently perceived as tourists - at other tables.

The man asked me: if I have ever had such an experience? My answer was yes, and I added that this is a common practice in The Bahamas where black Bahamian waiters, waitresses, and others, prefer to serve white customers and other assumed visitors over black Bahamians; even if the black Bahamians were seated first.