Tropical Storm Chantal has degenerated into a wave, however heavy rains and gusty winds are still possible as this is a large area of weather.

On Wednesday, July 3, the United States Embassy commemorated the 237th Anniversary of Independence of the United States of America by hosting a celebration in Nassau at beautiful Old Fort Bay in western New Providence.

The event was jointly hosted by United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and included some of the U.S. Embassy's key partners, representing the government, the business community, civil society, media, and the arts. U.S. Embassies worldwide traditionally hold an official event to mark Independence Day as a reminder of the strength of the values epitomized by America's Founding Fathers.

Leading Woman Marine (LWM) Deann Davis paid a courtesy call to U.S. Chargé d'Affaires John Dinkelman on June 28, where she shared her experience "underway" as the first female ship rider from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF). LWM Davis began her tour aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Resolute and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Northland in late May, and remained on patrol with the crews for several weeks.

LWM Davis capitalized on her 22 years of experience with the RBDF to make her participation as the first female "ship-rider" with the U.S. Coast Guard a great success. Her U.S. Coast Guard colleagues described LWM Davis as "a valuable member of the intelligence teams" on both cutters.

Bahamas National Trust (BNT) is currently focusing on learning more about the nesting behavior of the varieties of sea turtles found in Bahamian waters. Through a summer sea turtle research programme, they are involving young Bahamians in this important work to promote the survival of the animals and their role in the marine ecosystem.

Biologist Scott Johnson, Education Officer, BNT described the Trust's week-long camp dedicated to teaching young Bahamians, especially budding young scientists, about the importance of turtle conservation and how to study the habitat in which the turtles live and breed.

On Wednesday, July 9, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Tom Kelly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, The Hon. Fred Mitchell, U.S. Chargé d'Affaires John Dinkelman, Minister of Transport and Aviation, The Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin and other senior U.S. and Bahamian officials were on hand to support the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The MOU establishes new cooperative mechanisms for the prosecution of suspected pirates.

Acting Assistant Secretary Kelly and Minister Mitchell also signed the Memorandum of Understanding for the Cooperative Situational Information Integration initiative. This agreement supports improved regional domain awareness and information sharing among participating Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) partners and citizen security efforts against transnational threats such as illicit trafficking.

Interest in the maritime sector and its professions is growing as result of a partnership between Campbell's Shipping and The College of The Bahamas over the last five years to host the Maritime Summer Camp, whose alumni base has grown to comprise more than 650 persons.

With increased awareness comes an appreciation for the sector's capacity to help drive economic sustainability and inspire students to consider professional options that they might never have pondered.

Offering Bahamians more financial resources to build homes and businesses, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) has partnered with Frankie Wilson and Arawak Homes to offer a combination of banking and mortgage services. The two companies are planning strategies to create more wealthy Bahamians through encouraging home ownership.

Royal Bank of Canada held a grand opening for its newest location on John F. Kennedy Drive, July 8, and State Minister for Finance, the Hon. Michael Halkitis congratulated the Bank for its continued service to the needs of the Bahamian public.

he Hon. Kenred Dorsett, Minister of Environment and Housing, and representatives from the Ministry of Environment and Housing as well as the BEST Commission overlook the restored beach at Baha Mar.

In addition to a construction site tour, the Minister and the environmental representatives spoke with Baha Mar executives about the positive economic impact of Baha Mar and its environmental initiatives including the beach restoration project which replenished the sand supply and will minimize theoccurrence of future erosion along the stunning Cable Beach oceanfront.

The Rotaract Club of Freeport installed its new board of officers for 2013-2014 on Wednesday, June 26th at the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce. In attendance were members and distinguished Rotarians from the various Rotary Clubs in Grand Bahama, along with family and friends.

The new board officers received certificates and pins, dignifying their various positions that will be carried out in the club. Representatives from the Rotary clubs of Freeport, Lucaya and Sunset commended the club on it past services and efforts, as well as extended words of encouragement for a successful future.

by Tip Burrows/Humane Society of Grand Bahama

A little over a year ago, I took a leap of faith on an adopter that was unprecedented for me. On the eve of the Bahamas 40th Independence, I write about one little proud, independent Bahamian cat, who is enjoying his own liberty and amazing adventurous life.

One day in April 2012, a soft spoken man came into the shelter with a cat in a carrier, desperate to see a vet. He had all her medical records, very precisely organized in a folder. That man was Sergei Morozov, born and raised in the Soviet Union, and a Canadian citizen more recently. He had arrived in Grand Bahama on his 10 meter sailboat, on an endeavor to sail around the world, with only his beloved cat for company.

The historic Bahamian Flag which was first hoisted at Clifford Park in 1973, when The Bahamas became independent, and which recently has been hoisted in every Family Island, made its way to Grand Bahama, July 4.

A Royal Bahamas Defence Force aircraft touched down at Grand Bahama International Airport around 11a.m. with the flag and uniformed officers from the Defence Force and the Royal Bahamas Police Force presented the Flag to the Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, who in turned passed it on to Assistant Commissioner of Police Emerick Seymour.

President of the Senate of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, the Hon. Sharon Wilson said Wednesday, July 3, that 40 years of independence is sufficient period to reflect on the journey.

Mrs. Wilson was in Grand Bahama as the special guest speaker for "Forty Gems," an occasion which saw the Grand Bahama Independence Committee honouring 40 outstanding women on the island.

Three Freeport pioneers were given Life Time Achievement Awards, July 6, during the City of Freeport Council's 2013 Legends induction ceremony, at the Regency Theatre.

The awards went to Sir Jack Hayward, Sir Albert Miller and Edward St. George. Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe made the presentations.

As the Obesity problem increases in The Bahamas, we need to get to the root of the problem. What is the cause of our obesity? What are the issues that we need to address?

Some key facts about obesity stated by The World Health Organization:

Overweight and obesity are defined as "abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health."

Body mass index (BMI) - the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters (kg/m2) - is a commonly used index to classify overweight and obesity in adults. WHO defines overweight as a BMI equal to or more than 25, and obesity as a BMI equal to or more than 30.

The most common obstetrical intervention during labor and birth is fetal heart rate monitoring even though fetal heart rate patterns are poor predictors of the baby's well-being. When first begun, electrical heart rate monitoring (EFM) of the fetus during labor and birth was expected to alert physicians of pending fetal distress thereby enabling obstetricians to rescue the baby before lasting harm occurred. The "inventor" of EFM predicted that EFM could save as many as 20,000 babies a year and cut the number of brain injured babies by 50%.

The obstetrical community was quick to buy into the theory of EFM and by 1976 many hospitals had fetal monitors and most used them continuously during labor even though EFM was not improving birth and neonatal outcomes as predicted. What continuous EFM did do was to increase the likelihood of unnecessary Cesarean birth and/or the use of forceps or vacuum assisted births.

Carlton Cartwright Sr., right, helps to lift the coffin of his son, 11-year-old Carlton Cartwright, from the church in Long Island, July 6.

Young Carlton died of an asthma attack a few days after taking part in the Long Island national flag-raising ceremony.

(BIS Photo/Raymond Bethel)

Congo Town, South Andros, residents sing 'To God Be The Glory.' during the 40th Independence Anniversary flag-raising ceremony which took place at the Congo Town International Airport.

(BIS Photo/Raymond Bethel)

Bahamian pride was on full display this past Saturday as thousands packed the Botanical Gardens for Kalik's Festival of the Bahama Islands -- a visual, musical and culinary feast in recognition of The Bahamas' 40th Anniversary of Independence and Kalik's 25 th Anniversary.

The event that ran for 10 straight hours featured some of the hallmark customs and traditions of the Bahamian experience from crab catching to quadrille dancing, from bush tea medicine to storytelling, from making copper jewelry to making the best lionfish tacos in town. Bahamian culinary tradition was on full display with a variety of tasty options like conch fritters, crab n' rice and bowls of chicken souse on the menu.

The seventh annual High Rock Sea Fest, August 3-5, begins with an official church service and then moves into other activities including a basketball tournament, horseback riding, a gospel-fest, a fishing tournament, a powerboat race, and live entertainment. This year's event features Bahamian performers from throughout the island of Grand Bahama.

Everyone can enjoy live performances by local bands and a Junkanoo Rush-out. The culinary delights will include all the fish, conch and lobster you can eat! Venue is the High Rock Primary School grounds, located near the sea. The annual homecoming festival celebrates the bounties of the sea.

Te Global Battle of the Bands (GBOB) Bahamas Festival, which takes center stage this year at Nassau's Botanical Gardens on Saturday, November 2nd, is calling all Bahamian bands of all genres to enter to compete for a chance to be crowned the Best New Band in The Bahamas and travel to Thailand to compete in the GBOB World Finals. The victor at that level will receive $100,000 band development package, a world tour and the title of the Best New Band in the World.

This year's GBOB World Finals will be just the second time The Bahamas has been represented since the competition began in 2004, providing an avenue for more of the musical talents of Bahamians to be showcased on a world stage. Winners have come from all across the globe from Canada to China, Rio to Romania, to showcase a multifaceted array of musical styles and cultures. Last year's winner was Jamaica's Di Blueprint Band with Bahamian native band Stinkin' Wayz lead by Kirkland 'KB' Bodie placing a most respectable third place.

For Sale - 2004 Dodge Ram 1500, 5.7 V8, 162,000 miles, ps, pb, air, four door, bed liner, bed storage box, complete trailer towing package with electric brakes.
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Duty paid.
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Call 727-7711.