The Bahamas Postal Service has released five special Independence Commemorative Stamps.

The 65 cent value illustrates the incident where the Royal Bahamas Defence Force 103ft. patrol vessel HMBS Flamingo, left the Coral Harbour Base on what should have been a routine 10-day patrol of Bahamian territorial waters to stem poaching, Thursday, May 8, 1980.

The Modern Languages Primary and High School Divisions of The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the Foreign Languages Department of The College of The Bahamas partnered to host the first Bahamas Foreign Languages Education Conference. Under the theme, "Discover the World through Languages" the two-day conference was held Wednesday, 26th to Thursday, 27th June, 2013 at The College of The Bahamas.

Modern Language Educators from public and private schools in New Providence and the Family Islands attended the Conference. A principal goal of The Bahamas Foreign Languages Education Conference is to serve as a forum, which will enable teachers of foreign languages to share experiences and best practices with their peers.

Dubbed a spectacular event, over 200 jubilant patrons experienced The Bahamas' 40th Anniversary of Independence Celebrations held at the historic Hotel Nacional in Havana, Cuba on Thursday, 27th June 2013.

The Opening Ceremony commenced promptly at 6:30 p.m. Barbara Janet, the Special Cuban Guest Artist of the evening, mesmerised the Gala Event by belting out songs like, "Smile" and "Natural Woman" reminiscent of the music of world famous, Aretha Franklin. Fast on her heels, the Royal Bahamas Police Pop Band began their performance.

On July 8, the United States Embassy in collaboration with Campbell Shipping Company and Clipper Group Management co-hosted a reception at The Balmoral Club to commemorate the signing of a Counter Piracy Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the United States and The Bahamas Government. The MOU provides the international legal framework for prosecution of piracy attacks against Bahamian flagged vessels.

The event highlighted the continued cooperation between the United States and The Bahamas on security issues and offered a unique opportunity for public and private stakeholders in the agreement to meet and discuss issues pertinent to the memorandum from both perspectives.

When the 2013 graduates of The Vanguard School in Lake Wales, Florida took their places recently, Yendise Marie Collie of Nassau, The Bahamas, with eyes that beamed brightly, stood proudly in their midst. This was a significant milestone for Yendise because medical experts 20 years ago gave up on her. Born at 27 weeks gestation and weighing only 2lbs, her parents were told to "go home and get on with their lives". Yendise, they said, should have been aborted and that she may never walk, talk or make first grade.

Her graduation is a testament to her tenacity, determination, hard work and a sheer desire to achieve her goals. When asked what those goals are, her response is "to be an elementary school teacher, to work with special needs children like me."

The Rotary Club of East Nassau (RCEN) recently celebrated the club's changeover of board members for the new club year. The board members come from a variety of professions and industries.

"We marked the 50th anniversary of this dynamic club in 2013 and we are looking forward to another year of helping our community," said Philip Cumming, RCEN President.

Baha Mar is proud to announce the promotion of Vaughn Roberts and Jeffrey Ballew, two individuals who have demonstrated consistent leadership efforts, work ethic and their passionate commitment to Baha Mar.

Vaughn Roberts (pictured) - Senior Vice President, Finance and Corporate Alliances. In his role as Senior Vice President of Finance and Corporate Alliances, Roberts will be an integral part of establishing key partnerships and alliances with retail, restaurant and other groups that will enhance the Baha Mar experiences.

Dolphin Encounters on Blue Lagoon Island recently welcomed two new sea lion pups into its marine mammal family. Born on the same day, sea lion mom Xena gave birth to a female pup and 21-hours later, sea lion mom PJ, gave birth to a male pup.

"It made for a very exciting day to have two sea lions in labour and two pups born on the same day," said Kim Terrell, marine mammal director. "PJ and Xena are both amazing mothers to their pups and they are all healthy and thriving."

The Grand Bahama Shipyard renewed their commitment to hiring skilled Bahamians by recently employing three young Bahamian professionals for permanent positions. Jeffery DeGregory, Natasha Bethel and Justan Campbell have been employed at the Shipyard as a Junior Naval Architect and Junior Planners respectively. All recently attended prestigious universities, making them excellent candidates for a career with the Grand Bahama Shipyard and proving that it's possible to return home with a skilled degree and obtain employment in their field of study.

"I am extremely pleased with the local response to the advertised positions ... well over 100 resumes were submitted. However I am even more pleased with the talent of the young Grand Bahamian professionals that have accepted positions here with us," said Ed Pavey, Director of Technical and Planning at the GB Shipyard.

After 39 years, Goombay Summer Festival is as fresh as ever, making another run on Taino Beach every Thursday evening from July 18 - August 1. Goombay Summer has a rich history. It was established in 1974 as a celebration that became a huge draw for visitors. Over the years, it was sometimes called Junkanoo Summer Festival but it returns with the original name this year. It remains a signature cultural event for the Ministry of Tourism.

Goombay Summer Festival will be held at Taino Beach from 6pm to midnight on July 18, 25 and August 1. The event will feature the best in Bahamian entertainment, including performances by Ira Storr and the Spank Band, Stileet, Veronica Bishop, Wilfred Solomon and KB. Festival participants will also be able to enjoy conch demonstrations, coconut demonstrations, nature walks and bush tea tasting.

Mrs. Ginger Moxey, Vice President of The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) was one of 40 young Bahamians honoured during the recent '40 Under Forty Awards' ceremony. The driven group of recipients hailed from all spheres of society and have greatly contributed to the development of our country in vast fields such as business, banking, medicine, law, education, sports, journalism, design, tourism, law enforcement and others.

On hand to accept her award during a special luncheon held at the Sheraton Cable Beach Hotel in Nassau, Moxey reflected on the privilege bestowed upon a home-grown Grand Bahamian, born and raised from humble beginnings in Eight Mile Rock.

The Rotary Club of Grand Bahama Sunrise held an induction of two new members during their weekly meeting on Wednesday morning, July 17th at Geneva's Restaurant.

From left are Jamie Rose, Sponsor; Jonathan Hynes, new member; President Wayne Russell, Trevor Edgecombe, new member; and Joe Thompson, Sponsor.

Among the hundreds gathered at the Lake Worth Inlet to welcome Travis Suit and his three companions at the conclusion of their Bimini to Palm Beach County crossing will be Suit's 5-year old daughter, Piper-the inspiration behind his record attempt to cross the mighty Gulf Stream on stand-up paddleboards. The goal behind this Crossing-For-A-Cure is to raise revenue and increase awareness for cystic fibrosis, the most common chronic lung disease in children and young adults. Piper Suit was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis in November 2011 after numerous doctors first diagnosed her symptoms as normal childhood illnesses.

The plan is to push off from the docks of the historic Bimini Big Game Club Resort & Marina in the late afternoon on August 2nd (weather conditions permitting) and paddling ten hours due west and then adjust to a north/northwest direction to target an arrival some 24 hours later at the Lake Worth Inlet near Peanut Island.

On July 10th, Resorts World Bimini proudly celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the Bahamas Independence by sailing Bimini SuperFast from Miami in about two hours at a speed of up to 30 knots. On arrival, about half of Bimini's adult population stepped aboard Bimini SuperFast and toured the six restaurants and bars, cabins, casinos and public lounges, while enjoying food and entertainment on the Party Deck.

Shoreside, Resorts World Bimini hosted a festival throughout the day starting with a welcome ceremony featuring Bishop Dexter Rolle from Bible Teachers International, followed by live entertainment, dancing, a fashion show, Junkanoo performances, independence costume contests, face painting, local food and beverage vendors and a spectacular fireworks display.

When Sandals Emerald Bay lost team member Roderick Malcolm, 52, in 2012, it gained an extended family. That family is now giving back to their community to honour Malcolm's life. On Independence Day, Malcolm's sister, Whyonna Patrice Malcolm, donated a new Amadeus trumpet replete with a trumpet care kit to the Exuma Youth Marching Band in memory of her brother.

Leader of the youth band, Perry Brice, thanked Ms. Malcolm of her kind donation. She said she was "extremely excited" to make the donation to the youth of Exuma on behalf of her late brother. Malcolm suffered a stroke while at work last year and was air lifted to Nassau where he later died.

Thanks to a recent donation from the Grand Bahama Shipyard (GBS), local Grand Bahama Legends Marching Band has garnered much needed funds for their upcoming trip to Sanford, Florida. During a recent showing at the Port Lucaya Marketplace, the GBS Executive Team came out to watch the band and to donate to their travel needs.

"We are very appreciative of the donation," said Band Leader Leslie McDonald. "We are a community band and every penny that we get allows us to help our members travel. This year we hope to take 50 to 60 band members with us to play and promote The Bahamas."

On Friday, July 12, the U.S. Embassy's International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) Officer David Jea visited the Bahamas Music Conservatory on Village Road to formally present a donation of over $6,000 that was used to purchase four new cellos and provide scholarships for five local primary school students in an effort to develop musical skills and positive outlets for under resourced Bahamian youth.

The U.S. Embassy's donation supports the vision of Mrs. JoAnne Connaughton, Director at the Bahamas Music Conservatory to make the gift of music accessible to all and provide high quality, low cost, musical, instrumental and orchestral training in a family-oriented setting.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye! Auditions will be held for a new play by Bahamian playwright S.L. Sheppard called 'Daddy's Funeral' at the Regency Theatre on Thursday, July 18, 2013, at 7 p.m.

Ten characters, ages 20-60, will be cast. 'Daddy's Funeral' will hit the stage of the Regency October 17-20, 2013. Don't miss your chance!

"All the world's a stage ..." or so it had to be this last weekend at the Lucaya Youth Theater Society's (LYTS) Summer Shakespeare School (S3) end presentation. A performance scheduled to be held as roaming theatre around the garden of a private residence was interrupted by the weather, leaving the students with no choice but to relocate, into the actual residence to perform.

The summer programme hosted by LYTS enrolled 25 students representing 10 schools in the Grand Bahama area to train them about acting, performance skills, excellence and integrity as well as introducing the students to the bard himself, Shakespeare.

"Colours of Pride" featuring the talents of local artists and artisans opened June 28th on Grand Bahama Island at the Bahamas National Trust's impressive Glory Banks Gallery. The event was organized by Mr Melvin Seymour, Permanent Secretary,Office of the Prime and the Committee for the 40th Anniversary of Independence. Local artists, artisans and members of the Grand Bahama Artists Association were invited to presents artworks for the occasion.

The artists and artisans presented a variety of subjects, mediums and styles to honour this important milestone of the past and future for our country. In the words of one of the participating artists, Sheldon Saint, "As the result of teamwork and the tenacious efforts of our leaders forty years ago, we can proudly display the Bahamian flag and celebrate the freedom we have to live in a beautiful country."

Bahamian Gospel Legend and Marlin Award winner Kevan "Kevi Kev" McKenzie passed away Monday, July 15th, at 8:15pm at Doctors Hospital in Nassau, Bahamas with his family by his side. He was 51 years old.

Kevan had been diagnosed with colon cancer several years ago and fought vigorously against the disease. He was considered by many to be the pioneer of the modern Bahamian gospel sound, infusing the elements of Junkanoo and Rake & Scrape into a unique and fresh mix that no one had boldly captured before.

The 242 Colour Run added a blast of colour to Nassau on an otherwise cloudy Saturday morning, July 13th. Over 400 participants, volunteers, and spectators gathered at Montagu foreshore to partake in the first ever colour run in The Bahamas.

The 5km (3.1 miles) course led the runners and walkers from Fort Montagu, over the bridges and back to return to Montagu. The unique twist of the added colour was enough to bring smiles to all those that participated and supported the race, and even those that were encountered along the way. Two Royal Bahamas Police Force motorcycles led the runners through a colour-blast of Flash Caribbean Breeze Blue, the first of 5 colour stations along the course.

With the Bahamas Speed Week Revival still four months away, we are delighted with the interest shown in this year's event and the entry list is already half full with some very interesting cars.

Top of the shop has to be returning Entrant Andreas Mohringer's fabulous Ferrari Dino 206 Prototype. Andreas brought his unique Ferrari 375MM to Speed Week last year and that car went on to take centre stage at the Cavallino Classic in Florida.

The recent 40th Annual Independence National Road Cycling Championships, held in Nassau, was certainly an event to remember. It was a day that saw two favourites suffer disappointment, a former champion rise to claim former glory, a future Olympian ride into his highest National placing and Bahamians ride with and beat out the likes of Tour De France stage winner and yellow jersey wearer, George Hincapie. There was speed, there was excitement, and there was triumph.

On Monday, August 5th, 2013 the 7th edition of the Grand Bahama Road Cycing Championships will start with anticipation of no less of a spectacle as cyclists from New Providence will battle it out with cyclists from Grand Bahama.

Last week, State Minister Michael Halkitis told the media that new cruiser fees for pleasure boats being collected by Customs as of July 1 was being done by Customs without government approval. He is quoted as saying the government never intended for the fees to be created or collected at all, and that Customs came up with the idea of the fees on their own but that the government "told them no".

The controversial cruiser permit fees in question are an increase to $400 for vessels over 35 feet and an increase to $1,000 for extensions of permits past a period of 12 months. Both new fees are laid out in the new Customs Management Act, passed by Parliament & Senate during the 2013/2014 Budget Debate. So the Minister did not speak the truth to the media when he said the government never came up with those fees - the fees are now the law of the land via the government's own Customs Management Act which came into effect on July 1, 2013.

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