On Friday, August 26, the United States Embassy formally announced the students and chaperone from Grand Bahama who are headed to Denver, Colorado and Washington, D.C. from October 6-29, 2013, to participate in the U.S. Embassy's second Youth Ambassadors exchange program. The students who all demonstrated strong leadership skills and a commitment to community service were selected to join youth leaders from throughout the Caribbean in two U.S. cities for three weeks of hands-on community-based activities designed to develop their conflict resolution and leadership skills.

The four youth leaders who were selected for the second of a series of U.S. Embassy Youth Ambassadors Programs are: Alliqueka Capron from Lucaya International School; Aaliyah Vilbrun from St. Paul's Methodist College, Kamaal Bartlett, from Tabernacle Baptist Christian Academy and Gabrielle Moss, from Bishop Michael Eldon high School.

A group of eighty-three teachers from throughout The Bahamas were taught to SMILE this past week by the Bahamas National Trust (BNT) Education Team at the Retreat. SMILE, which stands for Science Mathematics Integrated Learning Experience, shows teachers how to integrate the natural environment of The Bahamas into science and mathematics lessons with the goal of getting students enthusiastic about learning in an outdoor environment.

"One of the major reasons we have worked so hard to provide infrastructure and accessibility at national parks on New Providence is so that teachers and their students can use the parks as outdoor classrooms," said BNT Executive Director Eric Carey. "The SMILE workshop provides training on how educators can use national parks to provide off site curriculum based learning for their students."

Thirteen Bahamians, seven of whom are students of The College of The Bahamas and The College's Confucius Institute, have accepted scholarships to study in the People's Republic of China during the 2013-2014 academic year. The latest scholarship recipients, which includes students who will earn Bachelor's and Master's degrees as well as complete short courses in Mandarin, were formally recognized during a Scholarship Awards Ceremony held in the Harry C. Library and Information Centre at The College of The Bahamas last week.

The Chinese government as well as its global network of Confucius classrooms and institutes, provide opportunities for citizens of other countries to learn the language, customs and culture of China and also pursue post-secondary degrees there.

The Commonwealth of the Bahamas and the United Mexican States are seeking to explore new opportunities in areas such as agriculture, environment management and craft production. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between both countries on January 23, 1974, both countries have focused on bilateral relations regarding matters of technical assistance, trade and investment.

Continued contributions to promoting the Spanish language and culture, as well as technical training in the hospitality industry, are all areas that can be further developed.

Returning Bahamian Surgeon Dr. Bernie Hanna, Weight Loss Institute of Bahamas, who also practices in Las Vegas, will be in The Bahamas to conduct two FREE seminars in late August. "We have been inundated with calls from possible patients," said Dr. Hanna. "But a lot of candidates need to fully understand what surgeries we offer and the commitment they need to make to change their weight and get healthy."

Dr. Hanna is hoping that in a more intimate setting he can answer more questions and explain the Bariatric Program and surgical procedures with a focus on Gastric Sleeve procedures. "In a forum with other men and women we hope to answer more questions for interested persons and explain the actual surgical procedures," added Hanna.

Many of us have fond memories of summer camp - the memorable experiences and friendships formed often create stories that are told and retold for a lifetime. Thanks to the autism awareness non-profit organization, REACH, and its summer camp jointly run with the Department of Education, 75 kids and family members affected by autism were given the opportunity to form such lifelong memories and bonds for four weeks at the 13th annual REACH summer camp.

"We are very pleased with the turnout at this year's summer camp," says successful realtor and REACH president, Mario Carey, whose teenage son has Asperger's syndrome, a high-functioning form of autism.

Six weeks ago, fifteen of the nation's brightest college students began the highly coveted college 'Dream Team Summer Associate' internship program at Baha Mar. Set in a dynamic office environment, the internship emphasized personal branding, professional development, networking, collaborative skills and workplace productivity. The summer associates worked with Baha Mar employees to tackle projects according to their areas of study or professional interest including marketing, human resources, law, engineering/operations, finance, and information technology.

These ambitious, real-time projects included researching aspects of key gaming resorts around the world, analyzing the effect of VAT on the hospitality industry and conducting an employee event called Pecha Kucha.

Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie and several Cabinet Ministers toured stage III and the final phase of the Lynden Pindling International Airport Redevelopment Project, which included the Domestic/International Departures and Domestic Arrivals Terminal, Friday, August 23.

Prime Minister Christie said some $400 million was invested on the Lynden Pindling International Airport Redevelopment Project as a result of the negative observation that the airport was not keeping up with the improvements and creation of new resorts on the island of New Providence. However, he also noted that the Government cannot neglect the other islands of The Bahamas, and will have to make improvements to their airports and airstrips as well.

Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie said the Government would do its best to ensure the safety and security of businesses and residents in the western section of New Providence. The Prime Minister was speaking at the Groundbreaking Ceremony for Mahogany Hill, a $23 million boutique hotel being constructed by Mark Holowesko, investment advisor and businessman and owner of Mahogany House Restaurant, and his daughter Lauren at the site just outside Lyford Cay, Monday, August 26, 2013.

He also praised Mr. Holowesko for being a Bahamian investing in the hotel/tourism industry in the country. During construction, an average of 100 persons will be employed on site and the projected employment at the hotel will be a staff of 40 plus. Prime Minister Christie noted that the Government has been diligently encouraging Bahamian entrepreneurship, particularly in the hotel sector.

"When I am called to duty, God whenever flames may rage, give me the strength to save some life whatever be its age." - this excerpt from A Fireman's Prayer was the motto for the fifteen members of the Grand Bahama Shipyard's (GBS) Emergency Response Team (ERT) as they traveled to Orlando recently for a training course.

The Shipyard's ERT experienced a week of intense firefighter training in Orlando, Florida, at Valencia College (formerly Central Florida Fire Academy). In addition to training, the City of Orlando Fire Department allowed the ERT team to meet one of their duty shifts and tour their prestigious Fire Station No. 1 in downtown Orlando.

UNEXSO's Christina Zenato is often featured in the dive media for her skill in relating to sharks underwater. Her latest endeavour however - removing a fish hook from inside a shark's mouth - has found its way into more mainstream American media.

In the video feature from rightthisminute.com entitled 'Diver Sticks Arm Way Down Shark's Mouth to Get Hook Out' underwater footage shows the exciting maneuver and Christina explains how 'Foggy Eye' managed get the hook stuck and how she removed it.

By Stephanie Winus, HSGB volunteer from Long Island, New York

For five years running, on a nice summer morning, I've boarded a plane in New York bound for the Bahamas. In some people's minds that means a pretty resort, with fruity drinks and lots of beach time. But those who know me understand that I am headed to the island of Grand Bahama, to spend time with the people and animals of the Humane Society.

So it was with my usual happy anticipation that I set out on that July morning this year. When I finally arrived at the shelter and entered the front office, I was greeted by the familiar faces of the staff and workers who have become my friends over the years. However, when I went into the courtyard behind the building, all I could feel was disappointment. How could there be and why were there so many dogs still here?

RBC Royal Bank Freeport staff recently left their desks behind to remove litter from the sands of Xanadu Beach. Several bags of waste were collected in just a few hours by 15 RBC staff volunteers. Located close to town, Xanadu Beach is a popular spot. Visitors and residents frequent the beach to enjoy the scenery or take a dip in the water.

Beach cleanup is an important element in maintaining healthy oceans which provide a safe environment for marine animals. RBC is committed to protecting local ecosystems and preserving natural resources. Last year RBC donated $7.4 million to environmental charities around the world. This obligation to environmental sustainability is an investment in the future of the planet.

Former NBA stand-out turned actor, Rick Fox recently embarked on a fact-finding mission to Grand Bahama in his new role as a tourism and investment ambassador for the country. The Bahamian-born star was ecstatic about his visit and recalled how his relationship with the island went way back to childhood when his entrepreneur father operated an outlet of his ice factory here.

"I've had a very fortunate career as an athlete and now it's time for me to continue to expand," Fox revealed. "This phase in my life now is about being more than just that basketball player. It's nice to be here as a representative of a continued tradition of our family as businessmen."

The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce (GBCC) Board and guests met with Mr. John Rolle, Financial Secretary and Members of the Value Added Tax Implementation Team Tuesday night at an informal meeting held at the Pelican Bay, Canal House.

Secretary Rolle presented the attendees with the proposed roll out plan for VAT in The Bahamas. He then spent the evening in dialogue with the Chamber and guests about the specific unique features of Freeport under the Hawksbill Creek Agreement.

Thirty two (32) young people from Abaco, Bimini, Cat Island, Central and North Andros, Eleuthera, Exuma, Grand Bahama, Inagua, Long Island, Mayaguana, Mangrove Cay, Nassau, San Salvador and South Andros recently completed a four a week long eco-experience on the island of Andros.

Eco Camp is designed to develop an appreciation for the natural environment and to facilitate the development of environmental stewardship and commitment to the conservation of the environment and sustainable development. The camp takes place over a 6-day period and is an intense immersion experience as the students participate in classroom and field experiences in all of the Bahamian ecosystems - coral reefs, mangrove wetlands, rocky and sandy shore, coppice and pine forest.

Two environmental groups representing hundreds of members today renewed what they have called "an urgent cry" for a Freedom of Information Act, declaring that a barge laden pipes and construction materials entered the harbor and no one has been able to find out why it is there and what it is doing.

"This is no longer a call for a Freedom of Information Act, this is an urgent cry," said environmental consultant and attorney Romauld 'Romi' Ferreira, a director of the fast-growing environmental movement, Save The Bays. "We have had frantic communications from people in Bimini both directly to us and to our partner, Bimini Bay Coalition, pleading with us to get the information they cannot get. This barge pulled into the harbor entrance at South Bimini August 19 carrying more than 400 large tubular pipes stacked four storeys high."

Celebrating its tenth anniversary with a special slate of speakers and activities, this year's Abaco Business Outlook (ABO) will be held on Wednesday, September 25 at the Abaco Beach Resort in Marsh Harbour, Abaco.

Under the theme "Sustainability the Measurement: Diversification the Goal", presentations will focus on a mutually sustaining relationship between the environment and the economy for the success and preservation of both.

The Bahamas National Culinary Team brought home several awards, thanks to their outstanding performance at this year's 'Taste of The Caribbean' competition in Miami, Florida. Sands Beer was a major sponsor in assisting the team to attend the 20th anniversary of the prestigious competition. The team which was the first all-Bahamian team won team gold, and several top regional and individual awards in the event hosted by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association.

Berkley Williamson, General Manager of Bahamian Brewery (Nassau), accompanied the team when they went to visit the Governor General recently, and also saw to it that the team was able to tour the Brewery's main office and distribution centre in Nassau.

Established on the principles of devoted service towards community and country building, The Kamalamee Organization has redefined the way this nation rewards its people. Each year since 2010, the Organization has added new names to the roster of recipients who have charted the national standard of excellence with a tribute concert and a newly added feature: A 14 karat gold embedded Country Development Medallion.

As we prepare to host the second annual Kamalamee Honours on October 27th, 2013 (Heroes Month) at the Regency Theatre, our team is now in preparation mode which can become a very difficult and expensive task.

The third annual Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival's FLIFF on Location: Grand Bahama Island dates have been announced! The film festival will run in Freeport from October 31st - November 2nd, 2013. Organizers are calling for original Bahamian films nationwide for competition in three categories: High School, College and Open. The deadline for all BAHAMIAN FILM submissions is OCTOBER 11, 2013.

Participants in the Open Bahamian Filmmaker Competition may choose to submit short films - up to 30 minutes; or feature films - up to 90 minutes. Films in every category must be in produced in HD format.

Since 1988, a cold Kalik beer paired with a spicy conch salad has been a favourite in The Bahamas for locals and visitors alike. Now, a popular website is telling the world it's one of the 40 best culinary combinations anyone can find anywhere, ranking it among such delectable delights as Shanghai's famed soup dumplings and a 7-course meal at the 'world's finest restaurant.'

Business Insider, an international website that reports on tech, finance, entertainment, lifestyle, sports and more, featured the Kalik and conch salad combination as one of the must have culinary experiences.

The quiet community of West End, Grand Bahama came alive this past weekend as many residents geared up for the Sands Man in the Boat Sculling Race. The race, which was organized by West End Eco Fishing and the Bahamian Brewery, was held on Saturday near well-known Bone Fish Foley's residence.

"This was the largest registration we have had in our two years of holding these sculling competitions," said Brewery Sculling organiser George Kelly.

For the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Coca-Cola is creating the world's most inclusive, participatory experiential event ever. The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola will give more than one million people across the world the chance to experience the FIFA World Trophy in their own communities. The Bahamas is included, and the FIFA World Cup Trophy will arrive in Nassau, on October 8, 2013.

This will be the largest and longest global tour of the FIFA World Cup Trophy. Visiting more countries than ever during its nine-month journey, the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola will be the first ever pan-Latin America tour, with events in 39 countries across the region that is home to the host nation, Brazil. The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola is an exhibition of the real, one-of-a-kind, solid-gold FIFA World Cup Trophy.

Bahamas, open your eyes. You have government politicians in this country right now insisting to you that being a "good Bahamian" means you should lie, cheat, hide and cover-up the truth, and turn a blind eye to crime and wrongdoing.

You know why they feel comfortable telling us this? Because to our heart, many of us as Bahamians still love corruption, deception and lies. These politicians are telling you that corruption is the Bahamian way, and so anyone who won't be corrupt, lie and cover-up dirt, is not a good or true Bahamian.