The general public is advised that Monday, October 14, 2013 will be observed as Discovery Day.

This is in keeping with the Cabinet's policy made in 2002 that public holidays falling on Saturdays, with the exception of Independence, Christmas and Boxing Day, will be observed the following Monday.

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Margaret Norvell, a newly commissioned 154-foot patrol boat based out of Miami, Florida, was deployed to the Southern Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands from September 12-25, 2013 in support of counter-narcotics Operation Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands (OPBAT).

With embarked ship riders from both the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, USCGC Margaret Norvell patrolled high threat areas near each country's territorial seas.

H.E. Eldred Bethel, High Commissioner, travelled to Monaco as part of a larger Islands of The Bahamas promotion during the Monaco Yacht Show (MYS) 2013 with partners SuperYachts.com; The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism; The Bahamas Maritime Authority; Albany; Stella Maris Village; and Over Yonder Cay.

SuperYachts.com recently shot a 'Destination in Focus' feature in The Bahamas and invited the above partners to join them for their launch at the MYS from 25 to 28 September 2013. The super yacht market is a $14.1 Billion market and the Islands of The Bahamas were a natural partner for SuperYachts.com due to the proximity of The Bahamas to the US and with seven hundred islands to explore. The Bahamas boasts sixty-three marinas able to receive super yachts with state of the art facilities including those at Albany and Atlantis.

The smell of the sea fusing with wood-fire grilled Mahi-Mahi, Mediterranean and Bahamian flavours permeating from the kitchen and spectacular ocean views just footsteps from the surf will all provide a sensational culinary experience at Palm Cay in the coming weeks.

Celebrated chef Lise Russell and veteran restaurateur Peter Rounce are teaming up to add Billfish Grill to the island's diverse restaurant scene by mid-December and with the ocean on one side and a 194-slip marina on the other, the stately tropical styled eatery's ambiance and menu are competing to be the main attraction.

With The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute's (BTVI) major role in the education and training of those in construction trades, it is joining hands with The Bahamas Home and Builders Trade Show and Energy Expo, the largest local consumer trade display.

Organizers of the expo, to be held October 25th through 27th at the Wyndham Nassau Resort, noted that despite the challenging state of the world's economy, professionals and consumers alike are using the platform to increase efficiencies, re-tool their companies and continue to educate themselves in order to be ready for all business opportunities.

It was cancer patient Nathalie Gordon's fervent wish to meet NBA Miami Heat Most Valuable Player - "King" LeBron James during the team's four-day preseason training camp here in The Bahamas. And when one of her daughters, Thiminko Musgrove, heard that the NBA Champions were coming to The Bahamas, she put wheels in motion to make her mother's wish come true.

The daughter wrote to the Ministry of Tourism and explained that her mother was an avid Miami Heat fan and wanted to meet the team - especially LeBron James. Her mother, 62, is fighting stage four Salivary Gland Cancer - described as a rare disease in which malignant cells form in the tissues of the salivary glands.

A Bahamian cultural extravaganza, in Atlanta over the weekend, was the highlight of a reception hosted by The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and The Grand Bahama Tourism Board to support the upcoming launch of a Delta Direct Service between Atlanta and Grand Bahama to begin December 19th, 2013.

An impressive crowd that jammed the ballroom of the Georgian Hotel, Midtown Atlanta, was feted to Bahamian eats including Conch Fritters, Bahamian entertainers and the unique sight and sounds of Bahamian Junkanoo.

Hundreds of eager applicants turned out in full force for the recent job fair hosted by Island Outsourcers. The Jamaican based business process outsourcing (BPO) firm has expanded its call centre services to Grand Bahama and is actively recruiting 100 employees as part of its first phase of operations. "We were extremely pleased with the level of response from persons on the island, as well as the calibre of job applicants," expressed Troy Cotton, COO, Island Outsourcers.

The full-day event was held at the Pelican Bay Convention Building. Positions offered included: call centre agents, business unit supervisors, workforce managers, training managers and operations managers.

The administration, teachers, and fellow Stingrays of Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic School congratulate all students of Grade 6 who were commissioned on Friday, September 20, 2013 as Prefects and Monitors.

The Commissioning ceremony was held at Mary, Star of the Sea Church after the school's bimonthly Mass, which was celebrated by Father David Cooper, the pastor of MSS Church. In his homily, Father Cooper encouraged all the students to do their very best, be respectful and kind.

On Saturday, September 28, 2013, the Grand Bahama RBDF Rangers attended an educational session to prepare them for upcoming projects with the BNT (Bahamas National Trust). BNT's Deputy Park Warden for Grand Bahama, Ellsworth Weir facilitated the session at the BMES High School auditorium. The objective of this gathering was to educate the Rangers on the national park system and how important it is to preserve and protect the natural resources of the Bahamas.

The presentation focused specifically on the three parks on Grand Bahama: Lucayan National Park, Peterson Cay, and The Rand Nature Centre. Aerial maps and photographs of the parks were shared that highlighted the cave systems, pine forests, mangroves, and the beach areas that are used for recreation within and around the park system.

Officials in Grand Bahama visited and toured Deep Water Cay (DWC) recently as the well-known bone fishing resort in the east welcomed a new management team to the island. The officials checked on the progress of DWC recent refurbishments as they toured the facilities and met the new team.

Buzz and Rose Cox, the new on-island resident management team, arrived last week and are getting to know the island's staff and connect with Grand Bahama tourism market.

Feeport Jetwash gave back to their loyal customers when they brought back a favourite promotion over the summer. The Summer Sweeps promotion awarded monthly winners in the parts department with in-house credit and a chance to win the grand prize of a 46" flat screen TV.

For the months of July, August and September any purchase of $20 or more from the parts department of Freeport Jet Wash was entered to win. The promotion ended September 30 after a very successful three-month campaign at one of Freeport's longest running automotive dealers.

Speculation was laid to rest surrounding the construction of a jetty and other Resorts World Bimini (RWB) development plans during a special sitting of the island's Local Government Council at which the developer's executives - led by Resorts World's Mr. Colin Au and other company representatives - met with island stakeholders to set the record straight. The meeting was chaired by Chief Council Lloyd Edgecombe.

Mr. Edgecombe opined that this development is not necessarily about today's islanders - many of whom dreamed about an opportunity to come back home for a project of this nature during their younger years - but more so about their children and grandchildren who will follow.

Celebrities flocked to Sandals Emerald Bay in Exuma this past weekend for an exotic getaway and golf for a good cause.

The team at Sandals rolled out the red carpet for their famous guests, who came to take part in the Sandals Emerald Bay Celebrity Getaway & Golf Weekend, hosted by Sandals Resorts and Access Hollywood. The Special guests included TV personality Billy Bush and golf legend Greg Norman who designed the golf course at Emerald Bay. In addition to Billy Bush and Greg Norman, an impressive gathering of celebrities included ...

Prime Minister Perry Christie enjoys the music of the Central Eleuthera High School band, during the Ecumenical Church Service, celebrating the life and times of Timothy Gibson, Oct. 6 at Wesley Methodist Church in Savannah Sound, Eleuthera.

Mr. Gibson wrote The Bahamas' national anthem, "March on Bahamaland."

After months of preparation, screening and interviewing of thirteen (13) potential beauty ambassadors, the Miss Bahamas Beauty Organization through its panel of prestigious judges have elected two of the nation's finest young ladies as its official beauty ambassadors for the 2013-2014 year during a crowning ceremony held at the Wyndham Nassau Resorts, one of its official sponsors.

The evening's event was well attended with an overflowing crowd and scores of Bahamian beauty queens, including entertainment by the reigning Miss Culture Bahamas Jacqueline Frazier. Delegates then took to the stage in swimsuit, national costume and evening gown. They were also featured in video presentation showcasing their personal and global platforms.

The Kamalamee Organization is proud to release its signature commemorative group photo of the 2013 honourees. This year's photo was taken at Nandana, a private resort and celebrity hotspot in West End, Grand Bahama.

The sunset photo was taken by professional photographer and committee member, Lyndah Wells. The organization will host a portrait unveiling cocktail reception at Sabor, Pelican Bay Hotel on Wednesday, October 16th where both 2012 and 2013 honourees will have their 8 foot-high portraits unveiled for open viewing. The public is invited to attend and applaud the 2013 Honours recipients.

Plans are well on the way towards having a National Book Fair October 30 - November 5 2013. The Ministry of Education National Library and Information Services, the Learning Resources Section, the Bahamian American Cultural Society, Inc, in partnership with other organizations will spearhead this event.

At the Book Fair there will be a large variety of the best books for all ages. It is organisers hope and plan that no child will walk away without a book. Their aim is to put a new book into the hands of each student of school age, to promote an increase in reading and literacy skills. and to encourage the students to donate their read books to a library of their choice, preferably his/her neighborhood school, public or private library

Report as of October 3, 2013

Get Ready for the Wahoo!

Captain Adam Russell reports that the offshore fishing has been slow but he has managed to catch a few smaller wahoo off of Nassau.

North Eleuthera: Captain Devon Sawyer reports hooking a large yellowfin tuna at the Pinnacle and loosing it at the boat.

Bimini: Captain Stephen Knowles reports that it has been slow but the rumor on the docks is that last an angler caught 6 wahoo off Bimini earlier this week.

Fresh off the excitement of the recent Potcakeman triathlon in Nassau, athletes from around The Bahamas are gearing up for the grand-daddy of local races - the 27th annual Conchman triathlon and Iron Kids, taking over Taino Beach on Saturday, November 2nd.

With a nod to the beautiful Bahamian waters and smooth roads of Grand Bahama, the sprint distance Conchman contains a slightly longer swim and bike ride than some other sprint distance races. Athletes can look forward to a 1km swim, 25km bike, and 5km run at a time of year that is just about perfect for racing weather-wise.

Some 30 miles from this tiny Bahamian Out Island is a portal to what writer Rod Serling would describe as a "dimension as vast as space and timeless as infinity", a mysterious vortex where sometimes electronics fail, compasses spin and dolphins seem extra-friendly. Nature's oddities are not unfamiliar occurrences in and around Bimini. Followers of new age psychic Edgar Cayce, for example, swear that Bimini's uniquely formed underwater stone formations-the much-debated Bimini Road-are a path leading to the lost Atlantis.

Joining with the mysterious Bimini Road is The Vortex, a section of energy northeast of the island that has stymied visiting mariners, fishermen and divers. It is, as one longtime captain called it, " a mystery wrapped up in an enigma."

The NBA Champions Miami Heat could not have asked for a better place to hold their preseason training camp, which ran October 1 to 4, 2013 in The Bahamas. And according to two-time MVP forward LeBron James, the first four days have been very productive.

"We have gotten better and it was great to see guys excited about being back and excited about basketball." James thanked "everyone" in The Bahamas for opening their arms and doors to the Miami Heat Organisation.

Recently 170 cyclists took part in the 1st Annual Give A Child a Ride (G.A.C.A.R.) cycling event. RBC partnered with The British Colonial Hilton Nassau, as a corporate sponsor of the inaugural charity event and fielded a team of five riders. The goal of G.A.C.A.R. is to raise funds towards the advancement and education of children residing at local orphanages.

Participants had the option of riding two routes, 35 miles and 10 miles respectively, starting and ending at Pompey Square, Bay Street. The 2013 Give A Child A Ride event exceeded its fundraising goals, raising approximately fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).

The "$5 Million Gaming Poll" Show & The Question That Remains

If the media and the Opposition had checked to confirm Elections Minister BJ Nottage's recent statement that the January Gaming Poll cost $5 million before extensive reporting and announcing a Party position respectively - what happened today with the Minister changing the figure he gave, would not have been able to happen.

And what should also now be checked is whether or not the "I think it's $5 million" figure he gave last week represented one of two things: #1 - a combination of the actual public service cost to hold the Gaming Poll plus other payments/payouts connected to that Poll or #2 - monies spent in payments/payouts outside of the actual cost. In other words, was the "I think it's $5 million" figure merely a mistake, or is there much more to it?

Click here to read more

Are The Gaming Board & Government Aware Of Reports About The New Gaming Partner For Paradise Island?

Last week, Gaming Board Chairman Andre Rollins was pictured cutting the ceremonial ribbon at Atlantis with Atlantis Managing Director George Markantonis and Cantor Gaming CEO Lee Amaitis. The ceremony was to announce that Atlantis had entered into an agreement with Cantor Gaming to provide mobile gaming and mobile sports betting at the resort.

There are several international media reports about alleged activities by/involving Mr. Amaitis that raise questions on whether the government and Gaming Board - which must perform due-diligence on all foreign investors and gaming applicants - are aware of these reported incidents.

Click here to read more

From Facebook: Got to love Port Lucaya for this one!

Really? Should it not be all about the customers coming to shop or dine to get the best parking? Have a drop off spot for deliveries - not two guards protecting parking slots!

Ridiculous in my opinion.

Comments:
I love how you have to ask them to move the pylons so you can even enter the big parking lot in the front ... like it is some big imposition that I want to park and shop there!

Maybe all the tenants should move back to the bazaar, rent would be cheaper and there would be a helluva lot more parking!

Picture this ... guests staying and on the last day, they want to take gifts back home. So, I teke them to Port Lucaya and there is no parking available and ... in frustration, we drive away. Happened more than once. So, so sad!

Click here to read more

Got a Muddasick? Send yours to info@bahamaislandsinfo.com