In what can only be deemed a first for The Bahamas, two historic pieces of legislation have been signed into law.

On Friday, October 11, just days before the celebration of the first National Heroes holiday in the country, Prime Minister, Perry G. Christie presented the bills to the Governor-General for signing. The bills - one to sign into law the Majority Rule (Public Holiday) Act 2013 which will make January 10th an annual public holiday in The Bahamas, commencing with January of next year and the other to sign into law the much heralded National Heroes Act 2007. This legislation will formally establish "National Heroes Day".

With The Bahamas moving closer to enhancing its existing aircraft registry to meet or exceed standards of successful offshore registries, the most vocal proponent of creating a Bahamas international aircraft registry today congratulated government on "moving so quickly and deliberately" on both the registry and action to safeguard FAA approval of the nation's air safety ratings.

"The timing for the initial phases of creating a framework for the establishment of an international aircraft registry could not be better," said Llewellyn Boyer-Cartwright, a former commercial pilot and now a partner at Callenders law offices where he specializes in aviation law. "The global forecast for business and corporate jets which would form the basis of The Bahamas International Aircraft Registry has never been stronger."

The Commonwealth of The Bahamas is looking forward to the conclusion of the Technical Cooperation Agreement with the Republic of Argentina. Governor-General Sir Arthur Foulkes made the statement as he accepted the Credentials of Ariel Fernandez as Ambassador of the Republic of Argentina to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, during a ceremony at Government House, Oct. 10.

The Bahamas and Argentina have enjoyed a cordial relationship since 1974, "which we highly value and which we remain committed to deepening through our shared values of peace, human rights and democracy," Sir Arthur said.

The Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation, (BREEF) the non-profit marine conservation group is holding an aptly named and themed, 'Twenty Shades of Blue' fund raising party to mark their 20th anniversary and to remember BREEF founder, the late Sir Nicolas Nuttall.

Set for the full moon on Saturday November 16th at John Watlings, the celebratory 'Twenty Shades of Blue' was so named to draw attention to the need for ongoing conservation programmes for all that we admire and rely upon in our many shades-of-blue Bahamian waters. Presenting Sponsor is the philanthropic Vasyli Foundation, a nonprofit group affiliated with the global orthotic footwear company, VIONIC Group.

A group of very excited ladies came together recently to make plans for the best ball that they could possibly host in Nassau town. The Heart Ball Committee gathered with excitement to plan the 50th Heart Ball and events leading up to it. As they prepare for the "Golden Anniversary" this team of dedicated volunteers, like their predecessors, embraces the world of entertainment in an effort to raise funds to repair the hearts of children, who can not ordinarily afford heart care in The Bahamas.

According to public relations officer Ingrid Sears, "We are very excited about the year 2014, and Heart Month (February 2014), as we will be hosting the 50th Annual Heart Ball. This year's theme is "Celebrating the Golden Anniversary of a Vision ... Championing the Cause of Children!"

Pink Wednesday was an eventful day at The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) as students, staff and faculty teamed up in the fight against breast cancer. Coordinated by the Student Affairs Department, it was a community service event to bring awareness to the prevalence of breast cancer, early detection and the battle against the deadly disease.

From pink cupcakes and cakes to pink lemonade and candies, it was BTVI's way of giving back to the community. Many students, staff and faculty wore pink and visited the information tabled where campus nurse, Nursing Officer, Voreetis Barr provided information on breast cancer. All proceeds will be donated to the Sister-Sister Breast Cancer Group.

Baha Mar, the new $3.5 billion resort enclave rising on the Bahamian Riviera, recently wowed New York's top corporate, media and travel industry executives, rolling out the blue carpet at an innovative series of interactive "reverse upfront" events that provided an insider's preview of what will be one of the most compelling and exciting destinations in North America.

Attendees comprised an A-list of top executives from travel consortia, major networks and publishing companies such as Viacom, Facebook, CNN, Microsoft and Universal.

A May, 2013 special report in the Times of London revealed Britons' voracious appetite for a safe and secure second home abroad -- a place of their own to stay when they want to play, a retreat when they want to retire. The facts -- 430,000 Brits own homes abroad and the numbers are climbing -- were so stunning that Palm Cay, a local residential and marina development on nearly 70 acres on the southeastern tip of New Providence, pounced on the potential.

"We read, we learned and we jumped to book space for the UK Luxury Property Show October 29-30," said Zachary 'Zack' Bonczek, Palm Cay Sales & Marketing Director. "At this point, we believe we will be the only Bahamian real estate development at the London show and we're very excited about it."

John Watling's Distillery - John Watling's rum, the "Spirit of The Bahamas", is proud to be a sponsor of the ROARING TWENTIES cocktail reception for the 33rd Anniversary of the Grand Bahama Children's Home in Grand Bahama to raise much needed funds on the 18th of October 2013 at "The Cotton Club" ballroom at The Grand Lucayan. "It is very important to us that John Watling's Distillery support the communities where it does business." said Jose B. Portuondo, Founding Partner and former Grand Bahama resident.

John Watling's Distillery is located at the Buena Vista Estate in Nassau. The historic Estate, founded in 1789, is the site where Bahamians hand-craft John Watling's small-batch Pale, Amber and Buena Vista rums. The Buena Vista Estate has been part of the history of The Bahamas since 1789. Construction started on the Estate the same year George Washington was elected President of the United States and the start of the French Revolution.

Recently, Conchservation brought the My Science! My Conch! project to Grand Bahama to help students learn about the Queen Conch and the BNT's newest campaign Conchservation.

The project gave people who don't usually look at the conch in a scientific way a chance to be the scientist for a day. It also gave the Bahamas National Trust's (BNT) Conchservation team an opportunity to speak to conch fishermen in Grand Bahama about ensuring a future for the Bahamian Queen Conch fishery.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Fred Mitchell and Minister for Grand Bahama Dr. Michael Darville held what was described as a successful meeting with industry players on Grand Bahama, Oct. 10. Billed as the "Industrial Sector Stakeholders Forum," the gathering took place at the Pelican Bay Resort and was very well attended.

Minister Darville said the whole purpose of the meeting was to allow industry partners to have a frank discussion with Immigration and Labour. He said the Department of Immigration has implemented a number of new policies with the intention of putting the local workforce first.

"On this National Heroes Weekend, my hero is Ryan Carroll, concerned citizen," said Gail Woon. Ryan Carroll orchestrated an Underwater Cleanup of Discovery Bay just west of the Grand Lucayan Waterway jetty on Sunday, October 13th, 2013. The objective of the event was to rid the sea bottom of trash from the rocks going west about 500' or more and out off the beach a similar distance.

Trash bags and water were provided. Participants brought gloves and snorkel gear. A kayak or a windsurfer board with a drum attached was recommended to help to collect trash from the divers. Volunteers snorkeled to the bottom to remove trash and it was bagged ashore. Everyone was welcome.

Last week I had the privilege of attending the Best Friends Animal Society's No More Homeless Pets Conference in Jacksonville, Florida. On the first leg of my journey, thanks to rescue friends in Ft. Lauderdale for facilitating the adoption process, I had a traveling companion named Hail, who I delivered to his forever family the same night. Hail (now Kirby) ended up in one of our traps last May, and no one ever came looking for him.

This lucky little Golden-ish potcake was a real trooper on the fast ferry ride to Florida. His new family love him to bits already and I'll be visiting them this week. We are very grateful to our local supporters - but we need more.

Scotiabank in Grand Bahama has partnered with the Red Rose Ball Committee to assist with this year's Red Rose Ball. The 14th Annual Red Rose Ball will be held November 2nd under an Egyptian theme. The Red Rose Ball Committee aims to offer education on HIV/AIDS prevention and responsible sexual behavior in an effort to raise awareness and reduce stigma and discrimination around the disease.

Photo: Scotiabank Freeport Branch Manager, Bruce Humber and Chairperson of the Red Rose Ball Committee, Odette Knowles

Systemic medications for pain control that impact both mother and baby are often the first "comfort measure" offered to laboring women. The prevailing belief of many in the business of birthing babies about the pain of labor is that "there is no other circumstance [labor] in which it is considered acceptable for a person to experience untreated severe pain, amenable to safe intervention, while under a physician's care."

Translated, this prevailing belief of many healthcare providers is that the discomfort of childbirth is a sensation no woman ought to endure and that medication is the only solution for that pain. This suggests that to allow a woman to endure the discomfort of childbirth is nothing short of inhumane. So rather than suggest effective non-pharmacological methods for comfort (a proactive approach that requires increased sensitivity and nursing support), analgesia and/or anesthesia is what is routinely offered.

An Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement was signed between the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and the People's Republic of China (PRC) during a special ceremony, Oct. 16, in the Committee Room of the House of Assembly. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Fred Mitchell signed the agreement on behalf of The Bahamas and Hu Shan, Chinese Ambassador to The Bahamas signed for the PRC.

Among the projects included in the agreement are an agricultural school to be constructed in Andros, the establishment of sporting facilities in the Family Islands and a school for children with special needs.

Exploring the theme "Sustainable Development for Exuma: Finding the Right Mix of People and Strategies", the 8th Annual Exuma Business Outlook is scheduled to take place October 23. As in past years, the one-day symposium will be held at Sandals Emerald Bay Resort in Georgetown.

Hon. V. Alfred Gray, M.P., Minister of Agriculture & Marine Resources, has committed to presenting the keynote and is expected to focus on the importance of increasing local production as a necessary adjunct to tourism development and retaining more of the income from tourism, which is the primary revenue source for the Exumas and the Bahamas as a whole.

With hymns of praise and thanksgiving to God, members of St. Margaret Parish in Nicholl's Town, North Andros rejoiced as their church was Consecrated and Rededicated on Sunday September 29, 2013.

The historic church of St. Margaret's was established in 1838, the former dilapidated structure has been transformed to a sacred space of marvelous beauty. It not only meets current space needs for the thriving congregation but also provides significant room for growth.

Report as of October 10, 2013

Wahoo are being caught through out the islands. There have also been reports large schools of yellowfin tuna offshore. There are many marinas in the southern islands that are empty and therefore have no reports as no one has been fishing. This, however, does not mean that the fishing is slow.

ANDROS: There have been reports of mahi being caught at the north buoy and sightings of tuna schools in the north end of the Tongue Of The Ocean between Andros and New Providence.

Lucaya International IB students, Cassie Haddad, Katie Hindley and Imani Sterling this week are finalizing the framing of the doodles they have collected from various well known Bahamians and famous expatriates with Bahamian connections. They are extremely excited about receiving a doodle from Sir Sean Connery and Mr. Guy Harvey!

As coordinator of the IB Creativity, Action, Service programme, Vikki Purvis said "The students have demonstrated great initiative and determination to secure these very individual pieces and hope very much that the Freeport community will come out in strength on Friday evening."

The Sandals Foundation and Coca-Cola present "Vibes On The Island" an exciting fundraiser in aid of PACE's (Providing Access to Continued Education) building fund. On November 2, the party is set to take place on Sandals Island at Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island, and will feature a performance by Grammy-Award winning artist, Shaggy. Tickets for the event, which starts at 7 pm, cost $175 each and cover all 'Luxury Included' food and drinks.

All proceeds from the ticket sales will go to the PACE Foundation, which provides education and support to teenage mothers, while promoting awareness to help reduce teen pregnancy.

On Saturday, October 26th, the Bahamas National Trust will open its gates for the 23rd Annual Wine and Art Festival. The annual festival features over fifty talented artists, a selection of over sixty wines from Bristol Wines and Spirits and a wine and food pairing demonstration sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism's Culinary Tourism Division.

BNT members will get a special preview of the art and a chance to win beautiful pieces of art in the Wine and Art Raffle on Friday evening, October 25th. The Members evening is sponsored by Scotiabank; Leah Davis Sr Manager for Marketing and Public Relations at Scotiabank, commented, "We are proud to partner with the BNT in their efforts to preserve and protect our environment as they make a positive impact in the communities where we live and work."

Internationally renowned Grand Bahamian artist Leo Brown continued his generous and heartfelt commitment to The Grand Bahama Children's Home by donating "Lucayan Beach" - an original painting for auction at the Home's upcoming 'Roaring Twenties' fundraiser on Friday, October 18, 2013.

"Lucayan Beach" captures the beauty of the Grand Bahama shoreline and stands as a piece of history as it details what the beach looked like prior to Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne in 2004. The original painting is based on photograph taken in 2003 of the much loved Lucayan Beach shoreline and Brown utilized a combination of a smooth brush technique with a rigid pallet knife technique for a sense of realism in a stunning, vivid piece for the Children's Home.

Business and pleasure don't usually mix - that's probably why most professionals swap their laptops for novels when they plan on hitting the seaside - but, with the first ever Salt Cay Writers Retreat taking place this month, quite a few of the country's wordsmiths might grab the opportunity to wear their office shoes to the beach.

Just off the coast of New Providence, Salt Cay is known better to locals as Blue Lagoon Island - an oasis with a little-known and unique literary history. Bought in 1916 by John T. McCutcheon, Chief Foreign Correspondent of the Chicago Tribune, Pulitzer Prize winner and Dean of American political cartoonists, the island was host to prominent royalty as well as literary luminaries like columnist Drew Pearson, novelist John Dos Passos and author James Thurber, among many others.

The third installment of FLIFF on Location: Grand Bahama Island 2013 will take place in Freeport from October 31 - November 3rd at the Pelican Bay Hotel in their state-of-the-art Canal House facility. Celebrated actors, directors, producers and writers will once again arrive by Celebration Cruise Lines from the Florida and film fans will have an opportunity to meet them and view a variety of international films, along with Bahamian-made films.

"The Ministry of Tourism, the Grand Bahama Island Tourist Board, and all of our local supporters, are pleased to partner with FLIFF in hosting this dynamic film festival," said Craig Woods, Bahamas Film Commissioner. "We are delighted to bring international filmmakers to Grand Bahama's shores so they can see the beautiful locations our island has to offer. The event allows them to also share their knowledge and collaborate with our Bahamian filmmakers."

Bahamian writers, wannabe-writers, and challenge-seekers are invited to join over 341,000 people around the world in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) - a fun approach to creative writing. Participants aim to write 50,000 words in 30 days. The event, hosted by a non-profit organization based in San Francisco is held in November of every year.

NaNoWriMo is for anyone who has ever thought of writing a novel (or any other form of story). Most participants write novels, but there is a beloved group of "Rebels" who write memoirs, scripts, poems, blog posts, and just about anything else you can imagine. What you write isn't as important as the fact that you have a pen in your hand, or a keyboard beneath your fingers, and you are writing.