There are many people in our lives who go unrecognized for all that they have done and continue to do to make life better for others. More often than not, these persons don't ask for anything in return; they simply desire to make life easier for others and our society a better place to live. Such persons step outside of their work environments to influence the education, health, the economy and social wellbeing of others.

This Christmas, as you plan to meet with family and friends, the Heart Ball Committee encourages you to celebrate those special people in our life. In fact, the public is being encouraged to submit nominations for the Lady Sassoon Golden Heart Award. The Deadline for nominations is Friday, January 17th, 2014.

In what history may view as the precursor to the Bahamian version of a United Way, a new charity announced today that 13 organisations who feed the hungry have come together to create The National Feeding Network (NFN).

"We believe that this is an historic day in the annals of charity and compassion in The Bahamas. Even as we sit here and eat at this luncheon, there are many out there who haven't. The creation and launch of The Bahamas National Feeding Network will allow us to serve with far greater efficiency the thousands of people in this nation who depend on the kindness of others to keep from going to bed hungry," said Felix Stubbs, who serves, along with attorney Sean Moree, as co-chairman.

Minister of Tourism, Obie Wilchcombe joined the Bahamas Tourist office team in Toronto, Canada led by Director, Canada Bahamas Tourist Office Paul A. Strachan on Friday November 29, 2013, to launch a comprehensive media and advertising campaign for Canada. The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Train Wrap - Bahamas images and logos covering of six subway trains and interior ads throughout. The Toronto Transit Commission is North America's second busiest transit system carrying over 460 million passengers per year.

Pictured from left: Chris Uphold, Chief Customer Service Officer at the Toronto Transit Commission; Minister Wilchcombe and Mr. Strachan.

Commonwealth Brewery Limited (CBL), the Bahamas' largest manufacturer and distributor of beer, wine and spirits, is teaming up with the Ministry of Transport and the Road Traffic Department to raise the buzz about the dangers of drinking and driving. The popular brewer of brands like Kalik and Heineken is advocating to keep drivers who are under the influence off the roads. CBL is funding the construction and installation of 12 road safety signs throughout the country to educate the public about the dangers of driving under the influence and to promote the use of designated drivers.

CBL and Burns House, its distribution arm, are partnering with the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Transport's Department of Road Traffic to erect the billboards on the islands of Abaco, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama and New Providence.

For the past 10 years, Gregory H. Curry has been a part-time instructor at The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI). Some of his Electrical Installation students are aware he is a former Royal Bahamas Defence Force Officer. However, few realize he nearly gave his life for this country.

May 10th, 1980 would forever be enshrined in the annals of Mr. Curry's mind. It was the day when Cuban jets viciously and mercilessly attacked the HMBS Flamingo in Bahamian waters after the crew of two Cuban fishing vessels was apprehended for poaching. It was the day he nearly lost his life.

Declaring 'pink is a vibrant color that symbolizes good health and success,' staff members of the Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) recently threw their weight behind two events to support the fight against breast cancer. In one event, NAD employees held a bake sale to support Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Group and The Cancer Society, selling sweets from their creative Pink Bake Shop to many of the several hundred people who make up the Lynden Pindling International Airport community.

During the second event, male and female NAD staffers dressed in pink to support the 15th annual Lee National Denim Day, a chance to dress for the cause, raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research and education.

Maria Butler was quite surprised to learn that she was the 2013 Doctors Hospital Free Mammograms for Life promotion winner. It turns out she did not submit her name in the promotion and still has no idea who did.

At the age of 60, Mrs. Butler has only had three mammograms before, making this a very special and necessary prize. She plans to take advantage of her good fortune by booking her fourth mammogram at the Doctors Hospital state of the art digital imaging center. The best part? For the rest of her life, it will be completely free.

Sandals Royal Bahamian will retain 70 percent of the 22 individuals who graduated from its Hospitality Training Programme (HTP) yesterday. Patrick Drake, General Manager of Sandals Royal Bahamian, touted this latest group of HTP graduates as some of the best to have ever come through the programme. And the process to find those 22 individuals began with a room of more than 140 people vying for a spot.

The HTP programme is a chance for individuals to receive hospitality training throughout the various departments at Sandals' prestigious resort property. However, their training repertoire is not limited to the jobs found around hotels and resorts, but includes life skills such as interviewing and etiquette.

The fourth staging of the annual Festival of Lights parade has brought a number of changes, including a new route and expanded viewing stations. However, the festival's renaming in honour of Bahamian humanitarian and Olympic champion Sir Durward Knowles stands above them all.

The annual festival which draws dozens of mariners to the Nassau harbour for an evening of Christmas merriment will now be known as the Sir Durward Knowles Festival of Lights. It is a fitting choice considering Sir Durward is a man who has conquered the sea; in his home, wall to wall bookshelves filled with medals, trophies and plaques attest to his lifetime of achievement on the water. Celebrating his 96th birthday this year, Sir Durward will once again become the standard bearer for the boating community, when the festival sets sail on December 21.

It wasn't just a typical evening at the Ranfurly Home for Children on Mackey Street Tuesday, December 3rd, magic was in the air! That's because Collins Key, the 17-year-old magician who was a finalist on this season's America's Got Talent television show, spent time meeting and performing for children from the Ranfurly Home, the Elizabeth Estates Home, and the Trinity Methodist Church Sunday School. And, after performing some well-received tricks, Key talked to the kids about staying positive, following their dreams, overcoming criticism, and learning from mistakes.

He was in the Bahamas for a private engagement and also gave a show at the Atlantis Resort theatre. From Los Angeles, Key discovered the art of magic at age 12, staging impromptu performances at almost any gathering.

The sale of real Christmas trees by the Lucaya Presbyterian Church has been benefitting the community for over 40 years as profits from the sales assist several outreach projects and many families in need. "Each year we have been very fortunate to sell the trees we order," said Dave Willard, member and organizer of the Christmas tree sales.

As the push to 'go green' continues, many have opted to include a live tree in their celebrations over the past few years. "When you farm Christmas trees, it's a renewable stock," said Willard. "You have to stagger your growing so that in any one year you have trees at different ranges." Many say the benefit of a live Christmas tree is both the beauty and the scent. It is just amazing that the minute the tree is in your house it begins to the smell like Christmas and it's there for as long as you have the tree.

Our community animal survey continued in Eight Mile Rock last Saturday. Thanks once again to Chervita Campbell for organizing GGYA students from Jack Hayward, St. Georges, and Eight Mile Rock High Schools. Big thanks to the other adult volunteers, and to GB Shipyard for the bus, KFC EMR for allowing us to utilize their location as a meeting point. Thank you Sunny Isles/Crown Ice for the ice and drinking water, and also a special thanks to the residents of West Grand Bahama, most of whom received us so helpfully and pleasantly.

We were able to visit with another 125 homeowners in West Grand Bahama. So far we have actually only talked with around 10% of the households in these areas, but it has become abundantly clear already that there is a huge problem. These areas are known as "under-served communities" in the animal welfare world. There are no veterinary clinics in West or East Grand Bahama. Spay/neuter is badly needed.

Whilst on island recently, Alexander Sokoloff, Policy and Economic Chief of the United States Embassy, met with officials of The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA). The purpose of his introductory visit was to become better acquainted with the island in advance of his department's preparation of the forthcoming Investment Climate Guide for The Bahamas.

President of the Port Authority, Ian Rolle, praised the embassy and Mr. Sokoloff for their initiative in visiting Grand Bahama for onsite familiarization. "We are pleased to welcome you, " stated Rolle. "Due to its unique features, Freeport offers substantial benefits to potential investors. Our proximity to the U.S. mainland, modern infrastructure, and free trade zone put us in a very enviable position."

Okyanos Heart Institute has announced that its chief science officer, Leslie Miller, M.D., F.A.C.C., will address the International Stem Cell Society (STEMSO) Global Conference to be held at the Grand Lucayan Resort in Freeport, Grand Bahamas, February 19-22, 2014. Dr. Miller, one of the foremost experts in adult stem cell therapy for heart failure, will be speaking about adipose-derived stem and regenerative cells to treat cardiovascular disease on Thursday, February 20 from 1:45 to 2:30 PM. The conference, titled "Bridging the Gap: Research to Point of Care," brings together medical scientists, clinicians, ethicists, regulatory experts, and investors to discuss progress in the field of research and clinical protocols.

Dr. Miller is an internationally renowned cardiologist and expert in the field of heart failure and transplantation. He has served as an investigator in over 80 clinical trials, including the use of stem cells derived from fat tissue to treat heart disease.

After hosting a very successful job fair back in early October, Island Outsourcers has hired its first wave of call centre agents on Grand Bahama, all of whom recently completed tourism product training coordinated by The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism (MOT).

According to Sandra Russell, Sr. Manager, Human Resources and Training (MOT), "It was necessary for the agents to first become certified Bahamahost professionals. This was a critical component of the training process, to ensure that they provide exceptional customer service, and are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively communicate with customers on the Islands of The Bahamas."

By Neil Hartnell - The Tribune Business Editor

The Government has agreed to "roll back" the 1 per cent Customs administrative processing fee in Freeport to help facilitate the long-proposed $250 million expansion at the Freeport Container Port, Tribune Business was told last night. Multiple business and political sources said the Government had agreed to lift the fee, part of the tax increase package unveiled in the 2013-2014 Budget, following the meeting in London between Prime Minister Perry Christie and senior Hutchison Whampoa executives.

The Hong Kong-based conglomerate is the Container Port's 51 per cent majority owner, but both it and the facility's main customer, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), had been left reeling by the 1 per cent processing fee's imposition.

Last week the Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF) and the US Coast Guard received notification of a grounded vessel in the Exuma Chain. During the recovey efforts BNT Wardens at the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park were requested to assist the local police force in their efforts. BNT Wardens Henry Haley and Kendedo Marshall and two RBDF Officers responded to the call in an Exuma Park vessel.

Superintendent McDaniel, who is in charge of Exuma police noted, "It is common in the Exuma Community for volunteers and residents to respond to emergencies. It is also extremely helpful that ECLSP Warden Henry Haley is Reserve Police Officer."

The sun came out for the second annual Hope Town Turtle Trot which took place on Thanksgiving morning - November 28th, on Elbow Cay, Abaco. The Turtle Trot is a 5K fun run/walk which benefits Friends of the Environment's marine conservation and education programs. The event was presented by by H.G. Christie and sponsored by Hope Town Inn and Marina, Hummingbird Art Gallery and the Abaco Tourism Office.

More than 80 runners and walkers started at the Gallery in downtown Hope Town, just behind the historic post office, headed north through town and out to the northern tip of the island before heading back to the Gallery for the finish. The course wound through paved roads, dirt trails, sandy tracks, and muddy areas, but overall the participants finished with a smile. After the adult 5km race, students from the Hope Town Primary School and visiting children lined up for the Mile Fun Run around Hope Town.

As part of its outreach to Bahamian students across The Bahamas, Baha Mar Academy representative Lashanta Smith recently visited two high schools in Cat Island. Over 160 seventh through twelfth grade students at Arthur's Town High School and Old Bight High School learned about Baha Mar and careers in hospitality. The students also learned about personal branding and the importance of soft skills such as punctuality, reliability and having apleasant attitude in the workplace.

Photo: Baha Mar Academy representative Lashanta Smith answers questions about Baha Mar from students at Old Bight High School in Cat Island.

Cable subscribers in Grand Bahama, Abaco and Eleuthera were affected last week with an interruption of a small portion of their TV services. Cable Bahamas advised that the issues were caused by equipment and service upgrades. The upgrades began Wednesday, November 27, when a number of channels and the video on demand service were impacted with intermittent signals. The completion of the 48-hour upgrade process resulted in the resolution of the intermittent signals experienced by some of Cable Bahamas' subscribers.

Cable Bahamas will be providing all cable subscribers on Grand Bahama, Abaco and Eleuthera with free access to all premium cable TV packages for a full weekend, from 8:00 a.m. Friday, December 6th, 2013 through 8:00 a.m. Monday, December 9th, 2013.

Restaurants and students from throughout Grand Bahama are getting ready to 'Deck the Park' with delicious cuisine at the 19th Annual Festival Noel this Friday at the Rand Nature Centre. This year's committee has resurrected the Chef Noel competition and local restaurants Flying Fish, Sweet Affairs, Red Beard's and Agave will be competing for the coveted title. All are ready to dazzle guests with their culinary offerings.

TIn addition to the tasty treats on offer, Festival Noel's lead sponsor, Bristol Wines and Spirits, will feature over 30 wines and Bahamian Brewery will showcase their new High Rock lager. Musical entertainment will be provided by well-known local band 'Upper Cut' and newcomers '2 Left Feet'. The featured artist this year is Dion Lewis, visiting from Nassau after his triumphant show at the BNT's Jollification and 16 local artisans, a silent auction and a Colombian Emeralds jewelry display give just a hint of the excitement on tap!

Fifteen of the biggest names in Bahamian music will be lending their voices to a growing movement to preserve and protect the Bahamas environment when they take the stage for a mega-concert December 28 at Arawak Cay. Billed as The Bahamas Best Mega Concert and Family Festival, the full day of activities topped by a 15-star performer musical bonanza is sponsored by Save The Bays to raise funds and awareness for environmental community partners.

It kicks off at noon with a six-hour family fest packed with activities from clowns and bouncing castle to environmental booths and face painting. The evening concert starting at 8 pm under the big white tent will feature Kirkland 'KB' Bodie and a string of musical performers ranging from the sultry sounds of Veronica Bishop to the high-energy pulsating song-and-dance style of Funky D.

A woman's work is never done is a true saying. The week of November 24 - 30, 2013 was celebrated as National Women's Week in the Bahamas under the theme, 'Promoting Women in Leadership in a Developing Bahamas'. It is a time to reflect on the contribution of women to our society. Women have worked tirelessly in all spheres of our community ensuring the advancement and development of the Bahamas.

Many leading women are challenged daily with the balancing act of family, work and community. As a result, Dr. Natasha Carter owner of Pizazz Beauty Shop and the IMAGINE HAIR Team instituted DIVA DAY to celebrate women and their contributions. On Thanksgiving Day, women came together for the ultimate experience of RELAXATION- REFRESHING - REJUVENATION.

Public and private school students throughout New Providence ushered in the Christmas season Wednesday, December 4 during the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology's annual Festival of Carols at Golden Gates World Outreach Ministries.

Representing primary, junior high and senior schools, the students demonstrated what Christmas means to them in song, dance, dramatisation, speech and music. The theme for the event was "Jesus: Marvellous and Wonderful".

Congratulations to Sarah Packinton: this is the first wahoo she has ever caught. It was caught off of the northern Andros buoy on 'Fishin' Gators' this week.

Nassau: Captain Adam Russell reports catching a few small wahoo in the 15-40 range yesterday along with a yellowfin in the 40lb range of off the west side of New Providence.

Grand Bahama, Freeport: The wahoo fishing has been strong off of Freeport's southern shore when the weather permits.

Power bills about to go up because of VAT

As I posted on my Facebook Page last week, the government decided to change its mind (or should I say, was instructed to change its mind) and require VAT on power bills. The catch is, the Bill says you don't have to pay VAT on power once you only use a certain amount of power each month, but they left that amount blank in their Bill, so right now even if you read the Bill, you cannot know from that Bill who will pay VAT on power and who won't.

Why give us a Bill with that critical part blank? So much for believing your light bills were going down, if you ever did believe that fairytale. In all seriousness, people are already struggling to keep their lights on. Now the cost will go up 15% each billing cycle. This will kill so many people and create even more power disconnections.

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DNA: The VAT Story

While the Bahamian people stare down the barrel of the government's proposed Value Added Tax (VAT) due to be implemented in July 2014 we remain uncertain of what to expect will come out of that barrel - we just know it won't be good.

Aiding in the confusion we feel as the date rapidly approaches is the inconsistent statements of the Prime Minister who one moment speaks of the inevitability of VAT and the next seems to plead for an alternative from the business community. More recently the Prime Minister blames the financial mess left behind by the FNM for forcing his hand to introduce a tax that he said he took the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to task twice over pressure to implement.

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