In an effort to raise awareness and help eradicate violence against women, the U.S. Embassy's International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Section invited Detective Holly Tucker, a 15-year veteran of the Broward Sheriff's Office in South Florida assigned to the Special Victims Unit/Criminal Investigations Division to conduct two days of training focused on the prevention of domestic violence.

Detective Tucker met with law enforcement officers, government representatives, and local NGOs in Nassau and Freeport December 2-3 to address challenges faced by Bahamian institutions and individuals committed to the elimination of domestic violence.

Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe told the 2013 graduates of the Bahamahost Programme that all have a responsibility in restoring The Bahamas as the premier tourist destination. Bahamahost is a training programme designed to familiarise participants with correct and accurate information about the country's history, culture, geography, civic, economic and places of interests. It is also a customer-based programme which places emphasis on service excellence.

In his keynote address, Mr. Wilchcombe urged the graduates - a mixture of public service drivers, hoteliers and school students involved in the government's Fresh Start Programme - to become agents of change.

As a result of a procurement exercise in May 2013, which was carried out and guided by the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) procedures for national bidding, public relations and advertising firm, Barefoot Marketing, was awarded a four-year contract to lead the public relations activities on behalf of the Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC).

The firm will be tasked with improving the relationship between the WSC and residents, and expanding the Corporation's customer base to ensure successful implementation of the WSC Support Program.

When Doctors Hospital was asked to donate a free mammogram to be used as a prize for the Bahamas Beauties Against Cancer social media contest, the Hospital immediately seized an opportunity to spread the message that early detection is key in the fight against breast cancer. There was no way of knowing that this donation would lead to a tremendous opportunity to make a difference in one young woman's life.

"We figured most of the young women who entered this contest would be too young to even use the prize, but they all have mothers and aunts and grandmothers and older friends so we jumped at the chance to use this vehicle to spread the message of the importance of mammography and early detection in saving women's lives," explains Marketing Director Jessica Robertson.

Marking the 20th anniversary and remembering its founder, the late Sir Nicholas Nuttall, The Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation's, (BREEF) "20 Shades of Blue: A Full Moon Birthday Celebration" drew close to 400 people who celebrated the occasion in majestic splendour at the hill-top Buena Vista Estate of the John Watling's Distillery on November 16th, 2013.

In island-chic casual elegance, guests, many in the suggested 'shades of blue' mingled, danced and enjoyed the fun and excitement of an entertainment packed evening, hosted by BREEF co-chairs Lady Eugenie Nuttall and Craig Symonette, Executive Director Casuarina McKinney-Lambert and a strong committee of BREEF volunteers.

RBC Royal Bank is sponsoring the Hands for Hunger gift wrapping booth in the centre court at the Mall at Marathon during the holiday season. The gift-wrapping service will be available during mall hours from Saturday, December 7, through Tuesday, December 24, 2013, with all proceeds benefitting Hands for Hunger. Last year, this initiative helped raise more than $10,000 toward Hands For Hunger's mission and vision of reducing food waste and ending hunger on our island.

"RBC has long supported initiatives aimed at giving back directly to the people most in need in our community," said Mr. Nathaniel Beneby, Jr., Managing Director, RBC Royal Bank, Bahamas, Cayman and Turks and Caicos Islands.

Over 150 people gathered on Wednesday, December 4 to celebrate the Grand Opening of a new Seahorse Institute facility on 85 Soldier Road in New Providence, one year to the day after the old facility was destroyed in a fire.

On December 4, 2012, Seahorse Institute, a Bahamian Not-For-Profit Organization, which provides education and therapeutic support to children with special needs such as Autism and Down Syndrome, lost their facility on Shirley Street which supported 24 children ranging in ages from 2 to 21, to an unexplained electrical fire.

As the season fast approaches, Christmas trees are being secured, families are planning for their yearly feast and merchants are tapping into the spirit with festive creativity.

At Oasis, Chic Living on East Shirley Street, Santa's Babies are out in the sun - a far cry from the cold of the North Pole - and showing their gratitude by offering season's greetings and candy canes. If they're slowing traffic down in the early morning rush, drivers don't seem to mind one bit.

Saturday morning, BORCO (Buckeye Bahamas) did their part in ensuring that families wouldn't go hungry this holiday season, by delivering 350 turkeys to homes in the Lewis Yard and Pinder's Point area. The donation of food items has become a yearly tradition for the company who enjoys giving back to those living around them.

Employees from various departments in BORCO assisted with delivery of the food bags, which contained a turkey, grits, sugar, flour and rice to local residents. Flying in especially to assist with the donations was newly appointed President - International Pipelines and Terminals, Khalid Muslih along with Robert Gaffney, Vice President of International Operations at BORCO.

Executives of the Grand Bahama Port Authority were invited to tour the manufacturing facilities of Caribbean Tobacco Enterprises (CTE).

Guiding GBPA's executive team throughout the facilities, was CTE's Managing Director, Stunce Williams. "We've been manufacturing and distributing our Palms, Palms Menthol and Palms Lights cigarettes for about six weeks now. We wanted to ensure that our operations were tight and that our products were properly market tested before officially launching, and I think we've ended up with a strong operations plan and an excellent product line," said Williams.

Tis the season ... to give a homeless shelter pet a chance! While we don't encourage pets to be given as gifts; certainly if a family is already considering adding a new four legged member, the holidays can be the perfect time to do so. If you're staying home and having a fairly quiet Christmas, what better time to integrate a new pet than when the kids are out of school and Mom and Dad likely have some time off, too.

The Humane Society of Grand Bahama has over 250 dogs and puppies, and over 100 cats and kittens, all looking for forever homes. There is nothing wrong with these pets, their only misfortune is ending up in a shelter through no fault of their own.

If you've been thinking of adding a new family member, please at least come check us out and consider adoption! If you adopt between December 18th and January 4th, our adoption fees will be reduced to $40 for dogs and $25 for cats.

Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) of the newborn with a parent at birth (a breast feeding friendly practice) and breastfeeding of the newborn in the first hour after birth has life-long benefits for mothers, babies, and society because of the many known health benefits breastfeeding affords mothers and their babies. The rush to stabilize the newborn at birth overrides the normal physiologic transition that babies themselves accomplish if left quietly and peaceably with their mothers skin-to-skin for the first hours after birth. Removal of the infant from contact with its mother places the newborn in the care of strangers, machines, and instruments to stabilize them, which in fact, stresses the neonate and can destabilize them.

Immediately after birth, the infant should be positioned naked and prone on the mother's abdomen with its back covered by a warmed towel or blanket. Skin-to-skin contact enhances newborn transition to extrauterine life by helping to regulate respirations, heart rate surges, blood sugar levels, and body temperature. SSC promotes maternal and newborn attachment and appears to facilitate neurobehavioral development and organization that improves sucking reflexes necessary for breastfeeding success.

In November, Bahamas National Trust Education Officer, Scott Johnson traveled to Abaco to visit schools and community groups giving an educational presentation about fresh water in The Bahamas and how to conserve this vital resource. The BNT and Royal Bank of Canada have teamed up to create water conservation awareness in The Bahamas with the Blue Water Project.

Mr. Johnson visited both public and private schools from the North to the South and also gave a special water conservation presentation to the Rotary Club of Abaco. "The students were very receptive to the information provided about water conservation" said Johnson, "they were enthusiastic and ready to implement water-saving actions at home and at school."

The historic Bimini Big Game Club Resort & Marina continues to show impressive business growth for 2013 with a 20% increase in overall YTD revenues over 2012. "We are pacing to be one of the better performing properties in The Bahamas this year," said General Manager Michael Weber. "And 2014 is off to a great start with several weekends already sold out."

Closed for two years, the Big Game Club, which was founded as a dinner club in 1936, was re-opened in 2010 following completion of a $3.5 million renovation.

Closed Season for Nassau Grouper.

The taking, possesing, landing, selling and offering for sale of Nassau grouper is prohibited from December 1, 2013 to February 28, 2014 throughout The Bahamas. Any grouper that is caught must be landed with head, tail and skin intact. We would like to thank the Governement and particularly The Department of Marine Resources for their commitment to the conservation of this species during their spawning.

Fishing Report: The fishing at the northern Andros bouy was quite active yesterday afternoon. There were a few small mahi and hordes of rainbow runners. There were alot of smaller wahoo down deep. If you are live baiting it is best to put out a few lines tipped with wire leader to stop the wahoo cut offs. The fishing off of the southeastern side of the buoy was the most productive.

Over the weekend, the Bahamas National Trust (BNT) celebrated the holiday season in Grand Bahama with their 19th annual Festival Noel. "This year's festival had a huge crowd" said Lakeshia Anderson, Parks Planner and Chairman of the Festival Noel 2013. "We've had great feedback, some calling it one of our best in recent years."

Taking place at the Rand Nature Centre at 7pm, ticket holders turned up early and ready to taste over 33 wines on offer from lead sponsor Bristol Wines and Spirits. There was also a wide variety of art on display including guest artist Dion Lewis, whose vibrant work was very popular on the night. Long-time sponsor Colombian Emeralds International showed off brilliant jewels and watches, a fun photo booth from Foto Factory, as well as beer and eggnog courtesy of Bahamian Brewery. Not to be outdone though, the Chef Noel competition came back with a vengeance and was a delicious highlight of the festival.

The ever-passionate director Liselle Harris made the 1950s come alive as Freeport Players' Guild's 20th Anniversary Production of "Grease" was staged at the Regency Theatre Friday, November 29th, Saturday, November 30th and Sunday December 1st. Ms. Harris, member of the Freeport Players Guild since 1974, admits "Show business is not a business to me but a "passion."

The Musical Director was Gloria McGlone, a powerhouse of energy. Gloria has a wealth of experience on Broadway and all over the stages of the world where she performed for many years. She has performed with Harry Belafonte, Alvin Ailey, Duke Ellington, Sammy Davis Jr., Ella Fitzgerald, Pearl Bailey and Barry Manilow, to name a few.

In a unique step for a destination resort, Baha Mar has committed to the extensive use of Bahamian art as an inherent component of the guest experience. "As an art lover and collector, some of my favorite pieces are by Bahamian artists. They embody the characteristics which inspired the vision of Baha Mar - the colors, the culture and the warmth of the people of The Bahamas that I know; I want to share this creative experience with our guests," said Sarkis Izmirlian, Baha Mar Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

As the Creative Arts Director, Cox will drive the creative experience at Baha Mar and oversee the resort's Art Gallery, which will showcase the largest collection of Bahamian art in the country. Bahamian art, some of which will be produced in on-site artist studios, will also be featured in public spaces and in the guest rooms.

The United States Embassy in Nassau, The Bahamas, is pleased to announce the launch of the 8th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay contest. The purpose of the contest is to encourage students to explore the life of Dr. King and the impact of the civil rights movement. All high school students in The Bahamas in grades 10-12 are invited to participate in the contest.

This year's theme is "Dr. King became the youngest person ever to receive a Nobel Peace Prize in October 1964. He received the award for leading a non-violent resistance to racial prejudice. What does it mean to you to be a champion for social justice, human rights and/or equality? Identify and discuss a Bahamian who has been a champion in his/her community. What lessons have you learned from him/her to influence your role as a change agent in your community?" Students are asked to articulate the similarities between the American and Bahamian human rights and social justice movements through an essay of 500 words or less.

A group of 416 female gymnasts between the ages of 6 and 18 and representing five countries, will compete at the The 2013 Atlantis Crown Invitational Women's Gymnastics Competition, to take place in Nassau, Bahamas, December 12th-15th.

The event which will mark the organizations 3rd competition in The Bahamas will kick off with an official Opening Ceremony on Thursday December 12th at 7:30 p.m., in the Imperial Ballroom of the Atlantis Resorts, Paradise Island, Nassau, Bahamas. The competitive events will begin on December 13th from this site in The Imperial Ballroom and take place daily.

There have been competitions in Japan, Italy, South Africa and Chile for the IC Junior challenge. Now on Saturday14th, Sunday 15th and Monday 16th December The Bahamas will be hosting The North American IC Junior Challenge at The National Tennis Centre with teams from The USA, Mexico, Barbados and The Bahamas. They will compete for the last place in the worldwide finals to be held on the prestigious grass courts at Wimbledon next July.

The event is for a team of two boys and two girls in the 16 & under age category. All juniors compete as one team playing both singles and doubles against all the other teams.

With a ton of Wahoo freshly caught and stored in freezers for some tasty reminders of the November Wahoo tournament, host Bimini Big Game Club Resort & Marina today announced Wahoo Smackdown IV scheduled for February 27th through March 1st 2014.

"Success breeds success," said Bimini Big Game Club Resort & Marina General Manager Michael Weber. "Like a popular movie series, our Wahoo Smackdown Tournaments have caught on with the anglers looking for good action and a good time." Weber said a record 32 boats and 175 anglers recently participated in November's Wahoo Smackdown III tournament with more than $30,000 in cash and prizes awarded.

RBC Royal Bank is pleased to announce that Ms. Lolisa Miller, is the winner of a grand prize trip for two to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, courtesy of RBC and Visa International. RBC's Visa campaign promoting the Road to World Cup 2014 took place across the Caribbean region in 20 countries and territories where RBC operates. Ms. Miller won from among all RBC clients in the Caribbean who opened a RBC Visa credit card or upgraded their card during the promotion.

"I was so surprised and excited to get the call that I had won, she said. "I had heard that RBC was having a credit card promotion and so I applied. I never expected to win, considering so many people in the Caribbean participated."

The 242 Colour Run held it's first Freeport event on Sunday, December 8th. The beautiful Sunday morning weather at the Garden of The Groves brought over 90 persons, including dozens of children, to participate in the 3-mile course. The course was not timed, and no winners or finish places were recorded.

The fun race was introduced by the race director with only one rule - to smile and have fun. The colour-toss started off the event, where participants doused each other in a rainbow influenced burst of colour.

In a gripping final day in which the tension ran high throughout, the Brazilian duo Robert Scheidt and Bruno Prada delivered a fourth place in the quarter final and consecutive stunning victories in the semi final and grand final.

They conquered the first edition of the Star Sailors League Finals in Bahamas in front of Mateuez Kusznierewicz with Dominik Zycki (POL) and Mark Mendelblatt with Brian Fatih (USA). On the side of the podium the Italians Diego Negri and Sergio Lambertenghi (ITA).

Maturity in recalling our history

When Nelson Mandela became President, many of the oppressed of South Africa naturally wanted revenge for the years of apartheid. But instead Mandela said, no, we shall not do to our oppressors what they have done to us, we are all one people, and we must forgive and come together. It reminds me of when the FNM captured governance in 1992. Many Bahamians victimized for years by the previous administration wanted revenge, and wanted to be able to do what the former administration did to them.

But the FNM's new leader said no, we won't do business the way they did business, we are all Bahamians and we must work together. To this day, many FNMs never forgave their former leader for refusing to be like his political adversary and refusing to treat PLPs like many PLPs treated FNMs and others who did not support them.

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Victory - Operation Potcake is back on!

Greetings Supporters of Operation Potcake!
The Potcakes Won! Common sense, cooperation and communication resulted in the organizers of Operation Potcake coming together with the Veterinary Medical Association of The Bahamas (VMAB) to annouce that Operation Potcake 2014 will take place as planned.

Even better, is that the VMAB suggested inviting EVEN MORE VETS (12 as opposed to the original 7) so that the program can be expanded. Further, a new era of unity and teamwork has begun between the VMAB, local animal welfare organizations and local animal lovers. To say that the potcakes won would be an understatement! Hopefully, the goodwill and momentum initiated by the positive outcome of the recent events will continue for many years to come.

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