His Excellency the Right Hon. Perry Gladstone Christie will be the fourth person from The Commonwealth of The Bahamas to be inducted on the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame. The induction is set for Friday, January 24, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site in Atlanta, Georgia. He will also attend the Trumpet Awards the following night.

Bahamians already honored at the center include the 'Father of the Nation' and first Prime Minister the late Sir Lyden Oscar Pindling, clergyman Neil Ellis and pioneering actor Sir Sidney Poitier, who also serves as Ambassador to Japan for The Bahamas. Confirmed to attend the ceremony will be Bahamian Minister of Tourism, Hon. Obie Wilchcombe and Minster of Investments, Hon. Khaalis Rolle.

Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) announces it has reached an agreement with the Government of The Bahamas to establish a charitable foundation dedicated to investing in projects for the benefit of Bahamians.

The new body, to be named the BTC Foundation, will be created by the Government and funded by a 2% shareholding of BTC, contributed by CWC.

Monday, January 20, was recognized in the United States as a day of service to commemorate Martin Luther King Day and was observed as "A Day On, Not Off" where time was set aside by thousands of volunteers throughout the world to honor Dr. King's legacy of service through local community outreach programs. Throughout his life, Dr. King advocated service to all humanity and encouraged people to embrace the principles of nonviolence and equality, without regard to race, creed of color. On the U.S. national holiday, in MLK's observance, the United States Embassy partnered with members of Bahamas Methodist Habitat to serve at the Persis Rogers Home for the Aged.

The Bahamas Methodist Habitat is a group of dedicated volunteers who help to provide home repairs and new home construction communities in need throughout The Bahamas and the Caribbean.

With the increasing need for awareness regarding the availability of scholarships, college admissions and financial aid processes Jerome Fitzgerald, Minister of Education, Science and Technology called on school leaders to ensure that guidance counsellors keep abreast of changes in college readiness and preparedness.

"It requires that we have continuous discussions on college readiness so that we are unified in our efforts. It also requires that we constantly inform parents and students of those requirements," said Minister Fitzgerald.

The Red Cross has been an important international and local partner of RBC for many years. This longstanding partnership includes RBC donations to various Red Cross Relief Funds, RBC employee commitment to blood donation, support of the Meals on Wheels programme, and the Red Cross after school programme. In support of the Red Cross and the significant work the organization carries out in assisting members of the community, RBC recently announced its sponsorship of the upcoming 42nd Bahamas Red Cross Ball.

The Annual Ball has become the kickoff event of the Bahamian social calendar year. It marks the first major fundraiser of each year for the Red Cross.

Photo 2: Two Employees Receive Performance Awards from Water and Sewerage Corporation. The first WSC staff to be recognized were Katherine Deveaux for overall top achievement in the Business Operations Division for 2012 /2013. Additionally, Leanna Evans was awarded for the Business Operations Division for 2012 / 2013. Both winners were surprised by their win, and truly grateful for the opportunity to be recognized for their hard work. Pictured (left to right) are Katherine Deveaux and Leanna Evans with their awards.

(Photo courtesy of Keen i Media for Barefoot Marketing)

For years, thousands of residents of New Providence's eastern district piled into cars and trucks to trek west as more and more restaurants opened miles away from the oldest established residential district in New Providence, That's about to change. During the first quarter of this year, two experienced restaurateurs are opening Billfish Grill at Palm Cay, bringing a convenient feast in the east to the area's close-to-home, dine out-deprived populations.

For chef Lise Watson-Russell (think Chives) and Peter Rounce, of Graycliff Bahamas, Billfish Grill is an opportunity to do what they both label as novel - create a casual dining experience with exceptional food inside a residential community known for its active social calendar, lifestyle and marina.

Fishing Report as of January 16, 2014

Nassau: Various local charter captains have reported that the fishing off of Nassau has been quite slow these last few days with only a few small wahoo being caught.

North Exuma, Highbourne Cay: The fishing in the Exuma Sound is reported to be good with decent mahi being caught and lots of smaller wahoo.

Grand Bahama, Freeport: For the last few days the wahoo fishing has been good with lots of fish in the 30-40lb being caught every day along with some 15-25lb mahi.

Prime Minister Perry G. Christie views the startup of the Outsource Contact Centre, a Ministry of Tourism Call up Centre, as "Part of the greater economic expansion now underway in Grand Bahama."

Speaking at the opening of the new business venture that facilitates the relocation of the Bahamas Tourism Call up Centre from Florida to Freeport, Prime Minister Christie told the island's parliamentarians, government business community leaders, he is engaged in discussions with the principals of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Hutchison Whampoa and other major interests, "To establish a framework and mutually acceptable conditions to foster further sustained business growth in Freeport."

Director General at the Ministry of Tourism David Johnson was at Freeport International Airport Jan. 16, 2014, to witness the arrival Sun Wing Airlines inaugural flight direct from Edmonton, Canada to Freeport, Grand Bahama. The aircraft brought a total of 150 passengers who will stay on the island for one week. Also on hand to greet the visitors was Grand Bahama tourism manager Betty Bethel.

(BIS Photos/Vandyke Hepburn)

Port Lucaya Marketplace (PLM) swarmed with tourists, much to the delight of shops, restaurants and vendors. A large portion of the well-received arrivals were due to the visit of the Costa Luminosa which moored just offshore from the popular shopping mecca.

President of The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) Ian Rolle, expressed his pleasure at seeing over 80% of the cruise liners' passengers disembark for offshore visits to the island. "We look forward to you visiting many more times," said President Rolle in an informal onboard meeting with the vessel's captain, Nicolo Alba. "We feel that this experience allows your passengers to be able to be quickly transported straight into the core of the major shopping district which is the heartbeat of the island."

While we mark the new year 2014, The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce's fiscal year began in November 2013, with the election of a President and new Board of Directors. Barry Malcolm, ran unopposed and is the returning president, serving a second year.

The occasion will be formally marked with the Annual Installation Banquet, slated for February 8 and will be at the Grand Lucayan resort.

Save the date - February 1st for what promises to be our "spiciest" event yet! We're going to heat up the February chill with our Saucy Salsa Ladies Lunch. Come and enjoy margaritas and sangria, wine, fabulous food and steamy dance demos on a beautiful beach setting. We'll have door prizes, a silent auction, and party games, too.

Limited seating so get your tickets early! See poster below.

Naturally occurring oxytocin is produced by the hypothalamus and secreted from the posterior pituitary gland in increasing amounts as a pregnancy approaches term (39 weeks 0 days to 40 weeks, 6 days). The muscle layer of the uterus (myometrium) has specific receptor sites programed for the uptake of oxytocin. Concentration of these receptor sites reaches a maximum in early labor at term.1 Released in pulses, naturally occurring Pitocin is responsible for generating spontaneous uterine contractions that increase in frequency, length and strength as labor progresses. One could say that "oxytocin is the maker of mothers."

Syntocinon (Pitocin... used interchangeably in this article) is a synthetic oxytocin that is used to stimulate contractions in the induction of labor or to intensify the strength of ineffective uterine contractions (augmentation).2 This medication is also used to induce a steady state of uterine contraction to control uterine hemorrhage after birth.2

A chance to dive with the elusive yet majestic Great Hammerhead Shark is less than a month away with the Bimini Big Game Club Resort and Marina today releasing dates for February and March 2014.

Working with dive operator Scotty Gray of Blue Iguana Charters, the resort's Director of Sales and Marketing Diana Weber confirmed that dives are being scheduled February 1-18 and March 8-24.

A group of 20 young men are about to benefit from a 16-week General Maintenance course as The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) spreads its wings to the Berry Islands.

The ninth through 12th graders of R. N. Gomez All Age School, along with one adult, will be exposed to the fundamentals of carpentry, plumbing, tiling and electrical installation. The course will be conducted each Friday evening and Saturday, spanning a 10-hour period per weekend.

District Superintendent for North and Central Andros and The Berry Islands, Mr. Harcourt Davis accompanied staff of the Communications Section of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology on a tour of schools in the district, which led to the discovery of teachers and students, who are making a positive difference in education. The schools visited on the one-day trip included Fresh Creek Primary School, Central Andros High School, Staniard Creek Primary School and Stafford Creek Primary.

In Central Andros at the Fresh Creek Primary School, Mr. Gerard Williams, the sixth grade teacher, engaged his students and by extension the rest of the student body in a Mock General Election. Students, including the preschoolers, participated in the electoral process and voted for the candidate of their choice. Mr. Williams explained that the idea came out of his desire to have his students gain more substance from the topic, "Choosing a Government" in the Social Studies curriculum.

Destiny Cooper, a fourth-grade student of Garvin Tynes Primary School won the 2013-2014 Voices of Hope Championship Speech Competition. Lukajanae Kellman of Bartlett Hill Primary School in Grand Bahama won second place, Equoia Gibson of Governor's Harbour Primary School in Eleuthera claimed the third place position and Bernisha Crawley of Nicholl's Town Primary School received Honourable Mention.

The theme for the Speech Competition organized by the Primary Religious Studies Unit this year was "Arise and Shine". Every November, the competition is held as a part of the celebration of Religious Studies Month. The purpose of the competition is to provide an opportunity for students to express their beliefs and opinions about spiritual, moral and ethical issues and to enhance their literacy skills.

Flying Fish was recently awarded with a plaque for winning the 2013 Festival Noel Chef Noel competition by the Bahamas National Trust (BNT). The Chef Noel competition was a highlight of Festival Noel, and students gained valuable experience. Lakeshia Anderson, Grand Bahama Parks Planner presented Flying Fish with their award and commented, "The return of Chef Noel was a major contributor to the overall success of Festival Noel this year. It was stiff competition, with great food selections by all the participating restaurants." Pictured (left to right) are Karin Sanchez, Lisa Wildgoose, of BNT, Tim Tibbitts, Chef at Flying Fish, Lakeshia Anderson, Grand Bahama Parks Planner, and Cecilia Bodie, also of the BNT, Grand Bahama Branch.

(Photo courtesy of BNT for Barefoot Marketing)

The Historic Bahamas Foundation (HBF) in conjunction with the Antiquities Monuments and Museums Corporation (AMMC) held a press conference on Wednesday, January 15 at the offices of the AMMC to make the public aware of its plans for its first fundraising event.

A 1920s jazz-themed cocktail gala will serve as the backdrop for the fundraiser that re-launches the HBF on Saturday, February 1, said HBF deputy chairman Owen Bethel. The historic Collins estate will be the venue for "a Swinging Soiree" which will have among its attendees Dr. Bernice King, daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott-King.

The Ministry of Tourism facilitated about 90 students in a Junior Golf Clinic at the 2014 PureSilk-Bahamas LPGA Classic at the Ocean Club Golf Course, Paradise Island on Monday, January 20, 2014.

The students from schools throughout New Providence interacted with golf pros including Jennifer Song, Symetra Tour Alumnae; Kris Tamulis, also Symetra Tour Alumnae and Georgette Rolle, two-time Bahamas National Women's Amateur Champion and LPGA Teaching Professional.