Bahama Islands Info Newsletter

News :: Events :: Opportunities

VOL III. No. 43, March 13, 2014

This week in Bahama Islands Info

National News

Nassau News

Grand Bahama News

Family Island News

Column: Bahamas weekly fishing report

Arts & Entertainment News

Column: At the Movies

COB 'Speakers' Corner' deepens debate on VAT

Against a growing movement that urges restraint in the implementation of Value Added Tax (VAT) came a declaration from an intrepid businessman that the wealthy - including him - should be paying even more taxes and the tax burden should be shifted from the citizens who can least afford it to those who can.

Former Parliamentarian and President of the Source River Company Ltd. Tennyson Wells has called for a moderation to fears over the proposed implementation of VAT and for the country to embrace the change that must come instead. Mr. Wells was one of four presenters at The College of The Bahamas School of Business' Speakers' Forum held on Tuesday evening at the Harry C. Moore Library and Information Centre. The others were Mr. Robert Myers, President of the Myers Group of Companies; Mr. Dionisio D'Aguilar, President of Super Wash Inc. and Mr. Rupert Pinder, Economist and Adjunct Professor at The College of The Bahamas.

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Tourism attends Routes Americas conference in El Salvador

The Ministry of Tourism and its partners sought to improve airlift to The Bahamas as they met with airline representatives over two full days of meetings at the Routes Americas® Conference in El Salvador, Central America.

Routes Americas® is held annually in the Americas to facilitate exchanges between airlines, airports and tourism authorities.

Representing the Ministry of Tourism were Tyrone Sawyer, Director - Airlift Development, and Faye Cash, Senior Analyst - Airlift Development. Vernice Walkine, Managing Director - Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) also attended the conference, along with Fred Lounsberry, CEO - Nassau/Paradise Island Promotion Board, and Robert Coggin, Airlift Consultant - Nassau/Paradise Island Promotion Board.

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COB seeks collaboration with University of Miami on research and sustainability

Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie; Minister of Education, Science and Technology Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald; Attorney General Sen. Hon. Allyson Maynard-Gibson and a delegation from The College of The Bahamas led by College Council Chairman, Mr. Alfred Sears and COB Acting President Dr. Earla Carey-Baines met recently with Professors from the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) at the University of Miami (UM).

The meetings were held over the course of two days with a view to establishing education and research partnerships between the University of Miami, The College of The Bahamas, and the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI). One of the world's foremost academic oceanographic and atmospheric research institutions, RSMAS is an authority on marine-related sciences. The School has a specially designed 65-acre marine research and education park at Virginia Key, Florida. COB and BAMSI leaders want to tap into RSMAS' expertise to develop sustainable academic programmes and drive an aggressive research agenda.

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Coalition reclaims Nygard Cay as Crown Land and renews call for Clifton sea park

Continuing their crusade to create a protected Clifton Sea Park, Rev. Dr. C.B. Moss and the Coalition to Save Clifton toured the Clifton Bay area by boat and stopped at Simms Point/Nygard Cay to reclaim the Crown Land there in the name of the Bahamian people.

The Coalition has repeatedly expressed their desire for a sea park to be established, extending the protection that the Clifton Heritage National Park currently offers on land to the corals and other marine resources in the Bay. Recently they took the idea one step further, touring the Bay by boat to see for themselves the area they want protected.

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Sandals Royal Bahamian officially opens new Crystal Lagoon swim-up suites

Prime Minister Perry Christie and a delegation of government officials were on hand last week for the official opening of Sandals Royal Bahamian's Crystal Lagoon Suites.

Mr. Christie joined Sandals' Chairman, Gordon 'Butch' Stewart and Chief Executive Officer Adam Stewart to cut the ribbon that officially opened the newest and one of the most innovative resort attractions in New Providence. "It represents the commitment to ensure Sandals has a first class product here on Cable Beach," said Mr. Christie.

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Volunteers team up to make a difference at Elizabeth Estates Children's Home as part of global Good Deeds Day

Making a difference and adding value on a personal, communal and global level are the principles at the heart of the internationally recognized Good Deeds Day, celebrated in more than 50 countries worldwide, and now The Bahamas as well. Based on these values, businesswoman and philanthropist, Shari Arison, initiated Good Deeds Day in 2007. Since then, Good Deeds Day has been an annual celebration for thousands of people across the world performing good deeds and giving back to local communities.

Last week Ms. Arison and other representatives of the Arison Group teamed up with volunteers from Miya Bahamas and the Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) for Good Deeds Day at the Elizabeth Estates Children's Home in Nassau. Dozens of volunteers gathered for the day at Elizabeth Estate Children's Home to paint buildings, clean and repair windows, beautify the garden, install new efficient toilets and faucets and mow the lawn.

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Bahamian student with Asperger's inducted into U.S. National Honor Society in Florida

It is the kind of honour that only a decade ago might have seemed unattainable - a student from The Bahamas with learning disabilities and special needs being admitted into the highest academic organization in high schools in the United States. But this month, a Bahamian with Asperger's - the high-performing form of autism -- was inducted into the National Honor Society, receiving his coveted pin like hundreds of others across America who know that Honor Society status will serve them well for the rest of their lives, from opening doors at colleges to jumpstarting them in jobs.

Cole Carey, son of Mario and Venita Carey of Nassau and a student at the Vanguard School in Lake Wales, Florida, received his golden NHS pin from the Vanguard School president, Dr. Cathy Wooley-Brown, during a special ceremony during the school's annual family weekend in mid-February.

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Cape Eleuthera Institute students tour Baha Mar

Baha Mar recently hosted an environmental sustainability tour for students enrolled in a joint Master of Professional Science degree in Coastal Sustainability from the Cape Eleuthera Institute and the University of Miami. According to Geoff Walton, Director of Facilities at the Institute, there is an interest in how Baha Mar's conservation initiatives will be integrated into its operations.

During the tour, Kendria Ferguson, the aquarist at Baha Mar and DeShawn McGregor, Baha Mar's environmental specialist, shared the environmental team's efforts to preserve environmentally sensitive areas such as delicate mangroves in Hobby Horse Pond and to enhance the marine life around the Cable Beach shoreline by installing coral reefs.

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BTVI's solar energy course underway

With the mounting costs of electricity bills and the alternative of conserving energy, The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) has officially recommenced its solar energy program. The renewable energy program was recently reintroduced after an initial offering in 2009 to train a cadre of persons to become skilled solar energy technicians.

BTVI's Dean of Construction Trades, Alexander Darville, noted that it is a comprehensive 27-week program with 270 contact hours. He emphasized that now is the time to take advantage of an industry that is emerging in The Bahamas today, but will advance in the near future.

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Grand Bahama Birding Group conducts Caribbean Waterbird Census

The Grand Bahama Birding Group gathered on three different days for the fourth annual Caribbean Waterbird Census. This project is organized by Birds Caribbean (formerly the Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds - SCSCB) and is conducted throughout the Caribbean and the Bahamas. The goal of the program is to learn more about the distribution, status and abundance of waterbirds in the region so that conservation planning and habitat management for these beautiful birds can be improved.

The group surveyed 7 sites, among them a Reef golf course pond, the pond at the abandoned Emerald golf course, two ponds at the Ruby as well as shorelines at Williamstown and Discovery. The most productive site proved to be the Emerald pond with 16 species and a total of 61 birds. This pond was declared a birding "HOTSPOT" by Cornell University several years ago due to its annual abundance and variety of resident and migratory species. Amongst the shorebird sites, Discovery Beach was an exciting spot with over 120 birds of 10 different species.

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'Mission: Potcake' to get underway March 18

The Humane Society of Grand Bahama (HSGB) is partnering with the West Grand Bahama District Council, and The Kohn Foundation, to hold a spay/neuter field clinic in Eight Mile Rock March 18-22, 2014. Over 25% of HSGB's annual intake of 1,400-plus animals come from West Grand Bahama; an area difficult for HSGB to serve on a daily basis due to budgetary constraints.

Many West Grand Bahama residents are unable to afford or access veterinary care for their pets; as a result there are a large number of unwanted dogs and cats with more being born almost daily. The clinic will be held in one of the local government buildings in Eight Mile Rock (across from the police station) and will be a M.A.S.H. type field clinic. We will be providing free spay/neuter as well as some wellness services, such as vaccines, deworming, and treating minor wounds and illnesses. Donations are still needed and welcomed for this clinic. Please call the HSGB at 352.2477 for info on how to donate.

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Study underway on ocean incursions in pine forests on Grand Bahama

There are lingering effects of the last few hurricanes to strike Grand Bahama and now research is underway to produce a baseline study of the impact of seawater on the pine forests of Dover Sound, Queen's Cove and West End.

Dr. Andrew Moxey, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at The College of The Bahamas' Northern Bahamas Campus, recently gave a progress report on his investigations named, "Ocean Incursions into the Caribbean Pine (Pinus caribeae) Forest on East Grand Bahama: Impact on Soil Chemistry."

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GBPA sponsors business training

The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) is once again partnering with the Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA) to provide business management training for SMEs on Grand Bahama. Also lending their support is the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce and the Bahamas Agricultural & Industrial Corporation (BAIC).

Making the announcement regarding the ProNet Business Management Training Series which is set to begin at the end of the month was GBPA President, Ian Rolle. "The ProNet Series as offered by CEDA, is part of an ongoing mandate to develop the SME business sector in CARIFORUM countries, thereby preparing them to meet the demands of a highly competitive global business environment. By the very nature of this training, GBPA is excited to be party to this initiative," Rolle said.

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'Sustainable fisheries' topic of the 4th session of EARTHCARE/Save the Bays Saturday environmental education programme

On March 8th, 2014, the EARTHCARE/Save The Bays Saturday Environmental Education Programme tackled the complicated issue of "Sustainable Fisheries" in the Bahamas. Gail Woon, Founder of EARTHCARE and a Director of Save The Bays gave the students a historical video presentation on "the Longline Fishing Battle of 1993".

According to Woon, "The industrial method of Longline Fishing was being proposed in 1993. Over 20 longline vessels were slated to start fishing Bahamian waters. Using news stories from ZNS, our students were shown, in chronological order how the story unfolded. The story began showing Pericles Maillis, then President of the Bahamas National Trust announcing the formation of a Coalition to Stop Longlining.

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Lewis Yard Primary celebrates Commonwealth Day

Under the theme "Team Commonwealth" Lewis Yard Primary celebrated Commonwealth Day on Monday, March 10, 2014. K-4 students represented South Africa. They recited Hickory Dickory Dock in Afrikaan to represent South Africa. Grade 3 & 4 represented Jamaica by performing the song "One Love." One student was dressed has Bob Marley, adorned with locks, happily performing Bob Marley's signature moves.

Teamwork was demonstrated as the staff and students of Lewis Yard Primary as represented 53 Commonwealth Nations in parade of flags, songs, dances and recital. Students of Grade 5 also informed the students of Lewis Yard about vital facts about Commonwealth of Nations.

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NEMA conducts water rescue training in Cat Island

The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA and the United States Northern Command conducted an intense water rescue training exercise in New Bight, Cat Island to better prepare residents to respond to any disaster at sea. The island was the first to receive training in Phase II of the Water Rescue Training exercise which was held March 3 to 6, 2014.

The 15 participants received training in: establishing a search and rescue programme, common skills (rescue organisation & searches), using ropes, hardware and knots, low angle raising and lowering, simple mechanical advantage, and surface water rescue (shore based rescue assessments, organisation and searches).

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BNT proposes Joulter Cays National Park

At a special breakfast hosted by the Bahamas National Trust (BNT), President Neil McKinney and his executive team presented the government with a proposal to create a new national park in the Joulter Cays off North Andros. The proposal was accompanied by a technical brief showing the biological, ecological, and cultural significance of the Joulter Cays.

Additionally, BNT's longstanding partner, National Audubon Society announced their full backing of the proposed Joulter Cays National Park proposal. "Audubon strongly supports making the Joulter Cays and all of its attributes a new multi-use national park for the country," said Chairman and CEO of Audubon, David Yarnold. "We hope that this is one of the new conservation successes that we can celebrate together."

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Support Friends of the Environment and you could win a bike

As a part of Great Abaco Family Fitness Weekend FRIENDS is raffling off a new 2013 Jamis Citizen 1 bike donated by Cycles Unlimited. Tickets are $10 and can be bought online (Friends of the Environment will fill out the forms for you), purchased in the FRIENDS office or at the Great Abaco Family Fitness Weekend in Treasure Cay. The raffle will be drawn on Sunday at the events. You do not need to be present to win.

It's not too late to register for the Great Abaco Family Fitness Weekend! A great schedule of events include: open water swim, triathlons, paddleboard training and races, cheer clinic and 5K & 10K races.

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Bahamas weekly fishing report from Harbourside Marine

Fishing report as of March 6, 2014

Andros: There have been reports of medium sized mahi caught at the north Autec bouy this week. Also there have been schools of yellowfin tuna running under the flocks of birds between Andros and New Providence in the late evenings.

Abaco: Kevin Sawyer of "Island Boy Tackle" in Marsh Harbour reports that the fishing is still rocking. It has been amazing. Mahi being caught everyday, a number of wahoo and a few yellowfin tuna mixed in.

Cat Island, Hawks Nest: The wahoo are there but they are smaller this week. The mahi are thick and close in.

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Lucaya International School I.B. Visual Arts Exhibition on show March 17-21

Year 13 Visual Arts students of Lucaya International School Alliqueka Capron, Katie Hindley, Andrew Hindley and Eric Grigorof are finalizing work for their upcoming International Baccalaureate Art Exhibition. This exhibition will feature exciting and original work done over a two-year period. Studio pieces and student workbooks will be on display and the students are looking forward to greeting guests, presenting their work and answering questions.

The exhibition will be held in the I.B. student lounge at the school, located off Midshipman Road, from the 17th to the 21st of March. Viewing times are from 8.30 a.m. until 3.30pm and on the 17th and 18th students will be available all day, as well as during select periods for the remainder of the week.

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Barabbas and the Tribe Junkanoo to showcase at St. Patrick's Day parade in Georgia

Barabbas and the Tribe Junkanoo and Community Organization is packing its bags once again to travel to the U.S. by special invitation in their official capacity to perform at the annual St Patrick's Day Parades on Tybee Island and in Savannah, Georgia for the 10th consecutive year.

The junkanoo presence at the event has become so popular that on March 18, 2011, Mayor Jason Buelterman of the City of Tybee, officially declared that date "Barabbas and the Junkanoo Tribe Day", as evidenced by the attached Proclamation. In addition to the Proclamation, the group also received the key to the City of Tybee Island, and they have been made Honorary Deputy Sheriffs of Chatham County.

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'Join Me on the Bridge' essay and art competition winners announced

In the hopes of inspiring young women to celebrate women's achievements and explore and reflect on women's rights and equality, "Join Me on the Bridge" recently announced its 2nd Annual Essay Competition and Inaugural Art Competition for Grand Bahama female high school students (grades 9-13). Students were asked to either write an original essay of 500 words or less around the question, "What is a man's role in supporting women's rights and equality?" or to create an original work of art around the theme "Celebrating Women."

The winners and honourable mentions were included in the event opening ceremony held March 8th 2014 at the Garden of the Groves in Grand Bahama, where they received their awards, the winning art was displayed, and the essay winner read her essay. Lynette McInnes, who has organised "Join Me on the Bridge" in Grand Bahama since its inception in 2010 said, "We were exceptionally pleased with the response and quality of the essays and art, and wish to thank all who submitted."

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Eleuthera's jazz sounds reviving Haynes Library

The harmonies of the Eleuthera All That Jazz festival will build community harmony as the event will aid the operation of the historic Haynes Library in Central Eleuthera. Founder and chairman of the event, Patricia Leigh-Wood, said the idea is to raise the profile of Eleuthera, making it a hot destination for jazz.

"I love jazz and we work with a whole lot of musicians here in Nassau, and so it seemed like a great idea because that would bring new people and people who don't normally come into the island for the festival," she said. "They will also learn about the library and they will also learn about the Family Islands. We've had a huge request for it this year. People who have heard about it last year and thought that it was great and working well have spread the word. We've even had a request from somebody from Africa."

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U.S. Embassy officials tour 'Swan Song of the Flamingo' exhibit depicting the HMBS Flamingo tragedy

On Monday, March 10, 2014, U.S. Chargé d'Affaires, a.i. John Armstrong accompanied by Defense Attaché Cdr. Samuel Wartell, Director of Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos (OPBAT) Cdr. Mark Driver and Sr. Chief Gregory Zerfass of the visiting U.S. Coast Guard Cutter SAWFISH were given a tour of the "Swan Song of the Flamingo" exhibit at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas.

Mr. Kishan Munroe, local Bahamian artist gave the officials an extensive hour-long tour of the exhibit that recounted the tragic incident that occurred on May 10, 1980. Through vivid paintings, photos and video the exhibit highlights Mr. Munroe's recreation of the tragedy as well as response to the incident by renowned Bahamian poets and historians.

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Angelika Siska's Garden of the Groves art class of 2014 show off their creations

This is the 6th year of the Garden's art class. For the first time the artists have been working on sculpture, referring to Nike De Saint Phalle who was born in 1930 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France and died in San Diego in 2002. Her famous Nana figures as well as the beautiful Tarot Garden in Italy where she spent several years and worked while living in one of her figures have inspired the imagination of the artists.

And as Niki who once had started to work with chicken wire and paper maché until she used polyester, tiles, mirors, gold and concrete, employing a group of masons on structures of iron, this year's Garden class found an exciting way of creating figures of different shapes and sizes which were then coloured. They express the various personalities of twelve different artists.

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Marion Bethel to read in Grand Bahama for the Performing Arts Society

The Grand Bahama Performing Arts Society's (GBPAS) next event, C-Force, An Evening of Musical Fusion at the Regency Theatre on Saturday March 15th will include beloved Bahamian writer, poet and filmmaker, Marion Bethel, who will be reading some of her poetry and will also incorporate GBPAS scholarship recipient, Chavez Parker, on percussion.

Ms. Bethel has been a guest writer at many international events over the past 20 years. She was awarded a James Michener Fellowship and the Casa de las Americas Prize for Guanahani, My Love. Her documentary film, Womanish Ways won Best Documentary at Urban Suburban Film Festival and 2nd place at Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.

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At the Movies: Non-Stop

The tagline for this movie: The Hijacking Was Just The Beginning. An air marshal must deal with a series of texts while on an transatlantic flight which informs in that someone on the flight will die every 20 minutes until $150 million is transferred to an off-shore account. It is up to the air marshal to find the origin of the messages while protecting the passengers and crew on the airplane which has become a death trap.

Liam Neeson brings his usual star quality to the role of a former cop dealing with personal problems in the middle of suspected terrorist event. Jaume Collet-Serra reminds us that he knows how to direct a suspense thriller with a strong cast of established actors and new comers. The premise has the potential for twists and reveals that are unique and enjoyable as the tension they create is broken. The paranoia which goes hand in hand with modern day air travel is front and center as we journey 40,000 feet in a confined space with a murderer who may be the man supposedly protecting us.

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MUDDASICK

What bugging you? Got a Muddasick?
Here's your chance to say your piece! Send your Muddasick to info@bahamaislandsinfo.com and we may just put it in print.

NASSAU EVENTS

Bahamas National Holidays - Click HERE to view the 2014 calendar.

March 15: Inked - An exhibition of new work by Sue Katz. Show opens 6pm Saturday.

March 15-16: Bahamas Kennel Club Dog Show 9am til 2pm at the Bahamas Food Services Grounds on Gladstone Rd. Click here to view the poster or visit http://www.bahamaskennelclub.org/

March 16: "Ride to Help Others Survive" Goal is to raise at least 5,000 cans for donation to The Salvation Army & Hands for Hunger. Contact Cycles Unlimited, Mackey St., for info.

March 20: Abrian Rankine Exhibition 6pm to 10pm at John Watling's Distillery, Delancey St.

March 22: Baark! Spring Bake Sale 11am-3pm at Windermere Spa, Harbour Bay AND SuperValue, Cable Beach. Click here to view the ad.

April 5: Red Cross Fair Government House Grounds, Lower Gardens. 12 noon until ! Click here to view the ad.

April 19: Kingdor National Parkinson Foundation Gala Ball at the Melia resort. 326-5291 to get involved.

April 2-3: National Conclave of Chambers of Commerce in The Bahamas. Visit the website: www.chamberconclave.com.

May 10: Baark Purple Paws Live Auction NEW DATE! Click HERE to learn more.

May 10-11: Annual Mexican Fiesta Festival 2014 11am-7pm - Bahamas National Trust HQ on Village Rd. Live mariachi band, piñatas, authentic Mexican food and drinks.

May 18: Megan Sands Ostomy Foundation Fun Run/Walk starting at Montagu 6:45am. Registration opens April 21 at SOS Marine, Green Parrot, the Linen Shop and Studio Vivo.

May 23: Tessanne Chin performs at Atlantis. Click HERE for info.

May 24: Kacey Musgraves at Atlantis. Click HERE for details.

May 24-25: IAAF World Relays Bahamas at the new Thomas A Robinson stadium. Tickets on sale now.

September 20: Potcakeman Triathlon is back for a second year! Fun event for all ages. Click HERE to learn more.

November 23: Bahamas Half Marathon & 10K Coming back for a second great year! Click HERE to visit the website.

January 17-18, 2015: Marathon Bahamas Marathon, Half Marathon, Relay and the Susan G. Komen 5K make this a weekend for all runners! Click HERE to visit the website.

February 7-8, 2015: Ride For Hope #9 Has a new date and place! Now in Nassau. Click HERE to visit the FB event page.

Get your Nassau event listed in the Bahama Islands Info Calendar for free! Just write to info@bahamaislandsinfo.com with all the relevant information.

NOTE: All dates, times, locations and other details are subject to change.
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GRAND BAHAMA EVENTS

March 13: Lower the Cost of Power rally at KFC on the Mall, 6:30pm. Click HERE to view the organisation's poster.

March 14: Freeport Players Guild Pub Night at the Regency Theater. A night of fun for the theatrically inclined at 7:30pm.

March 14: Dr. Davidson L. Hepburn book launch and signing at the Grand Gallery, Retail Street at The Grand Lucayan. Call 373-6111 for info. Click HERE to view the ad.

March 15: Flower Show at Mary, Star of the Sea School, 11am-5pm.

March 15: RUGBY - Freeport vs Bucc's for the Bahamas Cup! 2pm kick-off at the Rugby Club on Settler's Way. BBQ and drinks for sale.

March 15: 3rd Annual Scurvy Few Motorcycle Club Charity Fundraiser [Co-sponsored by and held at Senor Frog's] 7pm until. A benefit for the Beacon School! Click HERE to view the poster or contact 351-2490.

March 15: Grand Bahama Performing Arts Society presents C Force at 7:30 p.m. Venue: Regency Theatre. Click HERE to view the poster.

March 17-21: I.B. Visual Arts Exhibition at Lucaya International School. Click HERE to read more and view a sample of the art.

March 20: Jack Hayward High School Hospitality Department fundraising luncheon at the school. $15.00. RSVP by Tuesday March 18 by e-mail HERE.

March 21-22: GB Shipyard 4th Annual Youth Benefit Fishing Tournament at the Grand Bahama Yacht Club. Click HERE to visit the website. Captains party 7-9pm at Pelican Bay, Friday. Fishing starts 7am Saturday.

March 21-22: Just Dance 2 performance by Georgia's School of Dance at the Regency Theater. (8pm and 4pm)

March 23: Sands Golf Tournament at Fortune Hills, 9am. Register March 21 at Fortune Hills Clubhouse 6-8pm. $45 and lots of prizes!

March 28: Truly Amazing Circus Comes to the St. George's Gymnasium.

March 29: Annual ZNS Fun Run/Walk 5K course for all levels starts and finishes at ZNS. Pre-registration required! Click HERE to download the form. Visit ZNS in the Harold Degregory complex. Packet pick-up Friday evening before.

March 29: Interactive pastry making demonstration with renowned Michelin-Star Chef Gianfranco Chiarini at China Beach/Grand Lucayan. $25. Call 373-1333 for info.

March 29: Triathlon for The Beacon School Group event with American para-triathlete and motivational speaker Hector Picard, the first and only double arm amputee. Click here to visit the FB page.

April 12: Pollo Tropical Ride for Charity bike ride. Multiple distances to choose from, all end at Pollo Tropical. Click HERE to view the poster.

April 12: Conch Fest at Taino Beach Rotary Club of Grand Bahama Sunrise event.

April 13: 20 Pearls presented by Alpha Kappa Alpha, 4pm at the Regency Theater.

April 21: Pelican Point Coconut Festival Head east and go coconut crazy at this popular annual event.

April 26: West End Jr. Regatta and Festival on the waterfront of scenic West End. Click HERE to view the FB event page.

May 1-3: Sarah's Wedding - new play written and directed by Kerel Pinder at the Regency Theater.

May 1-4: Multi-District Rotary International Conference at the Grand Lucayan. Rotarians from Grand Bahama and Florida celebrate "Service Above Self." Click here to visit the local district website.

May 3-4: International Youth Rugby Tournament with teams from Cayman, Miami Biscayne and other Florida teams at the Freeport Rugby Club.

May 4: Jonathan Gouthro Memorial Golf Tournament at the Reef Golf Course. A Rotary Club of Grand Bahama Sunrise event. Click HERE to view the poster.

May 5: World Labyrinth Day "Walk as One at One" 1 o'clock on the labyrinth at Garden of the Groves.

May 26: Church of the Good Shepherd Luncheon at the church, 2pm. Call 353-7661 for details.

June 21: 3rd Annual West End Snapper Tournament and fun family festival. Head west!

June 23-27: Sir Jack Hayward Premier League Soccer Camp The island's most popular summer camp. Click HERE to download the registration form.

June 28: 8th Grand Bahama Cyclists Club's Road Cycling Championship With distances up to 100 miles for the Cat 1 men!

June 28-29: Bahamas Dance Theatre pulls out all the stops with a fantastic show at the Regency Theater. A sell-out every year!

June 29: GB Fam Jam Cultural Expo & Concert in Goombay Park.

August 16: BASRA Swim Marathon & Beach Party Annual fundraiser for our Grand Bahama-based search and rescue organisation. Held at Coral Beach.

November 1: Conchman & Iron Kids Triathlons at Taino Beach - the perfect race for newcomers and the perfect place for all ages to enjoy the sport!

Get your Grand Bahama event listed in the Bahama Islands Info Calendar for free! Just write to info@bahamaislandsinfo.com with all the relevant information.

NOTE: All dates, times, locations and other details are subject to change.
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FAMILY ISLANDS & ABACO EVENTS

March 15: Abaco Art Show & Wine Tasting at the Abaco Inn. 11am-4pm, call 366-0133 for information.

March 15-16: Abaco Pathfinders Spring Scholarship Foundation Fundraiser Two locations: Hope Town & Marsh Harbour. Call 367-6279 or click HERE.

March 16: Briland BNT Wine Festival on Harbour Island. Contact the Bahamas Natiional Trust.

March 21-23: Great Abaco Family Fitness Weekend III Registration now OPEN. Swim race, triathlons, fun runs, kids events, and a weekend at Treasure Cay everyone will enjoy! Click HERE to visit the website.

March 26-30: ELEUTHERA All That Jazz Click HERE to visit the website all about this exciting new event!

April 6-10: 'Hang 'em High Fishing Tournament on CAT ISLAND. Contact Tourism for info.

April 22-26: 61st National Family Islands Regatta in Elizabeth Harbour, George Town, EXUMA.

April 24-27: NFL HOF Alumni fishing tournament BIMINI Big Game Club Resort & Marina event. Contact reservations@biggameclubbimini.com, 1-800-867-4764 and 1-242-347-3391.

May 7-10: Bahamas Billfish Championship GUANA CAY Visit http://bahamasbillfish.com

May 21-24: Bahamas Billfish Championship GREEN TURTLE CAY Visit http://bahamasbillfish.com

June 4-7: Bahamas Billfish Championship TREASURE CAY Visit http://bahamasbillfish.com

June 7: Pineappleman Triathlon Swim, bike, and run in and around Gregory Town, ELEUTHERA in this friendly triathlon. Party after at the Pineapple Festival! Click HERE to visit the event FB page.

June 18-21: Bahamas Billfish Championship MARSH HARBOUR Visit http://bahamasbillfish.com

June 25-29: Treasure Cay Billfish Tournament New date and format for 31st Annual tournament held at Treasure Cay, ABACO.

July 3-10, 2014: Regatta Time in Abaco Click HERE to visit the website.

Get your Family Island event listed in the Bahama Islands Info Calendar for free! Just write to info@bahamaislandsinfo.com with all the relevant information.

NOTE: All dates, times, locations and other details are subject to change.

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Introducing the first sustainable tourism model for The Bahamas and the Caribbean

The Bahamas National Trust recently concluded a three year pilot demonstration project in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park through funding by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Full Size Project (FSP) on "Tourism and Coral Reef Health".

One of the key objectives of the project was the development of a sustainable tourism model (STM) for the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park and its surrounding communities. The sustainable tourism model was completed in 2013 through a consultative process with a diverse group of stakeholders and experts who have expressed a strong desire to see it implemented in the Exuma Cays.

Krista Sherman, the GEF FSP Coordinator for the Bahamas National Trust introduced the STM to government officials, local, regional and international tourism experts, and environmental professionals at the Small Island Developing States Conference - "Tourism as a Key Sector for Development in Island States" on February 19th, 2014. The STM is tool for monitoring and managing tourism in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, in order to maintain healthy, biodiverse habitats and create opportunities for sustainable livelihoods and growth throughout the Exuma Cays.

Krista Sherman noted, "The Government of The Bahamas and the Ministry of Tourism have an opportunity to reaffirm the country's position as a leader in innovative tourism management through the adoption and implementation of the first sustainable tourism model created in The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean."

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