Bahama Islands Info Newsletter

News :: Events :: Opportunities

VOL III. No. 48, April 17, 2014

This week in Bahama Islands Info

National News

Nassau News

Grand Bahama News

Column: Humane Society of GB

Column: Doula Delight

Family Island & Abaco News

Arts & Entertainment News

Column: At the Movies

Sports News

Column: Bahamas weekly fishing report

COB embracing partnerships for internationalization

The College of The Bahamas has been nurturing crucial partnerships in areas that will bolster its capacity to meet its national development mission. In fact, College administrators and faculty are leading discussions and helping to facilitate groundbreaking work with Spelman College, Harvard University, Rhode Island College and Suffolk University.

One of the most promising examples of the vitality of its internationalization agenda is the budding collaboration between The College and Spelman College of Atlanta, GA, America's oldest historically Black college for women.

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New president elected to head BNT Council

The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Spring Council meetings to elect its new Council and Officers for the year and to review current issues and work being done by the Trust.

The BNT membership elected fifteen members to serve on the twenty-nine member council, fourteen members are appointed, representing government and major scientific organisations and universities. The council also elected former Deputy Vice-President, Lawrence Glinton, as the new President, with Neil McKinney retiring after three years at the helm.

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AKA holds 36th annual Honours Day Programme

Six awards and five cash scholarships were distributed to the top female graduating seniors from across The Bahamas this past weekend, when the Eta Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. held its 36th annual Honors Day Programme under the theme "Developing Global Leaders to Flourish in A Modern Bahamas." Honour's Day Program is the signature program of the Eta Psi Omega Chapter.

The official award ceremony was held at Government House on Sunday April 6th following a three day weekend of activities including: a college tour, welcome reception, career workshops, community service, a general knowledge test, an essay competition and a leadership interview. Students who received the highest scores in the tests and interviews went on to receive top prizes.

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Governor General tells autism stars they are loved, important

It only took a small group of the estimated 35,000 children with autism and other special needs a moment to steal the hearts of the Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes and Lady Foulkes today in one of the most touching courtesy calls in the history of Government House.

"A lot of important people come to Government House," the Governor General told the 25 or so students from Blairwood Academy. "The Queen has been here. Prince Harry has been here. Mr. Mandela has been here. Today, we have you. You are also very important people and we want you to know that you are loved."

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High school students learn how to reduce, reuse and recycle with Bahamas Waste

Though not so pleasant to most people, waste can actually help lower the cost of business and improve our environmental omissions. The students of both Aquinas College and C.V. Bethel High School, recently learned more about how to reduce, reuse and recycle while touring the facilities of The Bahamas' largest waste management company, Bahamas Waste.

The students toured the facilities, learned about the services provided and were given a demonstration of how biodiesel is produced and then used to fuel the Bahamas Waste fleet. "The process of recycling and making biodiesel was very interesting and captivating as students were amazed by how simple garbage could be turned into useful products," said Raymond Knight, a Biology teacher at Aquinas College.

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BTVI students get up close and personal at Baha Mar

A group of students from The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) recently got an idea of the scope and possible impact of the multi-billion dollar Baha Mar development during a recent tour of the Cable Beach development.

Students of the Electrical Installation I and II classes were guided by one of Baha Mar's Project Coordinators, Ralph Burrows, who is a product of BTVI. In 2011, he was selected by BTVI to join a team working on the Baha Mar construction site, and just over two years later, he coordinates construction site teams to discover the best and fastest solutions when challenges arise.

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Lyford Cay International School leads beach clean-up at Coral Harbour

The Lyford Cay International School (LCIS) community came together on Saturday, April 12 to participate in a school wide beach clean up at Coral Harbour. LCIS students, parents, staff and community members all pitched in to remove a full dumpster of trash from the beach. "We are cleaning the beach as our contribution to National Coastal Awareness Month," noted Helene Dejong, LCIS Community Service Coordinator and organizer of the beach clean up.

More than 60 large bags of trash were collected by volunteers and removed by Bahamas Waste. Denise Mizell, LCIS secondary and marine science teacher and leader of the Diving Dragons, the LCIS scuba diving club, led an underwater clean up effort.

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Antique Auto Club of The Bahamas donates to Sir Victor Sassoon Heart Foundation

Members of the Antique Auto Club of The Bahamas have donated funds from their Annual Antique Auto Show to the Sir Victor Sassoon Heart Foundation to specifically assist with medical expenses for necessary heart surgery for a 10-year old boy. It was recently discovered that young William Farrington, a student of Ridgeland Primary School has been living with a hole in his heart and urgent surgery is required to repair it.

Each year the Antique Auto Club selects a charity - or charities - involving children to be the beneficiary of the full proceeds of their Annual Show. This is the second year that the Club has partnered with the Sassoon Heart Foundation. It has proven to be a winning partnership and several members of the club have referred to it as a "wonderful heartwarming experience."

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Students show the way forward in sustainable energy

The rest of us may feel helpless in the face of massive dump fires that blanket entire neighborhoods inblack, acrid smoke, but the nation's budding environmental scientists know how to turn a troubling situation to their advantage. The victorious young science lovers of Aquinas College were one of eight teams in total and four who took aim at the timely problem of landfill fires during this year's Earth Day Enviro-Science Competition, sponsored by environmental attorney and consultant Romi Ferreira.

"The gas released by waste material which fuels the dump fires can be harnessed for many environmentally friendly household uses," explained Aquinas team member Farrah Johnson, 15. "It can be made into gas for cooking or boiling water, fertilizer for plants, even water for irrigation."

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Hope finally on the horizon for Grand Bahama's animals?

Over the years, we have both written, and read, a number of articles pleading with the Bahamas Government to do better for animals. We instigated and assisted with a grueling campaign on behalf of marine turtles that ultimately resulted in the banning of capturing and killing sea turtles. We have seen several other pieces of legislation enacted to protect marine resources but our beloved companion animals kept being left out. One such article is HERE, from 2011.

In the late spring of 2010, we were overjoyed to find out that Parliament was finally going to debate and vote on the new Animal Protection and Control Act, which had been languishing for almost ten years after having been diligently worked on by many dedicated people. We even received a call from Fred Mitchell, the day before the Parliamentary debate, who asked many intelligent questions and whose subsequent discourse in Parliament reflected the fact that he was actually listening and concerned.

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Annual cruise conference opens new opportunities for Grand Bahama

The Annual Cruise Shipping Miami Conference and Exhibition (CSM) remains the largest and most valued business platform for the global maritime industry. For years, companies throughout the country and region have utilized the mega event to showcase new products, negotiate contracts and for building new business opportunities within the Cruise & Maritime Sectors.

As for President Ian Rolle and the Business Development Team of The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA), this year's conference provided the perfect networking and B2B environment to promote the advantages of Grand Bahama as a premier cruise destination.

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Save The Bays teams up with local library to inspire the next generation of conservationists

Fast-growing advocacy group Save The Bays will share its conservation message with dozens of youngsters during a much anticipated summer camp in Grand Bahama. The annual Sir Charles Hayward Children's Library Summer Camp, now in its 19th installment, will run from June 30 to August 1 this year under the theme 'It's all about skills'.

"For the first time, the skills taught will include how to protect our vital natural resources," said Save The Bays education director Joseph Darville. "It will be an extraordinary camp featuring a multitude of activities. It is an excellent opportunity for us to further our mission of inspiring the next generation of environmental warriors."

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LIS sweeps the National Model UN Debates

After competing against seventeen teams from schools all over The Bahamas, students from Lucaya International School (LIS) won the National Model UN Debate Competition, which was held in Nassau. Besides winning the overall event the team's tremendous performance at the competition awarded them a myriad of trophies, including Best Crisis Session, Best Overall Team and Marlena Leonard won Best Debater.

At the Model UN session, students participate in simulated negotiating sessions while acting in diplomatic roles of various assigned nations. They have to research the policies of the countries they represent, and their presentations are judged by a selected panel of three.

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Garden of the Groves celebrates family Easter event

For the past six years around Easter time the Garden of the Groves team has made preparations for the Grand Bahama community to enjoy a variety of activities during "Spring in the Garden". The event was enjoyed by the whole family, but especially children of all ages had a wonderful time! The activities began with Bunny Hop Sack Races where the children were divided in age categories.

The talented Face Painting" artist, Lenisha Cooper, came prepared with her face painted appropriately as an Easter bunny! Her talent was appreciated by children and parents alike! There were a variety of vendors in the Garden displaying tasty treats, jams, cotton candy and baked goods. In addition the Humane Society of Grand Bahama had set up its popular Flea Market with all proceeds benefiting the many dogs and cats at the shelter.

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WTO executive visits Grand Bahama

Minister for Grand Bahama, Dr. Michael Darville officially welcomed David Shark, Deputy Director General of the World Trade Organisation to Grand Bahama on April 10. Mr. Shark was accompanied by Ryan Pinder, Minister for Financial Services; Rhoda Jackson, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of The Bahamas to the United Nations office and other international organisations in Geneva, Switzerland; Ms June Young Lee WTO Legal Advisor; and Ms. Keva Bain, Acting Director of Trade and Industry.

The Bahamas is in the process of negotiating accession to the World Trade Organisation primarily to secure favourable market access for its goods and services into the international community. His visit to The Bahamas is expected to increase public awareness about the WTO accession process, the multilateral rules governing international trade, and how those rules impact market access to foreign markets by Bahamian companies, and access by foreign companies to the Bahamian market.

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Doula Delight: The lamentation of a birth doula

There exists in Freeport a birth doula service, Doula Delight (DD). This business-licensed service is owned by Bahamian women who are certified by the premiere international birth doula credentialing organization in the world, DONA International. Nicole Farrington (president of DD), Susan Sweetings (Vice-president of DD), and Kristi Long (treasurer of DD), were certified as professional birth doulas in the Spring of 2013 making them the first DONA Int. certified birth doulas in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.

Doula Delight is the premier independent doula service in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Doula Delight empowers childbearing families to make educated birth choices that reflect current evidence-based practices to promote healthy and safe birth outcomes as well as breastfeeding success. The rights of clients to self-determine are respected. By nurturing the mind, body, and spirit of birthing parents, Doula Delight changes the world, one birth at a time.

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PM and Environment Minister enjoy exclusive Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve tour with donor Shelby White

The lath house, freshwater wetland display, edible history section and weather station were on full display at the opening of the second phase of the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve, where donor Shelby White gave the Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment an exclusive tour of the Preserve. The Preserve is currently the only national park in Eleuthera, and its focus on native flora and fauna makes it a draw for all botanists, visitors and locals interested in Bahamian plants.

During his remarks at the opening, the Right Hon. Perry Christie, Prime Minister, noted, "In 2011 at its opening, Ms. White declared, 'I believe we have created the finest nature preserve in The Bahamas, a place that makes Eleuthera a must-visit tourist destination and of which we will all be proud.'

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NEMA conducts water rescue training in Long Island

CLARENCE TOWN, Long Island - The National Emergency Management Agency conducted a Water Rescue Training and Equipment exercise on the island, in an effort to equip residents with survival skills in the event of an emergency at sea.

The training held March 31 to April 4, 2014, as conducted in conjunction with the United States Northern Command (UNNORTHCOM). It was the third in a series of training; Phase 1 was held on the islands of Abaco, Grand Bahama and New Providence between March to May 2012. And, Phase II was held on New Bight, Cat Island from March 3 to 6, 2014.

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South Andros association awarded international grant

The South Andros Handicraft and Manufacturing Association (SAHMA) officially launched the South Andros Coastal Restoration and Coconut Project on April 10, 2014 at the South Andros Craft Centre in Motion Town, Long Bay Cays, South Andros. The initiative is a Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) funded project for the community.

"We are very happy to be here today," said GEF National Co-ordinator in The Bahamas Mr. Deon Stewart. "It didn't go without a lot of hard work on behalf of SAHMA and the community of South Andros and also on behalf of the committee that actually reviews and improves projects here (in the Bahamas)."

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Learning more about Treasure Cay creek area

By: Abaco Defenders

Formed around concerns about unregulated development, Abaco Defenders took a step forward by asking an independent scientist to visit Sand Banks/Gunpowder Creek in Treasure Cay to verify the health of and life in the creek.

When work was done here by Treasure Sands, no environmental impact study was performed, so we, as a community, had no way of knowing how this creek would be affected, and what was in it to affect. Since the Government and the developer were not providing that information we decided to try and get it for ourselves.

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Bimini Sands Resort & Marina joins Expedition Collection by Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts & Lodges

Guy Harvey, Chairman of Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts & Lodges has announced that Bimini Sands Resort & Marina has joined the company's Expedition Collection, a portfolio of Outpost properties that stretches through the Bahamas, Caribbean and Galapagos Islands.

"We are thrilled that Bimini Sands invited us back to Bimini," noted Harvey, a celebrated international marine wildlife artist, scientist and conservationist. In announcing the company's return to the legendary fishing island, Harvey added: "Our fans want us back in Bimini to help promote and protect the island's heritage they have enjoyed for years and hope to pass on to the next generation."

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Cat Island residents complete NEMA building course

About 30 residents graduated from a Safer Building Code Course held on this island where most of the homes were severely damaged during the passage of Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The three-week course was held by the National Emergency Management Agency in conjunction with the Caribbean Disaster Management Agency along with the Bahamas Technical & Vocational Institute and the Bahamian Contractors' Association.

The course was held under the theme: "Enhancing Community Resilience To Disaster". The graduation ceremony was held at the Old Bight High School on April 5, 2014. Cat Island was struck by Hurricane Irene in 2011, and the following year by Hurricane Sandy, with more than 100 homes severely damaged or completely destroyed.

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K.B. gives back to the environment

K.B.'s music is based on the people and the beauty of the Bahamas. Now he's giving back to the environment that has given him the inspiration for so many of his hits by donating proceeds from his fourth K.B. and Friends Album to Friends of the Environment (FRIENDS), which provides environmental education through field trips, summer camps and after school programs and works to preserve the environment of Abaco by operating a number of grassroots conservation programs.

K.B. first become familiar FRIENDS when he performed at their annual Reef Ball fundraising event in early 2013. He says, "I was impressed with how hard they were working and the difference they were making in Abaco. They are changing attitudes and getting the kids out into the environment. I wanted to support that work. I love the Bahamas, and we need our environment to be healthy to keep our country and our economy healthy."

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PM: Junkanoo must become a workable industry and money earner

Culture on Grand Bahama will soon get a major shot in the arm as both the Prime Minister and the Minister responsible for Culture foreshadowed an upcoming conclave with junkanoo leaders, tourism officials and the Grand Bahama Port Authority to advance the presentation of junkanoo as a workable industry and money earner for practitioners.

Speaking at the 1st RUSH Awards and presentations by the Grand Bahama Junkanoo Committee, Prime Minister, the Hon. Perry G. Christie revealed, "I want to say this to Grand Bahama, and I'm glad I see some people from the Port Authority here; we have to find an effective way in lifting up the culture of the country and integrating it more into the economy of the country. "We have to find the formula," said the Prime Minister.

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Cool as a cucumber - Billfish Grill at Palm Cay reveals signature drink secret recipe

Let the youngsters hunt for Easter eggs, your guilty pleasure will come later when you sip a cool, refreshing signature drink that's one of the treats assuring a place on every serious culinary enthusiast's map for the new Billfish Grill at Palm Cay.

Made with fresh mint and cucumber, Billfish Grill's Cucumber Mojito takes the mojito craze to a new level. Created by Billfish Grill partner Lise Watson-Russell (think Chives, Blake Road), the healthy tasting beverage is a perfect summer sipper picker-upper and it's easy to make right at home.

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At the Movies: Noah

One of the taglines for this movie: The End Of The World... Is Just The Beginning. A man is given a vision by his world's creator of an apocalyptic flood. He must undertake the most important task of his life as he attempts to rescue the innocent before the wicked are cleansed from his world.

Noah is given a mission by the creator of his world to build an ark to continue the lives of the innocent of his world after the wicked have been wiped from the world by a flood which will completely cover all of creation. Naameh is Noah's wife who trusts him to lead their family to safety during the event that has ramification through the ages. Methuselah is Noah's grandfather and the oldest living human being in the world who able to save group of fallen heavenly beings from the brutality of the evil human beings fighting for power in the world.

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Nassau Rowing Club competes in 41st Annual Miami International Regatta

Seven young rowers representing the Nassau Rowing Club (NRC) competed in the 41st Annual Miami International Regatta on Saturday, 5 April 2014, making history once again by fielding the first female entry and the first sweep rowing entry from The Bahamas. The NRC was the only non-US based competing club out of 15, officially making the regatta an international regatta.

Alyssa Reid and Shannon O'Meara competed in the Girls' High School Double Sculls as the only novice-level scullers in a field of competition-hardened crews. Reid and O'Meara kept a solid pace amid the competitive field, staying with the more experienced crews and ultimately finishing sixth. "After our race, one of our competitors came over and said how impressed she was with our performance," said Reid, "[she] had no idea we had been rowing for less than a year."

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GBPA supports island's CARIFTA team

Thanks to a kind and timely gesture by Executives of The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA), a number of local athletes will have the opportunity to make their mark at the 43rd Annual CARIFTA Games. This past week, GBPA's Senior VP, Mr. Henry St. George and Chief Financial Officer, Mrs. Deann Seymour made a cheque presentation to Grand Bahama CARIFTA Team members, expected to compete in Fort de France, Martinique from April 19th -21st, 2014.

"Supporting initiatives that involve the island's youth remains a priority of the GBPA Group. Today they are competing at CARIFTA level, but in two to three years, perhaps they will be competing as Olympic athletes," declared St. George. "We want to encourage them to do well, and to continue to be focused on their goals. They are all winners and we are happy to support their efforts," St. George continued.

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Basketball Hall of Famer John Havlicek to test his 'hook' shot with fishing outing at historic Bimini Big Game Club Resort

The colbalt blue waters off this legendary island known for big game fishing might just turn an Irish green to welcome Boston Celtic great John "Hondo" Havlicek, who will be on-island next week for a few days of backcountry action. Havlicek an eight-time NBA Champion and 13-time All-star will be the guest of the 51-room Bimini Big Game Club Resort & Marina as part of the resort's ongoing celebrity series, providing guests with opportunities to meet with personalities from sports, film and music genres.

An accomplished sportsman and fisherman, Havlicek, who was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984, will spend two days chasing the elusive grey ghosts (bonefish) along the world-famous Bimini flats.

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Summer boating season swings into high gear with new Palm Cay Marina closing Nassau-Exuma gap

With the busy boating season swinging into high gear, the distance between Nassau and Exuma just got shorter in the minds of mariners, accounting in part for the almost instant success of the Marina at Palm Cay, the first marina directly en route to what is considered the yachtsman's paradise of the Western Hemisphere.

"We have enjoyed amazing success," says dockmaster Brooks Russell, Palm Cay Marina & Beach Club. "At times, we have been full to our capacity, but the most interesting thing about the increase in traffic is not the numbers but what people are telling us - that they feel like they are in Exuma before they actually get to Exuma. It's like adding days to their Exuma experience."

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Bahamas weekly fishing report from Harbourside Marine

Fishing report as of April 10, 2014

Nassau: Weather permitting the fishing has been consistent with plenty of mahi being caught. Yellowfin tuna are being caught offshore of the northern side of New Providence in the late afternoon/early evening. Its best to target them by trolling naked mono rigged ballyhoo.

North Exuma, Highbourne Cay: The fishing in the Exuma Sound was reported to be good for mahi this week.There has also been an usually high amount of sailfish caught.

North Eleuthera: The weather has been rough for the past few days but prior to this Captain Jeff Fox reports catching some large wahoo at James Point and catching and releasing 2 marlin at Shallow Ground.

Abaco: Kevin Sawyer of Island Boy Tackle reports that the fishing has been very good with lots of mahi and smaller wahoo being caught.

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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.

April 19: Queen Baton Relay - Western entrance Arawak Cay, 8am. Leave Arawak Cay ending at the Thomas A. Robinson National track and Field Stadium.

April 19: NAGB Kids' Easter 'Art'ernoon - Kids will enjoy creating Easter puppets, an Easter egg hunt and face painting. RSVP 328-5800/1.

April 24: Bahamas Air Sea Rescue AGM - at BASRA HQ 7:30pm. All members are encouraged to attend.

April 25: An Evening of Piano Music - 7pm for 7.30pm at St Andrews Kirk, Prince's Street. 327-0560 for info.

April 26: Harold and Wilson Ponds restoration project - To remove trash and invasive species. Call the BNT 393-1317 to volunteer!

April 26: Kingdor National Parkinson Foundation Gala Ball at the Melia resort with special guest Peabo Bryson! 326-5291 to get involved.

April 27: An Evening of Piano Music - 5pm for 5.30pm at St Paul's Church Hall, Lyford Cay. 327-0560 for info.

May is Lupus Awareness Month - Click HERE to visit the FB page for all the plans!

May 3: 2014 Mother & Child Exhibition - By Bahamian ceramicist Jessica Colebrooke and her daughters Erin & Carlise. 10am to 4pm, Hillside House Gallery, Cumberland St.

May 3: Smoking Hot BBQ Contest - at the Green Parrot with international and local chefs. Click HERE to read more.

May 10: Baark Purple Paws Live Auction 'Havana Nights' themed at Graycliff Humidor. Click HERE to learn more. See ad this newsletter.

May 10-11: Annual Mexican Fiesta Festival 2014 11am-7pm - Bahamas National Trust HQ on Village Rd. Live mariachi band, pi�atas, authentic Mexican food and drinks. Click HERE to view the poster.

May 15: Doctors Hospital Lecture Series - on menopause. 6pm in the conference room, Dowdeswell St. Call 302-4600.

May 17: An afternoon with Suze Orman - Call 502-7526 for information on this event.

May 17: Kiwanis Club of Cable Beach Equestrian/Horse Show - at Camperdown Stables from 8am.

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.

June 14: Jay Leno at Atlantis - Visit the box office or call 363-6601 before it sells out!

September 13: Give a Child a Ride Cycling Charity Tour - Second annual event for cyclists of all levels. Click HERE to visit the website.

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

April 17-21: Holy Week Services at Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church and St. Michael's Catholic Church. Click HERE to download the PDF list.

April 18: GB Youth Choir presents 'Remembering His Passion 2' at the Church of the Ascension, 7pm. FREE!

April 19: Perspectives: The Real and the Imagined - Art show with Bahamian artists Max Taylor and Claudette Dean at the Grand Gallery, Retail Street on Royal Palm Way, The Grand Lucayan, 7pm.

April 21: Pelican Point Coconut Festival Head east and go coconut crazy at this popular annual event. 11am-8pm. Click HERE to view the poster.

April 24-27: Extreme Kayak/Paddleboard Fishing - Battle in the Bahamas! Click HERE for information.

April 26: Pollo Tropical Ride for Charity NEW DATE! - Click HERE to download the entry and information form. Distances for all ages and levels of cyclists.

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

April 26: BNT Da Market at the Rand Nature Center.

April 30-May 4: Anglican Church Men's Conference in West End. Click HERE to read more.

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

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: Nat Cambridge and the "First Taste Band" debut at Pelican Bay, Canal House. Click HERE to read more.

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 10: Walkathon & Steak Out - Freeport High/BMES Alumni 6:30am, warm up at 6am. $5 p/p. East along Sunrise Highway, south to Midshipman round-a-bout then north to the Seahorse Shopping Plaza where the walk ends. 12 noon Steak-Out begins until 5pm. fahs.bmeswarrior@gmail.com for info.

May 10: Grand Bahama Down Syndrome Society Buddy Walk 2014 - 'Cherish Just A Little Something Extra' 7am start, cost $10. E-mail gbdss2012@gmail.com for more information.

May 10: Titanic Gala 'Passage to another era' fundraiser for LIS at Roosters. Click HERE to view the FB event page.

May 17: Rotary Cigar Nights - Wildly popular event returns to Pelican Bay, 7pm. Details coming soon.

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 1-4: Freeport High/BMES 49th Anniversary events - Contact fahs.bmeswarrior@gmail.com for the schedule.

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

April 17: An Evening of Wine & Cheese Tasting at Hope Town Harbour Lodge in ABACO. Benefit Hope Town Primary PTA. 5:30-7:30pm.

April 17-26: ABACO Anglers Fishing Tournament - Call 366-0003 for more information.

April 21: Easter Monday Homecoming and live music party at Coco Beach Bar - Treasure Cay, ABACO.

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

April 24: ELEUTHERA Business Outlook - Call 334-2356 or click HERE for information and registration.

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 15: ANDROS Business Outlook - Call BAIC on Andros or click HERE for more information.

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. Click HERE to visit the website.

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

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Deep Water Cay welcomes Brazilian divers

The Deep Water Cay team of East End, Grand Bahama recently welcomed a Brazilian team of divers visiting the islands of The Bahamas with the Ministry of Tourism.

"The Grand Bahama visit was a quick one night and day trip," said Rosalyn Pinder, GB Tourism. "We were able to visit Unexso last night and meet some of their dive team and then we wanted them to see a bit more of the island and the beauty of the east too."

The group included ten divers and one full-time writer for international dive magazine, DIVEMAG.ORG, as well as the Brazilian representative for The Bahamas in Tourism. "We are bringing this team here to help us develop our South American market," said Tina Lee, Bahamas Tourism, South American Market. "This group will visit our islands for a week and experience a variety of dive resorts to tailor packages for future guests."

I am very excited to see what Grand Bahama has to offer," said Thiago Louback, a dive instructor at Mar-a-Mar in Brazil. "The weather is so nice, the structure of the dives and visibility incredible and the biggest bonus is the close proximity of the dive resorts to the actual dive sites - so near!"

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