Bahama Islands Info Newsletter

News :: Events :: Opportunities

VOL IV. No. 5, June 19, 2014

This week in Bahama Islands Info

National News

Nassau News

Grand Bahama News

Family Islands & Abaco News

Arts & Entertainment News

Column: At the Movies

Sports News

Column: Bahamas weekly fishing report

Letters to the Editor

Over 170 children rewarded for environmental service

The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) has a long history of pioneering innovative educational programs for Bahamian youth, in hopes that they are nurturing future ecologists and environmentalists. The Discovery Club, which is the youth arm of the BNT is no different, with over forty clubs on New Providence, Abaco, Grand Bahama, Andros, Eleuthera, Exuma, Cat Island and Inagua.

The BNT Discovery Club recently celebrated its Annual Awards and Badge Ceremony, where 176 students from Freeport and Nassau were granted badges for successfully completing various programmes. Students ranging from ages 7-12 were presented with environmental badges in the following categories: National Parks, Fish, Flora, Bugs, Endangered Species, Shells and Herpetology.

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Bahamas and Republic of Haiti continue bilateral talks

On Monday the 16th, Senior Government Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, the Office of the Attorney General, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, the Bahamas Investment Authority, the Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Local Government and the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation met with a delegation from the Republic of Haiti to discuss bilateral agreements.

The Haitian Delegation was led by His Excellency Fresner Dorcin, Secretary of State for Agricultural Production at the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development. The other members of the Haitian delegation were His Excellency Antonio Rodrigue, Ambassador of the Republic of Haiti to The Bahamas, Mr. Alix Celestin, Director General, National Port Authority, Mr. Jean Claude Barthelemy, Director of Economic Relations and Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Max Millien, Senior Officer, Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, and Mr. Monorde Civil, Deputy Director of the Office of Standardization, Ministry of Trade and Industry.

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RBC awards $75,000 Blue Water Project Leadership Grant to the College of The Bahamas

In honour of the fifth annual Blue Water Day, RBC Royal Bank awarded a $75,000 Blue Water Project Leadership Grant to The College of The Bahamas (COB). RBC's Blue Water Project is a $50 million global initiative to help provide access to drinkable, swimmable, fishable, fresh water, now and for future generations.

"We are pleased to announce the continuation of our support of water initiatives in The Bahamas and to build on our long-standing partnership with The College of The Bahamas," said Nathaniel Beneby, Jr., Managing Director for RBC Royal Bank in The Bahamas, Cayman and Turks & Caicos Islands. "RBC has an ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability, and we have chosen to focus on water as a core area of support because we believe that access to water will be one of the most significant environmental and economic issues facing the world in the coming decades."

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COB Flamingo Ball honours Bahamian trailblazers

An Olympian, entrepreneur, entertainer and physician might not ordinarily have anything in common, but on Saturday night they made history as part of a distinct group of College of The Bahamas alumni celebrated for their tenacity, achievements and inspiring legacies. In commemoration of its 40th anniversary, The College inducted seven persons - luminaries from the fields of architecture, entertainment, athletics, business and the public sector - into its Alumni Society Hall of Fame at the inaugural Flamingo Ball held at the Melia Nassau Beach Resort.

They were Carmen Butler, AA '78; Robert Deal, AA '90; Iram Lewis, AA '86; Fred Perpall, AA '93; Sonovia Pierre, AA '92; Darnell Orborne, AA '86; and Wesley Francis, AA '93. The induction capped an elegant evening of distinguished honours and celebration of the persons who have helped the institution to establish an impeccable record of quality education.

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Marion Bethel to receive prestigious regional award for women

Bahamian attorney, human and gender rights activist, filmmaker and acclaimed writer/poet, Mrs. Marion Bethel, has been awarded the prestigious 11th CARICOM Tri-annual Award for women. The award, which was introduced in 1983 and first presented in 1984, is issued every three years to honour a Caribbean woman whose work has made a significant contribution in the arena of women's development and the socio-economic development of the Caribbean.

Mrs. Bethel is the first Bahamian and just the eleventh recipient of the award since it was first presented in 1984. She will be presented with her award July 1 during the opening ceremony of the 36th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government (CARICOM) scheduled for Antigua and Barbuda.

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BTC, PMH and Doctors Hospital team up for World Blood Donor Day

"iVolunteers" from the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) teamed up with staff members of Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) and Doctors Hospital for their 8th annual blood drive to mark the World Health Organisation's June 14th World Blood Donor's Day. Staff from the two hospitals and BTC staff "iVolunteers" manned blood donor, blood pressure, and blood sugar testing equipment stations at the Mall at Marathon on Saturday June 14th under the international theme, "Safe Blood for Saving Mothers."

To encourage donations, BTC presented all donors with a $50 phone card, a $50 BTC voucher, or a new smart phone. The BTC incentives brought an early crowd to the Mall, lines forming from 7:00 a.m. for the 10:00 a.m. start. However, many of the donors said they would have given blood anyway.

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New board vows to raise funds for restoration of one of the 'last truly grand Bahamian estates'

Calling it "a major undertaking, but one that will create a lasting legacy" a newly-energized and expanded Historic Bahamas Foundation Council vowed this week to help raise up to $13 million to restore historic Collins House. "The Historic Bahamas Foundation is committed to preserving the best of our historic sites and assisting the AMMC (Antiquities, Monuments & Museums Corporation) in re-creating these sites as vibrant, living history, places alive with activity," said Council Chairman Owen Bethel.

"Toward that end, we are very pleased to announce the expansion of the Historic Bahamas Foundation Council with the appointment of former Tribune News Editor Paco Nunez and public relations executive and environmental and historic preservation advocate Diane Phillips. We believe Mr. Nunez and Ms. Phillips will bring unique perspectives and new energy to this task which we know is a major undertaking in challenging times - the restoration of Collins House, designated to become the National Museum of The Bahamas.

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Smart Kids Bahamas honours exceptional educator

Smart Kids Bahamas awards Teacher Nominations winner Ms. Elizabeth Mingo of St. Cecelia's School a $150 gift certificate and other prizes at the school's morning assembly. During the month of May, Smart Kids Bahamas asked parents to submit nominations detailing why their child's teacher deserved to win the $150 gift certificate, with a chance to win a $25 gift certificate for themselves from Smart Kids.

Smart Kids was pleased with the amount of nominations received from parents all over New Providence, who took time to nominate their child's teacher via email or on the Smart Kids Bahamas Facebook page. After receiving the nominations, the teacher, parent, and school names were omitted to make the selection process anonymous. The nominations were then reviewed by a private panel and the winner was selected to avoid bias of any kind.

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Sandals Royal Bahamian hosts table etiquette training for D.W. Davis students

On Wednesday afternoon, students of D.W. Davis Jr. High School expanded their knowledge beyond the classroom by participating in Sandals' table etiquette training. The 101 students and seven teachers of eighth grade Modern Language gathered in the Crystal Room fine dining restaurant as public relations manager, Chester Robards, and F&B training manager, Sharon Cartwright, shared their expertise on good table manners and etiquette for the second consecutive year.

"Sit straight up and keep your arms and elbows away from the table - that's a no no!" said Ms. Cartwright as she stressed the importance of good posture. They were also given instructions to handle a drinking glass by the stem, with a brief lesson in the anatomy of the glass. Correct standards for plated service and table settings were also discussed as Ms. Cartwright offered this catchy tip: "Four letters - fork and left. Five letters - knife and right."

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Lucaya International School (LIS) donates 400 juice boxes to the Grand Bahama Children's Home

Lucaya International School (LIS) donated 400 juice boxes to the Grand Bahama Children's Home (GBCH) on Wednesday. Katelyn Cabral, Sophie Paine and Jessica McBrayer spearheaded the "juice-box drive" this year. This is the fourth "juice-box" donation for the home, which was originally inspired by Katelyn in 2012. During the course of two weeks the students worked hard to promote their drive and encouraged students to help the children of the Home in this small way.

Sophie Paine, an International Baccalaureate student said, "On behalf of the entire school, we are so delighted to donate to the Grand Bahama Children's Home. Not only are we sure that this will make a difference in other children's lives, but it gives us as a student body great satisfaction to know that we have contributed to the well-being of our community. Organising a drive like this is certainly not an easy task as it requires cooperation from all the students; however the Grand Bahama Children's Home means so much to us as students that we gained enormous support which we are proud to share with the children."

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GB Shipyard supports West End Eco-Camp

The 2014 West End Eco Fishing Camp Association (WEEFCA) bid farewell to an end of another successful year. The signature programme teaches children between the ages of 8-16 about the environment, first aid and water safety, swimming, boating, hand line fishing and much more. The Eco- Camp has partnered with the community of West End and the Royal Bahamas Police Force for the last five years, and just recently, The Grand Bahama Shipyard have jumped onboard playing a significant role with an annual donation. The sponsorship helped ease some of the financial burden the camp was experiencing.

The goal of the Eco- Fishing camp is to provide the youth of West End with better alternatives to a life of crime, alcohol and drug abuse by introducing them to entrepreneurial skills and career opportunities in the marine sciences, ecology and environmental management. Linda Copper, Camp Organizer thanked the Shipyard for their contribution to the camp, and said she looks forward to their continued partnership with each other.

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Residents support two new national parks for Grand Bahama

The creation of two national parks in East Grand Bahama, the Gap Marine Protected Area and the East Grand Bahama Marine Protected Area got the overwhelming support of residents of the area and stakeholders attending a Town Meeting in Pelican Point, June 5, 2014. During this meeting Government Ministers dispelled the concerns of local fishermen that the areas proposed by the country's three major conservationist organisations would be declared a "no-take zone" effectively prohibiting fishing.

Minister for the Environment and Housing, the Hon. Kenred Dorsett, MP said the areas being proposed will be given special protection so that substance fishing, diving, boating, and other recreational/commercial activities will be allowed based on the reasons explored in the management plan referenced for the particular area.

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Inaugural TEDx event coming to Grand Bahama

Grand Bahama's inaugural TEDx event will take place on Saturday, July 5, 2014 from 10am-1pm at the Coral Reef room of Pelican Bay hotel. Just ahead of The Bahamas' 41st independence festivities, which will celebrate how far we have come as a nation, TEDxGrandBahama will provide a platform for four young professionals to share their ideas from multidisciplinary perspectives on the theme, "Bahamian Development: How Can we Further it".

TEDxGrandBahama will also include video TED Talks and a panel discussion, which together will combine to spark deep discussion and put forth ideas that, if implemented, can positively influence The Bahamas' progress.

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Baha Mar Family Island outreach heads to Bimini

With more than 4,000 Bahamians set to be hired by the time Baha Mar opens in December 2014, the $3.5 billion resort's recruitment and outreach team is ramping up its search throughout The Bahamas for the best and brightest Bahamians to join the growing Baha Mar team. The Baha Mar Academy will be on Bimini on June 16th-17th, conducting presentations and interviews, in the search of Dream Team individuals who are committed to becoming a part of Baha Mar.

Representatives from the Grand Hyatt, Rosewood and Baha Mar Casino and Hotel will discuss specific career opportunities available and qualifications necessary while all potential candidates will discover more about the Baha Mar Standard of Service and expectations from their future team members.

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End of One Eleuthera's grant with Susan G. Komen marks the beginning of notable change

Saturday, May 31, 2014 marked the official completion of the Susan G. Komen (SGK) grant given to the One Eleuthera Foundation (OEF) which funded a Community Outreach Program on Eleuthera. Focused primarily on breast cancer, the program employed a Community Outreach Coordinator (COC) in the person of Maisie Pinder, who has travelled the length and breadth of Eleuthera educating women and increasing breast cancer awareness since the program's inception in May of last year.

The goal of the outreach program has been to educate the public about breast cancer, the high risks Bahamian women face, the importance of early detection via regular mammogram screenings and the need to maintain healthy lifestyles to reduce the risks of being diagnosed with this dreaded disease.

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Burning marlin sculpture heads to Bimini for tournament

The burning marlin is pumped and ready to depart Fort Lauderdale as it makes its way to the now sold-out Bimini Sands Resort & Marina for the Beach Bash Bonfire and Tournament. The Guy Harvey Outpost crew is still hard at work preparing for this year's exciting and highly anticipated event, which runs from June 26 to June 29. For the event's signature bonfire celebrations, 30-foot tall Blue Marlin wire sculptures by artist Bobby Little will be lit on fire Friday and Saturday night.

The family-friendly event will feature an exciting fishing competition, scuba diving, family entertainment and much more, headlined by world-renowned marine artist and conservation advocate Guy Harvey and Florida fishing authority and IGFA's "Legendary Captain" Bouncer Smith.

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At the Movies: Maleficent

One of the taglines for this movie: Don't Believe The Fairy Tale. The most powerful fairy of a magical kingdom must protect it and those who live there from the power hungry king of the neighboring human kingdom. When a part of herself is stolen from her she places an irrevocable enchantment on the daughter of the thief out of revenge. As the day comes for the spell to take effect it becomes clear that the thief's daughter may be the key to the unifying of the two kingdoms and that actions with powerful consequences must be taken.

Angelina Jolie is unforgettable in the title role of this film and bring a commanding presence which makes you believe she is the benevolent leader of a fairy land. The problem is the story which is a weak re-imagining of the Sleeping Beauty animated movie based on the fairy tale of the same name. It is not easy to tell exactly what went wrong or didn't add up about the film which made it such a chore to watch when the main character was not on the screen.

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Bimini: Where the Hooters calendar girls are!

They came. They posed. And they were beautiful. The Girls of Bimini-some 12 prospects vying to become a 2015 Hooters Calendar Girl- arrived recently at the historic Bimini Big Game Club Resort and Marina for a professional photo shoot.

The popular Bahama out island's signature locations served as a colorful backdrop for the four-day shoot. The girls, mostly from Florida Hooters locations, are among 300 hopefuls being photographed in such locales as Bimini, the British Virgin Islands, US Virgin Islands, Exumas, Abacos and Mexico. From those shoots, a final 200 are selected for the calendar, which sells nearly 500,000 copies worldwide annually.

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Central Bank of The Bahamas exhibition celebrating 40th anniversary

The Central Bank of The Bahamas is celebrating its 40th anniversary and In commemoration of this major milestone, the bank presented an exhibition highlighting all the past events and individuals, which defined the institution's progress. The Central Bank opened on June 1, 1974, a little less than than a year after the Bahamas gained its dependence.

The bank was established in order to improve banking and financial conditions and to achieve greater financial stability in the country. Forty years later, the bank's mandate has not changed. Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie, toured the exhibition, which is erected at Rawson Square.

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12th Annual Andre Rodgers National Baseball Championships set for the weekend in Freeport

Freeport is the place for all things 'baseball' this weekend, as the games of the 12th Annual Andre Rodgers National Baseball Championships start today. 2014 marks the third consecutive year the event is being held on Grand Bahama, with The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) as a major sponsor. There are 34 teams scheduled to participate in this year's event, representing a number of family islands including Abaco, Bimini, Eluethera, Exuma, Grand Bahama, Long Island, New Providence and Inagua. This year will be the first time that Inagua participates in the event on Grand Bahama.

While games begin this morning, the official opening ceremony takes place on Friday evening at 7:00pm at the Jim White Baseball Park on Queens Highway. "Support on Grand Bahama has been exceptional, from both the fans and participating teams. This is a major event that requires the support of the community to be successful and the support of GBPA and corporate Grand Bahama has been phenomenal," said BBF president Craig Kemp.

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Salt Pond sets the scene for Sands 'Man in the Boat' sculling race

Beautiful Salt Pond, Long Island, was the scene for the most recent Sands 'Man in the Boat' sculling race at the 47th Long Island Regatta. Scullers from throughout The Bahamas came to Long Island to participate in the race, and a 'Truly Bahamian' time was had by both scullers and spectators.

"As a partial sponsor of the regatta, we were extremely proud of the turnout," said Lynden Johnson, Sales and Marketing Manager at Bahamian Brewery and Beverage. "Not only are we proud because of the support of our sculling event, but also because of the positive reception that our brands enjoyed on site and throughout Long Island."

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Grand Bahama soccer camp sign up this weekend

The highly-infectious soccer fever which is sweeping the world spreads to Grand Bahama next week. Youngsters signed up for the 10th annual Premier League Soccer Camp, which starts on Monday, will find it has a very strong World Cup flavour, with themed games every day and giveaway replica balls at the end of the week-long event. The visiting professional coaches, who will lead a big team of local assistant coaches, have dreamed up a range of activities which capture the spirit of the World Cup Finals being played in Brazil.

Its international nature is mirrored by the Sir Jack Hayward Camp a feature of which ever since its first year has been the number of countries represented among the youngsters who enjoy the five days of coaching and play. Though Bahamians tend to be the largest group, children from up to 20 other countries have tended to take part.

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RBC Royal Bank sponsors 2014 Bahamas National Swimming Championships events

RBC Royal Bank announced it has renewed its commitment as the named sponsor of the RBC National Swimming Championships. Facilitated by the Bahamas Swimming Federation (BSF), the 2014 National Swimming Championships will be held from June 19-22, 2014.

This year 12 swim clubs and 490 athletes are scheduled to participate. The Swimming Nationals begin at 6:00 p.m. on June 19. Sessions on the following days begin at 9 a.m. All events are held at the Betty Kelly Kenning National Swim Complex. This year's competitors feature members of the 2014 Bahamas National Swim Team who achieved a historic first-place win - ahead of 21 other countries - at the 2014 CARIFTA Championships.

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4th annual West End Snapper Tournament and Festival on schedule for this weekend

The 4th Annual West End Snapper Fishing Tournament and Festival, will take place on Saturday June 21st, 2014. This year's tournament and festival will be held in honour of the late Austin T. 'Jr." Grant.

Live music performances featuring Lil Joe and the Grand Bahama Royal Bahamas Police Force Pop Band. Mouth-watering Bahamian dishes such as the West End's signature specialties - conch salad and conch fritters; a variety of drinks, refreshments and pastries. Traditional fun and games will be coordinated for participating visitors, adults and children alike, featuring the watermelon eating contest, fish scaling contest and the indigenous, downhome fish seasoning demonstration.

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Bahamas weekly fishing report from Harbourside Marine

Fishing report as of June 12, 2014

Nassau: Various captains report catching mahi and blackfin tuna offshore under the birds. The muttonfish bite was good yesterday evening and is expected to last for the next few days.

North Exuma, Highbourne Cay: The mahi bite in the Exuma Sound has slowed a bit, but they are still being caught along with the occasional wahoo.

Abaco: Kevin Sawyer reports that they are still catching marlin and mahi offshore. The bite for yellowfin tuna was slow over the past week-end but picked up later in the week. The bottom fishing has been good.

Grand Bahama, Freeport: The fishing has been very good offshore with mahi and yellowfin being caught in the evenings.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Poverty - Fourteen years into the third millennium

Poverty is defined by Webster's as "the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions." In our context, then, who are the poor? Looking at the wide world perspective, we may more easily recognize the poor as those who are lacking in the minimal necessities such as water, food, clothing, basic health services, housing or a decent place to call home. Absolute poverty takes on a gruesome description as given by Robert Macnamara: " A condition of life so characterized by malnutrition, illiteracy, disease, high infant mortality and low life expectancy as to be beneath any reasonable definition of human decency."

There are some radical questions to answer, like is it bad to be poor. Certainly that cannot be the case, since God's own son was said to be born in poverty and the Christ always had and advocated preferential treatment for the poor.

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What's 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.

June 20: Second Annual Nassau Educational Technology Conference (NET.2) - Visit http://net2.lcis.bs/ for details. A professional development event for Educators and Administrators in the Bahamas at NO COST.

June 21: 'Frill Me' - A rare opportunity to see our own Bahamian models wearing Ian Stuart's gorgeous gowns as part of his international celebration. Click HERE to read more.

June 27: Caribbean Heritage Celebration - If you are in New York ... at Wingate High School. Click HERE to view the poster.

June 27: Funky Nassau Goombay Nights - John Bull, Mall at Marathon 5-8pm. Live music and dancing, prizes.

June 29: Miss Bahamas Teenager Pageant - Click HERE to read all about it.

July 2-6: Youth Alive 2014 - A 5-Day Youth Conference for teens and young adults. Click HERE to view the mailer.

July 5: Lynden Pindling Legacy Ball - 7pm at the Meli� Nassau Resort.

July 11: Funky Nassau Goombay Nights - John Bull, Marina Village 6-8pm. Live music and dancing, prizes.

July 13: 2014 Independence Road Race - Contact Barron Musgrove npcyclingassociation2013@gmail.com for more information on this exciting 2-wheel event.

July 17: Minimally Invasive Surgery in Children - Doctors Hospital Lecture Series with Dr. G. Ashaini Knowles. 302-4600 for information.

July 18: Funky Nassau Goombay Nights - John Bull, Southwest Plaza 5-8pm. Live music and dancing, prizes.

August 1: Funky Nassau Goombay Nights - John Bull, Harbour Bay 4:30-6:30pm. Live music and dancing, prizes.

August 2-25: Summer of Thunder - Basketball tournament at the Sir Kendal Isaacs gymnasium. Click HERE to view the poster.

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.

September 27: SWIFT Open Water Swim at Palm Cay.

November 9: UWC Triathlon - Event offers Sprint, Olympic, Pro, and Kids distances. Click HERE to visit the website.

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

June 19-22: 12th Andre Rodgers Baseball Championships - At the GB Baseball Complex. Click HERE to read more.

June 21: 4th Annual West End Snapper Tournament and fun family festival. Head west! Click HERE for info.

June 21: Soca Fusion Flag Party - Lightbourne Seafood parking lot, Queen's Hwy. Call 424-7253 for info. Gates open 9pm.

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 25: The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce Monthly Business Luncheon Meeting, 12:30 p.m. Call 352-8329.

June 28: 2nd Annual 'Tweak Your Chic' - 10am at The Grand Lucayan Ball Room. This event is geared toward women empowerment with part proceeds to the Cancer Society of Grand Bahama. Click HERE to visit the website.

June 28: 8th Grand Bahama Cyclists Club's Road Cycling Championship With distances up to 73 miles for the Cat 1 men. All levels of riders, great for newcomers! Contact gb-cyclist@hotmail.com for more information.

June 28: Us TOO Grand Bahama Chapter Boat cruise. Contact Andrew Moxey at 727-0471 for more info.

June 28: First Northern Bahamas Archdeaconry Fair to be held at The Pro Cathedral of Christ the King from 12: 00 noon to 11:00 pm.

June 28-29: Bahamas Dance Theatre pulls out all the stops with a fantastic show at the Regency Theater. A sell-out every year! 7pm/Sat, 5pm/Sun. Call 351-DANS.

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

July 4: American Independence with us at the Port Lucaya Marketplace. Live music, food and fireworks.

July 4: "Mix & Mingle" The Chamber Of Commerce, 5:00p.m-7:00p.m. Non Members are welcome! Call 352-8329.

July 5: Inaugural TEDx event - Coming to Grand Bahama! 10am-1pm at the Coral Reef room of Pelican Bay hotel. Click HERE for details.

July 18-19: Grand Bahama Regatta and Heritage Festival - at Taino Beach. A, B, and C classes of sloop sailing, junior sailing, sculling, and races. Plus, a new heritage component! Click HERE to read more.

July 21-August 1: Camp Center Stage - Application forms coming soon. $100 per week lunch included. At the Regency Theater.

July 26: BASRA's Amazing Race - A new fun and exciting event! Follow the clues and your team could win. Click HERE for more info.

July 26: Body Builders Show - At the Regency Theater. More information as the date approaches.

July 30: The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce Monthly Business Luncheon Meeting, 12:30 p.m. Call 352-8329.

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

August 11-15: Pot Cake Pals Summer Camp - at the Humane Society of Grand Bahama. More details to follow, save the dates for your kids!

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

August 28: GB Chamber of Commerce Monthly Luncheon - Speaker to be announced. Call 352-8329 for information.

September 27: Da Market - Returns to the Rand Nature Center with all kinds of homegrown goodies.

September 28: Us TOO Grand Bahama Chapter Luncheon - Contact Andrew Moxey at 727-0471 for more info.

October 4: Rotary Club of Freeport Wine & Cheese - Second annual evening of fine wines and gourmet cheeses to raise funds for Rotary's many charitable projects. Save the date! More info soon.

October 4: The 13th Annual Grand Bahama Medical & Dental Association Scientific Medical Conference.

October 18: Cancer Society Hope Ball - at The Grand Ballroom, Grand Lucayan, cocktail at 7pm and dinner at 8pm.

October 25: GBCC Annual Business Excellence Awards - Save the date and start thinking about a nominee ...

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!

November 1: Annual Red Rose Ball - HIV/AIDS education fundraiser and a night of glamour.

November 9: Mary Star of the Sea Annual Bazaar - 12:00 noon - midnight at the school on Sunrise Hwy.

December 5-6: Festival Noel - At the Rand Nature Center.

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

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

June 19: Goombay Festival - At Sea Spray Resort, ABACO. Live music and Junkanoo. Call 366-0065 for info and ferry schedule.

June 24: Elbow Reef Lighthouse celebrating 150 years, ABACO. Click HERE to read all about it!

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.

June 26-29: Guy Harvey Outpost Beach Bash Bonfire and Tournament - at the Bimini Sands Resort & Marina. Fishing competition, scuba diving, family entertainment, and bonfire events. www.GuyHarveyOutpost.com/BeachBash.

June 27-28: Percy Darville Bottom Fishing Tournament - Great Harbour Cay, BERRY ISLANDS. Click HERE to view the poster or call 367-8005.

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

July 4: US Independence Visitors Reception - BIMINI. A cultural exchange in appreciation of visitors to the island, featuring Bahamian food, arts & craft and music - Alice Town. Bimini Tourist office / (242) 347-3529.

July 5-10: All Andros & Berry Islands Regatta - Traditional Bahamian wooden sloops are featured at this event, and the highlight will be the Class A, B & C boat race. Venue is the Regatta Village in Morgan's Bluff, North Andros, which is 20 miles from the San Andros Airport. Contact (242) 329-2336 or 329-2278.

July 18-19: 'Sea n B' - Live concert at Nippers on Guana Cay, ABACO. Click HERE to the web page.

July 30 - August 4: Hatchet Bay Festival - ELEUTHERA. Activities include marching band performances, a worship service, a Little Miss Hatchet Bay Beauty Pageant and games. Contact: Mr. Mario Smith at (242) 356-1842.

November 2-8: Walter Iooss photography clinic on EXUMA. Click HERE to learn more.

November 27: Thanksgiving Turtle Trot in Hope Town, ABACO. More information soon.

December 27: 242 Colour Run - Hope Town ABACO. More information soon.

February 17-21, 2015: 3rd Annual Patrick Davis Hope Town Songwriters Festival. ABACO. www.PDandFirefly.com

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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U.S. Embassy sponsored leadership development workshop attracts youth in Nassau and Freeport

The United States Embassy in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and BoldLeaders based in Denver, Colorado hosted a dynamic and engaging leadership development seminar for young Bahamians on New Providence and Grand Bahama from June 2-5, 2014.

The first three days the workshop, held at the new Thomas A. Robinson stadium, brought together a diverse group of Bahamian youth for interactive sessions with BoldLeaders facilitators, Michael Donahue and Wendy Tally.

The training series concluded with a one-day session on Grand Bahama held at the Sir Charles Hayward Library with a group of enthusiastic young adults who were eager to sharpen their leadership and community building skills.

The youth leadership workshop was designed to explore civic engagement and social entrepreneurship, and targeted youth between the ages of 17 and 30, a sector of the population recognized around the world as having the greatest potential to drive social and economic change.

The overall goal of the workshop was to equip participants with tools and techniques on how they can take action now to address different challenges facing their communities, throughout The Bahamas, and in the region.

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