Bahama Islands Info Newsletter

News :: Events :: Opportunities

VOL IV. No. 6, June 26, 2014

This week in Bahama Islands Info

National News

Nassau News

Grand Bahama News

Column: Humane Society of GB update

Family Islands & Abaco News

Column: Bahamas weekly fishing report

Arts & Entertainment News

Column: At the Movies

Sports News

HMBS Arthur Dion Hanna first thrust in 'new strategies' against transnational crime

The commissioning of Her Majesty's Bahamian Ship Arthur Dion Hanna; the purchase and commissioning of eight other vessels and planned upgrades to currently serving ships Her Majesty Bahamian Ships Nassau and The Bahamas, are all part of the government's "new thrust" in the war on transnational crime, Minister of National Security, Dr. Bernard J. Nottage said Friday.

The Minister of National Security said it is no coincidence that the first of the four Patrol Vessels that will arrive in The Bahamas over the next few months, has been named after His Excellency, the Hon. Arthur Dion Hanna, as it is going to take an "indomitable spirit" to win the war on transnational crime.

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Bahamas Embassy Consular Annex opens in Washington, D.C

Declaring that "this office has good reason to be here," The Hon. Fred Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, officially opened the new Bahamas Embassy Consular Annex in downtown Washington, D.C., on Thursday, June 19.

"There are three people that I had hoped would have been able to be here," Mr. Mitchell told guests packed into the suite of offices on the third floor of an office complex at 1025 Vermont Avenue, N.W. "One is the Prime Minister and the other is the Deputy Prime Minister. They both had thought that it might have been possible to attend if one could not have. Unfortunately, the exigencies of the Parliamentary schedule made it impossible for them to attend. Yesterday the Prime Minister gave his final budget address in this present debate and both are required to be in Parliament to answer the questions of the Parliament on the allocations of the funds estimated in the budget. I regret therefore that they are unable to be here."

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Sam Duncombe: Oil drilling not a job creator

Oil drilling in The Bahamas will likely generate work for no more than a handful of locals while putting thousands of tourism and commercial fishing jobs at risk, reEarth president Sam Duncombe warned. Addressing a College of The Bahamas (COB) Inaugural Environmental Law and Policy Conference, Duncombe said most oil industry jobs tend to be temporary and mostly reserved for foreigners - making the domestic benefits minimal, while the potential threat to established and profitable industries remains very high.

"The majority of jobs created by the offshore oil and gas industry during the construction phase are short-term, and most of these jobs go to people from outside the region, whereas the thousands of jobs dependent on the commercial fishing industry and tourism are long term and based on a sustainable resource," she said.

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University of The Bahamas master plan calls for accessible, welcoming campuses

Accessible, well defined and welcoming. These are the primary characteristics of the coming University of The Bahamas' multi-campus community that the Master Plan seeks to achieve, Acting President of The College of The Bahamas Dr. Earla Carey-Baines shared when she addressed Civil Society Bahamas on Thursday, June 19th.

The College is in an extraordinary period of transition as it prepares to embrace university status by July 2015. Its leaders have projected a 25 percent growth in student enrollment over the next ten years, which would mean an overall student population of approximately 6,250 by 2024.

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RBC leaders from across the northern Caribbean meet in The Bahamas

RBC Royal Bank recently hosted a Directors' Forum event in Nassau with participation from the directors of RBC's legal entities in The Bahamas, Cayman and Turks & Caicos Islands. In all, 47 RBC leaders, internal regulators and government and regulatory officials attended the session, which was designed to inform participants of the measures in place to enhance corporate governance across RBC's Caribbean Banking operations.

"Corporate governance remains one of the most pressing issues facing financial institutions today," said Mr. Suresh Sookoo, Chief Executive Officer of RBC Caribbean Banking. "It is critical for us to regularly convene, share ideas and become better informed about the environment in which we operate."

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OPBAT officers promote anti-drug campaign during U.S. Coast Guard helicopter demonstration at Queen's College

On Wednesday, June 18, the entire primary school student body, faculty and staff at Queen's College Primary School received a special treat when representatives from the United States Coast Guard, United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Royal Bahamas Police Force's Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) made a special visit to the school's campus located on Village Road.

It was not a typical visit, as the students lined the perimeter of the school's playing field eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Coast Guard crew. The excited students began to cheer when they heard the sounds of the U.S. Coast Guard helicopter hovering overhead. As the helo made its descent, the Coast Guard helicopter crew delighted the students by circling the school a few times before making its landing onto the school's compound.

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Island Flare's Food Fight chefs ready for battle

Last year's Food Fight winner came back from the underdog position to clinch the culinary competition's top spot. This year she will look on as a new student chef attempts to follow in her footsteps. Alysha Dean, now a student of the prestigious culinary academy, Johnson and Wales, came back to Sandals Royal Bahamian - where her journey began - this summer. Ms. Dean was eager to get into the pastry shop and put her craft to work.

The Sandals Foundation and Sandals Royal Bahamian sponsored Food Fight is a head-to-head kitchen battle between students from grades eleven and twelve. This year's plantain battle will have the students pit their plantain platters against one another as they vie for a $40,000 scholarship to Johnson and Wales and a summer culinary boot camp fully paid for by the school. Some of the local high schools competing for the right to be called Food Fight champions are St. Annes, C.V. Bethel, Anatol Rodgers, C.I. Gibson and C.C. Sweeting.

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University group aimed at helping physically disabled thanks Sandyport for their hospitality

A group of visiting art therapists-in-training on a two-week mission to aid the children of The Bahamas Association for the Physically Disabled, presented Sandyport Beaches Resort and Hotel with a plaque of gratitude in recognition of the hotel's generous sponsorship, warm hospitality and service during their stay.

The group of two professors and eight graduate students from Emporia State University in Kansas applauded the staff at Sandyport Beaches Resort and Hotel where they stayed for two weeks during instructive, adaptive and developmental art therapy workshops for the children of the Bahamas Association for the Physically Disabled, chaired by Sir Durwood Knowles.

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CIBC FirstCaribbean treats clients to Customer Appreciation Day

Extra enthusiastic welcomes and warm smiles greeted arrivals throughout the day while customers enjoyed refreshments and special prize opportunities as CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank in the Bahamas joined with parent company CIBC and other branches across the region in celebrating Customer Appreciation Day on Friday June 13.

Tables were laid out in the banking halls with a variety of sandwich platters, coffee, assorted cakes and sweets and many branches gave away phone cards, goodie-bags of surprise gifts, branded mugs and the coveted CIBC FirstCaribbean "Fast Pass" which allows customers to advance to the head of the line if need be, when in a hurry.

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Rosewood at Baha Mar sends associates for training abroad

Rosewood at Baha Mar, the highly-anticipated luxury hotel opening within the Baha Mar resort in December 2014, is sending four Rosewood at Baha Mar associates to train at Rosewood Hotels & Resorts� properties in the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean. Justin King, Vonya Ifill, Lashanta Smith and Clarence Albury; were Baha Mar employees who were handpicked by Rosewood at Baha Mar's Managing Director Luis Fernandes to participate in this elite training opportunity.

During their three-month long Rosewood immersions, the new associates will receive hands-on instruction in Rosewood's signature level of intuitive service, refined culture and distinct brand philosophy, preparing to hold prominent leadership positions at Rosewood at Baha Mar when the resort opens later this year.

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Chervita Campbell now heads Freeport City Council

Ms Chervita Khadine Campbell was voted in as the new Chief Councillor for the City of Freeport District Council, Monday June 23, replacing Kevin Rupert Ferguson. And Nevar Lionel Smith, a 27-year-old radio personality from Mix 102.1 FM is the new Deputy Chief Councillor. The nine-member Council was sworn into office, June 25, in the meeting room of the National Insurance Board office in Freeport, by City Administrator Alexander Williams.

Ms. Campbell, a 36-year-old Guidance Counsellor from the Jack Hayward High School, contested the Marco City area and was the top vote-getter among the eight persons vying for the three Councillor positions, with 626 votes.

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GB aragonite mine project branded a 'job killer'

Plans to mine for aragonite in the heart of East Grand Bahama's prized fishing grounds will destroy hundreds of jobs in the surrounding communities, a local government official has warned. Shervin Tate, deputy chairman of the Sweeting's Cay township, said the proposed project is slated to create a mere 60 jobs but will destroy more than 300 - some of them very lucrative - and devastate one of the country's most beautiful and bountiful marine habitats.

"Once you start to dredge, the conch will disappear, the lobster will disappear, and then you will see a disaster in our community," Tate said, explaining that silt from the mine will suffocate all marine life for miles around. "That is why I call it a job killer."

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Volunteer brings light to the plight of two blind cats

Last week something amazing happened. Generally when amazing things happen, it is because of something or someone. In this case, someone had an amazing idea and with our blessing, set it in motion. Delfina Altamuro, one of our favorite volunteers of all time, is back for the summer. She's already busy taking amazing pictures of our cats and kittens (and some puppies too). She renewed friendships with some of her favorites, including our two blind cats, Fortune and Cassie.

She was happy to see them, but sad they had not been adopted yet. She set out to look for options for them abroad and came across the Blind Cat Rescue and Sanctuary, located in St. Pauls, North Carolina. Delfina emailed them with an inquiry as to whether they would consider taking our two girls. The answer came back quickly ...

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Primary students celebrate Grand Bahama Shipyard at graduation

As school doors close and commencement ceremonies begin to take place all over Grand Bahama, the 2014 graduates of Martin Town Primary, Bartlett Hill Primary and Holmes Rock Primary School have all stopped to say 'thank you' to the Grand Bahama Shipyard for supporting them throughout the year.

Using the proceeds from both the 2013 and 2014 Annual Fishing Tournaments, the GBS have donated several hours of their time and effort, to each of the three schools in a variety of ways. Over the last few years, the tournament has grown and the yard has been able to extend their support of local education and assist more schools both in East and West Grand Bahama.

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Darville tells Fresh Start graduates to focus on a better, brighter future

Minister for Grand Bahama, Dr. Michael Darville on June 21 told a group of young graduates that it was new day with tomorrow not yet having mistakes. "This means that all of you have a wonderful opportunity at this time to decide that you will utilise everything that has happened in your past as a stepping stone, as you turn your attention to a better and brighter future," he said.

The Minister was addressing the Fresh Start Spring Class of 2014 Graduation held at the Pro-Cathedral of Christ the King Parish Hall. Some 100 persons graduated. He told the young people that that their graduation exercise represents the end of the 15-week employment skills training programme, that provided them with the training and skills to assist them in finding and retaining a job; and the beginning of their journey on the road to new opportunities.

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Letter: A matter of pride

Yesterday I observed a gentleman at Taino Beach cleaning the parking lot close to Outriggers and I wondered who he was. I went to talk with him and asked why he was cleaning the beach as it was evident he did not work for Sanitation Services.

The gentleman's name is Leroy Pratt and he told me that for years he has enjoyed coming to Taino Beach and recently he has been disappointed by the extent of neglect.
So he quoted to me the words of JFK: "Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country."

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Bahamas weekly fishing report from Harbourside Marine

Special feature this week!
Hole In The Wall: The oldest lighthouse in The Bahamas.

The lighthouse was built by the British Imperial Lighthouse Service and completed in 1836 as a navigational aid to mark the entrance into Northeast Providence Channel. Local residents objected to the building as a good portion of their lively hood came from salvaging the wrecks (aka "Wracking") off the Abaco reefs.

Merchant sailing flourished between 1820 to 1880 and The Bahamas Islands lay right in its path with its small cays, shallow water and treacherous reefs. "Wracking" was lucrative during this period; it employed half of the able bodied men in the country and accounted for about half of this British colony's revenue. The salvaged cargo was shipped to Nassau for auction with the government taking 15% (perhaps an early form of VAT hence the referral that VAT is a "Wracket"?) the agents 15% and 40%-60%% going back to the "wrackers".

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Abaco expected to benefit from first-class port facility

Construction is set to begin on the state-of-the-art North Abaco Port project in Cooper's Town, Abaco a partnership between the governments of The Bahamas and the People's Republic of China. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Friday, June 20 to officially mark the occasion. The $39 million port is being constructed by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) and facilitated by the Ministry of Works and Urban Development.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Urban Development, Philip Davis said the port will put in place the infrastructure to facilitate international trade and regenerate business revenue. "Cooper's Town specifically and by extension all of Abaco from Treasure Cay northwards including Green Turtle Cay and other offshore cays will reap the benefit of this investment and seize opportunities resulting therefrom," he said.

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Resorts World Bimini expands water sports offerings

Resorts World Bimini (RWB) will soon be making new waves in visitor satisfaction, as they offer a variety of exciting water sports features through their partners. RWB is ensuring that visitors to the island have multiple choices of activities to do while there by working closely with Bimini-based businessmen.

One of them is Edward Reckley, proprietor of Under the Sun Water Sports. Reckley is steadily expanding his business as he prepares to take full advantage of the ongoing development at RWB, and the thousands of visitors that development will attract to the island. He recently added parasailing to his fleet of water sports activities that also includes paddle boating, jet skis, banana boat rides, water skiing, kayaking, surfboards and a catamaran ride. He is now working on bringing a glass bottom boat to the island in the coming weeks to offer visitors a unique viewpoint of Bimini's undersea beauty.

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Game of Thrones fans compete in short film competition presented by Cable Bahamas & HBO

Budding Bahamian filmmakers came together Sunday evening for the grand finale of the Cable Bahamas HBO/Game of Thrones Short Film Competition, held at Galleria Cinemas on JFK Drive. Hundreds of fans and filmmakers joined in the event that was the culmination of a two-month long spirited contest that inspired dozens of entries.

Cable Bahamas launched the short film competition to encourage Game of Thrones fans with a knack for film to use their skills and prove their passion for the immensely popular HBO original series. The submissions were to be based on a scene from Game of Thrones Season 4, and would be judged on their creativity, technical production and their ability to capture the spirit of the series.

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Miss Bahamas Teenager to be crowned this weekend

On Sunday, June 29th, a bevy of teenage beauties from throughout the Bahamas will compete for the prestigious title of Miss Bahamas Teenager to become the nation's youth ambassador to represent the Bahamas at the Miss Teenager Universe pageant in Guatemala August 9th and our First Princess to compete at Miss T.E.E.N. pageant in Houston, Texas July 12th. The pageant competition is under theme "Teen Evolution...The New Era."

The Miss Bahamas Teenager pageant will take place from 8p.m. to 10p.m. at Crystal Palace Training Center "Rain Forest Theater" Cable Beach, Nassau Bahamas. Tickets for the Miss Bahamas Teenager pageant can all be purchased at the event provided they are still available. All tickets for the Miss Bahamas Teenager finale can also be purchased from the competing contestants and the organization by simply sending an email to missbahamasteen@gmail.com or call 397-9935, 429-7894 or 356-2944.

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'The Celebrity Artist' Jamaal Rolle visits US Senator John McCain in Washington

Jamaal Rolle, The Celebrity Artist, recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with U.S. Senator John McCain at the US Senate on Capitol Hill. Three weeks before their meeting, the artist had presented life-like portraits to the Senator and his wife Cindy McCain at Ocean Club, in The Bahamas. At that meeting, Senator McCain and his wife were overwhelmed by the artist's talent and learned of his upcoming trip to Washington.

New paintings by the artist were being unveiled at the official opening of the Consular General Annex of The Embassy of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas in Washington. "I would like very much to be there Jamaal," said Senator McCain. "And, also I would like for you to visit me at my office when you arrive in Washington." The artist and his publicist, Azaleta Ishmael-Newry, made the courtesy call on June 19, 2014, where Senator McCain welcomed the idea of an art exhibition in his home state of Arizona.

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Goombay Summer Festival 2014 comes to Taino Beach in July

Goombay Summer Festival is back! With five Thursday's of rich cultural excitement and expressions of Bahamian heritage beginning July 3rd- 31st. Drawing light on the rich history of the music and dance of the Goombay goat-skinned drum, this year marks the festival's 40th Anniversary! Goombay Summer Festival will be held at Taino Beach from 6pm to midnight and feature the best in Bahamian entertainment, including performances by: The Royal Bahamas Police Force Band, Ira Storr and The Spank Band, Stileet, Veronica Bishop, Dyson Knight, Wilfred Solomon, Geno D, Puzzle, KB and many more!

Originally launched in 1974, Goombay Summer was a celebration that became a huge draw for visitors. Over the years, Goombay Summer was sometimes called Junkanoo in June and Junkanoo Summer Festival, but more recently, it has returned to its original name. It is a celebration of authentic Bahamian music, dance, cuisine and craft.

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Letter: To The Minister Of Youth, Sports and Other Countries' Culture

Mr. Minister, Kirkland Bodie is not on board with your Carnival idea. It seems like I must reiterate my position again as I have heard rumors that I now agree with this asinine plan of a carnival. No sir, I am against this carnival and I will never be for it, as long as you are using the Bahamian taxpayers' monies to fund it. Our monies should be used for our things, for Bahamian cultural events. A few elitists got together and decided to waste the Bahamian people's money anyway they choose, and they throw around figures hoping that we are broke enough to bow down to them and to further deify them because they have the keys to the treasury.

Mr. Minister I never agreed in anyway with y'all carnival idea. Neither you nor your minions have come up with an intelligent reason why we should proceed with this hedonistic festival with Bahamian taxpayers' money, yet we have enough hell on our hands in this country and you want to add an ambiguous festival to further corrupt and confuse our society. I see that as being extremely reckless sir.

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At the Movies: 22 Jump Street

One of the taglines for this movie: They're Not 21 Anymore. After the surprise success of their first undercover case and the their major bungling of their second assignment, two officers are sent back undercover to solve what is believed to be a similar case at a learning institution. When one of them finds a kindred spirit and the other other an unlikely relationship they begin to question the relevance of their current undercover partnership. They will have to make the hard choices which will prove whether they have matured from overgrown adolescents into productive adults.

Officer Morton Schmidt is looking forward to the new undercover assignment he has with his partner as freshmen at the local college to stop a new college drug which is believed to be the cause of death of a student but he soon finds out that this new case will not be as fun for him as the last one. Officer Greg Jenko is not looking forward to the new undercover assignment he has with his partner to stop the new drug WHY-PHY before it spreads to other college campuses since the last time things did not go his way but he soon learns he can find a place in this new arena that is comfortable to him.

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United Predators team perform like World Cup players in Florida

The United Predators, a team from the Grand Bahama Girls' Developmental Soccer League (GBGDSL) traveled to Jupiter, Florida the weekend of June 14th and 15th with parents and coaches to get a taste of the intensity of international soccer competition amidst the global frenzy of the FIFA World Cup.

Ranging in ages from 11 to 15 years, the team played two games and came out winners of both. The main focus of the trip said coaches was to see how the girls would fare against a foreign team, and to also take in training sessions with the director of the Jupiter Soccer Academy.

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Palm Cay - 5,000 years later yoga comes back to where it started

Every Tuesday and Thursday, the faithful show up, rolled mats in hand, hair tied back, ready to flex, stretch and meditate, to go through the poses -- locusts, lunges, bows and plows as the sun sets over the oceanfront at Palm Cay. They're there for fitness guru Colleen Carey's Yogi Isles class seaside at Palm Cay, the award-winning community on New Providence's southeast coast. On average, there are more than a dozen participants. The numbers have been as high as 25. Given the space, Carey says there is always room.

The setting may be special for New Providence but it harkens back a very long way. Yoga reportedly started on the beach 5,000 years ago and in places like The Bahamas where more people are turning to Eastern-inspired meditation to relieve stress, the beachfront is again gaining favour over wooden floors in air-conditioned gyms.

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Coach hails Commonwealth Bank's longstanding support following historic 2014 basketball championship

The triumphant Commonwealth Bank Giants are praising the support of the team's longtime sponsor after pulling off one of the most incredible championship victories in the history of the New Providence Basketball Association. Coach Perry Thompson said he could not be more proud of his team after they overcame a three game to one deficit to beat the Mailboat Cybots for the championship title, despite struggling with a number of key injuries.

"We have won many championships in the past, but this was the sweetest," said Thompson, who is team coach and a senior manager at the nation's top performing bank. "It was a major achievement."

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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 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 27-28: Central Bank Art & Conch Street Festival - Trinity Place and Market St. Click HERE to view the poster.

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.

July 30: Miss Teen USA Welcome Reception - Cafe at the Great Hall of Waters, Royal Towers of Atlantis. Call 363-6601 for tickets and info.

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

August 1: Miss Teen USA Presentation Show - Grand Ballroom, Atlantis. Doors open at 7pm. Call 363-6601 for tickets and info.

August 2: Miss Teen USA Final Show - Grand Ballroom, Atlantis. Doors open at 7pm. Call 363-6601 for tickets and info.

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

Thursdays in July: Goombay Summer Festival - 6pm to midnight at Taino Beach. Bahamian music, culture and fun! Click HERE to read more.

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 2: SME and Entrepreneur Meet Up - At Pelican Bay from 6-8pm. Registration begins at 5:30. Confirm via Facebook.

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: Stride for Pride 5K Fun Run Walk - Starting at the Tori Gate, Intl. Bazaar. Registration deadline July 4! Click HERE to download the form.

July 6: Help Us Help Them Committee presents its pre event Cocktail Reception at Club Utopia, Le Fountain Plaza. Contact bmwmarketing2014@gmail.com.

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 5: Stride for Pride - 5k for adults & 3k for children Click HERE to download the form for more information.

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 22: Grand Bahama Youth Choir - 5 years already! Concert at the Grand Lucayan Ballroom 6:30pm. Tickets at the Sir Charles Hayward Library. $20/adults, $10/kids.

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 28: Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce Monthly Business Luncheon Meeting - 12:30 p.m. Delphines Room, Pelican Bay Hotel. Call 352-8329 for info.

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

August 30: Us TOO Grand Bahama Chapter Walkathon - Contact Andrew Moxey at 727-0471 for more info.

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

September 28: Us TOO Grand Bahama Chapter Luncheon & Golf Tournament - Contact Andrew Moxey at 727-0471 for more info on both or either.

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

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

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

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U.S. Charg� d'Affaires formally presents Bahamian Midshipman Darius Adams with letter of acceptance to U.S. Coast Guard Academy

On Thursday, June 19, a special ceremony was held at the Ministry of National Security to formally recognize Midshipman Darius Adams, who has become only the second Bahamian in more than seventeen years to be accepted into the prestigious United States Coast Guard Academy on a full academic scholarship.

On hand for the special occasion, Minister of National Security The Hon. Dr. Bernard Nottage, U.S. Charg� d'Affaires John Dinkelman, Commodore of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Roderick Bowe, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Carl Smith, Office of Defense Cooperation Senior Defense Attach�, Cdr. Samuel Wartell, Lcdr. U.S. Coast Guard Liaison Officer Tom Gill, and the family of Midshipman Adams.

Darius' acceptance into the U.S. Coast Guard program was due in part to joint efforts of RBDF officials and the U.S. Embassy's Coast Guard Liaison Office to support bilateral ties between The Bahamas and the United States in areas of border and maritime security.

Prior to formally presenting Midshipman Adams with his scholarship acceptance letter, Charg� Dinkelman congratulated Darius on the historic achievement and his willingness to serve The Bahamas. The Charg� added that the country is placing special trust and confidence in his integrity, ability and good character as he joins a very distinguished list of cadets joining the academy.

Minister Nottage thanked the United States Government for its continued assistance to the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, adding that the opportunity will afford Midshipman Adams with the finest military education. He noted that Midshipman Adams demonstrated physical prowess, mental toughness and extraordinarily high aptitude to be selected following a rigorous recruitment process.

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