News :: Events :: Opportunities
VOL IV. No. 12, August 7, 2014
This week in Bahama Islands Info
National News
Nassau News
Grand Bahama News
Arts & Entertainment News
Column: At the Movies
Column: Bahamas Weekly Fishing Report

World newspapers focusing eyes on Bahamas environment as Save The Bays legal action captures headlines
A series of legal actions filed by the environmental organization Save The Bays and making their way to the highest courts in the Bahamian judicial system are attracting international attention with stories in papers and online publications from Canada to Italy, Germany to New Zealand. 

"The fact that what we are doing here is generating headlines thousands of miles away is proof that people care about the environment. It's as simple as that," said Fred Smith, QC, Callenders & Co. Managing Partner, Grand Bahama, and Legal Director of Save The Bays, an association partnering with several environmental groups but often taking their requests a step further, right into court.

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Immerse Bahamas invited to represent The Bahamas at Sister Cities International 58th Annual Conference in San Jose, California
Ginger Moxey and a team from Immerse Bahamas Co. Ltd were invited to represent The Bahamas at Sister Cities International 58th Annual Conference in San Jose, California which took place on July 31st through August 2nd. Over 500 elected and municipal officials, youth and young professionals, diplomats and business leaders from the United States and countries around the world attended the three-day conference.

Promoting the benefits of reciprocal sister city relationships, group travel and investment opportunities in The Bahamas to sister cities members was the purpose of the promotional exercise. President and CEO of Immerse Bahamas, Ginger Moxey, expounded on the company's directive.

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U.S. Embassy hoops it up with top American and Bahamian basketball coaches
From July 23-26, top American and Bahamian coaches participated in the 2014 International Coaches Clinic held at the Atlantis Resort. The clinic was hosted by the Bahamas Global Sports Foundation in partnership with the Bahamas Basketball Federation, iOWNpr agency and CSA Basketball Academy and co-sponsored by the United States Embassy.  Under the theme, "Learning and Recruiting is Better in The Bahamas" the group of elite coaches shared best practices and developed networking partnerships on and off the basketball court.

The International Coaches Clinic attracted coaches from The Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago as well as scouts from the United States. The U.S. Embassy provided a grant to assist with the coordination of the clinic in an effort to support the development of Bahamian youth through athletic opportunities.

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Hon. Melanie Griffin receives international service award
At the 66th Boule of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated held in Charlotte, North Carolina in mid-July, Bahamian flags flew high among a crowd of over ten thousand persons as the Hon. Melanie Griffin, Minister of Social Services and Community Development received the International Service Award. This international award served as recognition for Minister Griffin's dedication and commitment to child development and family welfare. Notably, out of the 16 awarded recipients recognized at the sorority's public meeting, Minister Griffin was the only non-American awarded.

In her acceptance speech, Minister Griffin highlighted her gratitude to Alpha Kappa Alpha for the award and congratulated the Eta Psi Omega Chapter of Nassau, Bahamas for their work in advancing the plight of women and girls in the local Bahamian community.

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The pilot meets his hero, the sailor
Sir Durward 'Sea Wolf' Knowles, seated, who with his late Star sailing crew Cecil Cooke won the Bahamas first Olympic gold medal, meets a man who has flown at speeds hundreds of times faster, but never outgrew his admiration for Knowles, the hero he calls 'the first admiral of Bahamian unity.'

The meeting took place at the Rotary Club of East Nassau luncheon at the Nassau Yacht Club August 1 when Llewellyn Boyer-Cartwright, standing, was the featured speaker. Boyer-Cartwright, a partner at Callenders & Co. who specializes in Aviation Law, and a former commercial pilot, said the time has come to stop thinking of aircraft as merely the delivery system for bringing visitors to the shores of The Bahamas and begin to recognize the potential that aircraft and their attendant services can mean to a full-blown aviation industry in The Bahamas.

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Venetian West reveals sustainable model homes
Luxury gated community Venetian West welcomed more than 300 eager attendees excited to view the completed model homes at the second open house held on Saturday July 19.  Phase one of the 42-acre, $30 million development located in western New Providence is nearly completely reserved.  

"Eighty percent of the units slated for immediate construction are already reserved," stated Jeffrey Kerr, President of Brickell Management Group, management company for Venetian West. "The overwhelming response from buyers is a testament to the attractive investment opportunity that Venetian West offers, filling the need for luxury homes in a secure community at an affordable price."

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Bahamas Speed Week chief named a director of prestigious Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile
The Bahamas can now boast its first-ever top level representative on the organization that is to motorsports what the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is to athletics.  Bahamas Speed Week Revival chairman David Mclaughlin has been named a director of Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the governing body for major auto racing events around the world.

"This is indeed an honour," said McLaughlin. "The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile is the world governing body of motorsports and runs the major events in Europe, America, Asia and Australia.  "Over the past 60 years the FIA has been at the heart of virtually every seminal development across the global motor sports industry. I could not be more proud to accept this privilege and look forward to doing all I can to help craft a bright and innovative future for the industry that I love."

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Internships offered at BORCO to scholarship recipients
Traditionally, Bahamas Oil Refining Company International Limited (BORCO) has been an advocate for education by offering full or partial scholarships to Bahamian students for a number of years in a wide range of disciplines such as engineering, nursing and education.  With last year being no exception, nine students were awarded scholarships to the universities of their choosing and as a part of their scholarships requirements, they are now fulfilling their summer internships at BORCO, which they will continue to do over the duration of their time in university.

"BORCO has always taken pride in empowering Bahamians by offering assistance with tertiary level education. Buckeye has seen the value in this initiative and has continued to support the scholarship programme, giving many Bahamians an opportunity to attend university and return to The Bahamas where they can make positive contributions to the country," said Kim Pratt, BORCO Business Coordinator.
 
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Soccer prize winners off on the trip of a lifetime
Miami here we come! The four winners of the Grand Bahama Soccer Camp top prize, with their moms and dads and coaches, pose at Freeport International Airport Sunday before heading off to Florida.  Kadicia Babb, Kourtni Pinder, Donte Singh, and Cameron Chandler will be in VIP seats watching the final of the prestigious Guinness Cup between the world's most famous soccer club, Manchester United, and fellow UK Premier League team Liverpool at Sun Life Stadium.

Apart from the game Kadicia, Kourtni, Donte and Cameron's all-expenses-paid trip includes a visit to Miami Zoo and an airboat trip round the Florida Everglades followed by a visit to an alligator farm with time also for a bit of retail therapy.  The youngsters won their trip of a lifetime after being chosen as the four who stood out most at the camp, not just for their skills but their all-round attitude and enthusiasm during the weeklong event at Freeport Rugby Football Club in June.

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Benchmark Consulting Services conducts 'Essentials of Human Resources' training for operations management of Freeport Container Port, Freeport Harbour Company and Grand Bahama Airport Company
The operations management team of the Freeport Container Port, Freeport Harbour Company and the Grand Bahama Airport Company received a power-packed and intense series of training sessions under the theme "Essentials of Human Resources Management for Operations Managers."  Billie Bowe, President and CEO of Benchmark Consulting Services conducted the training, which covered topics such as Communication Strategies, Employee Motivation and Engagement, and Managing Performance for Optimal Employee Productivity.

Ms. Malvese Capron, Human Resources Director for the group of companies said that, "We designed a seven (7) week learning and development program to address the key development areas of our management employees. This learning and development experience was structured as a series of workshops featuring diverse learning formats ranging from webcasts and multimedia presentations to interactive role-play exercises and case studies."
 
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Sarah's Wedding comes to the Nassau stage August 8-10
You asked for it and now it's here. One of the most talked about shows in the Bahamas has traveled from Grand Bahama to Nassau to blow audiences away once again!  Sarah's wedding will be held at the College of the Bahamas Performing Arts Centre this weekend (August 8-10).

Written and directed by Kerel Pinder, she wanted to deliver a message that captured the importance of growth and to show that no matter how messy your life gets, you're still a character worth rooting for.  Pinder, a young and extremely talented individual truly embodies what Maya Angelou referred to as a 'phenomenal women'. Though written during a very difficult time in her life God guided her through that process and as a result Sarah's Wedding was birthed.  Tickets are now available at Obession Bahamas (Mackey Street) and Suntime (Marathon Mall).

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Tomii Culmer and Rosetta Cartwright win Miss Universe Bahamas & Miss World Bahamas crowns
For the first time in the history of the Miss Bahamas Organization, two Grand Bahama queens won both the Miss Universe Bahamas and Miss World Bahamas crowns. Tomii Culmer and Rosetta Cartwright took home the Miss Universe Bahamas and Miss World Bahamas crowns, respectively, on August 3 during the Miss Bahamas Double Header at the Atlantis Resort.  

Before a crowd of pageant enthusiasts, family and friends, Miss World Grand Bahama, Rosetta Cartwright, bested six other competitors to win the coveted Miss World Bahamas title. Cartwright also won awards for Most Photogenic, Best Talent, and the People's Choice Award.  Later that night, the Atlantis Grand Ballroom erupted in a round of applause and cheers as Miss Universe Grand Bahama, Tomii Culmer, was announced the winner of the Miss Universe Bahamas Pageant.

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Golden Gates World Outreach Ministries Marching Band pays courtesy call on Consul General Ricardo Treco
Directors and members of the Golden Gates World Outreach Ministries Marching Band paid a courtesy call on Consul General H. Ricardo Treco and members of the Consulate staff in Miami on Friday, August 1, 2014.  Under the direct authority and command of Bishop Ross Davis of Golden Gates Assembly, Inspector Seldin Adderley re-established and developed a music program/band for young people between the ages of seven and 19 in the church in 2002.

It was under the director's guidance that the membership of the program/band was extended to individuals in the community as well. Inspector Adderley said that after 12 years, the band has continually transformed as members have graduated, joined the workforce or left to pursue tertiary education.  He said that for the past two years, leaders and volunteers have been rebuilding the band's membership, which currently stands at about 60 members.

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At the Movies: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
The tagline for this movie: One Last Chance For Peace. A growing population of genetically evolved apes is threatened by a group of human survivors of a lethal virus released 10 years earlier. A fragile peace is reached, but it is threatened as both sides are pushed to the brink. With the humans wanting to return to life as it was and the apes wanting to keep the life they have made for themselves, a war is on the horizon to see who will emerge as the dominant species on the planet.

This is not only one of the best films of the Summer, but also one of the best films of the year. It is an achievement in motion capture acting and is able to build upon the foundation of the film which came before it. Andy Serkis deserves some sort of recognition for the emotion he was able to give to the part of Caesar and I must say that it is long overdue. They say when a movie has more than two people credited for the screenplay that it is a recipe for disaster, but to every rule there is a exception and this movie is an example of that exception.

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Bahamas weekly fishing report from Harbourside Marine
Fishing Report (07/31/14): Not many reports this week as many anglers are getting ready for crawfish season.

Nassau: The fishing has been a bit slow offshore this week. The charter captains report that they have caught a few mahi and tuna and a single marlin.

Andros: No reports. The northern buoy off of Staniard Creek has been permanently removed!

Grand Bahama, Freeport: Doug Silvera of Reef Tours reports they have been catching mahi offshore and yellowfin tuna at the canyon..

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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.
                   
thru November 30: Eddie Minnis & Family Retrospective Exhibition: At the NAGB - a retrospective exhibition featuring the work of Eddie Minnis, daughters Nicole and Roshanne and son-in-law Ritchie Eyma. Over 100 paintings: EddieMinnisandFamilyArt.

  

August 7-11: Bahamian Pop Art Exhibition - With Artist Matthew Wildgoose. 7pm at Balmoral Club, Sandford Drive.  

  

August 8-9: Heather McDonald - Atlantis Theatre, doors open 8pm. Adults 18+.  Call 363-6601 for tickets and information.       

  

August 8-10: Sarah's Wedding - The super-popular Bahamian stage play comes to the capital! 8pm Friday/Saturday and 4pm matinee Sunday at the COB Performing Arts Center. Click HERE to visit the FB page for info.     

  

August 14: Chamber Workshop - Business Professionalism 101: Gain that Extra Edge with Kim Welcome, 9am-4pm.  Call 322-2145 or 326-5443/4 for registration.

 

August 16: Lionfish Derby - Catch, cook, eat!  At the Green Parrot, East Bay St. Click HERE to view the poster.  

  

September 6: BIFS 38th Annual Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner - Tickets are priced at $175.00 and can be purchased at the Institute offices or online at info@bifs-bahamas.com.     

 

September 7: Super Sprint Mixed Team Relay - A fun warm up for this year's Potcakeman Triathlon. Each team must consist of two females and two male members. Each member completes all three legs of the super sprint distance swim/bike/run. Click HERE for all the information.        

  

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.   

  

September 28: 242 Colour Run Nassau - Back for a second great year!  Visit run242.com for details and registration.

  

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.   

  

May 7-9, 2015: Bahamas Carnival - The dates have been set for this new event featuring four exciting musical events. Click HERE to view the poster. 


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

 
August 7: GB Business Mixer - Mr. Clarke, Branch Manager of Bank of the Bahamas, will be removing some of the mystery out of business banking and the tools available to run an e-commerce website.  5:45 at Insurance Management Bldg.  Click HERE for more info.

August 7: Goombay Summer Festival - at Taino Beach, 6pm until midnight.  Extra bonus date ... fun! 

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. New distances offered this year! Click HERE for the entry form, HERE for the map, more info at http://basragrandbahama.com/.

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 27: Posh Paws Fashion Show - A stylish fundraiser for the Humane Society of Grand Bahama.  Save the date!  More info coming soon.

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: HSGB Pub Quiz - At Red Beard's Pub.  Test your team's trivia knowledge and support the Humane Society.

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 ... 

October 31: Halloween Party - Third annual HSGB costume party.  Plan to attend.  More info soon. 

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!  Register now at www.Conchman.com.

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

November 2: 242 Colour Run Freeport - Back for a second great year!  Visit run242.com for details and registration.

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

August 10: Pig Roast at Nippers -  A GUANA CAY, Abaco tradition!

October 10: Back to CAT ISLAND Festival -  A weekend of activities, including a church service, gospel concerts, live performances, food and drinks at New Bight.

October 10-14: Discovery Day Homecoming Festival & Regatta - SAN SALVADOR. The event features cultural performances, gospel concerts, live entertainment by local and visiting artists, and culminates in a regatta with Bahamian sailing sloops. Contact: Mr. Marlon Jones (242) 331-2150.

October 13: ANDROS Conch Festival - Mars Bay, South Andros. Contact: Mrs. Brown (242) 357-2150. 

October 25: ABACO Kayak Challenge - More info coming.

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

November 13-15: Bimini Big Game Club Resort & Marina "Wahoo Smackdown V" - www.biggameclubbimini.com  reservations@biggameclubbimini.com or 1-800-867-4764.

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

December 27: 242 Colour Run Abaco - Back for a second great year!  Visit run242.com for details and registration.

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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With summer quickly coming to a close and back-to-school just around the corner, you're probably looking for a great way to spend the last few days with your kids.  Well look no further, here's the perfect idea for a last minute family vacation- visit any of the six Abaco national parks! Come get up close and personal with nature's breathtaking wonders by island hopping from Abaco's mainland to the various cays.

Begin your adventure at The Abaco National Park, located in Southern Abaco and is easily accessible by car out of Marsh Harbour towards Sandy Point. With over 20,500 acres of pine forest this park is rich in biodiversity and offers a number of trails for hiking, and bird watching.  Kids can see and learn about the many species of birds including the endangered Bahama Parrot, indigenous to Abaco. Visitors need to contact the BNT Abaco office in advance to organize a guided tour with the park warden.

Known for its outstanding beauty, showcased through its wild and pristine natural environment, Tilloo Cay Reserve is approximately 7 miles southeast from Marsh Harbour. The park, though small in size is an important nesting site and breeding ground for White-tailed Tropicbirds, as well as other sea birds. Difficult to access the parks birdlife is best viewed by boat.

Located 8 miles north of Cherokee Sound, and 5 miles from Little Harbour, Great Abaco, is the Pelican Cays Land and Sea Park (PCLSP), which is a sister park to the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park and has all you need for a fun day out in Abaco.  This 2,100 acre park is accessible by boat only and contains beautiful undersea caves, extensive coral reefs, and abounds with fish and other marine life.  Swim, snorkel or dive in the park at Sandy Cay Reef or explore the rocky seashores, sandy beaches and coastal habitats.

Two other marine treasures to behold in Abaco are both the Walker's Cay National Park, and the Fowl Cays National Park. Reef structures and diversity of marine life have attracted divers to these areas for years.

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