Bahama Islands Info Newsletter

News :: Events :: Opportunities

VOL IV. No. 15, August 28, 2014

This week in Bahama Islands Info

National News

Nassau News

Grand Bahama News

Column: Humane Society of GB update

Family Islands News

Sports News

Column: At the Movies

Feedback: Letters to the Editor

Wreath laid in memory of Sir Lynden Pindling

Fourteen years after his passing, Her Excellency the Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling laid a wreath at the mausoleum of the late Right Honourable Sir Lynden Pindling, also known as the father of the nation, at St. Agnes Anglican Cemetery on Tuesday, August 26, 2014.

Minister of Foreign Affairs & Immigration the Hon. Fred Mitchell also paid his respects at the mausoleum.

Click here to read more

Local activist participates in U.S. State Department professional exchange on human rights

On August 22, Ms. Erin Greene, Director of Advocacy at SASH Bahamas, a local Non-Governmental Organization met with U.S. Chargé d'Affaires a.i. Lisa Johnson to discuss her recent participation in a U.S. State Department sponsored professional exchange "Human Rights for All." The role of SASH Bahamas is to work with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities and to support persons infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Ms. Greene also serves as the regional chairperson of the Caribbean Association for Feminist Research & Action (CAFRA).

Ms. Greene was among a group of NGO and community leaders from Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, and Suriname to participate in the three-week professional exchange. The program took them to Washington, DC, Memphis, Tennessee Little Rock, Arkansas, Des Moines and Iowa City, Iowa and San Francisco, California. The participants engaged American counterparts on values and principles that shape the United States' human rights policies.

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Education Minister approves Dr. Rodney Smith as new president of The College of The Bahamas

The Minister of Education, Science and Technology, the Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald announced, during a press conference held at the Ministry of Education on Wednesday, August 20th, that he had affirmed the recommendation of the College Council to appoint Dr. Rodney Smith as President of The College of The Bahamas. The Minister's approval of this recommendation is in accordance with Section 6 of The College of The Bahamas Act.

"I now therefore authorize the College Council to negotiate reasonable contract terms with Dr. Smith consistent with terms agreed previously with former presidents taking into consideration the usual cost of living increases," Minister Fitzgerald said. "I also wish to indicate that Cabinet was also united in the view that if financial terms and benefits can be agreed with Dr. Smith that the term of the contract in the first instance should not exceed 3 years with the usual option to renew. In light of everything that has transpired the Cabinet felt this was a reasonable and prudent position to take."

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Petition to protect the environment hits 6,000 signatures

Save The Bays, the fast-growing environmental advocacy group, today reported that it had hit a major milestone with 6,000 verified signatures on a petition calling for strong environmental protection measures and a Freedom of Information act.

"This is phenomenal," said Lindsey McCoy, Save The Bays CEO. "It shows that people really do care about the environment, and they want it protected. Save The Bays was only formed last year and the reason we have met with such success is that we are hitting a chord that is important to the people who call The Bahamas home. The environment matters." The petition that drew so many to sign calls for an Environmental Protection Act, a Freedom of Information Act, an end to unregulated development and to oil spills, protection of conch and creation of the long-promised marine park at Clifton Bay.

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U.S. Embassy celebrates first year anniversary of American Corner Nassau

On Tuesday, August 26, the U.S. Embassy celebrated the first year anniversary of the American Corner in Nassau which is located at the Harry C. Moore Library at The College of The Bahamas. American Corner Nassau serves as an information outpost similar to a public library that makes resources about the United States available to foreign publics at large. Since August 2013, the Corner has hosted 35 programs and engaged more than 1500 people.

U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Lisa Johnson and Acting President of The College of The Bahamas Dr. Carey-Baines were on hand for the celebration and both gave remarks promoting the friendship and partnership between the United States and The Bahamas. Chargé Johnson emphasized her hope to increase the number of visitors to the Corner and form more partnerships to develop new programs.

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Interns gain knowledge at Bahamas Waste

Hosting numerous school tours about recycling and waste management, Bahamas Waste is known for educating Bahamian youth about the wonderful world of waste, and their internship programme is no different. There are currently two students interning with Bahamas Waste this summer, one in the maintenance department and the other in the medical waste department.

Ashton Sweeting, who is a graduate of Kingsway Academy is currently working in the maintenance field, helping the technicians in the maintenance department, and learning what it takes to help make The Bahamas a greener place. During his time at Bahamas Waste, he has assisted hydraulic technicians in repairing hoses and hydraulic cylinders as well as electrical technicians in the servicing of the machine motors.

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BTC School Aid event prepares 400 children for school year

BTC Bahamas held its 2nd Annual BTC School Aid event at Mario's Bowling and Entertainment Centre on Saturday. The event brought together 40 BTC iVolunteers to prepare 400 students with their parents from across New Providence and Cat Island for the upcoming school year community aided by a small army of community leaders, educational guest speakers, and health and grooming professionals.

The younger children from the 5-7 age group also enjoyed story-time with the H.E. Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling, Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Jerome Fitzgerald and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Anthony Ferguson. BTC selected students from the 5 to 17 age range with the assistance of Social Services, Urban Renewal, and Families of All Murder Victims (FOAM), an organization dedicated to aiding murder victim's survivors with moral support, grocery bill assistance and other programmes to help families cope.

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Southern Shores holds back to school extravaganza

The Member of Parliament for Southern Shores, Hon. Kenred Dorsett, held the annual Southern Shores Back 2 School Extravaganza this past weekend on Percy Munnings Park in his constituency. The event was well attended by adults and children alike.

The children received school bags with an inspirations back to school message from Dorsett. The message said, "Dear Students.....A good education prepares you for the infinite possibilities that this world possesses. Take advantage of this opportunity to grasp as much knowledge as you can to make possibilities into realities. Your hard work and determination along with a good education will ultimately help you succeed as whatever it is you want to achieve. Remember, Hard Work x Determination + A Good Education = Success."

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Palm Cay announces new dockmaster

Palm Cay Marina & Beach Club has announced the appointment of Demaro Demeritte as Dockmaster with responsibility for its active 194-slip marina on New Providence's southeast coast. A veteran of the water sports industry and holder of three classes of captain's operator licenses, Demeritte had served as Deputy Dockmaster of the 5-star rated, multimillion dollar marina since June.

"We are extremely pleased to announce the appointment of DemaroDemeritte as Harbormaster," said Palm Cay Director of Sales & Marketing Zack Bonczek. "Despite the boating activity in The Bahamas, there are only a handful of qualified harbormasters like Demeritte and we were fortunate to have identified him and happy that he has selected Palm Cay for his career."

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Baha Mar names Executive VP of International Marketing for Baha Mar Casino & Hotel

Baha Mar announced Monday that Alex Pariente has been named Executive Vice President, International Marketing for the Baha Mar Casino & Resort, the centerpiece of the $3.5 billion integrated gaming resort. The Baha Mar Casino & Hotel, which will feature the largest casino in The Caribbean with 100,000 square feet of gaming space and a 1,000-room hotel, is designed to compete with the best casinos in the world.

Pariente will focus on developing the Baha Mar Casino & Hotel's international gaming clientele, as well as building strategic marketing alliances and brand loyalty. Pariente will draw on his extensive experiences in opening and managing luxury casinos and resorts in the U.S., Latin America and Europe. Most recently, Pariente served as Executive Vice President, International and Domestic Marketing for Wynn Resorts, where he was a senior member of the opening teams for both the Wynn Resort and Encore Las Vegas, the highly successful gaming resorts on the Las Vegas Strip.

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Invest Grand Bahama: Getting the word out at international trade shows

As the global trade market advances, Freeport's value as a Free Trade Zone with major advantages within the shipping, trade and logistics sectors continues to gain international recognition. Business Development Manager for The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA), Derek Newbold noted that, GBPA's recent participation at the 21st SourceDirect, and ASD Trade Shows and Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada, served to reiterate Freeport's strengths as a major linchpin for value-addition, assembly and distribution between emerging production and consumer markets.

"Response and participation during the SourceDirect Trade Show event was phenomenal. Under our Invest Grand Bahama promotional unit, we attracted an unprecedented amount of interest from scores of manufacturers based in India, China and Taiwan, hoping to establish near-shore distribution facilities for key consumer markets in the US and Canada," said Newbold. The three-day event provided a captive audience of over 45,000 attendees and more than 2,600 exhibitors from countries like Bangladesh, China, India, Korea, Republic of Mexico and other known destinations.

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Grand Bahama Shipyard training young Bahamians in ship repair trades

After participating in the Shipyard Apprenticeship Programme - a four year academic and on-the-job training course designed to prepare apprentices for a career in ship repair - Theo Pelecanos is headed to Florida International University (FIU) to study mechanical engineering courtesy of the Grand Bahama Shipyard (GBS).

Pelecanos, joined the Shipyard in 2010 as an apprentice, and has progressed well during his 4 years in the programme. He will be graduating from the Apprenticeship Programme in September, but not before heading to college for the fall semester. Pelecanos received a full four-year scholarship valued at well over $100,000 and will also receive a portion of his salary while attending FIU.

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Grand Bahama Power Company embarks on preventative maintenance program

The Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC), as part of its Transmission and Distribution (T&D) infrastructure investments, has launched a preventative maintenance program in communities across the island. In 2011, GBPC put forward a three point plan to address system reliability, generation efficiency and the need to incorporate renewable generation into its energy portfolio. Key to service reliability is a robust, well-maintained T&D system, and preventative maintenance is critical to ensuring that connections and equipment are properly maintained and operating at optimal levels across the T&D system.

The program focuses on specific areas with a history of power-related issues and also encompasses regular testing and maintenance of key pieces of equipment such as transformers, circuit breakers, batteries and switches. Recently, the communities of Ariel Place and Holmes Rock were two such areas that benefitted from the preventative maintenance program.

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West End Eco-Fishing Camp Association partners with Save The Bays

Fast-growing advocacy movement Save The Bays has gained yet another key partner in the fight to protect the unique cultural and environmental heritage of The Bahamas. The West End Eco-Fishing Camp Association (WEEFCA) is a community based non-profit organization that teaches children about the environment, water safety, boating skills, swimming, fishing and snorkeling in an effort to instill an abiding concern and respect for the environment and its preservation.

"We are delighted to join the list of partners/supporters who stand with Save The Bays in its goal to protect the Bahamian environment for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations," said Keith Cooper, WEEFCA association's director. Founded in 2008 by Cooper and his wife Linda, WEEFCA has grown from a small eco-fishing camp into a large-scale and comprehensive programme that last year catered to more than 80 children in Grand Bahama.

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Safety reigns supreme at BORCO

Safety is the way of life at BORCO. Employees at BORCO were recently awarded for having worked one million hours without a "Lost Time Injury" since February 2011. This means that there were no injuries received while at work that were severe enough to require an employee miss a day or longer of work, which is phenomenal news for BORCO. So great in fact, that Khalid Muslih, SVP - President Global Marine Terminals Buckeye flew down to personally congratulate and award the staff at their in-house presentations.

Certain departments have also gone years without any recordable injuries, these include the Administrative Department, Health, Safety, Security and Environmental Department have all gone over five years injury free. Achieving this amount of time with no injury is a very proud moment for BORCO, and everyone at the company looks forward to the next million hours with no injuries.

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Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce accepting nominations for 5th Annual Business Excellence Recognition Awards

The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the 5th Annual Business Excellence Recognition Awards. These prestigious awards are designed to honour outstanding Grand Bahamian businesses and executives.

Entries for nominations should include a summary of 100 words or less that:

a) explains why this nominee merits being the winner of the award;
b) highlights specific business and management practices relevant to the award; and
c) illustrates the company's commitment to employees and the community.

Any individual who knows of a businessperson that is excelling and meets the judging criteria can make nominations. Self-nominations are acceptable.

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How one dog changed the life of a Humane Society of Grand Bahama volunteer

From our good friend Stephanie Winus of Long Island, New York.

As I contemplated my recent trip to Freeport to volunteer at the Humane Society of Grand Bahama, I couldn't help but think about how it all began. This trip, my sixth summer visit to the island, went much the same way as the five previous ones have gone. I spent the weekdays at the shelter, helping where I was able, observing the day to day operations, and of course interacting with its residents --- the many homeless dogs and cats. Well, they do have a home for now --- an animal shelter that truly cares for them, providing them with food, water, exercise, medical care and a safe place to sleep at night. But is this a true home for such loyal and lovable creatures?

I have to go back ten years to pinpoint what made my presence in this setting possible: it is one solitary dog that truly changed my life. I have been fortunate to have a total of five different dogs as pets in my adult life. Each one of the three that have passed on have affected my life in an important way. The two dogs that I currently have (both Potcakes) continue to enrich me. Young Cassie. But I have to focus on my fourth dog, and now my oldest, to continue this story.

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NEMA reports islands not impacted by Tropical Storm Cristobal

The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has confirmed that the islands in the projected path of Tropical Storm Cristobal fared well during the passage of that fourth named storm of the 2014 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

On Monday, August 25, First Assistant Secretary at NEMA Chrystal Glinton said that Family Island Administrators reported very little impact, with the exception of flooding of the road in Mayaguana between Pirate's Well and Abraham's Bay (photo). By Sunday afternoon, the Bahamas Department of Meteorology issued tropical storm warnings for the Central and Southeast Bahamas, which include Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, Ragged Island, Mayaguana, Inagua, Cat Island, the Exumas, Long Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador.

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San Salvador High School basketball team feted by Club Med in Florida

Members of the Caciques Basketball Team of San Salvador Central High School were rewarded for their outstanding achievement in the game by being feted to a week-long stay at Club Med Sandpiper Bay in Port St. Lucie, FL. Called the Caciques after the Arawak Indian chief, the team, accompanied by their teacher, Coach S. Brown, were given the VIP treatment upon their arrival at the all-inclusive resort also known for its comprehensive sporting programmes.

Club Med executives greeted the team at Ft. Lauderdale Airport and whisked them away in a chauffeur-driven limousine to the property where a private welcome cocktail reception and orientation at the Spanish Patio took place. From August 9 to 16, 2014, the team enjoyed a week of activities which included nutrition presentation, private trapeze lessons, beach volleyball tournament, sailing and paddy boarding at the beach, and a basketball scrimmage versus the Club Med GOs.

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Hotels offers special rate for HBCUX

A number of New Providence hotels are offering special rates for Family Island participation of the prestigious HBCUX Classic games next month. HBCUX, an American football game, is being held on September 12-14 at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium. Central State University (CSU) and the Texas Southern University (TSU)-two historically black colleges- will square off in the first college football game ever held in The Bahamas.

As part of the promotion of the event, Nassau Junkanoo Resort, Different of Nassau Casuarinas, El Greco Hotel, British Colonial Hilton and Melia Nassau Beach Resort will all offer special rates. Patrons of the event can get a hotel room for as little as $107 per night. General Manager of Sports Tourism Marketing Virginia Kelly encouraged Family Islanders to take advantage of the packages. "Family Islanders please come," she said.

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Freeport Rugby Football Club: Boys Youth Soccer kicks off the 2014/15 season

Freeport Rugby Football Club's Youth Football (Soccer) Programme for boys, known as the Grand Bahama Soccer Academy officially kicks off on Wednesday September 3rd from 5:00pm. The programme is now into its thirteenth season and is aimed at boys from the age of 9 upwards.

The Academy aims:

To provide quality coaching that engages, challenges and inspires young athletes to reach their highest level in the sport of soccer utilizing the best facilities on the island
To provide an environment where young soccer players build character through the development of important life skills such as responsibility, sportsmanship, work ethic and teamwork
To provide a pathway open to all young soccer players who wish to participate, allowing them to reach their full potential through identification, education, and competition;
To partner and complement similar community programmes at the YMCA and within the schools

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Mini Me children's yoga launched in Freeport

Mini Me Yoga, an international company that has brought the power of positive thinking and wellness to children all over the world, is now offering programs on Grand Bahama. The program will also be available on additional islands within the country over the next several months. The mission of Mini Me Yoga is to provide yoga and positive thinking activities and products to children and offer training to empower parents and teachers to incorporate Mini Me sessions into a child's daily or weekly routine. Mini Me Yoga is in 19 countries on 6 continents around the world. The program has been globally embraced by school systems, day care programs and community groups.

The Mini Me Yoga program was officially launched this summer in The Bahamas at the Lucaya International School summer camp on Grand Bahama. To kick off this exciting program, free sessions were facilitated with over 40 children between the ages of 5 and 11.

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Fast food giant Popeyes to sponsor Bahamas Bowl

It has been announced that Atlanta-based fast food giant Popeyes will be the official sponsor of The Bahamas Bowl. The game will be played on December 24th in Nassau at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium. It will feature teams from Conference USA and the Mid-American Conference.

"Popeyes is honored to partner with the Bahamas Bowl to bring this historic bowl game to college football fans everywhere," Hector Munoz, Vice President of Marketing for Popeyes, said in a press release. "Like college football, Popeyes enjoys a rich tradition and passionate fans, and we look forward to a great game and a lot of fun in The Bahamas."

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Grand Bahama members of the Bahamas U15 soccer team welcomed home

The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) held its inaugural Girls' Under-15 Championship, in the Cayman Islands in August and team Bahamas was a part of the history with a total of 16 teams.

Topping the excitement, Team Bahamas won their first match against Curacao with a 3 - 0 score on August 6th. Jaleah Taylor, Meaghan Smith and Marisa Vietti all scored a goal a piece for The Bahamas. Marisa Vietti was named Player of the Game. All the aforementioned girls are from Grand Bahama and Hanna Joy Simms was appointed team caption, while Marisa Vietti was appointed co-captain.

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At the Movies: Let's Be Cops

The tagline for this movie: Fake Cops Real Trouble. Two struggling friends dress up as police officers for a costume party and accidentally become neighborhood sensations. When the new keepers of the peace get dragged into a real life underworld of foreign mobsters and dirty detectives, they must put their actual lives on the line.

Ryan O'Malley is a washed up college quarterback living off of the money he made acting in a herpes commercial who spends his afternoons playing touch football coach with a bunch local kids but soon finds a new purpose in life once he dons the imitation law enforcement uniform for a party. Justin Miller moved to Los Angeles with his long time best friend to become a success and is now a rejected video game designer who is on the cusp of making the decision to move back to Ohio to see what prospects are there for him and leave his big city dreams behind including dating the waitress in the local diner. Patrol Officer Seagars is a good policeman who runs across Ryan & Justin during a routine patrol and decides to make friends with the fellow officers to improve relations between departments but soon finds out that these 'boy's in blue' may not be the seasoned cops he thought they were.

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FEEDBACK: Letter to the Editor: '...then that other party must be ash and cinder'

The Headline in the Tribune on Thursday, 21st August 2014 read "PLP MELTDOWN" in bright yellow...or was it gold? In the mind of the Tribune's News Editor (or Managing Editor or Editor or owner), a difference of opinion between Dr. Andre Rollins, a PLP backbencher, and the senior leadership of the PLP constitutes a "meltdown" in the PLP. Let's take the view of the Tribune at face value and apply logic to it.

The leader of the FNM, Dr. Hubert Minnis opposed Stem Cell research and therapy, but the deputy leader of the FNM opening supported it. Dr. Minnis opposed the legalization of webshop gaming, but the chairman of the FNM, Darren Cash, believed that webshop gaming should be legalized. The deputy leader of the FNM felt that Bahamian home owners whose mortgages were in distress should demonstrate and protest against the PLP government (even though 4,000 of them were left distressed under the watch of the FNM, but never mind the facts). Dr. Minnis disagreed with the demonstration.

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Muddasick!

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 September 6: Young Collectors' Exhibition - at the Central Bank of The Bahamas.

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 29: Best Foot Forward - Group show and open studios, 6-9pm at Popopstudios International Center for the Visual Arts, 26 Dunmore Avenue, Chippingham. 322-7834.

August 29: Visage - Live in concert at the British Colonial Hilton. Doors open 5pm, band performs until 10pm. $20 includes 1 drink. 322-3301 ext 4045.

August 29-31: Paradise Music Festival at Atlantis - Day 1: Dierks Bentley. Day 2: Jewel. Day 3: Rascal Flats. Those are just the headliners, many more musical groups scheduled, click HERE for info or call 363-6601.

August 30: Bootleggers Rugby Club Fundraiser - Click HERE for more details.

August 31: 26 mile cycling road race - Start/finish at Caves, 7am. Contact npcyclingassociation2013@gmail.com.

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: Brutha Music Festival & Family Fun Day - at The Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts, Mackey Street. Live concert with Julien Believe, Qpid, Wendi, Bodine and more! Junkanoo Fete, Food & Drinks. Tickets and info email travis@bruthamagazine.com.

September 27: Bahamas Red Cross Raffle Drawing - Tickets only $5 and you could win a car. Get your tickets early! Click HERE to view the poster.

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.

October 3-13: Shakespeare in Paradise - Ramping up for a sixth season at the Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts.

October 26: Real Love Tour - Life & Relationship Coach Tony A. Gaskins Jr. For further information call 352-6301 or email empower.renuyou@gmail.com. Click HERE to view the poster.

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

September 3: Boys Soccer - at the Rugby Club, click HERE for info.

September 6: Sip N Chip - Get your pet micro-chipped and enjoy a glass of wine. Click HERE to view the poster for details.

September 12-13: Us TOO Grand Bahama Chapter Prostate Cancer Screening Clinic. Pearce Plaza, Coral Road, Freeport. Contact Don Mitchell at 727-0181 for more information.

September 20: Us TOO Grand Bahama Chapter Walkathon. Contact Andrew Moxey at 727-0471 for more info.

September 24: GB Chamber of Commerce Luncheon - Guest speaker TBD. Contact 352-8329 for information.

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 27-28: 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. To be held at the Sailing Club. Mark the date!

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

October 13: McLean's Town Conch Cracking - 10am-7pm. Head east for a tasty and fun tradition! Enjoy the holiday weekend.

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 25: Real Love Tour - Life & Relationship Coach Tony A. Gaskins Jr. For further information call 352-6301 or email empower.renuyou@gmail.com. Click HERE to view the poster.

October 29: The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting & Election. Call 352-8329 for information.

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! Registration now open at www.Conchman.com. Sign up today.

November 2: 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 15: 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 Centre.

December 13: Christmas Boat Parade - Part proceeds to benefit BASRA. Click HERE to view the poster, contact UNEXSO at 373-1244.

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 28: Treasure Cay Back-to-School Jam - ABACO. Free concert with Veronica Bishop, kids pool, games and giveaways. 2pm until.

August 29: Modern Vintage - at Firefly Sunset Resort, Hope Town, ABACO. 366-0145.

August 31: 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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The Trust calling for all hands on deck

Managing twenty-seven national parks, establishing new parks and educating Bahamians both young and not-so-young on the Bahamian environment is a big responsibility that comes with an expensive price tag.

The non-governmental organization responsible for this job is the Bahamas National Trust (BNT), and for the next three months they are encouraging BNT members nationally to help them recruit the public to join the BNT.

"Protecting the natural resources in our national parks is not cheap" commented Karen Panton, BNT Director of Finance. "Fuel Costs for one month of patrols in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park costs $11,000. Resource protection includes boat and vehicle maintenance, wardens' salaries, insurance for park infrastructure, as well as the need to inform the public on the importance of these parks to our nation."

As a result of the need to increase financial support for the national parks the BNT has launched an online membership promotion. Members who recruit one to five new BNT members will win a BNT promotional item, six to ten new members will receive a free one-year membership, and those who recruit more than 10 new BNT members will receive the promotional item, a one-year membership and be entered to win one of the two winning entry prizes for their island!

Click here to read more