Bahama Islands Info Newsletter

News :: Events :: Opportunities

VOL IV. No. 36, January 22, 2015

This week in Bahama Islands Info

National News

Nassau News

Grand Bahama News

Family Islands & Abaco News

Arts & Entertainment News

Column: At the Movies

Sports News

Column: Weekly fishing report

Feedback: Letter to the Editor

RBC Royal Bankers donate to local Bahamian charities

RBC Royal Bank welcomed 600 outstanding RBC employees and their guests to The Bahamas on Thursday, January 15, 2015. A welcome reception, hosted by RBC Bahamas, was held at the British Colonial Hilton hotel gardens. To commemorate the occasion donations were made to local charitable organizations during the reception. Recipients included Read Bahamas, The Bahamas Breast Cancer Initiative Foundation and Special Olympics Bahamas.

RBC partnered with the charities over the past several years, providing assistance to the organizations in their efforts to contribute to the health, vitality and education of communities throughout The Bahamas. Read Bahamas was recognized for its ongoing service to the community receiving a donation from RBC's Community Leadership Programme. Read Bahamas was founded by Nancy McDonald, wife of RBC's former senior vice president, Ross McDonald. The programme donates quality children's books to schools throughout The Bahamas. RBC partnered with Read Bahamas to spearhead a book drive which, to date, has raised 30,000 books which were delivered to the Ministry of Education, Science & Technology in The Bahamas.

Click here to read more

Sir Jack Hayward remembered as a BNT benefactor

The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) was saddened to learn of the passing of Sir Jack Hayward O.B.E. on Tuesday, January 13th at the age of 91. Sir Jack was a longtime friend, and benefactor of the BNT, supporting the Operations Raleigh Initiative which built the first bridge in the Lucayan Park, as well as purchasing half the property value of the Retreat, which became the headquarters of the BNT from Arthur Langlois in 1975 allowing Mrs. Langlois to remain in her home until her death in 1985.

Sir Jack is probably best known among Trust supporters for his challenge gift of $1 million which created and incentive for donors to give to the Heritage Fund Endowment raising $2 million. Sir Jack honoured his pledge in March of 1989 presenting the BNT with a cheque for 1 million dollars thus creating the Heritage Fund Endowment to support the work of the Trust. Such an act of unselfish generosity is indeed rare, as was the man behind it.

Click here to read more

50th Lady Sassoon Golden Heart Award nomination deadline extended until Friday

The Sir Victor Sassoon (Bahamas) Heart Foundation and The Heart Ball Committee announced that nominations were being accepted for the 50th Lady Sassoon Golden Heart Award. The deadline for nominations has been extended to Friday, January 23rd, 2015.

The Lady Sassoon Golden Heart Award was initiated by The Heart Foundation to applaud and give recognition to individuals who have selflessly given of themselves, to promote human welfare and dignity, thus making life better for their fellow men. Oftentimes, these individuals go unrecognized by the wider community for their efforts; they don't ask for anything in return for their generosity. In most cases, they go beyond the call of duty, working outside of their normal scope of work, to impact our nation's social, educational, health and economic systems.

Click here to read more

BTC 2015 directories celebrate inaugural Junkanoo Carnival

The Bahamas Telecommunications Company 2015 Directories are now available at BTC locations and Post Offices nationwide. The colourful covers on both white and yellow pages for Nassau, Grand Bahama and Abaco celebrate the upcoming inaugural Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival (BJC) presented by BTC the title sponsor. BTC has sponsored the BJC to the tune of $1million - $250,000 of which is for in-kind promotional services such as the directory cover and JCN promotional stories and feature information on the inside.

The Directories are a treasure trove of useful, interesting information. The books feature all pertinent emergency and government information along with a myriad of material for BTC customers. Customer information includes summaries of BTC products and services, how to sign up for new services, billing information, and an extensive history on BTC and telecommunications in the country - a great resource for school students.

Click here to read more

Environment Minister speaks at IRENA meeting in Abu Dhabi

Bahamas Minister of the Environment and Housing, Hon. Kenred Dorsett, is representing The Bahamas in the 5th Session of the Assemblies of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The meeting is being held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. IRENA is an intergovernmental organization that supports countries in their transition to sustainable energy future, and serves as the principal platform for international cooperation, a centre of excellence, and a repository of policy, technology, resource and financial knowledge on renewable energy.

As The Bahamas undergoes energy sector reform through the tabling of enabling legislation and attendant regulations, it joined IRENA in 2014 and was recently elected to the IRENA Council to represent the Caribbean region in 2016.

Click here to read more

BTVI students prepared to gain job experience with internships

The skills learned at BTVI are now being applied in the workplace by 67 students who are presently on four-week internships for the spring semester. Each intern will work for 40 hours a week, amounting to 160 hours - a requirement for graduation. They will receive professional experience at various organizations ranging from Culmer's Plumbing and Platinum Welding to the Ministry of Education, the Bahamas Electricity Corporation and the Bahamas Telecommunications Company. Students will have the opportunity to gain additional competencies, while networking and possibly secure jobs.

The Student Affairs Department held a seminar prior to the commencement of internships, with Student Affairs Coordinator, Racquel Bethel, giving them advice to be successful in the workplace. Ms. Bethel noted that the experience is not only about skills, but work ethics.

Click here to read more

Super Me! continues to inspire super kids

Students at Gerald Cash Primary School from grades 4 to 6 participated in Super Me! activities Friday January 16th 2015. Dr. Willard Barr, Chairman of Character Education and Director of Planning at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Zoe Powell, Chief Officer of Guidance Counselors, Nikki Bethell, Chief Media Specialist, and Paola Crespo, Communications Intern, were in attendance.

Although initially quiet and timid, the students soon opened up as Ms. Cori Ashley, co-founder of Super Me!, engaged them in talks about the Super Me! program's core teachings: love, joy, humor, gratitude, integrity, courage, and kindness. These, the children declared, are their "super powers."

Click here to read more

Students excel at 12th Primary Mathematics Students' Workshop

For the twelfth year, in order to support the commitment of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to raise the level of numeracy skills, the Primary Curriculum Section of the Department of Education hosted the Primary Mathematics Students' Workshop on Wednesday, 7th January, 2015 at the Learning Resources Section. The objective of the workshop was to strengthen the capacity of students at the primary school level in Mathematics content, strategies and mental computation.

Sixth-grade students were selected to attend the Workshop based on their above average ability in Mathematics. This year, in addition to students from government primary schools, students from Jordan Prince William School, New Providence Classical School and Bahamas Academy attended. Throughout the day, students received tokens for each correct answer given. Dariq Chase of Oakes Field Primary School emerged as the winner of the first place prize.

Click here to read more

A Sure Win announces launch of gambling helpline to promote responsible gaming

Local gaming enterprise, A Sure Win, has announced the launch of a dedicated gambling help hotline as a part of its push to promote responsible gaming behavior in the local community. At a press conference held on Wednesday, the A Sure Win executive team announced numerous details on this newly launched hotline as a part of the company's vision of being "the responsible way to play" in The Bahamas.

The dedicated anonymous gaming hotline, which will run from 9am to 5pm, 7 days a week, is being established in conjunction with an experienced local partner who will remain confidential for now, but Mr. Brice assured the public that the individuals behind it were fully qualified and capable.

Click here to read more

Grand Bahama bird count unites local birders and visitors

For the past 15 years Grand Bahama Island has participated in the so-called "Christmas Bird Count" a census that began 115 years ago in the United States and now includes Canada, the Bahamas, Caribbean, South and Central America. Between December 15th and January 5th on one chosen day, birds are counted within a circle of 15 miles from sunrise to sunset. This year over 60.000 participants observed and recorded birds in their respective countries thereby contributing valuable information to the longest running database in ornithology.

On January 4th forty Grand Bahama Birders gathered in five teams that were led by experts from the US and the Bahamas. Team leaders were Dr. Elwood Bracey from Abaco, one of the outstanding birders in the Bahamas. "Woody" as he is affectionately called, set a Bahamian record in 2012 by having observed 242 bird species in the Bahamas within one year!

Click here to read more

BORCO supports Bahamian culture

Buckeye Bahamas (BORCO) helped the Junkanoo route in Grand Bahama sparkle just a little bit brighter this Junkanoo season with their continued support of the Superstar Rockers. BORCO has been a long time supporter of the Rockers and donated this year to both their New Year's Junkanoo performance and their upcoming performance in the Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival which will hold its inaugural event in May 2015.

"Every year the Superstar Rockers look forward to BORCO's donation to keep the Junkanoo culture alive and keep the youth off the streets," said Chauncy Gray, leader of the Superstar Rockers and a BORCO employee. "Junkanoo gives our youth a chance to explore their talents and BORCO's annual donation assists greatly with that."

Click here to read more

New consultancy firm reaches out to the community

'Creating a vision to make your business successful' is the mission statement of a new consultancy firm on Grand Bahama Island. Remaining true to its motto, Visionary Business Consultants, Limited (VBCL) which recently began operating in downtown Freeport, is already offering much-needed assistance to business owners. As part of its services, VBCL specializes in accounting, bookkeeping, property management, corporate, outsourcing and recruitment services. Additionally, with the introduction of Value Added Tax, the company is capable of serving as an official VAT representative, or liaison between businesses and the VAT Department.

According to company spokesperson, VBCL office assistant Natalie Coakley, "with the implementation of VAT, it became evident that some micro, small and medium sized enterprises were not prepared to meet the challenge as it relates to its impact on their relevant business and accountability with respect to the details of what should be captured for reporting to the VAT Department as well as how their records should be maintained."

Click here to read more

Tennessee couple create scholarship for Exuma students to attend MTSU

A Franklin, Tennessee, couple who founded a network of substance-abuse treatment clinics has funded a special, targeted scholarship that will allow students from a high school in the Bahamas to attend MTSU.

Michael and Tina Cartwright, who have a second home in The Bahamas, wanted to help students from L.N. Coakley High School in Great Exuma develop expertise through higher education that, in turn, would help benefit others on the island of Exuma.

Click here to read more

Deana Whitlow and Henry Coleman enjoy dream wedding in Harbour Island

Deana Whitlow and Henry Coleman are a couple who believe getting married in The Bahamas was a "kiss from God" and it showed throughout their romantic journey to January 16, 2015. That's the day 16 couples got married on 16 Islands at 16:00 (4:00 p.m.). It is one of Ministry of Tourism's biggest promotions that was launched on February 14, 2014. However, before the promotion, the couple always dreamed of getting married in The Bahamas.

Deana always felt a strong tie to The Bahamas. Her grandfather, who was born in Harbour Island, was a Sturrup. She visited The Bahamas once before for a family reunion on the island.

Click here to read more

Resorts World Bimini holds Career Day for high school seniors

Twelfth-graders attending the Louise McDonald High School in Bimini will be better equipped to land a job when they graduate this summer, thanks to an informative Career Day staged by Resorts World Bimini (RWB). Various departments at the Resort served as the classroom for the day as students learned valuable lessons on what is required in the hospitality sector, and how to better prepare themselves to fulfill those roles.

The one-day seminar included both theory and practical lessons, as the students were given an opportunity to spend time in the Resort's operation shadowing leaders within their department of choice.

Click here to read more

Abaco Cays Realty launches new website, hits $100 million in listings

A prominent real estate firm in Abaco announced this week it has hit $100 million in listings with properties ranging from a modest Marsh Harbour home to an historic Hope Town cottage and a $14 million estate that looks like a movie set on 17 acres of sought after Man-o-War Cay. The firm, Abaco Cays Realty, also this week unveiled its new website, AbacoCays Realty.com.

"Less than two weeks into 2015, there's a lot of buzz in Abaco. After several years of investors being wary because of worldwide economic uncertainty, we are beginning to see more activity, leading us to be cautiously optimistic as we look to the future," explained Paul Thompson, a former top level hospitality executive and Cacique winner who turned to real estate development in 2006, the same year Abaco Cays Realty was founded.

Click here to read more

Government slammed over failed anchor project policy

The government's continued support for the controversial "anchor project" policy of national development is the subject of a new video by prominent social and environmental advocacy group Save The Bays (STB). The video, narrated by STB education director Joseph Darville, documents how the current administration promised to create sustainable local economies on each Family Island that would benefit Bahamians, only to revert to the shortsighted old model of mega-resorts owned by wealthy foreign interests.

"Anchor resorts and mega-resorts are continuing to flood our Family Islands, and as more and more invade our shores they are being kept secret from the Bahamian public," Darville said.

Click here to read more

24th Annual BNT Wine & Art Festival brings wine, art and entertainment to The Retreat

Although, the original event was postponed, the Bahamas National Trust (BNT) is thrilled to welcome patrons to the 24th Annual Wine and Art Festival on Saturday, January 31st. The annual festival features over forty talented artists, a selection of over sixty wines from Bristol Wines and Spirits and a wine and food pairing demonstration sponsored by Fresh Market and the Ministry of Tourism's Culinary Tourism Division. The event will also feature special appearances by Emanji Circus Arts with music throughout the day provided by Ambasah and the COB Band.

BNT members will get a special preview of the art and a chance to win beautiful pieces of art in the Wine and Art Raffle on Friday evening, January 30th, which is the Members evening for the festival.

Click here to read more

16th Cacique Awards promises to be a 'grand affair'

The 16th Cacique Awards to be held at the Melia Nassau Resort this Saturday promises to be a "grand affair," according to co-chairman of the awards Charity Armbrister. The awards, which will close out the Ministry of Tourism's 50th anniversary celebrations and tourism week, will celebrate the brightest and the best in the country's hospitality industry.

Ms. Armbrister, who is also the director of events at the Ministry of Tourism, promises that this Cacique Awards will be like none other. "It's going to be a great event. We have Ian Poitier who is director, choreographer and writer, putting on a fabulous show," she said. "Because we are celebrating the culmination of the 50th anniversary of tourism of The Bahamas, this event is really going to showcase quite a bit of what we have done over 50 years. We will really be showcasing all of The Bahamas as this is a national event and most times we tend to minimize the islands but you can expect to see all the Family Islands out there."

Click here to read more

Island 102.9 FM host Keith Rolle publishes his top 20 inspirational songs and artist of the year 2014

Two new artists on the 2014 Top 20 Countdown by Inspiration with Keith of Island 102.9 FM grabbed the top 2 spots while this year's list includes 7 new artists. "The highest ever to have singles on the countdown this year," said radio host, Keith Rolle. Also chosen for best new artist of the year is the young and vivacious Angelique Sabrina who recently released "I'm Ready" and towards the end of 2014, debuted an album titled, "One For The People."

Keith's show "Inspiration with Keith" on Island 102.9 FM in Nassau, Bahamas has a wide audience both locally and abroad, not only in the United States but also in 44 different countries. Keith started with Island FM 11 years ago, and his Top 20 listing is in its 8th year as his fan base continues to expand with Nigeria becoming his second largest market.

Click here to read more

At the Movies: American Sniper

One of the taglines for this movie: One Bullet Can Tell The Story.
A rodeo cowboy finds his calling when he joins the Navy SEALs and trains as a sniper. During four tours of duty in the conflict in the Middle East he becomes the most lethal sniper in U.S. history. His reputation grows behind enemy lines as a price is put on his head which makes him a prime target of insurgents, but it is the toll on his family at home in the States with the knowledge of him being in constant danger which threatens to do the most harm to his morale.

Chris Kyle is a U.S. Navy SEAL sniper who is credited with a history making 150 kills during his tours of duty in the Iraqi conflict which earned him the nickname 'Legend' as he did his best to be a protective older brother, a loving husband and a father that his children could be proud of. Taya Renae Kyle is Chris' wife and the mother of his son & daughter, but finds the stress that his job puts him under troubling as he misses key moments in his children's development.

Click here to read more

Sculling season starts at St. Valentine Regatta

Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Company and Sands Beer are very proud to once again be the official beer of this year's St. Valentine Regatta which is scheduled for February 14th and 15th at Montagu Beach.

On Saturday, February 14th the Brewery boats, including the Sands, Sands Light, Strong Back and High Rock will participate in the E-Class Regatta. Then on Sunday, February 15th, the 2015 sculling season will begin at 5pm with the first sculling race. This is the 4th year of the sculling races and Bahamian Brewery and Beverage is extremely proud to have revitalised this truly Bahamian sport.

Click here to read more

Bahamas takes second place in International Tennis Week

The Bahamas had four wins going in to their final match at Breezes Superclubs against a strong USA team but lost by 3 matches to 1 making The USA the winners of The SG Trophy for the second consecutive time. The first event was won by Great Britain but The Bahamas has been pleased with second place the last two times beating out much larger countries. Teams playing in this event over the three times have included Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, Austria, Belgium, USA, Germany and fellow Caribbean country Barbados.

In the opening match against the USA, The Bahamas men's pair of John Antonas and Mas Kimball lost 6-0, 6-3 to a very strong USA team of Rob Castori and Norm Chryst. Our ladies pair of Larikah Russell and Sue Kimball then levelled the match for The Bahamas with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Mariana Holman and Janet Moseley.

Click here to read more

LPGA teaching golf to Bahamian students

The Bahamas leg of the 2015 LPGA Classic Golf Tournament will take place at the prestigious Ocean Club on Paradise Island, February 2 - 8, 2015. The tour is said to be already having a positive impact on the local community as the LPGA's Emily Norell, begins training student volunteers at both public and private schools in Nassau.

In announcing the partnership between The Islands Of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and the Pure Silk LPGA Classic Golf Tournament, Tourism Minister, the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe said, "Tourism is a global force for economic development but in The Bahamas it is also the business of every Bahamian. Our industry must also be a catalyst for the improvement of the lives of the Bahamian people so I am particularly pleased that the LPGA has sent Emily Norell here to train young Bahamians."

Click here to read more

O.C.C. Tour Of Grand Bahama ramps up preparations for bicycle races February 7-8

Cyclists, you may be wondering what's been happening with the O.C.C. Tour Of Grand Bahama? The answer is "A Lot!" Preparations for the tour are well on their way. The date of the Tour is the weekend of Saturday, February 7th and Sunday, February 8th, 2015. Over the course of these two days, the event will host three (3) stages. Stage 1 and 2 will take place on Saturday, February 7th and Stage 3 will take place on Sunday, February 8th.

Registration is $80.00 to participate in the complete Tour of Grand Bahama and $50.00 to participate in the 50 mile Tour Ride that has been added for those who wish to support, but do not wish to race. The Tour Ride could prove a good fitness gauge for other upcoming events.

Click here to read more

Bahamas weekly fishing report from Harbourside Marine

Mahi Tagging Program - Mahi (AKA Dolphinfish) season is picking up in The Bahamas, but where have the fish been for the past few months? Ongoing research shows that Mahi appear to move in seasonal circuits around the western central Atlantic from the U.S. east to the coast to Caribbean Sea and then to The Bahamas, sometimes traveling up to 100 miles in a single day!

The Cape Eleuthera Institute (CEI) is teaming up with the Dolphinfish Research Program (DRP) to better understand the movements of dolphinfish within and around The Bahamas. Click here to see an article that begins to describe the movements of dolphin within the Bahamian Archipelago. To add to our understanding of the movement dynamics of dolphinfish within the passages and deep basins in and around The Bahamas, we need volunteer anglers and charter captains to tag and release healthy dolphinfish that are too small to keep, or dolphinfish meant for release after after reaching your limit for the day.

Click here to read more

Letter: Institutionalizing culture

I recently read an article which stated that the Prime Minister wished to 'institutionalize culture' which made me wary as I tried to figure out what exactly that phrase meant. Was he referring to an "institution" such as those in existence decades ago where the mentally challenged were institutionalized, cut off from the real world and pumped full of drugs to keep them docile and incoherent; or on the very opposite end of the spectrum - was he referring to the formation of a centre of learning where Culture could be nurtured and cultivated for enrichment of the mind and soul of the people? I pondered whether this was a Freudian slip.....as Bahamian Culture to my mind is being dehumanized and debilitated in this present stifling environment.

Culture is a living organism that undergoes constant change - it adapts to the environment and is a unifying force for a country and should be embraced in unison by its people. Culture must be nurtured and enriched, polished and praised in a nourishing environment so that it can continue to grow and flourish. Culture is a humanizing force - it defines who we are as a people.

Click here to read more

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 2015 calendar.

January 24: 16th Cacique Awards - at Melia Nassau Beach Resort, Cable Beach.

January 24-25: From the Stage to the Silver Screen - Presented by the Nassau Music Society, 7pm at Government House Saturday and 5pm at St. Paul's Church Hall, Lyford Cay on Sunday. Visit http://www.thenassaumusicsociety.org

January 29-February 7: 25th Annual Quilt Show - Stepping Stone Quilters show their talents at Trinity Methodist Church, FREE! Click HERE to view the poster.

January 30-31: BNT Wine & Art - New dates. Members' night Friday. Click HERE for the BNT's website.

January 31: Annual Red Cross Ball - at the Melia Nassau Beach Resort. $250.

February 5-8: LPGA Pure Silk Bahamas Classic - Top female golfers hit the green at Ocean Club, Paradise Island. Click HERE to visit the website.

February 7: BNT Pig Roast - 2:00-10:00pm at the Maillis Farm.

February 7-8: Ride For Hope #9 RFH now in Nassau. New website now up! Click HERE to learn more and register.

February 8: Chickcharney Challenge - Unique race comes to Clifton Heritage Park. Click HERE to read more.

February 14: MKTO at Atlantis - Doors open 7:30pm for an 8:30 show. Call 363-6601 for tickets.

February 14: 51st Annual Heart Ball - At the Melia Nassau Beach Resort. Save the date to save a child's heart! Click HERE to view the poster.

February 14-15: St. Valentine Regatta - at Montagu Beach. Event includes sailing and sculling races.

February 19: Blood Donation & How it Saves Lives - Doctors Hospital Lecture Series, 6pm in the Conference Room, Dowdeswell St. 302-4600.

March 1: Super Sprint Mixed Team Relay - A fun type of triathlon for teams of all levels! Click HERE to visit the website.

May 7-9: Bahamas Carnival - The dates have been set for this new event featuring four exciting musical events. Click HERE to visit the official website.

September 5: Potcakeman Triathlon - at Jaws Beach. Individuals and teams compete in this swim-bike-run-party charity race. Click HERE to visit the website.

November 22: Bahamas Half Marathon - Half Marathon, Relay and 10K event. Sold-out in 2014, don't miss it! Click HERE to visit the website.

December 5-12: BIFF 2015 - The 12th annual Bahamas International Film Festival returns. Click HERE to visit the website.

January 16-17, 2016: Marathon Bahamas Weekend - Includes marathon, relay, half marathon and Susan G. Komen 5K. Click HERE to visit the website.

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.
__________________________________________________

GRAND BAHAMA EVENTS

January 23: VAT mini boot camp - Still confused about the new VAT? Click HERE to learn about this seminar, 10am-2pm at the Chamber of Commerce.

January 24: Gouthro Memorial Golf Tournament - At the Grand Lucayan Reef Course. Proceeds to Rotary for the Jonaton Gouthro Scholarship Fund. Click HERE to view the poster.

January 28: John Maxwell Leadership (Re-broadcast) Seminar - at the Ruby Swiss 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Click HERE to view the poster.

January 30-February 1: Salvation Army 150th Anniversary - Globally. Locally, click HERE to view the events planned at the West Atlantic Drive location.(PDF).

January 31: Grand Bahama Chamber Annual Banquet - and installation of officers and directors. Grand Lucayan Ballroom with cocktails from 7pm and dinner at 8pm. Click HERE to visit the FB page. Call 352-8329.

January 31: Junior Junkanoo - Talented and colourful school groups take to the street of downtown Freeport. Click HERE to read more.

February 2: Gospel Southern Gospel Radio Network Cruise Gospel Concert - In the Port Lucaya Market Square featuring live performances by local and international groups. 12 noon-2 p.m.

February 7-8: Tour of Grand Bahama Bicycles Races - Charity fundraising event with cyclists of all levels. Prizes! Click HERE to visit the website and register today.

February 14: International Love Cultural Festival - Committee for the Advancement of People in conjunction with the Hunter's Community. 11:08AM-4:08PM in the Hunter's Community.

February 16: The 4th Annual George L. Cumberbatch Lecture - 7pm at First Baptist Church Pre-School Auditorium, Columbus Drive. Topic: Securing Our Borders In A Global Village with guest Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell.

February 21: 12th Annual Charity Golf Classic Golf Tournament - Grand Bahama American Women's Club. 12PM at the Grand Lucayan Reef Course.

February 21: Kamalamee Honours Concert - At the Regency Theatre. Click HERE to read more about the honourees.

February 26-March 1: Bonfire Tournament Series - at Old Bahama Bay, West End. Click HERE to read more about this fishing tournament.

February 28: Rotary Past-Presidents Walkathon - Sponsored walk in aid of the Educational Scholarship fund. For info and to make a donation contact bahamapro@hotmail.com.

March 7: HSGB Annual Dog Show & Family Fun Day - from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., HSGB grounds, Coral Road.

March 8: 6th Annual Join Me on the Bridge - Celebration of International Women's Day, 3pm at The Garden of the Groves. *Grand Bahama High School Student Essay & Art Competitions* RSVP to FreeportBridge@gmail.com. Facebook event HERE.

March 14: Rotary Day at Taino Beach - A fun day for the whole family celebrating the charity works of Rotary in the Grand Bahama community. More information soon.

March 13-14, 2015: Fifth Annual Youth Benefit Fishing Tournament - Lots of time to mark your calendars and get your lines ready. Don't miss it!

March 26-28: Grand Bahama Half Marathon - and Beach Beats 5K weekend. NEW! HQ at the Grand Lucayan. Click HERE to visit the website.

April 17-18: Music Masters Concert - Top 10 finalists for Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival song will be selected. More info soon.

May 25: 2nd Annual Grand Bahama Time Trial Championships - Cyclists battle the clock for the win! Click HERE to visit the GBCC events page for information.

July 31-August 3: FAHS/BMES 50th Anniversary Celebrations - School alumni and friends get-together for lots of fun activities. Click HERE to view the poster with all the details.

August 3: 11th Annual Grand Bahama Road Cycling Championships - B.O.C. sanctioned event. Click HERE to visit the GBCC website and learn more.

August 15: BASRA marathon swim - and the best beach party on Grand Bahama! Bahamas Air Sea Rescue's largest annual fundraiser at Coral Beach.

October 31: 25th Anniversary of the Home for the Aged - Old Fashioned Ball "The Great Waltz" at Grand Lucaya Resort. Cocktails@ 7PM - Dinner @ 8PM.

November 7: Conchman Triathlon - and Iron Kids races will take place at Taino Beach. No excuses, you can do it!

November 15: Mary Star of the Sea Parish Annual Bazaar - 12:00 noon - midnight.

December 4: Festival Noel - Grand Bahama's #1 holiday season event! At the Rand Nature Center 7-10PM.

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.
_________________________________________________________________

FAMILY ISLANDS & ABACO EVENTS

January 23-25: Art for the Parks - BNT annual event Marsh Harbour, ABACO. Click HERE to read all about it.

January 29-30: LIGHTHOUSE S.O.S. Symposium Of Support - ABACO. Events organized to save the Elbow Reef Lighthouse. Click HERE to view the poster.

February 7: Hope Town Reef Ball - ABACO. Contact Friends of the Environment fore more information: kwilliams@friendsoftheenvironment.org.

February 17-22: 3rd Annual Patrick Davis Hope Town Songwriters Festival. ABACO. Click HERE to view the poster.

February 19-21: Wahoo Smackdown VI - Popular fishing tournament returns to BIMINI Big Game Resort & Marina. Click HERE for info and registration link.

February 26-March 3: Salina Point Homecoming - ACKLINS residents and former residents celebrate in true Bahamian tradition. Contact: Mr. Steven Rose / (242) 464-8521, (242) 476-0363.

February 28: Marsh Harbour Reef Ball - ABACO. Contact Friends of the Environment fore more information: kwilliams@friendsoftheenvironment.org.

March 6-8: 'Bahamas and The World' 1st Annual Art Exhibition - Pink Sands Resort & Cocoa Coffee House Harbour Island, ELEUTHERA. Visit http://www.bahamasandtheworld.com

March 20-22: Great ABACO Family Fitness Weekend - at Treasure Cay. Swim race, run races, a kids race, cheerleading clinic and 2 distances of triathlon! Fun for the entire family! Visit GAFFW.com and click HERE to register now.

April 22-15: Bahamas Billfish Championship #1 - GUANA CAY, at Orchid Bay Marina. Fishing in the marlin rich waters of the Abacos. Registration/new website coming in January.

April 23-26: Writers Workshop - at the BIMINI Big Game Club. Click HERE to read more.

May 6-9: Bahamas Billfish Championship #2 - GREEN TURTLE CAY, at the Green Turtle Club and Bluff House. Registration/new website coming in January.

May 27-30: Bahamas Billfish Championship #3 - TREASURE CAY. Registration/new website coming in January.

June 6: Pineappleman Sprint Triathlon - Gregory Town, ELEUTHERA. 500 meter swim, 16k bike and 5k run part of the annual Pineapple Festival. There will also be a 5k fun run/walk event. email tom@bahamasadventures.com for more info. Click HERE to read about 2014's race.

June 10-13: Bahamas Billfish Championship #4 Wrap-Up - MARSH HARBOUR, Abaco Beach Resort will host. Registration/new website coming in January.

July 3-11: Regatta Time in ABACO - From north to south, sailing fun and festivities throughout the cays. www.regattatimeinabaco.com.

December 1-4: BIFF 2015 in Harbour Island - The Bahamas International Film Festival travels to ELEUTHERA. Click HERE to visit the website.

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.

__________________________________________________________________

Samaya's journey to heart health: you can make a difference!

Adults aren't the only ones who need heart care; children need heart care too. Heart care starts from birth.

Heart disease does not discriminate by age, ethnicity, gender, race or the like. It affects us all; adults and children are impacted by heart disease. Oftentimes with adults, measures can be taken to reduce the risk of heart disease. In the case of congenital heart defect, i.e. heart defects at birth, infants need help to repair their hearts. Fortunately for some babies, the body repairs itself. But in many cases, special care and surgery is needed.

Samaya Brown was born in 2013. Medical examination after birth indicated that she had a heart murmur. Further investigation by pediatric cardiologist, Dr. Jerome Lightbourne, revealed that this newborn had PDA - Patent Ductus Arteriosus. PDA is a type of heart disease that occurs after birth in babies, where ductus arteriosus fails to close after birth. PDA results in the irregular flow of blood between the pulmonary artery and aorta. Signs of this problem include breathing problems, and poor weight gain. Treatment options for PDA include monitoring, medications and closure by cardiac catheterization or surgery.

Samaya was monitored and treated for shortness of breath. However, it became obvious that the ductus arteriosus would not close by itself. Samaya needed surgery. She was not insured and her parents could not afford for her to have the necessary procedure - a left thoracotomy & ligation of PDA procedure. Thanks to the generosity of the Sir Victor Sassoon (Bahamas) Heart Foundation, Samaya had life saving heart surgery eleven (11) months after birth.

Today, Samaya is 1 year 8 months. She is doing very well. Her mother is very happy that she no longer has to sit up through the nights, watching her infant. According to Samantha, Samaya's mother, "Without the Heart Foundation, many kids wouldn't have made it this far. I know that some parents, like us, can't afford heart surgery for their child. I thank God for The Heart Foundation. I don't know how I would have made it without their help. So, let us all join The Heart Foundation to help other parents who can't afford it. Your support by donations, no matter how small, helps. It doesn't have to be very much; every little helps."

Each year, the Sir Victor Sassoon (Bahamas) Heart Foundation helps to repair the hearts of children like Samaya, who need heart care. The Heart Foundation relies heavily upon the generosity of others to help repair the hearts of children. The major fundraiser to aid The Sir Victor Sassoon (Bahamas) Heart Foundation is the Annual Heart Ball, hosted by The Heart Ball Committee. The Annual Heart Ball will be held on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Melia Nassau Beach.

Click here to read more