Although Water and Sewerage (WSC) may not be everyone's number one page to follow on Facebook, WSC's recent Facebook trivia contest, increased their numbers by 33%. "Social media outreach is a priority goal for us at WSC," said Visna Armbrister, Public Affairs Manager. "It gives us a very accessible way to talk directly to our 68,000 customers, to advise them of public works, new offers, updates on leaks or closures and for those in the Family Islands, it's an important way for us to reach out to customers immediately with urgent news."

For the past three months, the company has been asking weekly trivia questions on various WSC topics including their IDB loan, WSC history and questions regarding their various social media accounts including YouTube.

Click here to read more

 

With The Bahamas recognized as one of the most vulnerable countries on the planet to face dire consequences from rising seas that could swallow up to 80% of the land mass of the islands by the end of the century, a leading environmental consultant and attorney is calling for 'immediate radical action' to stem the tide of climate change.

"We no longer have the luxury of talking about the environment as if it is something to worry about in the future," said Romi Ferreira, a regional expert and a director of environmental movement Save The Bays. "At the current rate of sea level rise, we stand to lose 80% of our country. And our leaders don't get it. They are just paying lip service to it, talking about climate change while letting BEC continue to burn fossil fuels and allowing wetlands to be destroyed and disappear."

Click here to read more

 

The College of The Bahamas and SUNY Maritime College are establishing a stronger working relationship that will allow COB students who are a part of The College's maritime programme to take courses at the New York campus that would count toward their major studies. A lunch reception served by The College's finest Culinary and Hospitality Management Institute students was recently held at Choices Dining Room. President Smith and Dr. Michael A. Alfultis, President of SUNY Maritime College, brought remarks.

"The Bahamas has a great need for the development of the maritime sector particularly concerning the education of those who wish to have careers in this area. In an address to the House of Assembly in June of this year regarding the 2015/2016 fiscal budget, The Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, Bahamas Minister of Transport and Aviation outlined that approximately $400,000 will be spent this year in training and in scholarships to exceptional young Bahamians in maritime studies."

Click here to read more

 

Frequent visitors to The Bahamas, Canadian couple William and Doreen Raymond, have brought with them the staggering number of 145 guests over the 15 years they've stayed at Sandyport Beaches Resort in Nassau. Their frequent stays in their favourite three-bedroom suite, establishes them as two of Sandyport Beaches Resort's most loyal guests and arguably, one of The Bahamas most steadfast repeat visitors.

Mr. Raymond first came to Nassau on business in 1963 and stayed at the historic Montagu Beach Hotel; and when in 1998 he and his wife realised their growing love for The Bahamas, they signed up for a 30 year membership with Sandyport Resorts' Vacation Club, guaranteeing the Raymond's their 3-bedroom suite every year.

Click here to read more

 

Dozens packed a BTC flagship store December 5 for a peak at LG, a new line of mobile phones never before offered in this cell-savvy market hungry for the latest in the devices they treasure, the cell phones and tablets that seem to accompany them everywhere but the shower.

"This is a highly crowded and heavily branded market but after today, there is no question that there is room for another player who brings additional features or qualities to the space," said Alejandro Wohn, regional account manager for LG, the Korean-based manufacturer known for its high density TVs and powerful appliances.

Click here to read more

 

Since its formation in the year 2000, Halsbury Chambers has been the country's leading provider of quality commercial law services. In recent years the firm, under the capable leadership of its Managing Partner Branville McCartney, has managed to merge the skills of a dynamic and competent legal team with sound business acumen.

Today, the partners, associates, management team and staff of Halsbury Chambers acknowledge and celebrate the tireless efforts of Branville McCartney who was called to the Bahamas Bar 25 years ago. A 1985 graduate of Kingsway Academy, Branville McCartney read law at Holborn Law Tutors in London, England, where he graduated in 1989 with an LLB Honors Degree. He is a Barrister of the Inner Temple, and was admitted to the Bar of England and Wales and the Commonwealth of The Bahamas in the year 1990.

Click here to read more

 

GBPC is helping customers save money this holiday season with the 1st annual LED Holiday Light Exchange program. Residents who bring three strings of traditional glass holiday lights will receive two string of LED holiday lights in exchange complimentary. The exchange aims to create public awareness on the benefits of LEDs and encourages participants to make a full switch to the more energy efficient lighting.

LED holiday lights use 90% less energy than traditional strings and last ten times longer. All residents are invited to participate in the LED Holiday Light Exchange. Lights can be exchanged at GBPC's headquarters December 15th - 21st, during normal business hours. All collected traditional holiday lights will be recycled in an environmentally responsible manner. Exchange quantities are limited to two LED sets per person, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Click here to read more

 

Governor General Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling commended the Grand Bahama community for their "efforts in bringing comfort and support to those in the country who have suffered so many losses," including those dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Joaquin.

During her remarks at a ceremony held during a visit to the Rand Memorial Hospital, Friday, December 11, the Governor General also acknowledged the ceremony's theme, 'A new vision for a brighter journey'. She said, "Among other things, I am sure that this serves as a reminder of the recent Bright Journey Eye project provided jointly by our Government and the Government of the People's Republic of China.

Click here to read more

 

Members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force in Grand Bahama, headed by Senior Assistant Commissioner and Officer in Charge of the Grand Bahama and Northern District Emrick Seymour hosted the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony, Thursday, December 10, 2015.

Held under the theme, "The Blessings of Christmas", the event had performances by Sister Mary Patricia Junior High School, Walter Parker Primary School, Bishop Michael Eldon Primary School Choir, Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Academy Primary School Choir, Urban Renewal Youth Band, as well as a Junkanoo Rush Out by Tabernacle Baptist Academy.

Click here to read more

 

Plans for a new hospital for Grand Bahama have reached an advanced stage, Minister for Grand Bahama Dr. the Hon. Michael Darville said. "As part of the master planning for Grand Bahama, we are currently in the advanced planning stage of the establishment and construction of the first ever Community Clinic in the City of Freeport as Phase 1 of the New Rand Memorial Hospital."

The new facility will sit on 50 acres of land four kilometres east of downtown, North on East Sunrise Highway. The two storey hospital will have a 150 bed capacity, and will feature new solutions, meet international standards, deliver acute care and focus on critical care and integrated care delivery. It will also be a teaching hospital.

Click here to read more

 

Louis Bacon's Moore Bahamas Foundation announced Monday that a substantial share of its $250,000 commitment to the islands of the southern Bahamas devastated by Hurricane Joaquin would go to helping children and teachers return to the classroom and begin to regain a sense of normalcy by supporting the replacement of destroyed school supplies.

"In the weeks following the hurricane, it became apparent that to regain any sense of normalcy it was critical to get children back into classrooms," said Bacon. "While the Government of The Bahamas was and is doing all it can, one of our long-time partners in the conservation movement, Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF), proposed assisting officials by providing chests of supplies and we are very proud to support them in this effort."

Click here to read more

 

Vitamalt has come to the aid of children in the recently devastated Southern Islands with a shipment of the popular beverage and made a financial donation towards toys for the HeadKnowles Christmas Toy Drive.

A special shipment of Vitamalt is on its way to 1,000-plus children in the Hurricane affected Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador. Vitamalt has also made a $10,000 donation to be used to buy toys for the HeadKnowles Christmas Toy Drive for some added Christmas morning excitement for the children.

Click here to read more

 

"I was frightened!" said Acklins' Administrator Harvey Roberts of Hurricane Joaquin, which slammed into the southeast Family Island in October. Mr. Roberts expressed sentiments similar to that of many other testimonies shared by residents who experienced the wrath of Joaquin as it stalled over the island for some 48 hours wreaking havoc and unleashing its fury.

"Captain Russell (Director of the National Emergency Management Agency) keeps instilling in us to be prepared, but we could not prepare for this," said the administrator who took up the post in Acklins in February. Mr. Roberts recounted his harrowing experience and others shared by some of the 600 residents who live there.

Click here to read more

 

The residential and commercial expansion in the West of New Providence likely gave attendance numbers a boost at the Christmas Shopping Party at Old Fort Bay Town Centre this past week-end, which saw nearly double the amount of shoppers over previous years. Or perhaps it was because the annual event is gathering momentum on the neighborhood Christmas Calendar; either way, records were broken and closing times forgotten!

Father Christmas was never short of children tugging at his beard and was kept busy with the expected picture-taking which also enticed more than the usual amount of grown-ups to his knee! In between the MC's DJ mix of festive and party music, exquisite renditions of traditional Christmas songs and carols attracted a crowd to the Town Centre Square where they listened in awe and appreciation of the seven-member group from The National Youth Choir.

Click here to read more

 

The popular 242 Colour Run is taking place in Nassau on December 20th - with a holiday twist. Registration is available at Party Land in the Harbour Bay Shopping Plaza or online through run242.com. The Nassau event will take place at Eastern Parade and Green Parrot (Nassau) and the 5km route will wander down East Bay Street to Montagu, returning with an optional over-the-bridges leg for those looking for a challenge.

The race is unlike most, as there are no official times and no winners or awards handed out. After the race, prizes are drawn by bib number, so everyone who enters has an equal chance of winning.

Click here to read more

 

GRAND BAHAMA EVENTS
 

 

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.   

__________________________________________________________________