On Thursday, February 18, U.S. Chargé d'Affaires a.i. Lisa Johnson and Minister of National Security Dr. Bernard Nottage participated in the formal handover of two new police interceptor vessels built by Safeboats International for the Royal Bahamas Police Force's (RBPF) Marine Support Services Unit.

The U.S. Embassy's International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) Section donated the vessels to increase the RBPF's capacity to participate in end-game interdiction operations under Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos (OPBAT). The two new vessels are destined for George Town, Exuma and Matthew Town, Great Inagua. Other officials in attendance included Minister of State for National Security Keith Bell, RBPF Commissioner Ellison Greenslade, and SafeBoats International Director of Business and Development in Latin America & the Caribbean, John Hotz.

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Declaring the public's right to know the public's business, two organizations representing powerful interests and ethics convictions officially joined hands this week to urge passage of the much-touted and long-awaited freedom of information act.

The Bahamas Press Club, composed of journalists from print, electronic and social media, united with environmental rights advocates Save The Bays, saying together their voices would be louder and their call for 'the public's right to know' more emphatic.

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The third Bahamas Natural History Conference - organised by The Bahamas National Trust every two years - will take place March 14-18 at the College of The Bahamas in Oakes Field.

Top sponsors for the event - which is open to the public - are the College, the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, and the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, a Florida-based fisheries conservation group which has contributed $10,000 to help underwrite the event.

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As The Bahamas seeks to become a more developed and self-sufficient nation, there has to exist among the Bahamian people a deep need for a stronger and more balanced society. Deep down there is a voice in each of us that cries out to be treated with respect, dignity and equality. Some individuals struggled and died for this truth to be embraced by all of us as a people. The late Sir Lynden Pindling and others shared this vision. He and other great Bahamians believed in a better Bahamas and that spirit must be kept alive in the hearts of all-both young and old.

Epictetus stated, "only the educated are free". If this statement is true, then it is the library's responsibility to help educate the masses that will never walk through the doors of a college or university. Libraries are more than collections of books-no matter the format. They are community centres for the Bahamian people and others who walk through their doors.

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On Wednesday, February 17th, Lieutenant Commander Tom Gill, the U.S. Embassy's Coast Guard Liaison Officer to The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, officially recognized award-winning Bahamian flagged vessels under Campbell's Shipping Company for their strong participation during 2014 in the United States Coast Guard's (USCG) Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue (AMVER) system. The brief awards presentation was held at Campbell's Shipping headquarters in Nassau.

AMVER is a USCG managed search and rescue program in which merchant ships make themselves available for maritime emergency response on a volunteer basis. In accordance with the Coast Guard's primary mission of search and rescue, the AMVER program exists as a vehicle for mariners to help each other without regard to nationality with the end objective that no call for help should go unanswered.

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Children of Palmdale Primary School put on red noses for 'Red Nose Day' in The Bahamas on Friday, February 19, to help raise funds for the Bahamas Government's National Lunch Programme, which provides lunch for many school students. Red Nose Day was begun by the nonprofit organization, Comic Relief Inc. to assist projects that protect the well-being of children.

Bahamian student of St. Anne's Primary School Caden Smith, with a desire to help stamp out hunger in her own country, started the drive's launch in The Bahamas. Palmdale Primary held a Special Assembly for 'Red Nose Day' today to join in the initiative and allow the students give their support to the worthy cause. Pictured are Grade 2 students with Senior Mistress Mrs. Janet Gardiner.

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Director General of Tourism, Mrs. Joy Jibrilu, presented Sandyport Beaches Resort and Hotel with the RCI Gold Crown Award, a hotel industry top honour based partly on happy guests' positive comments and reviews.

"This is the only resort I've been in where there is a Director of Happiness. When a property has that as a strategic objective and they designate someone to ensure guest happiness what better formula can there be for guest satisfaction?" said the Director General.

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Lobster bisque was served with BISX facts and figures and the fine wine flowed along with ideas when 15 thinkers and business leaders came together this week to take a hard look at where the Bahamas International Securities Exchange (BISX) stands 15 years after its first trade and how to grow it in the coming years.

The think tank was held at the popular and growing community of Palm Cay at the club level of the two-story restaurant overlooking the ocean on the southeastern shore of New Providence.

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An exclusive post-secondary scholarship fund has been officially launched for residents of the Bain and Grants Town community. Deserving residents between the ages of 16 and 35 are eligible to secure scholarships to attend The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institution (BTVI), The College of The Bahamas (COB), Bahamas Baptist Community College, Atlantic College or any other local post-secondary accredited institution approved by the Ministry of Education.

Once chosen, recipients are also expected to perform community service within the area. Scholarship applications are to be submitted to the Bain and Grants Town Urban Renewal office by the last Friday in May. Recipients will be informed by the last Friday in June and the first lot of scholarships will be awarded in July.

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Farmer Levarity Deveaux will be honoured as a pioneer of farming in The Bahamas during the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources Agribusiness Expo 2016 to be held at the Expo site on Gladstone Road, March 9-13, 2016 under the theme "Progressing Towards Food Security: Our Food, Our Future, Our Bahamas."

Mr. Deveaux, who has been farming for 50-plus years, cultivates vegetables such as cabbage, beets, tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet pepper, broccoli, okra and every now and again sweet corn. He also raises pigs, goats and sheep on his 15-acre farm on Marshall Road.

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Executives of The Bahamas Press Club 2014 and the Reach Out and Touch Ministries donated more than 500 pounds of rice to several homes, as part of outreach efforts by both organizations. The donations were presented The Great Commission Ministries - one of four organizations feeding the hungry in the community; the Runfurly Home for Children, the All Saints Camp and the Children's Emergency Hostel. The presentations took place on January 23, 2016.

Pictured from left are Anthony A Newbold, President, The Bahamas Press Club; Ms Burrows, Sherise Ferguson, Reach Out and Touch Ministries; Mr. Roberts, and Vincent Vaughan, Treasurer, Bahamas Press Club.

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Three charitable organizations were the recipients of a cheque for $6,000 each on Friday evening, thanks to the generosity of Bahamas Striping Group of Companies and Caribbean Pavement Solutions. The presentations were made at Pelican Bay Resort.

Guest speaker for the evening, Minister for Grand Bahama the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville noted that he was pleased to celebrate with "a group of dynamic young businessmen." This, he said, is what the country is all about -- coming from humble beginnings but through hard work and dedication, building something meaningful.  

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More than 200 supporters donned their finest Sunday attire for the Cancer Association of Grand Bahama's first "Happy Tea Garden Party" fundraiser in Princess Isle on February 21. The elegant affair was held in aid of local cancer patients.

President of the Cancer Association of Grand Bahama Norma Headley said the organisation was pleased with the turnout, adding that she anticipated just over 100 guests. "It doesn't matter what event we have," Mrs Headley said, "the community always supports us 100 per cent, and this event was no exception."

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The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce (GBCC) executive board recently assembled in West Grand Bahama to meet with business owners in Eight Mile Rock regarding their involvement in the GBCC. The meeting, which was held on Thursday evening at Mount Zion Baptist Church, served to inform entrepreneurs in the western district of the GBCC's objectives for the upcoming year, the benefits of being a GBCC member, as well as encourage them to become members.

"As our name suggests, it is hoped that businesses in West Grand Bahama, Freeport and East Grand Bahama all actively participate in the affairs of the Chamber," GBCC President Kevin D. Seymour said. "The GBCC is trying to bring the business community together so we can speak to key stakeholders with a single, but amplified, voice. If there were ever a point in time where this is critical, the time is now."

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Resident personal development expert and best-selling author, Angelika Christie is inviting women of Grand Bahama and beyond to attend her "Prosper on Purpose" one-day-workshop on Saturday, March 5th at the Pelican Bay Hotel.

The event is packed with information known to teach women how to step into their brilliance, be confident, stand out and shine in their personal and business lives, according to the many raving testimonials of women who have attended her workshops in the past.

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The team at Deep Water Cay (DWC) is continuing to grow and provide memorable experiences for both guests and homeowners on the cay. The newest addition to their team is Robert Meadows, a native Grand Bahamian, who now serves as the Offshore Fishing Captain.

Meadows came to Deep Water Cay after ten years with a local offshore fishing and tour company, where he gained great knowledge on handling guest boating tours. Although he is no stranger to the beauty of The Bahamas, he noted, "Deep Water Cay is a beautiful place to work. The job is incredible. I really enjoy getting to fish with the clients, the scenery is stunning and just traveling to the cay each day is a gorgeous experience."

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The Grand Bahama Regional Branch of the Bahamas National Trust will hold its annual general meeting at the Rand Nature Centre in Freeport on March 8 beginning at 6.30pm. Dr. Jacqueline Miller of the Florida Museum of Natural History will give a public lecture on Bahamian butterflies and moths after the business meeting, and a cocktail reception will follow the public lecture.

Dr. Miller is an adjunct professor iat the University of Florida and a noted expert in Lepidoptera - an order of insects that includes 180,000 species of moths and butterflies.

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Resorts World Bimini (RWB) is the offering hearty congratulations to the Bimini All Stars Junkanoo Group upon capturing the top prize in the All Age division of the Grand Bahama Junior Junkanoo parade. RWB once again displayed its commitment to the island's youth and the preservation of Bahamian culture by covering the Bimini All Stars' travel expenses to the recently held parade. The donation paid off with the youngsters capturing the inter-island competition's first place prize in their division.

The donation continues RWB's legacy of supporting the arts in Bimini. RWB was the first corporate sponsor to donate to the island's Junior Junkanoo movement when it began in 2015 with the inaugural Bimini Junior Junkanoo parade.

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Bimini's great bonefish king and Bahamian sports icon, the late Samuel Achilles "Bonefish Sam" Ellis was posthumously bestowed the legendary "Tommy Gifford Award" and inducted into the Hall of Fame by the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The ceremony took place at the IGFA Headquarters on February 13, 2016.

Bonefish Sam, who spent more than seventy years in fishing before passing away on March 12, 2003, was one of six international captains and skippers recognized by the IGFA organization for their legendary skills and contributions to the fishing sport.

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The Bahamas National Sailing School (B.N.S.S.) are hosting their fourth annual art show, 'Art for Sail', on Saturday, February 27th. All are welcome to attend this fun event, being held for the first time at the new venue of Goodfellow Farms. There is a great line up of talented artists and craftspeople from across The Bahamas who will be showcasing their work and donating a generous percentage of sales to the B.N.S.S..

The sailing school, which is totally self-funded, relies on fundraising events such as this to maintain it's year-round program in which children from all walks of life can learn and enjoy the skill of sailing. Some of the proceeds also go towards the costs involved in sending some of our top young sailors to represent The Bahamas at international events worldwide.

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Junior Junkanoo was held in Freeport, Grand Bahama, on Saturday, February 20, 2016. The Parade was for the first time, free of charge, and it welcomed participants from nearby Bimini. These are the results:

PRIMARY SCHOOL DIVISION B WINNERS - Martin Town Primary School was declared the winners of this category in the 17th Annual City of Freeport Council's Junior Junkanoo Parade held on Saturday in Freeport. The winners received 2533 points, over their sole competitors Holmes Rock Primary who took second place.

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Sporting the beauty of straw work as costume, young people from tots to teens on Thursday showed off their 'Youth Culture Fest' fiesta attire at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture to the announcement from the Minister that "this year's Youth Culture Fest will be staged at Arawak Cay Heritage Site on April 9." The costumes exhibited different styles, colours, and materials of plait that make straw work so distinctive.

Youth Culture Fest will comprise 25 groups, and the theme this year will be the 'Road to Majority Rule.' The Fest's parade will begin promptly at 3:00 p.m. from the eastern side of the Western Esplanade, and travel west on the seafront to the Heritage Site where a concert featuring the participants, school children, and youth community groups will follow immediately after.

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The reigning queen was featured in as a model for the Philadelphia fashion house Burning Guitars. She was featured in the 19th Annual Rainbow Push Wall Street Economic Summit Fashion Show at the Sheraton Times Square NY.

Toria was also featured a Philadelphia show the previous day. She was hand-picked by the designer after wearing his designs in a Miami fashion show a few weeks earlier.  In the photo Miss Bahamas appears on the runway in designs by Burning Guitars.

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The CaribbeanTales Incubator (CTI) is a year-round development and production hub, for Caribbean and Caribbean Diaspora Producers, that aims to create strong compelling and sustainable content for the global market. The ultimate goal of the CTI is to increase the pool of world-class, indigenous film and television content, so as to build the region's audio visual capacity.

This year for the first time the CTI is sponsored by Flow, the Caribbean's leading TV and communications provider, as part of its commitment to the development of the Caribbean filmmaking industry.

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"Growth" the second group exhibition of works by wood artists Jeremy Delancy, David McGorrin, and Robin Hardy will open at Doongalik Studios on Sunday, February 28 from 3-6pm.

Inspired by the success of their "From Within" Exhibition last year, the artists have come together once again to showcase their fascination with this medium with a presentation of beautifully turned Bahamian wood items that can be functional, decorative or fanciful.

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Basketball is one of many great ways to play your way to success, and the Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) is leading the way by jump-starting Nassau's newest women's basketball league. The league is being spearheaded by one of WSC's very own and is a great way to showcase more of the country's female basketball talent.

WSC's Employee Relations Manager, Mynez Cargill- Sherman, who reached out to the Corporation and its partners Miya Bahamas and Consolidated Water for sponsorship, is spearheading the newly-formed women's junior basketball league. WSC's sponsorship will be helping the league to get started and encourage and support young women as they show off their basketball skills.

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When the smoke clears on March 6th, dozens of Chickcharney will have bested the toughest obstacle course on the island. The Chickcharney Challenge, now in its second year and third iteration, has expanded its course, plotted new routes and hit its participants with new, gut-wrenching obstacles. This year's course is called 'Marooned' because participants will find themselves stranded on obstacles surrounded by water.

Participants will meet a surprise around every corner, according to Chickcharney Chirren's newest Coordinator, Leah Treco. "We have made this year's challenge much more exciting and intense," said Treco. "We listened to what last year's participants wanted and we tried to deliver on that."

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The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism (BMOT) recently inked a deal and new partnership with the Florida Panthers Hockey team. The partnership commenced with the Islands of The Bahamas being featured to thousands of fans and spectators, attending the Florida Panthers game against the Winnipeg Jets at the BB&T Center this past Saturday.

Throughout the evening, videos of the popular Bahamas destinations were showcased on large jumbo trons to a near capacity crowd of twenty thousand. Patrons attending the game also registered their interest in vacating in The Bahamas with representatives of the BMOT, who also held a Bahamas exhibition.

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Cable Bahamas (CBL) is announcing that through its programming partners, REVTV maintains the rights to all NBA games aired on NBA TV, ESPN Caribbean, ESPN 2 Caribbean and NBA League Pass, representing over 94 per cent of all NBA games. International Media Content Ltd, parent company of SportsMax informed CBL that it holds exclusive broadcast rights to live NBA content previously available on ABC, TNT and TSN.

As a result of this agreement, all cable providers in the region will be required to black out NBA games aired on ABC, TNT and TSN, impacting less than six per cent of CBL's NBA game inventory. During the playoffs, ESPN Caribbean and ESPN 2 Caribbean will carry seven first round and seven conference semi-final games from across the Western and Eastern conferences. They will also carry the Eastern conference finals and entire NBA Finals.

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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.   

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