The Closing Night Gala screening on 31 Mar is Children of God, Kareem J Mortimer’s gorgeously photographed first feature, which tells the classic tale of love, unfolding against a backdrop of violent homophobia and social unease in the Bahamas.

The first of the Centrepiece screenings is I Killed My Mother. Written, produced, directed by and starring 20-year-old Xavier Dolan, this witty and articulate film cleverly exposes the vulnerabilities and self-doubts of being a teenager.

Source: The Bahamas: Complete Guide to the Bahama Islands

This Government is fully appreciative of the need for a replacement hospital for the island of Grand Bahama. In this regard, a strategy has been devised for a phased redevelopment of the Health facilities in the Freeport area, beginning with the construction of a new Primary Care facility, which will provide the Freeport community with improved access to primary care services and relieve the demand on the Rand. However, in the interim, a number of critical interventions are being implemented.

Firstly, the Government is currently fast-tracking a special project for the construction of a new theatre and the expansion and upgrade of the existing theatre at the Rand Memorial Hospital in order to meet the current and expanding needs of the population in Grand Bahama. This initiative, which will cost the Government an estimated 1.6 million dollars, will address the critical problem of long waiting times and repeated postponement of scheduled surgeries, increased lengths of stay and increased operating costs.

Another crucial problem at the Rand is the Accident & Emergency Department where there are inadequate clinical spaces, which do not allow for proper patient triage or optimal patient flow. There is no designated trauma, acute cardiac cases, decontamination or emergency surgical area. All urgent, emergency and trauma patients are treated in an open emergency bay area, offering limited privacy.

This issue has become a major source of concern for the Government and cannot be delayed any further. Therefore a project is underway to renovate and expand the main Accident and Emergency area at a contracted cost of 1.7 million dollars.

In order to accommodate this much needed expansion, plans have been mobilized to renovate a building on Coral Road at an estimated cost of $215,000 to relocate the Out Patient Specialty Clinic Services and make way for the Accident and Emergency Project.

Additional investments are being made into many other infrastructural improvement initiatives at the Rand Hospital during this transition phase; including repair of the roof to the main building for approximately half a million dollars.

The Government of The Bahamas wishes to reassure the general public and the Grand Bahama community that its health facilities management and development plans are strong and designed to support the provision of quality health services without compromise.

Source: Bahamas Information Services

Source: The Bahamas: Complete Guide to the Bahama Islands

The victim approached her teacher and the teacher suggested she tell the school’s principal. The principal then called the girl’s parents to the school.

It then emerged that at least two other female students had been targeted by the same teacher.

The Ministry of Education is expected to travel to Rock Sound, where they will conduct further investigation.

Source: The Bahamas: Complete Guide to the Bahama Islands

“For if we perpetually wallow in the pools of complaining, we cramp creativity, we choke vitality and there is only a spirit of apathy that will flourish making us numb to the beauty and the gifts and provisions all around us and yet available to us,” he said.

Source: The Bahamas: Complete Guide to the Bahama Islands

“We are excited about partnering with Take Initiative Nassau,” said Vaughn Roberts, DNP’s managing director. “The engagement of young Bahamians is absolutely critical to the revitalization of downtown Nassau. Generally, vibrant cities are those that are successful in attracting a talented, young demographic.”

The launch event, co-sponsored by Take Initiative Nassau (TIN) and entitled “Love My 242,” will start at 7 p.m. tonight at No. 20 Parliament Street (former Parliament Street Hotel location).

As a support group, TIN will make use of volunteerism, innovative event planning and grassroots community outreach to involve young Bahamians in the important endeavor of revitalizing the nation’s first city and capital. Both organizations view the partnership as an opportunity for what they jointly dubbed “motivated, intelligent and civic-minded people” to take a leading role in transforming Nassau into a dynamic and interesting venue for entertainment, shopping, dining, leisure and living.

The free launch event will feature live Bahamian entertainment, courtesy of recording artists Julien Thompson (“Believe”) and N’City (“Like Me”), and hosts for the evening are Anku Sa Ra and Leah E. In anticipation of Valentine’s Day, door prizes include gifts from Diamonds International, a romantic dinner for two at the Wyndham Nassau Resort, floral arrangements by Wild Seed Designs and more. For more information visit www.tin242.com.

Source: Nassau Guardian

Source: The Bahamas: Complete Guide to the Bahama Islands

The jet stopped in Exuma to pick up a resort executive. There was a “tip” from Jamaican authorities to search the plane again for drugs.

Upon searching again, the plane was still clean, no sign of misconduct.

Some are saying the search was called into smear the reputation of the Sandals executives on board the jet.

Jamaican police are investigating if the call came in from one of their own.

Source: The Bahamas: Complete Guide to the Bahama Islands

Jay loved his country of birth, The Bahamas, and this love led him to the sea. Jay will be remembered for his work in filmography. Some of the major films were “Pirates of the Caribbean”, “Into the Blue”, and the James Bond movies which were filmed in The Bahamas. His professional life, in addition to filmography, was filled with work that ensured he could be on the sea or in the sea. He held a boat captain master license; he was a commercial fisherman; certified scuba instructor; boat and motorcycle mechanic; underwater construction, dredging, and salvage expert, and all-round handyman. Although retired, he was always willing to help out those in need.

Jay’s friends describe him as being “knowledgable”, “dependable”, “gentle”, and “humourous”. He loved dogs, particularly stray dogs that he could rescue and treat to a good meal.

Pre-deceased by his mother, Dorothy “Dede” Albury and his father, Joseph Dewitt “Jay Dee” Albury, Jr., he is survived by his beloved sister Susan “Honey” Robertson, his brother-in-law John Robertson, his nephew Jason Robertson, his nieces Chrystonia and Joanne Robertson, and a host of family and friends.

A service of celebration was held at the Bahamas National Trust, Village Road, on Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009 at 3:00p.m.

Pastor Clint Kemp officiated.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to BAARK, P.O. N-242, Nassau, Bahamas or Scotia Bank (East Bay Street) A/C#50385-3202371, in Jay’s memory.

Source: The Tribune

Source: The Bahamas: Complete Guide to the Bahama Islands

He said like Mary, the Church is not afraid, because the Christ child is her strength. But she does not keeps Him to herself: she offers him to all those who seek him with a sincere heart, to the earths lowly and afflicted, to the victims of violence, and to all who yearn for peace.

Source: The Bahamas: Complete Guide to the Bahama Islands

“You cannot unilaterally take someone off a register because there are procedures for taking people off. We delete deceased persons and if someone moves from one area to another we make sure the changes are made. Every time people move they are supposed to apply for a transfer, but that they do not and that is a problem,” Mr Bethel said.

“The Parliamentary Commissioner and people in the community can challenge names on the register. We depend heavily on the challenges for proper scrutiny and policing.”

He explained that the register for a By-Election is not a new register. “When a register is prepared it is good for five years. There are names that were there for the general election because that is the way registers are done.

It is easier to know if somebody has moved in the Family Islands because everybody knows everybody. In New Providence you would know within your immediate area if someone has moved, but you may not know where the person has relocated.

“There are a number of people who have moved in the constituency for the upcoming By-Election and added their names to the register, but there are a number of people who have not registered,” Mr Bethel said.

He noted that the register of voters has been published in the official gazette.

Polling divisions

Polling divisions open at 8 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. However, the Parliamentary Commissioner can allow additional time to ensure the division is open for 10 hours.

He explained that the list is in alphabetical order that makes it easy for people to locate their names. At the left of the list is a number bearing the voter’s polling division.

There are two polling places and six polling stations. Voters in polling division numbers 1, 4, 6, 8, 9 will go to Faith Temple Christian Academy on Pine Barren Road and voters in polling divisions numbers 2, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 11 will go to Thelma Gibson Primary School in Elizabeth Estates.

Persons entitled to vote

“We want to make sure people understand who can vote. We have made every effort to contact everybody on the list. I admit that we did not make contact with some people, but we have some information on people who may have moved.

Persons entitled to vote must be: registered as a voter, a citizen of The Bahamas, 18 years of age or older, and should have been living in the constituency at least three months before they registered. They must not be subject to any legal capacity (not in prison or unsound mind by virtue of any act).

“Anyone who was left the constituency within six months is not entitled to vote. People who have been outside of the constituency for this period and are still on the list should not come to vote.

“They cannot legally vote if they have moved out for more than six months. If they are not entitled to vote and they vote charges can be brought against them because they are committing an offence,” Mr Bethel said.

Source: Bahamas Information Services

Source: The Bahamas: Complete Guide to the Bahama Islands

The creatively presented event showcases a lavish array of gourmet food prepared by Chefs from Nassau’s premier restaurants, fine wine and spirits and live entertainment with all proceeds benefitting Hands For Hunger the non-profit, humanitarian organization committed to the elimination of hunger and the reduction of food waste in The Bahamas.

Last year, Paradise Plates served-up an unforgettable evening to the more than 400 hundred guests who came out in a large show of support and raised over $60,000 to help fight hunger in The Bahamas.

“Hands for Hunger is extremely pleased and humbled by the great success of last year’s Paradise Plates and based on the event’s popularity and the positive feedback we received, we plan on making this year’s fundraiser even bigger,” said Ashley Lepine, Executive Director, Hands For Hunger. “Many of our participants are planning to join us again this year and we will also be featuring new restaurants, Chefs and their signatures dishes. It promises to be another wonderful evening.”

All proceeds from Paradise Plates will go to Hands For Hunger and its food rescue program. Each day, Hands For Hunger picks-up fresh, high quality food that would otherwise go to waste and delivers it to community centers, shelters, churches and soup kitchens throughout New Providence.

Since operations began in March of 2009, H4H has already distributed over 120,000 lbs of food to those in need (approximately equal to 120,000 meals served) and prevented 16,000 tons of carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere.

“Hunger is a solvable problem. It is a fact that there is more than enough food on this island to amply feed every single woman, man and child. Hands For Hunger functions to connect this excess supply with the unmet, ever growing need through the more equitable and efficient distribution of resources, “said Alanna Rodgers, Founder and Program Coordinator of Hands For Hunger. “The proceeds raised from Paradise Plates will go directly to helping us feed the hungry in our community.”

More than 400 people attended Paradise Plates last year and raised over $60,000 to help fight hunger in The Bahamas. The amazing array of lavish food and drink is complemented by a silent auction, raffle, live entertainment and beautiful décor. For more information call or email at 327-1660 ext. 241 or info@handsforhunger.org.

Source: The Bahamas: Complete Guide to the Bahama Islands