23rd Annual Conchman Triathlon 2009- November 7th

Freeport, Grand Bahama Island - The Conchman Triathlon is staged in Lucaya amidst wide boulevard streets and crystal waters in our beautiful tropical paradise. The entire community shares in this fund-raiser – from children to adult participants and the large group of volunteers who help make it all happen. Book your reservations now to compete November 7th, 2009 for fun and competition in this our 23rd Annual Conchman Triathlon. Register on-line at: www.conchman.com

Adult Race ( 1K swim, 25K bike, and a 5K run) starts on Saturday at Taino Beach at 8:00am, and Iron Kids at Noon.

The Ironkids Race consists of a 200m swim, a two mile bike ride and a half mile run.

Groups for Iron Kids competition begin at 6 and Under; 7-8; 9-10; 11-12 and 13 and Over. "The event is free courtesy of the sponsors — Fred Smith and Sun Alliance Insurance. The first 100 to finish will receive T-shirts, medals and awards."

Presentations will be made to the first three finishers in each group (boys and girls). "All primary and secondary school students are eligible to participate,"

Bahamas Officially Bans Harvesting Marine Turtles

Five of the world’s seven sea turtle species inhabit the Bahamas. Prior to the decision to ban all turtle harvesting, which will take effect on Tuesday, September 1, 2009, it was perfectly legal to kill all but one species, the hawksbill.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources hereby announces "the fisheries regulations governing marine turtles have been amended to give full protection to all marine turtles found in Bahamian waters by prohibiting the harvesting, possession, purchase and sale of turtles, their parts and eggs."

The waters surrounding the Bahamas are home to some of the most extensive green sea turtle foraging grounds in the world. Unfortunately, sea turtle populations have decreased worldwide, largely as a result of human interaction. One of the primary sources of sea turtle mortality is their direct killing for food and commercial products.

This news falls on the heels of preliminary data from the state of Florida showing 2009 to be one of the worst loggerhead sea turtle nesting years on record for the same population found in Bahamian waters.

In the Bahamas, the tourism industry generates more than 50 percent of its gross domestic product, with more than 80 percent of its visitors originating from the U.S. A recent Oceana survey Sea the Value: Quantifying the Value of Marine Life to Divers found that on average, scuba divers are willing to pay an additional $29.63 per dive – on top of their usual dive fees – for an increased likelihood of seeing a sea turtle in the wild.

The new regulations come after more than a year of intensive and extensive consultations with the Bahamian public. Oceana, along with other NGO's and individuals have lobbied extensively. Oceana submitted 2 formal letters and nearly 14,000 e-mails to Michael Braynen, director of the Department of Marine Resources in the Bahamas, in support of their proposal to increase protections for sea turtles in 2008.
ARTICLE SOURCE

Interview with Susan Taylor, Editor Emeritus, Essence Magazine

Grand Bahama Island - The Bahamas Weekly is pleased to bring an exclusive video interview with Susan Taylor, editor emeritus of Essence Magazine and author of "In the Spirit - The Inspirational Writings of Susan.

Taylor was on island over the March 28th 2009 weekend for the Awakenings Conference with Iyanla Vanzant at the Our Lucaya resort.

Click to play

Listen as Lyndah Wells of The Bahamas Weekly discusses with Taylor how she became involved in the spiritual conference; her 37 year career at Essence Magazine; the way her column for the magazine, "In the Spirit" came about; as well as her plans for the future. Most importantly, Susan speaks about mentoring children and teens.

Susan Taylor left Essence Magazine over a year ago and became founder of Cares Mentoring, which has a mission to end the state of emergency in Black America by connecting caring adults to youth mentoring opportunities. They have launched the largest mentor-recruitment effort in the nation and assist in the liaising of thousands of organizations throughout the states.

A New Paradigm – Necessity is the Mother of Invention

By Susan Moir Mackay

My father’s father started his furniture business in the 1930’s during the recession. He started out small - driving to customers’ houses and cutting out a pattern for loose covers for their couches and chairs. In those hard times it was a more economical solution to brightening up the home than buying new furniture. His training was night school - the club chair he made sits proudly in my house today. From these meager beginnings a family business has grown and thrived into full house furnishers, renowned in my home city of Edinburgh, Scotland. My two brothers now steer the business through the troubled water of a new recession following in the footsteps of my father and grandfather.

It is well known that artists are not known for the business acumen. And truth be told I am no exception to the rule, somehow the concept of money seems to dirty the purity of distilled emotion in artistic expression. However my childhood was steeped in lengthy and animated conversations around the table about marketing, bottom lines, profit margins, turn over and other business jargon – not common fodder to fledgling creativity!
Being Scottish I was also influenced heavily by a slightly indulgently parsimonious upbringing, the phrase, “necessity is the mother of invention” was embedded in my DNA I believe!

It seems to me it is exactly in times of recession that necessity is in capital letters. And invention becomes the key to unlocking a brighter future.
There is a different sense with this recession - a sense that the old system is not only breaking down but permanently defunct. And if the old system IS defunct the question for everyone is what are we going to create instead?
And what I love about this question is that EVERYONE is entitled to answer it. No longer is this the sole arena of Harvard graduates and business analysts or fat cat bankers.
We are all now this moment inextricably involved in creating or inventing a new solution for our future.
My neighbor shares her vegetables with me and we discuss creating a larger garden in the bush beside our houses. And to steal a metaphor from her nimble green fingers - new growth occurs after pruning.
This is a time of change- we are in the midst of a severe pruning. Enormous global change- pruning on a mammoth scale, but it is this change that propels us out of the inertia of easy prosperity. Now is the time to look into ourselves and into our community and find the wealth of natural talent, resources and creativity to become better people and better neighbors in this island and as neighbors on a global scale.
And with an incessant Necessity calling to us in this current financial climate - what are we going to invent?

There is something exciting about generating ideas, pushing the boundaries of typical commerce to generate abundance in a time of supposed scarcity. And truly Grand Bahama is an abundant land….vegetables and fruit grow in profusion in this climate, even if the soil is a bit sandy! The oceans still hold belly full’s of fish. But beyond vital sustenance what innovations in technology and our common living practices may happen, even here in Grand Bahama? How can we as a community create new programs to motivate and encourage independent business? How can we support local industry? How can we combine awareness of our environment to make better business choices? How can we save money, reduce waste by recycling, even in our own homes? How can we use our imaginations to discover new solutions to everyday challenges of maintaining a house hold or a business? How can we as individuals keep the quality of life on this island something to be envied and emulated by others? What natural resources can we use to save money – yet be respectful to the environment?

These are some of the questions we can ask ourselves and be inspired to find forceful answers that we can all benefit from. It is no longer a time to sit back, now is the time to brainstorm, connect, diversify and take responsibility for our part in the solution for this community as a whole.
I am inspired by my grandfather’s example of planting such an apparently innocuous seed in a time of economic drought that has grown into a stout tree- a business supporting 50 families. I want to weave that story into my consciousness and allow my creativity to help shift the old paradigm of business structure to find a new way of doing things to create a new way of life that respects the individual and the planet. Now is the time to move away from mass produced large conglomerate, to something with more meaning and integrity, and this new paradigm, I believe, will be found by acknowledging commerce and creativity, to construct a society that speaks to our hearts not just our pockets.



Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Susan Moir Mackay is a professional artist with a B.A. (Hons) in Art and Design from Edinburgh College of Art. She is an impassioned advocate of art and has a deep abiding belief that art benefits individuals and communities. Susan has travelled extensively, observing art in all its forms and has invested much of her time to art education projects, as well as developing her own art works and exhibitions. Susan currently lives in Freeport with her two children, Fiona and Dylan. She can be reached at sozmac@hotmail.com

Exclusive Listing- Penthouse at Bell Channel Club & Marina

Isolated communities in Grand Bahama to be brought up to speed with basic technology

The main lane in the beautiful Water Cay © Lyndah Wells 2009,


BTC Office on Water Cay image © Lyndah Wells


BTC office in Sweetings Cay Image © Lyndah Wells


The Main Street on Sweetings Cay image © Lyndah Wells



By GENEA NOEL/ Freeport News


Now that the Communications Bill 2009 has been passed, MP for High Rock and Minister of Housing Kenneth Russell said that isolated communities in Grand Bahama and all over The Bahamas with 10 or more houses will be brought up to speed with basic technology.

In a recent interview with The Freeport News, Russell said places like Sweeting's Cay, Water Cay and possibly McLean's Town may have telephone, Internet and cable services as early as October.

He explained that there are clauses in the Bill which require the Bahamas Telecommunications Company Limited (BTC) and Cable Bahamas to provide these services if there are 10 or more houses in the area. In the past, he said, this was not the case.

"If you live in a community with 10 houses, BTC has to install the telephone system and Internet system. Cable Bahamas has to bring in the Internet system and television system, which gives the people a choice," he said.

"In instances where the company might say that it is too expensive for them to put in the infrastructure because they are fearful that they are not going to make their money back, well now once enough houses are in the area they have to."

Russell said that Cable Bahamas would now have to provide basic cable, which is described as the ZNS TV 13 channel, the parliamentary channel, an international news channel, a children's activity and movie channel and the second television station in The Bahamas.

The six stations, he said, must all be free of charge and infrastructure has to be put in place where companies are able to rebroadcast waves ensuring that persons are able to watch television.

Russell said that BTC has already moved to put residential lines in Water Cay after the Bill was passed, but it would be a different process for Cable Bahamas.

"Cable Bahamas would have a different situation because they have a monopoly until October of this year," Russell explained. "Once that agreement runs out, if Cable Bahamas has not started to put in their systems, the weight of the law will come down and push them to ensure that the law is complied with by Cable Bahamas and BTC."

The Communications Bill, which was passed in May of this year, is comprised of The Electronic Communications Bill, The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority Bill (URCA), The Utilities Appeal Tribunal Bill and the privatization of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company Ltd. that are together expected to help transform the face of telecommunications in the country.

Gala Celebration for Stefania Fernandez, Miss Universe 2009

Donald J. Trump and Stefania Fernandez, Miss Venezuela 2009, of Mérida, arrive to a cheering crowd at the celebration party in Atlantis,photographer: Patrick Prather




Stefania Fernandez, Miss Venezuela 2009, of Mérida, arrives to a cheering crowd at the celebration party in Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas, after just being crowned MISS UNIVERSE 2009.




Former titleholder Dayana Mendoza, Miss Universe 2008 congratulates new titleholder Stefania Fernandez, Miss Venezuela 2009,photo: Darren Decker

18 year old Stefania Fernandez, Miss Venezuela 2009, of Mérida, poses onstage with judges Colin Cowie, Valeria Mazza, Tamara Tunie, Farouk Shami, Gerry DeVeaux, Heather Kerzner, Dean Cain, Richard LeFrak, Keisha Whitaker, Matthew Rolston, and George Maloof Jr. after winning the title of Miss Universe 2009
photo: Darren Decker

Once again Miss Venezuela, Stefania Fernandez takes the crown as Miss Universe

Reacting to the cheering Bahamian crowd, 18 year old Stefania Fernandez, Miss Venezuela 2009, of Mérida, is crowned Miss UNIVERSE 2009, and becomes the 58th MISS UNIVERSE. Her spectacular year long reign will include traveling throughout the country making special appearances on behalf of the Miss Universe Organization, its sponsors and affiliated charities.
ho/MISS UNIVERSE Organization






Hosts, Billy Bush and Claudia Jordan. Photo, Darren Decker

Musical guest Kelly Rowland, performs with contestants during the evening gown portion of the LIVE NBC broadcast of the 58th annual Miss Universe competition from Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas on Sunday, August 23, 2009 at 9:00 P.M. (ET) on the NBC Television Network.
ho/Miss Universe L.P., LLLP




Musical guest Heidi Montag, performs during the 2009 Miss Universe competition.


Musical guest Flo Rida performs during the swimsuit portion of the 2009 Miss Universe competition. photo, Darren Decker

Donald Trump Views Miss Universe Rehearsal August 23, 2009

The contestants take a break in rehearsals to meet Donald Trump, Phil Ruffin and Paula Shugart in the Imperial Ballroom at Atlantis, Paradise Island Bahamas on August 21, 2009. The Miss Universe 2009 competition will air live on the NBC Television Network at 9:00 PM ET from ATLANTIS, Paradise Island, Bahamas on Sunday, August 23, 2009. HO/Miss Universe L.P., LLLP

Miss Universe Contestants in Float Parade in Nassau

Public Meeting on the Peterson Cay Expansion Proposal

By Bahamas National Trust, Grand Bahama



Grand Bahama Island - Interested persons are invited to attend a public meeting on the Bahamas National Trust's proposed Peterson Cay Expansion Proposal.

The Meeting will take place on Thursday, August 27th at 7pm at the Rand Nature Centre.
The purpose will be to discuss the inclusions of marine environs to the existing Peterson Cay National Park.
Interested persons may contact the following for further information:

Cecilia Bodie – Rand Nature Centre 1-242-352-5438

Janeen Bullard – The Retreat 1-242-393-1317

Bahamian Olympic Snowboarder Korath Wright Visits Grand Bahama

In May 2009, The Bahamas weekly News team( Which I work for) had a media day with a young Bahamian Olympic Snowboarder- THAT'S RIGHT, Snowboarder. Kory is the FIRST Bahamian to ever compete in The winter Olympics taking place in 2010, in the snowboarding category.

Watch an overview of our blissful day with Korath Wright and his entourage as The Bahamas Weekly News Team took them on a tour Of Grand Bahama Island with the gracious assistance of Sky Bahamas, Pelican Bay Hotel & Brice Limo Service( 242 441 3268).







" Amidst a busy schedule, Bahamian snowboarder, Korath Wright, who will compete in the February 2010 Winter Olympics took some time back in his home country to meet with the media, share his story, and seek sponsorship to cover his training costs up to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver Canada.

Korath is a Bahamian first! He is the first Bahamian to compete in a Winter Olympics, and definitely all eyes will be on him when he hits the halfpipe (his event) in hopes of a Gold medal for The Bahamas.

Korath was born in Nassau and moved to Canada at the age of one with his mother. He grew up in Calgary, Alberta. He took up snowboarding at a very young age.

Preparing for the Olympics is no easy task and much travel and expense is necessary. Businesses or persons interested in helping make history for The Bahamas by supporting Korath can contact him at KorathWright@hotmail.com

The above video and link to photo slideshow of Korath's recent trip in May 2009 to The Bahamas were produced by Alex Neun who often travels with Korath.


We thank also ZNS, COOL96, Love 97 & Tony Macaroni:)

BAIC official calls the proposed farmers market useful venture

By LISA S. KING/ Freeport News

As the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) makes plans to construct a new Farmer's Market for the city of Freeport, BAIC Assistant General Manager H. Rudy Sawyer is convinced that it will be a very useful venture that could enhance the way vendors sell their goods.

In an interview with The Freeport News yesterday, Sawyer said since an announcement was made by GBPA officials about the project, BAIC has expressed a strong interest and intends to work hand in hand with the port to ensure its success.

Last month, GBPA Chairman Hannes Babak declared that the proposed Farmers Market will be located on West Atlantic Drive and will be conveniently situated near the circle by the Home Centre.

Sir Jack Hayward, honorary chairman of the GBPA Ltd., who was also present at the press conference revealing the information, noted that the final location was determined based on a vote taken among the local fishermen who were invited to present their suggestions for the market.

Sawyer said once the Farmers Market is completed, it will provide an improved atmosphere for fish, fruit and vegetable vendors to sell their goods in a manner that will be much better than it was before.

"So there is a similar interest (in the Farmers Market) and certainly as a corporation, we do have a keen interest in working with them (GBPA) on it," Sawyer said. "It truly expresses the interest of BAIC as we think that it could be a very useful venture."

He said in New Providence, the Produce Exchange there had been run down for a number of years and BAIC took an initiative to Govern-ment to have it refurbished so that it could be up and running again. The Produce Exchange was a necessary place for farmers around the country to bring their products and like the one in New Providence, the Ministry of Agriculture in Grand Bahama are busily refurbishing the Produce Exchange downtown.

Thus, Sawyer is of the view that the provision of a new Farmers Market would greatly improve the availability of fresh produce on a daily basis.

"I would think that an outlet like that, given the retail side of it and with the limited numbers we do have now, it would give them (vendors) an avenue to be able to sell their goods differently from what they are doing now," he said.

"I certainly expect that we will get more farmers as time goes on, once we don't get hit too hard by any hurricanes, which seems to be the biggest discouragement in this field here in Grand Bahama."

Farming, the BAIC general manager said, is an area in which he is particularly encouraged, especially in public high schools that offer an agricultural program for students.

He said there is great potential there because eventually some of the students will take farming seriously and find a way to establish it as a business.

"Farmers will come from wherever people are. There will always be an interest by people to grow their own food or stay close to land," he said. "Most of the land for commercial farming in Grand Bahama is really located towards the eastern end of the island, where most of the crown land for farming is located. Once you get near to Gold Rock Creek, that is where you will find most of the farms."

Sawyer said while the Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for refurbishing the Produce Exchange, BAIC has a different approach to agriculture as a government corporation.

"BAIC's angle when it comes to agriculture is as with any other business and that is to really encourage people who would want to go into business to help them prepare to go into business," he said.

During the press conference announcing the location of the new Farmers Market, Sir Jack also said he liked the idea of it being not just a fish market, but rather a space that vendors can sell fruit, vegetables and prepared seafood dishes as well.

He said that it would be ideal for persons who want to bring fruits and vegetables and other products from the rest of The Bahamas as there is a need to be able to access all of the many products, flora and fauna of The Bahamas.

"It was perhaps not the best move to introduce the project as a fish market," he said agreeing that a farmers market would be a much more suitable name. "We should call it a farmers' market and we should encourage all the farmers in the whole of The Bahamas to send their produce to the farmers' market."

Part 2 of Interview with Cristina Zenato, Cave Diver & shark lover Extraordinaire

Grand Bahama designer Basheva Eve shines at Miss Universe

By The Bahamas Weekly News Team

(l-r)Basheva Eve & Roland Epstein, photo: Lyndah Wells

Grand Bahamian Basheva Eve had the opportunity of a lifetime to showcase her designs at the 2009 Miss Universe Pageant held in Nassau on August 12th.

One of four designers selected for the event, Basheva Eve, of La Maison de Besh had three months to prepare 28 pieces for the show, but only one week to tweak the outfits after only one fitting took place with each pageant contestant.


Models fashion designed by Basheva Eve of La Maison de Besh. Each specifically designed outfit were created and tailored for each Miss Universe Contestant featuring Bahamian fabrics. The Fashion Showcase took place at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort August 12, 2009. Photographer: Matt Petit
All images courtesy of Miss universe Organisation




When asked how she felt about the opportunity to work with the world’s largest pageant and to receive such prominent exposure, Eve replied, “WOW! I felt it was a fabulous opportunity to have my work seen and appreciated by such a vast audience. It is so good when you receive positive feedback from your work. I think this exposure did much for my work in particular but also for the apparel / textile industry of the Bahamas in general.”


In describing her design-style for her pieces for the big show she said, “I believe our lifestyle in The Bahamas is one of ‘resort’, it is laid back yet clean, elegant, sophisticated, unique and classic. This is what I wanted to present to the world.”

Her outfits for the show featured hand batiked fabrics and plaited straw pieces. “The fabrics were wonderful because they were all organic to begin with and created right here in the Bahamas by Androsia and Bahama Hand Print. The straw used to create the bustiers is from our islands. Since these fabrics were created here in the Bahamas they have a flavor that could only be found in these islands, they are born from the currant of our culture. The colours used were taken from everyday life in the islands. I highlight the fabrics by accentuating with items such as iridescent paint, crochet roses, and Braided Bahamian Palm Leaf. I am an island girl and I took the colours from nature around me, colours I love that caress the eyes and are appealing on the complexion.”
When asked about her experience of working with the pageant and the contestants Eve said, “I met with the contestants with my marketing director Rolanda Epstein for the fittings and our experience was very pleasant. The ladies that we were sent were absolutely beautiful, with perfect bodies and were very personable. As each lady left, there were hugs and invitations to exchange visits to each other’s home countries. I would not want to be a judge at this pageant, as all of these ladies were at their best.”

With representation in Nassau and Freeport, Besh creates truly unique garments and accessories for men and women, under the label La Bonne Vie Bahamas. Her philosophy is to design and manufacture clothes that inspire people to enjoy the magnificence of their inner beauty while transforming their image to an elegant, engaging one; and to create brands of style and enduring sophistication, while promoting respect for positive social and environmental issues .

Besh has designed for some of the Bahamas’ most influential people. Among the many she has designed bridal ensembles for the daughter of the Prime Minister of The Bahamas, many National and International Beauty Queens such as prospective Miss World and Miss Universe.

“I design clothes that work for the individual; to me this is a must! It’s about the personal relationship I have with you, my client, getting to know who you really are, that when you wear one of my garments it makes you feel you are absolutely “The Most Beautiful Person in the Whole World.”

In addition, high profile and prominent business people alike seek out her modern designs of eye-catching gowns and elegant suits, which are so very haute couture.

There’s much more to come from Basheva Eve, as she will be opening her new store this fall in Freeport, and as a creative mind, she has many more surprises in store.





Read the original article here by www.thebahamasweekly.com