Grand Bahama Personal Trainer Rob Harris Reigns as 2011's Mr. Bahamas

Robert Harris:  Mr. Bahamas 2011 · Photo: Godfrey Robinson

Congratulations to Certified Personal Trainer Rob Harris on making a long held bodybuilding dream come true by winning The Mr. Bahamas Bodybuilding championship title in early July.

Big Rob's commitment to bodybuilding and passion for fitness is discussed in The Freeport News' article here, and on his health and training website, Innovative Fitness Group.

For information on the whole line-up of Grand Bahama bodybuilding participants and winners in the national competition in Nassau, click on The Bahamas Weekly article here. Congrats All!

Robert Harris out of Freeport captured the 1st place stop which also set him up to capture the overall men’s title of Mr. Bahamas 2011 as well as most muscular. Photo: Godfrey Robinson

Great Golf Course Condo

Experience this beautifully appointed two-story, 2 bedroom 2.5 bath condo located in 21 Condominiums. This condo community boasts views of The Lucayan Country Club golf course. Recently renovated, this unit features an open floor plan with porcelain tiles that unify the living room, dining room and kitchen, and enhances the spacious, bright and airy feeling. The custom kitchen boasts stainless steel appliances, a wet bar and lots of cabinet space. Both bedrooms are tastefully decorated, equipped with a queen size bed and en-suite bathroom. Enjoy your private patio or balcony overlooking the golf course or walk over to the community swimming pool. Call 242-351-9081 today to view!
Status: Active
Price: $232,000
Rental Term: n/a
Address: Albacore Drive
Subdivision: Greening Glade
City: Freeport Grand Bahama
Unit: 1
Block: 4
Lot: -
Latitude: 26.518041
Longitude: -78.645387
Beds: 2
Baths: 2.5
Square Feet: 1,400
Zoning: Multi Family

Listing ID: 5756

For full information on this beautiful condo, click here or contact Coldwell Banker James Sarles Realty at 242-351-9081, #9 Regent Centre, Freeport, Grand Bahama. 

Vision Air Brings Louisville, Kentucky Non-Stop Service to Grand Bahama Island Beginning November 3rd

news via www.greenfieldreporter.com

Vision Airlines will begin $99 nonstop flight service from Louisville, Kentucky, to Grand Bahama Island, starting November 3, 2011. Vision Airlines says there will be two weekly departures from Louisville International Airport to Grand Bahama Island (FPO) on 148-seat Boeing 737 aircraft taking off at 7 p.m. on Thursdays and 3:35 p.m. on Sundays. Travel to Grand Bahama Island just got more reasonable and more convenient!

Its Better In The Bahamas

ITS BETTER IN THE BAHAMAS

Another beautiful summer day on Grand Bahama Island.  We anchored our boat Schatzi  off the southern shore in front of Spanish Main on a shallow sandbar.  It's our favorite spot to swim. My wife likes to call it God's Pool. The turquoise sea was flat calm, gin clear and it felt like we were swimming in a bathtub.  I feel very lucky to have this beauty in my backyard. This photo was taken by our talented friend Christine Matthai http://christinematthai.com/Site/Welcome.html

Ft. Lauderdale Int'l Film Festival (FLIFF) On Location: Grand Bahama Island October 27–30, 2011

by The Bahamas Weekly News Team—www.thebahamasweekly.com

Freeport, Bahamas - At a recent press conference, The Ministry of Tourism & Aviation, in conjunction with the Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) announced ‘FLIFF On-Location: Grand Bahama Island’ an offshore component of FLIFF to be held on Grand Bahama Island, October 27th – 30th, 2011. 

Craig Woods, Film Commissioner for The Bahamas and Gregory Von Hausch,  President/CEO, FLIFF made a special trip to the island on Monday, July 18th, to look at the proposed layout of the festival, attend planning meetings, and announce festival particulars and information to the local media at a press conference.

The main location for the festival will be at the state-of-the-art Canal House conference facility of the Pelican Bay Hotel, with a few outdoor screenings planned. One screening is confirmed for Taino Beach / Smith's Point, which is often a favourite shooting location for many films.  Screenings and parties will be at reasonable cost to encourage participation from locals and visitors alike. Guests of Pelican Bay Hotel will receive a Fast Pass to festival events and screenings.

The festival will offer familiarization trips for visiting producers and directors to showcase Grand Bahama Island as a future filming location.There will be workshops in film, including one on underwater cinematography with award-winning cinematographer, Paul Mockler. The festival promises to showcase films from Bahamian filmmakers as well, and well-known award-winning Bahamian director, Kareem Mortimer will also be leading a workshop.  

Organizers have sent out a call for films and are eager to receive Bahamian films, according to Ministry of Tourism officials. Information on FLIFF and film submissions can be obtained at www.fliff.com. Film submissions are still being accepted through August 30th, 2011. Submit films via megaupload.com, rapidshare.com, sendspace.com, andwetransfer.com to address FLIFF@Bahamas.com.  More information can be obtained through email atDmackey@bahamas.com or via the Bahamas Film Commission: Grand Bahama's Facebook page:http://www.facebook.com/GBIFilm

Mr. Von Hausch expressed his excitement for the upcoming expansion of FLIFF and thanked those that have been working diligently to make it happen. The idea was sparked after he reached out to Grand Bahama Ministry of Tourism last year when they jointly screened Into the Blue, a film shot in Grand Bahama, at the Regency Theatre in Freeport.

Members of the Ministry of Tourism on the conference panel shared similar sentiments and agreed that the festival would most certainly bring further exposure to filming in Grand Bahama Island. It should be noted that the island received an injection of $43,000,000 into the local economy during the shooting of Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean II and III. A film festival will no doubt bring further exposure to the island, and should entice more filmmakers to shoot at the destination.

Jackie Dack, a representative from the Grand Bahama Youth Film Competition Committee gave details on a contest already underway for youth ages 12 to 18 years who will have a chance to have their short film screened not only at FLIFF on Location, but the winner will be flown to Fort Lauderdale to attend, and have their short screened there as well. Details are on their Facebook page "Grand Bahama Youth Film Competition" or information can be found on The Bahamas Weekly. Deadline for youth entries is August 1st, 2011 and the film must be 5 minutes or less. The theme is "A Conversation in Grand Bahama". 

For full video coverage of the press conference, click here. 

New Starbucks Coffee now at The Art of Giving gift boutique at The International Bazaar

Grand Bahama's new spot for Starbucks® Coffee at The Art of Giving shop at The International Bazaar

Grand Bahama Island coffee fans have reason to celebrate—a new Starbucks® Coffee boutique is now open at The Art of Giving gift shop at The International Bazaar. The new cafe also offers a selection of ices (mango, raspberry, coconut, and other delicious flavors!), teas, and fresh baked treats. Located along the front of The International Bazaar, just beyond the Arcade, The Art of Giving gift shop also features carefully curated international home fashions, locally handcrafted art, and unique gift lines. For more information click here. 

The Latest on Tropical Storm Bret

Storm projection graphic via www.intellicast.com

Tropical storm warnings for a system that seemed to develop between Grand Bahama Island and the Abaco Islands were still in place this morning. Conditions are beginning to clear in Freeport this afternoon, while Abaco is reported to have experienced significant rains and thunderstorms. Current weather tracking projections show Tropical storm Bret taking a strong northeasterly turn into the Atlantic by late Monday. Updated reports and exact storm movements can be tracked at: http://www.intellicast.com/Local/Weather.aspx?location=bfxx0002

Great Video: Wrong Home Decisions

Island Living At Its Best: Our Featured Dream Home at Old Bahama Bay

#6 Pine Island, Old Bahama Bay — Listing ID 5560 — www.sarlesrealty.com

This week's featured listing is an amazing home with incredible oceanfront views and incomparable craftsmanship—a dream home for boaters or anyone who enjoys living and entertaining with relaxed elegance.

Status: Active
Price: $3,450,000
Rental Term: n/a
Address: #6 Pine Island, Old Bahama Bay
Subdivision: West Grand Bahama
City: West End
Unit: -
Block: -
Lot: 6
Beds: 5
Baths: 3.5
Square Feet: 4,000
Zoning: Single Family

Listing ID: 5560

Description

This Spectacular 4,000 square feet Island Style Home is a boaters dream home. This home is situated in the idyllic gated community of OLD BAHAMA BAY in West End on Grand Bahama Island only 56 miles from West Palm Beach, Florida. This five bedroom three and a half bath home will allow for plenty of room for out of town guests. The remarkable craftsmanship of this home truly needs to be seen to be appreciated. No expense has been spared in this luxurious one of a kind residence. It offers breathtaking Ocean views and deep water dockage on a 1 acre lot. This home is simply Island Living at its best with magnificent Sunsets and barefoot elegant charm.

Island living at its best with magnificent Sunsets and barefoot elegant charm!


Highlights

Canal Front
Gated
Ocean front
Pool

For more photos and information on this exquisite home, click here or call 242.351.9081

Cigar Nights: Rotary Club of GB Sunrise Gives Support to Youth and Water Safety

photo by Erik J. Russell · Keen i Media Ltd.

Rotarians of Grand Bahama came together recently to support several important youth programmes and to help fund a vital water safety initiative.

Organised by the Rotary Club of Grand Bahama Sunrise, the social fundraiser event was held at Pelican Bay Hotel under the theme, “Cigar Nights”. The hotel’s meeting facility was transformed into an intimate Cuba-inspired club, with attendees dressed in fedoras and “vintage Havana” outfits.

all photos in this post by Erik J. Russell : Keen i Media Ltd.

A  Cuban cigar roller from the world famous Graycliff of Nassau was on hand creating cigars that were enjoyed on the outside deck, while salsa dancers and live music from Marina Gottlieb-Sarles, Mark Carey and Ralph Munnings filled the room on the inside. Miss Grand Bahama, Keriann Stuart, also joined the festivities and posed for photographs during the evening.

The event attracted more than 200 local supporters that enjoyed the experience and helped to extend the impact of Rotary in the local community. A major portion of the proceeds will be directed towards an important charity -- the Columbus House Big Brother/Big Sister programme -- and a key water safety initiative, the Safe Swim Zone project.

The Columbus House Big Brother/Big Sister programme assists at-risk teens, and many Rotarians from the Grand Bahama Sunrise club are directly involved in mentoring the teens throughout the year.

Director of Big Brother/Big Sister programme James Sarles said that the Rotary Club of Grand Bahama Sunrise members are committed to helping the youth and changing lives. “When the teens age out of the system,” Sarles said, “we step in to assist with securing jobs, finding apartments, budgeting and developing general life skills.”

 The safety project has been an ongoing initiative by the Rotary Club of Grand Bahama Sunrise to establish a Safe Swim Zone along the island’s southern coast by creating a distinct separation between boaters and jet ski operators on one side of the surf and swimmers on the other. The club has devised a float system using 16-inch buoys, and the newly appointed Rotary Assistant Governor Jamie Rose says it is vital.

“Even though we have known for a long time that this was important, it has become even more urgent in recent days to set aside clearly marked areas that are safe for visitors and residents to swim,” Mr Rose said.

In addition to the fundraising aspects of the event, it was also the occasion when the new president of the club was inducted. Assistant Rotary District Governor Peter Turnquest did the honours of introducing new Rotary Assistant Governor Jamie Rose, and Outgoing President Joe Thompson welcomed new President Ken Saunders during a brief ceremony held at ‘Cigar Nights’ on Friday.

Assistant Rotary District Governor Peter Turnquest welcomes new President Ken Saunders. Also on that night, Outgoing President Joe Thompson introduced new Rotary Assistant Governor Jamie Rose. Shown (L-R): Joe Thompson, Peter Turnquest, Ken Saunders, Jamie Rose. (Photo: Erik J. Russell / Keen i Media Ltd)

 “I am pleased and excited about taking on this new role,” Mr Saunders said. “Our club has really been involved in developing new community programmes, and I will be focused on continuing and expanding the work of Rotary here in Grand Bahama.”

The Rotary Club of Grand Bahama Sunrise meets on Wednesday mornings at 7:00 at Geneva’s Restaurant, downtown Freeport.

###

Happy 38th Birthday Bahamas!

The Bahamas celebrates its 38th anniversary as an independent nation on Sunday July 10, 2011 under a theme of Love & Service.

The festivities for the rest of this holiday weekend include:

Saturday, 9th July 8:30pm
Bahamian Cultural Extravaganza
Inspection, March Pass, Flag Raising, Concert 
& Fire Works
Independence Park, Coral Road, Grand Bahama

Sunday, July 10: INDEPENDENCE DAY

Monday, 11th July 10am
Float Parade
Starting from the YMCA to The Mall Drive 
along The Mall Drive  to Ranfurly Circus
back to the YMCA

info via thebahamasweekly.com

Bahamas Signs Anti-Poaching Legislation to Protect Sharks

Toomey Cartoon A shark cartoon celebrating the Government’s decision to protect sharks in The Bahamas from poachers shows appreciation for the recognition of their importance to the ocean ecosystem. (BIS Photo / Gena Gibbs).

by Gena Gibbs, Bahamas Information Service (BIS). Excerpts via www.thebahamasweekly.com

Nassau, The Bahamas – Anti-poaching legislation was signed July 5, 2011 to create a sanctuary that protects sharks in Bahamian waters from being hunted down for their fins.

“Today’s announcement permanently protects more than 40 shark species in Bahamian waters. We applaud the people and government of The Bahamas for being bold leaders in marine conservation", said Jill Hepp, manager of global shark conservation for the Pew Environment Group.  

The Bahamas was created into a new sanctuary, after a Bahamian seafood company threatened to catch sharks and export their fins. The collaboration between the Pew Environment Group and The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) produced popular public service announcements and a supportive petition signed by more than 5,000 Bahamians.

   

Since 1959, BNT has been the only non-governmental organisation, established by an Act of Parliament, to conserve Bahamian natural and historic resources, as well as manage the entire country’s national park system.  Its partnership with the PEW Environment Group uses science to protect the oceans, preserve wetlands and promote clean energy.

   

This partnership has attracted the attention of globally-known environmentalists, such as Pierre-Yves Cousteau (son of Jacques Cousteau), scientist and artist Guy Harvey, and Sherman’s Lagoon cartoonist Jim Toomey have contributed their share to supporting shark protection awareness in The Bahamas.

On July 5, The Bahamas national Trust and PEW witnessed the Bahamas Government sign an amendment to the Fisheries Act to impose penalties against those that violate anti-poaching legislation and kill sharks in The Bahamas to sell. Seated from left to right: Minister of the Environment, Earl Deveaux; Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Larry Cartwright; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Brent Symonette. The back row are members of PEW and the Bahamas National Trust. (BIS Photo / Gena Gibbs).

For full article, click here.

New DNA Party Announces 9 Candidates in Grand Bahama

by DNA via article in www.thebahamasweekly.com

Freeport, Bahamas - The Democratic National Alliance ( DNA) political party held their Grand Bahama launch on the evening of July 2nd at the Our Lucaya resort in Grand Bahama. Nine candidates have been announced and include: 1. Karen Davis (Marathon) - Businesswoman; 2. Randy Butler (North Andros) - CEO Sky Bahamas; 3. Christopher Mortimer (Sea Breeze) - Businessman; 4. Dario Terrelli (Blue Hills) - Sales Manager Seaboard Marine Bahamas Ltd.; 5. Osman Johnson (Pine Ridge) - Attorney; 6. Roger Rolle (West End & Bimini) - Businessman; 7. Wayne Munroe (Mt. Moriah) - Attorney;  8. Shawn Francis (Rum Cay, Cat Island & San Salvador) - Businessman; and 9. Philip Thomas (High Rock) - Businessman).

The party was initially launched in May 2011. The full article with party leader, Branville McCartney's speech and vision for Grand Bahama is online: please click here.

Democratic National Alliance party leader, Branville McCartney

Summer Junkanoo Coming Up!

L-R: Dr. Lee Percentie, Swingers Junkanoo Group; Sanique Culmer, Ministry of Tourism & Aviation; Rudy Stubbs, Swingers Junkanoo Group; Wendell Seymour, Burn House Group of Companies; Betty Bethel, Ministry of Tourism & Aviation; Yvonne Russell, Swingers Junkanoo Group Photo credit: Andre J. E. Cartwright

by GB Ministry of Tourism via www.thebahamasweekly.com

Freeport, Grand Bahama Island – It’s JUNKANOO SUMMER FESTIVAL time again, and this year promises to be bigger than ever! Junkanoo Summer Festival is an annual Ministry of Tourism and Aviation signature event, designed to showcase Bahamian culture to the visitors to our Islands as well as local residents. This year, the street and heritage festival will take place over a three week period (July 7, 13 & 21) on Taino Beach, from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. 

For more information on Junkanoo and the full story, click here. 

Summer Junkanoo—what a treat! Be there!