Introducing A New Book by Author Marina Gottlieb Sarles: The Last Daughter of Prussia

Save the date and be the first to get a copy of a brand new novel by Marina Gottlieb Sarles: The Last Daughter of Prussia. Please join us on Tuesday evening, December 18, 2012 at the Pelican Bay Hotel Canal House from 5:30 to 8:30 pm.

This historical novel is based on diaries and journals of the author's grandparents and tells the story of one of the least known chapters of World War II—a time that saw both great tragedy and great strength in the indomitable spirit of love. The author writes about her inspiration and background research for the book at her blog (click here).

This is an opportunity to purchase one of the first edition hardcover books signed by the author, which will be available for $25. The novel will be released in the U.S. and worldwide in the spring of 2013.

Marina Gottlieb Sarles is also the author of a favorite classic collection of island stories: Sand In My Shoes. A Bahamian author born in Abaco and educated in Europe and the U.S., Gottlieb-Sarles makes Grand Bahama Island her home, together with her son, Nikolai, and husband, James Sarles—President of Coldwell Banker James Sarles Realty.

Hope you can join us as we launch this new book on Tuesday evening, December 18th!

World Class Toronto Jazz Pianist Steve Koven to Perform in Grand Bahama Tomorrow (May 25, 2012)

The Grand Bahama Performing Arts Society is treating the island to an evening of classic jazz starring Toronto jazz pianist, Steve Koven on Friday, May 25th at the Canal House at Pelican Bay. This world class musician, composer and teacher has traveled the world, performing with his trio and in solo concerts, and conducting workshops for musicians where ever he goes. 

This is not the first time Steve has performed in The Bahamas, but it is his first visit to Grand Bahama, and he couldn't be more excited. Not only will he get to enjoy some of what the island has to offer, and do what he loves best, but he gets a chance to perform with some of the islands most talented local musicians, Ozzie Hall, Patrick Russell, and Clarence Green.

Many are already familiar with the wonderful musical talents of Ozzie and Patrick, but Clarence Green is new to the local music scene. Green—who happens to be Grand Bahama's newest chiropractor—plays the upright double bass, an instrument that does not get much play time on the island, because until Green arrived, there wasn't one. Green was raised by very musical parents and has played various instruments, his first instrument being the trumpet. He played electric bass for many years, but took on the challenge of the upright double bass about 12 years ago. And believe it or not, this is not his first time performing with Steve Koven. The two have played together in jazz concerts several times in Barbados (where Clarence lived prior to moving here) and also at the Canadian High Commission.

Proceeds of this concert support the youth in arts in Grand Bahama. For additional information on The Grand Bahama Performing Arts Society and ways to support their ongoing events, click here.

The GBPAS wishes to thank their members, patrons and sponsors who make these programs possible. Special thanks go to Pelican Bay Hotel for not only accommodating Steve Koven, but for also providing a wonderful venue for this concert;  Karen Clarke and John Gehr, of Thayer's Natural Remedies, The Bahamas Weekly, Keen i Media, and Mackey Media.

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. 

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.

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