EXUMA, Bahamas -- Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Hubert Ingraham told reporters Monday that he expects the new Sandals Resort in Exuma to be a very successful operation, adding that over 400 persons are expected to be employed at the property once construction work is completed there. 

Mr. Ingraham, along with a delegation of Cabinet Ministers visited the former Four Seasons Resort property following their visit to Acklins and Ragged Island, where they viewed infrastructural needs to be addressed through public works contracts to be signed by the end of November. 

The Prime Minister said: “We expect the hotel to be ready for January 22 or thereabouts, they’ve got over 100 or 150 men working on the job on the construction side. When the place is finished, we expect more than 400 people to be employed.  

“They have been interviewed and they will be selected,” he continued. “We expect this to be a very successful operation; we are very pleased that Sandals has decided to come here to buy the property. We know Mr. Butch Stewart. He is also doing a development at Fowl Cay in the Exumas, which is going to be a very upscale, boutique facility.” 

Mr. Ingraham pointed out that there will be additional airlift coming into Exuma, through the support of the Ministry of Tourism, to ensure that the property has a “reasonable level of occupancy at all times.” 

NASSAU, Bahamas  --  An official funeral service will be held on Friday, November 13 at 11am at Christ Church Cathedral for Her Excellency Mrs Beryl Hanna, wife of the Governor-General, His Excellency Arthur D. Hanna. In light of this, all National flags are to be flown at half-mast for two consecutive days inclusive of the day of the funeral.

The public is advised that the body Mrs Hanna will lie in state on Wednesday and Thursday at Government House.  The general public may pay their last respects to Her Excellency Mrs Beryl Hanna at Government House beginning 11am Thursday, November 12, 2009.  There will be no viewing on Friday, November 13.

Mrs. Hanna died on Thursday, November 4 at the Princess Margaret Hospital after a long illness.  She was 77 years. 

Nee Church, Mrs Hanna was born on October 12, l932 in Bristol, England to Reginald and Emma Church.

In 1948, she became a member of the Young Conservative Movement and while attending a mock parliament, she met Arthur Dion Hanna, who was a law student at Bristol University. The couple married in 1950 and five years later, Beryl joined her husband in The Bahamas. They had five children - Arthur Dion, Jr, Mark, Glenys, Dawn and Sean (deceased).

NASSAU, Bahamas -- The College of the Bahamas School of English Studies will host its fourth annual Anatol Rodgers memorial lecture series with special guest, world-renowned Nobel Laureate [[Derek Walcott]]. 

The public is invited to "Art, Politics & Caribbean Culture: An evening with Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott" which will take place at the Performing Arts Centre on Thursday November 12th at 7:00pm.  Admission is free. A book signing will take place immediately following the event.

On Friday, November 13th, the Construction Seminar Group will host Walcott at the Bahamas Culinary & Hospitality Management Lecture Theatre. There he will give the keynote address on the issue of "The Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on the Development of the Caribbean."  

NASSAU, Bahamas -- The Islands of The Bahamas made a bid to boost its $300 million dive business by recruiting 50 dive retailers from around the world to become advocates for diving in the country’s waters.

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation and the Bahamas Diving Association partnered to bring the retailers, which include a 12-member Brazilian contingent and two retailers from Hong Kong, to the Bahamas for a three-day diving experience.  The guests were split into teams that visited various dive sites including spots around New Providence, Andros and Bimini.

David Johnson, deputy director general of Tourism, welcomed the group and pointed out that their visit should prepare them to speak more intimately about the Bahamas’ dive product.  The Ministry of Tourism and the BDA hope it will also result in increased sales of the country’s diving product.

“I know that you will get to explore the great diversity of dive sites,” said Mr. Johnson. “You will find that they are as diversified as Neil Watson (BDA president) and his colleagues have told you.”

Members of the Brazilian contingent were certain that the diving in the Bahamas could attract many Brazilian divers.  In many cases, Brazilians can travel to Florida and the Bahamas for a dive experiences that cost them less than if they had stayed in Brazil for diving, said Ana Paula Gatti, corporate accounts executive for American Airlines in Brazil.

“We give them such a good fare (to Florida and the Bahamas) that it is much cheaper,” Ms. Gatti said. “And it is much better. They get to know a new country, a new culture, and the people love shopping.”

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama--  A memorial service is scheduled for beloved Bahamian artist and producer Mr. Frank Penn on Grand Bahama, Wednesday, November 11th at 7pm St. Paul's Methodist Church on East Sunrise Highway and Beach Drive.

The funeral will take place in Nassau on Friday, November 13th at 11am, at St. Agnes Church, on Blue Hill Road. Mr. Penn passed away on November 2, 2009. 

Address
by
Bradley B Roberts
National Chairman
Progressive Liberal Party
Sea Breeze PLP Monthly Branch Meeting
November 11th 2009

Nassau Bahamas
 
Party Leader, Rt. Hon. Perry Gladstone Christie
Deputy Leader Philip ‘Brave’ Davis
Senator the Hon. Hope Strachan
Members of Parliament
Stalwart Councilors
National Party Officers
Executives and members of the Sea Breeze Branch
Distinguish Ladies and Gentlemen, Good Evening,

Sea Breeze, it is a delight for me to be here tonight on the supposed territory of my FNM counterpart. I’ve got this feeling that your prospective Candidate and I have the same thing in mind for Carl Bethel. The Party’s standard bearer in the 2007 General Elections has been representing our Party well in the Honourable Senate; Senator Hope Strachan, has assured me that if I handle Carl Bethel in his capacity as FNM Chairman, she will handle Carl Bethel as the FNM candidate in Sea Breeze. If you remember well, he only just slipped through in the last election – Hope Strachan really had him beat that time around as well. But we all know now that some peculiar things happened during the last Election – things that we can not and will not allow to happen again. 

I should mention that both Carl Bethel and myself signed up on an Internet site which would allow us to attract support for our efforts as the respective Party Chairman. I observed the numbers who signed up in support of Carl and was shocked at the few that did. On the other hand the numbers comprising mostly young person’s who accepted my invitation was heartwarming.  

Having said that, it is safe to conclude that it is just a matter of time before Carl Bethel and the FNM get rolled out of Sea Breeze or whatever they choose to name this Constituency whenever they ring the bell. It is safe to conclude that your Candidate Senator Hope Strachan will go on to take her rightful seat in the Honorable House of Assembly. As your Party Chairman and a man who has been around politics for a long time it is easy for me to assess the mood in the Country and in each constituency. Behind the scenes then, we have a list of which Constituencies are likely to end up in the “win” column for the PLP. Sea Breeze, you are on that list. 

SALINA POINT, Acklins – They sang the well known primary school song “I am a Promise, I am a Possibility” to welcome Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Hubert Ingraham to their school, and it was this message the nation’s leader in turn re-affirmed to the students of Salina Point Primary school– that they can indeed make their dreams come true. 

“You can be anything you want to be in this country,” Mr. Ingraham told the group of primary school students. “You have the opportunity to learn while you are in school, and look at me – I am the Prime Minister of The Bahamas. 

“I was in a school like you, not with as many buildings as you have,” he continued. “We had far fewer buildings and far fewer teachers.” The nation’s chief encouraged the youngsters to become avid readers, telling them that he learns something new everyday because he is a reader. 

The Prime Minister, along with a delegation of Cabinet Ministers traveled to Acklins Monday to view the extent of roadwork needs to be addressed by the Government. On their trek from Spring Point to Salina Point, Mr. Ingraham and his Ministers visited the students, who told of their dreams of becoming carpenters, doctors, teachers, actors, officers of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and in the case of one young man – the Prime Minister. 

School Principal Myrtle Rolle shared a few dreams of her own with the Prime Minister, which included the hiring of a teacher’s aide, the provision of a laptop computer and projector, as well as tools to tend to the school’s garden. The school recently received two brand new desktop systems for its computer room. 

Royal Fidelity Daily Stock Market Commentary - Wednesday November 11, 2009

Click the [[BISX]] logo for the latest share pricing update from BISX:

Local Stock Market Commentary:

There were 10,677 shares traded in our local market today.  Commonwealth Bank Ltd. (CBL) was the sole trader, closing unchanged at $5.65.

Precious Metals:

Gold closed at $1,119.00, Silver at $17.62, Platinum at $1,376.00 and Crude Oil at $79.90 a barrel.

Foreign Currencies:

Against the US Dollar, the Euro closed at 1.4990, Pound Sterling at 1.6768, Yen at 89.82 and the Canadian Dollar at 0.9563.

Stocks:

Consolidated Water Company Ltd. (CWCO) fell by -$0.71 or -5.28% to close at $12.74.

International Stock Market News:

U.S. stocks extended a global advance, sending the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index to near a 13- month high, as China’s industrial production surged and Federal Reserve policy makers signaled interest rates will remain at a record low. Gold climbed to a record.

Read more >>

NASSAU, Bahamas -- Tough economic times call for tougher tactics. The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and The Bahamas Employers Confederation (BECon) are arming the local business world with low-cost guerrilla marketing tools during an interactive workshop on Thursday, November 19. The workshop will take place at the British Colonial Hilton from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The session will feature world-renowned guerrilla marketing guru Ed Tate.

"Regardless of the state of the economy, marketing your business effectively is vital and directly related to your business’s success," said Philip Simon, Executive Director of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce. "This workshop will offer the essential tools to craft a sound marketing strategy that works for your particular business."

"Small and large businesses alike have applied the principles of guerrilla marketing because of its simplicity, common sense and proven record in action," said Tate. "One of the main reasons that businesses fail is lack of marketing insight; guerrilla marketing provides that insight."

General admission is $175 for the workshop; Chamber member pricing is $150. Seating is limited to 100 attendees. For additional information or registration, contact Shanda Lightbourne at 322-2145 or visit www.thebahamaschamber.com.

Remarks by FNM Chairman Carl Bethel

The Acklins road contract signed under the PLP administration was not stopped by the FNM government, but was stopped before the FNM came to office because of internal and legal disputes between its joint venture contractors; one of whom who had no experience in road construction, FNM Chairman Carl Bethel has revealed.

THE CHAIRMAN: You would have heard reference to the comments made by the Prime Minister that the road to Salina Point contract was one of those contracts that is referred to by the Opposition as stop, reviewed and cancelled.

Well, the fact is that that was a road contract that was already stopped before the Free National Movement came in, by virtue of a serious dispute between the contractors; a joint venture between a company called M&R Construction Company Ltd., and Caribbean Asphalt Ltd. They had fallen out before the coming into office of the Free National Movement.

Evidence of that is contained in a letter, and I have here documentation, that have been produced and filed and/or are ready to be exhibited in a trial – a case that was commenced by the M&N Construction Company Ltd.

First of all let me say that the principal owners of the M&N Construction Company Ltd., are two local Acklins Island residents.

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- Back by popular demand for ONE SHOW ONLY, the hit production, Animal Tales!  Don’t miss your last chance to see it Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 at 3 p.m. at the Regency Theatre. Tickets $20 adults, $10 kids under 12.   Click on the graphic to view the poster.

Review

Animal Tales is a thoroughly entertaining evening of music, dance, laughter, and pet love that unleashes your heart and make you want to sit up and beg for more theatrical treats like this!  The very talented and wonderfully-costumed cast members romp between hit musical numbers, funny funny comedy vignettes, and dramatic moments that give even the most ardent animal lover true paws to redouble their commitment to our furry friends. 

This quick-paced show finds parents enjoying it every bit as much as the kids thanks to the savvy showmanship and flair of the Elden-McGlone producer/director team. Spotlighting the seriously important work of the Humane Society of Grand Bahama has never been so much fun! Highly recommended for a great night out with the family for a great cause. – Paula Boyd Farrington

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- Exclusive UK fashion designer, Surinder Panesar of Sim Sui based in Leicester, has created a special collection especially for Grand Bahama that will feature for view and sale this weekend at the Cancer Association of Grand Bahama’s Passage to India event. Additionally, flying in for the event is JetC, one of the evening’s three DJs, who has recently played Brighton Festival and frequently works the hottest European and London nightclubs.

A Passage to India Fashion Show and Party has been organised by a group of Grand Bahama women who wanted something different, cool and exciting to wear, something fabulous to enjoy and a way to raise money to buy beds to extend the hospice care provided by the Cancer Association of Grand Bahama.  The event will take place on Saturday 14th November at the Grand Bahama Sailing Club, formerly the Sir Charles Hayward Yacht Club on Main Royal Close, east on Midshipman Road.  

Alison Anglade, event producer, said, “We have had the privilege of seeing some of the fabrics and designs and they are perfect for our climate and desires.  The Sim Sui collection includes ladies, mens and children’s wear and has everything from beach to evening wear.  It is all excellent quality and reasonably priced.”

Anglade continued; “The evening itself promises much.  We have a fashion show featuring professional models, some of whom are world class, as well as featuring survivors, all of whom are beautiful women who are excited to step out on the runway and show off their strength and these fabulous clothes.

“We have Indian hors d'oeuvres , special drinks, fun giveaways and demonstrations planned. The evening will be hosted by Grand Bahamas’ youngest and hottest MC, Rico Thompson. It will be a great way for us all to experience a taste of the ‘new’ India.

NASSAU, Bahamas -- The College of the Bahamas School of English Studies will host its fourth annual Anatol Rodgers memorial lecture series with special guest, world-renowned Nobel Laureate [[Derek Walcott]]. 

The public is invited to "Art, Politics & Caribbean Culture: An evening with Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott" which will take place at the Performing Arts Centre on Thursday November 12th at 7:00pm.  Admission is free. A book signing will take place immediately following the event.

On Friday, November 13th, the Construction Seminar Group will host Walcott at the Bahamas Culinary & Hospitality Management Lecture Theatre. There he will give the keynote address on the issue of "The Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on the Development of the Caribbean."  

Nassau, Bahamas – Culture Minister the Hon Charles Maynard is encouraging the addition of jazz, negro spirituals and opera to the Bahamian cultural experience.

He was announcing plans for a concert to benefit the Cancer Society of The Bahamas scheduled for Thursday, 7pm at Christ Church Cathedral. 

It will feature world-renowned baritone Dr Cleveland Williams and soprano Nakita Thompson-Wells, in a concert dubbed ‘A Pristine Affair’. It will feature early music of classical Italian composers, a cross-section of jazz and negro spirituals, American folklore, opera and more. 

“We are very happy when someone takes the ‘bull by the horn’ and does things that begin to grow that particular area of our culture,” Minister Maynard said. 

“To have a consistent resurgence of this type of expression does my heart good and makes us feel good that we are able to offer our support and you are able to continue your efforts.” 

Mr Maynard expressed the Ministry’s appreciation to the concert organizers for selecting the Cancer Society as the beneficiaries. He pledged the Ministry’s support in this and future endeavours. 

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- Where are they now?  Some smiling, some thoughtful, some nervous but all the kids in this shot from Hugh Campbell Primary way back in the 90s owe a huge debt to the teacher in the back row.

For them – and many other children in Grand Bahama – she drew back the curtain on a magical world of music, a world in which she starred not just as a teacher but as a professional performer who has wowed audiences worldwide.

Her name is Pam Woods and this photograph was taken during a school teaching career in Freeport which spanned twenty years up to 1999 when she moved back to her birthplace of Nassau.  After inspiring kids during weekdays she was performing at the weekends at one time or another at all the island’s top hotels including some, like the Atlantic Beach, which are long gone.

Apart from Hugh Campbell she taught pupils at Sunland, Freeport High, St Vincent de Paul, and the former Hawksbill High.  And she learned something in return – how to bring the best out of an audience.

She will be using that charisma to the full when she returns to GB this coming Friday (Nov 13) as the star of a night of song, music and dance with a jazz and gospel flavour at Freeport’s Regency Theatre.

Looking forward to a night to remember, Pam said: “I taught for almost 30 years in all and was a weekend entertainer.  I thought I would never make a living as an entertainer, so teaching provided income while I did what my heart desired on stage.”