All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten
Dear Readers,
There is nothing like the comments, questions or statements of a child that can make you smile or laugh out loud. Yesterday, I had the pleasure of being the guest speaker at a local school to speak on tourism and business subjects. I was having a crazy week, just back from vacation, and I really did not go to the event very prepared. I did not need to worry – I think if I had talked about unicorns coming back to earth - they would have embraced me and participated too.
Grand Bahama Officially Opens World’s First Land-Based Commercial Coral Farm for Reef Restoration!
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Coral reefs are dying around the world, with over half being lost since the early seventies. Based on current trends, scientists predict that ninety percent of coral reefs are on track to die by 2050. This ecological tragedy is also a serious socio-economic problem; reefs support one billion people and an estimated 25% of marine life while generating conservatively $30 billion annually through tourism, fisheries, and coastal protection. The Bahamas, who welcome over six million visitors a year to their islands, beaches, and crystal-clear waters has embraced a new dynamic adventure they hope will change this outcome.
Coral Vita is a mission-driven company dedicated to restoring dying reefs, with a vision to create a global network of projects to sustain reefs into the future. They have started by creating the world’s first land-based commercial coral farm for restoration located in Freeport, Grand Bahama.
NEMA urges “Be Prepared Bahamas” for 2019 Hurricane Season
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The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has as its
theme: “Be Prepared Bahamas” for the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
The season runs June 1 to November 30. However a Subtropical Atlantic Storm Andrea has already form, making 2019 the fifth consecutive year to have a named storm outside of the Atlantic Hurricane Season.
In this vein, Director of NEMA Captain Stephen Russell is reminding The Bahamas about three consecutive hurricanes: Joaquin in 2015, Matthew in 2016 and Irma in 2017 all category 3 storms, which left millions in destruction.
BREA President Wallace-Whitfield to Keynote Florida Business Meeting
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Bahamas Real Estate Association (BREA) President Christine Wallace-Whitfield will be the keynote speaker when business leaders from various countries gather in Fort Myers June 6 for International Day.
“This is a great honour for The Bahamas and for the Bahamian real estate profession,” said Wallace-Whitfield, who was recently elected for a third term as head of the 700+-member professional association. “It is a recognition of the interest in our market and the value of investing in The Bahamas.”
Gov’t failed to report on threats to human rights defenders
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IACHR issues second official request for information on activists facing risk of violence and intimidation in the Bahamas
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has had to reiterate its request for information from the government regarding threats against the safety of human rights defenders in the Bahamas.
The threats in question were reported to the Commission in December 2016 and early 2017, towards the end of the former PLP administration. They occurred in the face of an order from the IACHR requiring the government to protect five activists from Save The Bays, after it was found that they were “in serious and urgent situation, since their lives and personal integrity face an imminent risk of irreparable harm”.
WSC Plans Potable Water Improvements for Cat Island
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Executive Chairman of the Water and Sewerage Corporation and Member of Parliament for Long Island, Adrian Gibson, and a team of engineers of the corporation visited Cat Island on Thursday, May 30, 2019 to get a better grasp of the work the corporation proposes to do in order to bring potable water to the island.
Mr. Gibson said as soon as a few glitches have been cleared up and bids go to tender, a suitable company will be chosen to start work in Cat Island.
To the residents of Cat Island, Mr. Gibson wished to assure them that, "your cries have been heard."
The Government Ensuring Eligible Bahamians are Afforded Opportunity to Own Land
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Minister of the Environment and Housing the Hon. Romauld Ferreira said the Government continues to address the needs of Bahamians by ensuring that eligible Bahamians are afforded the opportunity to own land in the country.
Minister Ferreira brought remarks during the Opening of the Lionel Davis Estate, Fox Hill, Friday, May 31, 2019. The Opening launches the Government’s third Serviced Lot Initiative. The Housing Minister explained that the Department of Housing Engaged in a rigorous exercise to locate available land in the Fox Hill community.
Conchman Participates in International ‘TRI’ Training Camp
Last month two trainers and ten camp participants arrived aboard Bahama Paradise Cruise Line (BPCL) Celebration cruise ship to begin an intensive three-day Triathlon training camp, based at Lighthouse Point, The Grand Lucayan on Grand Bahama Island.
They were met at Freeport Harbour by ten local triathletes who rode from the Harbour, along Grand Bahama Highway, over the new bridge, and back via Casuarina Bridge to The Grand Lucayan. The Group was led by Kris Swartout and Wes Johnson, both USAT Level 2 Coaches who held the triathlon camp at Lighthouse Pointe.
ONE OCEAN Closes on Two Penthouses, Paradise Island Appeal ‘Greater than Ever’
ONE OCEAN, the luxury high-rise condominium at the eastern end of Paradise Island, announced this week it has completed sales of two of its most expensive units – 10th floor penthouses with massive square footage and 10-foot high glass walls affording sweeping views of islands, harbour and sea.
The closings brought to nearly 70% the amount of prime harbourfront residential real estate inventory gobbled up since Canada-based Replay Destinations Bahamas Limited took over the once-challenged property.
Replay Destinations Bahamas has poured millions into improvements. The company known for its turnaround successes in Hawaii, Antigua, Mexico and Utah residential and resort properties has all but rebuilt the dramatic 10-storey tower.
