242NewsBahamas Newsletter Edition: February 7th, 2019

Is the MAGIC coming BACK to Grand Bahama?

Dear Readers,

Monday was a big day for Grand Bahama, with the informational meeting on the ‘Grand Port’ hosted in Freeport and streamed live to the Bahamian Public. Though up to a thousand Grand Bahamians showed up for the event, many who could not attend watched the event live via streaming video, a first for Carnival, according to Giora Israel, Carnival Corporation senior vice president of Global Port and Destination Development. For those who missed the event, you can link here and watch ’The Road to 2021’ here.

If this was not enough for Grand Bahamians to digest, we also learned of a second mega port re-development for the current Freeport Harbour. Details are still forthcoming but can be found on the Guardian website , and is projected to bring over 2,500 jobs and revitalize the Harbour and we understand the hotel strip at the Grand Lucayan.

With all this news for GB, we wonder if the ‘MAGIC’ is indeed coming back to the island. We hope so and we look forward to keeping you up to date as we find out more.

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House of Assembly approves $30 million IDB Loan for digital government services

The government is making good on its promise to upgrade its digital platform in order to provide efficient services to the public and external customers.

This will be possible through a loan in the amount of $30 million from the Inter-American Development Bank for the purpose of financing the Government Digital Transformation to Strengthen Competitiveness Programme.

Be A Hero Youth Clean-up Campaign Goes National, Caped Crusaders Hit Grand Bahama School

Three months after the first #BeAHero presentation took to an auditorium in Nassau with a message to hundreds of youngsters that no one is too young to take pride in a clean room, school or street, the popular caped crusader campaign went national this week – its first visit outside the capital fittingly in the nation’s second city, Freeport.

Minister of Environment and Housing Romauld ‘Romi’ Ferreira drummed up support for the cleaner, greener, safer communities’ initiative by challenging students at Bishop Michael Eldon Primary School in Grand Bahama.

TONY MACARONI NOMINATED TO BE LISTED IN 10BEST.COM’s TOP 20 BEACH BARS IN THE CARIBBEAN

They say when you visit a country you should go ‘local’ and experience the real culture of the place. For Freeport, that would be a drive to Toni Macaroni’s Conch experience at Taino Beach.

Macaroni’s open aired, thatch-roofed shack was not your run of the mill restaurant. At Tony’s you can only get Roast Conch, his specialty, regular Conch salad, Conch Burgers, Roast Lobster and Shrimp, and Gully Wash cocktails of course.

Ministry of Environment #BeAHero Campaign to Go National, Success Driving Expansion

Driven by success and viral popularity, a campaign initially designed for Nassau to spread the message of the importance of a clean, green and pristine environment among young students will go national February 1, Minister of Environment and Housing Romauld ‘Romi’ Ferreira revealed today.

“The level of enthusiasm for the Be A Hero program has exceeded all expectation from the time we introduced it at the first school,” said the minister.

Access Accelerator Small Business Development Centre Launched in GB

Funding for micro, small and medium sized businesses is now available, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. K. Peter Turnquest said during the launch of the Access Accelerator Small Business Development Centre.

“Unfortunately, the dream of starting a business is often overshadowed by how much of a hassle it can be; and I can tell you from personal experience, particularly as a Grand Bahamian, the struggle is real, DPM Turnquest said at the launch held at the Bishop Michael Eldon Auditorium, Thursday, January 31, 2019.

Bahamas Waste Steps up During Trash Collection Transition.

If you’re a resident of New Providence then you’ve probably seen them: mounds of uncollected trash and overflowing trash bins far too often; which become the perfect targets for stray dogs and a breeding ground for rodents. While challenges related to public sector trash collection services are not new, many more residents have noticed, longer than usual delays in the weekly collection of their garbage.

The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce mourns the loss of a major Business Icon.

Mr. Donold "Don" Roberts and his business establishment, General Leasing (Dolly Madison), became a member of the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce during its early inception and continues to the present time. Mr. Robert's contributions over the years to the community of Grand Bahama has evolved into a legacy. His signature cigar and famous "Come on Down" will long be remembered. In 2009 Mr. Robert's was the recipient of The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year Award.

Bahamian Rotarians visit India to help End Polio

At the end of January Bahamian Rotarians travelled to India to participate in polio National Immunization Day (NID) in the Rotary International drive to rid the world of the polio virus. In the 1940’s and 1950’s approximately half a million people worldwide were either died or were paralyzed after contracting wild poliovirus. While many Bahamians have heard of it and some may have family members that were even affected by it, the country has been polio free for decades.

Story Link HERE

CROSSREACH

JANUARY 2019 UPDATE

A new experience, after 9 years of deliveries, it rained during a run! However, without getting too wet, we successfully delivered 53 full bags. Fresh bread, blocks of cheese and apples were included in each of the bags.

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Don't miss our first quiz of 2019! Our regulars already know, but for new prospective quiz folks, this is a super fun evening. Enjoy the ambiance of the beautiful Garden, and great food and drink choices from the famous Garden Café.

We also have a Chinese Raffle with great and unique gifts to be won. You choose which raffle prizes you would like to win. And - NEW this year! Current HSGB members may produce their membership card when paying for their quiz entry and receive free Chinese Raffle tickets! Five tickets for Individual members, and seven tickets for a Family membership! Not a member? Or haven't renewed? No problem, just come in to the shelter, or email us at info@hs-gb.org and we will send you the form and online payment instructions.

Then challenge your brain (and your memory!) with questions from a wide variety of categories. There are three rounds with five questions from three categories each. No use of cell phones please! Contestants may have up to six persons per team*. The winning team wins a case of beer from our awesome sponsor Bahamian Brewery and Beverage, and bragging rights!

* Teams may have more than six persons, but they will be ineligible to win the case of beer. The winning team will be the one with the highest score AND six or fewer team members.