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Land Agreement Helps Fulfill Goal of New Girl Guide Headquarters

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#Bahamas, August 28, 2017 – Nassau – The Lease Agreement signed Wednesday (August 23, 2017) between the Government of The Bahamas and the Bahamas Girl Guides Association (BGGA) has given members of the Association “new life” as it will assist the Association in fulfilling its longtime goal of constructing a new headquarters with additional facilities.

The new building, which will be constructed at the current site at Fort Charlotte, will cover 7500 square feet and will be two and one-half storeys high.   The Ground and First Floors will consist of Administrative Offices, a Conference Room and a Work Area for Guides.   The Upper Floor will consist of Sleeping Quarters for the Guides, particularly visiting Guides, thereby cutting down on costs associated with having to find accommodations for visiting Guides.

Construction costs will amount to $1.5Million.   The Association has already raised almost $800,000. Construction is scheduled to begin within two to three months.

Dr. Gail Saunders, Chairperson of the Building Committee of the Bahamas Girl Guide Association said the new Lease Agreement has given the Association and its membership “new life.”

“It’s been over twenty years that we have been participating in this particular project,” Dr. Saunders said.   “I think it (signing of the new Lease Agreement) has given us new life because sometimes you get to the point where you wonder whether you are going to make it or not, but now we have hope.

“I would like to thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, and the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas for so generously granting us this extra land and also offering to help us to bring this long task to a happy conclusion.   We have not been sleeping at the wheel as we have raised almost $800,000 towards our construction costs.”

Senior officials of the Government of The Bahamas and executives of the Bahamas Girl Guides Association (BGGA) reached what was termed a “mutually agreeable conclusion” on the lease of property located at their Fort Charlotte Headquarters, Wednesday, ending a twenty-year ordeal for Guiding in The Bahamas.

Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Hubert A. Minnis, who led the Government delegation at the Lease Signing, also informed Guiding Officials that the Government of The Bahamas will grant all concessions provided by law and public policy to the Association to assist with the construction, and equipping, of the expanded facility.

Prime Minister Minis also promised to review – at an appropriate time – the level of subventions provided to the Association.  The Lease Agreement was signed by Mrs. Eugenia Cartwright (representing the Government of The Bahamas) and Mrs. Sonia Adderley (representing the Bahamas Girl Guides Association).

“This was a longstanding request that took over twenty years to fulfill,” Prime Minister Minnis said.   “It took successive governments over two decades to bring this matter to a mutually agreeable conclusion.”

Prime Minister Minnis said the Association was offered land on Dolphin Drive in the past, but that it was deemed unsuitable by the Association as there was no access road to the property and that such as move would have separated the Headquarters facilities from its Operations.

 

The Prime Minister said the expansion of the national headquarters, will be one of the most exciting and significant developments in the history of Guiding in The Bahamas.

“The signing of this Lease Agreement will remove the frustration and uncertainty which you have experienced over the many years.   You will be able to confidently move ahead with your plans,” Prime Minister Minnis told Guiding officials Wednesday.

Dr. Saunders said construction of a new Headquarters will allow Guiding Officials to meet a number of their objectives.

“We have all sorts of things planned (and) the present plot of land is not large enough,” Dr. Saunders said.   “We will be able to actually have nights there where they have their campfires without worrying about security and an old building (once the construction is completed).

“It’s really for us to state our gratitude for the extra land and the other help that will be forthcoming and hopefully in about a year or two, we will have our new headquarters and the girls and young women of the Bahamas Girl Guides Association can enjoy it,” Dr. Saunders added.

Architect, Mr. Alvan Rolle (left) discusses plans for the construction of the new Bahamas Girl Guides Association Headquarters with Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Hubert A. Minnis following Wednesday’s Signing of the new Lease Agreement as Brownies, Girl Guides, and Rangers look on.    The new facility will be built on land located at the current Fort Charlotte site.

(Photo/Yontalay Bowe, OPM Media Services).

Story by: Matt Maura (BIS)

 

 

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Bahamas News

Ayla Isaacs Unveils Transformative Guide Amidst Challenging Times

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Bahamian author Ayla Isaacs is making an impactful debut in the literary world with her book, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health—Transforming Your Wellbeing With Diet, Exercise, and Rest.” As crime rates surge and the aftermath of the pandemic leaving many grappling with hopelessness and a sense of abandonment, Isaacs’ guide offers a beacon of hope and a roadmap for personal transformation, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing spiritual resilience in navigating adversity.

Long-time Bahamian physician Dr. Horizal Simmons says, “Ms. Isaacs not only states the spiritual ingredient that we should use for our therapy, but she also explains how it works in our spiritual system and the beneficial changes that will bring the desired transformation or spiritual health benefits.” Applauding the soundness of the book and paralleling it to physical wellness, Dr. Simmons said he highly recommends it to anyone serious about their spiritual well-being and health.

Isaacs is a highly experienced Project Manager who draws from her background in Civil and Environmental Engineering, International Business, and Christian ministry, whether a physical structure or the wellbeing of an individual’s life. Her published work shows that she strongly believes in building with structural integrity. Isaacs provides readers with a holistic approach to welfare beyond traditional self-help. She explores the transformative power of simple spiritual practices integrated into daily life. Isaacs believes that prioritizing spiritual health can help individuals find inner fulfillment and a sense of purpose, which she believes are essential in combating the prevailing hopelessness.

Coach Gregory Cash, who has spent decades helping to develop great athletes and leaders in the country, believes the unique perspective shared, especially relating to spiritual exercise, can touch the hearts of so many. Wendy Fernander, PhD., a licensed clinical psychologist and president of the Bahamas Psychological Association, noted that too few of us think about our spiritual diet, which results in our spiritual wellbeing. When asked about the book, Dr. Fernander said, “This book will provoke you to do serious soul searching.”

Amid the challenges communities face, Isaacs encourages readers to initiate a positive “me” movement—a focus on self-improvement that, when embraced collectively, can lead to stronger families, churches, and nations. According to Isaacs, strengthened individuals become catalysts for positive change within their immediate circles, creating a ripple effect that extends to broader communities.

Ayla Isaacs, whose roots go back to South Eleuthera, is a founding member of the Smart and Strong Sisterhood (SASS) and the creative mind behind A.I. Paper, a gift-wrapping paper and bag company that celebrates the islands of The Bahamas. Isaacs believes that investing in spiritual wellbeing is pivotal for personal growth and resilience. A conference speaker who is actively involved in church ministries and affiliated with several civic organizations, Isaacs firmly believes in the balance between personal and community wellbeing.

“Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” is now available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com in paperback and eBook form and locally at Oasis Bookstore in Nassau. Isaacs encourages readers to embark on a transformative journey and be architects of their spiritual wellbeing. In times of uncertainty, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” offers a guide and a message of hope and empowerment for individuals seeking personal and communal transformation.

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Tired of Taking Notes? The new Samsung Galaxy S24 Will Transcribe and Summarize Your Voice Notes In A Snap! 

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NASSAU, Bahamas – Faster, smarter and more convenient than ever before, the new Samsung Galaxy S24 will revolutionize your productivity with its new Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist features. In the continuous pursuit of delivering innovative solutions that enhance productivity and user experience, Samsung Electronics is proud to introduce two groundbreaking features: Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist.

The Transcript Assist feature, powered by Galaxy’s advanced artificial intelligence, takes note-taking to a whole new level by enabling users to easily convert voice notes and conversations into useful and accessible notes. Whether in a business meeting, conference, or casual conversation, the Galaxy S24’s Transcript Assist makes capturing information easier than ever.

By utilizing Transcript Assist, users can effortlessly record any conversation with multiple speakers and transform it into a clear and concise transcript with just a few taps. This feature is particularly useful for those who need to keep a detailed record of discussions and decisions made during important meetings or collaborative work sessions.

“With Transcript Assist, we’re redefining the way people take notes and record information,” said Gianmarco Leri, Product Manager at Samsung Electronics. “No longer do you have to worry about missing important details during a conversation. With the Galaxy S24, you can capture every word and turn it into a useful reference that you can easily review and share.”

In addition to generating accurate transcripts, the Transcript Assist feature also offers the ability to generate quick summaries of conversations, as well as the option to translate the entire transcript into different languages, facilitating communication and collaboration among people from different regions and cultures.

On the other hand, the Browsing Assist feature allows users to navigate more efficiently and conveniently on their Galaxy S24 devices by providing intelligent and contextual suggestions during web browsing and online content exploration.

The Galaxy S24, equipped with Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist, marks the beginning of a new era of productivity and convenience in mobile devices. These innovative features demonstrate Samsung Electronics’ continued commitment to providing advanced tools that help people achieve their goals more effectively and efficiently in everyday life.

So, get ready! The new Samsung Galaxy S24 will be coming soon to tech stores in The Bahamas soon.

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Weather Systems Affect Cuba and The Bahamas

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#Weather#Cuba#TheBahamas, March 25th, 2024 – Serious weather struck The Bahamas and Cuba over the weekend, both nations receiving warnings from their meteorological entities. The Bahamas was affected by severe thunderstorms.  In fact, an area of the Carnival Freedom Cruise Ship, which was 20 miles off Eleuthera, Bahamas, caught fire and reports say it was possibly due to a lightning strike.  Fortunately no lives were reported lost.

Meanwhile, Cuba had intense rainfall and hailstorms, resulting in damage to surrounding areas, thousands left without electricity amid fallen trees and Flash Floods.

 

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