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BAHAMAS: Minister Lauds Junkanoo at Senior Parade Seed Funding Presentation

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#Nassau, September 21, 2018 – Bahamas – During the Senior Junkanoo Seed Funding Presentation, on September 20, 2018, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture the Hon. Lanisha T. Rolle thanked the Junkanoo leaders, Junkanooers and Junkanoo fans who continued to ensure that The Bahamas preserves its identity and history through “this rich cultural experience called Junkanoo.”

“Our ancestors celebrated the art of Junkanoo, long before our Independence,” Minister Rolle noted at the event held at her Ministry’s University Drive Head Office, stating it is a “tradition ingrained in the hearts, minds and souls of our people. It tells the story of who we were, how far we’ve come, and who we are today.”

She added: “Junkanoo is our tradition: it is an expression that is unique to Bahamians. To my mind, it is the essence of our intellectual expression and, thus, it can never be taken away.”

Among those present for the presentation were: Rhoda Jackson, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture (MOYSC) Acting Permanent Secretary; Darron Turnquest, Acting MOYSC Deputy Permanent Secretary and Director of Youth; Rowena Poitier-Sutherland, Director of Culture; Ellery Deveaux, Cultural Affairs Officer and Senior Junkanoo Co-ordinator; Dr. Dwight Marshall and Kishlane O’Brien, Co-Chairs of the National Junkanoo Committee; Silbert Ferguson, Chairman of the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence; Junkanoo partners and special guests.

Minister Rolle noted that the current year’s seed funding distribution totals $648,000.00 to be distributed to 117 groups.

“I am told, that this is the earliest distribution of the seed funding exercise in history,” she noted; “and, I dare say, it is as a result of the teamwork of my Ministry, and you, our partners.

“The purpose behind it all is for us to make it a great day,” she added. “If we get a good start, we increase our chances of making it a great finish.”

Minister Rolle said that her Ministry, in particular the Division of Culture, was pleased to present to the various junkanoo groups the government’s seed funding for the annual senior Junkanoo parades throughout the country.

“Indeed, this government is committed to ensuring the preservation, success and growth of our cultural product and we believe that the spirit and ideals of Junkanoo, its rhythms and sounds are at the heartbeat of who we are and what we do,” she said.

Minister Rolle noted that the entire month of December is celebrated as Cultural Month. A host of activities have been planned inclusive of the tree lighting ceremony downtown Nassau; the Junkanoo Legends Induction Ceremony and a number of other activities throughout the Family Islands, she added.

“We do look forward to the full support of our partners, spectators and participants,” Minister Rolle said. “Tickets for the boxing day parade will go on sale at 12 noon on Saturday 17th November, 2018. We encourage you to get your tickets early.”

“Junkanoo is our identity and our uniting force: it is an indisputable fact that Junkanoo, perhaps more than any other activity, is what distinguishes us as Bahamians,” Minister Rolle said. “We can be anywhere in the world and, once we hear the Junkanoo sound or see the Junkanoo dance, one cannot deny, the rising of the Junkanoo spirit.”

Minister Rolle said that, amazingly, Bahamian Junkanoo has the ability to transcend political landscapes, break-through religious barriers, engage a wide cross-section of people, inspire the country’s Caribbean neighbours, entertain visitors, and unite each and every Bahamian.

She said: “Junkanoo is our cultural signature: incorporating art, dance, drama and our original Bahamian music. Like no other discipline or sport, Junkanoo brings together our collective artistic expression to communicate where we were born and how we were raised – from our Long Island goat-skin drums, to our native cow bells, our urban whistles, our community horns and wind instruments, our ‘Over-the-Hill’ crepe paper, our soda box card boards and our old pieces of Guardian and Tribune news papers.”

Minister Rolle noted that she intended to tour Junkanoo shacks and looked forward to Junkanoo stakeholders “holding the hands of our youth.”

With a smile for the Junkanoo stakeholders present, Minister Rolle said: “No one is going to dance like us; no one is going to shout like us; no one is going to make it happen for us; so let us go out, let’s work together, let’s have a great time, let’s make it a great day … even though in the end, one of you will traditionally shout, ‘Dey Rob Us!’.”

 

By Eric Rose

Release: BIS

Photo Caption: Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture the Hon. Lanisha T. Rolle is pictured with stakeholders during the Senior Junkanoo Seed Funding Presentation, on September 20, 2018, at her Ministry’s University Drive Head Office. Pictured seated (from left) are Silbert Ferguson, Chairman of the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence; Darron Turnquest, Acting Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture (MOYSC) Deputy Permanent Secretary and Director of Youth; Rhoda Jackson, Acting MOYSC Permanent Secretary; Minister Rolle; Rowena Poitier-Sutherland, Director of Culture; and Kishlane O’Brien and Dr. Dwight Marshall, Co-Chairs of the National Junkanoo Committee.

(BIS Photo / Eric Rose)

 

 

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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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Bahamas News

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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