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BAHAMAS: PM participates in renaming of Pinewood Park to Isaiah Taylor Festival Park

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#Nassau, November 19, 2018 – Bahamas – ‘A lover of music, dance and culture’ were words to describe world-renowned musician Isaiah Taylor, during the renaming ceremony of Pinewood Park to Isaiah Taylor Festival Park on Saturday, November 17, 2018.

It was during the Annual Dennis Dean Pinewood Festival that Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Hubert Minnis declared that the park be renamed after the member of the Grammy Award Winning group, Baha Men.   “We not only honor and pay tribute to Isaiah because of his musical talents and for his many contributions to Bahamian arts and to Junkanoo; we also pay tribute to him as a Bahamian patriot, as a servant of his community, and as a mentor to young people,” the Prime Minister said.

This ceremony comes on the heels of renaming of the Big Pond Park in honor of the late Edmund Moxey, who was hailed a visionary founder of Jumbey Village who was also in the vanguard of Majority Rule and Independence.

“This has been a wonderful week during which we are celebrating Bahamian musicians and artists,” the Prime Minister said.  “It is an honor to be here this afternoon for the renaming of Pinewood Park to the Isaiah Taylor Park.”

The Prime Minister observed that for a country the size of The Bahamas, it has produced a vast treasury of talent in the musical and visual arts namely: the late Tony McKay, Exuma, the Obeah Man — to the late Brent Malone, and young upcoming artists like Lavar Munroe, who has an exhibit at the National Art Gallery.

We have to remember and celebrate the enormous talent of that flows in abundance from our Bahamian Imagination,” the Prime Minister urged.

He named Bert Williams, who was born in 1874 in Nassau, who left for the United States at a young age and became a Bahamian-American entertainer, one of the pre-eminent entertainers of the Vaudeville era and one of the most popular comedians for all audiences of his time.  He was also said to be by far the best-selling black recording artist before 1920.

Bert Williams was once described as: “one of the great comedians of the world”, the Prime Minister also noted.

Regarding Isaiah Taylor, the Prime Minister also described him as another son of the soil and artist who showcased his talents and Bahamian spirit on the world stage.

“Isaiah Taylor is not only a proud son of The Bahamas.  He is also a proud son of Pinewood, who originally hailed from Simms, Long Island,” the Prime Minister said.

Isaiah Taylor grew up between Kemp Road and Bernard Road. And about four decades ago he became one of the first residents of Pinewood, a community he has been known to love with all his heart and soul.

“He has also been a patriarch of Pinewood. It is so wonderful that the community he loves, loves him back by honouring his contributions to Pinewood.  Generations to come will look at this Park, and ask, “Who was Isaiah Taylor?” the Prime Minister said.

Isaiah Taylor is revered as a Bahamian musical icon.  He is best known as the lead bass player and driving force behind the Grammy Award-winning group, Baha Men.

In acknowledging that he’s known Isaiah for many years, the Prime Minister said he has the spirit of Junkanoo in his soul.  

Isaiah Taylor had self-taught the guitar at age 21, and subsequently joined the group High Voltage, the band known for bringing the sound of Junkanoo festival music to the popular music stage from the late 70s into the 90s. He also collaborated with Tyrone “Dr. Off” Fitzgerald, of Funky Nassau fame; Dr. Off was one of the pioneers who helped to shape the sounds of Junkanoo outside the traditional festival environment.

In 1992, High Voltage changed its name to Baha Men.  And although membership has changed over the years, Isaiah Taylor’s mentorship and leadership kept the band together, leading to success and numerous awards.

Among their many accomplishments are several awards, including a Grammy Award in 2000, two Billboard Music Awards that same year and two Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards in 2000 and 2002.  Several of Baha Men’s songs have been used in several major motion pictures.  

The Prime Minister thanked Isaiah Taylor for his contributions to national development.

 

 By Lindsay Thompson

Photo Captions: 

Header: Pinewood Park was renamed the Isaiah Taylor Festival Park during the Annual Dennis Dean Pinewood Festival on Saturday, November 17, 2018. Isaiah Taylor is pictured centre right.  Next to Mr. Taylor are Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Hubert Minnis, and Minister of Financial Services, Trade & Industry and Immigration the Hon. Brent Symonette.  On the left, from left are Reuben Rahming, MP for Pinewood; Mrs. Natasha Rahming; and Travis Robinson, MP for Bain and Grant’s Town. 

First insert: The Urban Renewal Marching Band performs for ceremonies at the Pinewood Park Renaming to Isaiah Taylor Festival Park, during the Annual Dennis Dean Pinewood Festival on Saturday, November 17, 2018.

Second insert: Pinewood Park was renamed Isaiah Taylor Festival Park during the Annual Dennis Dean Pinewood Festival on Saturday, November 17, 2018. Taylor also received a plaque in his honour.  Pictured presenting the plaque is Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Hubert Minnis (centre left).  Also pictured during presentation are the Hon. Brent Symonette, Minister of Financial Services, Trade & Industry and Immigration and MP for St Anne’s; Reuben Rahming, MP for Pinewood; and Travis Robinson, MP for Bain and Grant’s Town.  

Third insert: Pinewood Park became Isaiah Taylor Festival Park during the Annual Dennis Dean Pinewood Festival on Saturday, November 17, 2018. Pictured are, from left: Isaiah Taylor, Prime Minister Minnis, and Reuben Rahming, MP, Pinewood.  

 

(BIS Photos/Eric Rose)

 

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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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Reef Rescue Network: Donor Event Charts the Course for Coral Restoration and Sustainable Tourism in The Bahamas

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#TheBahamas, March 26, 2024 – As the world grapples with the urgency of marine conservation, The Bahamas has emerged as a beacon of hope with its latest initiative led by the Reef Rescue Network (RRN). An alliance of dive operators, NGOs and businesses invested in coral restoration, the RRN recently hosted an immersive event for the British High Commissioner and representatives from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), to provide a firsthand look—and dive—into the thriving heart of coral nurseries. The gathering served as a vivid testament to the progress achieved by the RRN and its partners in coral restoration efforts over the past two years, thanks to support from the Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility.

Fueled by its vision of harmonizing economic vitality with environmental sustainability, the RRN has strategically harnessed the support of the Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility grant, backed by the IDB, the United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (UK FCDO), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), and the Government of Canada. This collaborative effort aims to amplify The Bahamas’ blue economy by integrating eco-tourism with a series of coral restoration projects, poised to transform the archipelago into a magnet for eco-conscious tourists and bolster the local economy with a sustainable model.

As a vanguard of coral conservation and education, the RRN’s expansive network spans over 50 nursery locations across The Bahamas, Aruba, and St. Lucia. Beyond mere conservation, the network offers tourists an array of Reef Rescue Experiences, designed to kindle a profound connection with the marine world. From specialized diving courses to snorkeling and shark conservation education, these programs do more than highlight the ecological significance of coral reefs—they empower participants to actively engage in safeguarding these vital underwater ecosystems, ensuring their preservation for generations to come.

The event, held earlier this month, was graced by the presence of distinguished participants including Thomas Hartley, British High Commissioner to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, Claire Nichols, Deputy British High Commissioner, Daniela Carrera-Marquis, Country Representative for the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in The Bahamas, and Claudia Stevenson, IDB specialist and team leader of the project. The day commenced with an insightful presentation on the RRN’s milestones, buoyed by the vital funding from Compete Caribbean and other donors, followed by a hands-on experience at one of the network’s coral nurseries located off the Southwest coast of New Providence.

Daniela Carrera-Marquis, an enthusiastic advocate for coral restoration, expressed her excitement about the innovative concept of coral restoration tourism. She said: “I am looking forward to completing my PADI Reef Rescue Diver certification and diving more to assist with coral restoration efforts in The Bahamas,” echoing the sentiment of engagement and direct action that the RRN aims to foster among its partners and the community. At the event, Daniela participated in scuba diving and performed maintenance on an underwater coral nursery while the others snorkeled and viewed the nursery from above.

The event not only served as a platform for appreciation but also as an eye-opener to the real-world challenges reefs face, as highlighted by Thomas Hartley’s reflections on witnessing the impacts of climate change firsthand. He said: “It was devastating to see the effects of coral bleaching on the reefs.” Coral bleaching is the process where stressed corals expel their colorful and life-sustaining algae, turning them white and leading to starvation, increased susceptibility to disease, and potentially death if the stress continues.

Over the past two years, with the support from Compete Caribbean and other donors, the RRN has made commendable progress in expanding and developing coral nurseries, enhancing the capacity of its human resources, and promoting coral restoration standards throughout the Bahamian archipelago. This includes the installation of 14 new coral nurseries, expansion of 4 existing ones, and the addition of 3,450 coral fragments to nursery units, significantly increasing the ecological benefits to local reefs.

Moreover, the RRN has successfully developed shallow water experiences for non-divers, introducing 35 “coral domes” across 10 dive sites, populated with 943 coral fragments. The living coral domes not only diversify the experience for RRN partners but also educates a broader audience on coral reef conservation.

The network’s efforts have also extended to education and community engagement over the last two years, with 81 Bahamian high school children educated on coral reefs and restoration activities. This engagement aims to instill stewardship behaviors among the youth, ensuring the longevity of marine conservation efforts.

Despite the setbacks faced due to the 2023 summer bleaching crisis, which hampered outplanting activities, the RRN remains steadfast in its mission. Coral reefs form the bedrock of The Bahamas’ tourism sector, contributing significantly to the nation’s $2.6 billion annual tourism revenue. With over two million tourists engaging in snorkeling activities annually, coral reefs serve not only as a magnet for visitors but as a sanctuary for diverse marine life, supporting over 25% of ocean species. The vitality of these ecosystems is also underscored by the lucrative shark diving sector, which generates $113.8 million each year.

However, these invaluable ecosystems are under severe threat from coral bleaching, primarily driven by climate change-induced ocean heatwaves. Significant coral loss was reported throughout The Bahamas in 2023, marking a distressing trend that could foresee the demise of coral reefs by mid-century without decisive and innovative conservation strategies. Hayley-Jo Carr, director of the Reef Rescue Network, said: “By harnessing resilient coral species and employing advanced restoration techniques, the RRN, along with its partners and the global scientific community, is at the forefront of a critical battle to preserve these natural treasures for future generations.”

As the RRN continues to navigate the challenges and opportunities in coral conservation, the support and involvement of its partners, donors, and the community remain crucial. The recent donor event not only celebrated the achievements but also reinforced the collective resolve to restore and protect the vibrant coral ecosystems that are vital to the marine life and communities of The Bahamas.

The Reef Rescue Network’s development and outputs over the last two years have been made possible thanks to the support of The Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility (CCPF) which is a private sector development programme that delivers innovative and practical solutions that stimulate economic growth, increase productivity, and foster innovation and competitiveness. The CCPF works across 13 countries and is a partnership between the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), and the Government of Canada. Further support has been provided by Disney Conservation Fund, Moore Bahamas Foundation, The Nature Conservancy and the Global Funds for Coral Reefs (GFCR), the latter of which is a blended finance instrument to mobilise action and resources to protect and restore coral reef ecosystems.

For more information on the Reef Rescue Network and how to get involved, visit https://www.PerryInstitute.org/.

 

Photo Captions: 

Header: Leaders in conservation and international delegates, including representatives from the IDB and the British High Commission, unite aboard with the Reef Rescue Network team, embodying a powerful coalition for coral restoration and sustainable development in The Bahamas.

1st insert: A highlight of the event, guests were treated to the rare sight of a spotted eagle ray, a reminder of the precious marine life the Reef Rescue Network strives to protect in The Bahamas’ pristine waters.

2nd insert: Daniela Carrera-Marquis, InterAmerican Development Bank Representative, meticulously tends to a coral nursery as part of the Reef Rescue Network’s hands-on approach to coral conservation, illustrating the powerful synergy between human effort and marine restoration in The Bahamas.

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