Bahamas News
BAHAMAS: Urban Renewal Commission in talks that could result in extended activities for urban youth during summer
#Nassau, June 14, 2019 – Bahamas – Officials at the Urban Renewal Commission (URC), are in discussions with the Royal Bahamas Police Force to have the two Youth Summer Programmes staggered over July and August in order to offer a full programme of activities during the eleven weeks of the school summer break.
Delivering his Contribution to the 2019/2020 Budget Debate in the House of Assembly Wednesday (June 12, 2019), Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Frankie A. Campbell, said the Commission has also held meetings with various church groups to ascertain whether Vacation Bible School Programmes can also be staggered “to take advantage of the eleven weeks of summer vacation.”
“Summertime is usually that time when children are out of school, but parents aren’t on vacation, and so parents are usually concerned about having someplace for their children to go where they can be positively engaged and rightfully so (as) children who are left without much to do could become targets or become involved in mischief. So nationally, it is important that the various programmes and/or the various institutions and organizations that offer programmes, come together to try as best as they can to cover the entire scope of the summer,” Minister Campbell said.
“My observation, based on information I have received thus far, is that most of the summer programmes planned are predominately for the month of July which leaves the month of August almost vacant and void. There is some school of thought that the plans are like that in many instances because persons want to take vacations nearing the end of the summer. While that may be so, we must also be cognizant of the fact that there are among us, a grouping that does not take annual vacations, and so my mindset is that we collaborate to ensure that where our kids will still be here on the island that we provide something positive for them to do.”
Minister Campbell announced that the Urban Renewal Commission has received five million out of the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development’s 2019/2020 Budget allocation to facilitate its ongoing and new programmes.
The Commission runs a series of programmes including the annual Urban Renewal Summer Camp Programme, Senior Citizens Programmes, Community Grocery Distribution Programme, After-School Programme, Temperament and Anger Management Programme, the annual Back-to-School Programme, and the Urban Renewal Band Programme.
The Commission has also facilitated and sponsored annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies within the urban communities; Easter Egg Hunts, Thanksgiving Luncheons, Valentine’s Day events for its seniors, Mother’s and Father’s Day Ceremonies, Motivational Seminars, seminars for at-risk students and more recently, an Urban Tech Computer Programme, all designed to uplift urban communities and their residents.
The Urban Tech Computer Programme, is a highly-structured, curriculum-based After-School Academic Programme that is designed to improve educational outcomes among children residing in the various urban communities.
“It is intended that the Programme will be expanded to all and that tutoring classes will be held in each Centre. Trained teachers will be posted in each Centre, equipped with workbooks, textbooks, mini library facilities, computers and other resources that will assist children of all ages with their GLAT, BJC, BGCSE Examinations, school course work and projects,” Minister Campbell told Parliament.
Minister Campbell said URC’s role is to empower individuals in urban spaces who are considered at-risk or marginalized due to their economic status, through strategic programmes designed to restore social wellbeing, rebuild the physical environment and restore accommodations, and equip these citizens with job skills and opportunities.
The Commission comprises 163 members of staff and operates ten Urban Renewal Centres in New Providence, including the soon-to-be-opened Flamingo Gardens Centre; five in Grand Bahama and Bimini; and eight others throughout the Family Islands.
Minister Campbell said the five million dollars allocated to the Commission will allow Urban Renewal to continue to fulfill its objectives.
“The five million is consistent with what we received last year and we were able to achieve our objectives and so I am satisfied that if we use the money prudently again this year, we will likewise achieve similar objectives and have the same kind of impact if not more,” Minister Campbell added.
By Matt Maura
Release: BIS
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
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