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BAHAMAS: Smithsonian Institution to Assist with Cultural Rescue and Recovery Following Hurricane Dorian

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#Nassau, November 4, 2019 – Bahamas – The Smithsonian Institution (SI) has offered to assist the National Museum of The Bahamas/Antiquities, Monuments and Museum Corporation (AMMC) in the rescue and recovery of cultural heritage resources.  The announcement was made during a press conference held at the National Museum on Tuesday, 29th October.  Also in attendance were Director of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Captain Stephen Russell and Director of the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas (NAGB), Ms. Amanda Coulson.

Acting Director of the AMMC, Mrs. Kim Outten-Stubbs said they were very pleased with the offer of assistance from the Smithsonian.

“We are very pleased that AMMC can now speak to its role in rescue, recovery and assessment in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian,” she said. “The initial stage of hurricane recovery was the security of life and property. Now, we wish to address our cultural heritage — those elements which speak to our culture – our libraries, museums, stories, that were lost or damaged in the storm.”

Distinguished Scholar and Ambassador-at-Large, Dr. Richard Kurin, will lead the team of experts from the Smithsonian. He said as soon as they learnt that The Bahamas had been so negatively impacted by the storm, they were ‘moved’ to assist in rescue and recovery efforts.

“The Bahamas is very dear to me and so when we heard what happened here, our hearts went out to the Bahamian people,” he said. “We worked with The Bahamas 25 years ago. Culture is what makes people who they are. When we heard of books and art being destroyed, we knew what our duties would be: to help our Bahamian brothers and sisters.”

Both Director Russell (NEMA) and Director Coulson (NAGB) pledged their support to the Smithsonian initiative.

A team of persons including: Mrs. Kim Outten-Stubbs; Administrative Consultant, Mr. Alexander Flowers and Historic Preservation Architect Consultant, Ms. Alicia Oxley will accompany the team from the Smithsonian, which includes: Dr. Kurin; Director, of Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative (SCRI), Ms. Cori Wegener; Mellon/ACLS Public Fellow (SCRI), Dr. Nana Kaneko; Senior Book Conservator, Smithsonian Libraries, Ms. Katie Wagner and Collections Care Specialist (SCRI), Ms. Rebecca Kennedy.

The team planned visit of Abaco on Wednesday and Thursday and Grand Bahama on Friday to commence their initial assessments. The objective of the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative (SCRI), an arm of the SI that will play a major role in the assessment, is to ‘protect cultural heritage threatened or impacted by disasters and to help United States and international communities preserve their identity and history. The SCRI led the Haiti Cultural Recovery after the 2010 earthquake, worked in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands after hurricanes Maria and Irma and has assisted in Texas and Nebraska after major flooding. They also worked in Iraq.

The AMMC will serve as the partnering agency to represent The Bahamas and guide the SI during this assessment mission to Abaco and Grand Bahama Islands. The various governmental agencies, chief counselors and the local communities of these islands are providing information and assistance on the ground as the team travels through the various communities.

By Betty Vedrine

Release: BIS

Photo Caption: The Smithsonian Institution (SI) has offered to assist the National Museum of The Bahamas/Antiquities, Monuments and Museum Corporation (AMMC) in the rescue and recovery of cultural heritages resources.  The announcement was made during a press conference held at the National Museum on Tuesday, 29th October 2019.   Pictured L-R: Director of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Captain Stephen Russell and Director of the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas (NAGB), Ms. Amanda Coulson; Director, of Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative (SCRI), Ms. Cori Wegener; Distinguished Scholar and Ambassador-at-large, Dr. Richard Kurin; Acting Director of the AMMC, Mrs. Kim Outten-Stubbs; Deputy Chairperson (AMMC), Ms. Lynn Gape; and Administrative Consultant, Mr. Alexander Flowers.  

(BIS Photo/ Betty Vedrine)

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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Bahamas News

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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