The Grand Bahama Performing Arts Society, a newly established organization, will ring in the New Year with its inaugural concert featuring accomplished classical pianist Tannis Gibson, who will perform at the Church of Ascension on Sunday, January 4th at 4:00 pm.

Ms. Gibson holds a Master of Music from the Julliard School in New York City, a world renowned performing arts conservatory. She has performed at such premier international venues as The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., the Bath International Festival in England and with the Shanghai Radio Orchestra in China.

Both a world class performer, and a dedicated educator, Ms. Gibson currently teaches in the School of Fine Arts at the University of Arizona.

"I love the idea of somehow contributing to helping fund young student performers."

Thus motivated, Ms. Gibson has graciously offered to perform for free.

Mrs. Dalia Feldman, who originally conceived the idea of the Grand Bahama Performing Arts Society, is excited and committed to providing opportunities to deserving youngsters with talent:

"We are so pleased to have Ms. Gibson performing here in Grand Bahama, and so appreciative of her generosity in helping us to launch our new society.

We believe this is a wonderful opportunity for people to enjoy, and to expose their children to a world class performance without leaving Grand Bahama. By coming out to this concert, people will be actively financing our own aspiring performers on the island!"

The Grand Bahama Performing Arts Society was created to bring professional artists and performers from around the world to audiences in Grand Bahama. Drawing from Bahamian and international talent, a number of performances are being planned for 2009. Proceeds will be used for the advancement of Grand Bahama students of the performing arts.

Seats for the Tannis Gibson concert are $15 each, and can be reserved in advance by contacting Dalia Feldman at 373-2580 or Gloria McGlone at 373-2887.

The Society also wishes to acknowledge the generous donation by Ms Sally Gaskins, of Java Island at Port Lucaya, who has volunteered to provide delicacies at the reception following Ms Gibson's performance.

The Ministry of Tourism & Aviation's Training & Education Department along with the Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board, The Bahamas Hotel Association, The College of The Bahamas and other industry stakeholders have teamed up to strengthen training efforts in the tourism sector on Grand Bahama Island.

On Tuesday all of the stakeholders participated in a press conference at Our Lucaya Hotel to announce their objective, which is to ensure that customer service standards are raised to the highest levels, so visitors will want to return to Grand Bahama Island for another wonderful experience.

Pictured from left are Bridgette Major-Donaldson, Assistant Professor, Head of Department, Culinary & Hospitality Management Institute, The College of The Bahamas; Sharline Johnson, Manager, Northern Bahamas Hotel Association; Denise Adderley, Director of Marketing, Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board and Sandra Russell, Senior Manager, Ministry of Tourism with responsibility for Human Resources and Training.
(BIS photo/Vandyke Hepburn)

This Weekend at Winton Rugby Centre:

1:00pm - High School Touch 7s
3:00pm - Buccaneers vs. Baillou - Nassau Cup

High School 7s
With the Youth Season set to start after Christmas, we though we'd kick things off by playing a limited 7s tournament.

5 schools have entered teams for this event: St. Andrew's Queen's College, Doris Johnson, St. Augustine's and LW Young.

These teams will play 2 hour touch rugby tournament before the Buccs take on Baillou in the Nassau Cup.

When the season starts, these teams will be augmented by CC Sweeting, CR Walker, CV Bethel and Government High to form the BRFU Youth League.

Buccaneers on Track.
I don't usually use this page to comment on games - there are far better qualified people than I for the task. However, I'd like to take the opportunity to commend the new-look Buccaneers for their efforts so far this season.

This is a completely new side, with less than a handful of experienced players to count on and have found the going pretty tough with three defeats out of three to date. What I admire is their team spirit and willingness to learn. Although they have lost each game, they have given 100% every time and have managed to score in all of their encounters.
Some noted that the way they carried on after scoring their second try against Cuckoos, you'd have though they'd won the title.

The future looks bright for the club, they have accepted assistance from the NDO (Andy) and are proving eager students. They are also getting good numbers out to training and, equally importantly, socialize well together.
Good luck on 2009 Buccs.

Players' Lunch
All players and friends are invited to Winton for a late lunch on Sunday (21st) to help bring on the Christmas spirit.

$10 all you can eat (until it runs out, at least). Starts at 3:00pm. If anybody wants to bring some extra food, we'll thank you.

The Dolphins game will be on the TV, Rugby 08 on the Playstation, dominoes on the table and beer at the bar.

Boxing Day 7s
Traditionally one of the highlights of the rugby calendar. The Boxing Day 7s will go ahead as usual at Winton - starting at 12noon. Club players and non-players are invited to participate in this event which has beenhosted annually by Buccaneers rugby club for almost 20 years. Team registry begins at noon with games starting soon thereafter.
Even if you're not playing, this is always a graet day at Winton.

Women's Rugby keen to recruit
The women train at Winton every Monday and Thursday evening at 6pm.
They have a solid nucleus of a dozen or so players who are both dedicated and enthusiastic.

With a couple of games lined up against touring sides and the Women's World Cup coming up in 2009, they are looking to recruit more players in the New Year. If you are interested, please contact me at this email address.

Live Blog of Games
Remember, if you can't make it to Winton and want to know what's going on, games will be covered live on the Bahamas Rugby Website

On the Website this week:

1. Live Blog - Buccaneers vs. Cuckoos

2. Trinidad - TTRFU calls on NAWIRA and WIRU for transparent debate on common constitution

3. More 7s Video - Mexico vs. Bermuda (men)

4. Bahamas Rugby Results & Tables - Nassau Cup Week 2

5. Trinidad Sevens - Full Coach's Report

6. UK Telegraph - 10 highlights of 2008

7. Game Changers: #4 Vernon Pugh (who???)

From all at Bahamas Rugby, have a great Christmas and a peacful and prosperous New Year.

Hope to see you Saturday,

McKinney, Bancroft and Hughes, the leading international Bahamian law firm, has signed an agreement with Oxford Business Group (OBG), the highly acclaimed global publishing, research and consultancy firm, to act, as official legal research partner for The Report: The Bahamas 2009.

McKinney, Bancroft and Hughes, which provides the highest quality legal services in the banking and finance, corporate and commercial, litigation and arbitration sectors, will work with OBG?s experienced editorial team, guiding and advising on the many changes taking place in the laws of the rapidly evolving country, and assist in the research and writing of the legal section of The Report.

Laura Herrero, OBG?s Country Director, said: ?McKinney, Bancroft and Hughes are perfectly placed to be able to provide the most eminent counsel and guidance on The Bahamas legal structures as the country moves through this most exciting and rewarding era.?

?Their contributions will help to maintain the highest standards of accuracy and integrity which are the hallmark of all OBG publications.?

Brian Moree, Senior partner of McKinney, Bancroft & Hughes, said: ?Our team of specialized lawyers who have extensive experience and expertise in representing and advising major multi national companies doing business in or through the Bahamas qualifies our firm for the role we will fulfill in the production of OBG?s publication. We are pleased to partner with OBG in this important project to make available to interested persons in a single publication all the key information which they will need to do business in the Bahamas. Both of our institutions have an established record of excellence in our respective areas. OBG has a well deserved reputation for producing the highest quality country profiles for businessmen in many countries, and our presence will enhance what is already an extremely high level of overall professional competence vital for such trusted country guides.?

OBG?s The Report: The Bahamas 2009 is part of a series rated as the premier guides for foreign direct investment into the country?s vibrant and transforming economy, and is an invaluable guide to the many facets of The Bahamas, including its macroeconomics, infrastructure, political landscape, banking and sectoral developments in a remarkably in-depth profile of the country.

Available in print form or online, The Report: The Bahamas 2009 will be part of the range of OBG?s publications which are renowned as leading sources of information on developing and emerging economies around the world.

Oxford Business Group (OBG) is a global publishing, research and consultancy firm, which publishes economic and political intelligence on the markets of The Caribbean, Asia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, North and South Africa. Through its range of print and online products, OBG offers comprehensive and accurate analysis of political, macroeconomic and sectoral developments, including banking, capital markets, energy, infrastructure, industry and insurance.

Written by a team of seasoned analysts, based on the ground for six months, the critically acclaimed series of economic, political and business reports have become the leading source of intelligence on the rapidly developing countries in the regions they cover. OBG's online economic briefings provide up-to-date in-depth analysis on the issues that matter for thousands of subscribers worldwide. OBG's consultancy arm offers tailor-made market intelligence and advice to firms currently operating in these markets and those looking to enter them.