The Abaco Beach Resort at Boat Harbour?s new family entertainment programs and special events delight Resort guests, visitors to the Island and locals alike. In true traditional Bahamian fashion, the Resort proudly offers an array of exciting events and uplifting Island entertainment, earning the title, 'Entertainment Capital of the Abacos!' One of the newest programmes the resort now offers is their unique 'Bahama Buddies' Kids Club.

This innovative children?s programme is designed for youths between the ages of 5 years and 15 years old. This Club promotes a healthy, exchange-of-knowledge, relationship between Bahamian children and children of registered guests and Club Members who may be visiting from various countries or islands.

The children will gain a hands on insight to ?island life,? from the Resort Activities staff and Bahamian children who will personally teach them how to fish, clean and cook their catch, make authentic crafts, debark and enjoy a coconut and a variety of fun island explorations and activities, including our popular crab races.

The Resort?s General Manager, Bob Kramm, has named 13-year old, Bahamian born, Jordan LaRose, ?Ambassador? of the Bahama Buddies Kids Club. Mr. Kramm immediately took an interest in Jordan, when he bravely approached him and asked for a job at the Resort. Jordan?s father tragically died in a drowning accident when Jordan was five years old. With five children to support, Jordan felt compelled to assist his mother and family financially by paying for food and clothes and his present job of washing boats was not providing sufficient income.

Mr. Kramm was so impressed with Jordan?s dedication, charming personality and willingness to learn that he worked with the Labour Board so he could legally employ him at the Resort.

Jordan is so grateful for the opportunities Mr. Kramm offered, that he has embraced his position as Bahama Buddies Ambassador by warmly welcoming visiting children and proudly introducing them to Bahamian life with a variety of exciting crafts and activities and Island nature explorations, including snorkeling, fishing, bike riding and teaching kids the art of conch cracking. Jordan works closely with the extremely creative Resort Activities staff to accomplish these tasks.

Jordan also enjoys performing the National Anthem for guests at the hotel. Jordan explains, ?I am really enjoying it and am very excited. I have never had this much self confidence in my life and this is just the beginning.?

Jordan enjoys engaging in conversations with all hotel guests and everyone, including the entire staff, has embraced him and fully agree that he is a huge asset to the team. At such a young age, Jordan already has set his career goals of being a pilot.

In addition to this invaluable introduction and participation in Bahamian Island life through the many Bahama Buddies activities, the children will receive a Bahama Buddies tee shirt, enjoy lunch and be given an authentic souvenir and a photo CD to commemorate their experience.

The children enjoy sharing stories and experiences of their own lives and countries and ultimately become ?friends for life? by communicating through our Bahama Buddies Email Exchange program, continuing their friendship well after they leave the Island.

Families also enjoy time together for beach volleyball, crab races, underwater treasure hunts, family energy walks and evening ?Starlight Movies? by the pool. ?Kids Night at the Movies? offers a ?clubhouse? atmosphere, complete with popcorn and pizza, where our staff host the evening with favorite children?s movies.

Mr. Kramm has also created the compassionate Abaco Beach Resort Care Team, to enhance the experience and camaraderie at the Resort. The team, led by VP of Human Resources and Community Relations, Olivia Mortimer, is a management and staff volunteer group responsible for priorities such as clean up, self help and disaster relief projects. The goal of the Care Team is to engage with the community in local service projects and include the public with assistance in various community projects.


?The Entertainment Capital of the Abacos!?
Less than 180 miles east of Florida, you?ll find the ?Premier Destination in the Bahamas Out Islands.? Abaco Beach Resort at Boat Harbour which is renowned for its unmatched access to the Sea of Abaco, its long list of amenities, including its state-of-the-art, full-service 190 slip Marina. Located on 52 beautifully landscaped acres in the Marsh Harbour of Abaco, Bahamas, you will find an abundance of natural beauty, classic island hospitality, and endless fun. Enjoy secluded beaches, exploring surrounding cays and the world-class sport fishing for which the Bahamas are famous.

The culinary team at Angler?s Restaurant and Lounge are known for their exceptional island fare, offering fresh lobster, Abaco grouper, guava duff with guava sauce and an array of other appetizing delicacies. Our holiday weekends feature a variety of special events such as a Bahamian Seafood Grill and Full Moon Beach Parties with live entertainment and a delicious Bahamian Family-Style dinner. Future plans include adding a Gospel Sunday Lunch, a joyful celebration featuring a collection of Internationally recognized gospel music.

We are pleased to announce that Stephen Colebrook, popular keyboard/vocalist, will entertain guests with his smooth, soulful sounds in our Angler?s Restaurant and Lounge weekly, Wednesday ? Sunday evenings 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm; at our Pool Bar, Wednesday ? Friday 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm and at our Gospel Sunday Brunch, Sundays, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

With a host of amenities, including fine dining, a full service, 190-slip Marina, 82 oceanfront rooms and 7,500 square feet of event space, the Resort offers the ultimate setting for the perfect island vacation or an outstanding meeting or event destination.

For more information, visit: www.AbacoBeachResort.com

Cabinet has agreed to declare the following six locations as Marine Protected Areas: Abaco Cays, Berry Islands (Chub Cay to Whale Cay), Bimini, South Eleuthera, Exuma, Site 1 and 2 which include, Jewfish Cays to mainland Georgetown and the area east of Blacks Rocks between little Exuma and North Long Island, respectively.

The Ministry will proceed with the Berry Islands, and Site 1 Exuma, while Site 2 Exuma, South Eleuthera, and Bimini will be revisited, and further consultations will take place within the Abaco community.

Marine Protected Areas are designated areas in which removal of marine resources is prohibited and impacts are minimized.

The backdrop for the Ministry's decision to establish Marine Protected ATMS rests in the need to ensure healthy marine habitats and sustainable fisheries in The Bahamas. The constant threat by human impacts, including overfishing, habitat loss and the degradation of water quality to the marine life resources led to a study which was undertaken in 1999 which determined the scientific validity of a list of marine reserve sites.

The first five locations in which Fishery Reserves was created was announced in 2000, These sites were confirmed and management measures established after thorough consultation with local communities, stakeholders and scientists.

It is envisioned that there will be an increase in key fishery species, biomass, resulting in greater reproductive output and replenishment of fished stocks outside the Fishery Reserve; in addition to the designated areas being protected from threats specific to them. This should culminate with a positive impact to the Bahamian economy and the quality of life for Bahamians.

FILE PHOTO: Erik J. Russell / Copyright ?2002

The Reverend Michael Pinder, Pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Pinders? Point, joined by Progressive Liberal Party Members of Parliament the Hon Obie Wilchcombe for West End & Bimini, and Dr. Bernard Nottage for Bain & Grant?s Towns, will be the special guests at the Annual Prayer Breakfast being held by the Eight Mile Rock Branch No. 2 of the PLP this coming Saturday, February 21, 2009.

The event will be held in the Parish Hall of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Pinders? Point at 8:00 am, says Branch Chairman, Donald Curtis.

Mr. Curtis said, as he invited the public to the Annual Prayer Breakfast, the event is being held under the theme: ?Bind Us Together?, and ?We?re pleased to have Rev. Michael Pinder as our Guest Preacher, and Dr. Nottage and Mr. Wilchcombe as speakers, and together with other specially invited guest we hope to nourish our members and guests spiritually and on topical issues.

?Our aim for this year?s prayer breakfast is to foster and strengthen our relationships with our party and our brothers and sisters within our communities on the island; and to bring about the changes that will transform our party for the greater good of the people of Grand Bahama in particular and the Bahamas in general,? said Curtis.

The PLP Branch is also expecting other national officers and local personalities to be on hand for the occasion. Tickets are available from branch members.

Senator the Honourable Dr. Jacinta Higgs, Chairperson of the Clifton Heritage Authority advises the public that work on phase one of the Clifton Heritage National Park is progressing well and when completed, Bahamians and tourists alike will be able to enjoy the various historical and natural features of the Park.

Over the past two years, the Park has been transformed from a commercial dumpsite to a well manicured park and nature trail site, and has become one of the most popular holiday sites for Bahamians and tourists alike in Southwest New Providence.

The public is advised that plans are well underway for the official opening of the Clifton Heritage National Park, and upon the completion of certain ongoing projects a date for the opening ceremony will be announced.

In the meantime, the Authority invites the public to continue to visit the park to arrange guided tours and briefing sessions. The public is also asked to continue submitting recommendations to the Authority with regards to the ongoing development of this National Treasure.

Photo: Teachers from Xavier Catholic School celebrate and learn about the cultures of three civilizations at Clifton (Lucayan, African and European).