Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Hubert Minnis noted Friday that it is unusual for a restaurant to retain all of its employees during a time of recession and economic hard times, and that the owners of Zorba’s Restaurant must be commended for not only maintaining the employment status quo, but also expanding their business and making a significant contribution to the economy of Grand Bahama.

“What is being demonstrated is the confidence that the owners of this business have in the Bahamian economy,” added Prime Minister Minnis. “Under ordinary circumstances, if a restaurant or business suffers from something as devastating as a fire, in many instances that business would close especially knowing the economy of the entire country was experiencing great difficulty.

“But Nick and Noelle, not only remained opened, they renovated and expanded. That demonstrates true confidence in this society.”

The Prime Minister’s remarks came during the re-opening ceremony of Zorba’s Restaurant and the launch of Zsa Zsa Mojito Bar in Port Lucaya Marketplace on Friday, November 24, 2017. Also attending the event were Minister of State for Grand Bahama, Senator the Hon. Kwasi Thompson and Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Michael Pintard.

The event was a celebration of commitment, tenacity and faith in Grand Bahama. Like many businesses in Grand Bahama, Zorba’s Restaurant and Agave Restaurant both suffered damage from recent hurricanes as well as the effects of the downturn in the Grand Bahamian economy. In addition, two months ago Zorba’s Restaurant was damaged by fire, forcing part of the restaurant to close. 

In the midst of all of these trials, owners of Zorba’s and Agave Restaurant did not let go any of their 100 staff members. This, according to the Prime Minister, says a lot about the owners of the restaurants.

“We, the government did all we could during these times to try and stimulate business in the Marketplace area, and the Prime Minister’s office here in Grand Bahama held certain events in this Marketplace to help keep the businesses afloat,” said Prime Minister Minnis.

“Earlier today we launched an entrepreneurship program for young people, who will be given monies to start their respective businesses; and it is our hope that as those businesses grow, they will employ more people who in turn will have money to further support the Grand Bahama economy.”

As far as the re-opening of the Grand Lucayan resort is concerned, Prime Minister Minnis told the audience that they are even closer to a resolution and the sale of that hotel, during which time the resort would be renovated and re-opened.

“So, Grand Bahama is on the move,” said Prime Minister Minnis. “We will continue to work to stimulate the economy of Grand Bahama.”

Continuing, he said: “So, again, I want to congratulate the owners of these restaurants and thank them for their confidence in the Bahamian economy. I am certain that just as God blessed them in their business during hard times, God will continue to bless them and their staff in this new venture.”

By Andrew Coakley

Bahamas Information Services

Minister of Financial Services, Trade & Industry and Immigration the Hon. T. Brent Symonette, along with members of the Financial Services and Trade units attended the 2017 Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Asia Conference, which was held in Singapore on 7th - 8th November, 2017.

The conference provided an overview of industry standards as well as the evolution of global financial products and services. Minister Symonette and his team interfaced and networked with over 500 industry professionals from various regions.

Pictured: Project Manager Tanya Murray (Left), Minister of Financial Services, Trade & Industry and Immigration the Hon. T. Brent Symonette, M.P. (Centre) and Khaliah Brown – Financial and Trade Officer Khaliah Brown (Right).

The importance of executive function skills for children was recently highlighted in a workshop hosted by Family Medicine Center.

Sarah Ward, a renowned expert on the topic of executive functioning, provided simple, practical strategies and tools for teaching children how to develop independent executive function skills.

The full-day workshop, organized by the Mental Health Department at Family Medicine Center was titled "Cutting Edge Strategies to Improve Executive Function Skills".

Executive functions are cognitive skills that help us plan, organize, strategize, pay attention to details, and manage time. Children who have unusual difficulty remembering things, getting organized, doing homework, and finishing projects, may have executive function challenges. Strong executive function skills can improve a child's ability to do well in school, hold a job, develop healthy relationships and deal with stress.

"Dr. Annalease Richards and I are grateful to be have been able to host such an educational and informative event. It is only through continued community collaboration that we can truly make a difference,” said Dr. Lanee Rivers, a Psychologist in Family Medicine Center’s Mental Health Department.

The workshop, held November 20th at The New Providence Community Center, was presented to a sold out audience consisting of teachers, parents, physicians, psychologists, occupational therapists, regular and special education teachers, and other professionals who work with individuals with executive function based challenges.

Ms. Ward, who regularly presents throughout the United States and internationally, has over 20 years experience in diagnostic evaluations, treatment and case management of children, adolescents and adults with a wide range of developmental and acquired brain based learning difficulties and behavioral problems. This was her first time presenting in Nassau and she was extremely well-received.

Using visual aids and everyday life examples, Ms. Ward explained how executive function affects a child’s learning and behavior, and how to work with adolescents and teens to help them develop and improve these critical skills.

Approximately 60 people attended the workshop and the feedback was unreservedly positive. Home school parent and Sunday school teacher, Lynette Taylor, said the information was so precisely and concisely presented that it was easy for people not in the school system or medical field to understand and benefit from it. Math and Physical Education teacher at Windsor Preparatory School, Tim Daniels found Ms. Ward’s presentation to be a good balance between research and practical, providing useful tools to apply in the classroom. Dr. Harris from Freeport Grand Bahama, was pleased that the workshop provided a new outlook on ways to help challenged children to advance.

Family Medicine Center is a multi-specialty facility which promotes a whole-life health and wellness approach, and integrates education with medical support, laboratory, pharmacy, nursing and psychology. For more information contact Family Medicine Center at 702-9310 or visit www.familymedicinecenter.org.

Dr. Lanee Rivers; Dr. Graham Cates; Dr. Annalease Richards; Dr. Rashida Brown-Clarke; Sarah Ward

Sarah Ward at the Family Medicine Center Workshop
Sarah Ward, an international, renowned expert on the topic of executive functioning, provided innovative, practical strategies and tools for teaching children how to develop independent executive function skills during a workshop hosted by Family Medicine Center on November 20.

Minister of the Environment & Housing, the Hon. Romauld Ferreira addressed, on behalf of the Bahamian Government, the distinguished panel of global environmental experts at the Montreal Protocol Conference discussing earth’s Ozone Layer concerns, November 23, 2017.

Minister Ferreira first thanked the Ozone Secretariat, Multilateral Fund, environmental agencies, and all other organizers before delivering a Bahamian perspective of the importance of protecting the Ozone Layer.

“This is indeed a historic place, where our journey towards preserving the ozone layer began some 30 years ago. It has been over 24 years since The Bahamas became a signatory to the Montreal Protocol; and today as we face new challenges that threaten to disturb the delicate balance needed to sustain our way of life, we wish to affirm our commitment to this environmental treaty, and give the assurance in an official capacity to all our partners in the international community of our sincerity and unwavering support in the implementation of this agreement,” said Minister Ferreira.

“With the threat of Climate Change, (SIDS) or ‘Small Island Developing States’ like The Bahamas are particularly vulnerable. Over the past few years we have seen significant changes in our weather patterns, which have the capacity to dramatically alter life as we know it.”

Ferreira described the recent history of dangerous hurricanes that have passed through The Bahamas, sobering the tone of the Bahamian response for disaster management to the reality of climate change.

“In 2015, 2016, and just this year alone, The Bahamas and the Caribbean Region have suffered though the devastating effects of Hurricanes Joaquin, Matthew, Irma, and Maria. The impact, size, and strength of these hurricanes, in succession, was virtually non existent just a decade ago, which is indicative of climate changes that we are experiencing,” said Minister Ferreira.

“Mr. President, despite the successes of the Montreal Protocol, there is no doubt that we have arrived at yet another crossroads similar to the one we were facing in 1988 in this very city. With the realization that most ozone-depleting substances are also greenhouse gasses, it is the position of my government that the Montreal Protocol is the instrument best suited to tackle the challenges associated with Global Warming.”

Ferreira took the position that the Montreal Protocol was soundly designed, structurally, financially, and capacity-wise, to address the global challenges that climate change presents to SIDS.

“It should be noted that The Bahamas, like many other countries in our region, is a large consumer of HFC (hydroflourocarbon) gases and equipment. This increase in the use of gases, such as R-134a, and R-410A is due to the imposed quota system, which restricts the quantities of R-22 that can legally be imported into The Bahamas,” said Minister Ferreira.

“As a result of this steady increase in the consumption of HFCs, it is the intent of my Ministry and Government, having been newly elected just six months ago, to make the ratification of the Kigali Amendment, a top priority in 2018.”

Ferreira concluded his address by encouraging all member countries to continue to cooperate with each other in their deliberations because humanity has much more in common to celebrate than the little things we allow to divide us.

Minister of the Environment and Housing the Hon. Romauld Ferreira addressed the 2017 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, November 23, 2017 in Montreal, Canada. (BIS Photos/Gena Gibbs)

By Gena Gibbs

Bahamas Information Services