Support for the Second Annual Dog Days Event, which takes place April 9th, has international support to help make it even bigger and better!

This year’s Dog Day’s Half Marathon will be sponsored by Purina, one of the leading dog food manufacturers in the USA, helping runners, joggers, walkers and of course dogs to take to the roads in Grand Bahama.

Participants of all ages and even four legged friends are encouraged to participate in this fun filled day. The second annual Dog Days will include a much asked for 10K and Health Expo after the races. All races will begin and end at Bahamas Adventures beach club, in the Freeport Lucaya area.

Last years first event was sold out with over 150 racers and families, friends and tourists enjoying the festivities at Bahamas Adventures. The event, which aids the Grand Bahama Humane Society raised enough money to spay and neuter 300 dogs last year, a great asset to a non-profit shelter that exists on pure donations.

Wayne Russell, the General Manager of BWA, who represents the Purina brand said, “Purina is very pleased to be a major sponsor of the Dog Days Half Marathon. Not only does this event go to promote human health, but also aids in keeping the Grand Bahama Humane Society up and running. The GB Humane Society is the most important organization on the island when it comes to the well-being of animals and Purina jumps at any opportunity to assist. Events such as this are critical in the fight to control the stray dog and cat population.”

Event organisers, Siobhan Antoni-Bates and Nikki Waugh, are back at it again in 2016 vowing to develop this event into a race that will benefit both the Grand Bahama economy while giving back to the community.

“We couldn’t be more excited that Purina has hopped on board for this cause,” said Antoni-Bates. “Being our second year we were a little nervous out of the gates as to whether we would have as much community support as last year and we were pleased to see that Grand Bahama has not let us down.”

This year’s racing will also include a much-demanded 10K and a Health Expo after the half marathon. Vendors will be set up at Bahamas Adventures for racers and guests to educate themselves on a healthy diet and taking care of their bodies. Such things as energy supplement info, fresh grown produce, spa services, smoothies, alternative medicine and other health interests will be accessible. Functional Fitness will also be present with a free work out at 10:00am for those that want to try something different.

“We really wanted to expand the event this year and attract a wider range of participants to the island, especially those from our family islands. Pelican Bay has agreed to give us special hotel rates for participants and we hope that local airlines will look to support us as well. We want to make this one of Grand Bahama’s premier sports events while offering more publicity to our sponsors too,” said Waugh.

To learn more about the event, interested racers can visit their Facebook page or their website, www.dogdayshalfmarathon.com. Sign up has already begun and the ladies are hoping to double last year’s participation.

Dog Days is Back With Local Grassroots Feel
Support for the Second Annual Dog Days Event, which takes place April 9th, has international support to help make it even bigger and better! This year’s Dog Day’s Half Marathon will be sponsored by Purina, one of the leading dog food manufacturers in the USA, helping runners, joggers, walkers and of course dogs to take to the roads in Grand Bahama. Participants of all ages and even four legged friends are encouraged to participate in this fun filled day. The second annual Dog Days will include a much asked for 10K and Health Expo after the races. All races will begin and end at Bahamas Adventures beach club, in the Freeport Lucaya area.

The Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation, (BREEF) will hold a fundraising party on Saturday November 28th at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas with a theme suitably reflective of their endeavors: ‘Under the Sea’.

Hosted by BREEF co-chairs Eugenie, Lady Nuttall and Craig Symonette and Executive Director Casuarina McKinney-Lambert, guests will wine, dine and dance, likely dressed in suggested colour-ways of the ocean. As in previous years, dress code is casually-elegant island-chic to enable guests to dance and party-hearty to top entertainment band, ‘Visage’ without the restrictions of more formal attire.

Executive Director Casuarina McKinney-Lambert said the fun and success of past events has boosted ticket sales this year.

“We are fortunate that our past events have proved such fun. Most of the tickets and tables have gone to people who came to our last party in 2013, so we’ve got a lot to live up to. So far, preparations are going really well and we’re excited and looking forward to delivering another great, fun celebration for a really good cause.”

Guests should not be surprised to find Lionfish as a choice on the dinner menu, further supporting BREEF’s conservation efforts.  Chef Horatio will serve the delicious invasive fish species to suit all tastes and providing guests with an inspiring alternative to Nassau grouper during the 1st December-28th February - the Nassau grouper closed season.

The party is under the stars throughout the grounds of the National Art Gallery with rum, beer, vodka, wine bars and food stations, with dining, dancing and leisure areas strategically placed to maximise socializing. Security measures have been taken to include patrolled public and parking areas and a valet-parking service.

The evening’s entertainment includes top band ‘Visage,’ a very generous Silent Auction, a Live Auction with the notable auctioneer CK Swett, a steel band and a DJ. Additionally, the National Art Gallery is allowing viewing of R. Brent Malone. ‘Reincarnation: Retrospective Exhibition: 1954-2004.’

Sponsors include The National Art Gallery, Horatio Alexander Events and Catering, Casamigos Tequila, Liquid Courage, Zonin wine, Lionking Bahamas (Lionfish), John Watling’s Distillery’s famous rum and Red Turtle vodka, Bristol Wines and Spirits, Pirates Republic Brewing Company. Ticket details can be found at www.breef.org or by ‘phone (242) 327-9000.

Lady Eugenie Nuttall, wife of BREEF founder Sir Nicholas Nuttall, (deceased) said that the non-profit organization is vital to marine conservation in The Bahamas.  

“As a non-profit marine conservation group we largely rely on donations from people who understand the threats facing our marine environments, and by default, our own health and well-being,” said the committed conservationist. “So support in all its many welcome forms, including our fun events, is vital to our work.”

BREEF Executive Director Casuarina McKinney-Lambert said, “an important component of BREEF’s work is enabling teachers and students to experience the marine environment and develop a sense of marine stewardship in their communities. This helps everyone appreciate the value of our seas for our cultural and economic well-being, and learn how to take action to ensure a healthy marine environment. The financial support will help fund many of our conservation and training programmes including field trips for teachers and students that provide incomparable hands-on experiences, research, outreach, advocacy and policy. All the funds raised during the evening will help support BREEF's marine education programmes reaching thousands of children ever year, fisheries outreach, research, advocacy for reef conservation legislation, and the BREEF Coral Reef Sculpture Garden.”  

Renee Farquharson, BREEF Bahamas Environmental Stewards Scholars (BESS) intern monitors coral growth at the BREEF Sir Nicholas Nuttall Coral Reef Sculpture Garden’s coral nursery in the waters off western New Providence.  Photo: Mallory Raphael.

About BREEF
BREEF was founded in 1993 by the late Sir Nicholas Nuttall to address growing concerns on the state of The Bahamian marine environment. Twenty-two years on, BREEF has led field-trips for over 10,000 children throughout the archipelago, trained over 600 teachers from almost every island at the annual BREEF teacher-training workshops, conducted policy-impacting research on key Bahamian marine species, and worked with government and other NGOs to help protect important species and establish marine protected areas.

www.breef.org |  e-mail: casuarina@breef.org |  tel: 327-9000 | Facebook.

The Bahamas Humane Society is assessing the predicament of animals impacted by the catastrophic Hurricane Joaquin. The society has already sent food for some animals that was requested by animal owners and residents. With animals suffering from the ravages of the storm, the Bahamas Humane Society stands ready and willing to assist, but needs vital information of any injured or trapped animals. The Society also seeks to avoid risk to health and well-being of persons and animals living in areas where animals may be wounded.

Contact Percy Grant, Shelter Manager and Chief Inspector of the Bahamas Humane Society at: (242) 323-5138 or (242) 325-6742. Website: www.thebahamashumanesociety.com

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- One again, EARTHCARE presented to tennis campers attending Coach Nathan O'Connor's Tennis Camp. Bahamian environmental issues were the focus. Gail Woon, EARTHCARE representative, was happy to interact with the campers. "The students were a pleasure to work with. They had a good grasp on the environmental topics covered."

Topics presented this summer included: Ground, air and water pollution, solid waste management (burning refuse versus a properly lined and managed landfill), unsustainable development (e.g. building golf courses on beach fronts resulting in fertilizers polluting the reef and surrounding habitat as well as the environmental impacts of mega developments), dredging without environmental impact assessment, oil spills, industrial mining, coastal habitat destruction, endangered sea and shore birds; healthy reefs versus unhealthy reefs, sea level rise, mangrove destruction, Abaco parrots, turtles, sharks and kids who make a difference.

The children were very engaged, and EARTHCARE is happy to have had the opportunity to interact with them. The campers learn about tennis, golf, nutrition, exercise and responsibility. The tennis camp continues until the end of August. Interested persons are asked to contact Coach Nathan O'Connor at the Grand Bahama Tennis & Squash Club.