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Bahama Islands News, Articles and Information
Starwood Vacation Ownership Announces Major Expansion Plans for the Westin St. John Resort & Villas
Starwood Vacation Ownership, a division of Starwood Hotels&Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT), today announced major expansion plans for the Westin St. John Resort&Villas in St. John, USVI. The new Bay Vista phase will include a total of 94 two and three bedroom villas overlooking the island and the picturesque Great Cruz Bay.Construction plans call for the conversion of 186 hotel rooms in seven buildings in the hillside section of the resort to become vacation ownership villas. Construction of the first phase includes 54 villas and will begin in July, 2006 with an expected occupancy in late 2007. The second phase of 40 villas will begin shortly thereafter. Sales of the new phase will also begin in July.
"This is an ambitious project based on the increasing demand of luxury vacation ownership resorts in the Caribbean.
Ingraham questions gov't on proposed school for GB
Heated words were exchanged yesterday on the floor of the House of Assembly, when former Prime Minister and Opposition leader Hubert A. Ingraham indirectly accused the Government of mishandling funds that were allotted for increasing classroom numbers in Grand Bahama and the Family Islands.Ingraham further questioned the Minister of Education Alfred Sears regarding funds donated to the Government by the Grand Bahama Port Authority for the construction of a Junior High School in Grand Bahama.
Sears, who rose earlier on a point of order, became the target for the demanding interrogation.
"What happened to the money that was allocated before 2002 by the FNM and in the more recent budget for the construction of a Junior High School in Grand Bahama and in the Family Islands?" asked Ingraham.
Rand ready for '06 storms
Grand Bahama's only hospital, the Rand in Freeport, has upgraded its water and electricity generating capacity in readiness for the hurricane season.A 1,200-gallon per day reverse osmosis system has been installed, water storage capacity has been increased to 12,000 gallons, and a new 800 kva generator has been mounted on a three-foot platform.
"The Rand can be at ease now to know that there are in place back up systems should there be interruptions in supply from the city," said Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) managing director Herbert Brown.
Mr Brown was in Grand Bahama last weekend to inspect the hurricane readiness of the Rand Hospital and clinics in other districts. He was accompanied by Anthone Ward, Deputy Director, Shared Services, Capital Development Unit.
Resort to sheer Caribbean luxury
A bristled pink snout protrudes from the surface and two white tusks create bow waves as the creature ploughs its way past. Choking on the salt water in my snorkel, I watch as a squat, muscled body the size and shape of a baby hippo emerges from the briny and sets about snuffling a huge hole in the beach. It flops into this new sand home and promptly falls asleep, occasionally snorting and whisking the hot, afternoon air with a curly tail.Now, swimming in a tropical sea with a wild boar should be a surreal experience. Instead it feels perfectly in context. After all, I began today's sojourn on Exuma Cay by tickling a sting ray's tummy – like running your fingers along a wet chamois leather – before being introduced to the local gang. This involved lying in the sand with my snorkeled face in two feet of bath-warm water as, yards away, half a dozen four-feet-long reef sharks tore chunks of bloody flesh from a hapless fish.
PM: Interest High In Ginn Development
Interest is high in the $4.7 billion Ginn project planned for West Grand Bahama, according to Prime Minister Perry Christie, who showed off the master plan for the planned development in the House of Assembly as he wrapped up debate on the 2006/2007 budget last Wednesday night. .Sparks fan loyalty program shows success
EL SEGUNDO, CA- The Los Angeles Sparks new fan loyalty program, Home Court Advantage now has over 1,000 members enrolled as the program continues to take off and excite fans everywhere.
The Sparks Home Court Advantage program was designed to reward fans for their support by providing opportunities to receive exciting benefits. Any person over the age of 13 can enroll, free of charge, and join this exclusive fan loyalty program. Points are earned by attending Sparks home games, designated community events and by meeting other predetermined criteria. Members can redeem their points for Sparks merchandise and autographed memorabilia including replica jerseys, shoes, and basketballs. Home Court Advantage members also receive 10% off their purchases when presenting their membership card at the TeamLA store at STAPLES Center during Sparks home games.
Vereance sets CISC record
The Bahamian team to the 15th Caribbean Islands Swimming Championships is on a mission, and Grand Bahamian Vereance Burrows proved it.In his first swim on the competition's opening day on Monday night, 16-year-old Burrows turned in a record-setting swim in the 15-17 Boys 50 metres butterfly in a time of 25.39 seconds, in Salinas, Puerto Rico.
Burrows erased the previous meet record of 25.87 seconds set by Barbadian Shawn Clarke in 2004.
Burrows' CISC record didn't come without a fight though. He edged hometown favourite Juan Serrano at the wall. Serrano touched in 25.72 seconds and finishing third was Jamaican Brad Hamilton(26.28 seconds).
Bahamas Swim Federation president Algernon Cargill, who is with the 24-member team, said that Burrows' performance was no suprise.