college of the bahamas
Bahama Islands News, Articles and Information
Eye of the storm
PERHAPS the most dangerous stunt Johnny Depp, as Captain Jack Sparrow, performed in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest was eluding hurricanes during the treacherous tropical storm season in the Bahamas."We were evacuated on a daily basis," he reveals. "There was a daily monitoring of the National Hurricane Centre when we were down there in Grand Bahamas.
"You would be watching them closely and you'd see them turn and there were memories of what happened during Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana and Mississippi."
Shooting Dead Man's Chest – the third Pirates instalment set for release next year – back-to-back in the Bahamas and West Indies with a combined budget of $300 million, involved more than 600 people.
"It was really strange," Depp says, "sitting there with (director) Gore Verbinski and (producer) Jerry Bruckheimer and the rest of the producers, watching for the storm.
First brain bank planned
The government has undertaken an aggressive initiative to reverse the effects of the country's brain drain dilemma, by creating The Bahamas' first brain bank.Minister of Youth, Sports and Housing Neville Wisdom unveiled plans yesterday for the ministry to set up a working database of qualified Bahamians, so that they would be first in line to get various jobs as they come on stream.
"Far too long, many highly qualified, young, talented Bahamians have missed golden opportunities because we have failed as a nation to bank their credentials," he said.
"This will not just be an event, but it will be an ongoing attempt to prevent this brain drain that we see rearing its ugly head in The Bahamas.
"There are other countries that, as a necessity, must experience a brain drain; The Bahamas does not have to.
Oates-Moomaw
Debora A. Oates and Preston E. Moomaw, both of Winchester, were married at Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Stephenson, by the Rev. Pastor Neil Hough on May 20, 2006.The bride is the daughter of the late Kenneth and Satoko Catlett of Winchester.
The groom is the son of the late Preston and Elsie Moomaw of Winchester.
The bride was escorted to the altar by her son, James Akire and her brother, Tommy Catlett. She wore an ivory strapless satin gown with ivory pearls, beading, and sequin details across the bodice and with satin buttons, pearls, beading and sequins down the back.
The matron of honor was Janet Farmer of Martinsburg, W.Va. The maid of honor was Yvonne Lemon of Burlington, W.Va.
Bridesmaids were Elke Bogdan of Winchester and Susan Catlett of Winchester, sister-in-law of the bride.
Cash after Castro
The United States has hinted that some $80 million will be earmarked in new spending for Cuba, in an effort to help those opposed to Fidel Castro. The money will be used for pro-democracy movements in hastening change in Cuba which currently enjoys a strong relationship with the Bahamas. The US has a policy in place to undermine Cuba's planned succession from Castro, who will be 80 next month, to his 75-year-old brother Raul. News of the funding comes as the US Presidential Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba released an updated report, through Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, at a Washington news conference relayed to journalists in Havana by teleconference. She said that the report's recommendations reflected America's "resolve to stand with Cuba's brave opposition leaders: men and women who speak for those Cubans who are forced into fearful silence but who remain free in their hearts and their minds." She went on to say: "We are increasing our determination to break the regime's information blockade," Rice said in releasing the report.
Floodwaters wreak havoc across US capital area
A rare tropical deluge that began Sunday and could continue through midweek unleashed floods that swamped homes and highways, closed several federal buildings in Washington and forced some people to swim for their lives.Heavy rains caused a landslide in Chesapeake Beach, Md., a mudslide that resulted in the closure of the Capital Beltway and Woodrow Wilson Bridge, the shutdown of most commuter rail lines and power outages at tens of thousands of homes. In Chevy Chase, Md., boat crews rescued about 35 partygoers stranded at the Candy Cane City recreational center on Beach Drive.
The storms slammed downtown Washington, flooding critical commuter routes, such as Constitution Avenue and the 12th Street tunnel, and swamping a pair of heavily used Metro stations. Not even the White House could escape the damage, as a 100-year-old American elm tree fell near the front door.
Italian journalist in trouble for remarks against Islam
THE ITALIAN firebrand journalist Oriana Fallaci could go to prison for up to three years because she publicly vowed to blow up a mosque. She appears in court on lesser charges of vilifying Islam and is subject to a fine.Muslims want her tried for inciting religious hatred. The intrepid Fallaci, 75, and suffering from cancer, is undaunted.
After Sept. 11, Fallaci lamented the Islam "invasion" of Europe. One judge already ruled that she made 18 statements offensive to Islam and the president of the Muslim Union will press for sterner charges.
MAYBE YOU saw the Oprah Winfrey "special" of a gala honoring black women at her beautiful house in Santa Barbara. I remember thinking at the time how much I'd like to visit such splendor.
Well, in effect, one can experience something like this if only they can pay for it.
Plan cruise trips with an eye on storm season
HOUSTON - Seven-day Carnival and Royal Caribbean cruises from Galveston for $500-$600 in September. A 50 percent discount for your companion through August at Club Meds on three Caribbean islands. A fourth night free at the luxurious Four Seasons on Great Exuma in the Bahamas. Significant savings at other resorts.That's good.
But many travelers will jump on these deals without giving a thought to why prices are discounted.
That's bad.
Put this reality in capital letters: IT'S HURRICANE SEASON.
Now, take a deep breath. Don't panic. Don't automatically shy away from that cruise to Mexico, that all-inclusive on Jamaica, that diving expedition in the Cayman Islands.
Just be aware that Mother Nature has a habit of disrupting agendas during summer and fall.