The Tribune

Bahamas Down Syndrome Center. - On March 21st, 2013 (World Down Syndrome Day International), the Bahamas Down Syndrome Association screens its documentary, “Don’t Look Down, Look Up”, with the Prime Minister and other members of Government of the Bahamas in the audience, with all of our children and adults performing for this event!

The Bahamas Down Syndrome Center affords all Bahamian children and adults with disabilities, the opportunity to experience all avenues of education and fun! 2013 has been an exceptional year for the Bahamas Down Syndrome Center, one full of educational and exciting adventures! This year, children and adults enjoyed many activities ranging from arts & crafts to cooking, computers, speech, math, writing and music!

The Bahamas Down Syndrome Association and Center would lke to take this opportunity to thank our Bahamian community on this our World Down Syndrome Day for all of its support over the past few years.

Our mission of our center is to strive to generate greater awareness in our community, along with positve social acceptance and belonging of persons with down syndrome. We strive to develop and create a society in which they can participate in activities that will promote personal development and achievement. This is inclusive of education, employment, opportunities and various recreational outlets, all without prejudice and discrimination, emphasising abilities and not disabilities!

We, as a completely non-profit organisation, have individuals and businesses in our community to thank for helping to make our center a true success story!As we grow and expand, we hope that you will conitnue to support us as we help to change the lives of all children and adults born with Down Syndrome.

Bahamas Wrimos. - Bahamas Wrimos is preparing for Camp NaNoWriMo - an online creative retreat! It’s an international challenge and event for participants to make an effort to write every day, for 30 days, toward a specific goal. Anyone interesting in writing anything (eg novels, short stories, blog posts, memoirs) is encouraged to set a word count goal between 9,999 and 99,999, sign up for Camp NaNoWriMo (campnanowrimo.org), and connect with the local group. Check out the regional forum (nanowrimo.org/regions/west-indies-bahamas) and like the Facebook page (facebook.com/nanowrimo242) to keep up with events hosted by Municipal Liaison Alicia Wallace.

Bahamas Writers’ Group. - The next Bahamas Writers’ Group meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 24 at 6pm at Cricket Club. This week’s prompt is “fire” and all members and visitors are encouraged to write a story of 100-150 words in response. Everyone is invited to share their stories for immediate feedback from the group.

Cycling Club Bahamas. - A big “Thank you” to all who participated in the Ride To Help Others Survive on Sunday. Your support is greatly appreciated. Congratulations to all our winners!

We wish our fellow cyclists who are participating in The Great Abaco Family Fitness Weekend and the Grandfondo Ride in Delray Beach this coming weekend a safe journey and a fun and fulfilling event!

Upcoming Events:

March 21st-23rd 2014 –Great Abaco Family Fitness Weekend-Treasure Cay, Abaco 1 Mile Open Water Swim, Sprint/Olympic Tri (individual & relays), 1 Mile Kids Fun Run, Junior Cheerleading Clinic, 5k/10k Fun Run/Walk http://www.gaffw.com/

March 23rd 2014 - Granfondo Ride - Delray Beach, Florida-100k ride The Granfondo Garneau Florida Ride is designed for everyone! Whether you are an experienced cyclist wanting to push your own limits or you are someone new to riding and want to ride at your own pace, http://delraybeachtwilight.com/granfondo-ride.php

Saturday April 12th, 2014 – Grand Bahama - Pollo Tropical - 5th annual ‘Ride for Charity’. This year, The Beacon School has been selected as the recipient of the proceeds from the event. Participants of the event bike from four locations on the island; Elite cyclists will bike from McLean’s town, Intermediate from High Rock and beginners from Balao Circle to all convene at Pollo Tropical for the award Ceremony and Fun day. Additional information/any questions, contact Cleopatra Russell at 351-6320 or email rideforcharityfpo@gmail.com.

Flight Club. - New things happen at St John’s College Campus. An interactive club called ‘The Flight Club’ was developed by Fr Shazz Turnquest – the physics high school teacher. The aim of the club is to expose students interested in a career in aviation, whether as a pilot, flight attendant, or mechanic to the wonders of flight simulation. On January 25th 2014, the new club went on its first field trip to a quiet blue and white striped building called FLIGHTSIM tucked away on Village Road next to Best Buy Furniture. Students from all grades in the High School including two from the Primary School had gathered, at the invitation of Mr Alexander Ferguson, the owner of FLIGHTSIM to learn about topics including aeronautical training, flight operations, educational requirements and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) among others. But for the most part we were here to fly the simulators. After an inspiring lecture by Capt Brown, a Bahamasair Dash 8 captain who happened to be visiting FLIGHTSIM that morning, the students got to experience real life full sized flight simulators. It was exciting. For about two hours, everyone got to pretend to be the captain or first officer of different aircraft including the Dash 8-300, the Airbus 310, Boeing 737 and others. We flew all over the world – over the islands of the Caribbean, the deserts of the USA, and others all in high definition virtual reality. The beauty of simulation is that you can make a mistake, crash and nobody gets killed. Also, you can see the world through the screen of a flight simulator and never have to leave your own home – the best geography lesson ever. We all did our best, even Fr Turnquest got a chance to fly – and crash. We were all upset when it was time to leave.The Flight Club is an exciting group of young people with a passion for flying. We are planning another field trip to the Lynden Pindling International Airport to learn first-hand about aircraft maintenance. It is through experiences like this that young people with dreams eventually turn them into reality.

Written by: Andrew Pierce – flight club member, Grade 11 Student SJC.

Kiwanis Club of the Bahamas. – We begin work on the park in Cat Island very soon in time for our August completion. Hence we are planning a fundraiser to raise the funds needed to complete the park.

We have planned a Party for a Park on March 22nd. at the End Zone featuring DJ Payne and Lassie Doe Boys Band.

Please support our efforts by coming out and party with us for a worthy cause. Invite your friends and family to do the same. Instead of going out to your usual hang out, make that contribution to the park and have a great time with us. For more information, contact Christine at 427-0701 or Fundraising Chair Anastacia at 427-6650. Tickets are $20.00.

Rotary Club of New Providence. - All are invited to join the Rotary Club of New Providence at its 11th Annual Horse Show and Steak Out on Saturday, March 22, and Sunday, March 23, 2014, at the Camperdown Stables, Eastern New Providence.

There will be steak and chicken dinners on sale on the Saturday afternoon between noon and 4pm. Throughout the entire two-day event, there will be other snacks available; including hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn and snow cones. Everyone is invited to this two-day fun-filled family event, centered around an exciting Horse Show and competition. Proceeds from the event will be used to fund the club’s community projects.

The Rotary Club of New Providence is one of the 34,000 Rotary clubs around the world and one of eight clubs in The Bahamas. Rotary is the coming together of like minded men and women inspired to translate their passions into relevant social causes to change lives in communities. Key objectives of Rotary including leadership, integrity, diversity and fellowship are used to achieve its mission which is to provide “Service above Self”.

The Rotary Club of New Providence meets each Monday evening, beginning at 7pm at SuperClubs Breezes Resort, Cable Beach. It is a dinner meeting which lasts for approximately one hour. The weekly meeting agenda includes a 20-minute period reserved for use by guest speakers invited to speak on pertinent, interesting and important matters related to the community and country generally.