The Tribune

Baark. - Baark! (Bahamas Alliance for Animal Rights and Kindness) has been busy so far in 2015, with a series of events being held.

Funds were raised at the new ‘Carnivale Night’ event, with money going towards the group’s spay/neuter and education projects, creating cleaner, safer and more responsible communities in The Bahamas.

After being an integral part of Operation Potcat in January and February, during which 406 cats were spayed/neutered in just five days, Baark! has continued the important work to reduce the number of homeless animals on the streets through sterilisation programs such as TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) and providing subsidies for low-income families with owned pets. To reduce the risks of canine distemper which was widespread in 2014, Baark! is also providing free vaccinations for dogs before their spay/neuter surgeries.

Baark! has also held two interactive kids camps at the Bahamas Humane Society, the first for 14 children from Gambier Primary School, ranging in age from 4 to 11 and the second for 23 grade three students from Adelaide Primary School. The youngsters learned about having compassion and respect for animals and how to be responsible pet owners. This was done through classroom-based activities, hands-on practical encounters with the shelter animals and question and answer sessions with inspectors and staff.

“It is hoped by running these camps we are creating and cultivating animal ambassadors in the various Nassau communities” said education co-ordinator Shelley Hardman.

“With all the cruelty and neglect that we witness on a regular basis, not just towards animals but also amongst people, we are trying to create a future generation of compassionate individuals who are capable of great empathy toward their fellow Bahamians and the animals they share this beautiful island with.”

Baark! does not receive any government funding so rely solely on donations from supporters and their own fundraising efforts.

Baark’s goal each year is to provide 1,000 free or subsidized spay/neuters.

“Last year, we were thrilled to exceed our goal and completed 1,121 surgeries, 755 dogs and 366 cats.” said Baark! President Laura Kimble. “With all of our programs in place for 2015 we are well on our way to reaching this goal once again.”

The charity is holding two spay/neuter promotions for low-income families in May, one each for cats and dogs. Dogs can be sterilised for a co-pay of just $10 each and cats can be done for free if bought to the Bahamas Humane Society between 8-10am this Sunday.

“We hope people who really need help will come forward with their pets and take advantage of these offers” added Ms Kimble.

To make an appointment or for more information, people can call Baark! on 427-SPAY (7729).

Bahamas Human Resources Association. - In keeping with its 2015 theme

“Thrive…Building Successful Leaders”, Bahamas Human Resources Association (BHRA) partnered with talent management firm Halogen to host a workshop at The British Colonial Hilton Hotel last month.

The Strategic Talent Management Workshop, on April 25, was sought to provide human resources professionals, company leaders, supervisors, managers and strategic planners with an understanding of the principles of effective strategic talent management and the tools to design, develop and execute strategies that will initiate high performance and assist in anticipating the needs of every company’s most valuable asset – human capital.

Halogen representatives told the group of some 60 professionals that every employee owns talent management; however, it is manager’s role to provide the tools.

The importance of performance management was also highlighted.

The Bahamas Human Resources Association is a national, non-profit organisation and an affiliate of the Society for Human Resources Management. BHRA’s main objective is to provide a forum for Human Resources Professionals to enhance their knowledge and skills in the area of HR and to provide technical assistance and support to its members. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month. For further information, please contact us at BHRDA.bs@gmail.com.

Cycling Club Bahamas. - Upcoming events:

Sunday - Catch me if you can cycling classic, covering 35 miles. There will be three groups, leaving in two- and four-minute intervals, aka cat chasing the mouse. Start at Goodman’s Bay Beach and end at Baha Mar Blvd on top of the hill. Contact Barron Musgrove on npcyclingassociation2013@gmail.com or tel: 552-5128.

May 25 Whit Monday - 2nd Annual GBCC Time Trial Championships. Email gb-cyclist@hotmail.com.

June 6 - Pineappleman Sprint Triathlon, Gregory Town, Eleuthera, https://www.facebook.com/groups/pineappleman.

June 21 - Potcakeman Super Sprint Relay, Jaws Beach, New Providence. http://www.potcakeman.com/

July 18, 7am – Spanish Wells, Eleuthera. The Spanish Wells Cycling Association invites you to participate in their 1st Annual Cycling Road Race. The race will be Criterium style, 2.4 mile laps for 50 min. There will be a 15-49 yr category, Masters category, 10-14 yr category. This race will be run the same weekend as the Legendary Spanish Wells Fisherman’s Fest. Come for the race and stay for the Fisherman’s Fest. www.fishermensfest.com. Transportation to/from Spanish Wells is easiest on Bahamas Fast Ferries www.bahamasferries.com. Accommodation/transportation Spanish Wells, www.HarboursideBahamas.com. Contact: Andre@HarboursideBahamas.com or call 242-333-5022.

September 5 - Potcakeman Sprint Triathlon, Jaws Beach, New Providence, www.facebook.com/potcakemantriathlon.

October 9-12 - Run For Pompey Marathon, Exuma, www.runforpompey.com.

October - UWC Sprint/Olympic/Kids Triathlon, Jaws Beach, New Providence. http://www.uwctriathlon.com.

November 7 - Conchman Sprint Triathlon, Taino Beach, Grand Bahama.http://www.conchman.com.

November 7 – Cycling event in Exuma, email jeffrey.todd@givexuma.com.

Morning rides west - Wednesday and Friday, 4:45am, Cable Beach Police Station, West Bay Street, 20-mile ride route. Headed east to Montague and return. One-hour duration. Cyclists capable of 14+mph welcome. Ride leaves promptly (cyclists are invited to join in anywhere along the route). Contact Shantell the day before to confirm your attendance: shorelinecargo@gmail.com

Afternoon rides west - Tuesdays and Thursdays, leaving 5:30pm sharp, parking lot next to Lyford Cay Gas Station. 18 or 24 miles depending if you do second loop. This is an advanced cyclist’s ride. The pace will range from 20+mph.

Morning ride east - Tuesdays and Thursdays, leaving 5am sharp, start/end Seagrapes Shopping Centre (under the big sign), East Prince Charles Drive, 1-1.5 hour duration. Cyclists capable of 14+mph welcome - Prince Charles Dr- Eastern Road-Shirley St-Church St-East Bay-Eastern Road- Prince Charles. Please have lights attached to your bike.

Weekend rides – Saturday, leaving 6am sharp from Harbour Bay Shopping Centre in front of First Caribbean Bank, 30 miles headed west. In order to complete this ride it is recommended that you have done some recent cycling! Leaving P/I Bridges optional at the end. The pace will range from 18–20+mph, two-hour duration.

Sunday - leaving 6am sharp from Harbour Bay Shopping Centre in front of First Caribbean Bank, 40-50 miles headed east. This ride is not recommended if you have not cycled recently or first timers! P/I Bridges optional at the end. The pace will range from 18–20+mph, 3-3.5 hour duration (cyclists are invited to join in anywhere along the route).

St Anne’s Interact Club. - The St Anne’s Interact Club clock drive is an initiative the club has been trying to push for the past two years and, on March 27, officials were proud to say it was completed. The goal was to put a clock in every classroom of St Anne’s High School. A spokesperson for the club said: “We owe it all to the hardworking and dedicated members of St Anne’s Interact Club who fought for a cause that we all believed in.

“Additionally it was through donations sheets we were able to complete this project. Each of our 40 members contributed to the success of this project by seeking out persons who would generously assist with our worthy cause and we are appreciative of everyone who contributed to our success.”

The club hopes to extend the project next year to the primary department of the school.

Kiwanis Club of Cable Beach. - The Sandals Foundation launched a 1000 Bricks in 100 days campaign to support PACE for a new building.

The Kiwanis Club of Cable Beach presented a cheque to the principal of PACE on behalf of the Sandals Foundation to assist in a new building for the school.

The club thanked the president, board, officers and members for their donations towards the project.

Kiwanis is a global organisation of volunteers changing the world one child and one community at a time.