Friday, December 26, 2014

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity - Sleepout for the homeless


The Beta Beta Lambda chapter of Phi Beta Sigma at The College of The Bahamas hosted a Sleepout For The Homeless to bring awareness of those living in poverty in The Bahamas. 

The graduate chapter of Delta Epsilon Sigma supported the venture that was co-sponsored by the Nassau Development Partnership.  

See TV coverage and other pictures below. 





OTHER PICTURES:














The Tau Nu chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha donated to the cause as well. 

Members handed out flyers on how to help to tourists and residents downtown.

The chapter presented the canned good and perishables to The Great Commissions Ministry.




Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Phi Beta Sigma, Beta Beta Lambda Chapter & U.S. Embassy Nassau Host Entrepreneurship Seminar

Brothers of the Beta Beta Lambda Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated at the Entrepreneurship Seminar. 



College of the Bahamas students explored the possibility of entrepreneurship as a viable career path and entrepreneurship opportunities in the country on Tuesday November 4, 2014 at the Harry C. Moore Library on the campus of the college thanks to the collegiate chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. 

 The Beta Beta Lamba Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma organized and hosted the event as a part of Sigma Week at the country’s largest tertiary institution. 

 “This seminar has become a signature event for the chapter and students say they get a lot out of it,” said president of Beta Beta Lambda Mick Massaar. “We had a packed house with students asking lots of question so I’m sure we got the message out about a career in entrepreneurship.” 


Brothers of Phi Beta Sigma at the BBL Entrepreneurship Seminar.
(LtoR) Derek Smith, President Delta Epsilon Sigma Chapter;
Oriel Sampson, Beta Beta Lambda; Javon Rolle, Treasurer Beta Beta Lambda;
Kenyawn Caroll, Beta Beta Lambda;
Christopher Saunders, 2nd Vice President Delta Epsilon Sigma & Collegiate Advisor to Beta Beta Lambda;
and Jon Montpettit, Chaplin Beta Beta Lambda. 
Four local entrepreneurs interacted with the students in a panel discussion on how to start a business, the joys of running your own business and the challenges of getting a business up and running. 

Seminar panellists included creative consultant Randia Coakley; owner of Islandz and Islandz Tours, Jaime Lewis; business consultant, Yohancy Kemp and Derek W. Smith Jr, a public relations and photography business owner. 

 “The panellists pulled no punches with the students,” Massaar added. “Students said they got real insight into running a business.” 

Graduate advisor for the collegiate chapter Christopher Saunders commented on the brothers’ ability to not only mobilize the college community but to also make an impact on student’s lives. “The promotion of entrepreneurship is a part of the international fraternity’s global initiative of Bigger Better Business and seeks to transform our communities through promoting and supporting small business,” Saunders said. “The fact that Beta Beta Lambda has decided to embrace this aspect speaks volumes for the long-term vision the chapter has not only for the chapter but also the college community and the community at large. They are truly embracing the fraternity’s motto of ‘Culture for Service and Service to Humanity.’” 


President of Beta Beta Lambda Brother Mick Massaar addresses the almost capacity crowd at the  Entrepreneurship Seminar
 Derek Smith who not only was a seminar panelist is also the president of the sponsoring graduate chapter – Delta Epsilon Sigma. “The graduate chapter members are extremely proud of the strides being made by our undergraduate brothers at The College of the Bahamas and their ability effect change on campus,” said Smith. 

He further added that “the chapter is ensuring future generations of Bahamians know about the business opportunities available to them”. 

 The seminar was made possible through a Public Affairs Section (PAS) grant from the U.S. Embassy in Nassau and partial sponsorship from B.T.C. 

 The Beta Beta Lambda chapter was the first Black Greek Lettered Organization chartered on the campus and is celebrating 10 years of existence this month. The chapter was chartered November 5, 2004. 

Monday, December 1, 2014

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity's General Board Service Project In The Bahamas

VIDEO: Phi Beta Sigma General Board Service Project






Beta Beta Lambda President Mick Massaar greets International President Hon Jonathan Mason. 



International Second Vice President Profit Idowu gets hugs from the children of Oakes Field Primary School. 



Past and Current local and International Presidents



Southern Region Director Marcus Chanay reads to the children of Oakes Field Primary School 




BBL President Mick Massaar, Southern Regional Director Marcus Chanay, BBL Advisor & DES 2nd VP Christopher Saunders, IED Daryl Anderson, BBL VP Andrew Smith, BBL Secretary Laron Lopez. 

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Statement by Minister of Health Perry Gomez in the House of Assembly @9:20pm, September 17, 2014



 Statement by Minister of Health Perry Gomez in the House of Assembly @9:20pm, September 17, 2014


Early today it was brought to the attention of senior officials of the Ministry of Health that a bogus claim was posted on the Internet indicating that a confirmed case of Ebola was reported in the Bahamas. 

I would like to make it completely clear that this posting is completely untrue. However, hospital Officials did indicate that late Sunday night, the US Embassy in the Bahamas responded to a call to rescue a very Ill person on a freighter passing through Bahamian waters. 

The patient was a 34 year old white male from the Ukraine working on the freighter which was en route to New Orleans from the Congo, West Africa. 

The patient was later transported to Nassau and taken to Doctors Hospital emergency room. He was placed in a single room in isolation. 

All the necessary precautions were taken by all staff that attended the patient. 

Full infection control precautions were put in place and followed by all who attended the patient. 

A diagnosis of septic shock was made. Treatment included intravenous fluids, antibiotics and pressor agents, used to raise blood pressure. 

Further, blood studies done at doctors hospital confirm a diagnosis of malaria. Despite best efforts by our team, the patient died on September 16th, 2014 at 7:56pm. 

Blood has also been sent to the CDC for further analysis.




Sunday, August 24, 2014

9AM UPDATE ON TS CRISTOBAL


ALERT #6 ON TROPICAL STORM CRISTOBAL ISSUED BY THE BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY SUNDAY 24TH AUGUST 2014 AT 9AM EDT.

….. CRISTOBAL RE-FORMS A LITTLE TO THE NORTHEAST AND IS STILL MOVING NORTHWESTWARD NEAR THE SOUTHEASTERN BAHAMAS…

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE ISLANDS OF THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS WHICH INCLUDES CAT ISLAND, RUM CAY, SAN SALVADOR, LONG ISLAND, EXUMA AND ITS CAYS, ACKLINS, CROOKED ISLAND, LONG CAY, RAGGED ISLAND, MAYAGUANA AND INAGUA.

COURTESY: WeatherUnderground.com
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED SOMEWHERE WITHIN THE WARNING AREA…..IN THIS CASE WITHIN THE NEXT 12 HOURS.

AT 8AM EDT THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM CRISTOBAL WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 23.0 DEGREES NORTH AND LONGTITUDE 73.0 DEGREES WEST OR ABOUT   40 MILES NORTH OF MAYAGUANA, 130 MILES EAST OF LONG ISLAND AND 310 MILES SOUTHEAST OF NASSAU.

TROPICAL STORM CRISTOBAL IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHWEST NEAR 9 MILES PER HOUR.  A NORTHWESTWARD MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THIS MORNING …FOLLOWED BY A TURN TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHWEST AND A DECREASE IN FORWARD SPEED LATER TODAY AND MONDAY.  ON THE FORECAST TRACK…THE CENTER OFCRISTOBAL WILL MOVE NEAR OR OVER PORTIONS OF THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS THROUGH MONDAY.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 45 MILES PER HOUR WITH HIGHER GUSTS.  SOME STRENGTHENING IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS.

TROPICAL DEPRESSION #4 IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE RAINFALL TOTALS OF 4 TO 8 INCHES OVER THE SOUTHEASTERN AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS, AND THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS THROUGH TUESDAY WITH ISOLATED AMOUNTS AROUND 12 INCHES POSSIBLE.

RESIDENTS IN THE MENTIONED ISLANDS SHOULD HAVE COMPLETED ALL THE NECESSARY PREPERATION TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY PRIMARILY FROM FLOODING IN FLOOD PRONE AREAS AND WINDS OF UP TO TROPICAL STORM FORCE.  SMALL BOATERS IN THE WARNING AREAS SHOULD REMAIN IN PORT.

THE NEXT ALERT ON TROPICAL DEPRESSION #4 WILL BE ISSUED AT 11AM EDT.



Saturday, August 23, 2014

ALERT #2 ON TROPICAL DEPRESSION #4


ALERT #2 ON TROPICAL DEPRESSION #4 ISSUED BY THE BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY SATURDAY 23RD AUGUST 2014 AT 9PM EDT.

….. DEPRESSION JUST NORTHWEST OF PROVIDENCIALES IN THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS…

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS.
Courtesy: WeatherUnderground.com

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS ALSO IN EFFECT FOR THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS WHICH INCLUDES ACKLINS, CROOKED ISLAND, LONG CAY, RAGGED ISLAND, MAYAGUANA AND INAGUA.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS WHICH INCLUDES CAT ISLAND, RUM CAY, SAN SALVADOR, EXUMA AND ITS CAYS.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED SOMEWHERE WITHIN THE WARNING AREA…..IN THIS CASE WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

AT 8 PM EDT THE CENTER OF TROPICAL DEPRESSION #4 WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 22.0 DEGREES NORTH AND LONGTITUDE 72.4 DEGREES WEST OR ABOUT 15 MILES NORTH-NORTHWEST OF NORTHWEST POINT, TURKS AND CAICOS, 80 MILES NORTHEAST OF GREAT INAGUA AND 32 MILES SOUTHEAST OF MAYAGUANA.

TROPICAL DEPRESSION #4 IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHWEST NEAR 11 MILES PER HOUR.  A NORTHWESTWARD MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TONIGHT AND SUNDAY…FOLLOWED BY A TURN TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHWEST AND A DECREASE IN FORWARD SPEED SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY.          ON THE FORECAST TRACK…THE CENTER OF THE DEPRESSION WILL CONTINUE MOVING NEAR OR OVER THE TURKS AND CAICOS AND SOUTHEASTERN BAHAMAS TONIGHT AND PASS NEAR OR OVER THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS ON SUNDAY AND MONDAY.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 35 MILES PER HOUR WITH HIGHER GUSTS.  SOME STRENGTHENING IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS AND THE DEPRESSION IS FORECAST TO BECOME A TROPICAL STORM BY SUNDAY.

TROPICAL DEPRESSION #4 IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE RAINFALL TOTALS OF 4 TO 8 INCHES OVER THE SOUTHEASTERN AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS, AND THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS THROUGH TUESDAY.

RESIDENTS IN THE MENTIONED ISLANDS SHOULD BEGIN AND COMPLETE THE NECESSARY PREPERATION TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY PRIMARILY FROM FLOODING IN FLOOD PRONE AREAS AND WINDS OF UP TO TROPICAL STORM FORCE.

TROPICAL DEPRESSION #4 FORMS OVER THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS


ALERT #1 ON TROPICAL DEPRESSION #4 ISSUED BY THE BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY SATURDAY 23RD AUGUST 2014 AT 6PM EDT.


COURTESY: WeatherUnderground.com
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS AND THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS WHICH INCLUDES ACKLINS, CROOKED ISLAND, LONG CAY, RAGGED ISLAND, MAYAGUANA AND INAGUA.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS WHICH INCLUDES CAT ISLAND, RUM CAY, SAN SALVADOR, EXUMA AND ITS CAYS.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED SOMEWHERE WITHIN THE WARNING AREA…..IN THIS CASE WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

AT 5 PM EDT THE CENTER OF TROPICAL DEPRESSION #4 WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 21.8 DEGREES NORTH AND LONGTITUDE 72.3 WEST OR OVER PROVIDENCIALES IN THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS OR ABOUT 45 MILES SOUTHEAST OF MAYAGUANA AND 60 MILES NORTHEAST OF INAGUA.

TROPICAL DEPRESSION #4 IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHWEST NEAR 12 MILES PER HOUR.  THIS MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THROUGH SUNDAY…..FOLLOWED BY A TURN TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHWEST AND A DECREASE IN FORWARD SPEED SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY.  ON THE FORECAST TRACK THE CENTER OF THE DEPRESSION WILL CONTINUE MOVING NEAR OR OVER THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS AND THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS TONIGHT AND PASS NEAR OR OVER THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS ON SUNDAY AND MONDAY.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 35 MILES PER HOUR WITH HIGHER GUSTS.  SOME STRENGTHENING IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS AND THE DEPRESSION IS FORECAST TO BECOME A TROPICAL STORM BY SUNDAY.

TROPICAL DEPRESSION #4 IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE RAINFALL TOTALS OF 4 TO 8 INCHES OVER THE TURKS AND CAICOS, THE SOUTHEAST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS THROUGH TUESDAY.

RESIDENTS IN THE MENTIONED ISLANDS SHOULD BEGIN AND COMPLETE THE NECESSARY PREPERATION TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY PRIMARILY FROM FLOODING IN FLOOD PRONE AREAS AND WINDS OF UP TO TROPICAL STORM FORCE.

THE NEXT ALERT ON TROPICAL DEPRESSION #4 WILL BE ISSUED AT 9 PM EDT.

Friday, August 22, 2014

A SPECIAL WEATHER BULLETIN HAS BEEN ISSUED BY THE BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

SPECIAL WEATHER BULLETIN

A SPECIAL WEATHER BULLETIN HAS BEEN ISSUED BY THE BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY AT 4:00PM EDT FRIDAY 22ND AUGUST, 2014.



A UNITED STATES AIR FORCE HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT AND SATELLITE DATA INDICATED THAT SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY ASSOCIATED WITH AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE BETWEEN PUERTO RICO AND THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC HAS INCREASED DURING THE PAST FEW HOURS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BECOME MORE CONDUCIVE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A TROPICAL DEPRESSION OR TROPICAL STORM WHILE NEAR THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS OR OVER THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS ON SATURDAY.
COURTESY: WeatherUnderground.com

HOWEVER, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE SYSTEM BECOMES A TROPICAL CYCLONE, HEAVY RAINFALL AND GUSTY WINDS CAN BE EXPECTED OVER THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS, THE SOUTHEAST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS TONIGHT AND TOMORROW.

THEREFORE, RESIDENTS IN THE TURKS AND THE SOUTHEAST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS SHOULD MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF THIS SYSTEM VERY CLOSELY AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE QUICK ACTION AS TROPICAL STORM WATCHES OR WARNINGS COULD BE REQUIRED WITH SHORT NOTICE.

Monday, August 11, 2014

BREAKING NEWS: Robin Williams found dead of apparent suicide


News agencies are reporting that actor/comedian Robin Williams has been found dead in his California home in a suspected suicide.
According to the Marin County Sheriff’s Office press release the 63-year-old actor was found unconscious around 12 p.m. inside his unincorporated residence in Tiburon

.
“Robin Williams passed away this morning. He has been battling severe depression of late," his publicist said in a statement. "This is a tragic and sudden loss. The family respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time.”
An investigation into his cause of death is underway while the coroner suspects that it was a suicide caused by asphyxiation. A forensic examination is scheduled for Tuesday





WILLIAMS AT A GLANCE 


.