Family Islands are

hopping with events

You may have seen the stars of the film “Precious” on TV collecting awards at the Golden Globes, but you may not have noticed that among the supporting cast was recording artist Lenny Kravitz who played the roll of Nurse John. This Bahamian native lives on Eleuthera and is recording his next album there at his Gregory Town Sound studio.

Abaco adventures

If you missed the Junkanoo celebration during the holidays, in late February the town of Marsh Harbour will be holding a full-on Junkanoo Rush. On Friday the 26th, school groups will parade in the early evening. Saturday brings the adult groups with floats and elaborate costumes. Food and beverages will be sold from stalls between the Post Office and the pharmacy.
The Boat House Restaurant at the Sea Spray Marina in White Sound is continuing its policy of delivering dinner to your boat if you are just too tired from a day of boating to cook. Anything from pizza to a full meal is available from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. for boats docked not only in the adjacent marina but anchored from Tahiti Beach to the Post Office Dock.
February 13 brings the annual Flea Market to Man-O-War Cay. Albury’s Ferry is putting on extra boats to run service from Marsh Harbour out to Man-O-War for the event.
Green Turtle Club is hosting its seventh annual Wine Tasting Saturday February 6 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. with live entertainment by the Gully Roosters Tickets cost $40 and all proceeds benefit the 2010 Island Roots Heritage Festival April 30 to May 2.

Exuma gears for 30th Cruising Regatta

Each year since 1980, cruising yachties have gathered in George Town, Exuma, during the spring for fun and racing. These days, the event is one long series of parties, contests, and competitive games. One of the enduring traditions is the donation of books to the George Town public library by the cruisers attending the event.
The regatta is run by volunteers from the cruising community and the funds to run the regatta come primarily from the sail of T-shirts and hats, with a different design chosen each year. This year the colorful design was drawn by Susan Schady of the yacht Nice ‘n Easy.
The chairpeople for the 2010 regatta are Bill and Laverne Sandelin from Rocinante of Miami. The theme for this regatta, which is expected to attract 50 boats this year,  will be “Ocean Blue Las Vegas”. A pre-regatta event, the George Town to Long Island race, sails the first week of February with a cruising party at both ends of the race. This year the regatta itself is set for March 1 to 14 with the infamous Opening Night party to be held on March 3 at Volleyball Beach. Check out georgetowncruising.com for events and registration.

Pre-Clearance for commuters

The Pre-Clearance Act has been amended to include the pre-clearance of private aircraft in Freeport, Grand Bahama. Owners of private aircraft may find it a time savings to pre-clear in Grand Bahama before flying on to their ultimate destination within the United States. For each of the past three years, some 80,000 visitors arrived in the Bahamas aboard private aircraft.