Category Archives: Bahamas

The newest air service in the Bahamas is Coco Bahamas Seaplanes, which will operate a fleet of seaplanes to many of the country's Family Islands, such as the Abacos, Andros, Bimini, Eleuthera, the Exumas, Grand Bahama, Inagua, Long Island and San Salvador.

"This new option will increase access to our islands and allow travelers to experience the secluded paradise they are seeking right now," said Dionisio D'Aguilar, the Bahamas' minister of tourism and aviation.

"I am proud that in these challenging times a Bahamian company is prepared to invest in the future of tourism in the Bahamas," he said.

Brian Hew, CEO of Bahamas Seaplanes, said that recovery of the Family Islands "will be accelerated with the arrival of Coco and without the need for additional direct government investments to expand, rehabilitate or build new airports."

Hew also is the chairman and founder of Kamalame Cay, a private island resort off the coast of Andros.

Link:

New seaplane operation takes flight in the Bahamas - Travel Weekly

Taking the heat! Charli DAmelios dad Marc DAmelio defended his daughter after she was heavily criticized for going on a New Years Eve trip to the Bahamas in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

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"First of all, to blame Charli it was a family vacation," Marc told YouTuber Kevin Wong. "Shes 16 so she has no say in where were going. So, you guys can put it on me, but we did what we had to do, you know, we went away."

Marc said that they heard the complaints from fans loud and clear.

"Corona is real and people have to take it seriously," Marc explained. "We left a hotbed and went to a place where there was very little corona, but we do take it seriously and we want to protect other people and we dont take it lightly. Its a real virus and many people have gotten killed and died from it."

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Charli was joined on the vacay by her parents, sister Dixie D'Amelio, Noah Beck, Chase Hudson and Madi Monroe. Although the group didnt post about the trip on social media, they were photographed.

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Despite the apology, many fans were left unsatisfied by Marcs response.

"Family vacation? for what? from your million dollar house? you say to take it seriously and you want to protect but you still chose to travel!! if you guys can take a break to disconnect from whats going on in this world then why dont you think about front line workers who are risking their lives, working at the hospital trying to provide the best quality of care for covid patients when they are always understaffed!!!??" one commented.

"They clearly arent taking it seriously considering how many collabs theyve done in 2020 and travelling to The Bahamas! Whats Dixies excuse? Shes 19, a full grown adult and still chose to go. Charli cant use her age as an excuse for everything, its time to start holding these so called 'influencers' accountable," another user wrote under the video.

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"Why would any of us be jealous of a family going on vacation during a pandemic??? They wont truly understand the seriousness of COVID until they see it hit close to home. You cant save yourself from it. Some of us havent seen our families in a year cause we know its not safe to travel and wouldnt want to put anyone at risk," another said in response to Wong's suggestion that fans were envious of the trip.

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Charli previously slammed others for being "inconsiderate" and partying during the pandemic.

"You may think, 'Oh, this isnt going to affect me, its not that bad.' Youre thinking youre a teenager, youre immune," the teen said in an Instagram Live before the getaway. "Youre putting other people at risk to get hurt and to be in pain."

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For his part, Beck who is dating Dixie, defended the trip and said they were "very cautious."

"I think, especially the business were in, its, like, you need some time to kind of disconnect for a little. Thats what that was meant for. It was just a little trip to getaway. No matter what we do in life, people are going to say things. I always say, 'Do what makes you happy,'" he told Pop Galore.

Charli has not commented on the backlash from the vacation, but the influencer quashed the "hurtful" rumors that her parents make her post online.

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Charli D'Amelio's Dad Marc Takes Blame For Highly Criticized New Year's Bahamas Vacation Amid The Coronavirus Pandemic - OK!

Shutting it down. Marc DAmelio is defending his 16-year-old daughter, Charli DAmelio, after she was criticized for traveling during the coronavirus pandemic last month.

Marc, 52, spoke out about the scandal during a recent conversation with YouTuber Kevin Wong after Charli and 19-year-old Dixie DAmelio both faced backlash on social media for their New Years Eve visit to the Bahamas. First of all, to blame Charli it was a family vacation, Marc explained. Shes 16 so she has no say in where were going. So, you guys can put it on me, but we did what we had to do, you know, we went away.

Health experts have recommended not traveling during the COVID-19 crisis to help reduce the spread of the virus. However, Marc assured fans that his daughters heard their concerns loud and clear and tried to be as safe as possible.

Corona is real and people have to take it seriously, Marc said. We left a hotbed and went to a place where there was very little corona, but we do take it seriously and we want to protect other people and we dont take it lightly. Its a real virus and many people have gotten killed and died from it.

Charli and her sister were among several TikTok stars including Noah Beck, Chase Hudson, Avani Gregg and Madi Monroe who sparked controversy before the new year when pics and videos surfaced online of their tropical getaway. As the social media personalities were swarmed with negative comments, beauty YouTuber James Charles chimed in with a cheeky remark.

Waking up this morning in Los Angeles, the 21-year-old joked in an Instagram Story amid the scandal, clearing the air for any fans who thought he was also out of the country. Just thought Id let yall know since some people seem to think Im elsewhere lmfao.

Charlis travels came as a shock to some of her followers, especially since she had previously clapped back at inconsiderate people who were partying during the pandemic. You may think, Oh, this isnt going to affect me, its not that bad. Youre thinking youre a teenager, youre immune, she said during an Instagram Live before her vacation sparked controversy. Youre putting other people at risk to get hurt and to be in pain.

While the Connecticut native hasnt addressed the backlash herself, Beck, 19, who is dating Dixie, defended the groups Bahamas trip earlier this month and claimed that they were all very cautious while abroad.

It is what it is, he told Pop Galore at the time. I think, especially the business were in, its, like, you need some time to kind of disconnect for a little. Thats what that was meant for. It was just a little trip to getaway. No matter what we do in life, people are going to say things. I always say, Do what makes you happy.'

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Charli DAmelios Dad Marc Speaks Out After Her Trip to the Bahamas Sparks Backlash Amid COVID-19: We Take It Seriously - Us Weekly

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The Bahamas is already experiencing the impacts of climate change and is approximately 30 years away from irreversible effects if holistic interventions are not undertaken, a University of The Bahamas (UB) climate change expert has warned.

According to Dr Adelle Thomas, UB director of the Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Research (CCARR) Centre, it is a reality that, if left unchecked, could mean hundreds of millions of dollars in losses and other detrimental human impacts for a country that would literally be fighting to keep its head above water.

In comparison to the rest of the Caribbean, we are heads and shoulders above other countries in terms of people and land at risk to sea level rise, she said during a panel discussion on National Emergency Management Perspectives and Options at the 2021 Bahamas Business Outlook (BBO) held last Thursday and Friday.

[The year] 2050 is not that far away.

Thomas, a human-environment geographer, cautioned that The Bahamas current efforts to address climate change are far from sufficient.

We are focusing mostly on our risks to extreme events, particularly hurricanes, and we are unfortunately not holistically addressing the many other risks of climate change, she noted.

Adding context to the urgency, Thomas said: It is within the timeline of a 30-year mortgage being taken out today.

A family or a business could be investing in an area that may be flooded annually, while also being at risk to hurricanes. Insurance in these areas is likely to increase substantially before being discontinued. The value of properties and real estate in these areas is likely to decline.

So, these are very real effects that we can expect to see in the years to come.

To prevent such crises, Thomas said there needs to be a significant investment in coastal protection measures.

Global estimates show that up to several percent of the countrys annual GDP would need to be dedicated to coastal protection alone. But with the numerous amounts of towns and settlements spread throughout the Bahamian archipelago, the concern relates to the countrys capacity to provide comprehensive coastal protection against sea level rise.

Otherwise, Thomas warned, the country must start to plan for a future where some areas of our islands will be uninhabitable.

We need to address what that means, including the potential need to relocate communities and not continue to invest in areas that we will be unable to protect, she said.

Besides the potential need to relocate communities given the obvious risks associated with sea level rise, Thomas said what is needed going forward are evidence-based national climate change strategies that consider how each of the countrys sectors and settlements will be affected and how the nation should respond.

Further, from a foreign direct investment perspective, assessments of each development project to identify how they may affect The Bahamas vulnerability to climate-related shocks are also needed.

We have quite a lot of work to do and it requires cooperation between government, the private sector and civil society, Thomas said.

The very future of our islands is at risk. And unfortunately, our focus on hurricanes combined with short-term thinking and planning is inadequate to prepare us for the risks that we are facing.

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UB climate change expert warns Bahamas 30 years from irreversible climate effects - EyeWitness News

Bahamas (Afie Jurvanen) launches his new livestream series Live To Tape tomorrow, Saturday, January 16 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Jurvanen will be joined by Jason Isbells backing band, The 400 Unit, for the first installment of Live To Tape, which airs for free on JamBase Livestreams Calendar via YouTube.

Each episode of Live To Tape will feature live performances with Bahamas where hell be backed by legendary rhythm sections, including musicians who contributed to records by Carole King, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Neil Young, Johnny Cash and more more. Additionally, Jurvanen will collaborate with some of his favorite contemporary artists such as Dawes, The Teskey Brothers, Lucius and The Secret Sisters.

Bahamas previously teamed with The 400 Unit for a series of performances that aired on CBS This Morning: Saturday Sessions last month. The 400 Unit consists of guitarist Sadler Vaden, keyboardist Derry DeBorja, drummer Chad Gamble and bassist Jimbo Hart.

Watch Jurvanen discuss the series in a video posted on Instagram:

See Bahamas & The 400 Units Live To Tape performance below on Saturday:

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Bahamas & The 400 Unit Announce 'Live To Tape' Livestream Concert - JamBase

Realtor shocked by shabby downtown Nassau

But hopeful of 50% real estate sales increase

Urges Bahamas to play our cards correctly

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A prominent realtor yesterday voiced optimism that real estate sales could increase by 50 percent this year as he urged Bahamians to polish what we have before the tourism market rebounds.

George Damianos, Damianos Sothebys International Realtys chief executive, told Tribune Business he had been shocked by how shabby Bay Street and downtown Nassau appeared when he drove through the area over the weekend on his way to hold viewings at Paradise Islands Ocean Club Estates.

Warning that The Bahamas cannot afford to let the city, one of its major tourist destinations, deteriorate any further, Mr Damianos urged the government, landlords and private businesses to seize the moment and give downtown Nassau a good polish ahead of tourisms revival.

I did have the opportunity to go downtown over the weekend on the way to do some showings at the Ocean Club, and because of that I had to drive through the city a couple of times in the last three days, he told this newspaper.

I was totally shocked at how shabby it was. Bahamians should take the opportunity to polish up the town, the environment and the streets we travel. It could use a good polish. We should think about that for the tourism rebound, seize the moment and not let things deteriorate further, for all of a sudden the tourists will be back.

Id use this opportunity to polish this place, do a little shining and polish up. The government could use the time to do this as it is not something that is very capital intensive this type of work, cleaning and polishing. Its so cheaply done. Its not like building a road, constructing a bridge. Its polishing up what we have.

Mr Damianos explained that he was calling for a series of fix-ups and improvements to enhance downtown Nassaus ambience and appearance. Bay Street and the city have been almost a ghost town for the past 10 months due to the COVID-19 related shutdown of the cruise industry, upon which the vast majority of its businesses depend for virtually all their trade.

The absence of cruise ship passengers and business employees has likely contributed to the seeming further deterioration, but the government has recently touted $1bn in investments that it hopes can spark a downtown Nassau renaissance.

These include the $200m The Pointe project, soon to be completed adjacent to the British Colonial Hilton, as well as the $250m cruise port upgrade and $318m new US embassy. The Central Banks new Royal Victoria Gardens headquarters, and Supreme Court building on the site of the old Post Office building on East Hill Street.

Meanwhile, looking ahead to the real estate markets 2021 prospects compared to last years COVID-hit period, Mr Damianos said: The outlook, I feel, is a lot better especially in the first few weeks of the year. Were busy. Im very optimistic that we will come back. I dont know if we will reach 2019 or 2018 levels, but were definitely going to see a better year than last year.

Theres activity in the market. People are looking. People are flying in, which is particularly encouraging. Its only speculative but Im hoping to see a 50 percent improvement in sales volumes over last year.

Theres a good possibility we can capitalise on this; we have a lot going for us in The Bahamas. If we play our cards right we have a great opportunity to capitalise on it. Im optimistic about that. I think it could happen.

When asked to explain what he meant, Mr Damianos said that besides The Bahamas traditional advantages of US proximity, warm climate and favourable tax structure, it also presently has a relatively low number of COVID-19 infections.

He added that this was reflected by the fact that many persons who flew into Lyford Cay for Christmas are in no hurry to go back, with many planning to remain until March. I think thats a sign of a good place to be, Mr Damianos said.

He echoed suggestions by other realtors, such as John Christie, that many high net worth Americans - nervous about the prospect of increased taxes under the incoming Biden administration - were likely to move to diversify their portfolio via foreign real estate investments.

I think The Bahamas could be well-suited, and we need to recognise it and take advantage of it, Mr Damianos said. I think the Government should be cognisant of it, and be attentive to foreign investment and second home owners.

He acknowledged, though, that the new US requirement for returning citizens to present a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of travel could represent an obstacle and well see how that affects investor travel. While it was more problematic for UK and European clients to travel to The Bahamas, due to their countries travel restrictions, some were still coming on charters.

Mario Carey, the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate MCR Group Bahamas principal, yesterday reflected Mr Damianos estimates by disclosing that showings might have increased by 50 percent in the high-end market compared to last years COVID-19 hit months.

Pre-COVID we were humming, we were on a roll, he said, adding that it might take time for the real estate market to approach those heights once again. While the international market was rebounding, Mr Carey said the domestic side was facing tricky headwinds due to the loss of jobs and incomes, and banks once again being reluctant to lend.

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'Polish what we have before tourists return' - Bahamas Tribune

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Heres a look at whats on tap on the JamBase Livestreams Calendar for Saturday, January 16, 2021.

Watch Bahamas & The 400 Unit performing together as part of Bahamas Live To Tape series. Robert Randolph & Friends: Live at Vilar Performing Arts Center features Robert Randolph joined by G. Love, Michael Kang, Nigel Hall, Garrett Sayers and Nikki Glaspie.

Episode 5 of Forevergreen: A Vermont Adventure In Music presents performances by The Avett Brothers, Noah Kahan (at Trapp Family Lodge) and The High Breaks.

Baked Shrimp presents Live For Lon virtual music festival tribute to Lon Conscious headlined by Baked Shrimp and featuring pre-recorded performances and messages by Mihali of Twiddle, Brandon Taz Niederauer, Andy Frasco, KRIS, Grubby Bean and more.

Quarantine Vault #6 presents a 2018 Peter Rowan & Hubby Jenkins performance at Fur Peace Ranch. This weeks Grand Ole Opry Livestream features Dailey & Vincent, Carly Pearce and Michael W. Smith.

The Radiators keep their tradition alive virtually in 2021 as they reunite to broadcast live from Tipitinas in New Orleans. Catch Set I of guitarist Tim Palmieris Lifestream.

Others livestreaming today include Rodrigo y Gabriela, The Floozies, Earthless and many more. For additional couch tour options, check out the full JamBase Livestreams Calendar for today, Saturday, January 16 below:

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Today's Livestreams, January 16, 2021: Bahamas, Robert Randolph, Forevergreen With The Avett Brothers & More - JamBase

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Damianos Sothebys International Realty yesterday announced the companys top producers and listing agents for 2020.

Nick Damianos was the companys overall top producer and listing agent, followed by Mark Hussey and Vanessa and Christopher Ansell of the Ansell Group.

Hope Town-based Jane Patterson was top producer on Abaco, while Spanish Wells-based agent Darrin Sands earned the title of Top Producer in the Eleuthera market.

Chief Brokerage Officer Lana Rademaker said: Despite the challenges and obstacles faced in 2020, our team pivoted and persevered, capitalizing on the enduring relationships weve cultivated with our clients over many years, and harnessing the power of the Sothebys International Realty network.

I am extremely proud of, and impressed by, what these agents managed to accomplish during such trying times.

Top Producer Nick Damianos emphasized Sothebys International Realtys global marketing reach as a key factor in disseminating the competitive advantages of Bahamas real estate to prospects around the world, particularly the firms deep well of virtual tools and solutions that were crucial to success in 2020.

Sothebys International Realtys virtual toolbox has been in place for years, so when travel restrictions were put in place, we were able to hit the ground running and continue showcasing the properties, lifestyle and residency advantages of The Bahamas to high-net-worth individuals without missing a beat, he said.

Additionally, we were able to lean on the expansive Sothebys International Realty network which allows us to tap into markets that would otherwise be unaware of what The Bahamas has to offer and the spectacular properties we represent.

Rademaker added: Based on our ability to successfully navigate 2020, we have a positive outlook for 2021. Between all that we learned throughout 2020 from a business perspective, and the number of inquiries weve been receiving since the end of last year, were confident well move forward into this new year from a position of strength.

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Damianos Sotheby's International Realty announces top producers and listing agents for 2020 - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Deputy Leader and Shadow Finance Minister Chester Cooper last night called on the government to update the public on the status of the sale of the Grand Lucayan, as well as the latest terms of the sale with Royal Caribbean and ITM.

Coopers said: The Progressive Liberal Party insists that the government, firstly, update the public on the status of the sale. We insist that the latest terms of the sale of the Grand Lucayan to Royal Caribbean and ITM be immediately made public.

We demand that this administration be transparent and release the details of the reopening strategy for the hotel, which is supposed to happen in less than two weeks, inclusive of the strategy for airlift, staffing and details of any advanced bookings.

We insist that this administration make clear the dollar amount of this investment, which we warned against, made on the backs of Bahamian taxpayers.

We believe that it is now well in excess of $150 million.

Speaking to the recent revelation that negotiations regarding sale of the Grand Lucayan property have been taken over by Cabinet, Cooper added: One has to wonder if this administration can get anything done along the timeline promised and without mass confusion.

[Michael] Scott has been at the forefront of the sale of the hotel since the government bought the property against all good sense and fiscal prudence. We said then that it was an egregiously bad deal.

If Scott, who, last I checked, was chairman of Lucayan Renewal Holdings and the Hotel Corporation of The Bahamas, is not negotiating the sale, then who on earth is? At last report, Scott was unhappy with the terms of the deal being considered by the government.

Cooper argued that negotiations over the long-delayed sale being taken over by Cabinet therefore raises questions on the quality of the terms the government is prepared to accept.

He suggested that the governments apparent desperation to offload the property and try to reopen it no matter the losses incurred smacks of an election ploy lacking the fiduciary duty of care the Bahamian people demand.

The government must come clean about this property and it must make it make sense, said Cooper.

Last November,Scott in an interview with Eyewitness Newsindicated there were reservations surrounding the restructured proposal for the sale of the Grand Lucayan resort and whether the deal still represents the best interest of the Bahamian people.

Scott said an independent forensic audit was being performed to assess the deal and that he would not sign off on an unfavorable deal, adding that he was prepared to explore other options for the sale of the resort.

The government has signed a heads of agreement with Bahamas Port Investments Limited, a joint venture between Royal Caribbean International and ITM Group, for the sale of the resort and development of a cruise port at Freeport Harbour that was expected to accommodate three ships in phase one, and up to seven ships in subsequent phases. The plan also included a casino, water park, restaurant and retail center.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has delayed the sale, according to the government, which has said the developers remain committed to the deal.

Excerpt from:

Cooper urges govt. to come clean on Grand Lucayan sale - EyeWitness News

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

ALBERT Bert Bell, father and coach of two of the countrys most talented and versatile athletes, David and Andrew Bell, passed away on Saturday at his home in Grand Bahama.

Bell, a renowned coach and administrator in swimming, cycling, triathlon and rugby, was 75. He suffered from an illness with a series of complications from his prostate and kidney.

His family and friends were preparing to launch a medical fund to assist him with an emergency operation, but that never took place as they were waiting for his exams to determine his exact diagnosis.

David Bell, the oldest son at 45, said from the age of nine, his father got him involved in swimming and throughout his career in just about every sport he participated in, Bert Bell was in his corner as his coach.

Hes put many world class athletes on the scene. Hes helped a lot of kids, turning them into Olympians, collegiate athletes, CARIFTA medallists and national champions, especially in cycling with me and Keith Major, who was a close friend, David said.

I know he coached guys like McArthur Rigby in track, but I was pretty much the only one he spent a lot of time with in track during my era and after that.

His incredible consistency with just being there and being stern and having a vision for developing athletes, who had a threshold for pain and an intense training.

As an athlete, David Bell said if his father didnt put him through an intense routine in training, he wasnt training because he passed that mentality to all of his athletes.

I was willing to die to win and that came from him, said David, who has represented the Bahamas in swimming and track and field at the CARIFTA Games and the Junior Central American and Caribbean Games before he became the first Bahamian to qualify to compete in triathlon at the Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada in 1999 and the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England in 2002, If you didnt throw up (vomit), maybe you werent pushing yourself hard enough. He left you in pain. He had a high hold for pain, that was what he instilled in everybody he coached. That was my last memory of him in sport.

David Bell, however, said his father was also keen on his athletes achieving a high standard in their academics and he was thrilled when he completed high school at Eight Mile Rock and went on to excel at Penn State.

Andrew Bell, the younger brother, followed David competing since he was 3-4 years old and was his coach aswell until he went off to Lindenwood University after he graduated from Bishop Michael Elden in 2001.

It was brutal. He basically pushed you as hard as he could. He made you break boundaries in your mind before your body actually wanted to give up, Andrew Bell said. He kind of taught me and other athletes how to get pass that barrier.

Andrew Bell, who specialised in the freestyle events in swimming, came close to making the team for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, but he fell short. He did the CARIFTA Swimming and CCCAN Championships.

There was nothing like a coach-father-son relationship in sports, said Andrew Bell, now 36 and married to Vanessa Knowles and also the father of two children.

David was my main competition and my goal at first was to be like him and then to beat him. So he pushed me. I just think its going to be hard to replace him as a father and a coach. People like him dont come around every generation.

David Bell, who is married to Shanika Green and the father of two children as well, competed in freestyle and individual events in swimming. He was also a middle distance runner and a cyclist, who combined those skills to compete in triathlon.

Bell is also survived by a daughter, Trudi Bell, who is 47, but she wasnt as actively involved as an athlete as her brothers.

Having known Bert Bell for just about all of his life, Dorian Roach said he felt as if he was a member of the family too.

Ive known him since for about 35, almost 40 years now, mostly through swimming, competing in his club and he coached me a couple of times on the national team. I knew him in rugby and of course in triathlon where he formed the original draft and the constitution that we used to form the association, said Roach, now the president of the Bahamas Triathlon Association.

Every time I saw him at nationals at the pool, at the rugby pitch and the Conchman, which he organised for many years, I know how much he has given to our community, so he will definitely be missed for sure.

Roach said Bell developed two outstanding young men into great Bahamian athletes in quite a number of sports, leaving behind a legacy that will be hard to match.

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Albert 'Bert' Bell dies at his home in Grand Bahama - Bahamas Tribune