LONDON — On Wednesday evening Sotheby’s made history for the second week running, this time with contemporary art In a two-hour session conducted with faultless mastery by Tobias Meyer, the auction house’s worldwide head of contemporary art, 74 of the 77 lots offered sold for £54.07 million, or about $84.5 million. While greater totals have been recorded in the past, a contemporary art sale with a 96 percent success rate is an unheard-of occurrence. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/12/arts/12iht-melik12.html 03/02/2010

More than 500 participants from countries around the world lined up for the start of Marathon Bahamas 2010 at Montague Beach on Sunday morning, and hundreds more lined the 26-miles course to cheer on family, friends and their favorites. Athletes from Jamaica, Canada, United States, Trinidad and Tobago, Great Britain, Australia, Cuba, Sri Lanka, Netherlands Antilles, Hungary and South Africa took part in the first marathon event to be held in The Bahamas in over 20 years.First to the finish line in the men's full marathon division was Bahamian Delroy Bootle. Bahama Mama Nadia Vangehr was first to cross the line in the women's division. 
In addition to cash incentives, last week Marathon Bahamas announced that first place finishers in the full marathon would receive complimentary vacatio... 03/02/2010

Nassau, Bahamas - On February 10, 2010, the formation of the Swiss Bahamas Business Association (SBBA) was announced at a press conference held at Van Bruegel's Restaurant and Bar by its president Benno K. Raeber and his team members, Bruno Roberts, vice president and Thomas A. Muelchi, treasurer. The Swiss-Bahamas Business Association, is a non-profit started by a leading group of Swiss and Bahamian professionals and membership is available to individuals or corporations. The Association’s mission statement states that the Swiss Bahamas Business Association seeks to further trade and commerce between Switzerland and The Bahamas through a collaboration in the areas of trade, tourism, industry and financial services by way of mutual exchanges of information, networking possibilities and... 03/02/2010

Over the years, the LCIS Gala Dinner & Auction event has been the largest single fundraiser for LCIS raising almost $1.5m.  This year, the event will take place on Saturday, March 27th, 2010 at the Sheraton Grand Ballroom, Cable Beach (7:30pm). Based on the phenomenal success of the past events, we anticipate attendance of more than 200 community members.  We are indeed hoping to raise a substantial amount of money for LCIS initiatives, through sponsorship of tables and the live and silent auctions.  The success of this event is dependent on generous donations from individuals and corporations. This year the proceeds from this event will be split equally between three vital funds: the LCIS Educational Enhancement Fund, the Capital Improvements Fund, and the Scholarship Endowment Fund, u... 03/01/2010

(http://www.teameffort.org/) In the northern panhandle and Shenandoah River area of West Virginia our youth will be able to serve local families and ministries in need through hands-on mission projects. These projects include painting, improving, and repairing homes for struggling families throughout the community. In Picturesque Hope Town Settlement The Youth Mission Trip is pleased to Announce: Our 2010 “Tour of Homes” MARCH 6TH, On Going Tour Times: 10a.m – 2p.m. MEETING @ THE SAILING CLUB Tour Ticket Prices day of event: $20 Tickets for groups of 6: $15 HOUSES ON TOUR: INIS MO CHROI CORAL REEF HOUSE THE STEPS WINDWARD HOUSE WYANNIE’S LANDING GREEN SHUTTERS ALLAMANDA BLUE JAY COTTAGE HILL TOP LA CONCHA FLAMINGO VILLAS THE DIVE THE SAILING CLUB AND THE HOPE TOWN COFFEE HOUSE ARE PLACE... 03/01/2010

What does it mean when a housing market has an increase in second home ownership? The number of second homes in England rose by 2.6% in 2009 following a contraction in 2008 of -0.4%. This rise, which equated to 6,212 additional second homes, pushed the total to an all-time record of 245,384. Does this indicate further investment in second homes to let or an increase in wealth? Low mortgage rates in the UK could also be a factor as well as favorable currency exchange rates.  On the down side it  could be interpreted as difficulty to sell a second home with a lack of buyers seeking a typical second home. From a social perpective does second home ownership mean real estate stock laying empty when others could do with a home. Does second home ownership push up house prices making it even h... 02/25/2010

Bring the whole family to enjoy special guest speakers, arts & crafts, Bahamian food, baked goods, ice cream, games and more!!! Come help celebrate Our Heritage Saturday, March 6th Starting at 9:30AM Jarrett Park & the Museum 02/24/2010

Come on out and support the Hope Town Volunteer Fire Rescue! Saturday, February 27th11:30AM-5PMPost Office Dock 02/24/2010

Ask a Local is a new series in our blog that looks at life in Abaco. Today’s local is Bill Albury, Estate Agent, Damianos Sotheby’s. Bill Albury is a fifth generation Bahamian who has spent his entire life in the Bahamas. In 1999, after visiting the Abacos for more than 20 years, he slowly divested of his Nassau businesses and moved his family to Marsh Harbour. We started our interview by asking Bill about moving from the big city to Abaco. Serenity Point: Bill, you were running successful businesses in Nassau and had established a base of contacts and support, what inspired your move from Nassau to Abaco? Bill: I was drawn to Abaco for the still unspoiled beauty of the Islands and its people. Nassau has become far too commercial, congested and developed for an island of its size. The p... 02/22/2010

An 845-acre private island resort in receivership. Offers encouraged. Please direct all inquiries to: George.Damianos@SothebysRealty.com | 242.362.4211 | REF# 5107 SIRbahamas.com 02/22/2010

OLD FORT#5250#5249#5275#2473#4887and Residential Lots For Sale. Visit SIRbahamas.com for more information on Bahamas Real Estate. 02/21/2010

Golf Course - quality built and functionally designed 4 bed 4.5 bath family home built around the private pool and Jacuzzi. Enjoy golf, tennis, restaurant and beach in secure Ocean Club Estates.Offered exclusively by Virginia.Damianos@SothebysRealty.com | 242.322.2305 | REF#5196 SIRbahamas.com 02/21/2010

The results are in and Mark Hussey came in 6th overall – beating his time by nearly 3 minutes in Miami 5 years ago!!!We are all very impressed and proud of both Jill and Mark!!Mark was on the Thrive Diet (plant based, wholegrain diet) before the race!! It made a huge difference before and during the run!! For more information on the Thrive Diet visit Brendan Brazier's (he is a Vegan Professional Tri-Athlete) website: http://www.brendanbrazier.com/bio/index.html 02/15/2010

South Florida  – The Islands of The Bahamas over the weekend took the opportunity to share in the historic event of the hosting of both the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl in one city and at one stadium – South Florida. The excitement of Super Bowl fever spread across South Florida over the weekends of January 29th and February 5-7th. The cities of Miami and Fort Lauderdale exploded with visitors, stars and celebrities from across the country and The Bahamas captured exposure and visibility for the destination as one of the sponsors of a Mammoth Superbowl Party, hosted at the Hard Rock Hotel by one of the NFL’s leading agents, Drew Rosenhaus.  Thousands were in attendance at the party and our own Miss Bahamas Universe, Kiara Sherman, mingled with NFL Stars and other celebrities sharing Bahamas... 02/15/2010

A 1960 Alberto Giacometti sculpture sold for £65 million ($104.3 million) at Sotheby's, setting a record price for a work of art at auction and signaling a potential resurgence in the art market. In a tense contest at the company's London salesroom, bidding on the spindly bronze "Walking Man I" began at £12 million and quickly escalated, with roughly 10 bidders vying for the sculpture. The winner bid over the telephone and chose to remain anonymous. The sale breaks the previous $104.2 million auction record, set six years ago at Sotheby's, for Pablo Picasso's 1906 portrait "Boy With a Pipe," whose buyer remains unknown. The lofty price for the Giacometti work came as a surprise to Sotheby's, which had expected the sculpture to sell for around one-fourth of the final price. David Nahmad... 02/15/2010

Works by Haluk Akakce also feature in the sale, Another Station, estimated to sell for £8,000-12,000. Photo: Sotheby´s LONDON.- After the success of Sotheby’s inaugural auction of Turkish Contemporary Art in March 2009, which realised a total of £1.3 million and attracted bidders and buyers from across the globe, Sotheby’s London announced that it will stage its second sale in this collecting category, on Thursday, 15 April, 2010. The forthcoming sale will present new and existing collectors with an opportunity to acquire important pieces from this exciting and expanding area of the art market by both modern masters and cutting-edge contemporary artists of Turkish origin. Discussing the forthcoming auction and the Contemporary Turkish Art market, Ali Can Ertug, Senior Vice President, s... 02/15/2010

Enjoy an all-inclusive stay at this Grand Bahama resort The Real Deal: Round-trip airfare on a major carrier to Freeport; four nights at the Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach; all meals, drinks, and snacks; nightly entertainment; round-trip transfers; fuel surcharges; and resort taxes, from $749 per person—plus about $115 in airport taxes. When: Feb. 15, 18, 19, 22, 25, 26, March 1, 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, 15, April 19, 22, 23, 26, 30, May 3, 6, 7, 10, 13, 14, 17, 20, 21, 24, 27, 28, 31, June 3, 4, 7, 10, 11, 14, 17, 18, 2010. Gateways: Orlando; add $30 for D.C.; $50 for Boston, Detroit; $70 for New York City; $150 for Philadelphia; other gateways available The fine print: Does not include about $115 in airport taxes per person. Based on double occupancy; single supplement is $259. Read these guideli... 02/15/2010

By Clara Bosonetto Maerz For ajc.com An extraordinary bargain is available from both AirTran and Delta Air Lines on winter getaways to the Bahamas. One-way rates of just $69 to Nassau are valid on Tuesdays and Wednesdays on trips finished on or before March 10. Pay $79 for travel on any other day of the week, based on sale seat availability. Taxes, fees and surcharges are $13.10 each way. The best feature of this sale is that you can get up and go as soon as tomorrow. Both carriers have eliminated an advance purchase necessity. However, buy tickets through midnight, Tuesday (2/9). Compliment your steal of a deal airfare with a winter offer from the Comfort Suites Paradise Island, Bahamas. This resort is just steps to the lavish (and lavishly expensive) Atlantis Resort. Guests of Comfort... 02/15/2010

Sotheby's evening sale of Contemporary Art in London on Wednesday 10 February brought an exceptionally strong total of £54,074,450/ $84,761,700 / €61,461,160, a figure some £10 million above the pre-sale high estimate (est: £32,157,000-44,986,000) and one that represents the second highest total for a February Sale of Contemporary Art at Sotheby's. The auction achieved sell-through rates of 97.9% by lot and 99.4% by value - the highest ever for a various owners sale of Contemporary Art at Sotheby's London - and 21 new artist records were set. The sale opened with the ZERO Art: Property from the Sammlung Lenz Schönberg - a collection of ZERO movement Art assembled by Gerhard and Anna Lenz over a period of 50 years. Together the 46 lots sold from the collection this evening soared above ... 02/15/2010

  On Saturday January 30th the Queen’s Highway, from Spanish Wells to Tarpum Bay, resembled 1-95 more than the sleepy stretch of road that it is normally.A convoy of teachers, students and parents sped up to Tarpum Bay for the Eleuthera Junior Junkanoo Competition. Trucks and cars filled with children, costumes, drums and horns unloaded their contents into the settlement starting around noon. The competition was slated to begin at 2pm, but accounting for island time, didn’t actually start until 4pm.The hum of excitement grew with each school that paraded down the street.  Primary schools began the competition with cute kids in costume and the high schools followed with innovative themes and impressive music featuring traditional cowbells and goatskin drums.The crowds really began to rol... 02/08/2010