I hear a great party occurred last weekend at Elvina's - celebrating her birthday. The bar was packed, drinks were flowing and music was rocking! November 8th starts the Governor's Harbour Homecoming celebration. We are anticipating live entertainment by Spice and Ancient Man on Friday night and by Avvy and Novie on Saturday night. These should be some great shows - as Best of the Best Vol 6 is coming out next week and Avvy and Ancient Man have new songs on this CD.... hopefully we will hear them live first!!! There should be plenty of great food at this homecoming as all sorts of vendors have signed up to serve!
For places to go on Friday and Saturday nights.. don't forget Seaside Bar in Hatchet Bay. Also, Forget Me Not in Hatchet Bay has been hosting live music too. The Junkanoo Lounge by the North Eleuthera airport is worth a stop. Yolanda and Susan have taken over and are doing a great job. There's always something fun going on there.
Keep your calendars open for Governor's Harbour Homecoming beginning November 8. The committee is in the process of lining up lots of wonderful live entertainment.
I am starting a Eleuthera and Briland artists tribute page. I am asking any of you who have any artwork from past or present Eleu and Briland artists to email me photos of this artwork. Include any information about the artwork and whether you want credit for it being in your collection. I have started this already on www.eleutheraliving.com/art_tribute.htm. Check it out. Help me add to it.
The Best of the Best 6 is due out soon. Our local group, the Brilanders will have a new song on this CD. I'll provide more information as I get it, or just keep an eye on www.bahamaislandmusic.com.
Cotton Bay made the Nassau Guardian new today, http://www.thenassauguardian.com/social_community/293610018802980.php
Cotton Bay Blends in and Stands Out, By norman rolle, Weekender Editor
The glory days of the 1950s and 60s when Americans Von Tripp and Arthur Vining-Davis owned Cotton Bay Resort in South Eleuthera are here again, but with a Bahamian twist. A Bahamian group headed by businessman Franklyn Wilson in 1986 acquired South Eleuthera Properties. Up to a year ago there was little economic activity in South Eleuthera but now it is experiencing an economic resurgence, thanks to the building programme now in progress at Cotton Bay.
What is happening there is the construction of a 73-room Boutique Hotel, based on the villa concept, to be a part of the world-renowned Starwood Luxury Collection. Life at Cotton Bay will revolve around the grand Clubhouse, which will provide all of services to the community. The Club's special features include a restaurant, lounge, game room, retail space, conference room, business centre, concierge services, tennis courts, and water features, including an infinity edge swimming pool.
"We're very excited about doing this in the Family Island and raising the economic standard of living for the people of Eleuthera ... putting Eleuthera back on the map the way it was in 1950s and 60s," said Wim Steenbakkers, Eleuthera Properties managing director and project manager.
The project is not only providing construction jobs, but is creating entrepreneurs at the same time. Two block-making plants have opened up over the past year or so, and are selling to Cotton Bay all of the blocks they can manufacture. Also, a quick-mix concrete company has recently expanded fourfold, Mr Steenbakkers told us.
"One of the things that Albert Sands, a principal of South Eleuthera Properties who passed away last year, was adamant about is that the benefit from this development filter down into the community.... for the community to grow with the project.
"We're putting in a reverse osmosis (RO) plant and are negotiating with the Water & Sewerage Corporation to have a line extended to Rock Sound and Tarpon Bay, which presently do not have RO water." Because of the jobs that the project generates, Bahamians are building houses and apartments. Everything is expanding.
Also, a good number of the 35 non-construction employees have recently returned home and this number is expected to increase significantly when the hotel opens in May of 2007. Edward Penn is the general contractor.
One of the distinguishing features of the Cotton Bay will be a small farm. "Across the street from Cotton Bay we have reserved 10 acres for farming ...to grow our own fruits and vegetables fresh off the land," said Mr Steenbakkers.
"When you do a project like this you're looking for angles to set it apart from everybody else. We are currently talking to young Bahamian chefs... we've identified three of them who will implement a brand new idea in Bahamian cuisine at Cotton Bay. With the creativity of these chefs we can create a world-class dining experience."
Cotton Bay adheres to strict environmental and landscape standards.
"We're blending this project into the environment, rather than bulldozing it down and re-landscaping and creating a new scene. We're the only developers in the country who adhere to the Audubon International Standards. The project will also benefit from the expertise of Bahamians such as surveyor, horticulturists, architect, road builders, civil and structural engineers, real estate brokers and environmental impact assessors.
Member of Parliament for North Eleuthera Alvin Smith, who toured the
project recently, offered: "I think it's a very attractive project.
The developers will do very well."
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Speaking of progress with development in Eleuthera... The Rock Sound Club is moving right along. The pool has been filled and is slowly clearing up. They are selling lots on Madeira Road and with those lots go along Club privileges, which includes use of the pool - contact Bob Chappelle.for more information on these lots. Progress pictures of the Rock Sound Club:
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