The Biggest Hair Battle in the history of the Bahamas is so close we can feel it! The word has been buzzing around local salons, barbershops, and studios for the last few weeks. Supporters are nearly dying from anticipation of this exciting event! What is all of the commotion about? Who is the best at what they do? Is it you? Or is it your favorite beauty professional? Watch them compete up close and personal!

Don’t you think it is about time all of these hard workers from the four “trades” came together and be seen doing what they love. The Bahamian Hair Battle is a peculiar event specifically made for barbers, hairstylists, makeup artists, and salon owners to demonstrate their creative skills in the art of hair cutting, hair styling, makeup and overall fashion concepts in various categories.

Winners will receive Trophies, Cash prizes ($10,000 to be given away!), and surprises for “four electrifying battles:” the best hair, hair cuts, makeup, and nails! This event is hosted by the Bahamian Cosmetologists Barbers and Association ( B.C.B.A and Bijoux Hair). The president of this association, Dr. Zelrona Mackey believes this will be a rewarding experience for all involved.

As for persons who are interested in becoming a part of this grand “show down” there is still a little time left to sign up. Tickets can be bought for $35.00 at Signature Styles on Marathon Road. This event is scheduled to be held on Sunday July 3rd, 2011 at the Rainforest Theater at 5pm.

NOTICE: Due to the fact that Juke Box in the Marathon Mall has CLOSED DOWN, Tickets are now AVAILABLE for $35.00 at Signature Styles Marathon Rd 394-7855 OR BY Calling 467-0287.

Did you know that over 90% of the way we communicate is non verbal? Less than 10% of our everyday communication are actual words. When we speak to people, they tend to listen to our body language and tone, more so than your actual words.

While interacting with people and customers in particular, it is very important that our words matches up with our body language and tone of voice.

Have you ever entered  a business establishment as a customer and the clerk or worker says, “Morning, need some help?”; but gives you absolutely no eye contact, no smile or any other welcoming behaviors? In speaking to you, you can tell that they are not sincere because their tone and body language states otherwise. Well this is a perfect example of words and actions not matching up.

Good communication skills ties in with great customer service. It is important for us to show appreciation and respect to our customers, not only through words but also deeds. We may say that we provide good service but actions speak louder than words.

Weave is an extremely popular accessory in our country. We believe that women would weave regardless of naysayers. Any extension added onto a female’s body becomes a reflection of herself. We hope we can change the weave nation to a better looking one.

1. If you can’t afford it, don’t wear it. Although synthetic hair appears cost-friendly it can cost you long term damage by making your natural hair brittle and even irritate your scalp. Beware of brands that claim to be 100% human hair but are really mixed with synthetic fibers.

2. Condition! It’s crucial that you deep condition your hair before attaching a weave. We strongly recommend deep treatment, under a hooded dryer wearing a plastic cap for 20 minutes. No hooded dryer? No problem. Leave the conditioner in for 45 minutes to 1 hour with just the plastic cap. Then rinse.

3. Avoid glue-in weaves. Allow your hair stylist to weave with cornrows.

4. If it’s tight, get out of there! Tracks should be sewn in firmly but comfortably. You should not leave the salon in pain. Keep a weaving thread and needle handy at home for any tracks that come loose. It’s not worth losing your hair.

5. Add a net. Attaching a weaving net can relieve some of the tension. You can even have the tracks sewn onto the net instead of your actual hair. This makes getting to your scalp when washing easier and makes weave removal simple.

6. Wash it. Part your weave into sections. Create loose knots and secure with clips to reduce tangling. Use a spray bottle with diluted shampoo and diluted conditioner to reduce buildup. Saturate each section then massage product into scalp and hair as you would your natural hair (using your fingertips, not nails and carefully maneuvering between tracks and under braids). When conditioning, use a wide-tooth comb to detangle. Rinse section by section, loosely wrapping back up in a knot when moving onto the next. When all product is removed, create four braids. Finally, sit under a hooded dryer so that scalp and hair can thoroughly dry.

6. Don’t use product. Oils, crèmes and hairsprays will weigh down your weave and cause build up which can lead to odors! Aerosol sprays can dry out the strands. If you invest in a quality weave, you won’t need to apply product between washes. If you have a curly weave, a little leave in condition on the damp hair will control frizz.

7. Don’t use heat. Just lightly finger-comb. The less you manipulate your weave, the less stress you’re applying to your real hair.

9. Oil your edges and scalp. Rosemary herb combined with an oil like jojoba or almond can condition hair and stimulate growth. Mix in a squirt bottle so that you can direct the oil to your scalp and avoid the contact with your weave.

10. Take a break. Giving your hair a rest from weaves doesn’t necessarily mean your locks have to go from long and curly to cropped and relaxed overnight. If you want to keep up one consistent look even in between weaves, try faux ponies or half-wigs. Your real hair will thank you later!

The joy of life is simply this: appreciating what we don’t have, but at the same time causing us to focus on what we do have. For there are those that wish they had what we have, but in our desire to want more we lose our ability to focus on what is more important, such as simply living!

God’s Blessings, can easily become overlooked when we murmur and complain about finances, jobs, family, friends and the list goes on, but what about those who wish they were as blessed as those of us who have a little money, friends, a family and most of all a piece of mind. Someone without legs wish they had legs, someone right now only wish they had $5.00 on their bank account or a car to experience the gas gauge being on empty. Someone without hearing oh! So wish they had the ability to hear. The question could be asked, did these folks appreciate these things while they had the use of them? Our taking for granted of these seemingly insignificant amenities invokes an ungrateful attitude on our end when we discount the fact that there are others who only wish they had what we have…….. in particular, THE GIFT OF LIFE!

Genuine living is enjoying what we presently have to work with, like a bank account with only a few dollars. A car that decides to work sometimes, the chance of having loved and lost, rather than never loving at all. Not to mention the more simple pleasures such as the sound of the ocean waves, airplanes being airborne, birds flying, gentle breeze whispering pass our ears. A couple holding hands, kids playing with absolutely no care at all as it relates to life challenges and difficulties (honestly! I wish I could be a kid again sometimes).

This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life (meaning: we must choose to live, living isn’t automatic), so that you and your children may live Deut. 30:19.

The above scripture clearly indicates that life or living is not automatic, but an actual choice that one must consciously make. A person, place or thing is NOT the cause of us not living life to the fullest, it was our choice to cause whatever it is to be the source of our non-living or should we say unhappiness. Our ability to be sad, happy, cursed or blessed is solely dependent on us. As a matter of fact, we became the co-conspirator with one or more of what I’ve just mentioned that has provided our present end result. ONLY YOU CAN CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY OR SAD, IT IS A STATE OF MIND, IT IS YOUR CHOICE. Your are deceiving yourself if your conclusion for your present state is to blame someone or something. YOU ARE THE BEGINNING AND THE END OF IT BECAUSE YOU’RE THE ONE MAKING THE DECISIONS ON  ALLOW WHAT IS CAUSING YOUR HAPPINESS OR SADNESS.

Take note, we can become so use to being blessed, that we can unknowingly speak curses to that which God has blessed us with (such as a small bank account, a car in spite of its challenges, being under paid etc.).  As a reminder, these things are only temporary, and change is always on the horizon for some area of our life. Everyday that you exist is necessary for the change that will occur tomorrow.

GIVE THANKS IN ALL THINGS FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD CONCERNING YOU IN CHRIST JESUS! 1Thessalonians 5:18.

Heavenly Father, once again thank you for the closed doors, disappointments, backstabbers, little money, a broken car and things just going bad. It is your sovereignty that makes us understand that even in these things we must also appreciate your purpose being exercise in what is seemingly grim that must produce good at the end for us. We bless you and ask these thing in the matchless name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

Kevin L A Ewing
kevinewing@coralwave.com

Puppies always make a wonderful gift. They are more than just adorable poop machines! Puppies can help  children to learn responsibility at a young age. Not long after receiving a lovable pal they  would soon discover they now have a task of a lifetime. Dogs do talk. Unfortunately, dogs do not speak English some seem to understand our tones so well that we start to believe that they understand exactly what we are saying to them.

Fortunately, the Grand Bahama Humane Society is hosting a summer camp for this and other purposes. Their camp “Potcake Pals” is July 4th-8th at a small fee of $85 per child. This rate includes field trips/tours, food, and more!

After much anticipation a new queen is crowned. Tempest Stubbs gave her remarks and farewells then gracefully crowned the Miss Grand Bahama Beauty Pageant 2011-2012 queen. This gorgeous queen is none other than Contestant #3 Miss Keriann Stuart who was proudly sponsored by Stuart Fashions.

The new Miss Grand Bahama happily shared her remarks with her audience that night, and today she shared this with her Facebook fans; “I wish I could have this moment for life. All the hard work and dedication paid of in anticipation for this night. This date goes down where I made pageantry history in Grand Bahama by becoming the youngest Queen ever. Thanks to all those who supported me and I will do my best in my reign as Miss Grand Bahama 2011-2012″

This ambitious 16 year old Stuart aspires to become a Pediatrician. “I love kids and I am willing to work in the field of health”.

Congratulations Ms. Stuart! You did it!

Here is our little list of some big things our dogs can teach us:

Live simply.

Love generously.

Care deeply.

Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

• When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
• Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
• Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
• Take naps.
• Stretch before rising.
• Run, romp, and play daily.
• Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
• Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
• On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
• On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
• When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
• Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
• Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
• Be loyal.
• Never pretend to be something you’re not.
• If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
• When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
• Being always grateful for each new day and for the blessing you have.

English is the native language of the Bahamas. Bahamians speak a special broken form of English called Bahamian dialect. It was common for words to be pronounced certain ways. However, the Bahamian dialect is being dilated or it is dying out. Bahamian Illustrated compiled this series of commonly used words and phrases for Bahamians and visitors to enjoy.

Pronunciation:

W’s are pronounced as v’s and V’s as w’s. Eg. Well wait! Would sound like “vell vait!”

Th’s are pronounced as da (as in dad). Eg. Mother and Father would sound like “Mudda & Fadda.”

Pronouns

I am (I is), You are (You is), and we is

More words and phrases to come! See you next week!

Click here to contribute to this list.

The past several weeks has been very exciting, with weekly competitions all leading up to the grand finale…Miss Grand Bahama Beauty Pageant Crowning. 9 young ladies are vying for the Title.Who will be the next Miss Grand Bahama for 2011/2012? We’ll have to wait and see.

Here are the remaining events:

FRIDAY JUNE 10, 2011 FLOAT PARADE STARTS AT 4PM COSTUME JUDGING 8PM INTERNATIONAL BAZAAR

SUNDAY; JUNE 12, 2011 MISS GRAND BAHAMA BEAUTY PAGEANT PER-SHOW 8PM MAIN SHOW 9PM – Tickets $25.00, $30.00 at the door.

Have you ever listened to a crazy song before, one that you don’t even like. It has now been about thirty minutes since you have heard the song, and now you are probably waiting in some line and you find yourself singing this unlinked crazy song word for word?

Well, this is a result of the “law of Association” This law of Association is defined as: whatever, person, place, or environment I associate myself with over a period of time I subconsciously imitate it.

This is interesting because, you don’t have to sit and make an effort to learn the environment, or person; it is somehow absorbed by your subconscious.

Here is the biblical proof: The bible says, “He that walk with wise men will become wise, and he that associates himself with fools will become foolish-(paraphrased)

So, here is the point, if I associate myself with negative, complaining, murmuring, kind, loving, generous people etc.
Eventually I will begin to display these traits.

Remember how pleasant you were before that last relationship? Have you noticed how uncaring you’ve become since you have met that uncaring person?

All I am trying to point out here is life is consist of laws, which means that nothing just happens. Whatever happens to us, with us or at us is because of some knowing or unknowing law that we have participated in and yielding the results in our every day life.

Written by: Minister Kevin L A Ewing
kevinewing@coralwave.com