Antique Auto Club of The Bahamas. - Preparations are well advanced for the Annual Antique Auto Show and Cook-Out to be held on March 21 at the Arawak Cay Fish Fry and Cultural Centre in Nassau. The club always raises funds through the Cook-Out for a children’s charity. This year, the beneficiary is the Old Bight Mission Home, a small orphanage on Cat Island, with accommodation for 20 to 25 children ranging from five to 16 years. They do receive some assistance from Social Services but, of course, always require further funding during the year.

Dinner tickets - for Steak or Chicken - are available now from club members, or can be purchased at the gate on the day for $15 each. In addition this year, The Rotary Club of East Nassau’s well-known hamburger van will be there providing hot dogs and hamburgers.

Past president Peter Armstrong said: “As has become the norm for the past few years, we charge a nominal entry fee of $2 each - children under 12 enter free - which will give you a raffle ticket. More tickets can be purchased at $2 each or three for $5. The entry fee is waived if you have a dinner ticket or purchase one at the gate. Raffle prizes will be offered throughout the afternoon, culminating in the draw for our grand prize of a 32” flat screen TV at 5pm, donated courtesy of Big Nasty Racing. As usual there will be various items of interest specifically for the children; the bouncy castle, ice cream, cotton candy to name a few. Also our small store will be back with model cars to purchase and, on a more serious note, automotive fire extinguishers for sale. We also expect a few retail merchants to be present.”

All club members are expected to bring out their cars for display. Similarly, non-members that own vintage cars, trucks and motorcycles are invited to enter their vehicles for a fee of $35.

The Antique Auto Club of The Bahamas was formed in July 1987 by six men who shared a common interest in the restoration and preservation of vintage automobiles. Today, the club boasts a membership of 66 men and women.

Bahamas Historical Society. - The Cloisters of Montrejeau and Paradise Island: Then and Now is the focus of a talk being hosted by the Bahamas Historical Society at 28 Elizabeth Avenue, Nassau. The event will be held on Thursday, January 29, at 6pm, and the presenter will be William T Whobrey PhD, an associate dean of Yale College and lecturer in German Studies at Yale University. Dr Whobrey is an expert in medieval studies, who regularly comes to Nassau, and was intrigued by the cloisters on Paradise Island. He set out on a search of their origins in France. He made an initial presentation two years ago and is now presenting further information he has discovered. All monthly talks at the Bahamas Historical Society are free and open to the public. For more information, contact 322-4231 or email info@bahamashistoricalsociety.com.

Creative Nassau. - Creative Nassau will hold its monthly Bahamian Market on Friday, January 30, from 9am-6pm in Pompey Square featuring a wide range of artisans with all Bahamian made goods and products to encourage the public to Buy Bahamian, By Bahamians. For more information about Creative Nassau, visit www.creativenassau.com.

Cycling Club Bahamas. - Upcoming Events: February 7-8 Ride for Hope-Nassau- http://www.rideforhopebahamas.com. Online registration is now open or at Cycles Unlimited, Mackey Street.

February 6-8 Tour of Grand Bahama, Freeport, Grand Bahama. https://www.facebook.com/260658753688/photos/a.471801138688.275101.260658753688/10152936005528689/?type=1&theater

March 1 - The Potcake Man Super Sprint Mixed Team Relay Triathlon -Nassau, Bahamas - Jaws Beach, https://www.facebook.com/potcakemantriathlon

Morning rides west - Wednesday and Friday, 4:45am, Goodman’s Bay, West Bay Street, 20-mile ride route: Headed east to Montague & return. One-hour duration. Cyclists capable of 14+mph welcome. Rides leave promptly! Cyclists are invited to join in anywhere along the route. Contact Shantell the day before to confirm your attendance: shorelinecargo@gmail.com

Afternoon rides west - Tuesdays and Thursdays, leaving 5:30pm sharp, parking lot next to Lyford Cay Gas Station. 18 or 24 miles depending if you do second loop. This is an advanced cyclist’s ride. The pace will range from 20+mph.

Morning ride east - Tuesdays & Thursdays, leaving 5am sharp, start/end Seagrapes Shopping Centre (under the big sign), East Prince Charles Drive, 1-1.5 hour duration. Cyclists capable of 14+MPH welcome - Prince Charles Dr-Eastern Road-Shirley St-Church St-East Bay-Eastern Road-Prince Charles. Please have lights attached to your bike.

Weekend rides – Saturday/Monday, leaving 6am sharp from Harbour Bay Shopping Centre in front of First Caribbean Bank, 30 miles headed west. In order to complete this ride, it is recommended that you have done some recent cycling! Leaving P/I Bridges optional at the end! The pace will range from 18– 20+mph, 2-hour duration

Sunday, leaving 6am sharp from Harbour Bay Shopping Centre in front of First Caribbean Bank, 40-50 miles headed east. This ride is not recommended if you have not cycled recently or first timers! P/I Bridges optional at the end! The pace will range from 18–20+mph, 3-3.5 hour duration (intermediate & advanced cyclists are invited to join in anywhere along the route).

Elbow Reef Lighthouse Society. - An SOS is being sent out to help protect a lighthouse. The Symposium Of Support will be held on January 29 and 30 to help protect the Elbow Reef Lighthouse in Abaco. Members of the society are inviting people to join them for a wine tasting on Thursday from 5-7pm at the Firefly Resort (please make dinner reservations if you plan to stay after the event), featuring guest speaker Kathy Fleming, executive director of St Augustine Lighthouse and Museum.

Then, on Friday, there will be an all-day symposium and workshop, from 9am-3pm at Abaco Inn. The event includes lunch, guest speakers, videos and the chance to get to know the team.

The Elbow Reef Lighthouse is the only non-automated (hand-wound) kerosene burning lighthouse in the world. Lightkeepers, in partnership with the Elbow Reef Lighthouse Society, not only operate and maintain the grounds and building but also co-ordinate the fabrication and replacement of parts and hardware to keep the original burner - dating back to 1910 - and lens rotating mechanisms (from 1929) functioning. Together, the society aims to “Keep The Light On”.

For more information, contact 375-8140 or email erlsbahamas@gmail.com.