Lectures will bring Island?s history and culture alive

A series of lectures about Bermuda?s diverse history and culture will begin this week with ?in-depth and analytical? discussions including food traditions, architecture and Bermuda?s defence system.

Panellists in the lecture series called ?Our Historical Heart Beats? will include speakers from all sectors of the community. The first lecture, ?The Development of Bermuda?s Defence System and Architecture? will be held tomorrow at 8 p.m. at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess.

The panellists include Lance Furbert, John Adams and Clifford Smith with presentations from poet Vejay Steede and with Dr. Pauulu Kamarajafego (Roosevelt Brown) as moderator.

?Bermuda?s Changing Economy? is the second lecture, will feature panellists Cordell Riley and Dr. Clarence Maxwell and James Smith as moderator and coordinator. The lecture will take place on April 16 at 8 p.m. at the Bermuda College Library.

Panellists Joe Gibbons, Jolene Bean, Patrice Foote-Smith and coordinator Joy Wilson-Tucker will lecture on our ?Tradition on Food and Genealogy? on April 29. The lecture will be held at 8 p.m. at the Cathedral Hall in the City of Hamilton.

?Bermuda Roots, Who we are: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow? will be the last lecture in the series and will include moderator Vejay Steede and panellists Ian Kawaley and St. Clair (Brinky) Tucker. The lecture will begin at 8 p.m. on May 7. The venue will be announced at a later date.

BAMZ passes accreditation test

The Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo has received accreditation from the American Zoo and Aquarium Association?s (AZA), having shown it meets exacting standards on collection care, veterinary programmes, conservation and education.

Accreditation was granted to BAMZ during the association?s Regional Conference in Santa Barbara, California last week.

The AZA requires zoos and aquariums to become accredited in order to become members of the association. Accreditation is granted for five years, at the end of which the institution must undergo another rigourous investigation.

?We are pleased to grant accreditation to BAMZ,? stated Sydney J. Butler, Executive Director of AZA. ?Zoos and aquariums in North America are continually evolving and reaffirming their commitment to animal care, professionalism, ethics, conservation and education. In turn they are enriching the lives of their community. BAMZ is no exception.?

The goal of the AZA Accreditation Commission is to establish, uphold and raise the highest zoological and aquarium industry standards through self-evaluation, on-site inspection and peer review.

The accreditation process includes an initial application and a two or three day inspection by a team of zoo and aquarium professionals.

The inspecting team observes all aspects of the facility?s operation in areas such as collection care (including living environment and daily enrichment), keeper training, safety for animals, staff and visitors, educational programmes, conservation efforts, veterinary programmes, financial stability, risk management, visitor services and other areas.

AZA was founded in 1924 and currently represents 213 accredited zoos and aquariums, most of which are located in North America.

Cuban youth jazz band to tour

The Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs and the Department of Education have invited the public to participate as patrons in an upcoming Cuban Youth Jazz Ensemble.

The Havana Latin Millennium Jazz Group is comprised of seven young people, between 15 and 18 years old. The band?s feature performance will be at The Ruth Seaton James Centre for Performing Arts on May 4, but it will be performing throughout the Island between April 30 and May 7.

Patron tickets are $50 per person and will be mailed directly. For more information telephone 292-0447.