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Bahamians Advised to Take Additional Funds When Traveling to Address Unforeseen Expenses Related to Covid-19 Protocols

The Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in mid-October 2020, attempting to curtail an increasing volume of requests by Bahamians abroad for financial assistance while traveling, issued the following statement:

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to advise Bahamians traveling abroad to take sufficient funds with them in the event they run into additional expenses as a result of restrictions and protocols put in place because of COVID-19.

Bahamians are increasingly approaching Bahamas Embassies and Consulates Overseas requesting financial assistance related to COVID-19 testing, quarantine, accommodations, airline ticket changes, etc. The Ministry wishes to advise that our Overseas Missions do not have sufficient discretionary financial resources to accommodate and maintain persons who find themselves stranded because of a lack of funds. Persons travelling in this COVID environment should anticipate that there will be delays and interruptions in their schedules that may result in them having to remain in these overseas jurisdictions longer than they had intended.

Bahamians who are in distress should continue to contact the nearest Bahamas Overseas Mission and should be reminded that though each request for assistance is considered on its own merits, the general policy governing the award of financial assistance to Bahamians in foreign jurisdictions is to have a family member, or some other individual, deposit with the Consular Division of the Ministry an amount equivalent to the amount requested of the Overseas Mission by the person who, because of unforeseen circumstances resulting from COVID-19 protocols requires assistance. The funds will then be advanced to the individual by the nearest Consular Office, whose funds will then be reimbursed by the Ministry.”

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lowed to operate during weekend curfew. - National Food Task Force distribution to be tailored for weekdays. - No social gatherings to be allowed whatsoever (strictly enforced to reduce the spread of Covid-19). - Police to setup monitoring stations during curfew. - A telephone Hotline has been set up for citizens to report on social gatherings at 702-9967-9. - Religious services during the week, to continue according to guidelines. - Funerals - Only ten people permitted at graveside, in addition to officiant. No repasts. - Weddings - ten people only permitted, in addition to officiant. No receptions. - Schools on New Providence and Abaco to proceed virtually - no in person schooling for students. - Beaches and parks are again closed on NP and Abaco.

- Exercise permitted in one’s neighbourhood (Mon to Fri 5am to 7pm). Exercise on weekend in an individual’s yard only. - Gyms are closed once again. - Workplaces - seen as a major source of spread by health officials - All who can work from home should do so, said PM Minnis. Where possible, a shift system to be implemented to allow as few people as possible at the workplace. - PM Minnis made a special appeal to businesses to adhere to safety and health guidelines. - Public Officers, he said, were to work from home. - Restaurants - only takeaway, curbside and deliveries permitted. No indoor or outdoor dining on New Providence and Abaco. - All retail will be curbside, except for foodstores. - Gas stations are not permitted to allow indoor services. - Hotels allowed to have outdoor dining for guests. - All fines for breaches of protocols to be doubled (with the exception of the mask-wearing fine) to encourage adherence to public measures. - Businesses to be fined on first violation, and closed on second violation of orders - for 14 days. - If a business or construction site has a 10% infection rate of its full compliment of staff, the business will be closed, and all staff members quarantined for 14 days. - Bahamians and residents seeking to book at hotels on New Providence and Abaco will be required to have a negative RT/PCR test before entering such facilities.”

Health officials, said Prime Minister Minnis, have set targeted goals and timelines to measure the impact of the restrictive measures, and the likely success of slowing the transmission of Covid-19 in New Providence and Abaco.

The measures of success he said would include: Numbers of cases no longer increasing; Hospitalizations decreasing; a reduction in the need for ICU or intensive care, and a decrease in Covid-related deaths.

The success of these measures, said the PM, will inform health officials and the government whether more restrictive measures are needed or if measures can be relaxed.

The measures outlined, he added, has no effect on air travel, with no changes to the current travel regime, and the opening of the international tourism sector remains set for November 1st, 2020. These measures, he said, were also being taken, in order to reduce case numbers in preparation for the border opening of the tourism sector.

BAHAMAS MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND LIVING WITH COVID COALITION PARTNER TO SECURE 3 MILLION COVID-19 RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS “PuBliC-PriVate PartnersHiP enaBles Country-wide testing & management Platform for Citizens, residents & Visitors”

Thomas Bethel, LWCC Head of Operations. “COVID-19 will be here for a while and we believe that it is our responsibility as Bahamians to work together, act fast, and present a practical and responsible solution that is simple, easy, rapid and connected. Our diverse membership of concerned Bahamians from the private sector, civil society, academia, labour, politics and religious society are all feeling the strain from the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s up to each of us to get tested and follow the health protocols if we want to save our economy.”

He added that LWCC will be making tests and the management platform available to any lab, doctor’s office, clinic, pharmacy, business, organization or government entity that wishes to join the national platform. All those participating have agreed to work at cost or for free.

According to the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) the fast and reliable antigen tests recently approved by WHO are set to transform COVID-19 response in the region. PAHO said the new tests are much more accurate than previous versions in determining if someone is currently infected, and allow health workers to better identify and isolate cases rapidly.

For more information on the Living With COVID Coalition and how to support its efforts, please visit www.livingwithcovid.org and follow @lwccbahamas on Facebook and Twitter.

NASSAU, Bahamas, 25th October 2020 – As The Islands of The Bahamas move towards safely and effectively discontinuing its current “Vacation in Place” protocol, and begins to implement new testing requirements for all visitors, returning citizens and residents on 1 st November, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation has announced a solution for securing a steady supply of COVID-19 rapid antigen tests.

Through a public-private partnership with the Living With COVID Coalition (LWCC), a not-for-profit coalition within the Organization for Responsible Governance (ORG), The Bahamas will have access to as many as 3 million World Health Organization (WHO) and Ministry of Health-approved rapid antigen tests. The tests will be provided by medical solutions provider, Ports International, at a low cost per unit.

“We are grateful for this partnership with LWCC,” said Minister of Tourism and Aviation Dionisio D’Aguilar. “Having uninterrupted access to high-quality rapid antigen tests is a crucial component for us to begin reinvigorating our critically important tourism sector. The new testing protocols are designed so that we can responsibly enforce public health and safety measures, while giving our visitors a better and more seamless vacation experience, ultimately allowing tourism-dependent professionals to get back to work.”

The new protocols will require visitors, returning citizens and residents to obtain a RT-PCR (swab) test no more than seven days prior to travelling to The Bahamas. A rapid antigen test will then be conducted upon arrival and again five days (96 hours) after their arrival.

Simplifying the testing, reporting and case management process is a secure, web-based, end-to-end management system that will allow Tourism and Health authorities to have real-time visitor and resident data and more effectively manage those with positive test results.

“We are proud to partner with the Government of the Bahamas on this nationally significant initiative,” said

Government to review legalization of a hemp industry, and inject 250M for small business development

The Government will review the possible legalization of a hemp industry that would include variations of cannabis low in THC, Prime Minister the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis announced on Wednesday, October 21st, 2020, in the House of Assembly.

The Prime Minister was speaking as he tabled the Executive Summary Report submitted by the Economic Recovery Committee (ERC).

The Committee has proposed a broad range of reforms and recommendations intended to seed new industries and economic opportunities to expand existing ones; make The Bahamas more attractive for domestic and international investment; and to make certain bureaucratic systems more efficient and less burdensome for citizens and businesses. P45

Several Initiatives Taken to Strengthen Financial Services, Says Minister Elsworth Johnson

He said this move would address the ongoing concerns about the speed and efficiency of operations as it relates to economic permanent residency applications.

Additionally, as a part of the government’s efforts to attract remote workers and students to work remotely in paradise, the Ministry is just weeks away from launching the Extended Visa Stay Programme. He pointed out that Monarch House will manage the launch of this programme.

The Ministry will also launch the Tax Residency Certificate (TRC) by the end of 2020. The TRC, he said, is a high priority item on the Ministry’s agenda, as there has been mounting international pressure to formally identify the expatriate residents and investors who are domiciled within Bahamian borders to ensure greater transparency of income and financial records, particularly for taxation purposes. He said that the government’s ultimate goal is to fully comply with international information exchange agreements according to the OECD’s Common Reporting Standards.

He said that capacity building has also been high on the agenda. Consequently, for the first time in five years, there is a director of financial services. In addition, the Ministry has hired – for the first time ever – a deputy director of financial services. Additional hires include a new director of the trade unit, as well as a consultant specifically tasked with overseeing the roll-out of new Alternative Dispute Resolution legislation to establish the Bahamas as a centre for International Commercial Arbitration.

He concluded by saying that the Ministry is ready to take advantage of the opportunities available and to drive growth in new and unexplored ways.

(By Betty Vedrine, Bahamas Information Services)

Minister of Financial Services, Trade & Industry and Immigration, Hon. Elsworth Johnson.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every industry, resulting in economic turmoil globally, said Minister of Financial Services, Trade & Industry and Immigration, the Hon. Elsworth Johnson. However, despite this global uncertainty, he shared that he is optimistic about the future of the financial services sector. The Minister expressed the government’s commitment in keeping pace with technology while delivering a national address from the Office of the Prime Minister, on October 22nd, 2020.

“It is a privilege and honour to stand before the people of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to give an account of my stewardship at the Ministry of Financial Services, Trade & Industry and Immigration. And the progress we have made with our future-focused agenda.”

He said that since COVID-19 over the past seven months, the government has taken several steps to care for the Bahamian people, bolster the economy and manage the nation’s finances.

To this end, he said that the government intends to advance the relevant legislation while also implementing the necessary changes to bring about the modernization and digital transformation needed to not only engage with industry stakeholders during the pandemic, but to be competitive within a 21st century, technology-focused world.

He said that in May, the ministry successfully hosted the first-ever Financial Services Virtual Symposium. He said that the turnout was ‘healthy’ and they received ‘overwhelmingly’ positive feedback from stakeholders. They intend to continue this trend of hosting and participating in more digital engagements in the future. The Ministry’s website (www. mofstii.gov.bs) was also launched in May. It will serve as a central access point for all of the Ministry’s activities and announcements, and a portal for industry-wide engagement.

He said that strides have also been made in the Trade Unit, where they have digitized the process of applying for concessions under the Industries Encouragement Act. Further, he said that they have continued to make progress in the Department of Immigration with the implementation of the Immigration Integrated Management System to allow for cashless transactions, online application processes, exploration of online and external delivery of relevant client documents.

FAO member states approved 3 new priorities for Latin America and the Caribbean

(THE PRIORITIES APPROvED By THE fAO

CONfERENCE ARE: SUSTAINABLE fOOD SySTEmS

TO PROvIDE HEALTHy DIETS fOR ALL; HAND IN

HAND TO ACHIEvE PROSPEROUS AND INCLU-

SIvE RURAL SOCIETIES; AND

RESILIENT AGRICULTURE.) SUSTAINABLE AND

October 23, 2020, Santiago, Chile - The FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean concluded on October 21 with the agreement of all member states on three major priorities that will guide the Organization’s actions over the next two years.

The three regional initiatives approved by the Conference are: Sustainable food systems to provide healthy diets for all; Hand in hand to achieve prosperous and inclusive rural societies; and Sustainable and resilient agriculture.

“The pandemic has exposed the weaknesses of the world’s food systems, but it has given us the opportunity to rebuild better,” said FAO’s DirectorGeneral Qu Dongyu, during a side event of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS).

“We will continue to support all of our Members in their efforts to transform their food systems by making them more efficient, healthy and sustainable,” said Qu.

Member States fully supported FAO’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery Program and the Hand in Hand Initiative, highlighting the importance of innovation, digital technologies, datadriven agriculture, investment, and public-private partnerships.

They also valued positively the results of FAO’s work in the region during the 2018-2019 biennium, presented in the report to the Conference, and agreed that Ecuador will host the next Regional Conference.

The Regional Conference had the highest political participation in the history of the Conferences in the region, with 436 participants from the government, 50 ministers, 40 vice ministers and 103 observers from civil society, the scientific and academic world, the private sector, government agencies, the United Nations and regional multilateral organizations.

In addition, it was followed live by more than 30 thousand people throughout its three days, and over 50 thousand people visited the Conference webpage.

“This Conference - the first that had to be fully digital due to the pandemic - has been more open, more inclusive and

New Travel and Testing Protocols to Eliminate the Need to Quarantine

The Ministry of Tourism and Aviation (MOTA), early in October 2020 released a communication on its updated plans for reintroducing tourism to the Bahama Islands, which included new testing protocols, designed to eliminate the need for its current 14-day “Vacation in Place” requirements. The statement read as follows:

“The Islands of The Bahamas remains committed to welcoming visitors to its shores and providing an exceptional tropical vacation coupled with our world famous warm and friendly hospitality, while, responsibly enforcing public health and safety measures to protect residents and visitors alike.

While 15th October is still set for the reopening of the tourism sector, until 31st October all incoming visitors must “Vacation in Place” for 14 days or the duration of stay, whichever is shorter, which means limiting the vacation experience to the grounds and amenities of a traveler’s hotel or accommodations. Beginning 1st November, The Bahamas will remove the mandatory “Vacation in Place” requirement for all visitors, returning citizens and residents thereby, enabling everyone to move about and explore the destination beyond the confines of their hotel or other accommodations.

The new protocols will require visitors, and returning citizens and residents to obtain a RTPCR (swab) test no more than seven (7) days prior to their travel to The Bahamas.

In addition, and to ensure that travelers remain COVID free, a rapid antigen test will be conducted upon arrival, and then again four days (96 hours) after arrival in The Bahamas. Children ten (10) and under are exempt from taking a rapid antigen test. [Note: Local MOTA officials confirmed that rapid-testing in Eleuthera on arrival and four days after arrival will be accommodated at the North Eleuthera and the Governor’s Harbour International airports, as well as the Spanish Wells Marina - if arriving by sea.]

Specifics are as follows:

prior to travel:

• COVID-19 RT-PCR Test: All persons traveling to The Bahamas must obtain a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR (swab) test taken no more than seven (7) days prior to the date of arrival. The name and address of the lab, where the test was performed, must be clearly displayed on the test result.

o Children ten (10) and under and pilots and crew of commercial airlines, who remain overnight in The Bahamas, are exempt from obtaining the RT-PCR test. session of a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test, all travelers will then be required to apply for a Bahamas Health Travel Visa at travel.gov.bs (click on the International Tab) where the required test must be uploaded.

The cost of the visa will depend on the length of stay.

upon arrival

• Day of Arrival (Day One): Rapid Test – All persons entering The Bahamas, at an approved Port of Entry, will receive a Rapid COVID-19 antigen test.

If arriving by air, an approved Port of Entry will be: Nassau, Freeport, Marsh Harbour, North Eleuthera, Georgetown (Exuma), Bimini (and Cat Cay) and San Andros (Andros).

If arriving by sea, an approved Port of Entry will be: Nassau (Atlantis, Bay Street Marina, Lyford Cay, Albany and Nassau Yacht Haven); Grand Bahama (West End – Old Bahama Bay and Freeport – Lucaya); Abaco (Marsh Harbour Government Dock); Eleuthera (Spanish Wells Marina); Berry Islands (Chubb Cay Club); Bimini (Big Game Club and Cat Cay Club); Exuma (Georgetown Government Dock).

American Airlines has indicated that, beginning in late October, they wish to provide each passenger traveling to The Bahamas from Miami with a Rapid COVID-19 antigen test before boarding the plane. These passengers, along with the passengers of any other airlines wishing to provide a similar service, will not be required to complete the Rapid Test upon arrival in The Bahamas.

after arrival

• Day Five (96 hours after arrival): Rapid Test – All persons who entered The Bahamas, and who are staying longer than four nights and five days, will be required to take a second Rapid COVID-19 antigen test. To be clear, all visitors departing on Day Five will not be required to obtain this test.

The cost of the rapid tests on and after arrival will be included in the cost of the visa.

The rapid tests are easy, quick and will yield results in 20 minutes or less with results being provided electronically. Many hotel properties will provide relevant information on testing arrangements, while others will facilitate the required rapid test for their guests.

All persons on yachts and other pleasure craft will be able to make arrangements for their required rapid tests at the port of entry or via the relevant website.

All other visitors, returning residents and citizens will be able to make arrangements for their required rapid tests at the port of entry or via the relevant website.

the on islanD experienCe:

All islands in The Bahamas require the wearing of masks and appropriate social distancing in public places.

The Bahamas has remained diligent in its efforts to minimize the spread of COVID-19 throughout the islands, and these measures are imperative to ensure that remains the case. The health and wellbeing of both residents and visitors remain the number one priority of our public health officials. It is important to note, however, that due to fluidity of the COVID-19 situation, both in The Bahamas and worldwide, protocols are subject to change.

BDB Changing Location and Highlighting New Focus

On October 25th, 2020 the Bahamas Development Bank announced that it was moving its physical location, after making a number of internal organizational changes during the past 24 months, in efforts to modernize operations, and better position itself to fulfill the Bank’s mandate, saying, “After three decades of renting the iconic pink building on the Cable Beach strip, The Bahamas Development Bank is moving. The Bank has contracted McBrady’s enterprises to develop its newly purchased premises on Robinson Road. The building architecture, designed by The Outside Office Design group, will be functional, bright, and modern, in keeping with The BDB’s new brand that launched in July of this year.”

The statement continued, “The move is the next step in revitalization for the 40-yearold institution. Over the last 2 years, BDB has worked to address numerous legacy challenges, improved balance sheet performance, and adopted an ambitious Strategic Plan that focuses on Sustainable Development Goal Accomplish- P45

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“Our cannabis laws are outdated and must change,” Prime Minister Minnis said. “The global legal cannabis market is already in the billions of dollars with significant projected growth in the years to come.”

The Prime Minister said Bahamianowned or majority Bahamian-owned companies must and will lead any new hemp industry in The Bahamas.

Hemp is used in multiple products, from clothing to building materials and even in tea bags, such as Lipton’s tea bags, Prime Minister Minnis noted.

“There are potentially many opportunities for creative Bahamian businesspeople to get involved in this new industry,” said the Prime Minister.

The Government will report back to the nation following greater public consultation, he said.

Earlier this year, the Bahamas National Commission on Marijuana recommended the decriminalization of possession of small amounts of marijuana, and allowing medicinal marijuana use.

Starting in 2021, the Government will begin the expunging of records of those convicted for the possession of small amounts of marijuana, said the Prime Minister.

As part of the Government’s strategy to continue to create economic opportunities for Bahamian entrepreneurs, there will be a significant increase in funding to the Small Business Development Centre, said the Prime Minister.

Two-hundred and fifty million dollars will

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis.

be provided to Bahamian businesses over 5 years, said Prime Minister Minnis.

Farmers and fishermen will receive direct financial support through the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources, said the Prime Minister.

“A broad, sustained recovery requires Bahamian businesspeople to have the funding required to create jobs,” he said. “We need our Bahamian entrepreneurs to have money to create new busi-

The Prime Minister noted that the Government is pursuing a number of policy directions based on recommendations from the ERC but will not accept all of the Committee’s recommendations.

The ERC represents a cross-section of the public and private sectors and is co-chaired by Acting Financial Secretary, Mr. Marlon Johnson, and Mr. Kenneth Kerr, the CEO of Providence Advisors.

To view the ERC’s Summary Report, visit www.opm.gov.bs.

21 October 2020/ Office of the Prime Minister

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BdB

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ment and support for The National Development Plan. It is envisioned that the new central location will increase accessibility to potential clients while providing space for the growing complement of professional staff.

“Attracting top talent has been a priority for the Bank in recent months to rapidly scale up capacity for new, progressive initiatives designed to stimulate industrial development in key sectors across the Green, Orange, and Blue Economies. Now that most of the historical problems that plagued The Bank have been resolved, BDB is focused on building its performing portfolio with new loans.

The statement concluded, highlighting future plans for the Bank, and targeted new offerings for micro to medium businesses, as well as international trade operations and farming enterprises, “The Bank is building a Trade Desk concentrated on import/export financing, and an Agricultural Financing Desk tasked with designing customized lending products that take into account farmers’ unique needs. The Bank has developed specialized offerings such as the MSME Digital Transnesses, or to expand existing ones.” BDB new Robinson Road location in New Providence.

formation Loan Program, which will help businesses adapt to the new normal of a post COVID environment. The Bank is also investing in data infrastructure to improve internal processes, improve market surveillance, and track development perfor-

mance.”

more transparent than any other. And it had an unprecedented level of participation. This shows the power of innovation and digitization. Innovation makes the impossible become possible,” said Qu Dongyu in his closing speech at the Conference.

The Regional Conference was attended by 545 virtual participants from 33 Member States, including a Prime Minister, two Vice Presidents and 92 Ministers and Vice Ministers. 103 observers from civil society, the scientific and academic world, the private sector, the parliamentary world, United Nations agencies and multilateral and intergovernmental organizations participated, and it was followed live by more than 10,000 people a day.

“Innovation will be a cross-cutting priority of FAO’s work in the region, including agricultural, food, technological and digital innovation,” said FAO’s Regional Representative Julio Berdegué.

sustainaBle fooD systems to proviDe healthy Diets for all

FAO’s first regional initiative will focus on creating sustainable food systems, in order to ensure greater supply and physical access to diversified and nutritious diets for all.

“FAO will work with countries to improve consumer information and consumption habits to promote healthy diets, and will support producers to sustainably increase healthy food production. It will do so by facilitating access to productive assets, financing and training for small and medium producers, and promoting technological and digital innovation”, explained Berdegué.

FAO will also seek to reduce food loss and waste, improve food distribution systems, stimulate short supply chains and trade policies that promote greater food security, along with better food quality and safety.

hanD in hanD to aChieve prosperous anD inClusive rural soCieties

The second initiative approved by the countries during the Conference seeks to eradicate hunger and poverty in rural areas and stimulate the development of new economic opportunities in lagging territories.

“We will help countries increase investment in public goods and infrastructure, strengthen secure access to land, extend the coverage and quality of rural services, and generate greater market links for the agricultural sector,” said Berdegué.

FAO will also promote the global Hand in Hand Initiative, rural non-farm employment, private investment, and access to the Internet, information services and telecommunications, essential elements for the transition to digital agriculture and digital rural societies.

sustainaBle anD resilient agriCulture The third initiative approved by the Conference seeks to create a sustainable and resilient agriculture that can produce food in a more sustainable way, with less environmental impacts and with greater adaptation to climate change.

“Achieving this requires better disaster risk management, restoring soils, making efficient use of water, promoting low-emission livestock and the sustainable management of forests, fisheries and aquaculture,” said Julio Berdegué.

FAO will help countries to implement productive practices that are resilient to climate change, integrate biodiversity conservation into production policies, combat illegal fishing, and promote initiatives related to the region’s natural and cultural heritage, such as environmental services and products with geographical indications.

Police Constable Renardo Brown Commended by Community

The Deep Creek National Neighbourhood Watch Council (NNWC) extends commendations to Community Police Officer, Police Constable 1311 Renardo Brown, a thirteen-year veteran of the Royal Bahamas Police Force and resident law enforcement official in Deep Creek for the past seven years. Officer Brown is a community policing extraordinaire who is well-loved in South Eleuthera and his presence is greatly appreciated by the residents of Deep Creek.

Since day one Officer Brown has thrown his support behind the Deep Creek NNWC rendering assistance wherever necessary, sharing ideas and suggestions to bring the community together and help the organization grow, and lending his services and being an active participant whenever and wherever necessary.

Officer Brown is the honorary public relations officer of the Deep Creek NNWC who takes all of the photos of events. He came up with the idea for the car wash, leads the community exercise and workout sessions, and has training sessions with the newly minted Citizen-OnPatrol (COP) personnel. He is also a diligent member of Kiwanis Club of South Eleuthera. He involves himself in community functions and always makes himself available to citizens who may need his assistance and advice. The Deep Creek NNWC salutes Officer 1311 Brown for his exemplary service.

Snapshot

Covid -19 As it was October 26th, 2020

For daily information visit www.EleutheraNews.com

World Data (https://clustrmaps.com/)

Handy Tip!

DIY Painting & Purse Making Tips

Note: “Today” refers to Oct. 27th, 2020 Each month, learn a bit about do-it-yourself painted designs and purse making with valuable tips and expert advice:

TIP 3.

Besides store-bought fabrics, other materials can be used to diversify the look of your handbags. Straw plait and sisal are always a boost to purses but coupled with painted fabrics or even seeds, beads, and shells you can transform a bag from bland to beautiful in minutes. What do you have

around you that would be a unique addition to your surface?