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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020
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DARRIN WOODS
‘Blindsided’ on hotel Christmas bonus changes By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net MAJOR Bahamian resorts were yesterday accused of “blindsiding” the hotel union and its members by altering contractuallyagreed Christmas bonuses without any prior warning. Darrin Woods, the Bahamas Hotel, Catering and Allied Workers Union’s (BHCAWU) president, told Tribune Business that despite the joy surrounding the recall of several thousand hotel workers he “cannot allow all their rights to be taken away”. Echoing similar concerns to those raised at the Water & Sewerage Corporation and the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) franchise, Mr Woods said this year’s change to Christmas bonuses amounted to a “unilateral variation of the terms and conditions” contained in the union’s industrial agreement that covers multiple resort properties. Arguing that members of the Bahamas Hotel and Restaurant Employers Association (BHREA) had failed to consult the union beforehand as required by the industrial agreement, he added that no single hotel had given any hint of the proposed alterations when they were contacted by the BHCAWU over the issue. Mr Woods said he was now seeking written positions from each Association member on the Christmas bonus in case “we have to go some place else” to resolve the matter, adding that there was “a dispute procedure in place that we have to follow and which may take some time” hinting that a dispute may ultimately be filed with the Department of Labour. However, Russell Miller, the Bahamas Hotel and Restaurant Employers Association’s (BHREA) president, rejected the union’s assertion that it had been “blindsided” over Christmas bonus adjustments made to help the hotel industry conserve scare cash resources following
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Marinas: ‘Comeback’ swift despite 70% market loss By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
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HE Marina Association of The Bahamas (MAB) president yesterday voiced optimism the sector will see a swifter “comeback” than other tourism segments despite missing 70 percent of its market. Peter Maury told Tribune Business the industry was being impacted by the absence of its traditional “mid-range” customers, typically vessels between 60-80 feet in length, centre consoles and sports fishing craft, whose occupants tended to rent hotel rooms rather than anchor offshore like their larger counterparts. Suggesting that this niche will likely not return until the COVID-19 testing regime eased and it was easier to stay on land overnight, Mr Maury revealed that business volumes at his Bay Street Marina were “down significantly for the year since March” by around 40-50 percent compared to 2019. Despite these setbacks, he said The Bahamas’ retained numerous competitive advantages through
• ‘Mid-range’ vessels largely absent from Bahamas • Marina chief says business off 40-50% since March • Christmas, New Year unlikely to be ‘anything great’ its proximity to Florida and the US as winter drives boat owners further south to the warmer Caribbean. Having just returned from a West Palm Beach boat show at the weekend, Mr Maury said “everyone’s gung ho” to come to The Bahamas and use its multi-island experiences as an alternative to having to endure multiple COVID-19 testing regimes among southern Caribbean nations. “We have a lot of interest in boats coming to The Bahamas,” he told this newspaper, “and we’re working with the Ministry of Tourism to get them cleared and get them to come over here. I spent the weekend in Palm Beach talking to boat owners and brokers, and everybody’s gung ho. They want to get their boats over here. “The testing is working great. The marinas are able to get the boats cleared and do the five-day tests, and they’re able to go out. I think the whole thing is
working pretty good to be honest with you. I just hope we can keep it going. That’s the biggest thing. “It’s encouraging, I have to say that. There seems to be a good opportunity for a comeback for us, at least in this industry, not all of tourism. I think we’ve got some hard decisions ahead in other areas.” Declining to identify those “areas”, Mr Maury conceded that not everything in the boating/ yachting market is totally rosy with its rebound likely to take some time and extend well into 2021. “We’re missing the whole mid-range; the smaller boats,” he told Tribune Business. “The 60-80 feet, centre consoles, we’re missing all of that. “We’re getting mostly the bigger boats. Until testing gets easier and staying in places on land gets easier, that’s it for now. There’s not much else we can do. It’s mostly boats over 100 feet; 30 metres or more. They tend to be able to stay out
THE Nassau Container Port’s top executive yesterday said Bahamian cargo shipping rates could be impacted “for the better” in early 2021 after a major carrier signalled its plans to service this market. Dion Bethell, Arawak Port Development Company’s (APD) president and chief financial officer, told Tribune Business that CMA/CGM, the French transportation company, had voiced interest in one of its vessels calling on Nassau in the New Year. “In recent weeks we’ve had some expression from CMA/CGM, one of the largest carriers in the world,” he revealed. “They’re definitely in the top five. They’ve expressed interest in having a vessel call here to Nassau, certainly
and can anchor and go out. People are opting for that. “We can’t complain. They’re spending, and putting money into the economy for fuel, groceries and everything else, such as restaurants that are open.” The Marinas Association of The Bahamas (MAB) chief said persons on socalled “mid-range vessels” tended to stay the night in land-based accommodation rather than on vessels, which has been made much trickier by COVID-19 health protocols. “We have what we have, but that’s a significant part of the business for a lot of marinas, including mine. I’d say 70 percent,” Mr Maury said. “The big boats are a blessing, I’m not complaining, but we’re still down significantly due to the uncertainty with COVID19 clearing and mid-range boats and yachts not being able to come in. “I was just going through looking at my year-end
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‘Minnis can shut country but not escape oil deal?’ By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Petroleum Company’s (BPC) oil drilling ship will this morning likely face “a welcoming committee”, as one activist charged: “The PM can shut the country down but not get out of a bad oil deal?” Sam Duncombe, reEarth’s president, told Tribune Business that oil exploration opponents planned to greet the Stena IceMAX with protests COVID-19 curfews and restrictions permitting after the vessel docks in Freeport at “daylight” this morning. Acknowledging that the 10pm to 5pm curfew will likely make it impossible to greet the drilling ship when it arrives at around 3am, Mrs Duncombe added that the prime minister’s voicing of his personal opposition to oil exploration in Bahamian waters was welcome “but awfully late”.
• Activists plan ‘welcoming committee’ for drill ship • Say PM’s anti-exploration stance ‘awfully late’ • BPC shrugs off court threat with extra $20m
STENA ICEMAX DRILL SHIP “We were planning a welcoming committee inviting them to go home,” she said of the Stena IceMAX, adding that a further protest was planned for Nassau this coming weekend in conjunction with the Raising Awareness of The Bahamas Landfill (RABL) group at a
yet-to-be-disclosed location. Promising that location and other details will be revealed closer to the time, Mrs Duncombe told this newspaper: “We want to encourage Bahamians to fight for the things we feel are correct. The fact we were misled in May 2018
Nassau shipping rates face impact ‘for better’ By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
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• New cargo carrier signals 2021 call interest • Bahamian stay-at-home hits cargo volumes • Arawak Port profits off 30% year-over-year
THE NASSAU CONTAINER PORT in the New Year. “It would be very interesting to see how that plays into shipping rates. The existing carriers will be focused on maintaining market share. The pie is still the same but part of it may be moving to another
carrier. There’s a possibility there may be an adjustment in shipping rates for the better.” Such developments could provide a modest piece of good news for Bahamian businesses and consumers battered by COVID-19, as
it will help to ease importrelated cost pressures by introducing extra competition to a Bahamian cargo freight market that is largely dominated by Tropical Shipping and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). Mr Bethell, meanwhile, said APD had no plans to increase or adjust its own tariff rates as he disclosed that the normal influx of freight associated with Thanksgiving purchases by Bahamians in the US had failed to materialise this year to fewer persons travelling as a result of COVID-19. “As it relates to volumes, they aren’t what they were
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[by Romauld Ferreira, minister of the environment], and now the prime minister has come out saying he’s against oil drilling...... “Obviously that’s music to our ears, but at the same time it’s awfully late. The reality is that the prime minister had the authority to shut down the entire country for the better part of a year, so I don’t see why we cannot get out of a really bad oil deal.” Mrs Duncombe’s comments refer to Dr Hubert Minnis’ frequent imposition of life-changing COVID-19 lockdowns and curfews, set against his assertion that the administration received legal advice from the Attorney General’s Office that
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$3.98 RBC Homeowners Act bungle thwarts loan recovery bid By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net ROYAL Bank of Canada (RBC) bungled its bid to initiate legal proceedings to realise its mortgage security on a couple’s home by failing to comply with the Homeowners Protection Act. Justice Ian Winder, in a December 7, 2020, ruling “struck out” its action against Lawson and Rhonda Hall after finding that the Canadian-owned lender had breached the Act’s section 4 (1) by failing to serve them with the proceedings personally or by registered post. The Supreme Court found there was no explanation or evidence to support RBC’s decision to serve the couple via “a general delivery post box” when it knew they lived at the mortgaged property on Swordfish Drive in Stapledon Gardens. There was also no evidence provided by the bank to support that this was the Halls’ last postal address. “I find that the service purported to have been made pursuant to the Homeowners Protection Act on the defendants was inadequate in the result that the plaintiff did not fulfill its obligation under the Homeowners Protection Act. I did not accept that there was service by post on these defendants,” Justice Winder ruled. “The purpose of the Homeowners Protection Act legislation was to provide meaningful protection to homeowners by ensuring a true and proper discourse between the mortgagor and the mortgagee prior to taking the significant and ultimate step of recovering the security through litigation. “Its provisions ought to be strictly complied with otherwise mortgagees would be precluded from instituting proceedings.” The judge struck out RBC’s action, finding that it was in noncompliance with the law. However, he added that RBC was free to begin fresh proceedings once it adhered to the Act. The ruling is among the first occasions where a lender’s bid to realise its mortgage security was thwarted by the Homeowners Protection Act, which was passed by the Christie administration to make troubled borrowers more secure and less prone to sudden loss of their asset. The Act inserts the courts into the foreclosure and “power of sale” process,
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FROM left: Bannerman Campbell, member of the DIYE team; Suncher Outten, member of the DIYE team; Aquindo Colebrooke, owner of Corn Diggity Dogs, the 2020 Deltec Young Entrepreneur Award recipient and Business Pitch Competition winner; and Robert Turnquest, chairman, DIYE.
Food provider wins entrepreneur award THE founder of a Bahamian-owned and operated food provider has been named as the 2020 winner of the Deltec Young Entrepreneurs Award. Deltec Initiatives Foundation (DIF) unveiled Aquindo Colebrooke, the owner of Corn Diggity Dogs, after the first-ever virtual business pitch competition hosted by the Deltec Initiative for Young Entrepreneurs (DIYE) on November 27, 2020. The judges included Deltec’s chairman, Jean Chalopin; Anthony Ferguson, CFAL’s president and founder; Sebas Bastian, Island Luck’s chief executive; and Rhonda McDeigan-Eldridge, founder and impactioneer, Harness All Possibilities. The participating entrepreneurs were evaluated based on ten criteria, including vision; financial performance; sustainability; resourcefulness; innovation; branding; talent management; service excellence; societal impact and entrepreneurial journey. After nine months of working with the DIYE team, Cordero Bonamy of Aktiv Body Rehabilitation; Aquindo Colebrooke of Corn Diggity Dogs; and Kristin Kelly of KLK Consulting emerged as
A SCENE from the virtual Business Pitch Competition shows team members and judges. From left: Robert Turnquest, chairman, DIYE; Suncher Outten, committee member, DIYE; Rhonda McDeigan-Eldridge, founder and impactioneer, Harness All Possibilities and competition judge; Harold Munnings, committee member, DIYE; Deltec’s chairman, Jean Chalopin, and competition judge; Sebas Bastian, chief executive, Island Luck, and competition judge; Bannerman Campbell, committee member, DIYE; and Michelle Evans, committee member, DIYE. the three finalists. The 2020 Deltec Young Entrepreneurs Award winner gains a $10,000 investment into the Corn Diggity Dogs business, along with mentorship from a business leader. Mr Colebrooke will serve as an ambassador for the DIYE programme until December 31, 2021. Mr Colebrooke described the experience as “amazing”. Corn Diggity Dogs is a Bahamian-owned and operated food provider specialising in a unique variety
of corn dogs with a Bahamian flair. Established in 2014, Corn Diggity Dogs is a frequent pop-up vendor at many local festivals and events. The Deltec Initiative for Young Entrepreneurs (DIYE) is a part of the Deltec Initiatives Foundation, which aims to empower young Bahamians through arts, entrepreneurship and education. The Deltec Initiatives Foundation is fully funded by Deltec Bank & Trust.
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Tuesday, December 15, 2020, PAGE 3
Retailer: Adjusting to one cent’s end ‘not so simple’ By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net A BAHAMIAN retailer yesterday said adjusting computer and point of sale (POS) systems to the one cent coin’s retirement at year-end 2020 was “not as easy” at it appears. Margo Farrington, chief marketing officer at Lorene’s, told Tribune Business the company was having difficulties adjusting pricing mechanisms for the “rounding to the nearest five cent increment” that will be required once the Bahamian one cent coin’s use as legal tender ends. She argued that the one cent coin should have been eliminated from use in all forms of payment, including debit and credit card, and other electronic transactions, rather than just cash sales as this would make it simpler for
merchants to adjust. Ms Farrington said: “We’re trying to figure out how we’re going to work it in our system. It’s not going to be that easy for us because of how our system is, and especially because they want to only do it on cash sales. So that’s going to create a problem for us with returns and all sorts of things. But we’re hoping that they will just do it on everything and it’ll make life much simpler.” With the one cent coin’s elimination, the Central Bank is warning retailers, restaurants and other merchants that they must round transaction totals to the nearest five-cent increment based on its guidelines. Explaining that this only applies to cash sales, and not electronic payments, the Central Bank said totals ending in the digits “one” or “two” be rounded down to zero. Those totals ending in
“three” or “four”, or “five” and “six”, are to be rounded up and down, respectively, to the nearest “five” digit. And sales ending in ‘eight’ or “nine” are to be rounded up to zero. James Sands, Lorene’s chief financial officer, said: “Our software people in the US are trying to figure it out, because you’re asking the computer to round things only. “Let’s say you have one loaf of bread, and it’s $4.31. So they want you to round that down to $4.30, and then if you want to get two loaves of bread, and that becomes $8.62, you have to round them both down. “But if you get three, then it’s supposed to go [round] up to $12.65. It doesn’t round on every item; it only rounds on however many items you are going to purchase in the end, and that is where those pennies come into play.”
Arguing that this can become very complicated for computer systems to calculate on every sale, Mr Sands said: “Then they only want you to round it if it becomes a cash sale, as opposed to a credit card or a cheque, so you’re asking the computer to do the whole calculation until the end, and then you have to determine what type of sale it’s going to be and then determine if it’s going to round up or round down.” Mr Sands added that it would be easier for the computer to round off on a particular item rather than at the end-sale. He also warned against the removal of the one cent as being difficult for setting sales and discounts. He added: “You also have to account for when you have a discount. Every discount doesn’t fall to a flat price. It could be one cent, two cents, three cents, five
cents, six cents or seven cents.” “When you’re doing a discount, you have to tell the computer again, when it is going to decide to do the rounding, when you’re doing a discount. What if there are multiple different prices? It’s not easy to program a computer to make those calculations on multiple sales a day.” Dwayne Higgs, chief executive officer of WHIM Automotive, said: “We started rounding up or down on July 1, so we are already used to the process. The computer handles everything so it has been simple for us.” He added that the auto parts supplier did not want to deal with implementing this change at Christmas time, so it went ahead and adjusted its prices ahead of the holiday season. “Some days we round up more, and others we
round down, so it has not been significant,” Mr Higgs said. “This is just for cash sales and does not affect electronic transactions. For card sales, charge sales and online sales it does not round up or down.” Bradley Rolle, assistant general manager of Centreville Food Market, said: “I don’t see any real damage other than we’re just getting used to not working with the penny. So what we would have been doing over the last month now was rounding off, or rounding up or rounding down, all of our prices to the nearest five cents or ten cents.” He added that the only likely problem is VAT at 12 percent forces some goods on the shelves to be priced at the one cent margin, and the government may need to round that off to either 15 percent or ten percent to accommodate the change in pricing.
New hotel chief eyes ‘reset button’ in 2021 By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net THE incoming Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) president yesterday said the industry plans to hit the “reset button” for 2021 after a year that was devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Robert Sands, Baha Mar’s senior vice-president of external and government affairs, told Tribune Business: “COVID-19 requires all of us to reset the way forward button. Notwithstanding, we will continue the BHTA agenda that we have started. In addition, additional focus will be to jump start the hospitality sector safely, and without compromising value for money
ROBERT SANDS and guest satisfaction. “Top on our agenda will be ways to ensure hotels get tax relief and, at the same time, government benefits for incremental business. We will create an
environment for increased cost competitive airlift, and improved airports throughout the islands of The Bahamas. “We will also provide a forum for continued
manpower development for the associates in our industry and work collaboratively with all stakeholders to make The Bahamas the preeminent tourism destination in the region again.” Audrey Oswell, Atlantis president, recently voiced concern over whether The Bahamas has sufficient airlift to meet the demand created by the industry’s re-opening. Dionisio D’Aguilar, minister of tourism and aviation, subsequently acknowledged these concerns. As for the upcoming Christmas and New Year’s season, Mr Sands said: “Bookings for all hotels will be slow in the beginning, but we are encouraged by the interest for 2021.” Mr Sands was named as the BHTA’s president at the
URCA confirms mobile network radiation checks REGULATORS have disclosed they randomly conduct radiation compliance checks on the mobile networks of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) and Aliv. Clinton Rahming, the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority’s (URCA) assistant regulatory officer, confirmed that these assessments are carried out to ensure
compliance with international health and safety standards during a webinar held on November 26. The webinar focused on strengthening the resilience of critical infrastructure; emerging wireless technologies; and URCA’s international participation. Charles Kemp, URCA’s regulatory consultant on the electronic communications sector, said the proposed
disaster management regulations - expected to take effect as early as next year - outline how key providers will make their network more effective and resilient during and after a disaster. He added that the regulations may permit the relaxation of certain licensing requirements for equipment designated for disaster mitigation in the industry. Mr Kemp
further highlighted that a key feature of the proposed regulations will be a national roaming agreement between communications providers that will take effect if, and when, an emergency occurs. This agreement will allow consumers to roam between companies, using networks different from their own communications providers, during a natural disaster or state of emergency.
Marinas: ‘Comeback’ swift despite 70% market loss
be anything great but everybody is watching this vaccine. “I don’t expect it to be better for Christmas and the New Year, but at least in this industry for the Spring that vaccine could make a difference. Three months into the New Year there should be a lot of vaccine out at that point in time, including in the US. I think the hospitality business is going to change significantly based on this.”
Voicing hope that The Bahamas will be able to attract new vessels turned off from going to the southern Caribbean by multiple islands with different COVID-19 protocols that have to be met each time, Mr Maury said there was “no better place to be” amid the pandemic other than a yacht anchored offshore provided all on board were virus-free.
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FROM PAGE ONE
and we’re down significantly for the year. Pretty much since March, we’re easily down 40-50 percent. It’s drastic, and not too good. I don’t think Christmas will be anything great, and I don’t think even New Year will
Association’s 68th annual general meeting. He has held the post three times’ over the last three decades, starting in 1990, as well as 1995 and 2009. Dionisio D’Aguilar, minister of tourism and aviation, spoke to more than 100 tourism stakeholders who participated in the virtual meeting. He praised Carlton Russell for his leadership and partnership over the past several years. Presenters from the Ministry of Tourism; The Nassau/Paradise Island Promotion Board (NPIPB); The Bahama Out Islands Promotion Board (BOIPB); The Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board (GBITB); The Association of Bahamas Marinas (ABM) and Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) gave
a realistic yet determined picture about the Bahamian tourism industry and spoke to the strategies deployed to restart the sector. The prime minister also provided a pre-recorded message of thanks, and spoke of undertakings such as Bahamas Clear and the upcoming Digital Immigration Card, which has been approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and director of Immigration. Dr Hubert Minnis said this initiative would not only digitise the Immigration card, but inspire “a series of new business strategies” that will “transform the entire process” and “unleash customer propositions not ever possible before the arrival of digital technology”.
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‘Blindsided’ on hotel Christmas bonus changes FROM PAGE ONE nine months when revenues have all dried up due to COVID-19. He told Tribune Business he had spoken to Mr Woods “and told him very clearly what our position would be on this”, while acknowledging that individual resorts were taking their own approach to the issue. In the case of Atlantis, it is paying a $500 across-the-board holiday bonus to all employee categories. However, Dave Beckford, a now-former Atlantis employee, said the BHCAWU’s industrial agreement requires the Association’s members to pay a two-and-a-half week bonus for union members who have been employed for five years or more and two weeks for persons who have worked less than five years. This was effectively confirmed by Mr Woods yesterday, who said: “We contacted the individual properties as to what they were going to do, and they indicated they were going to pay the Christmas bonus and ham and turkey.” However, he added that several of the Association’s members which, apart from Atlantis, also include the British Colonial Hilton, Ocean Club and Melia Nassau Beach Resort, “took quite an unprecedented
position to pay a portion of the bonus or pro rate it”. Mr Woods explained that “pro rating” meant a resort calculated this year’s Christmas bonus based on staff only working for the three months through to end-March 2020, when COVID-19 struck and the resort industry shut down. The union’s industrial agreement, which although expired is still being adhered to by both sides, stipulates that if a bargaining member is terminated they are paid their full benefits up to the point of release. Mr Woods said the “pro rating” of bonuses was effectively treating union members as if they are fully terminated, even though they have either been brought back to work or are still furloughed (temporarily laid-off). He added that benefits such as vacation, as well as seniority and years, continued to accrue during the furlough period and did not stop, meaning they were still eligible for the full-year bonus as stipulated in the industrial agreement. “We got wind of it, and are writing a letter to them,” Mr Woods said of the Association, “to find out when they will pay the balance of the bonus if they cannot pay it now. You cannot unilaterally vary the contract. There was no agreement with the union to vary the terms and conditions. “While of course we want people to go back to work we cannot allow all of their rights to be taken away. I know the naysayers will say the hotels have not been making any money,
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but our agreement calls for consultation and negotiation in times of change. Some may say we should have expected this, but no, we could not, as we have an agreement in place. “If anything changes, you have to talk about it. If they were not going to pay it they had an obligation to tell us at that time. If you knew you were not going to pay the full Christmas bonus at that time, as a result of the hotel being closed, you have an obligation to say here’s what we’re going to do, and we can go to the members and agree it. It kind of blindsided us.” That assertion was rejected by Mr Miller, who said Atlantis had stated its position on the bonus issue to staff last week. Acknowledging that Association members were approaching it differently, he added: “I spoke to the president [Mr Woods] of the union and told him very clearly what our position on this would be. For them to say it was not indicated or that they didn’t know about it is not true.” Some observers will likely view the union complaints as being both greedy and out of touch with reality given COVID-19’s devastating impact on the resort and tourism industry, much of which has been shut down since March. Hotels and their owners will have likely exhausted much, if not all, of their cash resources with the focus on survival and job retention until visitor numbers improve. Atlantis, in its message to staff, said: “We have been through a long journey this
year and are about to turn the corner and traverse the path to recovery..... We look forward to closing this year with hope of a brighter future and welcoming more of our colleagues back to work.” And the KIFC franchise operator said it had reached an agreement with the BHCAWU to pay one week’s Christmas bonus tomorrow, along with a ham or turkey voucher valued at $40, with the balance to be paid as soon as possible but no later than the end of the first quarter 2021. Mr Woods, though, said the $500 Atlantis Christmas bonus was also being paid to those staff who have remained at work since March, adding: “What are you saying?” He said the union was waiting on the British Colonial Hilton and the Ocean Club to respond to its concerns, which relate mainly to the process by which the bonus changes have been made. “We want to find out officially from them what they are going to do,” he told this newspaper. “We want it in writing so that if we have to go some place else we will have documents to show what we did as a result of what they did. “Granted, this is not an ordinary year, but if you’re going to do something there should have been a conversation with then union representative. There’s a dispute procedure in place we have to follow. That may take some time but we will follow the procedure as outlined in the law and contract. “Our intention is to address it in the proper forum. We have to go through certain phases to file an industrial dispute. Under the emergency orders there are limited things we can do.” Many Bahamian workers rely on their annual Christmas bonus to finance present and gift shopping, and purchases of holiday food.
Nassau shipping rates face impact ‘for better’ FROM PAGE ONE pre-COVID or at this time last year,” he said. “A lot of Bahamians travel for Thanksgiving, and have a lot of cargo they send back by ocean freight as well as bring with them. “The items they send back by ocean freight, we did not see the cargo volumes this year because not many Bahamians travelled for Thanksgiving this year.” However, the APD chief said the Arawak Cay-based port had “seen some uptick in perishable cargos” as wholesalers such as Bahamas Food Services and others prepared for the hotel industry’s ongoing re-opening. Cautioning that APD’s November numbers were preliminary, Mr Bethell told this newspaper: “When you look at July to November this calendar year, and compare it against the prior year, we’re down by 18 percent on revenues. “That’s a preliminary November; we’ve not closed it yet. We’re under budget on our expenses by about 20 percent. That is
primarily driven because there’s a corresponding expense reduction with volumes related to our government lease. “The government lease is tied to a twenty-foot equivalent (TEU) component, so with container volumes down there is a corresponding expense reduction that largely drives our expenses being down.” Mr Bethell said net earnings for the period were down about 30 percent year-over-year, and added: “Our TEU volumes are down 16 percent for July to November 2020. Our bulk tonnage performance is down by about 23 percent, and vehicle volumes were down about 40 percent for the year July to November.” APD has also seen increased imports of furniture, fixtures and equipment moving across its wharves associated with The Pointe, as it readies to open, together with sheet pile and construction materials associated with the Nassau cruise port redevelopment, “but not sufficient to make up the pre-COVID gap that has been left.
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UNIQUE VACATIONS LIMITED VACANCY Data Protection Manager
In this role, you will work closely with the Legal, Compliance, Public Policy, and Information Security functions to develop and monitor policies and standards applicable to the business and in compliance with the EU - General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the U.S. - California Consumer Protection Act (CCPA), the Canadian - Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), and other applicable worldwide data privacy regulations. Duties will include: • Working with key internal stakeholders in the review of projects and related data to ensure compliance with applicable data privacy laws, and where necessary, complete and advise on data privacy impact assessments. • Serving as the primary point of contact for queries in the business. • Reviewing vendor contracts and privacy policies when necessary. • Participating in the [Data Privacy / Information Governance] Committee. • Monitoring changes to applicable global privacy laws and making recommendations to the Data Privacy Compliance Team and the Data Privacy Information Governance Committee when appropriate. • Setting standards and reviewing policies and procedures globally that meet the requirements under the GDPR, CCPA and any localization requirements in countries of operation. • Developing and delivering privacy training to various business functions. • Coordinating and conducting data privacy audits. • Collaborating with the Information Security function(s) to raise employee awareness of data privacy and security issues and providing training on the subject matter. • Collaborating with the Information Security function(s) to maintain records of all data assets and exports and maintaining a data security incident management plan to ensure timely remediation of incidents including impact assessments, security breach response, complaints, claims or notifications, and responding to subject access requests (SARs). • Ensuring that the Company’s IT systems and procedures comply with all relevant data privacy and protection law, regulation, and policy (including in relation to the retention and destruction of data). Working with designated privacy law attorneys across the Company’s offices and, where necessary, outside counsel to help advise on local data privacy law issues. • Promoting effective work practices, working as a team member, and showing respect for co-workers. Requirements: • Hold at least one Data Protection and/or Privacy certification such as, CIPP, CIPT, ISEB, etc., (preferred). • Experience: 1-year PQE experience required. • Experience in US and/or EU data privacy laws. • 1-year experience within a compliance, legal, audit and/or risk function, with recent experience in privacy compliance. • Experience in developing policy and compliance training. • Strong knowledge of EU data privacy and data protection regulation, and a good understanding of other major privacy frameworks and evolving legislation worldwide. • Sufficient knowledge of information technology and data management systems required. • Well-developed and professional interpersonal skills; ability to interact effectively with people at all organizational levels of the firm. • Experience of working in a large, global organization • Ability to work unsupervised, exercise leadership, and influence change. • Excellent writing and presentation skills. • Strong change and project management skills, including the ability to manage time well, prioritize effectively, and handle multiple deadlines. • Ability to undertake large, long-term projects, develop alternative methods to complete them, and implement solutions. • Ability to use independent judgment and discretion when making majority of decisions. • Detail-oriented approach needed to recommend and implement strategic improvements on a range of data privacy and data protection issues. • Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with the appropriate discretion. • Knowledge of PC applications, including MS Office. Interested persons should upload their resumes by Friday, December 18th, 2020 to https://sandals.sharefile.com/r-r2007077085fd4ed
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, December 15, 2020, PAGE 5
‘Minnis can shut country but not escape oil deal?’ FROM PAGE ONE it is “saddled with an agreement.... we could not get out of” when it comes to BPC’s oil drilling plans. Carl Bethel QC, the attorney general, backed the prime minister’s position yesterday. He added that while Mr Ferreira believed BPC had failed to fulfill its licence obligations, and was thus “timed out” and that the agreements should be rescinded, Mr Bethel said a legal review found that these delays and unmet conditions had been caused by the government. In particular, BPC was forced to endure a long wait while the new regulatory regime for the petroleum industry and offshore oil exploration was put in place. This was finally completed by the Christie administration in 2016, and BPC’s licences have been extended ever since through to mid2021 despite the company and government having yet to settle outstanding fees. Mrs Duncombe, though, said of the prime minister’s position: “The leader of the country telling you he doesn’t want you here, that gives a lot of courage to a lot of people. If they could shut down the country for a year they could shut down a bad oil deal. It’s mind boggling.” And Fred Smith QC, the Callenders & Co attorney and partner representing the activists in their challenge to BPC’s licences and permits, yesterday urged Mr Bethel to make the government’s legal advice available to the public and Supreme Court for the
SAM DUNCOMBE
FRED SMITH QC
SIMON POTTER
CARL BETHEL QC
Judicial Review. “If it’s determined that the government does not have an obligation with respect to those licences, then there’s nothing to stop them considering extracting The Bahamas from this foolhardy, environmentally risky business,” he told Tribune Business. “This would be an enlightened opportunity for the government to put all its cards on the table so people can see what this deal with BPC is all about. I find it odd that they say they are bound by these agreements.” Mr Smith added that he was also “heartened” by Mr Bethel’s indication that BPC’s licence agreements will be disclosed as part of the Judicial Review “discovery” process, and said: “Hopefully the Bahamian public will come to know what deal was struck behind closed doors, and in secret. “The Bahamian people have a right to know what commercial contracts, of a paradigm shift in economic nature, the government has
struck with foreign companies that affect their future. The days of privileged oligarchic secrecy are over.” Activists, though, are rapidly running out of time to block BPC’s drilling plans via Judicial Review challenge in the Supreme Court. An itinerary for the Stena IceMAX, dated September 9, 2020, reveals it plans to head for the drill site in waters 90 miles west of Andros as early as Thursday this week once essential supplies and all crew arrive over the next two days. “The objective is to be ready to spud within 24 hours of arriving at the drilling location,” the document confirms, indicating that BPC remains on target to begin drilling its Perseverance One exploratory well by Sunday, December 20, unless Waterkeepers Bahamas and the Coalition to Protect Clifton Bay successfully persuade the courts to intervene. The court action has so far proved no obstacle to BPC’s continued capital raising to obtain the finance necessary
to undergird its activities in both The Bahamas and Trinidad & Tobago. The company, in a statement to the markets, totally ignored the legal threat by saying its Bahamian well will begin “imminently” after it accessed up to $20m in new funding from a “European alternative asset manager”. BPC, in a move that dilutes existing shareholders, including Bahamian investors in the mutual fund it created, is issuing 375m new shares to this “asset manager” at 2 UK pence per share in return for $10m upfront. The oil explorer added that it also has the option to raise a further $5m from the same investor “within ten business days after the spud of the Perseverance One well” on the same terms, and can also seek an additional $5m on top of that for a grand total of $20m. Should it raise the extra $10m from this “asset manager”, BPC will have a $57.5m financial war chest and sufficient funding to just about cover both its
planned Bahamian and Trinidadian activities - estimated to cover $55m at the top end - going into 2021. “The company has, as previously announced, a planned 2021 work programme in Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname of between $15m and $25m, and a remaining cost associated with the Perseverance One well, net of amounts already prepaid, in the order of $19m-$23m (plus an identified $7m contingency, which may be fully required, in part, or not at all),” it added. BPC’s financial arrangements appear increasingly tied to seeing off the Judicial Review challenge
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE
PARSHALL CREST LIMITED In Voluntary Liquidation
Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act. 2000, PARSHALL CREST LIMITED is in dissolution as of December 7, 2020 International Liquidator Services Inc. situated at 3 rd Floor Whitfield Tower, 4792 Coney Drive, Belize City, Belize is the Liquidator.
Totaltrip Limited
Company No. 1816744
(In Voluntary Liquidation)
NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to Section 204 (1)(b) of the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 that Totaltrip Limited is in voluntary liquidation. The voluntary liquidation commenced on 10th December, 2020 and Querube C. De Nuñez of MMG Tower, Ave. Paseo del Mar, Costa del Este, Panama City, Rep. of Panama, been appointed as the Sole Liquidator. Dated this 10th day of December, 2020 Sgd. Querube C. De Nuñez Voluntary Liquidator
LEGAL NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE
NOTICE
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT (No. 46 of 2000)
Blue Buzios Group Ltd.
NOTICE is hereby given that as follows: (a)
That GATOR REALTY INVESTMENTS, LTD. is in Dissolution under the provisions of The International Business Companies Act 2000.
(b)
The Dissolution of the said Company commenced on the 28th day of November 2020 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted and registered by the Registrar General.
(c)
The Liquidator of the Company is Sterling (Bahamas) Ltd of 2nd Floor, Saffrey Square, Bank Lane and Bay Street, Nassau, Bahamas.
Sterling (Bahamas) Limited Liquidator
To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394
LEGAL NOTICE
LIQUIDATOR ______________________
GATOR REALTY INVESTMENTS, LTD. IBC No. 147441 B (In Voluntary Liquidation)
quickly, as another £3m in financing from another source “has been committed, subject to spudding of Perseverance One by 28 December, 2020”. Simon Potter, BPC’s chief executive, said in a statement: “2021 will be a busy year for BPC in pursuing operations that have the potential to create considerable value for the company..... In The Bahamas, we have the transformational Perseverance One well for which operations are expected to commence imminently. “We are thus extremely pleased to have secured a further $10m of immediate equity funding, along with the option to expand that to $15m and potentially to receive a total $20m from a leading European institutional investor. “Not only will this additional liquidity, consistent with our overall funding strategy, give us the flexibility to continue to pursue an aggressive growth agenda at a pace determined by the company, but we consider this funding at this time to be a strong vote of confidence in BPC and the value embedded in the totality of our portfolio.”
November, 2020
26th
In Voluntary Liquidation
Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act. 2000, Blue Buzios Group Ltd. is in dissolution as of December 8th, 2020. CARLOS PINHEIRO., situated at RUA JOAQUIM EREIRA, 65 – 4 DTO, CASCAIS, PORTUGAL, 2750392 is the Liquidator.
LIQUIDATOR ______________________ LEGAL NOTIC OF DISSOLUTION International Business Companies Act (No. 45 of 2000) In Voluntary Liquidation Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, No.45 of 2000, the dissolution LILY CORPORATION LIMITED has been completed, a certificate of Dissolution was the 26th day of November, 2020
PAGE 6, Tuesday, December 15, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
RBC Homeowners Act bungle thwarts loan recovery bid FROM PAGE ONE requiring lenders to give delinquent borrowers 30 days’ notice before either invoking their “power of sale” under the mortgage or seeking a court-approved foreclosure. In both cases, borrowers can apply to the Supreme Court for relief. On the foreclosure process, the court can either adjourn, stay or suspend the matter if it believes the borrower will be able to pay principal and accrued interest within six months. As for the “power of sale”, the Act allows the court to postpone this for “a reasonable period where a sum equal to at least one half of the principal, and accrued interest, has been paid at a specified time”. Sir Franklyn Wilson, the Arawak Homes chairman, previously urged the government to “urgently review” the Homeowners Protection Act, branding it “a real disaster” for The Bahamas’ struggling mortgage market.
NOTICE
To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that ENOLD VERONAT of Zion Blvd., South Beach, Nassau, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 8th day of December, 2020 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
NOTICE is hereby given that JUDITH FORTUNE of The Bluff Nelly Street, Eleuthera, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 15th day of December 2020 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
CLOSE
CHANGE
2089.25
0.00
%CHANGE
YTD
YTD%
0.00 -142.35
-6.38
(242) 323-2330 (242) 323-2320
BISX LISTED & TRADED SECURITIES 52WK LOW 3.13 22.65 0.67 1.62 1.67 5.00 6.00 2.70 4.75 3.50 5.90 11.06 2.10 3.96 9.60 7.50 13.04 3.25 8.15 14.00
PREFERENCE SHARES 1.00
1.00
1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00
1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00
1.00 10.00 1.00
1.00 10.00 0.90
SECURITY AML Foods Limited APD Limited Benchmark Bahamas First Holdings Limited Bank of Bahamas Bahamas Property Fund Bahamas Waste Cable Bahamas Commonwealth Brewery Commonwealth Bank Colina Holdings CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank Consolidated Water BDRs Doctor's Hospital Emera Incorporated Famguard RF Bank & Trust Limited Focol Finco J. S. Johnson
SYMBOL AML APD BBL BFH BOB BPF BWL CAB CBB CBL CHL CIB CWCB DHS EMAB FAM FBB FCL FIN JSJ
Bahamas First Holdings Preference Cable Bahamas Series 6 Cable Bahamas Series 8 Cable Bahamas Series 9 Cable Bahamas Series 10 Colina Holdings Class A RF Bank & Trust Limited Class A Focol Class B
BFHP CAB6 CAB8 CAB9 CAB10 CHLA FBBA FCLB
CORPORATE DEBT - (percentage pricing) 52WK HI 100.00 100.00
52WK LOW 100.00 100.00
115.92 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 102.00
104.79 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00
52WK HI 2.37 4.43 2.13 198.39 176.73 1.69 1.85 1.77 1.24 8.39 10.26 7.23 12.80 12.81 10.81 10.00 8.98 11.79
52WK LOW 2.11 3.30 1.68 164.74 116.70 1.65 1.79 1.75 1.05 6.41 7.62 5.66 8.65 10.54 9.57 9.88 8.45 11.20
SECURITY RF Bank Note 22 (Series B) + Bahamas First Holdings Limited
SYMBOL FBB22 BFHB
BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT STOCK - (percentage pricing)
MUTUAL FUNDS
MARKET TERMS
Bahamas Note 6.95 (2029) BGS: 2014-12-7Y BGS: 2015-1-7Y BGS: 2014-12-30Y BGS: 2015-1-30Y BGS: 2015-6-7Y BGS: 2015-6-30Y BGS: 2015-10-7Y
BAH29 BG0107 BG0207 BG0130 BG0230 BG0307 BG0330 BG0407
LAST CLOSE 4.06 32.12 1.62 1.78 1.67 6.00 6.61 2.90 4.75 3.62 5.90 11.26 2.38 6.50 10.35 8.40 14.24 3.80 8.25 15.20
CLOSE 4.06 32.12 1.62 1.78 1.67 6.00 6.61 2.90 4.75 3.62 5.90 11.26 2.29 6.50 10.45 8.40 14.24 3.80 8.25 15.20
CHANGE 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 (0.09) 0.00 0.10 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00
1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00
LAST SALE 100.00 100.00
CLOSE 100.00 100.00
CHANGE 0.00 0.00
107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00
107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
VOLUME
650
2,000
4,000
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
EPS$ 0.239 0.932 0.000 0.000 0.070 1.760 0.369 -0.438 0.140 0.184 0.449 0.722 0.102 0.467 0.646 0.728 0.816 0.203 0.939 0.631 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
VOLUME
FUND CFAL Bond Fund CFAL Balanced Fund CFAL Money Market Fund CFAL Global Bond Fund CFAL Global Equity Fund Leno Preferred Income Fund Leno Growth Fund Leno Diversified Fund Leno Global USD Bond Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Secured Balanced Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Targeted Equity Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Prime Income Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Equities Sub Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - High Yield Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Alternative Strategies Fund Colonial Bahamas Fund Class D Colonial Bahamas Fund Class E Colonial Bahamas Fund Class F
BISX ALL SHARE INDEX - 19 Dec 02 = 1,000.00
FINAL NOTICE Pursuant to the provisions of Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act 2000, notice is hereby given that:-
www.bisxbahamas.com
MONDAY, 14 DECEMBER 2020
52WK HI 4.08 33.05 2.00 1.79 2.39 6.00 6.75 4.40 8.01 4.50 6.16 12.77 3.64 6.50 10.88 8.44 16.75 4.25 9.26 15.21
LEGAL NOTICE
HESHCEL FUND LIMITED has been dissolved and struck off the Register pursuant to Certificate of Dissolution issued by the Registrar General on October 7, 2020.
MARKET REPORT BISX ALL SHARE INDEX:
He argued that it imposed overly-burdensome restrictions on what banks and other mortgage lenders “can and cannot do” in relation to their distressed properties, and introduced concepts and definitions that were unworkable in practice. In particular, Sir Franklyn said the requirement that delinquent real estate assets be sold at “market value” was unduly subjective, given that a single property could attract five different appraisal values from five different appraisers. In addition, the Act prevents mortgage lenders from selling distressed homes to relatives of their staff, including cousins. Given the tight-knit nature of Bahamian society, Sir Franklyn said this requirement - especially given the absence of definitions - would be extraordinarily difficult to comply with “because almost everyone’s a cousin”. He conceded, though, that there was “no disputing the need” to appropriately protect Bahamian homeowners and consumers.
NAV 2.37 4.43 2.13 198.36 173.98 1.69 1.79 1.77 1.05 8.39 9.88 7.23 12.33 12.80 10.20 N/A 9.28 11.86
DIV$ 0.170 1.260 0.020 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.260 0.000 0.000 0.120 0.220 0.720 0.434 0.060 0.328 0.240 0.540 0.120 0.200 0.610 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
P/E 17.0 34.5 N/M N/M N/M N/M 17.9 -6.6 33.9 19.7 13.1 15.6 22.5 13.9 16.2 11.5 17.5 18.7 8.8 24.1
YIELD 4.19% 3.92% 1.23% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 3.93% 0.00% 0.00% 3.31% 3.73% 6.39% 18.95% 0.92% 3.14% 2.86% 3.79% 3.16% 2.42% 4.01%
0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 6.25% 7.00% 6.50%
INTEREST Prime + 1.75% 6.25%
MATURITY 19-Oct-2022 30-Sep-2025
6.95% 4.50% 4.50% 6.25% 6.25% 4.50% 6.25% 4.25%
20-Nov-2029 15-Dec-2021 30-Jul-2022 15-Dec-2044 30-Jul-2045 26-Jun-2022 26-Jun-2045 15-Oct-2022
YTD% 12 MTH% 3.76% 4.43% 1.54% 2.56% 2.12% 2.59% 1.65% 2.39% 4.34% 9.82% 1.65% 1.95% -3.06% -2.22% 0.80% 1.17% -12.30% -11.81% 0.64% 0.98% 1.19% -3.63% 4.20% 5.04% 2.63% 7.68% 3.68% 3.93% -4.89% -4.62% N/A N/A -0.50% 3.70% -3.80% 4.10%
NAV Date 31-Oct-2020 31-Oct-2020 30-Oct-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 31-Oct-2020 31-Oct-2020 31-Oct-2020 31-Oct-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020
Dillon R. Dean Liquidator LEGAL NOTICE
N O T I C E SWEDISH ORIENT LINE (BAHAMAS) LIMITED Creditors having debts or claims against the above-named Company are required to send particulars thereof to the undersigned c/o P.O. Box N-624, Nassau, Bahamas on or before 30th day of December, A.D., 2020. In default thereof they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made by the Liquidator. Dated the 15th day of December, A.D., 2020.
Kirvy Ferguson Liquidator 253 Shirley Street Nassau Bahamas LEGAL NOTICE
N O T I C E SWEDISH ORIENT LINE (BAHAMAS) LIMITED N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows: (a) SWEDISH ORIENT LINE (BAHAMAS) LIMITED is in dissolution under the provisions of the International Business Companies Act 2000.
YIELD - last 12 month dividends divided by closing price
52wk-Hi - Highest closing price in last 52 weeks
Bid $ - Buying price of Colina and Fidelity
52wk-Low - Lowest closing price in last 52 weeks
Ask $ - Selling price of Colina and fidelity
Previous Close - Previous day's weighted price for daily volume
Last Price - Last traded over-the-counter price
Today's Close - Current day's weighted price for daily volume
Weekly Vol. - Trading volume of the prior week
Change - Change in closing price from day to day
EPS $ - A company's reported earnings per share for the last 12 mths
Daily Vol. - Number of total shares traded today
NAV - Net Asset Value
DIV $ - Dividends per share paid in the last 12 months
N/M - Not Meaningful
P/E - Closing price divided by the last 12 month earnings
(b) The dissolution of the said Company commenced on the 9th day of December 2020 when its Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General. (c) The Liquidator of the said Company is Kirvy Ferguson of 253 Shirley Street, Nassau, Bahamas Dated the 15th day of December, 2020.
TO TRADE CALL: CFAL 242-502-7010 | ROYALFIDELITY 242-356-7764 | CAROLISLE 242-502-7525 | LENO 242-396-3225 | BENCHMARK 242-326-7333
HARRY B. SANDS, LOBOSKY MANAGEMENT CO. LTD. Registered Agent for the above-named Company
PAGE 8, Tuesday, December 15, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
BODY AND MIND
‘The Headache That Changed My Life’
A new book to uplift those battling terminal illnesses By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net It has been almost four years since Bernadette Brown lost her son Stephen to brain cancer, and she still feels the pain as sharply today as she did on the day he died at the age of 29. While Bernadette still grieves for her son, she finds comfort in knowing that even is his battle with a long-term, terminal illness, he used his life to uplift and inspire others. Before his death on May 4, 2017, at Haven Hospital Central Florida, Stephen had already completed his book “The Headache that Changed My Life”. However, he did not live to see the book being published. His family worked hard to keep Stephen’s vision alive and have now released his book during the holiday season with the aim of bringing hope and encouragement to anyone battling a terminal illness. Stephen spent much of his young life battling brain cancer. He was diagnosed with the condition at the age of 10. He was an athlete who ran track and played soccer. He was Mrs Brown’s fifth child and third son who always valued time with his family. He left behind a daughter. After being in remission for many years, Stephen’s brain cancer returned in 2015. Two years later he lost his battle with the disease. But during that period, Mrs Brown said, her son put up a great fight and left his legacy throughout the pages of book.
“Stephen wrote it after he suffered a stroke. He began writing August 2016 and finished November 2016. I remember typing it for him and presenting it to him Christmas Eve 2016. He was so excited and read the entire copy... ‘Mummy this book is amazing’,” she told Tribune Health.
Despite his suffering, Stephen always stood firm in his faith and spread the word of God to all, from hospital workers to gang members. The book chronicles Stephen’s journey with brain cancer and how his faith in God became the
ultimate source of peace and joy before his death. Mrs Brown said her son mainly wrote the book to share his testimony and encourage others to have faith in God. “I am truly thankful to God and Pastor T Basil Sturrup, who assisted me in achieving this
A novel early detection blood test could soon change how cancer is found (BPT) - Everyone has been touched by cancer in some way, whether it’s a friend or family member facing a diagnosis, or their own worry about susceptibility to the disease. This year alone, roughly 1.8 million people will be diagnosed with cancer in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute. Nearly 1,700 lives are lost to cancer every day. Despite numerous advances in oncology - the field of medicine that treats cancer - cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and is projected to become the first. That’s in large part because most cancers go undetected until it is too late because there is no early screening available today for the majority of
momentous goal and fulfilling a promise l made to Stephen. I hope one day it will become a movie directed by Tyler Perry and lead many to back to God,”she said. “In the book, Stephen wrote about being chosen by God to go through this assignment. To trust God 100 per cent no matter what, because God does not make mistakes; to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Everything is for a purpose. Have faith in God and even at your weakest point God shows Himself strong and mighty. You will be rewarded in the end.” For the past decade, Mrs Brown has been in the process of writing her own book that will detail her journey with Stephen from the viewpoint of a mother. She said she wanted to wait some time before writing her book because she wanted to ensure Stephen’s wish was fulfilled. “I actually started writing more than 10 years ago but never completed it. I guess Stephen’s book had to be published first. My book is about our journey of faith in God, miracles that blew my mind, the power of prayer and faith in God; the love and support of spouse, family, friends, church, strangers. The experience of sitting by my son’s bedside holding his hand and feeling helpless yet hopeful as he fell asleep in the arms of Jesus, holding on to the blessed hope of seeing him again in heaven if l remain faithful,” she said. Mrs Brown said she is grateful that her son remained fearless and faithful to the end.
early stages, with a very low false positive rate of less than one percent. When a cancer signal is detected, Galleri is able to determine where in the body the cancer signal is located with high accuracy. “A simple blood test capable of detecting more than 50 types of cancer is a ground-breaking and potentially life-saving advancement that could have a tremendous human and economic benefit,” explains Minetta Liu, MD, research chair and professor, Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic. “Recent modeling data suggests if all cancers currently diagnosed at stage IV could be detected earlier, evenly distributed across stages I-III, cancer deaths could fall by 24 percent.”
deadly cancers. The current guideline-recommended screenings in the US, while critical, test for just five cancers and screen for a single cancer at a time. In fact, cancers without available screening tests account for 71 percent of all cancer deaths in the US. The importance detection
of
early
Medical experts agree that early detection of cancer saves lives and directly correlates with the ability to treat the disease successfully. Because screenings exist for only five types of cancer when there are more than 100 types in total, the most pressing unmet need in
cancer early detection is to identify cancers for which there are no existing recommended screening tests. “Late stage cancer detection is deadly,” says Joshua Ofman, MD, MSHS, chief medical officer and external affairs at GRAIL, a company whose mission is to detect cancer early, when it can be cured. “The five-year survival rate of a person diagnosed with cancer once it has already spread is just 21 percent, compared to an 89 percent survival rate of someone whose cancer is found in early stages. There is a significant opportunity to reduce cancer deaths through early detection.”
Potentially game-changing technology expected in 2021 Fortunately, medical advances are poised to change how cancer can be detected in the near future. Researchers have been working hard on a single blood test capable of finding many cancers. The novel multi-cancer early detection blood test, called Galleri, is developed by GRAIL and expected to be commercially available for the first time in 2021. In a clinical validation study, an earlier version of the test demonstrated the ability to detect more than 50 types of cancers - over 45 of which have no recommended screening today - including at
A new era in early cancer detection “With the introduction of Galleri, we are approaching a long-awaited and pivotal moment in cancer care, and we are dedicated to bringing this potentially life-saving technology into the hands of patients, providers, and communities,” Dr Ofman says. “We are thrilled to be making a blood test that can detect multiple deadly cancers early a reality.” Biomedical innovation is evolving, and this new breakthrough blood test has the potential to save many lives through early detection. To learn more about this technology, visit grail.com/ galleri.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, December 15, 2020, PAGE 9
Motivation for Bahamians to lose weight The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines overweight and obesity as excessive or abnormal fat accumulation that leads to increased health risks. Overweight is defined as a body mass index BMI greater than 25 and obesity is defined as a BMI greater than 30. Obesity is a national health crisis in the Bahamas. Urology like every other medical field has numerous health conditions related to obesity. Obesity and COVID-19 During this COVID-19 pandemic, many of the sickest coronavirus patients are obese. A meta analysis of multiple scientific COVID-19 studies involving nearly 400,000 patients, which was published in the August 2020 edition of Obesity Reviews, found that obese patients with COVID-19 were 113 percent more likely to need hospitalisation, have a 74 percent greater likelihood of needing ICU care and 48 percent more likely to die from COVID-19. Those are sobering and terrifying statistics. Do you still have
no time to get regular exercise or need further compelling evidence to watch your diet and lose weight? Obesity is associated with chronic inflammation, reduced immunity and increased chance of blood clotting, which all play crucial roles in making COVID-19 more deadly in obese persons. Obesity and prostate cancer There is compelling evidence that obesity in men is linked to a higher incidence of a more aggressive forms of prostate cancer and there is a strong correlation between obesity and the spread of prostate cancer. Obesity doesn’t necessary cause prostate cancer but makes survival of prostate cancer more difficult. Obesity and male infertility Obesity can be associated with lower testosterone levels and poorer sperm quality and reduced sperm motility. A Denmark scientific study involving over 15,000 young men, found overweight men had on average a 24 percent reduction in sperm counts.
Obesity dysfunction
insulin resistance, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and obesity. Obesity testosterone
and
erectile
Obesity is a strong risk factor for erectile dysfunction, as are diabetes mellitus, hypertension, high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease. Obesity increases the risk of erectile dysfunction ED by as much as 30 to 90 percent when compared to normal weight individuals, depending on the scientific study. Obesity can lead to ED by damaging blood vessels, leading to lower testosterone levels and leading to increased inflammation Obesity and kidney stones Obese individuals excrete more calcium and uric acid in their urine than normal body mass index range persons and thus are more prone to produce calcium containing kidney stones. Metabolic syndrome is a group of systemic disorders that is associated with increased cardiovascular risk and kidney stone formation. Metabolic syndrome involves three or more of the following conditions: hypertension,
and
low
Men with low testosterone are more likely to be obese and obese men are more likely to have low testosterone; a vicious cycle. Testosterone is metabolized to estrogen by fat cells and thus lowers testosterone levels. Obesity also lowers the sex hormone binding globulin, a protein that carries testosterone in the blood.
and worldwide. Multiple negative health consequences of obesity include cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, several cancers and the urological conditions outlined. Eat healthy, get regular exercise and get annual or bi-annual health physicals.
THE UROLOGY DOCTOR IS IN...
Obesity and kidney cancer Obesity is a recognised risk factor for developing kidney cancer; with other risk factors including smoking, advanced age, and certain genetic disorders. The link between obesity and kidney cancer is complex and determined by factors such as increased levels of insulin, changes in the immune system, changes in cholesterol metabolism, and increased oestrogen levels. Obesity and urinary tract infections Obese individuals have increased adipose tissue that leads to inflammation that further leads to a reduction in the immune system, which can increase the likelihood of urinary tract infections. Higher levels of glucose in urine can enhance bacteria growth in persons with obesity as well. Obesity is an overwhelming health problem in the Bahamas
Dr Greggory Pinto
• Dr Greggory Pinto is a board certified Bahamian urologist and laparoscopic surgeon. He has trained in Germany, South Africa and France, and is a member of the European Association of Urology. He can be contacted at OakTree Medical Center, #2 Fifth Terrace & Mount Royal Avenue. Telephone: (242) 322-1145 (6) (7); e-mail: welcome@urologycarebahamas.com, or visit the website:www.urologycarebahamas.com.
Front-of-package warnings help consumers choose healthier food, PAHO report says PAHO reviewed six different categories of front-of-package food labeling systems to determine which perform best to help consumers correctly, quickly and easily identify products that are excessive in nutrients associated with the top three causes of death in the Americas – overweight/obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. The front-of-package warning labels work better than other kinds of nutritional labelling such as healthy food endorsements. “Overweight and obesity rates have exploded in the Americas,” said PAHO Director Carissa F Etienne. “The front of package warning labels can guide healthier choices, save lives, improve the quality of life in the Region, and protect our human rights and those of our children. This is an urgent public health situation and we simply cannot wait.” Some 44 percent of deaths in the Americas are caused by high blood pressure, high sugar levels, and obesity and overweight. Poor diets are driven largely by the widespread availability and marketing of processed and ultra-processed food and drink products that are excessive in sugars, fats and sodium. “Front-of-label warnings protect the rights of consumers to have truthful, extensive, simple, easily understood information about what the products are and what they contain,” said Ernesto Acevedo, Deputy Secretary of Industry, Commerce, and Competitiveness for Mexico. He said Mexico adopted the labelling
WASHINGTON DC, (PAHO) – Stark front-of-package warnings against foods excessive in fats, sugars, and sodium are the best way to help people avoid the unhealthiest purchases, a new PAHO report shows.
because of epidemic obesity that has affected health, the economy, and social and economic inequity. Earlier this year, Mexico implemented the black octagonal
warning labels that follow PAHO’s best practices recommendations, including the PAHO nutrient profile, a tool to classify food and drink products that are in excess of free sugars, salt, total
fat, saturated fat and trans-fatty acids. The country subsequently was recognised by the United Nations Interagency Task Force on the Prevention and Control
of Noncommunicable Diseases. In previous years, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay adopted front-ofpackage warnings, and Brazil has taken a step in that direction. In Canada and Colombia, warnings have been proposed for mandatory use. The Caribbean is in the final stages of adopting warnings as part of regional standards, while Argentina is in the process of adopting comprehensive, robust legislation, which requires products to display warning labels, prevents such products from being advertised and bans them from schools. In the Mexican regulation and in those under discussion in Argentina and the Caribbean, the PAHO nutrient profile criteria is being used to determine which products should have a warning. This allows consumers’ purchase decisions to align with WHO recommendations. “The majority of populations in our region and worldwide still lack access to simple information about whether a product is excessive in sugars, sodium, saturated fats, trans fats or total fats,” said Anselm Hennis, Director of the Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health at PAHO. “The solution is a clear, quick and easy warning label on the front of the package providing understandable information.” He added that such labeling is even more important now, as underlying conditions linked to poor diet can lead to lifethreatening complications from COVID-19.
PAGE 10, Tuesday, December 15, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
STAYING ABREAST
New book tackles care, maintenance of boobs If you’re going to buy a book about breasts, “Being Breast Aware” should be the one, said author Dr Shamanique BodieWilliams, a well-respected obstetrician and gynaecologist. “Being Breast Aware” makes its debut just in time for Christmas. As functional as they are beautiful, breasts are often overlooked until there is a problem associated with them, according to Dr BodieWilliams, who packs 20 plus years of health and wellness insight into one easy read. From ageing to injury and everything in between, she aims to provide greater understanding of the “lumps and bumps” that could occur and what regular breast care and maintenance should entail. “Whether you are nursing, going through menopause, considering plastic surgery or need to have your breasts assessed for any reason, this is the book for you,” said Dr Bodie-Williams, who works as a consultant physician in Grand Bahama’s public health system and sees private patients at the Medical Pavilion in Freeport and at the Bahamas Women’s Wellness Centre in Nassau. Her goal is to advise women on issues they could encounter and help them through their struggles until they are able to secure a doctor’s appointment. “The more common problems I see in the Bahamian population is in the non-pregnant population. More commonly they have fibrocystic disease, which feels lumpy or rope-like. They might have fibroadenomas, noncancerous breast lumps. Some post-partum patients could suffer from plugged ducts and infections. In the Bahamian population, our congenital problems with the breast include its shape, an extra nipple or an
DR Shamanique Bodie-Williams
inverted nipple,” said Dr BodieWilliams, who received her medical degree from Northwestern University and completed a
four-year residency in obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston.
“Breast pain is not uncommon in our population. In comparison to other countries, we do have a high percentage of ladies who are diagnosed with cancer. The second something happens with our breasts; we get nervous or anxious about it. You don’t want to talk about it or you’re not even sure who to talk to about it. Knowing what your risk factors are in terms of having cancer or not having cancer is important for our population.” Worldwide, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women with over two million new cases recorded in 2018, according to the World Cancer Research Fund. Still, women are more likely to have a non-cancerous problem than a cancerous one when it comes to their breasts. “Being Breast Aware” is invaluable reading for those who think they have a problem, according to Dr Bodie-Williams. It covers what to look for, who to see when suffering from pain, swelling or itching, and how to go about getting your breasts assessed. A go-to resource, it is recommended reading for every Bahamian woman who grapples with how to pick a
health care provider for breast issues, the cost associated with the visit, what to expect from the doctor, how to best explain the problem and when to carry out breast screening mammograms. “Since there was nothing available on benign breast disease, I decided to fill the void that I found, in hopes of helping ladies who want to learn more,” said Dr Bodie-Williams. She illuminates readers on noncancerous breast conditions including fibrocystic breasts, cysts (fluid filled round or oval sacs in the breast), infections, nipple discharge and skin problems. Her book also includes a list of frequently asked questions about breasts, dietary recommendation for optimum breast health, suggested chest exercises and tips on how to select the right bra. The mother of one also discusses breasts transformation throughout the stages of life as well as monthly changes brought on by a female’s menstrual cycle. “We have so many women out there with breast problems and sometimes they don’t know where to start or just might lack the courage to seek help. This is for the average woman to use as a reference guide as they need it,” she said. From concept to publishing it took roughly two years to complete the book, parts of which were written and almost lost during Hurricane Dorian. “During the storm we had to evacuate the hospital. I had my computer on me that contained a part of the book. The ambulance we were in flooded so I had to leave with the patients. That was a motivating factor to finish the book,” she said. Helping Dr Bodie-Williams achieve that goal was her 15-yearold daughter, Lluvia McCraw, who provided several illustrations for the book. Dr Bodie-Williams’ sister, Sharanna A C Bodie, served as co-editor. “Being Breast Aware” is Dr Bodie-Williams’ second literary work for the year. It follows on the heels of “Progression: A Female Adolescent and Parent’s Guide to Gynaecological Health.” For those on the lookout for a stocking stuffer for teen daughters and nieces, this book takes girls on a journey through puberty and adolescence. It covers what to expect during a gynaecological visit, when to go and how to get the most out of it. It covers the anatomy of their parts, its development through the years and problems they could face with menstruation, contraception and body image issues, among other topics. Both books are sold on Amazon, the Medical Pavilion on East Sunrise Highway in Grand Bahama and at the Bahamas Women’s Wellness Centre on Soldier Road and Tarus Court in Nassau.
Girl Guides Rangers go “virtual” and thank healthcare providers The COVID-19 pandemic might have slowed down life for many, but not for Rangers of the Bahamas Girl Guides Association. “Guiding is based on girls meeting face-to-face, socialising and having fun while developing new skills for success in a global environment,” said Louise Barry, Assistant Chief Commissioner and Ranger leader. “When the lockdown was announced in March, that posed a real challenge for groups accustomed to meeting in person.” While some groups suspended activities, three looked at the new reality and conquered, transitioning to technology. The Girl Guide Rangers, all between the ages of 14 and 18, at Holy Trinity Church and St George’s Church in New Providence, and L N Coakley High School in Exuma, decided to rethink their meeting strategy. With the will to continue guiding, they decided to transition from face-to-face meetings to virtual meetings and activities. Ranger Guides pledge to perform community service, and virtually participated in several activities and projects under the theme ‘Healthy Living and Safety’ to increase their knowledge about the COVID-19 virus and their advocacy for the prescribed safety protocols. One of those activities included thanking health care workers. Rangers in the three units presented tokens and cards of appreciation to healthcare workers who worked tirelessly during the pandemic to keep their communities safe. The leaders, Marlene Johnson, Louise Barry and Jabina Curry, collaborated for the event. The Nassau units presented 100 token gift bags to healthcare workers of Fleming Street and Coconut Grove Clinics at the Fleming Street Clinic, while the president, public relations officer and leader of the LNC, Exuma Ranger unit presented 43 token
FRONT line workers at the Exuma Health Care facility receive gift bags from Ranger Guides from L N Coakley High School.
BAHAMAS Girl Guides 36th Ranger Unit, St George’s Church L – R- Shalom Lundy, Malaika Ford, NeChez Gilbert, Andria Conliffe, Jonicka Bisainthe
gift bags to healthcare workers at the Exuma Health Care Facility. The Rangers expressed their gratitude and encouragement to the healthcare workers by way of personalised greeting cards. Recipients of the bags at the Fleming Street Clinic included doctors, dentist, nurses, auxiliary staff, phlebotomist, phlebotomy technicians, pharmacist and pharmacy tech, janitorial/ housekeeping engineers, medical records clerks, security officers and administrative staff. Recipients at the George Town Health Care Facility included administrators, doctors, nurses, clinical nurses, clerical, janitorial and security officers.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, December 15, 2020, PAGE 11
Take a bite out of cancer The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) recently made a donation to the Cancer Society of the Bahamas to aid in the organisation’s efforts to help those fighting the disease. For the past 10 years BTVI has held its Pink Awareness Bake Sale with all proceeds being donated to cancer awareness support groups in the nation. The Cancer Society of the Bahamas’s administrator, Errin Storr, thanked BTVI for its donation especially during a time where they are limited due to the pandemic. Ms Storr said all of the organizations fundraisers were cancelled this year so no donation is too small.
PICTURED left to right is BTVI’s Dean of Student Services, Racquel Bethel; the Cancer Society of the Bahamas’ administrator, Errin Storr, and BTVI’s president, Dr Robert W Robertson. (Photo/Shantique Longley)
THE WEATHER REPORT
5-Day Forecast
TODAY
ORLANDO
High: 75° F/24° C Low: 56° F/13° C
TAMPA
TONIGHT
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
Sunny to partly cloudy and nice
Partly cloudy
Mostly sunny and pleasant
Sunshine mixing with some clouds
A morning shower in places; breezy
Mostly sunny and nice
High: 79°
Low: 69°
High: 80° Low: 70°
High: 80° Low: 67°
High: 77° Low: 66°
High: 78° Low: 67°
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
89° F
73° F
85°-71° F
85°-67° F
75°-62° F
79°-65° F
High: 72° F/22° C Low: 59° F/15° C
The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.
N
almanac
E
W
ABACO
S
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High: 79° F/26° C Low: 70° F/21° C
4-8 knots
S
WEST PALM BEACH High: 81° F/27° C Low: 65° F/18° C
4-8 knots
FT. LAUDERDALE E
W
FREEPORT
High: 82° F/28° C Low: 67° F/19° C
N
S
E
W
High: 79° F/26° C Low: 68° F/20° C
MIAMI
High: 81° F/27° C Low: 67° F/19° C
4-8 knots
Statistics are for Nassau through 1 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 81° F/27° C Low .................................................... 70° F/21° C Normal high ....................................... 79° F/26° C Normal low ........................................ 67° F/19° C Last year’s high ................................. 87° F/30° C Last year’s low ................................... 68° F/20° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ............................................... 67.20” Normal year to date ................................... 39.06”
ELEUTHERA
NASSAU
High: 79° F/26° C Low: 69° F/21° C
Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2020
High: 81° F/27° C Low: 71° F/22° C
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KEY WEST
High: 78° F/26° C Low: 71° F/22° C
High: 81° F/27° C Low: 72° F/22° C
N
S
E
W
3-6 knots
S
4-8 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.
The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.
tiDes For nassau High Today
Ht.(ft.)
Low
Ht.(ft.)
7:55 a.m. 8:16 p.m.
3.5 2.6
1:30 a.m. -0.9 2:26 p.m. -0.6
Wednesday 8:46 a.m. 9:08 p.m.
3.5 2.5
2:21 a.m. -0.8 3:17 p.m. -0.5
Thursday
9:36 a.m. 10:00 p.m.
3.3 2.4
3:12 a.m. -0.6 4:08 p.m. -0.4
Friday
10:26 a.m. 10:54 p.m.
3.1 2.3
4:04 a.m. -0.3 4:59 p.m. -0.2
Saturday
11:17 a.m. 11:49 p.m.
2.9 2.3
4:57 a.m. 5:50 p.m.
0.0 0.0
Sunday
12:08 p.m. -----
2.6 -----
5:53 a.m. 6:40 p.m.
0.2 0.1
Monday
12:46 a.m. 1:00 p.m.
2.2 2.4
6:51 a.m. 7:31 p.m.
0.5 0.2
sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset
6:47 a.m. 5:23 p.m.
Moonrise Moonset
7:46 a.m. 6:31 p.m.
First
Full
Last
New
Dec. 21
Dec. 29
Jan. 6
Jan. 12
CAT ISLAND
E
W
uV inDex toDay
ANDROS
SAN SALVADOR
GREAT EXUMA
High: 81° F/27° C Low: 72° F/22° C
High: 81° F/27° C Low: 75° F/24° C
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High: 81° F/27° C Low: 71° F/22° C
E
W S
LONG ISLAND
tracking map
High: 82° F/28° C Low: 72° F/22° C
4-8 knots
MAYAGUANA High: 82° F/28° C Low: 72° F/22° C
Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.
CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 82° F/28° C Low: 73° F/23° C
L
High: 82° F/28° C Low: 72° F/22° C
GREAT INAGUA High: 83° F/28° C Low: 73° F/23° C
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W
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W
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S
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7-14 knots
8-16 knots
marine Forecast ABACO ANDROS CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR
Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday:
WINDS SW at 4-8 Knots S at 6-12 Knots E at 3-6 Knots SE at 6-12 Knots ESE at 3-6 Knots SE at 6-12 Knots E at 7-14 Knots E at 7-14 Knots NE at 3-6 Knots SE at 6-12 Knots SW at 4-8 Knots S at 6-12 Knots NE at 4-8 Knots SE at 6-12 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots E at 7-14 Knots E at 6-12 Knots ESE at 7-14 Knots E at 6-12 Knots E at 7-14 Knots ESE at 3-6 Knots SSE at 4-8 Knots E at 7-14 Knots ESE at 7-14 Knots NE at 4-8 Knots SE at 6-12 Knots
WAVES 3-5 Feet 4-7 Feet 0-1 Feet 1-2 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 3-5 Feet 1-3 Feet 2-4 Feet 0-1 Feet 1-2 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet 4-7 Feet 3-6 Feet 0-1 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet
VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles
WATER TEMPS. 78° F 78° F 77° F 78° F 79° F 79° F 81° F 81° F 78° F 79° F 78° F 78° F 80° F 80° F 81° F 81° F 81° F 81° F 80° F 80° F 79° F 79° F 80° F 80° F 79° F 79° F
SECTION B
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020
Melania embarks on 12 days of love and gratitude By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net EVEN in the midst of a global pandemic, 12-year-old Melania Nixon is doing her best to remain true to her passion of giving back during the holiday season. The Lyford Cay School eighth grader is once again embarking on her 12 Days of Love and Gratitude to bring holiday cheer to all those she comes into contact with. Melania, who has been adapting to the changes wrought by this year’s pandemic, said given the challenging situation the country and world at large finds itself in, giving back and showing love is very important and provides a life line for many people. “Although she wants to help everyone,” said Danella Nixon, her mother. “Melania understands that it is very important that she remains safe during the current conditions and factor in the risk of community spreading to those at risk, but she does her best to stay true to her passion to helping those in need.” Melania was inspired to launch the initiative while listening to the famous “Twelve Days of Christmas” song. She felt there was a need to extend her efforts from senior homes through her “Operation Love and Gratitude” to those in need in the wider community. With the current pandemic fears in the Bahamas, Melania has decided to give back by reaching out to communities she has not done so before, one of them being the Bahamas Association of the Physical Disabled, where she was able to assist with the donation of electronic tablets for virtual learning and cookie decorating kits. Melania also used her free time this year at home to create her own illustrated children’s book. “She had them printed locally, and before distribution was even able to acquire colouring pencils to distribute with the books, which she felt she should personally sign before distribution. These were truly a hit with the kids as the books came with a goody box filled with treats,” Mrs Nixon said. When Melania first started her 12 Days of Love and Gratitude initiative she would visit homes for elderly, playing music for them as well as bringing them small gifts. This year was no different. “With the elderly homes always being her first love, she decided to share that same love with the Salvation Army this year with the donation of bags of grocery. It is her hope to safely complete her 12 acts before Christmas Day to
Living the loc’d life
Teen Eleuthera native embarks on a ‘hairy’ adventure The decision to lock, or “loc”, your hair or not can be intimidating, but “lotician” Leah Macara has helped many of her clients start the journey with as little stress as possible. “I would honestly say, it’s a process, and it takes patience, and it also takes about six to eight months for your hair to fully loc. The process may seem long but, in the end,, you’ll love your results,” she told Tribune Woman.
MELANIA Nixon spreads cheer in her community
help as many persons feel the joy of Christmas, with the assistance of care bags, white canes for the blind, gift cards, including some of her own products from her growing cosmetic and tie-dye business, to name a few,” she said. Without a doubt, Mrs Nixon said, her daughter felt it was even more important this year to commit to carrying out her 12 acts of love and gratitude. “On a day-to-day basis, of just watching the nightly news, you hear of the broad range of needs from the community. With her platform being the elderly and inspiring her peers to do the same,
Leah knows all about patience yielding good results. The 18-year-old took a leap of faith and started her new business in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a daunting task, but the challenge only fuelled her drive to succeed. In addition to travelling on her own to Nassau from her hometown in Eleuthera, she is now running her own hairstyling business. Starting out as a salon apprentice, Leah quickly ascended to the role of stylist with a specialty for dreadlocks. From starter locs to loc retwists, and countless other styles, Leah has already made a name for itself with her work, garnering the budding ‘loctician’ a growing list of local clients. Over the past few months, Leah launched her at-home services amidst concerns surrounding the global pandemic and crowded hair salons. Like scores of other young entrepreneurs, Leah has found a way to adapt to the new normal and has put in place a number of relevant protocols to ensure the safety of herself and her clients. “Honestly, working from home for me is great,” said Leah. “The area that I am in is safe and gated, my clients feel comfortable being there, which is most important to me.” Loc’d by Leah clients are encouraged to cancel their appointments if they or someone in their household is feeling unwell and are required to wear a mask as they receive their services.
Leah Macara
she did her best to tap into as many areas as possible,” she said. “Thus far, there has been overwhelming support from those who has supported her efforts in the past. Along with her going the extra mile to help those in need, she made an unusual request of her godparents this go around for pennies. With those pennies she had and the pennies she collected from her godparents, she used them to pay it forward to one of her peers, Logan Stubbs (and his) initiative Helping Hand. This collaborative effort proves to be a win-win on both of their behalves to pay it forward in helping those in need.”
They are also required to sanitise before entering and are also subject to temperature checks. Leah has also implemented a strict scheduling plan, which she says allows her to maintain social distancing amongst her customers. As the 18-year-old continues to work to develop her skills and grow her business, she said she is really just doing what she loves. Her love for styling hair is matched only by her passion for helping other people feel confident in themselves. “Making my clients happy and seeing a smile on their face makes my day,” she said. “I enjoy talking to clients while styling their hair, and I learn new things every day from them and about my new home.” While Leah currently enjoys the freedom her at-home services afford her, her long-term goal is to open her own salon when the time is right. In the meantime, her clients are raving about her services. Leah’s tenacity to survive on her own and to flourish as an entrepreneur led her to enter Barefoot Marketing’s social media giveaway last month, which she won over quite a few entries. This gave her a month’s free social media management, logo work, advertising help, and more. “Right now I am enjoying working home, and my clients love it too. I look forward to doing so until I can open up my own salon in the future,” the teen said.