Super Value Food stores is expected to install solar on all of its stores as it stares down a 60 percent increase in the cost of its electricity in the coming months, the company's President Debra Symonette said Friday, adding that the "worst is yet to come" as it relates to energy prices.

Symonette, who made the remarks at the first annual Best Energy Bahamas Energy Expo, said the installation of solar panels on the roof of Super Value's warehouse has saved the company $400,000 per year.

She explained that the company's electricity costs currently account for seven percent of its total expenses.

"The retail grocery sector accounts for a substantial amount of electricity that's used globally," said Symonette.

"If you think of some of the items carried by a grocery store, you would understand why this is. Perishable items account for 50 percent or more of the items sold in grocery stores. These include meat, produce, dairy, frozen food, seafood, and cold cuts. What do all of these products require? Refrigeration."

She added: "Refrigeration results in higher energy costs, but it is critical for preserving food. Ideally, we want to maintain the quality and safety of the food with the least amount of energy.

"Energy consumption must be kept to a minimum if we are to maintain our profit margin. However, we do not only want a profitable store, we also want to help the environment. When we look at the big picture, we know that electricity is produced by fuel, and so an increase in fuel prices results in an increase in electricity prices. The retail food industry has certainly felt the effect of this reality recently, and we are well aware that the worst is yet to come."

Symonette added that along with the increase in electricity costs that are coming due to Bahamas Power and Light's sliding scale increase in the fuel charge, the retail industry is also being affected by the minimum wage increase, the increase in price control items, and an increase in rents.

She explained that given theses costs are out of the company's control, costs have to be controlled along the energy front, especially if grocers do not want to pass increased costs on to their consumers.

"Believe me, we are trying our best not to pass these increases on to the customer," Symonette said.

"And if we must, we try to keep it to a minimum. You'll believe that there are a number of steps which are recommended that are currently being used by some of us in the industry, to combat what we call the energy challenge."

According to Symonette, Super Value has changed display cases to those with doors to keep cool air in; insulated buildings to improve energy efficiency; installed energy efficient lighting; installed motion detection light switches; and is installing more solar, all in an effort to allay the high spend on energy.

She added that staff must also be sensitized about energy saving methods.

"Everyone must be on board if we are going to come out of this fight alive with the least possible damage," Symonette said.

With the buzz of power tools, the aroma of freshly hewn wood and the careful attention of young men learning skills they will use in the art of boatbuilding, HRH Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, saluted the Success Ultimately Assures Everyone (S.U.R.E.) Program during the royals’ recent visit to Nassau. 

Prince Edward is welcomed to S.U.R.E. by Principal Ean Maura, and executives from the Ministry of Education including (l-r) Lorraine Symonette Armbrister, Permanent Secretary;  Dominique McCartney-Russell, Acting Director of Education; Mr Maura, and Mr. Theophilus Claridge, District Superintendent for Southern New Providence, while Jacquetta Maycock, GGYA’s national director looks on. 

The visit to the centre, located on Gladstone Road, was to witness in action a partnership between the Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training and the Governor General’s Youth Award (GGYA) Programme, part of a two-day whirlwind familiarization tour for the Duke and Duchess.  

Formed in 1955, Prince Edward assumed leadership of the program that involves more than one million participants in 130 countries worldwide, before the passing of his father, Prince Phillip.  

In The Bahamas where the award is known as the Governor General’s Youth Award, most units are in government or private schools, with some having as many as 50 to 80 young people participating in the program that teaches self-development and discipline along with purpose, passion and place in life through four categories. But several Award Centers now reach out to students who are not taking the standard path. One such unit is that at the S.U.R.E Program.  

At the S.U.R.E. Program, a school designed to help young boys at risk, HRH viewed the woodworking lab where students learn how to build miniature boats, install home security systems, plumbing and electrical work.  Outdoors, he toured the backyard garden where the ground was being prepared for planting and chickens were being raised for eggs to promote self-sufficiency. These activities are essential for these boys who were recently enrolled in the GGYA programme.  This effort was made possible by a grant provided by the International Award Foundation’s Special Project Fund, to allow more at risk and disenfranchised youth to participate in the Award programme under the title “Building Experiences Together” (BET).

Boys at S.U.R.E. building miniature Bahamian sloops  

At every turn during a tour of the facility by Principal Ean Maura, Prince Edward showed keen interest and spoke with the young men, their instructors and volunteers like Mr. Vogel Williams, Unit Leader at the centre, and  Marine Seaman Tevin McPhee, a GGYA Gold Award holder.

Zane Lightboune, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, joins Principal Ean Maura to show off some of the cookies and other baked goods made by boys attending S.U.R.E. to Prince Edward. 

“We volunteer at S.U.R.E. Program to help the young boys as often as we could,” said McPhee, who started with GGYA in Grade 8 and went all the way through. As a teen, he enrolled in the Royal Bahamas Defense Force Rangers which delivers the GGYA Programme, and is now a marine seaman, physical trainer, instructor, and military diver with the Force. 

As part to their Award journey, young people must complete four sections at each level, which gets progressively more challenging, and requires more voluntary time and commitment from Bronze to Gold.  Participants must be involved in a physical recreation, learn a skill, participate in a voluntary service, and complete an adventurous journey that can be an expedition.

 McPhee recalls one of his earliest expeditions with GGYA. “We went to Cat Island and Inagua,” he said, where he completed requirements for his bronze level award. “I don’t know if they do the hikes differently now but where we went there was the ‘pink ocean’…The water was pink from shrimp in abundance there. That is a deserty-type area where scorpions and donkeys and sandstorms thrive. We had to camp there, backpack, cook, hike and survive the sand storms by pulling sheets over our heads.”

To close out the visit at S.U.R.E Program Sure, HRH Prince Edward graciously accepted a handmade gift of a miniature Bahamian sloop adorned with a blue Androsia sail from the young boys in the program.  He reminded them to listen to their administrators and volunteers because they care, and also to take advantage of the opportunities that the Award can provide through their participation.  He then gave them all a warm smile and thanks.

 

With the buzz of power tools, the aroma of freshly hewn wood and the careful attention of young men learning skills they will use in the art of boatbuilding, HRH Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, saluted the Success Ultimately Assures Everyone (S.U.R.E.) Program during the royals’ recent visit to Nassau.  Prince Edward is welcomed to S.U.R.E. by Principal Ean Maura, and executives from the Ministry of Education including (l-r) Lorraine Symonette Armbrister, Permanent Secretary;  Dominique McCartney-Russell, Acting Director of Education; Mr Maura, and Mr. Theophilus Claridge, District Superintendent for Southern New Providence, while Jacquetta Maycock, GGYA’s national director looks on.  The visit to the centre, located on Gladstone Road, was to witness in action a partnership between the Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training and the Governor General’s Youth Award (GGYA) Programme, part of a two-day whirlwind familiarization tour for the Duke and Duchess.   Formed in 1955, Prince Edward assumed leadership of the program that involves more than one million participants in 130 countries worldwide, before the passing of his father, Prince Phillip.   In The Bahamas where the award is known as the Governor General’s Youth Award, most units are in government or private schools, with some having as many as 50 to 80 young people participating in the program that teaches self-development and discipline along with purpose, passion and place in life through four categories. But several Award Centers now reach out to students who are not taking the standard path. One such unit is that at the S.U.R.E Program.   At the S.U.R.E. Program, a school designed to help young boys at risk, HRH viewed the woodworking lab where students learn how to build miniature boats, install home security systems, plumbing and electrical work.  Outdoors, he toured the backyard garden where the ground was being prepared for planting and chickens were being raised for eggs to promote self-sufficiency. These activities are essential for these boys who were recently enrolled in the GGYA programme.  This effort was made possible by a grant provided by the International Award Foundation’s Special Project Fund, to allow more at risk and disenfranchised youth to participate in the Award programme under the title “Building Experiences Together” (BET). Boys at S.U.R.E. building miniature Bahamian sloops   At every turn during a tour of the facility by Principal Ean Maura, Prince Edward showed keen interest and spoke with the young men, their instructors and volunteers like Mr. Vogel Williams, Unit Leader at the centre, and  Marine Seaman Tevin McPhee, a GGYA Gold Award holder. Zane Lightboune, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, joins Principal Ean Maura to show off some of the cookies and other baked goods made by boys attending S.U.R.E. to Prince Edward.  “We volunteer at S.U.R.E. Program to help the young boys as often as we could,” said McPhee, who started with GGYA in Grade 8 and went all the way through. As a teen, he enrolled in the Royal Bahamas Defense Force Rangers which delivers the GGYA Programme, and is now a marine seaman, physical trainer, instructor, and military diver with the Force.  As part to their Award journey, young people must complete four sections at each level, which gets progressively more challenging, and requires more voluntary time and commitment from Bronze to Gold.  Participants must be involved in a physical recreation, learn a skill, participate in a voluntary service, and complete an adventurous journey that can be an expedition.  McPhee recalls one of his earliest expeditions with GGYA. “We went to Cat Island and Inagua,” he said, where he completed requirements for his bronze level award. “I don’t know if they do the hikes differently now but where we went there was the ‘pink ocean’…The water was pink from shrimp in abundance there. That is a deserty-type area where scorpions and donkeys and sandstorms thrive. We had to camp there, backpack, cook, hike and survive the sand storms by pulling sheets over our heads.” To close out the visit at S.U.R.E Program Sure, HRH Prince Edward graciously accepted a handmade gift of a miniature Bahamian sloop adorned with a blue Androsia sail from the young boys in the program.  He reminded them to listen to their administrators and volunteers because they care, and also to take advantage of the opportunities that the Award can provide through their participation.  He then gave them all a warm smile and thanks.

Two Freeport natives are in the UK creating mementos honoring the beauty of The Bahamas while accenting it with the avant-garde style of the British capital through their jewelry brand.

The London-based LeBlanc Jewellery, founded by sisters Lian and Nicole LeBlanc, specializes in rings, necklaces, earrings, charms, and pendants created with demi-fine and precious metals and gemstones.

The gems used in their pieces are lab-grown allowing them to vary greatly in color and cut while rivaling the quality of mined gemstones.

The sisters also make it a point to give back to their home island as the brand donates a percentage of its profits from selected jewelry to Grand Bahama-based coral farm, Coral Vita.

"Growing up on an island and seeing climate change affect The Bahamas so much, it feels like it makes so much sense to put our energy into conservation relating to the ocean," Lian said.

"Seeing the coral dying over time, we want to be part of the vision to produce billions of coral to maintain these ecosystems. As an island that relies on tourism, having an abundance of coral reefs is important to sustain this economy."

Though based in London, the jeweler is a digital business and ships worldwide with price points ranging from £130 to £6,000 GBP, which is $155.49 to $7,176.34 in BSD.

LeBlanc Jewellery also provides a bespoke service where customers can customize any piece or have their own designed.

Lian revealed that the business was inspired by her grandmother.

"I inherited a lot of heirlooms from my grandmother in Freeport and was always obsessed with them," she said.

"I always wanted to make more of what she gave me.

"Jewelry always felt like a small piece of treasure that you can wear and carry with you throughout life and, as time went on, that piece became more and more special."

She said that the inspiration came at a time when she lacked direction, noting that jewelry making became a way to combine her background in advertising and love of the arts.

Lian noted that it became a bonding experience between her and her sister.

"I then found a part-time course in jewelry design and manufacturing in London that I completed over a year," she said.

"I created many pearl studs that almost sold out the week I made them, and a manta ray charm that was a big hit in The Bahamas. It was so much fun, my sister got involved and we then did our first trunk show in Freeport that basically sold out that Christmas. Then, the brand was officially born as we felt we had something going."

Lian described the brand as a celebration of Caribbean glamour, bold spirit, and individuality with hints of influences of their Bahamian and British heritage.

She added that inspiration for the designs comes from the sisters' strong connection to the ocean and a desire to replicate the fluidity, shape, and colors found in the sea.

The Cobo and Ray collections embody these influences.

Lian explained that the Cobo collection takes its name from the language of the Taino, the first inhabitants of The Bahamas, as their word "cobo" means seashell.

The collection uses various shell fragments that are encased in silver and gold exactly as they're found to create charms, necklaces, earrings, and rings.

Lian noted that the fragments signify beauty in imperfection and the development of character as the natural smoothing of the seashells by the sea represents the trials people experience when seeking growth.

Pointing to the Ray collection, she said the ray is a symbol to remind wearers to move with strength and grace, especially when faced with obstacles.

The Eagle and Manta rays appear on various pieces including chokers and earrings and can be bought as individual charms.

Lian noted however that both collections are limited in supply as LeBlanc Jewellery is taking a new design direction moving to a modern style while retaining a vintage appeal as the sisters want to design jewelry that is "out of the ordinary".

"We want people to feel like they are wearing something magical, special," she said. "Each piece is inspired by something different, creating a fantasy almost, and confidence. We want people to envision the best part of themselves and bring their boldest spirit out."

If you're curious about the brand, you can browse and buy pieces from their company website, leblancjewellery.com. You can also follow the brand for updates through Facebook at leblancjewelleryofficial and Instagram at leblanc.jewellery.

The Hon. Vaughn P. Miller, Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources, and State Minister the Hon. Basil McIntosh along with a team of Ministry representatives embraced Royal Caribbean’s welcome on a recent tour of ‘Harmony of the Seas’ the third largest ship of their fleet. 

Nick Rose, Royal Caribbean’s Group Associate Vice-President, Environmental Programs, led the tour. He explained the decarbonisation strategy (Destination Net-Zero) as he showed the engine room, recycling facilities, incineration capacities and water cleansing opportunities. The ship has one of the cleanest waste segregation processes with areas for proper disposal of plastic bottles, paper, dry and wet garbage, aerosol cans, cooking oil etc. which are securely stored to stop the growth of harmful bacteria.

They also met Captain Trym Selvag along with the crew, experienced the Captain’s Loft, learned how technology has made a tremendous impact on how the ship’s course is charted.

Minister Miller was pleased to see RCCL efforts to protect the environment and conserve Bahamian waters.

He said, “Building relationships with the cruise line is important and I appreciate that Royal Caribbean is moving in this direction. Their efforts deserve bragging rights because of how they manage their solid waste which also aids in the fight against climate change.  Also beneficial from the tour was the opportunity to exchange with RCCL to better assist The Bahamas to understand the requirement of the cruise line and to help us to understand how we can partner with RCCL for the betterment of Bahamians to increase environmental, entrepreneurial, research and educational opportunities in The Bahamas. The tour was extremely successful and I thank them for their invitation.”

Mr. Rose said, “The company has a great track record. It is the single largest cruise ship in the world. We deliver responsibly in hosting and resourcing. Our focus is on air and water. People are cultural but they are also environmental and this is why we endeavour to brand our operation in a more sustainable manner. This is who we are and this is what we stand for. No matter where we are, we operate the same way. In the future we want everything to go to a waste energy facility, to be landfill free by the year 2030 and to build a ship that is gas safe. Biofuels will play a role in this transition. This is a step in the right direction.”

Arana Pyfrom, Deputy Director, Department of Environmental, Planning and Protection, added, “They are in compliance with our laws and in some ways they are above compliance levels that we have set. We are looking at ways that we can mutually benefit from some of the operations that are taking place aboard the cruise ship and to build on the environmental partnerships that have started by their ongoing investment in The Commonwealth of The Bahamas.”

The team comprised Mrs. Phedra Rahming-Turnquest, Permanent Secretary, MENR;  Mr. Pyfrom; Fayne Thompson, Consultant and Policy Advisor; Keino Cambridge, Consultant and Mrs. Samantha C. Black, EA and Media and Public Relations. Also on the tour was: Russell Benford, VP, Government Relations, Americas/Royal Caribbean Group; Wendy McDonald, Regional VP, Government Relations, Royal Caribbean Group; Diane Phillips, Diane Phillips and Associates, Public Relations and Branding Firm; Hope Sealy, Manager, Operations and Business Development; Ashley Bethel, Associate; among others.

 

The Hon. Vaughn P. Miller, Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources, and State Minister the Hon. Basil McIntosh along with a team of Ministry representatives embraced Royal Caribbean’s welcome on a recent tour of ‘Harmony of the Seas’ the third largest ship of their fleet.   Nick Rose, Royal Caribbean’s Group Associate Vice-President, Environmental Programs, led the tour. He explained the decarbonisation strategy (Destination Net-Zero) as he showed the engine room, recycling facilities, incineration capacities and water cleansing opportunities. The ship has one of the cleanest waste segregation processes with areas for proper disposal of plastic bottles, paper, dry and wet garbage, aerosol cans, cooking oil etc. which are securely stored to stop the growth of harmful bacteria.   They also met Captain Trym Selvag along with the crew, experienced the Captain’s Loft, learned how technology has made a tremendous impact on how the ship’s course is charted. Minister Miller was pleased to see RCCL efforts to protect the environment and conserve Bahamian waters.   He said, “Building relationships with the cruise line is important and I appreciate that Royal Caribbean is moving in this direction. Their efforts deserve bragging rights because of how they manage their solid waste which also aids in the fight against climate change.  Also beneficial from the tour was the opportunity to exchange with RCCL to better assist The Bahamas to understand the requirement of the cruise line and to help us to understand how we can partner with RCCL for the betterment of Bahamians to increase environmental, entrepreneurial, research and educational opportunities in The Bahamas. The tour was extremely successful and I thank them for their invitation.” Mr. Rose said, “The company has a great track record. It is the single largest cruise ship in the world. We deliver responsibly in hosting and resourcing. Our focus is on air and water. People are cultural but they are also environmental and this is why we endeavour to brand our operation in a more sustainable manner. This is who we are and this is what we stand for. No matter where we are, we operate the same way. In the future we want everything to go to a waste energy facility, to be landfill free by the year 2030 and to build a ship that is gas safe. Biofuels will play a role in this transition. This is a step in the right direction.” Arana Pyfrom, Deputy Director, Department of Environmental, Planning and Protection, added, “They are in compliance with our laws and in some ways they are above compliance levels that we have set. We are looking at ways that we can mutually benefit from some of the operations that are taking place aboard the cruise ship and to build on the environmental partnerships that have started by their ongoing investment in The Commonwealth of The Bahamas.” The team comprised Mrs. Phedra Rahming-Turnquest, Permanent Secretary, MENR;  Mr. Pyfrom; Fayne Thompson, Consultant and Policy Advisor; Keino Cambridge, Consultant and Mrs. Samantha C. Black, EA and Media and Public Relations. Also on the tour was: Russell Benford, VP, Government Relations, Americas/Royal Caribbean Group; Wendy McDonald, Regional VP, Government Relations, Royal Caribbean Group; Diane Phillips, Diane Phillips and Associates, Public Relations and Branding Firm; Hope Sealy, Manager, Operations and Business Development; Ashley Bethel, Associate; among others.