iNews Briefs
Cayman National Gallery joins in Child’s Month
In recognition of Child’s Month the Cayman Islands National Gallery has joined Department of Children and Family Services to initiate a Family Fun Day on Saturday 10th May at The Gallery.
The Family Fun Day starts at 9:00 a.m., is free and will include a movie screening and a scavenger hunt.
The Child’s Month theme is to Train, Inspire, Motivate and Empower (TIME) or give time to children and this will also be incorporated into the Family Fun Day activity.
Long Island Caribbean American Heritage Festival announces LICAHF 2014 Launch on May 12 in Long Island NY
The Long Island Caribbean American Heritage Festival (LICAHF) announces plans for the 5th annual festival production line up 2014 on May 12 2014, with a press Reception (TBD).
This will signal the commencement of the festive Caribbean Heritage season in New York City, for Caribbean Heritage Month celebrations, and will be highlighted by performances from numerous Caribbean-American artists. Many leading Caribbean-Americans will be honored for distinguished service; outstanding contributions to the development of the community; the preservation of its diverse culture; and empowerment of its peoples.
The LICAHF 2014 line up will include “Savor the Islands” Caribbean American Restaurant Weekend, the LICAHF business Round Table, the LICAHF 1ST Annual Heritage State Ball, the LICAHF Day festival including golf, soccer and volleyball tournaments and much more.
Cayman Heart Fund to host 5K run in aid of medical equipment for infants
The Cayman Islands Heart Fund will host 5K run on Discovery Day, Monday May 19th, to help purchase medical equipment and meals for infants in need.
A piece of equipment the Cayman Islands Hospital especially needs is a cardiac probe for the children’s ward there.
Cardiac probes are used to test small infants undergoing cardiac surgery and many infants and young children are sent off island for testing as the hospital does not have one. The cost is $7,000.
Other funds raised will benefit the National Council of Voluntary Organisations’ children’s meals programme.
The Discovery Day walk/run will start at 7 a.m., at the Crescent in Camana Bay.
Tuition fees slashed for TCI university students
From TC Weekly News
THE TURKS and Caicos Islands has been accepted as a full contributing member to the University of the West Indies (UWI) and will now reap the benefits to be obtained for students.
The University of the West Indies council met on Friday (April 25) in Nassau, Bahamas, and a motion for the TCI to gain full status was unanimously carried.
Minister of Education, Akierra Missick was present at the meeting, as were Permanent Secretaries Cheryl-Ann Jones and Wesley Clerveaux from the Office of the Premier.
“The council reportedly was delighted to have the Turks and Caicos Islands on board and the Turks and Caicos Islands Government is extremely pleased with this latest development, which will enable greater educational and medical benefits, among others, for the country,” read a brief online statement from the Office of the Premier.
In January this year, the House of Assembly threw its full support behind a motion presented by the Premier, Rufus Ewing for the TCI to apply to UWI for full contributing territory status.
Government will now pay $30,000 as a fixed annual contribution to the Caribbean tertiary institution effective from April this year.
Currently the TCI pays a full tuition fee for every student it sponsors to the UWI campus, but as a contributing member, the Government will receive a 40 per cent discount on the economic cost.
According to the Premier – when he presented the resolution – currently the cost of the 12 local students studying on UWI campuses is about $229,144.
As a contributing country this cost would be reduced to approximately $110,838, which represents a savings of about $118,305.
For more: http://tcweeklynews.com/tuition-fees-slashed-for-tci-university-students-p5011-1.htm
Cayman sandbar stingray numbers improve and females are pregnant
The Cayman Island’s most popular tourist attraction, the sandbar, home to stingrays, is starting to rebound in numbers after a sharp decline that has not been explained.
Guy Harvey, of the Guy Harvey Research Institute, who has been heavily involved in the research over the past decade, said, “The numbers are still low, but they are starting to coming back.”
97 stingrays were counted at the site during the latest population survey and ultrasounds conducted during the survey also revealed that around a third of the female rays were pregnant.
Dive beneath the blue Caribbean waters to uncover disastrous threats
By Rick and Christina Gables From TV Weekly Now
World Premiere Special, “Caribbean’s Deadly Underworld”
May 18, 2014, at 10 PM ET/PT on Nat Geo WILD
The Caribbean is the land of tropical drinks, a heavy dose of relaxation, sandy beaches and clear blue water. But life is anything but tranquil underneath the blue waters. Massive sharks and alien life-creatures thrive along a line of hidden faults and volcanoes that could give way at any moment, engulfing coastlines from Puerto Rico to New York.
Now, for the first time, Nat Geo WILD goes deeper below the surface than ever before as National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Bob Ballard, the explorer who found the R.M.S. Titanic, and National Geographic Emerging Explorer Katy Croff Bell lead a team of scientists on a daring three-month deep-sea expedition to examine the potential of these threatening underwater faults like never before. The world premiere special, Caribbean’s Deadly Underworld with Bob Ballard, premieres Sunday, May 18, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Nat Geo WILD.
After the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 swept nearly 230,000 people to their deaths, scientists no longer underestimate the potential threat of deep-sea earthquakes. This mega thrust fault that spurred one of the world’s worst natural disasters was thought to be virtually dormant and, unfortunately, the fault in the Puerto Rico Trench bears a striking resemblance. The mission: to use state-of-the-art technology to find out if the tranquil Caribbean may be poised to unleash a widespread catastrophe. In a region jam-packed with nearly every geologic hazard known to man, the team must be ready for whatever surprises come their way. Caribbean’s Deadly Underworld follows Bob, Katy and their team as they drop two remotely operated vehicles near one of the most seismically active parts of the Puerto Rico Trench — the deepest point in the Atlantic Ocean. If everything goes according to plan, they’ll sink more than a mile below to capture a view of the incredible seafloor for the very first time. – See more at: For more: http://www.tvweeklynow.com/news-blogs/news-blogs-RicksPicks/dive-beneath-the-blue-caribbean-waters-to-uncover-disastrous-threats.htm#sthash.RfZ1RFDH.dpuf
Don’t worry over late start, says Usain Bolt
From Caribbean360
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Sprint sensation Usain Bolt is seeking to allay the fears of his fans who may be worried over his late start to the 2014 track and field season.
Bolt is yet to make his debut for the season with a quarter of the year already elapsed.
“There is never anything to worry about,” Bolt said in an interview with the Jamaica Observer.
“For me, I take my time throughout my seasons and you know the season is never perfect — niggles here, niggles there, but the coach will decide when I start and hopefully I’ll start very soon”.
Bolt, 27, the first man to win six Olympic gold medals in sprinting said the next two years will be crucial in his already glittering career.
“I am just taking my time and going through the season because in the Commonwealth year, I try to take it as easy as possible,” said Bolt who entered the 2012 London Olympics and became the first runner to win back to back 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay titles.
“I want to run fewer races because the next couple of years will be very important”.
For more: http://www.caribbean360.com/sports/dont-worry-over-late-start-says-usain-bolt#ixzz312ghl2AC
Usain Bolt sends brand new pair of shoes to fan who had them stolen
By Paul Szoldra From Business Insider
A framed pair of Usain Bolt’s running shoes bearing his signature were stolen from a fan in the U.K. in April, and after the running legend found out, he signed and sent a brand new pair straight to London via Fedex.
The Puma cleats — which Bolt wore in his 2009 record-setting 100m dash — were taken from an industrial site in Croydon between April 26-28, Scotland Yard told the BBC. They were won at a Sotheby’s auction in Nov. 2012, according to London24.
“I know u love me..but please why u had to go stealing that signed Usain Bolt spikes in Croydon, England..I know u going to return it. Right?” Bolt tweeted on Tuesday.
While the original kicks haven’t yet turned up, Bolt was shaming the thieves on Twitter.
For more: http://www.businessinsider.com/usain-bolt-shoes-stolen-2014-5#ixzz312htpWEn
Recovered property Cayman Islands police seeking owners
Police are appealing to members of the public for assistance in identifying recovered property.
In January 2014 police recovered two pillowcases containing jewellery and jewellery boxes discarded in an area of West Bay. It is believed that the items were stolen in a number of burglaries on the island. If anyone recognises these items please contact West Bay CID on 3241970.
Vincentian man charged with killing father
From Caribbean360
KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, CMC – Police Monday charged a 24-year-old man with killing his father, whose body was discovered in a shallow grave in the yard last Friday.
Police said they have formally charged Calvert Johnson, a resident of Biabou, a community northeast of here.
The body of 58-year-old Calvin Jacobs was found in a shallow grave in the yard of the wooden house where he and his son lived after the elder man’s house was gutted by fire.’
Police say he died of a cutlass wound to the neck, but did not offer any motives for the killing.
Some residents of the area, including relatives of the accused, have said that he has a history of mental illness.
Jacobs’ death brings to 11 the number people of killed so far this year.
For more: http://www.caribbean360.com/news/vincentian-man-charged-with-killing-father#ixzz312jfjqbZ
Cayman Islands Public Library service announces Creative Writing Workshop
When? May 21st and 23rd, 2014
Times? May 21st: 2- 5 p.m. & May 23rd: 1- 5 p.m.
Where? George Town, Library Conference Room
Ages? Young Adults & Adults
Cost ? FREE!
Topics will include idea generation, characterization, plotting, dialogue, and editing, with practical and fun supplemental assignments!
The instructor, Mr. Mickey L. Lollar, is a certified English· Language Arts, Social Sciences, Music, and Art History teacher, published author, literary and historical instructor, international lecturer, and a current graduate student at the University of North Alabama.
Registration? [email protected]
Jamaica anti-doping official ‘on leave’ following massage parlour arrest
From Caribbean360
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Wednesday May 7, 2014, CMC – The vice chairman of Jamaica’s anti-doping disciplinary panel, Lennox Gayle, has been sent on leave in connection with a matter not related to track and field.
Gayle, an attorney, was arrested last month after a raid at a massage parlour in Montego Bay.
The Police organized crime division claims Gayle owns the parlour, a place where they believe prostitution occurs.
Seven women were arrested on prostitution charges following the raid.
A statement from the prime minister’s office says Gayle will not be assigned to any hearing panel pending the conclusion of his court case.
He led the three-member panel that recently banned Olympic sprinters Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson for 18 months after they tested positive for a banned stimulant at the National Trials last June.
Bodden and Bodden celebrate opening of their new offices
Law firm Bodden & Bodden celebrated the opening of its new office last week.
The company’s corporate services office has moved from its site at Grand Pavilion to Caribbean Plaza on West Bay Road. The firm’s litigation office is based in West Bay.
Partner Lynn Bodden said the offices were relocated “to facilitate the expansion of our team at Bodden & Bodden and our affiliate company, Bodden Corporate Services Ltd.”
The new offices are at the second floor of the recently completed Caribbean Plaza at 878 West Bay Road.
Among the dignitaries in attendance at the grand opening celebrations on April 30, which drew a crowd of about 150 people, were Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin, Leader of the Opposition McKeeva Bush, government ministers Osbourne Bodden and Wayne Panton, and MLA Winston Connolly.
Bodden Corporate Services was established in February 1999 by Norman Bodden, together with his daughter Sherri Bodden. Bodden & Bodden Attorneys-at-Law was established in 2002 by Sherri Bodden and Lynn Bodden.
