iNews Briefs & Community Events
Cayman Islands Flow’s slow “degradation of service” due to fibre cut in Miami
The slow Flow telecommunication service last week (Tuesday Aug 30) has been reported by The Cayman Compass as being due “ to a fibre cut in Miami which had a knock-on effect in the fixed switching platform in Cayman, which started to show unusual and unexpected behaviour.”
This was reported as coming from FLOW Head of Marketing Julie Hutton who went on to say, “Traffic was automatically re-routed as expected, but there was severe congestion on the re-routed links which caused the service degradation.”
We have to report that some of Flow’s customers said they had not noticed any difference in the telecommunications service. We are not sure which way to interpret that.
UK: May warns of ‘difficult times’ as UK prepares to exit the EU
From AJC
LONDON — British Prime Minister Theresa May has warned that Britain faces some “difficult times” as it prepares to leave the European Union following the June referendum.
She told the Andrew Marr Show in an interview broadcast Sunday that not all would be “plain sailing” as Britain withdraws from the 28-nation bloc.
She said in her first extended interview since taking office that she will not call an early election because Britain needs stability.
The prime minister spoke to Marr before leaving for China for the G-20 summit. She said she would not “pretend” leaving the EU would be easy despite some encouraging recent economic news.
Nevertheless, May says she is certain Britain will make a success of its departure from the bloc and will also find economic opportunities outside the EU.
For more: http://www.ajc.com/ap/ap/top-news/may-warns-of-difficult-times-as-uk-prepares-to-exi/nsRRP/
Digicel launches Play Go streaming app across Caribbean
From telecompaper
Bermuda-based telecommunications group Digicel has announced the launch of Play Go, a new live streaming platform with sports and exclusive content, across 19 Caribbean markets. Digicel Play Go includes live programming from seven HD channels – SportsMax, SportsMax2, NBA TV, Fight Sports, Catch, Catch 2 and Revolt TV – as well as drama, sitcom, reality series and popular documentary series. The platform is above all aimed at sports fans, with action ranging from football (UEFA Championships League, La Liga and Serie A), cricket (the Indian Premier League, England Domestic League and International Cricket), basketball (NBA and NCAA basketball), athletics, rugby and boxing.
Play Go runs on iOS and Android devices and via a browser platform for PCs. The service requires an active monthly subscription, with Digicel offering the first 30 days for free. Play Go is available now in Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Curacao, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Panama.
For more: http://www.telecompaper.com/news/digicel-launches-play-go-streaming-app-across-caribbean–1160657
US solar-energy pricing continues to drop
From The Carbon Wars
Since 2009, the median price per watt of installed solar energy in the U.S. has declined across all sectors. Now, two new reports from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) suggest that the median prices for those solar installations have not only continued the long-term trend of decline, but prices have gone down faster than expected, moving down 5 percent for distributed and 12 percent on the utility side during 2015.
Analyzing some 820,000 individual photovoltaic (PV) systems—around 85 percent of the cumulative total U.S. installations through 2015—the researchers behind the study documented a median price decline of US$0.20 per installed DC watt for residential systems, a 5 percent dip, and a decline US$0.30/W for both small and large nonresidential systems, a 7 to 9 percent reduction.
The declines continued a six-year trend of price declines in installed solar—but the dynamics driving the declines seem to be shifting, at least in the U.S. In the years through 2012, annual price declines stemmed largely from falling prices in PV modules themselves. But since then, module prices have largely been flat. Instead, the recent LBNL study ties much of the year-to-year price decline for 2015 to decreases in “soft” costs such as marketing, system design, and installation labor, as well as to lower costs for some non-module equipment such as racks and inverters.
For more: http://www.thecarbonwars.com/us-solar-energy-pricing-continues-drop/
Brothers shot and killed in Jamaica
From Times Caribbean
ST CATHERINE, Jamaica –Three brothers were this morning shot when armed men kicked in the door to their March Pen, St Catherine, home and opened gunfire.
Two of the brothers — 21-year-old Andrew Honeyghan and 19-year-old Akeem Honeyghan died while the third brother, who is Akeem’s twin, has been hospitalised in serious condition.
Reports from the police’s Corporate Communications Unit are that the three were asleep about 4:15 am when the gunmen struck.
They were all taken to hospital where Akeem and Andrew were pronounced dead.
For more: http://timescaribbeanonline.com/brothers-shot-and-killed-in-jamaica/
The IFC’s new Caribbean Operations Chief
From Caribbean Journal
The IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, has named a new head of operations for the English-speaking Caribbean.
The organization has named Judith Green to the role, in which she will be responsible for coordinating the IFC’s program of investments and advisory services in countries including Belize, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago.
Green, a native of Jamaica, will be based in Kingston.
“Judith brings tremendous professional experience and a deep knowledge of the Caribbean market,” said Luc Grillet, the IFC’s senior manager for Central and the Caribbean. “Through her leadership, we look forward to continuing our strong track record in the region, serving our clients and providing opportunities where they are needed most.”
The IFC’s clients in the Caribbean supported almost 30,000 jobs last year.
For more: http://www.caribjournal.com/2016/09/04/ifcs-new-caribbean-operations-chief/#
US: 11-year-old finds bag of meth inside video game he bought at GameStop
By Mary Beth Quirk From Consumerist
Unexpected freebies that come with a purchase are one thing, but bags filled with meth stashed in a video game case, well, that’s a case for law enforcement.
Police in Lake Charles, LA are investigating after an 11-year-old bought a video game from his local GameStop this week, KPLC-TV reports (warning: link contains video that autoplays). Upon opening it, a baggie of meth fell out, so his dad called the police and returned the video game to the store.
A detective with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the substance was indeed meth, and not just something innocent like the contents of a few Pixy Sticks.
A spokesman for GameStop told the news station that any games that are returned or traded in by customers are opened and checked for quality before being placed back on store shelves, and that games shipped from other store locations are checked before they’re sent elsewhere.
“Any games traded in with us are checked for quality, then could be shipped to another store,” he said.
However once the games reach those stores, they are not rechecked, which means someone could have ostensibly slipped the drugs in the video game case anytime after it was shipped from the previous location. When KPLC-TV asked the GameStop spokesman if that scenario was possible, he said he couldn’t comment.
Police said that GameStop told them there was no way to track where the game came from, however.
New life for used electric car batteries
From The Carbon Wars
Almost a third of electric car batteries are expected to be reused by 2025, providing important applications for the power grid, buildings, and energy conservation, according to a new report from Bloomberg New Energy Finance.
The report estimates that there will be 29 gigawatt hours of used batteries created by electric cars by 2025, and 10 gigawatt hours of those will be repackaged and find new life storing energy for buildings, homeowners, and utilities, ultimately lowering our dependence on carbon based fuels if the energy was generated using alternative means, like wind, solar, and tidal.
Ten gigawatt hours is enough energy stored to power 1.65 million average American homes, or about 10 large coal or natural gas power plants.
As more and more old electric car batteries are reused, the cost to convert them into new products will start to come down significantly.
Electric car batteries commonly have a life of about 8 to 10 years before the batteries start losing some of their ability to hold energy. It’s similar to what happens with your laptop or cell phone battery after several years of heavy use, but just on a bigger scale.
Today since the market for electric cars is so new, there’s almost no leftover batteries available for reuse. However, in the coming years, as those first Nissan LEAF, GM Volt, and Tesla cars age, more and more of them could be economically used in various ways.
Connected to the power grid, or in the basement of a building, they can be packaged together and can collectively charge and discharge in small amounts when needed.
At the end of the day, reusing electric car batteries isn’t just about economics, but also about sustainability. As more and more electric cars are bought and driven every day, the number of electric car batteries that need to be either reused or recycled will continue to grow. Batteries contain chemicals that can’t just be thrown into landfills.
For more: http://www.thecarbonwars.com/new-life-for-used-electric-car-batteries/
Cayman Drama Society
2016 is proving to be amazing around the Prospect Playhouse! We have been busy renovating the auditorium this summer and getting ready for a smashing end to 2016!
And Yes! Its election season and what greater way to lighten the mood than coming to see the very funny, Yes Minister!
September 15,16,17,22,23,24,29,30, October 1
Yes Minister is a satirical look at the early career of Jim Hacker MP; a newly appointed cabinet minister in the fictional Department of Administrative Affairs at Whitehall. Hacker goes through various struggles to formulate and enact legislation or effect departmental changes that are continually opposed by the British Civil Service in particular his Permanent Secretary, Sir Humphrey Appleby. His Principal Private Secretary Bernard Woolley, is usually caught between the two. The British comedy, written by Sir Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn, was fist broadcast by BBC Television in the 1980s has now been adapted to the Cayman stage by Chuck and Barrie Quappe. As the Cayman Parliamentary system is based on Whitehall, any of the situations will be undeniably familiar to all that live in Cayman!
Cayman Islands Pirates Week calls for food vendors
The Pirates Week Festival Office is inviting participants for the annual Food Festival to submit their vendor applications for the below dates/times:
| Friday 11th November | George Town | 6:00pm to 2:00am |
| Saturday 12th November | George Town | 1:00pm to midnight |
| Saturday 19th November | George Town | 2:00pm to midnight |
Vendor applications must be submitted beginning on Monday 1st August, 2016 to the Pirates Week Office on Shedden Road, George Town (upstairs next to KFC). Vendor space is limited therefore applications must be submitted as soon as possible after the opening date above. Deadline for submission is Monday 31st October.
All vendors must comply with the rules and regulations set by the Pirates Week Festival Office and must present a valid Food Handling Certificate for all persons handing food by the 31st October. Food handling certificates can be obtained from the Department of Environmental Health by contacting Mr. Gideon Simms on 949-6696 or email [email protected] .
For application forms and more details please contact the Pirates Week Festival Office at 949-5078 or [email protected].
COMMUNITY EVENTS (Date Order)
TUE SEP 6
Roald Dahl-themed Story times: Matilda
As part of a five week series of Roald Dahl-themed Story times and Saturday morning matinee’s, children are invited to hear Matilda this week on Tuesdays at a11am at Regal Cinema for 4 and under; Thursdays at 3pm at Books and Books for 3 and under and Saturdays at 1030am at Books and Books for ages 2 — 7. The matinee is at 10am at Regal Cinemas on Saturday for $5.
Sickle Cell Support Group Meeting
The next Sickle Cell Support Group meeting will be held on Tuesday, 6 September 2016 at 7.30 p.m. at the Cayman Islands Hospital Public Health waiting room. Dr. Anna Matthews, general practitioner, will lead the discussion.
All are invited. For further information, contact the genetics coordinator on 244-2630 or email [email protected].
WED SEP 7
Cayman Islands Girl’s Brigade George Town, Bodden Town and Savannah
The Cayman Islands Girl’s Brigade is inviting girls between the ages of 5 and 19 to their meeting for the George Town Company at Elmslie Memorial Church Hall on Wednesday (7 Sept) from 515 — 7pm, for Bodden Town Company at Webster Memorial Church Hall from 6 to 7 and for Savannah Company at Savannah United Hall from 6 — 7pm.
THU SEP 8
Alzheimer’s and Dementia awareness meeting
The Alzheimer’s and Dementia awareness meeting for West Bay takes place on Thursday (8 Sept) at the John Gray Memorial Church Hall.
SAT SEP 10
Fidelity Fun Run Series 1
The Fidelity Fun Run Series – An annual series of 2 mile fun runs usually held on the first 3 Saturdays in September – starts on Saturday (10 Sept) at 7:30am on Walkers Road. Log on to caymanactive.com for registration information.
Special Olympics Cayman Islands volunteers
Special Olympics Cayman Islands is looking for volunteers to assist with sports training. SOCI provides persons with intellectual disabilities sports training in football, basketball, aquatics, open water swimming, bocce, and athletics. If you are interested in helping please call 946 SOCI (7624) or email [email protected].
32nd Foster’s Sea Swim
On Saturday (10 Sept) sees the start of the 2016-17 CIASA Open Water season. First up is the 32nd Foster’s Sea Swim. This year, in addition to the traditional 800m swim, there is a 400m swim for the 12 & unders which is not a timed event and will take place while the results are being tallied for the senior event. Log on to caymanactive.com for more information.
PAWS Thrift Shop in Bodden Town Moving Sale
The PAWS Thrift Shop in Bodden Town will be moving Unit #1 in Plaza Odessa in Bodden Town on September 12th. In preparation for the move, they are hosting a moving sale between the 3rd and 10th of September when everything in the store will be 50% off!
SUN SEP 11
CXC Education Program Registration
The CXC Education Program is inviting volunteer teachers. Registration takes place on Sunday (11 Sept) at 2 pm, at the John Gray High School Auditorium; classes begin on September 18th. For further information visit www.education.adventisteducation.org.
The 5th Annual Delano Hislop Memorial Journey for Life
The Lions Club of Grand Cayman PACCE – Prostate & Colon Cancer Event: The 5th Annual Delano Hislop Memorial Journey for Life Walk / Run is Sunday (11 Sept) at 5am at Public Beach. Log on to caymanactive.com for registration information.
Annual all-day meeting Church of God Full Gospel Hall in George Town
The Annual all-day meeting at the Church of God Full Gospel Hall in George Town is Sunday (11 Sept) with Sunday school at 945am, Morning Worship at 1045am, praise service at 3 o’clock and Evangelistic Service at 715pm. This will be followed by a week of evangelistic services at 730pm nightly Monday — Friday (12 — 16 Sept)
SUN SEP 12
Alzheimer’s and Dementia awareness meeting
The Alzheimer’s and Dementia awareness meeting for East End takes place on Monday (12 Sept) at the United Church Hall.
Evangelistic Service
The Covenant Moravian Church in Prospect invites you to a week of evangelistic services under the theme My God, My Church and I in Mission Monday — Friday (12 — 16 Sept) at 730pm nightly with a special Sunday (18 Sept) service at 7pm.
Roald Dahl-themed Story times: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
As part of a five week series of Roald Dahl-themed Story times and Saturday morning matinee’s, children are invited to hear Charlie and the Chocolate Factory this week on Tuesdays at a11am at Regal Cinema for 4 and under; Thursdays at 3pm at Books and Books for 3 and under and Saturdays at 1030am at Books and Books for ages 2 — 7. The matinee is at 10am at Regal Cinemas on Saturday for $5.
WED SEP 14
Bookends Club
The Bookends Club will meet at Books & Books on Wednesday (14 Sept) at 630pm.
THU SEP 15
Alzheimer’s and Dementia awareness meeting
The Alzheimer’s and Dementia awareness meeting for North Side takes place on Thursday (15 Sept) at the William Pouchie Memorial Church Hall
SAT SEP 17
Fidelity Fun Run Series 2
The Fidelity Fun Run Series – An annual series of 2 mile fun runs held on the first 3 Saturdays in September -continues on Saturday (17 Sept) at 7:30am on Walkers Road. Log on to caymanactive.com for registration information.
Cadet Corps Recruitment
Are you or someone you know looking for a wholesome program for your child between the ages 11 — 19 year old? The Cayman Islands Cadet Corps is now open for cadet recruitment through September 17th. For more information call 946-9810 (Grand Cayman), 948-8824 (Cayman Brac) or email [email protected]
SAT & SUN SEP 17 & 18
British Schools Fair Cayman Islands
Street: Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman
District: Seven Mile Beach
Island: Grand Cayman
Country: Cayman Islands
Description
Ritz-Carlton
Sat 17 Sep & Sun 18 Sep
2.00-6.00 p.m.
A chance for Cayman families to meet leading UK boarding schools. If you are considering the possibility of your children having the opportunities afforded by an overseas education, this is your chance to speak to some of the top schools.
Free entry
For more information contact [email protected]
SUN SEP 18
2016 CITA Duathlon
The 2016 CITA Duathlon is Sunday (18 Sept) at 7am. Log on to caymanactive.com for registration information.
TUE SEP 19
Roald Dahl-themed Story times: The Witches (Tue, Thu & Sat)
As part of a five week series of Roald Dahl-themed Story times and Saturday morning matinee’s, children are invited to hear The Witches this week on Tuesdays at a11am at Regal Cinema for 4 and under; Thursdays at 3pm at Books and Books for 3 and under and Saturdays at 1030am at Books and Books for ages 2 — 7. The matinee is at 10am at Regal Cinemas on Saturday for $5
WED SEP 21
Alzheimer’s and Dementia awareness meeting
The Alzheimer’s and Dementia awareness meeting for George Town takes place on Wednesday (21 Sept) at the Town Hall.
Floetry
Floetry is Wednesday (21 Sept) from 630 — 730pm at Books & Books.
FRI SEP 23
Cayman Islands: St Baldrick’s Hannah’s Heroes Shave
The 4th Annual St Baldrick’s Hannah’s Heroes Shave takes place on Friday 23rd September at The Wicket in Cricket Square as we unite to conquer childhood cancer during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
In just three years our community has raised over US $1,000,000 to fund the most promising childhood cancer research. Your efforts have resulted in the funding of two scholar’s grants to support vital research, both named in Hannah’s honour. However, the fight goes on.
There are a number of ways you can show your support and get involved;
Register to shave NOW and start growing your hair! Registering and collecting donations couldn’t be easier but we’re standing by to help you register if you need our help.
If shaving is not for you please consider simply making a donation to support a friend braving the shave. Donate NOW – every dollar pledged makes a difference.
Join us on 23rd September for a fantastic silent auction, prize balloon raffle and delicious food and drinks specials from the Brasserie.
Kids with cancer need your help. The money that YOU help raise will change the lives of all children fighting cancer. Thank you for joining us and St Baldrick’s in the fight to conquer childhood cancers.
SAT SEP 24
Save the date for our 6th Annual “Paws for Wine” Fundraiser!
Sat 24th September 2016
From CARE Cayman Animal Rescue Enthusiasts
Please save the date for our 6th annual “Paws for Wine” event. We are currently seeking corporate sponsorship for this event so we can raise more funds to continue on with our worthy cause. If you would like to help with volunteering or donate auction items we would love to hear from you. [email protected] or 938 2273.
So please pop this date in your diary and join us for an evening filled with fun, laughter, dancing, fabulous food and great wine.
Fitness PaLooza
ADACI will be holding its first Fitness PaLooza during World Alzheimer’s Month on Saturday (24 Sept) from 9am to 12noon at the ARC at Camana Bay.
Fidelity Fun Run Series 3
The Fidelity Fun Run Series – An annual series of 2 mile fun runs held on the first 3 Saturdays in September –wraps up on Saturday (24 Sept) at 7:30am on Walkers Road. Log on to caymanactive.com for registration information.
SUN SEP 25
25 mile bicycle race
There will be a 25 mile bicycle race on Sunday (25 Sept) starting at the Bodden Town Police Station at 7am. Log on to Caymanactive.com for registration information.
Cayman First Triathlon Training Series
The Cayman First Triathlon Training Series will continue Sunday (25 Sept) from Public Beach. The session will open at 6am, with the ‘race’ starting at 6.45am. Log on to caymanactive.com for registration information.
4th Annual Hope Foundation Walk/Run for Recovery
The 4th Annual Hope Foundation Walk/Run for Recovery is Sunday (25 Sept) at 6am. Log on to caymanactive.com for registration information.
MON SEP 26
Roald Dahl-themed Story times: The BFG
As part of a five week series of Roald Dahl-themed Story times and Saturday morning matinee’s, children are invited to hear The BFG this week on Tuesdays at a11am at Regal Cinema for 4 and under; Thursdays at 3pm at Books and Books for 3 and under and Saturdays at 1030am at Books and Books for ages 2 — 7. The matinee is at 10am at Regal Cinemas on Saturday for $5
FRI SEP 30
International College of the Cayman Enrollment
The fall quarter at the International College of the Cayman begins October 3rd. The deadline to register is Sept 30th. Call 947-1100 or email [email protected] for details.
Lord Transform Me: The Woman in the Mirror Women’s Retreat
The Cayman Islands Conference Women’s Ministries Department is inviting you to attend our “Lord Transform Me: The Woman in the Mirror” Women’s Retreat at the UCCI Hall Friday — Sunday (30 Sept — 1 Oct). Registration is $30 per person. Each registrant will receive breakfast on Sunday morning and a tote bag with memorabilia. Hotel & Sabbath lunch is available at an additional cost. Space is limited, so register early. For more information, contact the Women’s Ministries Leader in any of our churches or call 916 1576.
September Events at Camana Bay
“Did you hear that, Mr Fox!” Bibliophiles are in for a real treat as Camana Bay celebrates Literacy Month in conjunction with Roald Dahl’s 100th birthday. Join us for an exciting month of family-friendly events, activities, special offers and community initiatives. Visit CamanaBay.com for more details on our literacy festivities.
Other events to look forward to include a new type of 5K, which encourages seven different ways to participate in honour of Cayman Rugby 7s. Visitors can also enjoy a free, gentle exercise class with Tai Chi and watch a new ballet performance on the big screen.
Warm regards,
Alyson Hay
Here is a quick look at our special events:
Roald Dahl Story Times (Ages 0-4)
Tuesdays until 27 September
11am
Regal Cinemas
Roald Dahl Story Times (Ages 0-3)
Thursdays until 29 September
3pm
Books & Books
Roald Dahl Movies
Saturdays until 1 October
10am
Regal Cinemas
Roald Dahl Story Times (Ages 2-7)
Saturdays until 1 October
10:30am
Books & Books
Cayman Rugby 7s 5K
Sunday 4 September
7am
Town Centre
Tai Chi
Sunday 4 September
8:30am
The Crescent
Budding Chef Tween Afterschool Programme
Tuesdays; 13 September through 18 October
3:45-4:45pm
The Bookends Club
Wednesday 14 September
6:30-7:30pm
Books & Books
Budding Chef Cooking Class: Chocolate Factory
Saturday 17 September
12-1pm
Bon Vivant
Culture at the Cinema: A View from the Bridge
Saturday 17 September
7pm
Regal Cinemas
Floetry
Wednesday 21 September
6:30-7:30pm
Books & Books
Budding Chef Cooking Class: Giant Peach Pie
Saturday 24 September
12-1pm
Bon Vivant
Marvellous Mixology Class
Thursday 29 September
6-8pm
Bon Vivant
