Update: Cayman Islands Shooting Incidents on Monday, 26 December

From RCIPS

Google and NASA extend their D-Wave quantum computing contracts

By Andrew Tarantola From engadget

Cayman Islands Garbage Collection Holiday Schedule

Department of Environmental Health advises the public that its offices will close at 12.30pm on 23 and 30 December.

On Monday 26 December 2016 there will be no garbage collection, and all landfills will be closed to the public, on Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.

 For all Cayman Islands residents:

• The residential collection schedule will resume on Tuesday, 27 December 2016. Residents are advised their garbage will be collected one day later than their normal collection schedule.
• All landfills in Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman will be open to the public during normal scheduled hours on Tuesday, 27 December 2016 and Monday, 2 January 2017.
• The 24-hour drop-off site at the George Town landfill will remain open through the holidays.

For commercial collection, island-wide:

• Commercial collection will resume on Tuesday, 27 December 2016 and Monday, 2 January 2017.

Department officials wish everyone a happy and safe holiday. For more information, contact DEH’s solid waste unit at 949-8793.

Paul Stanley to perform in support of the National Gallery

Rock Icon Paul Stanley, frontman of the band KISS, will perform at The Mill Cayman in support of the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands

As the chief songwriter and unwavering voice of the band KISS, Paul Stanley is one of the single most recognisable front-men in the history of rock and roll. Hosted by The Mill Cayman, Stanley now takes the stage for the first time ever in the Cayman Islands with an evening of fine art and music held in support of free art programming for young people at the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands (NGCI). It is the second in the concert series hosted by The Mill Cayman and it follows the highly successful Carl Palmer – A Legacy of Light event held earlier in 2016.

Stanley will perform with his band Soul Station, a ten-piece R&B revue which also features KISS drummer Eric Singer. The set list features “a celebration of soul music” that ranges from Motown to Memphis to Philadelphia, all songs which have contributed to the music he has written over the past 40 years.

The event at The Mill Cayman will also showcase Stanley’s artistic talent. Initially realised through designs for KISS album covers and set designs, including creating the iconic KISS logo which is universally recognised as one of the greatest logos of the 20th century, he later developed his passion into painting on canvas. The exhibition will feature eleven original artworks each one an emotionally-charged portrait or abstract that celebrates scale, texture and colour. Stanley’s signature guitars will also be exhibited.

Funds raised at the 6 January event will support youth programming at the National Gallery in 2017. “We are extremely grateful for the continued support of The Mill Cayman,” says NGCI Director Natalie Urquhart. “These inspiring concerts, which celebrate art and music, are a unique way to ensure access to creative education for young people across the Cayman Islands and to inspire the next generation of young creatives.”

Tickets for the 6 January 2017 event are extremely limited. For ticket information or to purchase Paul Stanley artwork or guitars, email [email protected].

For general press enquires email [email protected]. For more information about Paul Stanley fine art, visit http://paulstanley.com/artwork/.

To connect with The Mill Cayman, visit www.twitter.com/TheMiIlCayman, www.facebook.com/TheMillCayman/, www.instagram.com/themillcayman.

Cayman Islands Road Safety Campaign Yields More DUI Arrests; Enforcement to Continue Unabated Through Holidays

Intensified road safety operations in December have yielded seventeen DUI arrests as of today, 22 December, and thirty-five tickets.  Officers continue to carry out road checks at numerous locations around the islands throughout the holidays with the intention of detecting drunk driving and preventing accidents.

“I am happy to report that awareness efforts appear to be having some impact,” said Inspector Ian Yearwood, Head of the Traffic Management Unit, “officers at road checks have observed more vehicles driven by designated drivers.  Inebriated people may be in the car, but fewer of them are behind the wheel.”

The National Drug Council will be operating the Purple Ribbon Bus this year to provide the public with further options for getting home safely on New Year’s Eve, an initiative which the RCIPS fully supports.

“Last year we had no serious accidents on New Year’s Eve” said Inspector Yearwood, “and I think this is a success we can attribute at least partially to the Purple Ribbon Bus. We’re glad to see it continue this year.”

Road checks have also detected other criminal activity and resulted in four drug-related arrests so far.  On Thursday night, 15 December, a driver failed to stop for police at a road check on Shamrock Road; officers located the vehicle on Spinnaker Road where the driver was arrested for possession and consumption of ganja and driving under the influence.

During its safety campaign the RCIPS has also partnered with the Cayman Islands Motorcycle Riders Association to produce an anti-drunk driving public service announcement that is currently airing in the Regal Cinemas at Camana Bay, on Radio Cayman and Cayman Life TV, and on social media.

The Cayman Islands Treasury Department will be closed to the Public on the following dates and times for the Christmas and New Year Holidays

Friday, December 23 & 30, 2016

Treasury Administration –12:30 pm

Treasury Cashier -12:00 noon

Monday, December 26 & Tuesday 27, 2016

Closed for Christmas Day and Boxing Day

Monday, January 2, 2017.

Closed for New Year’s Day

The Accountant General and Staff of the Treasury Department wishes for all a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed and Bright 2017!

Cayman Islands YSU’s Closing dates for Christmas and New Year’s Holidays

The Youth Services Unit will be closed to the Public on the following dates and times for the Christmas and New Year Holidays

Friday, 23 December 2016 Closed for Christmas Day and Boxing Day, Monday, 26 December & Tuesday 27, 2016

Closed for New Year’s Day, Monday 2 January 2017 The Youth Services Unit wishes for all a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed 2017!

Cayman Islands DCI Holiday Hours

For Christmas, DCI’s Grand Cayman office, including the Business Licensing Counter, will close at noon Friday, 23 December, and reopen at 9am Wednesday, 28 December. On New Year’s Eve, the office and the counter will close at noonFriday, 30 December and reopen at 9am Tuesday, 3 January 2017.

DCI’s Cayman Brac office has been closed as of 12 December and will re-open at9am Tuesday, 3 January 2017.

Throughout December, DCI staff will continue accepting grant and renewal applications, and collecting all associated payments. For more information, please call 945-0943 or email [email protected]<mailto:info@dci.gov.ky>.

Cayman Islands Christmas Tree Recycling Dates in 2017

Recycle Real Christmas Trees

Christmas trees can be recycled and turned into mulch after the festive season to save them from going into the landfill.

The trees, which must be real rather than artificial, can be dropped off at containers in each community from 1 to 20 January before being mulched onSaturday, 21 January at George Town cricket field.

Members of the public are welcome to watch the trees being mulched by the industrial wood grinding machine, known as the “Beast”, which was recently purchased by the Department of Environmental Health (DEH).

The mulch is available free of charge to anyone who brings their shovel or rake and bags to collect it from the field, and is ideal for spreading around garden plants to enrich and insulate the soil. The processing begins at 7 a.m., with the mulch given away on a first-come first-served basis.

Containers to collect discarded Christmas trees will be placed at Ed Bush Stadium in West Bay, George Town cricket field, Spotts dock and the southern entrance to Frank Sound Road.

The mulching project is part of an enhanced recycling initiative to divert waste from going into the landfill. Recycling is also central to the proposed Integrated Solid Waste Management System (ISWMS), which is currently in the first stage of the procurement phase, with government aiming to have a contract in place, in principle, by spring 2017.

Last year, more than 1,800 Christmas trees were processed by the “Beast”, resulting in around two-and-a-half dump-truck loads of mulch, which was also given away at no cost.

“This process of recycling the trees is a great way to save space at the landfill and is ideal material for people to spread in their gardens and yards at no cost other than coming to collect it,” said DEH’s Recycling Foreman of Solid Waste Angello Roye.

For further information about the Christmas tree recycling programme, contact DEH’s Solid Waste unit at 949-8793.

FEDEX:-How the Holidays Arrive

FedEx anticipates another record peak holiday shipping season, with each of the four Mondays during the season expected to be among the busiest in our company’s history. The rapid growth of e-commerce has driven significant shifts in demand over the last several years, and we are confident we are prepared to deliver another successful holiday for our customers due to our significant investment in our people, facilities, aircraft and technology.

At FedEx, we expect record peak volume, approximately 10% higher than last year for the total peak period. We are not releasing an exact projection, but continue to work closely with our largest peak customers to ensure our networks are prepared to provide outstanding service even with the potential for multiple days of demand more than double our average daily volume.

Hard times for family of child with Zika defect

From Caribbean News service

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Dec 20 2016 — Michelle Flandez had just given birth to her first son, but doctors in this U.S. territory whisked him away before she could see him.

Perplexed, she demanded him back and then slowly unwrapped the blanket that covered him.

“My husband and I looked at each other,” she recalled. “No one had warned us. No one had given us the opportunity to decide what to do.”

It was mid-October, and in her arms lay what health officials announced as the first known baby born in Puerto Rico with a rare birth defect that has been linked to the mosquito-borne Zika virus. Those with microcephaly have abnormally small heads and often suffer impeded brain growth and other problems.

The island, already struggling with a shortage of doctors and funds amid a worsening economic crisis, has more than 35,700 Zika cases, including nearly 3,000 involving pregnant women. Some 300 people overall have been hospitalized and five have died, including at least two who developed complications from a paralysis condition linked to Zika known as Guillain-Barre.

Since the birth of Flandez’s son, named Inti after an Inca sun god, four other babies have been born in Puerto Rico with birth defects linked to Zika, including microcephaly. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has projected a surge in cases next year. A study by the CDC estimates that up to 10,300 pregnant women in Puerto Rico could be infected with Zika and that between 100 and 270 babies could be born with microcephaly. The U.S. mainland, meanwhile, has reported more than 30 cases of birth defects linked to Zika.

While Flandez had symptoms of Zika early in her pregnancy, she said she was told that tests showed a false positive. Sonograms in August and September showed no problems.

Flandez ran a finger through the silky dark hair on Inti’s tiny head on Friday as she described the challenges of raising her 3-month-old son on an island in economic crisis. She called several pediatric neurologists after he was born and found just one who accepted Medicaid. The earliest appointment she could get was in October 2017.

Discouraged, she turned to relatives, one of whom detailed the family’s plight on Facebook: “The family has remained quiet for too long. If this message reaches a pediatric neurologist who can help Inti, we will be more than grateful.”

The post was shared 11,000 times, and shortly afterward, an official at Puerto Rico’s largest public hospital called and arranged an appointment for Inti. Since then, he has received therapy and now has several appointments scheduled through February with other doctors.

But hardships persist. Flandez does not have a car, and she sometimes has to walk an hour with Inti to reach the closest bus stop when neighbors or friends cannot drive her to the doctor. Money also is tight for Flandez and her husband, who live in a two-bedroom apartment with no couch.

“I have to pay rent, I have to eat … I have to pay for transportation,” she said as she cradled a sleepy Inti after breastfeeding him.

Experts fear babies like Inti could develop other disabilities as they grow, burdening a health care system already breaking under an exodus of doctors fleeing for the U.S. mainland. The cost of treating a baby with Zika is estimated at $3.8 million, said Dr. Cynthia Moore, director of the CDC’s division of congenital and developmental disorders. She said a Zika infection can bring many consequences, including poor eyesight or motor skills.

“The more we learn about it, the more we find new problems,” she said. “It’s rapidly evolving.”

In Puerto Rico, health officials are pushing to secure more federal funds to fight the Zika epidemic, even as the number of weekly new cases has been dropping. Some of that money might be used as a special bonus for doctors who normally don’t accept Medicaid patients, said Dr. Miguel Valencia Prado, director of the Health Department’s Division of Children with Special Medical Needs.

In addition, Valencia said he has established videoconferencing with at least two specialists in the U.S. who serve as consultants, and he is considering requesting that doctors based in the U.S. temporarily work in Puerto Rico on a rotational basis.

Meanwhile, Flandez said she is taking it day-by-day with Inti, whom his older sister has nicknamed “Starman” because, as she explained to her mother, he is different from the rest and thus comes from the stars.

Inti likes to have his feet tickled by the family’s cat — “She’s our emergency therapist,” the mother says — and he seems to be soothed by the music of Iron Maiden songs when he cries, Flandez said with a laugh.

“He’s a normal child. I don’t see him as someone for whom you should have pity,” she said. “You never know how long he’s going to live or how long I’m going to live. The most important thing is to do what’s best right now.”(AP)

For more: http://caribbeannewsservice.com/now/hard-times-for-family-of-child-with-zika-defect/

Brothers save up for 10 years to buy their mother a BMW for Christmas

BY JOHNNY LIEU FROM MASHABLE

“One day, my mum, she said to us that she wanted her own BMW. It’s something that’s been in the back of my mind for a long time, and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” Daniel told Mashable.

The car was finally revealed to Daniel’s mum last Friday. The two sons filmed the surprise and posted it to Daniel’s Instagram account.

Like many kids, the brothers were a bit troublesome in their youth and their mother juggled two different jobs to raise them single-handed.

But, you know, if you can’t afford a luxury car, you could tell your parents you’re thankful.

So, go and hug someone important to you this Christmas.

IMAGES:

Here’s something to make you warm and fuzzy for the holidays.

IMAGE: INSTAGRAM/DANIEL_KNUST

For more  and video: http://mashable.com/2016/12/20/brothers-surprise-mum-car/?utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Mashable+%28Mashable%29&utm_cid=Mash-Prod-RSS-Feedburner-All-Partial&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed#Q7_O55UDfsq4

US: Man recruited homeless to help him steal as much as $800K from Home Depot

By Mary Beth Quirk From Consumerist

There’s shoplifting, and then there’s organizing a network of people help you pull off illegal activities: law enforcement in Detroit said a man who recruited homeless people and others on the streets to steal from Home Depot made as much as $800,000 over a few years, by returning those shoplifted items for store credit.

The Detroit Free Press has the story of a 46-year-old man who was sent to prison on charges that he ran a criminal enterprise that revolved around scamming Home Depot gift cards.

According to investigators, he’d talk up his recruits at homeless shelters or on the street, and have them steal small but expensive items from Home Depot. His minions would then return the items to the store and get store debit cards, like gift cards, in return.

They would then hand those over to the ringleader, who would pay prostitutes and drug users 20% of the value of the stolen goods, and the homeless people $15-$20 for each successful return. The man would then sell those cards to contractors and customers he met in Home Depot parking lots at a 70% discount.

Officials believe he started his scheme in 2010, gradually scamming Home Depot out of somewhere between $600,000 and $800,000 before police arrested him in March 2015.

“It was a pretty sophisticated scheme,” his defense attorney told the Free Press. “A lot of the people he was using were street people and hard to trace. He was a smart guy, and like all the rest of them, they think they’re never going to get caught.”

He pleaded guilty to running a criminal enterprise and retail fraud, and was sentenced to jail time. When he gets out — anywhere between 4 1/2 years from now to 40 — he’s been ordered to stay out of any and all Home Depot stores.

“This is an example of what people might think is shoplifting,” said a Home Depot spokesperson, “When in fact it is much more organized and has a deeper impact in the community, contributing to other crimes, like drug use. We’re battling this all over the country.”

For more on this story go to: https://consumerist.com/2015/10/06/man-recruited-homeless-to-help-him-steal-as-much-as-800k-from-home-depot/

US: Truck full of Tofu, organic drinks goes missing from Safeway parking lot

By Ashlee Kieler From Consumerist

If we were going to steal a semi truck full of something from a grocery store (we would never do something like that, and we suggest you don’t either), it certainly wouldn’t be one brimming with tofu and organic health drinks. But those items were apparently appealing to one Oregon thief Tuesday when he made off with a truck full of the products. 

Portland police say they are looking for a large truck stolen from an area Safeway store around 9:30 a.m. today.

Officers responded to the store after receiving a report that a refrigerated truck was missing from the parking lot.

The driver of the truck told police that he went into the store for about 20 minutes, and when he returned outside, the healthy food delivery truck was missing.

The rather nondescript white 2007 vehicle, owned by Seattle-based R&K Foods, is an Isuzu box-style truck with Washington license plates C69952D. The front and rear doors contain a “99” sticker.

Authorities say the currently have no suspects in the case.

IMAGE: This tofu-loving hamster (probably) didn’t steal the delivery truck. (pyza*)

For more on this story go to: https://consumerist.com/2015/10/06/truck-full-of-tofu-organic-drinks-goes-missing-from-safeway-parking-lot/

RCIPS Reminds Businesses to Carefully Manage the Handling of Cash during the Holidays

Given the larger amounts of cash that are often transacted during the holiday season, the RCIPS would like to remind business owners and the general community to exercise caution when handling large amounts of cash or carrying it with them on their person. In addition to quantities of cash that businesses may transact, those in the service industry, such as bartenders and waiters, may also be carrying more cash than usual.

“Both businesses and individuals should have safety procedures for how cash is managed and transported, as well as where it is stored,” said Richard Barrow, Chief Inspector and Head of the Financial Crimes Unit, “even in the rush of the season, do not shortcut those procedures.”

Free valet service launched at Camana Bay for the holidays

To ensure all have the most wonderful time at Camana Bay this holiday season, Camana Bay is launching a complimentary valet service which began Friday, 16 December and will run Mondays through Saturdays until Christmas Eve and again on New Year’s Eve. Operating from 5:30-11pm, the service is managed by local company Premier Valet and available in the Regal Cinemas surface parking lot.

The service is ideal for offering shoppers a seamless experience to hurry into the shops for all they need, and the Camana Bay Visitor Centre and many Town Centre shops will stay open late to accommodate those last-minute holiday gift purchases. For those enjoying a festive meal at Camana Bay this holiday season and on New Year’s Eve with the Camana Bay Countdown event, it’s never been easier to dine in comfort and style.

Christmas Meat Inspections

The Department of Environmental Health (DEH) wishes to remind the public that it is that the time of year when the consumption of meat from locally slaughtered animals is at its highest.

Many consumers opt for meat from locally grown animals to create special dishes for the Christmas season; however, the carcasses and portions of all locally slaughtered animals must be examined and passed prior to being consumed. The DEH in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture (DoA) are responsible for carrying out these inspections.

There are two aspects to the inspections, the ante-mortem and post-mortem The ante-mortem segment is done by the Veterinary Section of DoA prior to the slaughtering of the animals. The post-mortem meat inspections of the carcasses take place after slaughter is carried out and is undertaken by DEH Environmental Health Officers.

All local slaughter-men and butchers are reminded that it is illegal to offer meat from carcasses that have not been examined. Slaughter-men and butchers should contact both agencies as soon as possible to make arrangements to have their carcasses inspected. The DEH can be contacted on 949-6696 or 925-4582 and the DoA can be contacted on 947-3090.

Residents are also reminded that they should not purchase or consume the meat of uninspected carcasses as there is no guarantee that it is safe for human consumption. Inspected carcasses bear the DEH ‘pass’ stamp.

Additionally, consumers as well as other members of the public are reminded that in the event that they come across someone selling uninspected meat, that they should desist from purchasing same and immediately report the matter to the DEH.

The DEH would like to take the opportunity to wish all local slaughter men, butchers and consumers a happy and uneventful Christmas, as well as the very best for the year ahead.

For further information, please contact the DEH at 949-8793 or 949-6696 or visit the DEH’s website at: deh.gov.ky

VW Moving Forward With New Emissions System, Electric Power For Future Models

By Ashlee Kieler From Consumerist

Volkswagen’s immediate future is in a bit of a holding pattern. The company has a plan for how to properly handle diesel emissions in new vehicles, but it can’t implement it right away. Meanwhile, its 2016 lineup of diesels has yet to win approval from the Environmental Protection Agency.

The New York Times reports that VW, which admitted last month to rigging the emissions control systems of more than 500,000 cars in the U.S. — and around 11 million worldwide — with a device that cheats emissions tests, will revamp the technology it uses to control diesel exhaust in upcoming models.

The method, called a selective catalytic reduction system, is similar to what is already in use by many carmakers: vehicles are equipped with a tank of urea-based fluid that cleans the emissions from the exhaust.

Officials with VW say the system is not part of its remedy plan for the 11 million vehicles currently awaiting a fix for their deceptive emissions systems.

The Times reports that the carmaker previously considered a similar approach back in 2007, but deemed it to be too costly. Instead, the company opted for its current method now at the center of the emissions scandal.

VW says the change to the new urea tank systems will take place “as soon as possible” for future models.

“Diesel vehicles will only be equipped with exhaust emissions systems that use the best environmental technology,” Herbert Diess, chairman of the company’s car brand, said in a statement.

In addition to revamping its diesel emissions systems, VW said on Tuesday that it plans to push ahead with the development of electric and hybrid vehicles.

The Times reports that the new technology will first be seen in the company’s 2019 and 2020 model of its Phaeton limousine.

As for the company’s more pressing matter of a 2016 model line up, the EPA says it still hasn’t determined if the vehicles’ emission-control device is legal, Reuters reports.

The software was first publicly disclosed by VW’s U.S. Chief Michael Horn during a congressional hearing last week.

“In Volkswagen’s recent ongoing discussions with the regulators, we described to the EPA and CARB that our emissions control strategy also included a software feature that should be disclosed to and approved by them as an auxiliary emissions control device (“AECD”) in connection with the certification process,” he explained at the time. “As a result, we have withdrawn the application for certification of our model year 2016 vehicles.”

Horn and VW have been mum on whether or not the software was configured before or after the emissions scandal broke on Sept. 18, and whether it is similar to the previous defeat devices.

“We have a long list of questions for VW,” EPA Assistant Administrator Janet McCabe tells Reuters. “When we have all of the answers, we will be able to make a determination” on the whether the cars can be certified for sale.

IMAGE:(Sarah)

For more on this story go to: https://consumerist.com/2015/10/14/vw-moving-forward-with-new-emissions-system-electric-power-for-future-models/

REVISED: Cayman Islands Vehicle Licensing Offices’ December Closures

The public is informed that all three offices at the Department of Vehicle and Drivers’ Licensing will close early on Friday, 16 December, 2016, for a staff function.  The West Bay and Breakers offices will open at 8.30am, and close at 11.30a.m., while the Crewe Road Office will close at 12 noon.

Normal operating hours will resume on Saturday, 17 December for the West Bay and Breakers offices – 9.00a.m. to 4.00p.m.; and the Crewe Road location reopens on Monday, 19 December, from 8.30a.m. to 4.00p.m.

For the Christmas and New Year holidays, all three DVDL locations will close at 12.30p.m. on Friday, 23 December, and again at 12.30p.m. on Friday, 30 December.

The West Bay and Breakers offices will remain closed to the public from Saturday, 24 December, 2016 to Tuesday, 27 December, 2016. All three locations will open on Wednesday, 28 December, (the Crewe Road location from 8.30a.m. to 4.00p.m., and the West Bay and Breakers offices from 10.00a.m. to 6.00p.m.).

St Alban’s (Grand Cayman) & St Mary’s (Cayman Brac)

Family-Friendly Fun with the Camana Bay Countdown This New Year’s Eve

Annual New Year’s Eve event offers two fireworks shows at no cover charge.
Have the most wonderful time with Camana Bay as we say farewell to 2016 and welcome in the New Year. Every New Year’s Eve, thousands choose Camana Bay to see in the New Year – with two fireworks shows, outdoor dance floor and no cover charge, it’s easy to see why.

This year’s family-friendly New Year’s Eve party, the Camana Bay Countdown, is presented by the restaurants of the Town Centre. The early entertainment allows little ones to celebrate the New Year without sacrificing their bedtime, enjoying an alfresco dinner with music spun by DJ Lin and a fireworks show at 7pm. For those able to make it to midnight, have no fear – 2017 will be rung in in style with a second fabulous fireworks display. Reserving a table as early as possible is recommended at any of the Town Centre’s signature restaurants – Abacus, The Brooklyn Pizza + Pasta, KARoo, Lola, Mizu Asian Bistro + Bar and The Waterfront Urban Diner.

Supporting all efforts to party responsibly this holiday season, Camana Bay will be a location for the Purple Ribbon Bus to drop off and pick up those celebrating so as to minimise the dangers of drunk driving. Run by the National Drug Council, this free bus service often transports over 1,000 people on an average New Year’s Eve and last year the bus stopped at 26 local bars and restaurants. For those with a designated driver in their party, the Camana Bay valet service will be available on New Year’s Eve, allowing guests to park with ease. This complimentary service will be available in the surface parking lot by Regal Cinemas from 5:30pm.

For more, visit camanabay.com/holidays and to keep up to date with the latest happenings at Camana Bay, like us on Facebook and follow @CamanaBay on Twitter and @Camana_Bay on Instagram.

Camana Bay Countdown: Experience not one but two fireworks shows at the Camana Bay Countdown this New Year’s Eve.

Free Vegetable Seedlings Offered to Cayman Islands residents

Residents with green thumbs are invited to obtain free seedlings, as a limited stock of cabbage, cucumber, bok choy (Chinese cabbage), cauliflower, broccoli and other plants are offered to the public by the Department of Agriculture (DoA).

This initiative seeks to stimulate interest amongst backyard gardeners in growing quality produce, and ideally will lead to more entries and participation in the Cayman Islands Agriculture Society 50th Agriculture Show next year.
There are twelve types of these vegetable seedlings available, and they may be collected from the DoA Nursery, at 181 Lottery Road, Lower Valley.

Cayman Islands Holiday Hours Immigration Appeals Tribunal

The Immigration Appeals Tribunal advises the public of its holiday hours. The final meeting for the Tribunal takes place on Thursday 15 December 2016. The administrative arm of the IAT will close at12.30 p.m. on Friday, 23 December, and reopen at 8.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 28 December. It will close again at 12.30 p.m. on Friday, 30 December and reopen at 8.30 a.m. on Tuesday 3 January 2017. Members will hold their first meeting of the year on 12 January.

One More Cayman Islands Public Holiday for 2017

With the Elections Office’s schedule for the General Elections formally approved by the Governor this morning (Friday, 9 December 2016), one more public holiday has been officially declared for the Cayman Islands in 2017.

General Elections Day on Wednesday, 24 May 2017 will be a public holiday, bringing the number of public holidays for next year to 12 days.

The full list of public holidays for 2017 now is:

Monday, 2 January – New Year’s Day (observed)

Monday, 23 January – National Heroes Day

Wednesday, 1 March – Ash Wednesday

Friday, 14 April – Good Friday

Monday, 17 April – Easter Monday

Monday, 15 May – Discovery Day

Wednesday, 24 May – General Elections Day

Monday, 19 June – Queen’s Birthday

Monday, 3 July – Constitution Day

Monday, 13 November – Remembrance Day

Monday, 25 December – Christmas Day

Tuesday, 26 December – Boxing Day.

Cayman Islands liquor license holders receive New Year’s extension

Liquor licence holders will get an extension beyond regular closing times on New Year’s Eve.

The Liquor Licensing Board made the decision on Monday, 5 December, that bars, restaurants and hotels are permitted to sell liquor until 1:30 am and play music until 2:00 am, the morning of Sunday, 1 January 2017. Nightclubs are permitted to sell liquor until 3:30 am. Music and dancing must end at 4:00 am.

All other licensing stipulations will remain in effect, such as liquor sales and the playing of music ceasing during the last ten minutes of permitted opening hours.

For more information, contact the Department of Commerce and Investment on 945-0943 or email [email protected] 

Cayman Islands Department of Counselling Services – Holiday Closures

The Department of Counselling Services announces the following holiday closing times and dates:

The Family Resource Centre will close from 12.30 p.m. on Friday, 16 December 2016 for its Christmas staff function.

In addition to this, in line with other Government offices (non-essential services), both the Department of Counselling Services and the Family Resource Centre, will close at 12:30pm on Friday, 23 December and on Friday, 30 December, 2016.

Savannah United Church Advent Season Events

17 Astral Way

Savannah

• 18 December @ 10am Youth Christmas Programme Lighting of the Candle of LOVE

• 25 December @ Christmas Sunday Service

Lighting of the Christ Candle

• 31 December Watchnight Service for Youth and Adults @ 7pm

For more information, please call 947-6071

Cayman Islands Immigration Holiday Hours 2016

The Department of Immigration has announced its holiday working hours, as well as dates for the remaining board meetings for this year.

The Immigration headquarters (including public counters, and the Passport and Visa offices) will close to the public at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, 23 December, and reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, 28 December.

These offices again close to the public at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, 30 December and resume at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, 3 January 2017.

The meeting dates for the Immigration Boards are as follows:

The Work Permit Board’s final meeting date will be 12th December, and resumes on 9th January, 2017.

The Business Staffing Plan Board’s final meeting date will be 14th December, and resumes 11 January, 2017.

The Cayman Status and Permanent Residents Board’s final meeting will be 8 December, and resumes on 12 January, 2017.

The Administration, Border Control and Enforcement sections of Immigration will continue functioning as usual while the boards are on leave.

Education begins on Cayman Islands Single Member Constituencies

Cayman Islands Needs Assessment Unit Office closure for the Holidays

The Needs Assessment Unit (NAU) office, 2^nd Floor Aqua Mall, 55 South Church Street, George Town will close for the following days over the holiday season 2016:

Friday, 23 to Wednesday, 28 December inclusive for the Christmas Holidays, and

Friday, 30 December.

The NAU office will reopen for regular business on Tuesday, 3 January 2017.

COMMUNITY EVENTS (Date Order)

FRI DEC 30

DCI’s Grand Cayman office

Immigration Appeals Tribunal Closure

SAT DEC 31

Watch Night Service

Watch Night Service

George Town General Practice Clinic

Watchnight Services

The Church of God Full Gospel Hall in George Town, Savannah, West Bay and Northside are hosting Watchnight Services at 1030pm on Saturday (31 Dec)

SUN JAN 1

SUN FEB 26 (2017)

Cayman Islands Lion’s – Cycle For Sight

Cayman Islands Cycling Association

Sunday 26th Feb 2017 6:00AM – 9:00AM

Event Description:

Lion’s Cycle For Sight – Change the way we see the world Start: East End Public Beach | Finish: Lions Community Center – 24 Miles