Caribbean hotel occupancy falls again, but decline slows

From Caribbean Journal

Caribbean hotel occupancy fell in April for the sixth consecutive month, according to the latest report from hotel analytics firm STR.

The region’s hotel occupancy dropped by 2.2 percent to 72.4 percent, although the decline was lower than the previous two months.

Average daily rates fell by 7 percent in April to $227.29, with revenue per available room down by 9.1 percent to $164.48.

For the year, hotel occupancy in the region is down 3 percent to 72.9 percent overall.

STR data surveyed 1,939 hotels comprising 236,799 rooms in the wider Caribbean region.

For more: http://caribjournal.com/2016/05/20/caribbean-hotel-occupancy-falls-again-but-decline-slows/

 

Cayman Islands LA State Opening date announced

The LA State Opening, which will include the Throne Speech, Budget Address and Policy Statement, will take place on Monday, 30 May 2016 commencing at 9:40 a.m. Members of the public are to be seated by 9:30 a.m.

 

CIAA Full Scale Emergency Exercise set for Wednesday 25 May

The Cayman Islands Airports Authority (CIAA) would like to advise the public that it will be conducting an emergency exercise on Wednesday, 25 May near the Cricket Pitch.

Motorists traveling around the airport area may experience some delays as a result of road closures for the exercise. The CIAA would like to apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, however the CIAA is required by international regulations to simulate an aircraft accident on or near the airport every two years.

 

Business Men’s Breakfast Meeting

The Grand Cayman chapter of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International is having its monthly breakfast on Saturday May 28th at 8:00am, at The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands. A tour of the current show will follow.

Come out to hear the how God is making a difference in the life of men like you, right here in Cayman.

 

Child Month Movie Night
The Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is inviting families in Cayman Brac to a movie night.

A part of the DCFS’s Child Month celebrations, the Movie Night offers a fun and exciting way to share quality time by watching a family friendly movie.

The movie night will be held at the Aston Rutty Civic Centre on Friday 27 May, 2016 from 7:00 pm to 9:00pm. Popcorn will be provided.

For more information contact the Department of Children and Family Services on 949-0290 and 948-2331 or [email protected]

 

Grand Cayman: South Sound Road Warning

Motorists in the South Sound area will this week see the beginning of work to widen the section of road between Bel Air Drive and the South Sound dock. Work will start Thursday (19 May) and is expected to continue for two weeks. The National Roads Authority encourages drivers and pedestrians to remain aware of the road works, and to drive with caution in the area.

Public Voting Open for Cayman Islands Young Image Makers

The public is invited take part in Young Image Makers (YIM) Competition by voting online for their favourite films.

Eleven student videos have been posted online and the student with the most votes will be named the winner of the 2016 People’s Choice Award and receive a prize pack courtesy CayFilm and the Department of Commerce and Investment.

Voting runs through until 11 June. To access the link, the public can go to www.artscayman.org/young-image-makers, as well as visit the Cultural Foundation’s social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (all are @caymanculture).

Hosted by the Cayman National Cultural Foundation and supported by the Department of Tourism this year, the YIM competition provides youngsters, ages 10 – 17, with the opportunity to sharpen their technical film skills and explore their creativity.

COMMUNITY EVENTS (Date Order)

TUE 24 MAY

Public Meeting about Mosquito Control

WHO:                               Mosquito Research and Control Unit (MRCU), and Oxitec Cayman Ltd.

WHAT:                             Public meeting to engage residents in West Bay about the new mosquito controls in the area. Light refreshments will be served.

WHEN:                             Tuesday, 24 May at 7 p.m.

WHERE:                           Sir John A. Cumber Primary School, West Bay.

Participants:                     Representatives from Oxitec and MRCU.

MRCU/Oxitec Public Meeting in West Bay
The Mosquito Research and Control Unit (MRCU), in collaboration with biotechnology company Oxitec, is holding a meeting at Sir John A. Cumber Primary School on Tuesday, 24 May at 7 p.m.

Residents are being invited to learn more about the new mosquito control measures that will be rolled out in West Bay.

MRCU and Oxitec will be happy to explain details regarding the project and address any questions the public may have.

The meeting is being held as part of the community engagement programme about the mosquito controls. Light refreshments will be served.

TUE & WED MAY 24 & 25

NWDA In The Brac

Representatives from the National Workforce Development Agency will be at the DLP Office on Cayman Brac on Tuesday (24 May) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday (25 May) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Thursday (26 May) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will also be workshops on communications skills on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and conflict resolution from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. To register, call 945-3114 or email [email protected].

WED MAY 25

Cayman Islands: Mother to Child HIV Transmission and Congenital Syphilis

Educational sessions with Dr. Karina Palmer to discuss the elimination of mother to child HIV transmission and congenital syphilis in the Cayman Islands will be held on Wednesday, 25 May from 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. and on Tuesday, 31 May from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Next month, the regional validation committee is expected to verify that the Cayman Islands has been certified as free of both these conditions.

The educational sessions, explaining the implications of this verification, are open to the public and will take place in the Hibiscus Conference Room at Cayman Islands Hospital.

Cayman Islands: Call for Hurricane Shelter Volunteers

The Department of Children and Family Services is inviting individuals to sign up as shelter volunteers for this year’s Hurricane Season.

The Shelter Operations 2016 Hurricane Training for Shelter Managers & District Representatives Volunteers for this year’s Hurricane Season will be held over two days on Wednesday 25 May and Thursday 26 May at the Prospect Primary School Hall from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Registration begins promptly at 5:30 p.m.

All volunteers MUST complete both days of training.

For more information contact Ernesto Carter at the Department of Children and Family Services on 949-0290 or

email [email protected] 

CIAA Seeks Volunteers for Emergency Exercise

The CIAA is looking for volunteers who would be willing to wear special make-up and act as injured passengers in the upcoming Full Scale Airport Emergency Exercise on Wednesday (25 May.) The CIAA organizes this event to test the readiness of emergency responders to handle an aircraft accident and form an organized response in those critical moments that could mean the difference between life and death. If you’re interested, call the Red Cross on 949.6785.

Session on mother to child HIV transmission

Educational sessions to discuss the elimination of mother to child HIV transmission and congenital syphilis will be held on Wednesday (25 May) at 630pm in the Hibiscus Conference Room at Cayman Islands Hospital.

WED & THU MAY 25 & 26

NWDA Community Outreach on Cayman Brac

Representatives from the National Workforce Development Agency (NWDA) will be on Cayman Brac to meet with the public and assist with online registration for employers and jobseekers. This will include resume preparation, interview preparation and other job search activities. The dates are Tuesday, 24 May from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday, 25 May from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Thursday, 26 May from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There will also be workshops on communications skills held on Thursday, 26 May from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and conflict resolution from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

To register, call 945-3114 or email [email protected]. Walk-ins to the DLP Office at 256 Creek Road are also welcomed.

THU MAY 26

Inspired Lifestyles with Donna – Summer Programmes

See us at the upcoming HR Conference at the Ritz Carlton, May 26th.

FREE SME Workshop: Identifying Occupational Fraud Risk and Fraud Prevention Controls

The Chamber of Commerce presents a FREE SME Workshop: Identifying Occupational Fraud Risk and Fraud Prevention Controls by Kevin Haywood-Crouch of KRyS Global on Thursday (26 May) from 5:30 pm — 7:30 pm at their office in Governors Square. Register online at www.caymanchamber.ky

 Cayman Islands’ Smoking Cessation Classes: ‘I Can Quit’

The Public Health Department reminds smokers who wish to quit the habit that there are still some spaces left for the upcoming smoking cessation classes the department is offering. Classes start on 1 June 2016 from 5.15 p.m. to 6.45 p.m. every Wednesday for 7 weeks in the Public Health Waiting Room.

Registration deadline is 26 May, 2016.

For more information or to sign up, contact the Public Health Department on 244-2889/244-2621, or email [email protected] or [email protected]

THU & FRI MAY 26 & 27

DLP to visit Cayman Brac

The Department of Labour and Pensions (DLP) office at 256 Creek Road, Cayman Brac, will open on Thursday, 26 May from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday, 27 May from 9 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. to assist with inquiries and complaints about labour and pensions matters only. No appointments are necessary.

The DLP will also be holding a question-and-answer session at its office on Thursday, 26 May from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for employers and employees.

FRI 27 MAY

Cleveland’s kidnapping survivor – Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman

Cayman Islands Crisis Centre fundraiser

Cayman Islands’ Dress Down Day Supports Student Meals

The Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and Feed Our Future is hosting its annual Child Month dress down day on Friday 27 May, 2016 in Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.

One of the biggest fundraisers for the Feed Our Future school lunch programme, the dress down day is to encourage school students, businesses and individuals to donate for those in need.

All persons asked to dress in bright colours to support the day or purchase a commemorative t-shirt for $15. To purchase a Feed Our Future t-shirt call 916-0923.

For more information contact the Department of Children and Family Services on 949-0290 and [email protected] .

Brac Movie Night

The Department of Children and Family Services is inviting families in Cayman Brac to a movie night at the Aston Rutty Civic Centre on Friday (27 May) from 7:00 pm to 9:00pm. Popcorn will be provided.

FRI MAY 27 & SAT MAY 28

Cayman Islands Meals on Wheels Annual Coin Collection Drive

Please note that the Meals on wheels Coin Collection drive will be held this year a little later on May 27th and 28th. volunteers will be outside all supermarkets on the island as well as Kirks Home Centre and AL Thompsons hardware. for those companies that see heavy traffic i.e. banks, collection boxes will be available for that week.

For more information please don’t hesitate to call

Pat Bazell-Taylor

916-6249

SAT 28 MAY

Cayman Islands’ Young At Arts® Auditions

Aspiring actors, dancers and musicians are invited to audition for Young At Arts® (YAA) Summer Theatre Arts Intensive which is produced annually by the Cayman National Cultural Foundation and supported by Butterfield.

Auditions will take place on Saturday 28 May 2016, starting at 10 a.m. at the Harquail Theatre. Booking an audition time is essential as spaces are limited.

Performers ages 14 – 22 must prepare a memorised monologue, one to three minutes in length, as well as a dance, or song, or piece of music that will be played on an instrument. In addition, performers must be prepared to take direction on stage when asked by adjudicators.

Call backs will take place if required. Students will be advised within one week of auditioning if they have been selected.

CNCF will offer a total of three scholarships for exceptional performers who are in need of financial assistance.

The YAA Intensive will begin 5 July and end with a weekend of shows 5 – 7 August. For more on the programme or to book an audition, send an email to [email protected] or call 949-5477. Additional information can be found on artscayman.org/young-at-arts.

Charity Yoga Event

You’re invited to a charity yoga event on Saturday (28 May) at 11am at the ARC at Camana Bay. Proceeds raised with go to the National Trust, Feed our Future and Cayman Animal Rescue Enthusiasts.

Butterfield 800m Sea Swim

The Butterfield 800m Sea Swim is Saturday (28 May) at 4pm at Governor’s Beach. Log on to caymanactive.com to register.

Child Month Cupcake Wars

Stage is Set for Child Month Cupcake Wars

The stage is set for the 2016 Child Month Cupcake Wars. Team Vargas, the winning Cayman Brac team, will take on five other baking teams at the finals on Saturday 28 May at the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman.

Taking on team Vargas are Sweet Sensations, Cupcake Queens, Dip and Dab Cupcakes, Baking Bumblebees, and the substitute team Sugar Rush Bakers of the National Youth Culinary Programme. The teams were announced on the radio show Talk Today on Wednesday 18 May. Registration for the competition is now closed.

The competition, now in its 4th year, challenges bakers to create two cupcakes, one using fruit in the recipe, as well as a diabetic friendly cupcake.  The public is welcomed to watch the judging from 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. Space is limited in the judging room.

The competition is sponsored by the Youth Services Unit, Kiwanis Club, Caribbean Utilities Company (CUC), Department of Children and Family Services, The Ministry of Tourism and the Layman Scott Senior High School.

For more information email [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>.

Team members:

  *   Vargas – Captain Jzane Vargas, teammates Haylie Tibbetts, Jhadarie Smith

  *   Sweet Sensations – Captain Charles CJ Evans and teammate Tanya Henderson

  *   Cupcake Queens – Captain Jenel Rankin, teammates Kaelyn Oliver and Khyla Oliver

  *   Dip and Dab Cupcakes – Captain Riley Doyle teammates Ciara Bradley and Kayla Bradley

  *   Baking Bumblebees – Captain Alisha Kee, teammates Adelaide Walton and Carmella Ylagan

  *   Sugar Rush Bakers – Captain Chambria Dalhouse, teammates Shantoy Guthrie and Gabriella Watson

 

SUN MAY 29

DEW Cycling Classics Circuit Race 2

The DEW Cycling Classics Circuit Race 2 is Sunday (29 May) at 7am from Cost U Less. Log on to caymanactive.com to register.

Child Month Family Fest

As part of Child Month, you’re invited to a Family Fest at the Agriculture Grounds from 10am until 4pm on Sunday (29 May)

MON MAY 30

Let’s Stay Together

The Bethesda Counseling Centre and Margaritaville invite you to Let’s Stay Together: The Marriage Course, starting Monday (30 May) for five Mondays from 7:00 to 9:00pm at Margaritaville. For details and registration call 949-7923 or email [email protected]. Childcare available.

TUE MAY 31

Session on mother to child HIV transmission

Educational sessions to discuss the elimination of mother to child HIV transmission and congenital syphilis will be held on Tuesday (31 May) at 4pm in the Hibiscus Conference Room at Cayman Islands Hospital.

Legal Bootcamp Series: Landlord & Tenant Relationship

The Chamber of Commerce presents its Legal Bootcamp Series: Landlord & Tenant Relationship by Sarah Allison on Thursday (31 May) from 9:00 am — 11:00 am at their office in Governors Square. Register online at www.caymanchamber.ky

Providing Optimum Customer Service

The Chamber presents the Providing Optimum Customer Service by Catherine Tyson on Tuesday (31 May) from 9:00 am — 4:30 pm at their office in Governors Square. Register online at www.caymanchamber.ky

Seafarers Information Update

Seafarers, veterans and their spouses have until Saturday (31 May) to provide their current information to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. Call 244-2224 for more information. Failure to respond may result in the discontinuation of health insurance benefits.

THU JUNE 9

Book Launch By J. Lemuel Hurlston

May Events at Camana Bay

Tuesday 24 May

6-8pm

Bon Vivant

Cuisine of the Sun Dinner

Thursday 26 May

7pm

Ortanique

Vegan Essentials Cooking Class

Tuesday 31 May

6-8pm