iNews Briefs & Community Events
Red Bay Summer Roadworks
Roadworks continue in the Prospect and Red Bay areas; to reconfigure the Red Bay roundabout and enhance the east-west arterial.
Most work is being done during off-peak times to avoid disruptions to traffic.
While work is being done, one of the lanes will be open for traffic as usual, but drivers may also use an alternate lane, as directed.
Please drive carefully, and pay attention to signs indicating lane closures or diversions.
Work in this area is to be completed before the end of August.
Click on images to enlarge.
Cayman Islands Musicians Association Meeting to Discuss Harbour Nights
The Ministries of PLAHI, Tourism and Culture have all jointly endorsed Harbour Nights, a free to the public musical concert series as a catalyst of the revitalization of George Town initiative.
With the initial meeting between CIG and private sector partners held last month at Margaritaville, we are hereby inviting GIS to the Hard Rock Cafe this Friday July 8th at 1pm for coverage of the follow up meeting with CIG and the varios private sector partners.
The next Harbour Nights event will be held on Saturday July 30th on Harbour Drive and will feature three prominent CMEA local bands from the live entertainment scene and Dj Ralph for continuos entertainment.
In addition the event will feature a teen disco, face painting, local food stalls and much more all along the ambient sunset setting of South Church St and Harbour Dr.
There will be Harbour Nights dinner specials available from all of the area restaurants and livemusic and dj entertainment not only on the street but also in many of the establishments as well.
Confirmed for attendance at the meeting on Friday will be the Hon Dep Premier, Minister for Tourism and Councillor Joey Hew, DCO Dalton Watler and DCO Tristan Hydes from the Ministry of PLAHI, President of The CMEA and many more indstry partners who will be vital to making the event a success.
It is our intention to have GIS cover this meeting as a news item and also as an editorial which will assist in the marketing and promotion of the event to the public.
Time Running Out to Register for Summer Arts Cayman
Parents have one week left to sign up their child for the Cayman National Cultural Foundation’s Summer Arts Camp, with registration closing on Friday 15 July.
Set to take place 11 – 19 August, the camp is open to students ages 7 – 16. Children 6 years old are accepted if an older sibling is enrolled in the camp.Students will engage in activities that focus on the visual, traditional and performing arts, with classes in drama, storytelling, dance, and more. Students will also get to take part in field trips that highlight Cayman’s cultural and maritime heritage.
CNCF is also seeking a camp leader and three performing arts teachers for the camp. Persons holder management and teaching qualifications in the field of drama, voice (singing) and dance can apply via email, attached a cover letter and three references, to [email protected]
Registration forms campers can be found online at www.artscayman.org/creative-kids kids
Membership cost is $150 per child for seven days. Snacks and lunch are included. For more information about the camp you can email [email protected] or call 949-5477.
Cayman Islands police begins recruitment drive for special constables
RCIPS begins recruitment drive for special constables Friday, 8 July
Friday, 8 July, police officers from the Neighborhood Policing Department (NPD) will be in the Police Mobile Unit in Prospect, near McRuss Store on Marine Drive, to speak with any members of the community who may be interested in becoming a Special Constable with the RCIPS. The officers will be at the location from 7AM to 12PM, and are eager to meet with members of the public interested in this opportunity and answer questions.
Special constables are volunteer police officers with the RCIPS who have the full powers of a police constable, and assist the RCIPS carry out its policing and outreach with the communities of the Cayman Islands. Recruits to the Special Constabulary receive training to carry out police duties.
“This is a rewarding and interesting way to volunteer and help increase security in the community through supporting the police,” said Police Sergeant Cornelius Pompey, “we hope that anyone who is interested will come speak with us.”
The recruitment for Special Constables is expected to continue over the next couple of weeks, during which time the NPD officers will make themselves available at various locations and times (to be announced) to speak with interested individuals.
Those interested in applying to become a Special Constable with the RCIPS should contact the Neighborhood Policing Department at 949-4222 or Cornelius.[email protected].
Submissions sought for Grant for the Arts
The Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) is set to recognise and promote arts and culture in the Cayman Islands through the Grants for the Arts.
As part of the CNCF’s mission to facilitate and preserve all forms of artistic expression in the Cayman Islands a grant programme was created. The grant can be used to bring projects to fruition or support ongoing programmes. In the past the grant has be awarded for training, productions, publications, festivals and special projects.
CNCF is accepting application for the grant. Application forms and guidelines can be found online at www.artscayman.org/grants-for-the-arts. Applications are due Friday 15 July.
Caribbean College of Surgeons concludes successful Annual Conference
PRESS RELEASE:-The Caribbean College of Surgeons recently concluded a successful Annual Conference at the Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa in Vieux Fort, St Lucia.
This conference, held from 16th to the 18th of June, brought together surgeons, throughout the Caribbean, Europe and the United States. There were approximately 120 delegates.
For the first time there was a preceding practical component to the conference which took the form of a laparoscopic surgery workshop at St. Jude Hospital from the 13th to 15 June.
During the conference scientific papers were presented from the various Caribbean Islands. The new Minister of Health, Senator Mary Isaac held a welcome reception and had the opportunity to meet and speak with regional surgeons about various health issues.
The conference also recognized local obstetrician gynecologist Dr Herbert Marius by making him an honorary fellow of the Caribbean College of surgeons.
At the annual general meeting the future of the college was discussed and elections were held to fill positions on the executive that had expired.
The new Executive is as follows: President: Dr Ramesh Jonalagada (Barbados), Vice President Dr Cameron Wilson (St Kitts & Nevis), Treasurer Dr Ravi Maharaj (Trinidad), Secretary Dr Charles Greenidge (St. Lucia).
Counsellors are: Dr. Akil Baker (Jamaica), Dr. Christopher Warner (Barbados), Dr. Shamir Cawich (Trinidad & Tobago), Dr. Wesley Francis (Bahamas) and Prof. Dilip Dan (Trinidad).
The next annual conference is slated for Jamaica.
CARIBBEAN: Pregnant woman busted with cocaine in sanitary pad jailed for 3 years
From St Lucia News
NEWS SOURCE GUYANA – A pregnant 26-year-old was on Wednesday sentenced to jail-time, days after she was busted with cocaine at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.
The woman was found with the concealed in a sanitary napkin between her legs and in the handles of a straw bag.
When she appeared in court this morning, Patrima Isaacs, also called Pat, was sentenced to three years in prison and fined $1.8 million after she pleaded guilty to cocaine trafficking.
The Court heard that on July 3, Isaacs was found with 698 grams of cocaine with a street value of $628,200.
The illicit substance was discovered concealed in a sanitary napkin that was in her underwear between her legs and in the handles of a straw bag that she was carrying.
New issue of magazine dedicated to the Caribbean in Cuba
Santiago de Cuba, Jul 6 (Prensa Latina) The 64th issue of Cuban magazine Del Caribe, the most recent published by the publishing house with the same name, is now circulating in Cuba, with new articles on religion, history and culture, and a new sample of poetry.
Articles on the expansion of the Nigerian Yoruba Ifa in eastern Cuba, socio-economic contact points in the family of Cuban hero Antonio Maceo and others, are reflected in its pages.
The poetry section includes works written by Cuban poet Waldo Leyva.
The presentation of the new issue is inserted as an editorial novelty in the 36th International Caribbean Festival, to be held until Saturday in this Cuban city, with books such as “Expresion de la Cultura Popular and Tradiciones Santiagueras” by Orlando Verges.
For more: http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5040871&Itemid=1
Aruba Airlines celebrates addition of fourth aircraft
From Caribbean News Now
ORANJESTAD, Aruba — Aruba Airlines recently celebrated the signing of a contract for the expansion of its fleet with the addition of a fourth aircraft, an Airbus A319, to offer customers more options on its South America and North America routes.
“The incorporation of this aircraft in our fleet is symbolic of Aruba Airlines’ solidity, and our commitment with our customers to offer new alternatives, more options and is a component in the planning of our process for stable growth,” said marketing manager Aruba Airlines, Vanessa Camacho.
The signing of the four-year lease contract for the aircraft took place at Aruba Airlines headquarters in Cumana on June 21. Aruba Airlines is leasing the aircraft from SMBC Aviation Capital Limited.
Aruba Airlines, established on January 31, 2006, carried out their its flight on May 31, 2013. At present the Aruba Airlines fleet consists of new, modern aircraft, among them the 150-seat Airbus A320-200 (12 Business Class and 138 Economy Class seats). The company has a total of 300 employees stationed at their offices in the different markets. Of these employees, 139 are directly employed by and work at the company headquarters on Aruba.
New Panama Canal locks open, Caribbean Princess will be first cruise ship to use them
By John Rosca
Caribbean Princess is set to be the first mega-ship cruise vessel to use the new locks of the Panama Canal expansion project. The “Panamax” locks opened on June 26, 2016.
(Photo : Princess Cruises)
The Panama Canal celebrated the opening of its new locks on June the 26th, marking the culmination of the nearly decade-long, $5.4-billion “Panamax” expansion. The project’s inauguration signaled the beginning of “a new era in global trade,” proclaimed a headline in the LA Times.
A crowd of 30,000 showed up to witness the Chinese flagbearer “COSCO Shipping Panama” become the first commercial vessel to pass through the Agua Clara locks on the Atlantic side of the canal. The 158-foot-wide container ship could not possibly have entered the old locks, which only admitted craft with a maximum width of 106 feet.
When it first opened in 1914, the Panama Canal could handle traffic from ships bearing as many as 5,500 containers. The expansion allows passage by “post-Panamax” ships carrying more than twice that capacity, up to 13,000 containers. The inaugural vessel carried a load of 9,000 containers.
Similar mega-ships are expected to begin using the locks, including one post-Panamax vessel operated by Princess Cruises. USA Today reported that the cruise line’s 118-foot-wide “Caribbean Princess” is scheduled to traverse the new locks on a voyage that launches in Oct 21, 2017.
“Caribbean Princess” is likely to be the first mega cruise ship to make use of the Panama Canal expansion. Disney Cruise Line has also scheduled voyages using the new locks for 2017, although its ship, the Disney Wonder, is not a post-Panamax vessel and can fit in the old locks.
The Celebrity Cruises, Holland America and Royal Caribbean cruise lines, which operate mega-ships, do not currently have plans to send them through the new locks, according to Travel Weekly. The expansion does not appear to be affecting the recreational travel industry nearly as much as it does commercial shipping.
Panamax greatly reduces voyage length for mega-ships in what could be a huge boon to the freight industry. The Christian Science Monitor reported that while the pre-expansion canal could accommodate only 6% of the world’s liquefied natural gas tankers, the improvements enable access to 90% of the current global fleet.
But the LA Times story notes that the ongoing slowdown in the global freight traffic will cut into expected revenue for the canal, which means that it will take a while to recoup the multibillion-dollar investment in the project. In addition, many American ports are not quite ready to handle super-sized post-Panamax vessels.
COMMUNITY EVENTS (Date Order)
SAT JULY 9
Grand Mr. Ivan Lunch Truck/Canteen reunion
All students who attended the Cayman Islands High School between Sept 1973 and June 1987 are invited to a Grand Mr. Ivan Lunch Truck/Canteen reunion at the Turtle Farm on Saturday (9 Jul) from 3 — 11pm.
Imagination Playground at Camana Bay
Imagination Playground invites kids to build, dream and explore with giant foam blocks at fountains at Camana Bay’s Town Centre’s. The event is held every Tuesday and Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm and is free and open to the public.
SUN JULY 10
Good News Baptist Church Teen Rally
The Good News Baptist Church is holding a teen rally from July 10-14 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm each night.
FNSports Paradise Triathlon and Duathlon
FNSports Paradise Triathlon and Duathlon is Sunday (10 Jul) at 645am. Log on to caymanactive.com for more details.
Cayman bRUNch 5 — 10K
The Cayman bRUNch 5 — 10K is Sunday (10 Jul) at VIVO Restaurant in West Bay at Lighthouse Point. Check in is 6am. Log on to caymanactive.com for more information.
MON JULY 11
Teen Summit
The Youth Services Unit is hosting a special Teen Summit Monday – Friday (11 — 15 Jul.) The summit will take place at the University College of the Cayman Islands between 8.30 a.m. — 2.00 p.m. for $50 per camper. Registration forms can be found online at www.ysu.gov.ky.
Red Bay Church of God Holiness will hold Vacation Bible School for ages 3-12 Monday — Friday (11- 15 July) from 6:30 – 9PM.
Vacation Bible School
The George Town Wesleyan Holiness Church in Windsor Park is hosting its Vacation Bible School Monday — Friday (11 — 15 Jul) from 9 a.m. – 12 noon
CINICO Billing Malfunction
The Cayman Islands Health Services Authority wishes to advise the public that due to a malfunction in our automated billing system our CINICO insured patients may receive a statement indicating an incorrect balance. Call Patient Financial Services at 244-7506 for more information.
FRI JULY 15
Submissions sought for Grant for the Arts
The Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) is set to recognise and promote arts and culture in the Cayman Islands through the Grants for the Arts.
As part of the CNCF’s mission to facilitate and preserve all forms of artistic expression in the Cayman Islands a grant programme was created. The grant can be used to bring projects to fruition or support ongoing programmes. In the past the grant has be awarded for training, productions, publications, festivals and special projects.
CNCF is accepting application for the grant. Application forms and guidelines can be found online at www.artscayman.org/grants-for-the-arts. Applications are due Friday 15 July.
SAT JULY 16
Lookya with Mango Season at the Museum
The National Museum presents Lookya with Mango Season at the Museum on Saturday (16 Jul) from 3- 8pm.
MON JULY 18
Vacation Bible School
The Churches of God Holiness Spot Bay and Watering Place are hosting Vacation Bible School Monday — Friday (18 — 22 Jul) from 6-8pm daily at the Watering Place location. Call 948-0214 for more information
THU JULY 21
Basic Writing and Grammar Skills Part 1
The Chamber of Commerce is hosting a seminar on Basic Writing and Grammar Skills Part 1 at their offices in Governor’s Square on Thursday (21 Jul) at 9am. Sign up at caymanchamber.ky.
THU JULY 28
Basic Writing and Grammar Skills Part 2
The Chamber of Commerce is hosting a seminar on Basic Writing and Grammar Skills Part 2 at their offices in Governor’s Square on Thursday (28 Jul) at 9am. Sign up at caymanchamber.ky.
World Hepatitis Day
Thursday (28 Jul) is World Hepatitis Day under the theme ‘It’s Up To You.’ Log on to caymanactive.com for information about local events.
July Events at Camana Bay
Next month’s public holiday on Monday, 4 July will have a fireworks extravaganza not to be missed. Kids won’t be bored this summer with a variety of camps for all ages, outdoor movies shown under the stars every Tuesday and a summer splash party with prizes to be won. Grownups will enjoy summer savings as the shops mark down prices for one day only and ladies will have the chance to enjoy a ‘healthified’ three-course menu. Moviegoers are also in for a real treat as Regal Cinemas shows the ballet classic, One Man, Two Guvnors.
For more details on our summer festivities, camps and offers; visit camanabay.com/summer.
Here is a quick look at our summer camps:
6th Annual Multi-Sport Camp
5 through 8 July (Week 1), 11 through 15 July (Week 2) and
25 through 29 July (Week 3)
8am-12pm
Camana Bay Sports Complex
Starfish Village Summer Camp
5 July through 25 August
8am-3pm
Starfish Village
Shutterbugs Photography Camp
Mondays, 11 July through 15 August (Ages 8-11) and
Fridays, 15 July through 19 August (Ages 11-16)
9am-12pm,
Picture This Studios
Budding Chef Summer Camp
11 through 15 July
12-1pm
Bon Vivant
8th Annual Basketball Camp
18 through 22 July
8:30am-4pm
The Arts & Recreation Centre
Here is a quick look at our special events:
End-of-School Kids Disco Party
Moonlight & Movies
Tuesdays, July through August
7pm
Gardenia Court
Patriotic Festival
Monday 4 July
5-8pm
The Crescent
Summer Sidewalk Sale
Saturday 9 July
11am
Town Centre
Abacus Restaurant Takeover with Nadine Dumas
Tuesday 12 July
5:30-7:30pm
Abacus
The Bookends Club
Wednesday 13 July
6:30-7:30pm
Books & Books
Ross Tibbetts Book Signing
Friday 15 July
6:30pm
Books & Books
Culture at the Cinema: One Man, Two Guvnors
Saturday 16 July
7pm
Regal Cinemas
Floetry
Wednesday 20 July
6:30-7:30pm
Books & Books
Summer Splash
Saturday 23 July
2-7pm
The Crescent
