iNews Briefs & Community Events
Cayman Islands Government issues Update on Cuban Migrants
Over the past week-and-a-half, 11 more Cuban migrants have landed in the Cayman Islands and are currently in Immigration custody.
The first group of two arrived on 17 August 2016 in Grand Cayman.
On 24 August 2016 a makeshift vessel carrying 33 migrants arrived in Cayman Brac. Nine from this group decided not to continue the journey and landed in Cayman Brac where they currently await transfer to Grand Cayman.
Within the last week three flights have been made to Havana, Cuba to repatriate a total of 16 migrants.
To date there are 73 Cuban migrants in Immigration custody. They are housed at the Immigration Detention Centre or an approved facility.
Cayman Islands’ door to door enumeration kicks off
Over 160 Elections Office enumerators started door to door visits Saturday, 27 August 2016, to ensure proper count of voters in all three of Cayman’s islands.
Elections officials will conduct this exercise over the rest of August and all through September visiting all buildings in the Cayman Islands to obtain a thorough count.
Here enumerator Mr. Barrington Reid helps Savannah stalwart Mrs. Mary Bodden with the verification process as there were no changes to her entry in the electoral register.
IMAGE: Deputy Supervisor of Elections Ms Sheena Glasgow (left) and Bodden Town Registering Officer Mrs. Kerry Nixon are in attendance.
Photo: Bina Mani, GIS
Caribbean hotel occupancy takes a hit
By Gay Nagle Myers From Travel Weekly
Caribbean hotel occupancy in July registered 70.8%, a 5.4% slide from the same month in 2015, according to lodging-research firm STR. June occupancy rates, meanwhile, dropped 6.1% over June 2015.
Daily rates in July averaged $187.65, down 6.9% from July 2015.
Thus far in 2016, Caribbean hotel occupancy is at 70.2%, a decrease of 3.7% over the same period last year, according to STR whose data covered 240,407 rooms in 1,928 hotels in the region.
STR’s July 2016 Pipeline Report indicated 28,417 rooms in 174 projects under contract in the Caribbean/Mexico region, a 2.4% decrease as compared with June 2015.
Projects under construction total 80 properties comprising 12,960 rooms, 3.1% decrease in year-over-year comparisons.
Key markets include central Mexico with 4,151 rooms in 32 hotels under construction, followed by the Dominican Republic (1,512 rooms in six hotels) and Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula (1,497 rooms in eight hotels).
For more: http://www.travelweekly.com/Caribbean-Travel/Caribbean-hotel-occupancy-takes-hit
CARPHA says Zika samples must be tested within five-day window
From Jamaica Gleaner
The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) says Zika blood samples for laboratory confirmation must be taken and sent to it no more than five days from the onset of the first sign or symptom.
Executive Director, CARPHA, Dr. James Hospedales explains that CARPHA uses RT-PCR tests for laboratory confirmation of the Zika virus infection.
He says samples collected, sent and received after the five-day period may not be valid for PCR testing.
Hospedales further says the agency continues to work on offering additional testing methods that are valid beyond five days.
In the meantime, since dengue and chikungunya are still circulating in the region and the symptoms are similar, CARPHA routinely tests all samples for these three diseases.
CARPHA is one of only two laboratories in the English-speaking Caribbean that has the technical capacity to accurately test for Zika virus.
Local transmission of the Zika virus has been reported in 45 Caribbean and Latin American States, with almost all CARPHA member states having confirmed cases.
CARPHA says in countries where local transmission has already been confirmed, there is no need for everyone to be tested.
In light of this, only persons who are in ‘high risk’ categories, namely, pregnant women, children under the age of five years, adults over 65 years, hospitalised patients and persons with chronic illnesses, will be tested.
Caribbean sail training represented in Rio de Janeiro for 2016 Olympics
From The Daily Herald
IMAGE: Commodore Sergio Esteves (left) presents a bottle of champagne to the Captain of the sail training vessel Danmark, Kurt Andersen (right), during the Rio Olympics.
MARIGOT–St. Martin/ St. Maarten-based Caribbean Sail Training Association (CST) was recently represented in Brasil during the Olympic Games by Commodore of the Abravela Organisation, Sergio Esteves, who is also a board member of CST.
Esteves presented a bottle of champagne on behalf of CST to Captain Kurt Andersen of the STV Danmark while the vessel was in Rio during the recently concluded Olympic Games.
Captain Andersen was at the helm of the Tall Ship Danmark in St. Martin/ St. Maarten during the 2015 season in May, and expressed the hope to Sergio to come back to the Caribbean soon.
The Danmark is 252 feet (77m) in overall length with a beam of 32 feet (9.8m) and a depth of 17 feet (5.2m), with a gross tonnage of 790 tons. The sail training vessel is operated by MARTEC, which is a maritime and polytechnic education center located in northern Denmark.
On board the vessel youngsters can complete the education for ordinary seaman and receive a long list of STCW certificates. On top of that, they build long-lasting friendships and experience personal growth as part of a team of trainees. There is room for 15 crew members and 80 trainees on board the ship.
CST thanked Sergio Esteves for representing the association in Brasil and donating the bottle of champagne.
US: Hope Solo suspended for 6 months over explosive comments following US loss to Sweden in the Olympics
By Scott Davis From Business Insider
Hope Solo has been suspended for six months following a comment she made after losing to Sweden at the Rio Olympics. She called her opponents “cowards.”
The US Women’s National Team has come down hard on Hope Solo, suspending her for her comments after Sweden eliminated the US from the Rio Olympics soccer tournament.
The USWNT announced Wednesday that Solo would be suspended for six months for “conduct that is counter to the organization’s principles.”
The suspension is effective immediately.
Sunil Gulati, the president of US soccer, said in the statement:
“The comments by Hope Solo after the match against Sweden during the 2016 Olympics were unacceptable and do not meet the standard of conduct we require from our National Team players. Beyond the athletic arena, and beyond the results, the Olympics celebrate and represent the ideals of fair play and respect. We expect all of our representatives to honor those principles, with no exceptions.
“Taking into consideration the past incidents involving Hope, as well as the private conversations we’ve had requiring her to conduct herself in a manner befitting a US National Team member, US Soccer determined this is the appropriate disciplinary action.”
The US lost to Sweden in the quarterfinals in penalty kicks. Afterward, Solo ripped the Swedes, saying they played like “cowards” in using a conservative style over the second half of the game.
“I’m very proud of this team,” Solo said after the loss. “But I also think we played a bunch of cowards. The best team did not win today. I strongly believe that.”
She continued, adding a barb toward former US coach Pia Sundhage: “Sweden dropped off. They didn’t want to open play. They didn’t want to play great soccer … We had that style of play when Pia [Sundhage] was our coach. I don’t think they’re going make it far in the tournament. I think it was very cowardly.”
Sweden lost in the final to Germany.
Solo will not be “eligible for selection” for the US until February 2017, according to the statement.
Visa-powered payment ring is now available to everyone (update: separate product)
By Jon Fingas From engadget
That Visa-based payment ring is no longer limited to athletes who made it to the Olympics in Rio. Anyone can now pre-order an NFC Ring that lets you tap to pay at many store terminals without pulling out your phone or twisting your wrist. Plunk down about $53 (£40) and you can get one in your size around its expected December ship date. As with the Apple Watch, you don’t need your phone around once you’ve set it up — it uses anonymizing tokens to make payments all by itself. It’s not flawless (we found that you have to hold it at an angle for best results), but it’s far subtler than many existing payment methods.
Update 8/26: Visa tells us that the payment-capable NFC Ring isn’t the same product as what athletes tried. It just happens to embody the same general concept. With that said, Visa says it has “future plans” for the tech it showed off — you’ll just have to wait longer to see that.
For more: https://www.engadget.com/2016/08/23/nfc-ring/
Cayman Islands: Advance your professional goals this Fall 2016 at UCCI!
New this semester!
You speak, we listen. Working with various industry stakeholders, the University College of the Cayman Islands is proud to introduce our new programmes for the Fall 2016 semester:
Legal Support and Administration Certificate
Begins Monday, August 29
Only $330/course*
Newly designed to meet the needs of Cayman-based firms, UCCI’s Legal Support and Administration certificate programme is particularly suitable for persons working in an administrative or secretarial capacity in the legal or a related sector, those wishing to secure employment within this field, and those wishing to increase their knowledge of legal and administrative procedures.
*Cost does not include books and admin fees
Essentials of Facility Management Workshop (CED 112)
Every Thursday @ 6pm
Only $165 for a 14-week workshop
Offered in coordination with the International Facility Management Association (IMFA), this workshop is a great opportunity to advance the skills of service providers and both new and experienced facility managers.
IMFA qualifications are recognised as the benchmark for facility management in the United States and the Caribbean.
Call 526-0544 for further information.
BACK THIS SEMESTER!
Don’t get stuck in long lines. Check the registration schedule.
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University College of the Cayman Islands | 168 Olympic Way, PO Box 702, George Town, KY1-1107 Cayman Islands
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!
And you do not want to miss our continuing celebration of Shakespeare’s 400th!!!
And you do not want to miss our continuing celebration of Shakespeare’s 400th!!!
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:
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Friday 11th November |
6:00pm to 2:00am |
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Saturday 12th November |
1:00pm to midnight |
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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)
MON AUG 29
Rehoboth After School Program
WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE REHOBOTH AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM RE-OPENS MONDAY 29TH AUGUST 2016
HOURS: 2:30PM-6:00PM
PICK UP FROM SCHOOLS AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE\
FEE: $150.00 PER MONTH (DISCOUNTED PRICE FOR MORE THAN ONE CHILD.)
Spaces allocated on tlrst come first served basis
WHY REHOBOTH Rehoboth After School is not a child minding service, we have at least one teacher per 10 children, and they are split into their appropriate class years and besides helping with homework given assignments that correspond with their school curriculum. This way it is easy to help any child that is falling behind with his/her studies. The children do get a snack which is included and also have the chance to participate in some fun activities- games, arts & crafts etc.
MORE INFORMATION- REGISTRATION CALL 345-949-3905
TUE AUG 30
Moonlight and Movies: Curious George
The Moonlight and Movies series continues on Tuesday (30 Aug) featuring Curious George at 7pm in Gardenia Court in Camana Bay.
C.I. Further Education Center Year 12 Exam Collection
The C.I. Further Education Center is welcoming Year 12 students to collect their exam results and initial consulting on Tuesday (30 Aug) from 8 — 3pm.
WED AUG 31
Pirates Week Volunteers
The Pirates Week Office is seeking volunteers to assist in the planning in its upcoming events. For more information email at [email protected] or call 949-5859.
THU SEP 1
Cayman Islands: LCCL applicants must advise TBL board of Caymanian participation
In order to ensure that the law is upheld, procedural changes for the Local Companies (Control) Licence Law (LCCL) will come into effect on 1 September 2016.
The LCCL requires foreign investors to publish ads that solicit Caymanian participation in their potential business endeavours. In these ads, Caymanians are asked to inform the foreign investor of their interest, in writing; however, as of 1 September, Caymanians also must supply a copy of that letter directly to the Trade and Business Licensing Board.
Also, when submitting their applications to the board, foreign investors must include copies of the two local newspaper ads, published in accordance with section 11 (4) (e) of the law, that solicited Caymanian participation.
‘These procedural changes will help the board to know if the applicant has complied fully with the LCCL’, said Minister of Commerce Wayne Panton.
LCCL applications must be submitted in person at the Business Licensing Counter, on the first floor of the Government Administration Building. The counter is open Mondays to Fridays, between 9:00am and 4:00pm. In addition to the two newspaper ads, applications must be accompanied by due diligence such as a police clearance, copies of passports, references, and the relevant fees.
Letters from Caymanians are to be addressed to the Trade and Business Licensing Board, c/o the Department of Commerce and Investment, Government Administration Building, 133 Elgin Avenue Suite 126, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.
For more information, visit www.dci.gov.ky or email [email protected]
FRI SEP 2
Cayman Islands Golf: Weekend of Winners
We are looking forward to this years Red Cross event labels Weekend of Winners. The event will take place at the North Sound Golf Club on September 2nd.
NCC Invites Comments on Species Conservation Plan for Fish
The National Conservation Council invites public comment on a Species Conservation Plan for Fish. A copy of the plan is available at www.DoE.ky or may be viewed at the Grand Cayman Department of Environment office, District Libraries and the Little Cayman DoE Building. Written submissions should be sent to [email protected] or to the Conservation Council, c/o Department of Environment, PO Box 10202, KY1-1002, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, or by hand to the Department of Environment office, 580 North Sound Road, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. Submissions must be received by 2 September 2016.
SUN – THU SEP 4-8
URISA’s 2016 Caribbean GIS Conference in Barbados
URISA’s 2016 Caribbean GIS Conference on September 4-8, 2016 in Barbados. Check out the latest information!
• Keynotes from Chris Shedrick at What3Words and Tyler Radford from Humanitarian OpenStreetMap
• High Level Meetings and participation from UN-GGIM International Forum on Geospatial Information and Services for Disasters.
• A full-day track on Caribbean Disaster Management developed in conjunction with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency
• Missing Maps MeetUp
• Tons of education – More than 20 comprehensive sessions with presentations from nearly 60 of your peers.
• A high-powered panel session on “Confronting Land Administration Challenges: The Key to Unlocking Economic Prosperity”
• Take advantage of free preconference workshops and training
• Networking and a Busy Exhibition – Gold Sponsors Esri and Spatial Innovision; Silver Sponsors GeoOrbis and Hexagon Geospatial; Bronze Sponsor – GeoTechVision!
Reserve your hotel room by August 15 to take advantage of discounted group rates!
Check out all of the conference details and register right away at: http://www.urisa.org/education-events/urisa-s-caribbean-gis-conference/
MON SEP 5
Cayman Islands Girl’s Brigade North Side Meeting
The Cayman Islands Girl’s Brigade is inviting girls between the ages of 5 and 19 to their meeting for the North Side Company at William Pouchie Memorial Church Hall on Monday (5 Sept) from 630-730pm
Cayman Islands Girl’s Brigade West Bay Meeting
The Cayman Islands Girl’s Brigade is inviting girls between the ages of 5 and 19 to their meeting for the West Bay Company at John Gray Memorial Church Hall on Monday (5 Sept) from 530 — 645pm.
Alzheimer’s and Dementia awareness meeting
The Alzheimer’s and Dementia awareness meeting for Bodden Town takes place on Monday (5 Sept) at the United Church Hall.
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.
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.
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.
THU SEP15
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 & 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]
SAT SEP 17
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]
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.
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.
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.
AUGUST EVENTS AT CAMANA BAY
Be part of the action and support your nation with The Games at Camana Bay – a series of festivities inspired by the 2016 Olympics. Take in cultural experiences by catching the last chance to see Rundown, getting lost in poetry readings or by supporting a local author as they celebrate their latest book.
Moonlight & Movies: Summer Series
Tuesdays until 30 August
7pm
Music Happy Hour for Kids
Fridays until 26 August
3:30-4:30pm
Starfish Village
NATIONAL GALLERY EVENTS
A Legacy of Light
Early watercolours from the National Collection
Early Watercolours
Rarely displayed watercolour paintings from the early collections of the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands (NGCI) and the Cayman Islands National Museum (CINM) are currently on display at the National Gallery. The exhibition closes 16 September 2016.
Learn more!
#Free Family Day!
Saturday, August 27 at 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
We are set to host a Watercolour Play Family Day to coincide with the Gallery’s latest exhibition A Legacy of Light. The event boasts fun family art activities including a sketch quest, scavenger hunt, treasure quest and watercolour painting stations. Admission is free!
Splish Splash, Dot Dash!
Saturday, August 27 at 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
A special watercolour workshop for kids will take place in the Susan A. Olde Art Studio. Families will be encouraged to leave their inhibitions at home and have fun with all kinds of water-based paints. The class is free, however registration is required at space is limited.
Email us to register.
A Walk Through Watercolours
Thursday, 25 August 2016. Doors open at 5:00 PM. Discussions begin at 5:30 PM. Join art critic Emé Paschalides for a special discussion and walk through of the National Gallery’s watercolour exhibition A Legacy of Light. Admission is free. Refreshments served.
Happy Hour with BYPC
Friday, 16 September 2016. 5:30 PM until 7:30 PM Stop by the National Gallery for a closing celebration of the National Gallery’s watercolour exhibition. Organised by the Butterfield Young Patrons Circle (BYPC) the event boasts great music, fun activities, nibbles and drinks! Mingle with artists, curators and like-minded individuals.
Take it Home
The NGCI Store at the National Gallery has a fabulous selection of creative gifts for all ages. Come check out a variety of new merchandise highlighting Cayman’s local water color artists. Great gifts embodying the peaceful serenity of our Cayman Islands!
