It was a packed weekend. For us in Cayman we had the fabulous John Legend Concert at Camana Bay that was packed (as my wife says) “to capacity”. Whether you like Mr. Legend’s music or not you have to admit he is a very real professional entertainer. He has stage presence and he really knows how “to milk the crowd”. I am sure nearly everybody there thoroughly enjoyed the event.

Art at the Governor’s was another well attended and fascinating event. I say fascinating because I cannot paint or do craftwork of any sort but I can appreciate how individuals are so talented. They not only have a vision but they are able to use their hands and make the picture in their mind come to life. Most of these talented people make very little in monetary gains – their biggest prize is seeing us, the not so talented ones – express amazement at their achievements. As a playwright, that cannot make a living from my writing, the reward is the applause.

We also had the Big Brothers Big Sisters Cayman Islands 4th Annual Soup-er-Bowl that was held at the Marriott Beach Resorts. Another well attended event with lots of different soups to taste. Our reporter, who attended the event, said his tummy was very full and was not altogether happy at all the differing flavours it was having to deal with! I hope a lot of money was raised for this very worthy cause.

And we mustn’t forget there was another Super Bowl. The New York Giants managed to scrape a 21-17 victory over the more fancied New England Patriots.  All the Bars over the three islands were full and it was almost like being at the actual game. There were special promotions and menus including drinks and the cheers and groans were very loud depending upon which team you were supporting.

The RCIPS were also busy and had a very good day. A routine police search in the early hours of Sunday morning in the Windsor Park Area arrested two males (one was only 16) on suspicion of possession of an unlicensed firearm following a search. A firearm was recovered. It is shocking that teenagers decide at such an early age they are going to partake in a life of crime. What is the attraction?

Finally, Cayman Crime Stoppers launched an official appeal for anybody with information concerning the gunshots fired at the home of a serving RCIPS officer on Velma Banks Drive in West Bay on 22-Jan-2012 to come forward and call their tips line, 800 TIPS.  Cayman Crime Stoppers is facilitating a reward of up to $25,000 for this incident, from funds put forward by the Cayman Islands Government for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of any persons for murder, robbery or other gun-related crimes. Cayman Crime Stoppers Chairman, Malcolm Ellis, is appealing to members of the public to call the Cayman Crime Stoppers tips line now if they have any information regarding this incident. “The Cayman Crime Stoppers tips-line guarantees callers’ absolute anonymity”, Mr. Ellis said.  He continued, “Calls are answered by our call-centre in Miami and callers are never asked to disclose their details, so there is no way they can be traced or identified by name.” Cayman Crime Stoppers is able to offer a reward for information that proves valuable in solving a crime, and callers are given a unique code which they can use to make a claim. They never have to disclose their identity.  The Cayman Crime Stoppers tips line is 800-TIPS (that is, 800 8477).  Tips may also be submitted via the Crime Stoppers website at HYPERLINK “http://www.crimestoppers.ky/”www.crimestoppers.ky

What a weekend and to finish on an upbeat note it would appear the recovery from the global recession is now underway. Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) President Warren Smith says this is the perfect time to focus on building better economies.
“If our economies are not growing, the opportunity, the resources to be able to address poverty is going to be absent. So that economic growth is a primary focus now of our bank and a number of other financial institutions that are operating in our region,” Mr. Smith said.

What a weekend!!! I’m almost too tired to work today.