ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – Thursday January 7, 2016 sports | page 15 Cayman sailors CompeTe in inTernaTional Championships High of 83 Low of 72 Smooth to slight with wave heights of less than 2 feet. editorial | page 4 penalTy flag: puTTing a priCe on paTrioTism Road User If luck isn’t on your side, BritCay is. Extra benefits come without having to pay more premium if you insure your car with BritCay. BritCay also has a great reputation for settling claims fast. Ask for a quote. BRITISH CAYMANIAN INSURANCE CO. LTD. BritCay House, 236 Eastern Avenue, George Town, P.O. Box 74, KY1-1102 Tel. 949-8699 www.britcay.ky A member of Colonial Group International: insurance, health, pensions, life Call 949-8699 www.britcay.ky FREE $10 Million ASSET PROTECTION! with motor cover* *private motor insurance cgigrp Solution coming to airport parking headaches James WhiTTaker jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com A new system of parking machines and barriers is being installed at Grand Cayman’s airport after nearly a decade of complaints and customer frustration. The new machines, which will allow customers to pay by swiping their credit cards as they exit the car park, will be in operation by March, according to air- ports boss Albert Anderson. He acknowledged there had been nu- merous problems with the current system. “We hear about it mostly when people can’t get out of the car park and have to call for an attendant to assist,” he said. The automated parking payment system has been a source of complaint since it was first installed in 2006, replacing a manned payment booth. Initially customers were able to pay with a card at the exit, but that machinery has not worked for some time and replacement parts are not currently available, Mr. Anderson said. He said a lot of the mechanical parts in the existing machines were no longer working. Bid to buy private hospital under way Business seeks Cayman investors ahead of planned purchase James WhiTTaker jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com A business is attempting to solicit Caymanian inves- tors for a project to buy and run the Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital. The business is seeking to raise a total of around $30 million to purchase the private hospital and its associated businesses. Investors will be required to contribute a minimum of $500,000 to be involved, ac- cording to an advertisement in the Cayman Compass filed by law firm Stuarts Walker Hersant Humphries on behalf of the un- named business. “Caymanians are invited to invest in an existing busi- ness venture which will pur- chase and operate the Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital and its associated businesses in Grand Cayman,” the ad- vertisement states. Applicants are also required to submit a personal biography, details of experience in pre- vious developments and written evidence that they have the nec- essary capital available to be Third indicTed cOncAcAF chieF FAces Us exTrAdiTiOn Cayman president’s office still open BrenT fuller bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Suspended regional football presi- dent Alfredo Hawit has agreed to be extra- dited to the U.S. in connection with U.S. fed- eral charges of racketeering and bribery filed against him last year in the FIFA corruption scandal. Hawit, who replaced Cayman’s Jeffrey Webb as the CONCACAF region president following Webb’s arrest in the U.S. probe in May 2015, is the third consecutive pres- ident of the Caribbean, North and Central American football association to have been charged in the FIFA investigation. He was arrested in Zurich, Switzerland on Dec. 3, along with his South American counterpart Juan Angel Napout. A Swiss Federal Office of Justice state- ment, issued Wednesday, noted that Hawit, of Honduras, was charged with accepting bribes totaling millions in exchange for the sale of commercial rights to various football tournaments to certain sports marketing companies. Swiss authorities said Hawit had initially contested his extradition, but later agreed to it in a hearing on Wednesday. Following Hawit’s arrest, CONCACAF an- nounced that it would not nominate any in- terim presidents to replace him until a full internal election for the regional football gov- erning body was held in May. Webb and Jack Warner of Trinidad were also charged in the FIFA investigation last year. Webb, 51, pleaded guilty to seven counts in the federal indictment against him and faces sentencing in the U.S. in June. Warner has vowed to contest extradition to the U.S. from his native country. Webb succeeded Warner as CONCACAF chief in 2012. In December, U.S. prosecutors sent a warning to FIFA’s leadership, urging those left at the embattled world football organiza- tion not to attempt to seize power following the latest round of indictments. “If you are involved in or have the de- sire to partake, now is not the time to hold on to power or seek to gain power,” said Robert Capers, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York State. “Now is the time to step away and make room for a new gen- eration of leaders who we hope will give soccer and its millions of fans the leader- ship they richly deserve.” PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » A workman installs new ticket gates and equipment at the Owen Roberts International Airport parking lot. The new system is scheduled to be operational by March. – PhOTO: TAneOs rAMsAY PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 »2 LOCAL&REGIONAL MEXICO CITY (AP) – A new study suggests that Mexico’s drug violence was so bad at its peak that it apparently caused the nation’s male life ex- pectancy to drop by several months. Experts say the violence from 2005-2010 partly re- versed decades of steady gains, noting that homi- cide rates increased from 9.5 homicides per 100,000 people in 2005 to more than 22 in 2010. That has since declined to about 16 per 100,000 in 2014. The study published Tuesday in the American journal Health Affairs says “the increase in homicides is at the heart” of the phe- nomenon, though deaths due to diabetes may have also played a role. “The unprecedented rise in homicides after 2005 led to a reversal in life expectancy increases among males and a slow- down among females in most states,” according to the study, published by Jose Manuel Aburto of the European Doctoral School of Demography, UCLA’s Hiram Beltran-Sanchez and two other authors. The study’s authors found that life expec- tancy for males in Mexico dropped by about six-10ths of a year from 2000-2010. Men lived an average of 71 years in 2010, a figure that edged up to around 72 years by 2014. Figures pub- lished by Mexico’s National Statistics Institute showed a life expectancy of 70.9 years in 2000. The study found that in five of Mexico’s violence- plagued states – Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Durango, Guerrero, and Nayarit – men lost an average of one year of life expectancy between 2005 and 2010, while in the border state of Chihuahua alone, the loss added up to a startling three years. Thursday January 7, 2016 • Cayman Compass www. REGmovies.com SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any lm starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. © y x *Additional charges will apply per 3D ticket requested. - THURSDAY - $8.00 CONCUSSION (PG13) 1:10 I 4:10 I 7:00 I 9:45 POINT BREAK 3D (PG13) 1:20 2D I 4:30 I 7:20 2D I 10:05 DADDY’S HOME (PG13) 12:30 I 3:00 I 6:30 I 9:40 STAR WARS VII 3D (PG13) 12:40 I 1:00 2D I 3:40 I 4:00 2D 6:45 I 7:00 2D I 9:50 I 10:00 2D ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS ROAD CHIP (PG) 1:15 I 3:40 I 7:10 I 9:30 SISTERS (R) 1:30 I 4:15 I 7:15 I 10:00 Study: Mexico violence caused drop in male life expectancy “The mortality rate for males ages 20-39 in Chihuahua in the period 2005-10 reached unprecedented levels,” the study noted. “It was about 3.1 times higher than the mor- tality rate of US troops in Iraq between March 2003 and November 2006.” By 2010, two-thirds of Mexican states had lower life expectancies than they did in 2000, despite improvements in some healthcare programs. The decline largely occurred from 2005-2010. Mexico’s offen- sive against drug cartels started in 2006. The study found men were ten times more likely than women to be killed in the vio- lence, which was dominated by executions, shootouts and turf battles carried out by Mexican drug cartels. Juan Eugenio Hernandez, an epidemiologist at Mexico’s Center for Information on Public Health Decisions, noted it was the first time life expectancy in Mexico had declined since the country’s 1910-1917 revolution. Hernandez, who was not involved in the Health Affairs study, wrote that “indeed, vio- lence has had a big impact on life expectancy … mainly in the male population in several northern Mexico states and in Michoacan,” a state located in western Mexico. He said researchers had warned the vio- lence would impact lon- gevity rates, which he said “haven’t diminished since the Mexican Revolution.” Mexico previously had long been on a steady, up- ward trend. Between 1940 and 2000, Mexicans gained an average of four years in life expectancy per decade. But in comparison with other Latin American coun- tries like El Salvador, Honduras and Venezuela, Mexico’s homicide rate re- mains relatively low. “It is likely that other Latin American countries have been experiencing even greater reductions in life ex- pectancy from homicide,” the authors noted. Mourners carry the coffin of slain mayor of Temixco, Gisela Mota, to the cemetery in Pueblo Viejo, Mexico, on Sunday. The governor of the southern Mexican state of Morelos says the killing of the mayor was a warning by drug gangs, meant to convince other officials to reject state police control of local forces. - Photo: AP PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) – Haiti’s election chief said Tuesday night that Jan. 24 will be the new date for presidential and legislative runoff votes after meeting with other members of the country’s much-criticized Provisional Electoral Council. President Michel Martelly had announced last week that the elections council was warning that the runoffs must be held by Jan. 17 at the latest to fulfill the consti- tutional mandate of inaugu- rating a new president Feb. 7. But in a Monday letter to Martelly, council chief Pierre- Louis Opont said more time was needed to organize the al- ready once-postponed runoffs, writing that 12 days of prepa- ration “will not be sufficient.” Then Tuesday evening, Opont said in a new letter to Martelly that he could “guar- antee” the council would be able to organize the final election round a week later. The United Nations, the U.S. government and representa- tives of other nations making up the “Core Group” that moni- tors Haiti have urged state in- stitutions and political actors to “take all steps necessary to ensure a peaceful transfer of power to a newly elected president” by the Feb. 7 dead- line. U.S. State Department Counselor Thomas Shannon and the U.S. special coordi- nator for Haiti planned to visit the country Wednesday. A U.N. statement said Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon was concerned about the “prolonged election pro- cess” and urged Haitians to ensure it was “concluded as soon as possible in a trans- parent, inclusive and cred- ible manner.” The political fighting and seesawing dates for the final round was met with exasperation by furniture maker Henri Alcime, who said he had little faith in any Haitian office-seeker but still intended to vote. “What kind of country changes election dates like this? Tomorrow they could say they changed their mind again,” Alcime said with a sigh as he secured wooden chairs and headstands for the night at his streetside business in a hillside neighborhood of Petionville. If there was another delay, a transitional government might have to be formed in the impoverished country where elections are never easy and allegations of vote manipulation are common. That is precisely what the Group of Eight opposition alli- ance, comprising second-place finisher Jude Celestin and seven other presidential candi- dates, is demanding. The group wants the members of the Provisional Electoral Council to resign over what it says is corruption and vote-rigging. It also says a transitional gov- ernment is needed to complete the electoral process in a fair and transparent way. hAiti election chief sAys runoff cAn be held JAn. 24 NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) – A crime warning issued Tuesday by the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas has singled out operators of personal wa- tercraft or Jet Skis. The embassy issued the alert following the sexual as- sault of a U.S. citizen by a man on one of the watercraft on Cabbage Beach. The Royal Bahamas Police Force said a 26-year-old man was taken into custody as a suspect in the Jan. 2 attack. The embassy said there had been five sexual assaults of U.S. citizens by Jet Ski oper- ators in Nassau since July. The embassy banned its staff from using Jet Ski rental companies because of insufficient regula- tion. It recommended U.S. citi- zens not use them either. The Bahamas Ministry of Transport said in response to the warning that the suspect in the most recent incident was not a licensed commer- cial operator and not involved in the rental industry. It noted in a statement that all Jet Ski operators are subjected to “full vetting” by police but added that “despite our efforts, chal- lenges do remain.” Ministry officials planned to discuss the issue with operators and business owners Wednesday. The embassy expressed similar concerns last year about Jet Ski operators as well as rising crime in gen- eral in the Bahamas. US Embassy issues alert for Bahamas after sexual assaults “The unprecedented rise in homicides after 2005 led to a reversal in life expectancy increases among males and a slowdown among females in most states,” according to the study.The islands’ most-trusted news source 3 Cayman Compass • Thursday January 7, 2016 SUPERCHARGED ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS: FEBRUARY 4-5, 2016 • THE RITZ-CARLTON, GRAND CAYMAN CAYMAN ISLANDS • CAYMANSUMMIT.COM PANTONE 130 PANTONE 179 PANTONE 425 PlatinumGoldSilver Executive Platinum 21 DAYS TO GO! REGISTER NOW @ CAYMANSUMMIT.COM SUPERCHARGED ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS: THE RITZ-CARLTON, GRAND CAYMAN CAYMANSUMMIT.COM * * week days only Jamie Lee Curtis Actress and Author Julia Immonen Founder, Sport for Freedom David Jones Co-Founder, One Young World Kerry Kennedy Human Rights Activist and Writer Jonathan MacDonald Founder, Thought Expansion Network Robert J. O’Neill Team Leader, Naval Special Warfare Development Group Kevin Mitnick ‘The World’s Greatest Hacker’ Meghan Markle Actress, Model and HumanitarianThe islands’ most-trusted news source 4 – EDITORIAL – Opinion&Letters The Cayman Compass welcomes comments, opinions and viewpoints from readers. Letters to the editor can be emailed to editor@pinnaclemedialtd.com, submitted via www.caymancompass.com, sent by post or hand-delivered to the Compass office. Thursday January 7, 2016 • Cayman COmpass In the Cayman Islands, patriotism doesn’t come free of charge. According to our government, the cost can range up to $5,000 per display. On Dec. 30, the Office of the Deputy Governor issued a statement “reminding the public” that permission is required from Cabinet in order for people or companies “to reproduce the Coat of Arms or Flag” of Cayman. If someone wants to use those images for promo- tional purposes, the annual fee is $250; for profit, the fee is $500. Penalties for noncompliance are $500 for a first offense, or $5,000 for a subsequent offense. This “reminder” was news to us. If a set of patriotic Caymanian entrepreneurs wanted to sell, say, coffee mugs featuring hand-painted Cayman flags — they first must submit an application and pay a fee of $500, or risk being penalized hundreds or thou- sands of dollars. Pardon us, but what image is more the “property of the people” than the flag? Whose idea was it to pass such a sanction into law? How could this possibly be enforced? We did a bit of research. The “Coat of Arms, Flag and National Song Law (2005 Revision)” states, “whoever, without the authority of the Governor in Cabinet, uses in connection with a trade, business calling or profes- sion, the Coat of Arms or flag of the Islands … in such a manner as to be calculated to lead to the belief that he is duly authorized to use the Coat of Arms or flag of the Islands is guilty of an offence …” Huh? Who writes this gibberish? Must every law require a translator or an interpreter? The law contains two exceptions — when the Coat of Arms or flag appears within a registered trademark, and “where such use is with a view to promoting or pro- curing the election of a candidate at an election.” Speaking of flags, bright red ones pop up whenever we see a convoluted piece of legislation that specifically exempts its creators from enforcement. The original version of this law was passed in 1993. According to the Official Hansard Report for that session of the Legislative Assembly, West Bay MLA McKeeva Bush moved the bill, due to concerns over use of the Coat of Arms by a condo development, the “somewhat shabby treatment” of Cayman’s flag at times, and an insufficient amount of respect for the National Song. The legislation was unanimously approved by law- makers, including George Town MLA Kurt Tibbetts. In the Compass archives, we found only one recent example of Cayman’s government explicitly endorsing the use of our national symbol on a product: the Cayman flag car air-fresheners that were introduced in conjunction with National Heroes Day celebrations in early 2014. We admit, on the subject of flags, we are not experts. So we talked to someone who is: Graham Bartram, chief vexillologist for the Flag Institute, the U.K.’s national flag charity. (For those interested, “vexillology” means “the study of flags.”) Mr. Bartram actually designed the version of Cayman’s flag that has flown since 1999, along with those of many other British Overseas Territories. (For the record, the deputy governor’s office attached to its warning statement an image of Cayman’s old flag, which features a smaller coat of arms on a white disc, not its most recent revised one.) About the Cayman government’s statement, Mr. Bartram said he was “puzzled … confused … not in support of the government’s action.” He said, “As far as I’m concerned, the national flag of the Cayman Islands is free for use for anyone in the Cayman Islands, or anyone else in the world, for that matter.” Indeed, in order for a jurisdiction’s flag to be entered into the U.K. Flag Registry, which the Flag Institute maintains and manages — and Cayman’s flag is in the registry — the flag must belong to the public domain, meaning anyone can use it, at any time, for any reason. Here’s the bottom line: The government cannot use laws to force people to respect the symbols of a country. Rather, leaders, through their actions, instill respect in the hearts and minds of the people, thus inspiring a reciprocal reverence of the flag, and the country for which it stands. And that is priceless. Penalty flag: Putting a price on patriotism How to fight terrorists A front-page article in the Washington Post an- nounced that: “Saudi Arabia launches alliance to fight ter- rorism.” This news truly gave me pause. If the irony of this does not hit you in the face, and even if it does, please read on. Before exploring ap- proaches to fighting terrorism, we need to define who or what our terrorist enemy is. The failure to do so clearly has badly undermined our efforts to defeat this enemy. Clearly the thousands of young men and women from around the world fighting in Iraq and Syria under the self-designated Islamic State are terrorist ene- mies, as are Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik, who killed 15 of Farook’s co-workers in San Bernardino, California, re- cently, and so are the French and Belgian jihadists who killed 130 people in Paris on Nov. 13. Dropping bombs on San Bernardino or Paris or carpet bombing the Levant will not stop this enemy and the collateral damage, both human and physical, … well, you get the point. If we understood why they were doing what they are doing, either at home or in far off places, we might be better able to deter them. What is their goal? Several steps are needed to reach such an understanding, but they all claim to be fulfilling what they understand to be their obligation to Allah to kill non-believers who refuse to convert to Islam: “I have been ordered by Allah to fight and kill all people (non-Muslims) until they say ‘No God except Allah.’” The above statement is a hadith collected and recorded by Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, the two most important compilers of the oral history of the words and deeds of Muhammad. So our enemies are young Muslims who accept mar- tyrdom and the prospect of early entry to paradise by fulfilling the commands of their religion as it has been taught to them. Those of us who live beyond this period of desperate searching for the meaning and purpose of our lives and make it to a more mature adulthood generally find less demanding objec- tives and meanings for our lives. Do most Muslims ac- cept this version of their re- ligion? This is a complicated subject but obviously we see the vast, vast majority of Muslims living in compliance with the laws and customs of whatever country they live in. Have they embraced a more peaceful understanding of Islam or have they managed to ignore those aspects of their religious beliefs that are clearly unacceptable in the modern civilized world? Following 9/11, once I was able to return to the U.S., I asked a Pakistani col- league why he and his fellow Muslims did not speak out to condemn this barbaric act made in the name of Islam. He replied that it was very difficult for a Muslim to publicly criticize a fellow Muslim. I only now think I understand what he meant. For a Muslim to criticize or renounce his religion is called apostasy. According to Dr. Tawfik Hamid in his very illuminating book “Inside Jihad”: “The por- tion of Shariah concerned with apostates is known as Redda law, and according to the literal implementation of Redda in Saudi Arabia, the punishment for apostasy is death.” Thus condemning Muslims who kill non-be- lievers can be dangerous. The proponents of this strict, fundamentalist form of Islam are called Salafists. According to Dr. Hamid: “Salafists desire a return to the Islamic Caliphate. They do not respect secular states or weak Islamic regimes. They believe Shariah law should constitute, ideally, the only legal system in any so- ciety, because it is the divine law … For Salafists, the per- fect world is one in which apostates are slain, adul- terous women are stoned to death, enslavement of war captives is permitted, po- lygamy is admired and wives can be beaten when the hus- band deems it appropriate.” Such views are not com- patible with our Constitution or culture, nor with any other modern culture, and should be condemned as unacceptable. According to Dr. Hamid, Salafist interpretations of Islam promulgated around the world by the Wahhabi sect of Sunni Islam financed by the Saudi Arabian gov- ernment have come to domi- nate the understanding of the teachings of Muhammad by most Muslims. In exchange for the commitment of the Wahhabi leadership to re- spect and not politically chal- lenge the Saudi royal family, the Saudi rulers financed the Wahhabi movement and its expansion. So the irony of Saudi Arabia launching an alliance to combat terrorism is that it is Saudi Arabia that continues to finance its pri- mary cause, the Salafist ver- sion of Islam. If the United States or any other military were able to kill every ISIS fighter in the Levant (Iraq and Syria), even if it could do so without destroying the cities and communities and killing the citizens that ISIS now occupies and controls, and even if it could leave be- hind or install a creditable, peaceful and broadly accepted government that could pre- vent a new ISIS from arising, this would not end the threat of Islamic terrorism. As long as young men and women around the world continue to believe that their ticket to par- adise entails fulfilling their re- ligious duty to kill infidels, in- nocent people will continue to die at their hands and we will remain at risk. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir has the right idea, if he means it, that “we” must “stop the flow of funds to terrorists and confront the ideology of extremism that promotes killing of the in- nocent.” But according to Dr. Hamid, this is not enough. “Islamic terror is not likely to decrease until Muslims cease being passive terrorists and become active defenders of hard truth, true peace and real tolerance.” “For every ji- hadist in the world there is a much larger number of indi- viduals who quietly approve of his conduct. Islamic terror often makes passive terrorists secretly proud.” This is be- cause the passive terrorist be- lieves in the basis of Salafist teachings that the active ter- rorist is fulfilling the require- ments of Islam. Islam needs a reforma- tion. While peaceful forms of Islam already exist (e.g., Sufism), Dr. Hamid argues that a more rigorous and scholarly reinterpretation can emerge from a refocusing on the Koran (the word of Allah), which does not con- tain many of the offending texts in the hadiths and Sunnah (the words and deeds of Muhammad), and placing certain commands and acts in the historical context in which they originally oc- curred as is generally done when interpreting the Bible. The United States and other secular societies need the help of peaceful Muslims. We need their help in at- tracting Muslims to Islam’s acceptable and peaceful ver- sions and we need their help in isolating and exposing the few Islamic terrorists among them. These peaceful Muslims, in turn, need our condemna- tion of the intolerant and vi- olent elements of Salafism, to help support their campaign for reformation. To ignore that Islamic terrorists are acting on their understanding of their religion, i.e. that they are Islamic, undercuts any effort and hope for the reformation that Islam needs in order to peacefully take its place in the modern world. In his farewell speech to the nation in 1988, Reagan spoke of America as a shining city on the hill: “In my mind it was a tall, proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, windswept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace; a city with free ports that hummed with com- merce and creativity. And if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here.” Implicit in Reagan’s vision was that anyone “with the will and heart to get here,” had already embraced the laws and customs of their new land. Those who have and who satisfy our other re- quirements for immigration should be welcomed. Warren Coats, a former director of the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority, and former senior monetary policy adviser to the Central Bank of Afghanistan, Iraq and Kenya for the International Monetary Fund, is on the Editorial Board of Cayman Financial Review. WARREN COATS WARREN COATS Printed and Published by: Caymanian Compass Limited (a subsidiary of Pinnacle Media Ltd) Compass Centre Shedden Road, George Town send us yOur VieWs Or neWs: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman KY1-1108, Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@pinnaclemedialtd.com adVertise With us: Telephone: (345) 949-5111 Email: sales@pinnaclemedialtd.com Website: www.caymancompass.com PUBLISHERS daVid r. legge and Vicki l. legge EdITOR-In-CHIEf daVid r. legge A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will findtheirownway” As long as young men and women around the world continue to believe that their ticket to paradise entails fulfilling their religious duty to kill infidels, innocent people will continue to die at their hands and we will remain at risk.5 LOCAL NEWS Cayman Compass • Thursday January 7, 2016 DOUBLE Your Advertising Impact with these two must-read publications PACKAGED TOGETHER ADVERTISE IN BOTH EDITIONS AND RECEIVE A 50% DISCOUNT ON YOUR AD IN THE SECOND PUBLICATION AD SPACE DEADLINE Monday, January 11 FOR ADVERTISING CALL 949-5111 EMAIL sales@pinnaclemedialtd.com Petition asks Turtle Farm to stop breeding turtles for meat Kelsey JuKam kjukam@pinnaclemedialtd.com A new petition circu- lating online is urging the Cayman Turtle farm to stop breeding turtles for human consumption. The petition, titled “Tell Cayman Turtle Farm to Stop Breeding Turtles for Consumption!,” is hosted on an activist social net- working site called Care2 and had more than 158,000 signatures as of Wednesday afternoon. Signatures on the petition ostensibly come from all over the world – the U.S., U.K., Russia, Malaysia, South Africa, Brazil and many more countries – though there appear to be few, if any, signatures from individuals living in the Cayman Islands. The petition is a response to an Oxford University study released late last year that gave the Turtle Farm the worst possible grade for animal welfare, calling it “one of the cruelest wildlife attractions in the world.” The Turtle Farm is the largest land-based attrac- tion in Cayman. Visitors can interact with and swim with turtles there. It is also said to be the only facility in the world that breeds en- dangered green sea turtles for human consumption. The animal processing side of the facility is not open to tourists. The petition asks indi- viduals to encourage the Turtle Farm to “stop slaugh- tering and encouraging visi- tors to handle their turtles, and instead transition into a wildlife preserve that fo- cuses on protecting and caring for their turtles. “Though sea turtles are solitary in the wild and nat- urally swim long distances in spacious, clean waters, Cayman Turtle Farm packs 9,500 of them in cramped, dirty tanks where they fight for space,” the petition states. “As if that wasn’t bad enough, the farm en- courages visitors to handle the turtles, which causes considerable stress and mental anguish.” Some signers of the peti- tion said sea turtles should not be exploited by humans – via handling by humans, or human consumption. “I’m a scuba diver and I have dived in Cayman,” pe- titioner Valerie Quant from Ontario wrote. “I will not be going back until this stops. We need to use sustainable sources for food. The ocean is not sustainable.” Turtle Farm Director Tim Adam said he thinks the petition’s claims are “rubbish” and that peti- tioners are misguided and misinformed. “If you really care about the conservation of sea turtles, then you will re- ally come to understand why Cayman Turtle Farm plays such a vital role,” Mr. Adam said. He challenged the peti- tioner’s claim that visitors handling the turtles causes the animals “considerable stress and mental anguish.” “We have no proof of that,” Mr. Adam said. “We don’t believe it, we haven’t observed it.” Mr. Adam said the tur- tles have an artificial cave they can swim into if they want to get away from people, and turtles would not be swimming near vis- itors, as they often are, if they were stressed. The Turtle Farm di- rector also said that people are “in deep denial” about what would happen to wild sea turtle popula- tions if the farm were to stop breeding turtles for human consumption. “Producing sea turtle meat allows sea turtles in the wild to continue to live and thrive rather than people poaching them,” Mr. Adam said. He said if consumers were no longer able to buy farmed turtle meat, it would only be “a matter of months” before the wild sea turtle population around the Cayman Islands would be depleted, as people turned to wild meat. He pointed to a recent study by researchers from the University of Exeter which found that nearly half of turtle meat consumers would buy wild turtle if the Cayman Turtle Farm stopped producing the meat. Mr. Adam said that overseas activists signing such petitions are “ba- sically coming from a purely emotional place in- stead of a rational founda- tion” and do not “respect Cayman’s history.” “Turtles are amazing creatures. They’re very charming creatures,” Mr. Adam said, “so it’s a nat- ural reaction if you come up to someone and say ‘Should these animals be farmed?’ and you don’t know why and what’s behind it, of course you’re going to say we shouldn’t do it.” The petition has a target of acquiring 160,000 signa- tures, though it is unclear what will happen when that goal is reached. Petition or- ganizer Chris Wolverton could not be reached for comment. Turtles in one of the Turtle Farm’s tanks. An online petition has been launched calling for the farm to cease its practice of raising turtles for consumption. - PHOTO: CHRIS COURTThursday January 7, 2016 • Cayman Compass 6 DISTRICT DAYS District Days Bodden Town In the Jan. 5, 1966 edition of the Caymanian Weekly, a pre- cursor of the Cayman Compass, Bodden Town correspondent Arthur Hunter wrote: “On New Year’s Day, the annual Garden Party of the United Church at Bodden Town (formerly Presbyterian) took place at the Manse. The atten- dance was as usual, very large. Many not only from this com- munity, but also from other parts of the island availed themselves of the opportu- nity of partaking tasty native meals. Entertainment was pro- vided for young and old, one of the main features being the selection of ‘Miss Popularity 1966.’ From a field of five con- testants the winner was Miss Aileen Bodden. The runner-up was Miss Janice Watler, ‘Miss Popularity 1965.’ “The day’s festivities termi- nated at the Town Hall with the presentation of the comedy ‘Aaron Slick from Pumpkin Crick,’ directed by Miss Evelyn Wood with a cast selected from Bodden Town’s most noted ac- tors and actresses. The entire cast performed with distinc- tion and kept the packed Town Hall in fits of laughter from start to finish. “On Saturday night last, Mr. Marcey Powell of this Town was involved in a motor accident with a straying cow along the main Public Road at Savannah. Straying cattle have from time to time been the cause of many accidents along our roads, particularly in the area between Bodden Town and Savannah. “The law in relation to straying cattle in these islands follows the Common Law of England which offers no re- dress to the drivers of vehicles damaged as a result of their presence on the road, in the ab- sence of negligence. “Negligence is invariably difficult if not impossible to es- tablish. This is an unfortunate state of affairs, aggravated by some cattle owners who take inadequate steps to keep their beasts off the road, particu- larly at night. “Surely car owners who are forced to pay heavy taxes and insurance for the right to use the public roads are entitled to some protection. Let us hope that our Legislators will, this year, take positive action in this regard.” 50 years ago: annual garden party draws crowds A simple life growing up in Bodden Town Jewel levy jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com Fifty years ago, Bodden Town was not what it is today. Children went about by them- selves. Kids swam, rode bikes, ate wild fruit, walked to school bare- foot and went to bed before 7 p.m., either because the night was thick with mosquitoes, or the light of the moon had vanished. It was a more innocent time – a time that now seems long past and impossible to find again. The island had a relatively slow pace of life, low cost of living, good comfort, happy people and plenty of home-cooked meals. In the 1960s, Caymanians lived a simple life, gave thanks to God, enjoyed animals and na- ture, worked hard and made deli- cious food for their families. Some cooked and baked a bit extra and made sure their friends and neigh- bors had enough to eat, taking that food around to their homes and sharing it. People did not have to make plans for any night or day of the week because everyone knew where each person was going to be – at the drive-in-theater, at home, at work, at church, or at a community dance in the town hall. Garbage was never a problem. Back in those days, everything was recycled or waste was burned. If you saw smoke, you did not call the fire department because it was probably just a bonfire. That was what people did in those days – used fire to clear a piece of land for farming, to get rid of the mosqui- toes, or to burn a rubbish heap. Cornmeal, flour, sugar, salt and rice were purchased by most fam- ilies, who relied heavily on each other for survival. But there were three square meals a day: frit- ters and fish or porridge in the morning; fish rundown or stew beans for lunch; and more fry fish and fritters for supper, along with hot cocoa. Everything either came from the land or the sea. Searching the bushes for wild fruits and land crabs and cracking almond seeds to make almond can- dies were among the favorite pas- times for most kids. Bodden Town also had a dairy farm in Pease Bay. The man who operated the place at the time would bring milk to the town hall for children attending school, and later on, when the company started to make chocolate, I would go there with my friends for the broken pieces of chocolate that could not be sold. Our lives changed seemingly overnight, from going to school barefoot, to a widened world of possibilities as the island grew more affluent and “the islands that time forgot” were “discovered,” ap- parently both by time and by the outside world. Like any other country that has found wealth, time passed, things have changed and we have moved on, but our memories of those sim- pler days live on. Most of the cooking was done outside under the trees. - Photos: Jewel levy Fresh eggs were collected from the chicken coop each day.Cayman Compass • Thursday January 7, 2016 7 DISTRICT DAYS District Days Bodden Town Central Mangrove Wetland is Cayman’s heart and lungs The District of Bodden Town is home to Grand Cayman’s Central Mangrove Wetland, considered by some to be the ecological heart of Grand Cayman, home to a wide range of animals, birds and aquatic life. This large area of mangrove forest extends from the shores of the North Sound through to North Side, and is deemed critical to many important natural processes. While it covers about 8,500 acres, the National Trust notes that, of that area, about 1,500 acres of the Central Mangrove Wetland is protected through the Marine Parks Law, forming part of the Environmental Zone which has been in effect for Little Sound and its fringing mangroves since 1986. The Trust has to date purchased 765 acres as part of its Central Mangrove Wetland Reserve. Currently research is being done on the ecosystem services, or the services that natural areas pro- vide for people, provided by key re- gions of the islands. Preliminary studies have shown that the Central Mangrove Wetland, along with the Mastic forest, provides the most ecosystem services in Cayman, which include providing resilience in the face of tropical storms and the effects of climate change; pro- vision of crops, livestock and fish; contributing to stable precipitation patterns; and providing a source for water. “Perhaps one of the most eco- nomically important reasons to pro- tect our natural areas is to main- tain the high quality of our tourism product,” noted the National Trust’s Cathy Childs. “Looking in detail at each of these services, we can try to quan- tify them so that we can make well- informed decisions as to how the country will develop in a sustain- able way,” she added. The Trust notes in its back- ground information on the Central Mangrove Wetland that the area is part of a large-scale water-flow system, which filters and condi- tions the surface water and shallow groundwater that enters the North Sound. Tidal flushing of the mangrove fringes and the periodic spillover of rainwater out of the wetland into the North Sound transports nutri- ents that form the base of the com- plex food chain that supports all aquatic life. This includes turtle grass, shrimp, fish and crustaceans including lobsters and reef dwellers. “The entire living system of North Sound is inextricably linked to the Central Mangroves, and would collapse if the Wetland were ever destroyed,” notes the back- ground information. “Except for areas of open water, it is covered by a canopy of trees, which absorb sunlight and radiate part of that energy as heat, warming the air near the leaves. “The same air also becomes sat- urated with water vapor, evapo- rating from the leaves’ breathing pores and from the ponds below … which forms rapidly developing clouds, which are carried west by the prevailing winds and dump rain over the central and western dis- tricts of Grand Cayman.” It has been determined that thanks to this process, western Grand Cayman’s rainfall is 40 per- cent greater than in the eastern dis- tricts, which though drier, have ac- cess to fresh water from water lenses beneath the ground’s surface. The Central Mangrove Wetland helps maintain these water lenses by acting as a barrier, stopping ac- cumulated rainwater and fresh water contained in the water lenses on higher ground from flowing into the sea, thus maintaining water supplies in Cayman’s drier areas. “Mangrove canalization and development in western Grand Cayman has already shown how vulnerable our agriculture and groundwater supplies are to the de- struction of neighboring wetlands,” the Trust notes. The Central Mangrove Wetland has also been designated by an “Important Bird Area” by BirdLife International due to the rare birds which call it home. The Trust notes that West Indian whistling duck, least terns, Grand Cayman parrots, snowy egrets and many other native birds depend on the Central Mangrove Wetland for food, shelter and as a place to breed. The Trust also notes the role the Central Mangrove Wetland plays in storing carbon, which is normally released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide through the burning of fossil fuels. This storage happens via the slow buildup of peat, pro- duced by very slowly decomposing plant matter. Sea levels in the Caribbean have been rising since the last Ice Age, and, according to the Trust, “over thousands of years, thick layers of mangrove peat have been depos- ited in areas where the underlying rock is now far below sea level. The Central Mangrove Wetland is laying down about three million cubic feet of salt-saturated mangrove peat every year in this way. “The peat is very rich in carbon, originally collected as carbon di- oxide gas absorbed from the atmo- sphere by the mangroves (all plants absorb carbon dioxide, releasing ox- ygen as they grow). So the way in which mangrove wetlands develop during periods of rising sea level actually removes carbon dioxide gas from the atmosphere.” GeorGe NoWak Before he passed away, Clive Powell, better known as “Slocum,” could always be seen around the Lighthouse Club in Breakers. Slocum maintained the parking lot and yard around the popular restaurant, raking the endless rain of leaves and casuarina pine nee- dles. He’d empty the trash and greet tourists with a smile and an unclear ramble. He worked hard, but slow; many say that was how he earned his nick- name “Slow-come.” With the few dollars he made, he’d buy himself cigarettes, food and beer. Often Slocum would show up for work and the property was still tidy from the day before. Rather than do nothing, he’d stroll next door to Nell Connor’s house and rake her yard in exchange for lunch. Slocum was bit camera shy, but for a free beer or pack of cigarettes he would give his best pose. This image is from the book ‘The People Time Forgot’ by George Nowak, available at the National Museum. All proceeds from the sales of the book go toward museum projects. The PeoPle TiMe ForGoT Slocum always offered helping hand A popular way to explore the fringes of the Central Mangrove Wetland is by kayak. Slocum, pictured in the mid-1980s, was a familiar face in Breakers. he passed away shortly after hurricane ivan. - Photo: GeorGe NowakThe islands’ most-trusted news source 8 Thursday January 7, 2016 • Cayman Compass involved. Dr. Steve Tomlinson, who owns the hospital, said he was aware of the develop- ment but could not comment at this stage. Buck Grizzel, the attorney listed as point of contact for potential investors, said his clients did not wish to com- ment at this point. An advertisement for local investment is required for any business wishing to apply for a Local Companies Control Law License to op- erate in the Cayman Islands. The advertisement indi- cates that if Caymanian in- vestors cannot be found to cover 60 percent of the pro- posed expenditure, an ap- plication will be made to the Trade and Business Licensing Board for an LCCL license. The advertisement sug- gests the company is seeking to raise $30 million to “pur- chase the real estate upon which the hospital is located, purchase shares in the oper- ating companies, including equipment and supplies, em- ploy the requisite exper- tise and provide additional capital for upgrades during the first year of operation of the business.” Chrissie Tomlinson is an 18-bed hospital specializing in surgical care, with 26 doc- tors on a 120-person staff. It handles about 120 major cases a month, Dr. Tomlinson told the Cayman Compass in an inter- view in October. The hos- pital opened in 2000 and is named after Dr. Tomlinson’s mother, who died just after the groundbreaking. Other problems high- lighted by travelers have included not being able to get change from the ticket machine and the failure of the machine to read ticket stubs indicating how much is owed. Even when trav- elers have paid and received a receipt, the machines at the exit gates sometimes fail to read the card and open the gate, resulting in motorists having to call a parking attendant. Mr. Anderson said U.S. firm Amano had been hired to replace the system last year. He said the new system would be basically the same as the old one, with the cru- cial difference that it would work properly. “You pull a ticket and you pay at the machine be- fore you go back to the car. You can also pay by credit card either at the machine or at the barrier.” Some of the new bar- riers are installed already, but the payment machines have yet to be put in place. The new machines will not accept U.S. dollars. The government’s Internal Audit Unit was critical of the airport parking system in an October 2014 review. “Frequent system break- downs impact the customer experience negatively and may lead to loss of revenue. Manual intervention by [staff] also increases the risk of errors and irregularities in the revenue collection and reporting process,” it stated. Cayman CONCACAF As of Wednesday, the office of the CONCACAF president – established under Webb’s presidency in downtown George Town, Grand Cayman – was still operating with some employees reporting to work. The Cayman Compass asked CONCACAF repre- sentatives in Miami last year whether the Cayman office would remain open given Webb’s indictment. The organization stated that it would “continue evaluating business opera- tions throughout the region over the long term.” The decision not to name a full-time president until elections are held was announced in December. However, a lawsuit filed in late December by a former CONCACAF em- ployee reveals that at least three employees at the president’s office were dis- missed in the wake of Webb’s arrest. Also, in November, former CONCACAF Director of Sports Integrity Laila Mintas, who had been based in the Cayman Islands, departed from the organization. Ms. Mintas did not respond to Compass requests seeking comment either prior to or following her departure. The CONCACAF offices at the Admiral Financial Center in George Town have a lease in the building through December 2017. Solution coming to airport parking headaches CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Third indicted CONCACAF chief faces US extradition Alfredo Hawit, left, and FIFA President Joseph Blatter in Budapest, Hungary in May 2012. – Photo – AP CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Bid to buy private hospital under way US sees Assad staying in Syria until March 2017 WASHINGTON (AP) – The Obama administration has a vision for Syrian leader Bashar Assad’s departure. Even if it works, the presi- dent will not be around to see the plan through. An internal U.S. time line for a best-case Syrian polit- ical transition, obtained by The Associated Press, sets a date of March 2017 for Assad to “relinquish” his posi- tion as president and for his “inner circle” to depart. That is two months after President Barack Obama leaves of- fice and more than five years after Obama first called for Assad to leave. Syria, according to the would-be American strategy, would hold votes for a new president and parliament in August 2017 – some 19 months from now. The State Department said Wednesday the time line was prepared late last year as a guide for Secretary of State John Kerry and other U.S. diplomats working on a political transition for Syria. Spokesman John Kirby described the document as a “staff-level think piece” that is “preliminary and pre-de- cisional” and not “an official position.” He also said it is “not an accurate projection of plans by the international community to effect a polit- ical transition in Syria.” However, many of the milestones mentioned in the document comport with the basics of the U.N.-endorsed plan. Other officials said they accurately reflected the ad- ministration’s thinking. One official, who like the others spoke on condition of ano- nymity to discuss the private document, said the goal for Assad to leave in March 2017 might slip even further. Countless hurdles lie ahead for implementation of this latest outline for ending five years of conflict that has killed more than a quarter- million people, created the worst European refugee crisis since World War II and allowed the Islamic State group to carve out a would- be caliphate across parts of Iraq and Syria. Not the least of those hur- dles is the growing rift be- tween Sunni-led Saudi Arabia and Shiite-ruled Iran, which back opposite sides in the Syria conflict and had to be lobbied heavily to agree to meet in Vienna to craft a way forward for the war- torn country. Saudi Arabia executed a prominent Shiite cleric and then severed dip- lomatic relations with Iran this week after its embassy in Tehran was stormed by a mob protesting the death. It is not yet clear what impact those develop- ments might have on the Syria negotiations. If Saudi-Iranian tensions can be overcome, if peace talks between the Syrian gov- ernment and opposition go ahead later this month as planned and if they are suc- cessful, the biggest chal- lenge to the U.S. time line is still that no one else has yet agreed to its specifics, par- ticularly those related to Assad’s departure. Assad has steadfastly re- fused to step down while his nation’s terrorist threat, as he sees it, persists. The time line offers no explanation for ex- actly how Assad would leave or what his post-presidential future might hold. And his chief backers, Russia and Iran, have re- sisted all efforts by outside powers to determine Syria’s future leadership, insisting that is a decision for the Syrian people. Russia and Iran may object to the U.S. time line’s call for Assad to leave six months before elec- tions would be held. In addition, the Syrian opposition wants Assad out as soon as possible. The op- position along with U.S. al- lies like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey could view the American concept as a betrayal. In recent months, Washington and its allies in European capitals have re- treated from demands that Assad leave power imme- diately as the Islamic State gained territory in the region and the priority shifted to de- feating the militant group. The time line, however as- pirational, shows how U.S. diplomats and policymakers are determined to outline an exit plan for Assad and not let concerns over the Islamic State and other extremist groups allow him to cling to power indefinitely. The document obtained by the AP starts Syria’s new po- litical process next month. An 18-month transition period would be initiated, consis- tent with the plan endorsed by the U.N. Security Council last month. Government- opposition peace talks are to begin in Geneva on Jan. 25. The U.S. time line envi- sions the Security Council signing off on a framework for negotiations between Assad’s representatives and the opposition, leading to the formation of a security com- mittee in April. That would be accompanied by an am- nesty for some government and military members, and moderate opposition leaders and fighters. The transi- tional governing body would then be created. Syrian President Bashar Assad A business is seeking to raise around $30 million to purchase the Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital. – Photo: Chris Court New parking ticket machines and barriers are being installed at the airport parking lot. – Photo: tANEos rAMsAYTHURSDAY, JAN. 7 LEGENDS TENNIS: The Tennis Federation of the Cayman Islands is searching for adult volunteers to line umpire at the Legends Tournament Feb. 5 and 6. Completion of four free training sessions in January (evenings/ weekends) will be required, before final selection of volunteers. Those interested should contact Simon at admin@tfci.ky for more information or to register their interest. Training spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. No previous knowledge of tennis rules required. TREE MULCH: The Department of Environmental Health continues its program to collect natural Christmas trees for mulching. Trees are crushed and turned into mulch, which is given to the public at no cost. Through Friday, Jan. 22, collection containers will be placed at sites across Grand Cayman, including the Ed Bush Stadium in West Bay, the Smith Road Cricket Oval, Spotts Dock and at the entrance of Frank Sound Road. THRIFT SHOP: The Red Cross Thrift Shop resumes its normal hours. Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5–7 p.m. Saturday, 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Red Cross headquarters on Huldah Avenue. Book bargain every Thursday and Friday, a bagful for $5. SATURDAY, JAN. 9 ADULT ART COURSES: New art courses at the National Gallery start today with ceramics for three Saturdays. Later this month, drawing and painting, followed by batik and hatting. See www. nationalgallery.org.ky/news/ ngci2016adultcourses SUNDAY, JAN. 10 WALK AND WAG: 5K 6:30 a.m., Camana Bay Town Centre. Join animal-loving athletes as they run or walk to support the impor- tance of spaying and neu- tering to end the overpop- ulation of homeless pets. Pets are welcome at the event and all donations raised benefit efforts at the Cayman Islands Humane Society. Cost is $25 per person. For more details, visit caymanislandshu- manesociety.com. REVIVAL SERVICES: The West Bay Wesleyan Holiness Church invites everyone to attend Revival Services with guest speaker Rev. Sidney Grant, president of Hope International Ministries of Hobe Sound, Florida, today through Sunday, Jan. 17. All are welcome. MONDAY, JAN. 11 SHAKESPEARE WORKSHOPS: The Cayman Drama Society has organized workshops for tonight on Shakespeare’s use of language and on Wednesday for acting techniques. Each session, 7-9 p.m., is $25 for members, $40 for non-members. For both sessions, members pay $45; non-members, $75. Space is limited. Email chairman@cds.ky to book. TUESDAY, JAN. 12 BRAC NATIONAL TRUST: Cayman Brac Committee for the National Trust meets at 7:30 p.m. in the District Administration Conference Room. WEDNESDAY, JAN 13 THE BOOKENDS CLUB: Books & Books, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Join members as they meet to review their latest pick, “The Old Man and the Sea” by Ernest Hemingway. All are invited to share insights and impressions in an open discussion. FRIDAY, JAN. 15 REGISTER FOR RED SKY: The Cayman National Cultural Foundation invites applications from visual and performing artists, filmmakers, food vendors and volunteers interested in taking part in the annual Cayfest “Red Sky at Night” event. The end of today is the registration deadline. The Red Sky at Night festival is set for Saturday, Feb. 27. Download a registration form at www. artscayman.org/cayfest or contact marketcncf@ candw.ky or call 949-5477 for more information. SATURDAY, JAN. 16 NEW YEAR’S SOCIAL: Caymanians Against Economic Injustice invites the community to an ole time town hall dance at the Town Hall in George Town from 7:30 p.m. All are invited to come out and enjoy an evening of Caymanian fellowship and friendship. For further information, call 917-7734 or 927-4733 or email CAEIcayman@gmail.com. TUESDAY, JAN. 19 CHAMBER COURSE: Basics of Budgeting by Terry Carson. Today and tomorrow 9 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce office in Governors Square. Members $225. Future Members $300. Register online at www. caymanchamber.ky/events. WEDNESDAY, JAN. 20 DRAMA SOCIETY AGM: The Cayman Drama Society invites all members and interested parties to attend the annual general meeting at 7 p.m. Members will receive the chairman’s report, theater management report and the treasurer’s report. Members may pay their membership dues at the meeting. All interested parties are welcome to join prior to the meeting. Happy hour starts at 6 p.m. with the formal meeting at 7 p.m. FLOETRY: Books & Books, 6:30-7:30 p.m. All are invited to join poets and performers as they share their work during an open mic night of poetry and readings. This event is open to the public; feel free to share your own work or listen to others. THURSDAY, JAN. 21 CHAMBER COURSE: “Time Management and Productivity” by Catherine Tyson. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce office in Governors Square. Members $150; Future members $225. Register online at www. caymanchamber.ky/events. SATURDAY, JAN. 23 BURNS SUPPER: Cayman HospiceCare hosts a Burns Supper at the Grand Old House. Tickets are $150 and can be purchased from Cayman HospiceCare at Conch Shell House on North Sound Way. MULCHING: The Department of Environmental Health will mulch Christmas trees at the Smith Road Cricket Oval at 9 a.m. and showcase a new wood grinding machine, nicknamed The Beast. Residents and children are welcome to watch the mulching process before claiming their free mulch. DEH staff asks interested persons to arrive on time in the morning and to bring their own bags and shovels. SUNDAY, JAN. 24 GARDEN CLUB FAMILY DAY IN THE PARK: Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Games, performances, tours, local food and more. Call 925-5531 for more information. THURSDAY, JAN. 28 BUSINESS WORKSHOP: “Social Media Tips for Micro and Small Businesses” by Cayman Islands Yellow Pages and KRyS Global. 5:30–7:30 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce office in Governors Square. Free. Register online at www.caymanchamber.ky. GENERAL INTEREST CONSUMER PROTECTION: The Law Reform Commission invites the public to comment on a discussion paper titled “Consumer Protection – Entrenching Consumer Supremacy in Cayman Islands Legislation.” The paper may be viewed on www.lrc.gov.ky. Submissions should be forwarded in writing by post or hand no later than April 29 to the Director of the Law Reform Commission, 4th Floor, Government Administration Building, Portfolio of Legal Affairs, 133 Elgin Avenue, George Town, Grand Cayman, P.O. Box 136, Grand Cayman KY1-9000 or emailed to cilrc@gov.ky. CAREERS, EDUCATION AND TRAINING: Chamber of Commerce Expo to be held on Feb. 26. Businesses interested in exhibiting should contact Nicola Burke at 743-9129 or email membership@ caymanchamber.ky. IMMIGRATION BOARDS: The meeting dates for the Immigration Boards are as follows. The Work Permit Board’s meetings resume Jan. 11. The Business Staffing Plan Board resumed Jan. 6. The Caymanian Status and Permanent Residency Board resumes Jan. 14. While the boards are on leave, the work of the Administration, Border Control and Enforcement sections of Immigration will continue. 2016 CALENDARS: Sale benefits NCVO and Cayman HospiceCare. Local artwork, recipes and events. Call 949-2124. $15 includes envelope for mailing. REEF RESTORATION: Certified divers are invited to work on the Cayman Magic Reef restoration in George Town. A schedule of work dates and times is posted on Facebook under Cayman Magic Reef Recovery. Dates and times are listed under Events, for volunteers to check and sign up. ARTISANS MARKET: Camana Bay Artisans Market every Wednesday. Visual Arts Society artists display arts, crafts, paintings, prints, hand-crafted jewelry and ceramics for sale between noon and 8 p.m. near KARoo restaurant. For more information on displaying your work, email info@visualartcayman.com. SPECIAL OLYMPICS: Volunteers are needed. Tuesdays at the Truman Bodden Complex at 5:30 p.m. for track/field, football and bocce. No experience necessary, just a smile and patience. Wednesdays at Lions Pool 10:15–11 a.m. You do not have to swim, just be able to walk in water chest-deep. Thursdays at First Baptist Church for basketball, 5:30–7 p.m. Saturdays, volunteers needed for Adult Special Olympic swim conditioning at CIS pool 9:30–10:30 a.m. Deck support and in-water swimming assistance needed. For more information, contact Penny McDowall at 516-2578 or pjmcdowall@gmail.com. LOST DOGS: The Department of Agriculture and veterinary students of St. Matthew’s University provide an online list of dogs housed at the Department of Agriculture Animal Rescue Shelter in Lower Valley. Anyone missing a dog can check www.smustudents.webs.com. HUMANE SOCIETY BOOK LOFT: North Sound Road. Open Monday 12:30-4 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday 5:30-7:30 p.m. Volunteers needed for front desk a few hours per week. Contact humanesocietybookloft@ candw.ky or 946-8053. Donations of books, games, CDs, stationery, DVDs, cards etc. in good condition always needed. For more Community Calendar events, visit www.compasscayman. com/caycompass/portal/ community-calendar. The islands’ most-trusted news source 9 Community Calendar ■ Community Calendar is published Tuesdays and Thursdays. It is available to charitable or nonprofit organizations. Items should be submitted at least three working days before publication. Information must include name of sender, signature and contact number. ■ Items may be faxed to 949-2662, brought to the Cayman Compass office on Shedden Rd. or emailed to cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com at least three days in advance of publication. Cayman Compass • Thursday January 7, 2016 Visiting Gynecologist will be available for consultation at Dr. Vivek's offi ce at Smith Road Plaza from 18-29 January, 2016 For appointments please call (345)945-6077 +1 (345) 323-7840 www.drbarryrichter.com A Walk and Wag 5K fundraiser will begin at Camana Bay Town Centre at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 10. Walkers and runners are invited to take part and pets are welcome. All donations raised will benefit efforts at the Cayman Islands Humane Society. Cost is $25 per person.Next >