ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – Thursday January 14, 2016 SportS | page 13 cancer socieTy urges communiTy To sTride High of 85 Low of 75 Slight to moderate with wave heights of 2 to 4 feet. editorial | page 4 sTrengThening our democracy by voTing … or noT PremierHealth More claims get an automatic green light with BritCay! 57% of your claims were auto-adjudicated first* with BritCay. (*2014) BritCay budgets for high volumes of claims. We pay more claims, more accurately and quicker than any other local health insurance provider. BRITISH CAYMANIAN INSURANCE AGENCIES 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 cgigrp CarePay trial Defense: Webb hid CarePay profits from ex-wife Canover Watson takes the witness stand brenT Fuller bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Caymanian businessman Jeffrey Webb tried to cover his involvement in the company that won the Health Services Authority’s pa- tient swipe-card contract because he was trying to hide his profits from his former wife during divorce proceedings, defense attorneys in the CarePay trial alleged. Trevor Burke, QC, in the defense opening in local businessman Canover Watson’s criminal trial, told jurors, “You’d be surprised by how much Jeff Webb made. His income was well over $1 million per year [as vice president of FIFA], and Webb accumulated quite a substan- tial fortune as [Advanced Integrated System’s] on-island partner.” Watson is accused, along with his friend and business partner Webb, of defrauding the Cayman Islands government and using his po- sition as chairman of the local Health Services Authority board to direct a five-year, US$13 million contract to a Jamaican business asso- ciate, Douglas Halsall, in late 2010. Prosecutors allege Watson and Webb set up a local company – known as AIS [Advanced Integrated Systems] Cayman Ltd. – to skim profits from that agreement and hid their involvement in the company through the use of “sham” directors. Mr. Burke and Watson posited a different theory. They implied Webb tried to hide his in- volvement in AIS Cayman and had “very much his own reasons” for doing so. “There can be little doubt that if Mrs. Webb knew … the money Mr. Webb was making in his partnership with Mr. Halsall, her divorce settlement would have been considerably more,” Mr. Burke said. Tourism arrivals increase in 2015 Record air arrivals; cruise arrivals also soar James WhiTTaker jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Last year was another record year for tourism in the Cayman Islands, though growth was marginal compared with the rest of the region. The islands welcomed 385,379 total air arrivals in 2015, an increase of 0.67 per- cent over 2014, which was the best year on record for tourism. Against the backdrop of continued de- bate about the merits of a cruise dock for the Cayman Islands, arrivals from that sector soared in 2015. Just over 1.7 million passengers arrived at the George Town port, making last year the best since 2007 and the fourth best since 2000. Despite those encouraging figures, advo- cates for a cruise port continue to suggest the bump will be temporary unless a modern berthing facility is built. Though growth in air arrivals reached a plateau after a double-digit jump in 2014, it was still a very good year for hoteliers, who increased average daily room rates by 13 percent to almost $400 per night, the highest in the Caribbean. Several tourism officials, including Minister Moses Kirkconnell, have cited a need for new hotel rooms as the main factor that is preventing further growth in air arrivals. That is not likely to change too much in 2016, though the 266-room Kimpton Seafire Resort and Spa is expected to open in November, and the rebranded Margaritaville New courthouse closer to reality Case statistics highlight need for expanded facilities carol Winker cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Chief Justice Anthony Smellie an- nounced on Wednesday the specific steps that have been taken to make a new court- house a reality. He was speaking at the formal opening of Grand Court for 2016 after a cer- emonial inspection of a police guard of honor outdoors. The chief justice reported that following government’s recommitment to providing a new courthouse, a steering committee had been formed for realizing the project. Accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers is now to be engaged for the produc- tion of an outline business case, which is a prerequisite for any major government project, he explained. PwC’s fees were approved on Tuesday night, he revealed, thanking government for taking that step. The firm will have 100 days to produce its business case, which will then go to Cabinet for approval. If approved, the project can enter its construction phase. Those on hand to hear his remarks in- cluded Governor Helen Kilpatrick, Premier Alden McLaughlin, Deputy Governor Franz Manderson, Financial Services Minister Wayne Panton and Acting Commissioner of Police Anthony Ennis. Magistrates, attor- neys, retired members of the judiciary, court staff and members of the public filled Court 1 for the occasion, with an overflow accom- modated via closed circuit TV in Court 2. The need for new facilities was evidenced by case statistics the chief justice shared. In the Grand Court criminal division, 149 in- dictments are awaiting trial, with only 72 matters completed in 2015. Those still to be heard include 35 cases from 2014; 16 from 2013 and nine from 2012. There needs to be more than two Grand Court criminal cases running at the same time, he recommended, “which is an even PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » Judges and other court personnel on the steps of the courthouse at the opening of Grand Court on Wednesday. - PHoTo: Taneos ramsaY2 LOCAL NEWS Thursday January 14, 2016 • Cayman Compass In Brazil, the total as- cent over the 160-mile course is more than 30,000 feet, and “with a descent of approxi- mately 20,000 [feet], there is only about 10 miles of flat land total. It is summer in Brazil, so it promises to be hot and humid,” she said. “It is the longest I have run, over six marathons back to back to back … I can rest, but my goal is to qualify for Badwater, so my current plan is not to stop. I have to be willing to expect the un- expected, and anything can happen in a race this dis- tance, so I am preparing the best I can.” Her training sessions depend on the day: “I am starting a taper. Last Saturday was a 20-mile run and Sunday was a 10-mile tire pull with shorter runs and pulls during the week, as well as swim- ming and explosive aerobic exercises such as Medifit. I was originally planning to do the race without a crew, so my long runs were up to 30 miles with a weighted pack. “I decided to give myself a Christmas present and hired [a 4x4 and a] two person crew for the event, to assist me with the language gap, safety, feeding and directions. The crew is only good if it does not rain, as if it rains then the only thing that can make it through the mountain pass is a tank.” In honor of Cayman resi- dent Hannah Meeson, who was diagnosed with ana- plastic medulloblastoma, a form of brain cancer, in 2012 at age 4, Ms. Kanuga’s orga- nized the Ker-a-thon fund- raiser. She swam across the North Sound from Starfish Point to Barkers, approxi- mately 6 miles, and then ran from Barkers to Starfish Point and back again, approximately 106 miles. “More money is needed for childhood cancer research,” Ms. Kanuga said at the time. “Up until recently there were only two pills available that were designed specifically for childhood cancer. Recently a third pill was released. I like to think I was a small part of that, and of course everyone who has donated has helped save children’s lives too.” “I would love to raise more money for St. Baldrick’s,” she said this week. “Between my 20K swim around Key West and the Ker-a-thon, I have raised US$33,651. My goal is to raise US$45,000 before March 1. “I enjoy doing endur- ance events, and if I can raise funding or at least aware- ness, it is the least I can do,” she said. SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any film starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. © y x *Additional charges will apply per 3D ticket requested. - THURSDAY - THE HATEFUL EIGHT (R) 1:00 I 4:30 I 8:00 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 JOY (PG13) 1:10 I 4:00 I 7:00 I 9:55 STAR WARS VII 3D (PG13) 12:40 2D I 3:40 I 6:45 2D I 9:50 ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS ROAD CHIP (PG) 1:15 I 3:40 I 7:10 I 9:30 Daily Matinees Every Day $8.00 Seniors, Mon-Fri Before 6pm Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 640-FILM (640-3456) Miss Cayman motorcade on Saturday Jewel levy jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com Eight contestants in the Miss Cayman contest will be parading on Cayman’s roads Saturday to drum up public support for the beauty queen title. Starting at 8:30 a.m., the contestants will travel in a motorcade from Royal Bank parking lot in George Town, stopping at the Cayman Turtle Farm, Town Hall Clock, Pedro Castle and the Bodden Town White House entrance for photographs, also at Vivine’s Kitchen for lunch and before circling the Kaibo parking lot and heading back to George Town at 4:15 p.m. The police confirmed that no roads would be closed but asked motorists to be aware the motorcade may proceed at lowered speeds. Open-top vehicles from Andy’s Rent-A-Car will showcase the Miss Cayman hopefuls, Latrese Haylock, Theresa Cole and Samantha Rae, representing George Town; Erin Nicole Hislop, Jamie Rogers and Monyque Brooks, representing West Bay; Shanice Kelly, repre- senting Bodden Town; and Schilo Scott, representing Cayman Brac. The Miss Cayman pag- eant is scheduled for Jan. 30 at the Lions Centre, where the current Miss Cayman, Tonie Chisholm, will hand over her crown. Tickets will be on sale Dec. 18. Miss Cayman Committee members said they are looking forward to the pag- eant, the theme of which is “World of Color.” Meanwhile, contestants are busy getting in some last- minute checks on poses, eti- quette, speech and exercise. The next public ap- pearance by the Miss Cayman contestants will be at National Heroes Day on Jan. 25. The pageant winner will represent the Cayman Islands at the Miss World 2016 pageant and at the Miss Universe 2016 pageant. She will receive a four-year schol- arship valued at $70,000 and a complete wardrobe for in- ternational pageants, as well as other prizes. If for any reason the winner cannot compete in any of the international pageants, the runner-up will compete. Kanuga to tackle 160-mile run in Brazilian mountains Raising funds for St. Baldrick’s Foundation AlmA Chollette achollette@pinnaclemedialtd.com Ultra-distance runner Kerri Kanuga is leaving the sun and sea of Cayman be- hind again – this time for the mountains of Serra da Mantiqueira, Brazil. She is raising money for and awareness of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a charity which gives grants for research to find cures for childhood cancers. After finishing second in the 100-mile Yellowstone Teton Race in Montana in September 2015, Ms. Kanuga was invited to the Jan. 20 Brazil 135 Ultramarathon, which fol- lows the most challenging segment of the Caminho da Fe (Path of Faith) in the Serra da Mantiqueira mountains, a sub-range of the Andes. It usually takes hikers 12 to 15 days to cover this route. Ms. Kanuga said she plans on doing the 160- mile course in less than the cutoff time of 62.5 hours. If she reaches the 135-mile marker in 48 hours, she will qualify to race in the Badwater Ultramarathon. Badwater is billed as “The World’s Toughest Foot Race,” and passes through Death Valley in July, when the weather conditions are most extreme and temper- atures over 120 degrees are not uncommon. Other ultras Since last March, Ms. Kanuga has participated in other 100-plus-mile events. After tackling the “Ker-a- thon,” a 106-mile run and a 6-mile swim in a single effort in March 2015, she completed the Keys 100, a 100-mile run, in May. “I always bring some- thing positive back from these adventures,” said Ms. Kanuga, who attaches slo- gans to each of her en- deavors (“Never Give Up.” “You Can Do It”). For the Caminho da Fe quali- fier, her fourth ultramara- thon of 100-plus miles, her slogan is “Where hell ends, paradise begins.” While she is injury- free and feeling strong, Ms. Kanuga acknowl- edges the difficulties of training in Cayman, with its absence of hills. Last year’s Miss Cayman contestants take to the road. - Photo: Jewel levy Kerry Kanuga with Hannah Meeson. She is raising money for and awareness of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a charity which gives grants for research to find cures for childhood cancers.3 LOCAL NEWS Cayman Compass • Thursday January 14, 2016 2015 EMPLOYEE OF THE QUARTER BERMUDA BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS CAYMAN ISLANDS DUBAI HONG KONG LONDON MAURITIUS SINGAPORE / conyersdill.com KEVIN C. BUTLER PARTNER, HEAD OF CAYMAN ISLANDS OFFICE PATRICE BOOTHE JANUARY – MARCH 2015 EOQ WINNER ERIN HOLLINGSBEE APRIL – JUNE 2015 EOQ WINNER YASMANE BEAUCHENE JULY – SEPTEMBER 2015 EOQ WINNER SAMANTHA BODDEN OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2015 EOQ WINNER GENE DACOSTA HEAD OF HUMAN RESOURCES Illegal lander worked for $5–$10 per day Carol Winker cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com A man who identified him- self as a Cuban national pleaded guilty in Summary Court on Tuesday afternoon to illegal landing and working without a permit. Magistrate Kirsty-Ann Gunn sentenced 45-year-old Diogene Fermin Garcia to 20 days’ imprisonment. Crown counsel Kenneth Ferguson told the court that Garcia was arrested on Jan. 10 after the police helicopter crew spotted a suspicious vessel – a 35-foot Go-fast – with two men aboard off Barkers in West Bay. Marine unit officers aboard the Niven D intercepted the boat, bringing the men to shore. One was a West Bay resident; the other was the defendant. He did not speak English and was interviewed with the assistance of a Spanish-speaking officer. He had the assistance of a court-ap- pointed interpreter in court. Garcia told authorities he was en route to Honduras when his sailboat went onto a reef. Since the reef was close to land, he came ashore. He said his Cuban identification papers were lost. Mr. Ferguson told the court that Garcia reported working for several people as a gardener, but he could not name any of them. He also said he worked at a Seven Mile Beach resort through someone he met. He had earned $5 to $10 per day trimming co- conut trees. Garcia said he met the West Bay man at a shop in that dis- trict. The man subsequently in- vited him to take a ride on a boat; the man did not know Garcia was in Cayman illegally, the defendant emphasized. Mr. Ferguson advised that authorities were checking to see if Garcia actually was a Cuban national. Mr. Ferguson said the defen- dant was likely to be deported after any sentence, so authorities needed to know his nationality. Asked by the magistrate if he wanted to be sentenced that day or wait, or if there were any matters he wanted to bring to the court’s attention, Garia re- plied through the interpreter, “Nothing to say. I just want to go back to Cuba.” Proceeding to sentence, Magistrate Gunn said she con- sidered the circumstances in which Garcia said he had come to Cayman, as there was nothing to cast doubt on his account. But she pointed out that he should have reported to authorities. Instead, he had avoided police and immigration officers and had worked to sus- tain himself. Both offenses were serious, she said, because the laws were designed to protect Cayman’s borders, the people living here and the economy. The pen- alty was custody because the message had to be sent that Cayman will not tolerate people coming here illegally. The magistrate concluded that Garcia had shown re- morse and saved court time by pleading guilty. His sen- tence was therefore the shortest possible time she could give. She imposed 20 days for il- legal landing and seven days concurrent for working without a permit. “At the end of your sen- tence, it will be a matter for Immigration authorities as to what will happen to you and they will no doubt speak to you before the end of your sen- tence,” she told Garcia. He pleaded guilty to landing in Cayman without the permis- sion of an immigration officer on or before Jan. 10 and en- gaging in gainful employment by working as a gardener be- tween Nov. 15, 2015 and Jan. 10, 2016. Further checks indicated that Garcia landed here on a date closer to Dec. 15, but that time span is within the period specified in the charge. Law firm staff heLp raise $10,000 for LocaL charities Employees at Conyers, Dill and Pearman have donated $10,000 to charity through the law firm’s employee of the quarter program. The winners are selected “based on performance be- yond the call of duty, team spirit and exemplary work ethic,” according to a press release from the firm. As part of their award, winners are given $2,500 to donate to local charities of their choosing. The 2015 recipi- ents, Patrice Boothe, Erin Hollingsbee, Yasmane Beauchene and Samantha Bodden, donated to childhood cancer education and aware- ness, after-school care, com- petitive youth sports and an- imal welfare funds charities. Conyers’s Head of Office Kevin Butler matched funds raised by employees in a summer raffle, allowing the winner, Alesia Evans, to select a charity to re- ceive the funds. She donated to the National Council of Voluntary Organisations. Ms. Booth, who won in the January–March 2015 quarter, chose the Rehoboth After-School Enrichment Centre and Rising Stars Netball Club as her charities; Ms. Hollingsbee, the April- June winner, chose Heroes for Hannah, Canine Friends and the National Council of Voluntary Organisations; Ms. Beauchene, the July– September winner, chose Cayman Youth Organization; and Ms. Bodden, the October- December winner, chose Prospect Primary School. “We encourage a tre- mendous amount of em- ployee involvement in our office,” said Gene DaCosta, head of human resources. “Our internal programs are developed based on em- ployee suggestions and feedback. I am very proud of the ways our employees continue to ensure commu- nity support is a staple of those programs.” Mr. Butler said, “Our in- ternal programs not only foster team spirit and build morale, but also provide a way for employees to con- tribute and stay connected to important causes.” The Niven D marine police boat intercepts the 35-foot long boat off Barkers on Jan. 10. – photo: rcips Clinton targets Cayman Islands tax schemes MiChael klein mklein@pinnaclemedialtd.com Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential front- runner, targeted the Cayman Islands and other offshore centers in an interview with MSNBC on Monday. Outlining her income tax plans, should she become the next U.S. president, Mrs. Clinton said she will end tax abuses and apply a surcharge to in- come gains even if they are gen- erated offshore. “We are now in a position, I think, where we can go after some of these schemes that you did read about: the kind of mis- classifying of income, trying to make it look like it’s cap- ital gains when it is really or- dinary income, going ahead and routing income through the Bahamas or the Cayman Islands or wherever,” she said. “So I want to have a sur- charge that wherever the in- come comes from, wherever the income is, it would be on the adjusted gross income and it would give us a chance to try to get around and end some of these abuses that are taking place in the tax system.” Mrs. Clinton has proposed a 4 percent tax surcharge on Americans making more than $5 million annually, to ensure that the wealthy, who are the most likely to benefit from tax planning, pay a higher effec- tive tax rate than the middle classes. Mrs. Clinton plans to close “egregious loopholes,” like the “Bermuda reinsurance loop- hole,” whereby a hedge fund or hedge fund investors make a capital investment in an off- shore reinsurance company, which then reinvests that cap- ital and the premiums it re- ceives in the hedge fund. Tax on the investment is de- ferred until the investment is liquidated and then taxed at the lower capital gains tax rate. Her plans further target the “Romney loophole,” a ref- erence to the 2012 presiden- tial candidate’s disclosure that he had accumulated more than $100 million in his retirement account, in part through the legal deferral of income tax on his offshore fund investments. Mrs. Clinton wants to limit the ability of the very wealthy to game the system by shel- tering large incomes in tax- preferred accounts. In addition, she endorsed the “Buffett Rule” proposal, named after billionaire investor Warren Buffett, which would set a minimum tax rate of 30 percent for earners with an in- come of more than $2 million. The measures are necessary, the Clinton campaign said, be- cause “as a result of loopholes and the ‘private tax system’ of lawyers and accountants who enable complex strategies to shelter and lower the bill on income for the most fortunate, some of the wealthiest tax- payers continue to pay low ef- fective rates on their income.” Asked whether she would aim at raising the capital gains rate, which was cut by her hus- band, former President Bill Clinton, from 28 percent to 20 percent, she said that those cuts were part of a budget deal and “middle class folks, poor people got something for it” in return. Instead, she is proposing a different capital gains struc- ture. “You would pay ordinary income tax for holding an asset for less than two years and then it would drop until in the sixth year it would be 20 per- cent,” she explained. However, it is unclear whether the tax proposals would affect the ability of high-income earners to legally shelter or understate their true income for tax purposes. In any event, implementing the tax plans would first require a major power shift in Congress, commentators noted. Hillary ClintonThe 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. Strengthening our democracy by voting … or not As the Compass reported yesterday, the number of registered voters in the Cayman Islands has steadily declined since the last general elections were held in 2013, and is now down to 18,271. Officials estimate there are 5,000 Caymanian status holders who are eligible to register to vote, but haven’t. We imagine that, during the coexistence of popular elections and the printing press, thousands upon thousands of editorials have been published lamenting a lack of participation in the democratic process, and urging people to exercise their right to vote. We won’t be making those arguments. We have a slightly different perspective. There is probably a correlation between a person’s likelihood of voting and their feeling that in the grander context of life, their vote “matters.” High voter turnout may even be an indicator of the health of a country’s democracy. (Then again, near–100 percent voter turnout is a hallmark of dictatorships such as North Korea and Saddam Hussein’s Iraq.) For what it’s worth, the voter turnout in Cayman’s 2013 election — about 80 percent of registered voters, and perhaps 60 percent of voting-age Caymanians — is comparable to national election turnouts for first-world countries such as the United States, France, Germany and the U.K. In other words, it’s unclear that “low voter par- ticipation” is a systemic problem in Cayman. What is clear, though, is that — notwithstanding all the “one man, one vote” rhetoric — not all votes are created equal. What we mean is, not everyone puts the same amount of research, reasoning and thought into their selection of candidates before Election Day. While many people hold a glorified view of democracy in which every citizen should vote as a matter of principle, we are of the opinion that ignorant votes are worthless, even harmful. In addition to the civic duty of voting, we compound the civic duty of voting intelligently. Now, we aren’t implying that greater consumption of information and deliberation over issues will magi- cally generate consensus among the voting population — in fact, it may cement or even augment divisions. The state of human affairs is such that in regard to many (if not most) topics or candidates, there is poten- tially more than one rational and defensible position to be taken. The value of a vote is not what is marked on the ballot, but the thought process behind the ballot, that occurs within the mind of the voter. “Good citi- zenship” is a continual, ongoing responsibility, not an exercise that occurs one day every four years. People who pay attention to what is happening in the country, who are acquainted with the candidates and well-informed on the issues — for example, regular readers of this newspaper — should be much less sus- ceptible to being “bought off” by political favors, or to following the “herd mentality” fostered by the party system. More informed choices on Election Day should result in better, more-responsive government and, hopefully, greater prosperity for all. Accordingly, we urge the 23,000 or so voting-age Caymanians — not simply to register to vote — but to ensure they are as educated as possible on the topics that matter to the country, to scrutinize the activi- ties of the current government and the records of past ones, and to listen to the ideas being offered by poten- tial candidates for next year’s election. Then, by all means, register to vote: And then vote, please. But to those who don’t care to do their homework before casting their ballots, or who plan to auction off their vote to the highest bidder, the best thing they can do for Cayman’s democracy is to abstain from it. WASHINGTON – What boxer Sonny Liston’s manager said of him (Sonny had his good points, the trouble was his bad points) is true of Marco Rubio. His strengths include intelligence, articulateness and, usually, cheerfulness. His misjudgments involve, in ascending order of impor- tance, the Senate immigration bill of 2013, sugar, Libya and S-590. Together these reveal a recurring penchant for ill- considered undertakings. Rubio’s retreat, under withering political heat, from the immigration bill was undignified but not repre- hensible. The bill had 1,197 pages because the 906-page Affordable Care Act had not slaked the congressional ap- petite for “comprehensive” solutions to complex prob- lems. The immigration bill solved everything, down to the hourly wage of immi- grant agricultural sorters ($9.84). Rubio shared this se- rene knowingness. His sugar addiction is a reprehensible but not star- tling example of the routine entanglements of big gov- ernment and big business. He has benefited from the support of Florida’s wealthy sugar producers, who have benefited from sugar import quotas and other corporate welfare that force Americans to pay approximately twice the world price for sugar. What is, however, startling is Rubio’s preposterous defense of this corporate welfare as a national security impera- tive: Without our government rigging the sugar market, “other countries will capture the market share, our agri- cultural capacity will be de- veloped into real estate, you know, housing and so forth, and then we lose the capacity to produce our own food, at which point we’re at the mercy of a foreign country for food security.” This promiscuous invo- cation of national security brings us to Rubio’s enthu- siastic support of the Barack Obama/Hillary Clinton in- tervention in Libya, which Rubio faults for having been insufficiently enthusiastic. This 2011 plunge into a tribal society’s civil war, this eight- month assassination at- tempt using fighter bombers, this supposedly humani- tarian imperialism appealed to Secretary of State Clinton and other progressives pre- cisely because it had no dis- cernible connection to any vital U.S. interest. Rubio sup- ported this third adventure in regime change in the Muslim world since 9/11, perhaps on the principle that practice makes perfect. Today, his sensible com- plaint is that the Obama ad- ministration (like the previous administration regarding Iraq) had no plans for pre- venting chaos after the Libyan regime was decapitated. His not-at-all sensible implica- tion, however, is that America should have buckled down to nation-building there. Rubio’s misjudgment re- garding Libya indicates a susceptibility to slapdash foreign policies. His sup- port of S-590, the Campus Accountability and Safety Act, indicates a susceptibility to trendy temptations, care- lessness regarding evidence, and indifference to constitu- tional values. Wielding irrelevant laws, spurious social sci- ence and financial coercion, the Obama administration is pressuring colleges and universities to traduce stan- dards of due process when dealing with students ac- cused of sexual assault. Claiming that a 1972 law prohibiting sex discrimina- tion in education somehow empowers the government to dictate institutions’ dis- ciplinary procedures, the administration is dictating that a mere “preponder- ance of the evidence,” rather than “clear and convincing” evidence, be used in deter- mining a life-shattering ver- dict of guilt. Stuart Taylor Jr. and KC Johnson – a lawyer and an academic, neither Republicans – write that the administration justifies this by citing a single “resound- ingly discredited” study pur- porting to prove an epidemic (involving one in five women) of campus sexual assaults. The administration opposes allowing accused students to cross-examine their accusers, and favors a form of double jeopardy – allowing accusers to appeal not-guilty findings. Rubio is one of 12 Republican senators collab- orating with the administra- tion by co-sponsoring leg- islation that would codify requiring improvised campus disciplinary proceedings to supplant law enforce- ment and the criminal jus- tice system. Proposed by Democrat Claire McCaskill of Missouri, the legislation is, as Taylor and Johnson say, “de- signed to advance the admin- istration’s agenda.” The leg- islation’s language radiates prejudgment: By repeatedly referring to accusers as “vic- tims,” it presumes the guilt of the accused. Taylor and Johnson write: “America’s universities are in the grip of a dangerous presume-guilt-and-rush-to- judgment culture …. An en- tire generation of college stu- dents is learning to disregard due process and the dispas- sionate evaluation of evi- dence. And dozens of clearly or at least probably inno- cent students, whose cases we will detail in a book we are now writing, have been branded sex criminals, been railroaded out of their uni- versities, and seen their hopes and dreams ruined.” By co-sponsoring S-590, Rubio is helping the admin- istration sacrifice a core con- stitutional value, due process, in order to advance progres- sives’ cultural aggression. The next Republican presi- dent should be someone com- mitted to promptly stopping this disgrace, not someone who would sign S-590’s affir- mation of it. George Will’s email address is georgewill@washpost.com. © 2016, Washington Post Writers Group 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” Thursday January 14, 2016 • Cayman COmpass Misjudging Rubio Rubio supported this third adventure in regime change in the Muslim world since 9/11, perhaps on the principle that practice makes perfect. Republican presidential candidate and Florida U.S. Senator Marco Rubio has ‘a recurring penchant for ill-considered undertakings,’ demonstrated by decisions in regard to domestic and foreign policy, says columnist George Will. - Photo: Patrick t. Fallon/BloomBerg news GEORGE F. WILL GEORGE 5 LOCAL NEWS Justice Michael Mettyear A ceremony to mark the official annual opening of the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands was held at the courthouse in downtown George Town on Wednesday morning. The event was attended by Chief Justice Anthony Smellie, judges, magistrates, lawyers and other court personnel, as well as Governor Helen Kilpatrick and Premier Alden McLaughlin. Cayman Compass • Thursday January 14, 2016 Governor Helen Kilpatrick arrives at the Law Courts Building accompanied by Inspector Ian Yearwood. Chief Justice Anthony Smellie receives a general salute from the guard of honor. Behind him, from left, are Acting Police Commissioner Anthony Ennis, Justice Richard Williams, Clerk of Court Tabitha Philander and Chief Marshal Richard Harford. - Photos: taneos Ramsay Chief Justice Anthony Smellie inspects the Guard of Honor, accompanied by Chief Inspector Malcolm Kay as Guard Commander and Acting Police Commissioner Anthony Ennis. Justices Richard Williams, left, and Charles Quin share a jovial moment after the ceremony. Justice Nicholas Segal Premier Alden McLaughlin, left, is escorted by Chief Marshal Richard Harford. Magistrates, who preside in Summary Court, include, from left, Eileen Nervik, Philippa McFarlane and Kirsty-Ann Gunn. Attorney General Samuel BulginThursday January 14, 2016 • Cayman Compass 6 DISTRICT DAYS District Days Bodden Town In the Jan. 12, 1966 edi- tion of the Caymanian Weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Compass, Bodden Town correspondent Arthur Hunter wrote: “Whittaker’s ice-cream caravan is fast becoming a familiar sight on our roads. It is the first of its kind in the island and is indicative of the enterprise of yet an- other Bodden Towner. “On Saturday last, Mr. and Mrs. Mervyn Parsons of Pease Bay left the island for Jamaica, taking along with them their four-day-old baby. The purpose of their trip is to seek medical aid for the baby. This is but one of the many cases of travel abroad for medical aid within the last six months and one is forced to query the reason for such action. It is a lack of faith in our medical services? If so, this is a sorry state of affairs for which the present Director of Medical Services is in no way to be blamed. “Each trip abroad for medical aid is invari- ably made at great phys- ical inconvenience to the sick person and undoubt- edly entails expenses of far greater proportions than Caymanians are accustomed to. Surely the money paid to U.S. and Jamaican hospitals and doctors could be more profitably used at home. “The time is now ripe in the interest of all Caymanians for a re-ap- praisal of our medical ser- vices. Oft times we are told that our hospital is under control of the Director of Medical Services. The present incumbent being of long-standing experience and high academic qualifi- cations. He is assisted in the medical field by an equally eminently qualified and ex- perienced part-time practi- tioner. But yet it seems that they are unable to cope with the needs of our sick. Either the facilities at the hos- pital are inadequate, which means that the public is being continually mislead, or the workload is too heavy for the two practitioners, a fact that is perhaps at- tested to by the vast number of patients to be seen daily at their respective clinics awaiting treatment. “Maybe the time is now at hand for the appoint- ment of two doctors to the hospital, one physician to deal with the needs of the outpatient department and the other a surgeon for op- erations and specialist ser- vices. Such appointments coupled with the patently needed increased staff and facilities at the hos- pital would be money well spent. It should go a long way toward keeping sick Caymanians at home and the money they must spend on medical services in our own Government’s Treasury. “Unquestionably the money spent overseas by Caymanians on medical aid in the last six months far exceeds the salary of a med- ical practitioner.” 50 years ago: Mobile ice cream debuts, healthcare questions Savannah celebrates seniors Savannah Newlands rev- elers were out in full force at the senior citizens’ Christmas party on Wednesday, Dec. 16. It was a jolly affair, with the weather cooperating and much holiday cheer to be had. More than 200 seniors attended the event, which was held at the Savannah/ Newlands playfield. With Woody DaCosta acting as emcee, the evening featured great food, music, a raffle and gifts, not to mention a visit from Santa. “The night was just awe- some,” said event chair Heather Bodden. “It rained that whole week, but Wednesday night Dec. 16 was the most beau- tiful night. A lovely cool Savannah breeze floated over the venue and the eve- ning was filled with fun, food and friendship.” Everything was beauti- fully decorated for the holi- days, and the entertainment was led mostly by area youth. “It pleased the crowd so much hearing the lovely voices of youngsters, and the young received a lot of praise from the crowd on their per- formances,” said Ms. Bodden. “Santa came dressed as a cowboy, riding through the gate entrance to everyone’s glee. It was a magical night.” The event marked its 24th year in 2015, which Ms. Bodden noted was hosted by Sav-New CoDAC and only made possible through the assistance of the com- mittee, a wide range of in- dividual volunteers, and groups including the Lions of Tropical Gardens. Event sponsors in- cluded A.L. Thompson, Cox Lumber, Tortuga rum, Flow, the Cayman Islands Baptist Church, Lynn Bodden, Bodden & Bodden and Cayman National Bank, as well as Bodden Town MLAs. Pastor randy Von Kanel, left, Dan ebanks, center, and Minister Wayne Panton From left, Woody DaCosta, Dan ebanks and Baldwin Jackson Winifred sykes and Bishop Nicholas sykesCayman Compass • Thursday January 14, 2016 7 DISTRICT DAYS District Days Bodden Town A bubbly future for soap seller Jewel levy jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com Down on her luck and nearly homeless, just a few years ago it was nearly im- possible for Nina Squires to imagine that some day she would have an upscale soap business. Her life had been turned upside down after a previous company she had started with a friend collapsed. She found herself flat broke and desperate. She said she had to give away all her furniture, could not stay in her apartment, and even had to sell her car to pay the rent. Instead of giving up, Ms. Squires decided to dig in her heels and turn her for- tunes around, thinking that coming up with just the right item to produce and sell might be the answer. She landed on a product that was reasonably priced, that was easy for visitors to take home, smelled good, and would reflect a piece of the Cayman Islands – a lo- cally made soap. “I didn’t see many prod- ucts available that were made locally. Since getting my status, I thought why not do something appro- priate, and use it wisely to do a product that was ac- tually made in the Cayman Islands,” said Ms. Squires. Having already dabbled in soap-making in the past, she decided to start Beach Bubbles, a business that sells natural soap products made on island. Ms. Squires got to work, researching how to make soap. She says her tough situation and her decision to start the busi- ness offered great motiva- tion to educate herself on soap making techniques and ingredients. Seven years later, the company is a hit with both locals and visitors. “I’m really rags to riches and I am on my way to riches,” said Ms. Squires, sounding very excited as she described how she had just bought her first little beach house across the road from her business. “I was knocked down on my knees, decided to get back up, and the ben- efits have paid off. And just the mere fact that it is a handmade product of the Cayman Islands makes me feel even more proud,” she said. A particular focus for her soap-making has been to in- corporate as many natural and healing ingredients as possible, creating a unique selling point. Not wanting to give away any trade secrets, Ms. Squires says the formu- lations use goat milk, co- conut milk, products from the neem and moringa trees, and other natural plants. Most of her soaps are ei- ther buttermilk- or goat’s milk-based and incorporate enticing ingredients like co- conut oil, mango nut butter, macadamia nut oil, pep- permint, lavender, avocado oil, kukui nut oil, Moroccan Argon oil, white grape- fruit, orange and lemon. Ms. Squires also takes great care in the appearance of her soaps, using layering techniques that offer a sig- nature look. Ms. Squires’s efforts are being recognized, as the re- tail store, where Ms. Squires also makes all of her soaps, has been given a top rating for shopping in the Cayman Islands for many weeks on TripAdvisor, an on- line source of travel infor- mation. The business was also featured on “Made in Cayman,” a video series shown on local TV station Cayman 27. Beach Bubbles soaps have a distinctive look and are a hit with tourists. Inside the Beach Bubbles store. Nina Squires with her pet rabbit at Beach Bubbles. A primer on old-time directions Jewel levy jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com Caymanians give direc- tions much like a story pro- gressing from beginning to end, traditionally turning to landmarks to describe how to get from one point to another. Fifty years ago, Bodden Town consisted of an area within a 3-mile radius stretching along the coastline from Guard House Hill to the Everglo Drive-in Theatre in Pease Bay. Directions did not involve street names; rather they included phrases like, “turn left at Uncle Biddle Shop, pass Aunt Gutty’s house, see the cows in a pas- ture and next to them you will find Pappa Touslin.” Giving directions in this manner is certainly one way to bemuse visitors, as they cock their heads, squint their eyes and take another look at the map in their hands. “We don’t see Uncle Biddle’s Shop or Aunt Gutty’s house on the map, are you sure?” tends to be their first response. Also, 50 years ago there was no talk of east or west; one either went “to leeward” or “to windward.” Except for a wooden structure, which served as the Church of God Church, Mr. Biddle’s grocery shop, the town hall and a few homes, there was nothing much else “to leeward.” “To wind- ward” was Mr. Logan’s gro- cery shop, a few homes, the post office and jailhouse, the Presbyterian Church, the community cemetery and the drive-in theater. Some landmark references might be a mystery to those not in the know, but neigh- borhood convenience stores often served as key points when people gave directions. Then there were the better-known spots. People had a tendency to focus on using landmarks where people tended to congregate, like Mr. Biddle’s shop, the churches, the clinic and the post office. Then there were the spots everyone knew, like “cow pen” or “first well.” These old-time directions were easy to follow if you knew everyone and every- thing, and if Mr. Terry did not move the cows for the day. While much time has passed, that traditional way of finding your way around still lives on; there are still Bodden Towners who do not know the names of many of the local streets, not even the one they reside on. Directions in Bodden Town were often less direct in the old days.The islands’ most-trusted news source 8 Thursday January 14, 2016 • Cayman Compass more compelling argument for a new courthouse.” Chief Justice Smellie said the assistance of vis- iting Grand Court justices had been crucial and he noted that attorney Robin McMillan, who was ap- pointed last year as an acting judge, has now been made an established judge of the court. As a Cayman resident, he will relinquish his law practice and be able to serve on a full-time basis, the chief justice explained. The Judicial and Legal Services Commission has se- lected and pre-approved three Queen’s Counsel who will be able to serve as acting judges. In the Grand Court finan- cial services division, 255 cases were filed in 2015, up from 167 the year before. In the family division, 260 cases were filed, all involving divorce or the care of children. The chief justice announced a new approach to family court proceedings through media- tion. This practice has been shown to be less acrimo- nious and less expensive than having a decision imposed on the parties, he said. All mem- bers of the judiciary will be trained in family court medi- ation over a long weekend in February, he said. In the Summary Court, a backlog initiative was estab- lished to deal with cases in which there had been chronic delays. These typically in- volved defendants who were not represented by an at- torney and were the result of summons not being served or witnesses or defendants not showing up on time or cases with defense counsel taking precedence or lack of courtrooms. Last year, Chief Justice Smellie recalled, he had made an urgent plea for fa- cilities for children in need of care. He thanked govern- ment for structures com- pleted at two sites, but noted that the present facilities for young offenders did not meet appropriate standards. He also pointed to the need for more personnel in Children and Family Services and the Probation and Aftercare Unit. Court proceedings began with prayer led by Father Suresh Rajaian, pastor of St. Ignatius Catholic Church. Attorney General Samuel Bulgin moved the opening of court. His motion was sec- onded by representatives of the Law Society and Caymanian Bar Association, and Colin McKie, consultant editor of the Cayman Islands Law Reports. Mr. McKie first read the speech of Law Society presi- dent Alasdair Robertson, who summarized the work of mem- bers in consulting on various legislation. Speaking in his own role, Mr. McKie noted that Cayman’s judges had produced 134 written judgments and rulings in 2015. Cayman Islands Law Reports are con- sulted throughout the Commonwealth, he said, and now contain 1,941 judg- ments from the last 60 years. Publication of judgments helps the concerned parties under- stand reasons for a decision and ensures public confidence in the courts, he pointed out. Abraham Thoppil, presi- dent of the Caymanian Bar Association, called for legis- lation to be drafted in plain language. Overly technical terminology is arguably dis- criminatory, he suggested. It can be a breach of natural justice and a waste of time and money when attorneys differ and judges have to be called on to make decisions, Mr. Thoppil said. All speeches are sched- uled to be posted on the judi- cial website. resort could open at the Treasure Island site on Seven Mile Beach before the end of the year. Further down the line, the Health City hotel and a planned five-star hotel in Bodden Town are also in the works. “The continued interest by developers to invest in the Cayman Islands is a good indication that we are a country destined to grow,” said Rosa Harris, di- rector of the Department of Tourism. Mr. Kirkconnell said var- ious initiatives, including the new tourism school, are helping Caymanians be a bigger part of the success story in tourism. “The continued success of our tourism sector means that more Caymanians are able to positively impact our visitors’ experiences while maintaining a livelihood in what is an exciting and dy- namic industry,” he said. Chief Officer Stran Bodden said the redevelop- ment of the airport, which began in 2015 and is ex- pected to take three years to complete, is another piece of the puzzle. “The improvements at the airport, along with other infrastructure proj- ects currently in progress, will make our tourism mar- ketplace even more ap- pealing for our visitors as product enhancements, in- cluding numerous hotel developments, continue to come on line,” he said. Mr. Burke said jurors would be hearing “a great deal” about Webb during Watson’s defense of the six- count indictment against him. He acknowledged that the two were the “closest of friends,” but that some de- tails of Webb’s involvement – and earnings – from the AIS Cayman contract were not known even to Watson until lawyers received certain bank records ahead of the criminal trial. Webb is also charged with offenses in Cayman in con- nection with the investiga- tion, but he is not facing trial in Cayman at this time. The reason Webb is not in Cayman was referred to by Mr. Burke in his de- fense opening. “Things changed signif- icantly in this trial when, right in the middle, Webb ‘fesses up his own guilt in America,” he said, referring to U.S. criminal charges in the ongoing FIFA bribery probe to which Webb pleaded guilty in November. The guilty plea was not announced until after Watson’s trial in Cayman had started. “He’s a man obviously steeped in dishonesty,’ Mr. Burke said, referring to Webb. “It’s not important what he pleaded to; all that’s impor- tant is that it’s nothing to do with this case.” Watson takes stand Appearing before the court in his own defense Wednesday morning, Watson was asked by Mr. Burke di- rectly whether he was in- volved in a criminal enter- prise that sought to disguise Webb as the true director of AIS Cayman. “Is there any truth to that?” Mr. Burke asked. “No,” Watson responded. “Why would Webb wish to disguise his associa- tion with AIS Cayman?” Mr. Burke asked. “It would seem that maybe he was trying to dis- guise his involvement in AIS from his wife and her attor- neys,” Mr. Watson replied. Watson notarized the de- cree of dissolution of mar- riage between Webb and his former wife on Jan. 20, 2011, jurors in the trial heard. However, Watson testified that he did not know that the terms of that divorce in- volved the transfer of Webb’s Cayman Islands home and about $100,000 cash to his ex-wife until he was allowed to examine certain financial records in the course of this criminal trial. AIS Cayman Ltd. took in approximately US$3 mil- lion from a contract it was awarded from the public hos- pital system in December 2010, prosecutors have al- leged. They have further al- leged that Watson pocketed about US$348,000 in profits from the contract, which he directed as former chairman of the Health Services Authority board. Watson also testified Wednesday that he had never seen registration documents or checks that paid for the registration of AIS Cayman Ltd. – both of which bore his signature – until his arrest in August 2014. He said the reason for this was that his personal assistant, Miriam Rodriguez, was authorized to use Watson’s signature stamp on the records. Watson said Ms. Rodriguez did this at Webb’s request and never told him she had stamped the documents. ‘[Ms. Rodriguez] had full control of my life,” Watson said during testimony. Mr. Burke asked why Webb did not pay for the AIS Cayman registration documents. “You have to understand with Mr. Webb, he’s a big per- sonality, not great attention to detail,” Watson said. “It’s likely he set this up and then ‘I need to get on a plane.’ Then Miriam is left with [it].” Watson’s ‘life’s work’ Mr. Burke agreed that Watson was “intimately in- volved” in every detail of the Health Services Authority’s patient swipe-card contract – which became known as the CarePay system – and was keen to resolve a situa- tion with accumulated debts that left the public hospital system bankrupt for “at least five years” by the time Watson became HSA board chairman in 2010. He said Watson knew a system that could verify an insured patient’s claims for healthcare services in real time and that could de- cide what was owed by in- surance companies almost immediately could help the HSA resolve many of the financial problems it was experiencing. “For a period, it became his life’s work,” Mr. Burke said. “Nothing was more important. “Rest assured, he knows more about this contract and what went on behind the scenes in relation to it than any witness that has given evidence [in the trial],” Mr. Burke said. Mr. Burke suggested that Mr. Halsall’s company, AIS Jamaica, was the only com- pany “in the world” that could provide the services the HSA was seeking in re- lation to real-time patient claims verification and adju- dication. He suggested that Watson knew AIS Jamaica offered the only solution “and so did everyone else.” “Everyone else,” according to the defense, included then-government Health Minister Mark Scotland and former Cayman Islands Premier McKeeva Bush. Despite these circum- stances, Mr. Burke said, Watson was instructed by then-Premier Bush to issue a request for proposals for the hospital patient claims system. Mr. Burke suggested this was because another company, Brac Informatics, wanted to bid on the con- tract and “nobody wants the politics of them not being al- lowed to bid.” The “politics” came into the equation, Mr. Burke sug- gested, because Cayman Brac and Little Cayman MLA Moses Kirkconnell – then an opposition party member – had a controlling interest in Brac Informatics. As it turned out, Brac Informatics did not bid on the hospital patient veri- fication system contract, but another company – an American firm named Cerner – did. Mr. Burke said AIS Jamaica, its sister com- pany Health Adjudication Systems of St. Lucia and local partner AIS Cayman ended up winning the con- tract because they were the best and lowest bidder. “There is no question that AIS offered the best value for money,” he said. Halsall’s ‘problem’ According to Cayman Islands law, no foreign com- pany can own more than 40 percent of a locally op- erating firm unless there are special circumstances involved. This is what led AIS Jamaica’s owner, Mr. Halsall, to form a locally operating arm for his inter- ests in the HSA swipe-card contract. The company that ended up being formed was AIS Cayman Ltd. Mr. Burke said Mr. Halsall, whom he described as “a smart man, a wealthy man,” incorporated AIS Cayman so that his on-is- land expenses related to the CarePay contract could be paid here. AIS Jamaica’s inter- ests in the CarePay con- tract were registered with another company, Health Adjudication Systems of St. Lucia, so that some of the profits from the CarePay deal could be “sheltered” in that jurisdiction from a 27 percent corporate tax typi- cally charged in Jamaica, Mr. Burke said. The se- nior defense counsel did not suggest Mr. Halsall had done anything wrong and said he was merely struc- turing the relevant firms involved to his best finan- cial advantage. However, Mr. Burke did suggest that Webb may not have informed Mr. Halsall about everything that was going on in Cayman with the registration and op- eration of AIS Cayman Ltd. Both local directors, Joscelyn Morgan and Eldon Rankin, had close ties to Webb, attorneys said. Mr. Rankin was Webb’s step- father and Mr. Morgan knew Webb for many years through the Cayman Islands Football Association. Watson testified Wednesday that while he knew both Mr. Morgan and Mr. Rankin, he did not have as close a relationship with either man as Webb. In fact, Watson said, he did not cur- rently have contact details for either man. Tourism arrivals increase in 2015 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 New courthouse closer to reality CarePay Trial Defense: Webb hid CarePay profits from ex-wife Hoteliers increased average daily room rates by 13 percent to almost $400 per night, the highest in the Caribbean. All members of the judiciary will be trained in family court mediation over a long weekend in February, Chief Justice Smellie said. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Jeffrey WebbThe 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 14, 2016 e Day God Took You Home A million times We needed you A million times we cried, If love alone Could have saved you you never would have died. In life we loved you dearly, In death we love you still. In our hearts you hold a place, No one else can ever ll. It broke our hearts to lose you, But you didn’t go alone Part of us went with you, e day God took you home. With love always, Your daughters Desiree, Darrah & Damara, Husband Lenard, Grand Children & the rest of the family. September 26th 1951 to January 14th 2015 THURSDAY, JAN. 14 EXHIBITION EN MAS’: The National Gallery holds a members’ reception, 6-8 p.m. to open the exhibition of “Carnival and Performance Art of the Caribbean.” This traveling exhibition explores the influences of Carnival on contemporary performance and practices internationally. Renew membership today and get first access to the exhibition. Contact on 945-8111 or info@ nationalgallery.org.ky. REVIVAL SERVICES: The West Bay Wesleyan Holiness Church continues its week of Revival Services with guest speaker Rev. Sidney Grant, president of Hope International Ministries of Hobe Sound, Florida, through Sunday, Jan. 17. All are welcome. FRIDAY, JAN. 15 JUNIOR YOUTH ORCHESTRA: Any students age 12 or younger who play an orchestral instrument are invited to join in the Cayman Arts Festival. Rehearsals are Fridays 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the John Gray High School Music Department. Email fmcconvey@yahoo.com for more information. 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 festival is set for 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 old- 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. SUNDAY, JAN. 17 STRIDE AGAINST CANCER: Early bird registration for event on Sunday, Jan. 31. Register by midnight tonight for $25. Price is $30 as of Jan. 18. Those who register early have their names entered for the prize drawing to win two Cayman Airways tickets. Options are 1. Register online at CaymanActive. com and pay in person (cash, credit card) at the Cancer Society office prior to event day. 2. Pay online option at www.active.com/ donate/StrideCayman2016 (CICS incurs a 6 percent processing fee, so in-person is always preferred.) 3. Register and pay in person by cash or credit card, at the CICS Office prior to event day. MONDAY, JAN. 18 PAINTING OPEN STUDIO: Visual Arts Society offers Painting Open Studio today and next Monday to adults who want to work independently in an inspiring atmosphere: 12:30-4 p.m. at the Watler House Studio, Pedro Castle. $10 for members; $15 for non-members. Materials and instruction not included. For more information, contact visualartcayman@ yahoo.com. TUESDAY, JAN. 19 CHAMBER COURSE: “Basics of Budgeting” by Terry Carson. Today and tomorrow 9 a.m. to 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. FIGURE PAINTING: Classes today and next Tuesday. Watler House Studio on the grounds of Pedro Castle: 7–9 p.m. This is an opportunity for artists of all levels to develop life drawing skills from real life model with instruction from a qualified art instructor. $25 per session for members; $35 for non-members. For more information, visualartcayman@yahoo. com or 546-9422. WEDNESDAY, JAN. 20 FAMILY SKILL-BUILDING: The Toolbox Project is a free skill-building session for the whole family. 6-8 p.m. Explore tools that can help overcome adversity, create healthy personal boundaries, extinguish arguments and provide a healthy happy home. Light dinner provided. Family Resource Centre. Ground floor of Compass Centre on North Sound Road. Contact 949-0006 or frc.gov.ky. 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. CERAMIC OPEN STUDIO: Continues today and Jan. 27. Visual Arts Society offers Ceramic Open Studio to adults who want to work independently in an inspiring atmosphere 9 a.m. to noon at the Watler House Studio, Pedro Castle. $15 members; $25 non- members. Clay, materials, glazes and firing facilities are available. More information at visualartcayman@ yahoo.com. THURSDAY, JAN. 21 SPECIAL NIGHT FOR SPECIAL NEEDS: Dinner dance for adults, play stations for children. 6–8 p.m. The Lighthouse School canteen will be the setting for parents of children with special needs and teaching, plus specialist staff. Live music, massage therapy and information on support services. Mary Miller Hall will be only for children with special needs and their siblings, with games, stories, videos and activities for all needs and abilities. For free tickets contact the Family Resource Centre in the Compass Centre, 949-0006, frc@gov.ky. 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: The Garden Club of Grand Cayman hosts a Family Fun Day at 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. BRAC COURT: Summary Court is held at the Aston Rutty Civic Centre from 10 a.m. today and tomorrow. SUNDAY, JAN. 31 STRIDE AGAINST CANCER: Cayman Islands Cancer Society annual fundraiser. Half-marathon (13.1 miles) begins at Seven Mile Beach Public Beach at 6 a.m. Quarter marathon (6.5 miles) begins at 7 a.m. at Public Beach. North Side Stride begins at 7 a.m. from the boat launch next to Over the Edge, ending at Kaibo. Transport back to boat launch provided. The Little Cayman Stride starts at 7 a.m. from the Southern Cross Club. The Cayman Brac Stride starts at 7 a.m. at the Alexander Hotel and goes to the Reef Hotel. For registration and payment details, visit www.cics.ky/ index.php/Events/stride-2016. MARITIME SCHOLARSHIP: The Maritime Authority and the Ministry of Education, Employment and Gender Affairs offer a scholarship in the areas of naval architecture, marine engineering, marine survey, maritime administration and nautical studies. Applicants should be 18 or over. Consideration will be given to applicants looking at specialist maritime legal services, human resource management, accounting, information technology and other areas which support the maritime sector. Today is the deadline to apply. Information on the scholarship can be downloaded at www.cishipping.com by emailing human.resources@ cishipping.com, calling 949-8831 or visiting the Cayman Islands Shipping Registry Facebook page. For more Community Calendar events, visit www.compasscayman. com/caycompass/portal/ community-calendar. The National Gallery will hold a members’ reception, 6-8 p.m., to open ‘Carnival and Performance Art of the Caribbean.’ This image shows Nicolás Dumit Estévez, C Room, Museo Folklórico Don Tomás Morel, performance at the Santiago de los Treinta Caballeros, Dominican Republic. - Photo: Raymond maRReRoNext >