ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – TUESDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2016 High of 88 Low of 77 Moderate with wave heights of 3 to 5 feet. EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 WE’VE HAD IT WITH DIRTBAGS ON DIRT BIKES SPORTS | PAGE 17 PRIMARY SCHOOLS BATTLE FOR PLAYOFF SPOTS 182805-Ad-MakeItYours-Compass-Strip6colx1*5.indd 111/9/16 2:25 PM ‘IT’S GOTTEN COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL’ Motorcycle ‘chaos’ reported to police BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Dozens of riders thundering down Cayman roads Sunday afternoon on motorcycles, dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles prompted sev- eral calls from the public to police. The bikers spent most of the afternoon cruising around from West Bay to Bodden Town on an array of vehicles, some of which were street legal and some which were obviously not. Numerous drivers and pass- ersby spotted the motorbikes, many “popping wheelies,” weaving into the opposite lane of traffic, running red lights and speeding as they traversed Grand Cayman. Estimates put the number of vehicles in- volved in the traveling group anywhere from 40 to 100 motorbikes and ATVs. The bikers were participating in an annual event known as the ROC or the “Ride of the Century” – an international event that basically involves motorbike riders driving 100 miles. However, Keith Keller, president of the Cayman Islands Motorcycle Riders Associ- ation, clarified Monday that Sunday’s “ride” event on Grand Cayman was not sanctioned by his group and that the association did not support the kinds of activities displayed by the bikers Sunday afternoon. Sunday’s event was the fourth time the ROC has been held in Cayman. “It was pure chaos,” Mr. Keller said. “It’s gotten completely out of control.” Mr. Keller, who was riding his motor- cycle Sunday afternoon with a small group of friends, said he encountered the dirt bike riders on the road as well. “These guys, they had no helmets, they were on the wrong side of the road passing cars, one of them almost clipped me on my bike,” he said. “It’s just ridiculous and it has nothing to do with the [bike riders] association.” MAN SHOT DEAD ON GT STREET A Caymanian man was gunned down in broad daylight Monday morning on a street corner in George Town, the Royal Cayman Is- lands Police Service confirmed. It was the second homicide in the Cayman Is- lands this year. The man, identified as Damean Dwayne “Deebo” Seymour, was a known figure in Cay- man’s criminal circles for more than a decade, although it was understood that he had moved away from the islands for several years and had returned within the past year or so. Police said Mr. Seymour was shot near the in- tersection of Martin Drive and Tigris Street, just off Shedden Road, in what is known locally as the Scranton neighborhood. The shooting was re- ported around 11:30 a.m. Mr. Seymour died at the scene. Police were trying to trace the gunman Monday after- noon. There was no word on any arrests as of press time Monday. The scene of Mr. Seymour’s death was the same street corner where he was accused in 2008 of opening fire on two men in attempts to kill them. Adolphus Myrie was grazed in the Feb. 17, 2008 shooting but survived. A jury found Mr. Sey- mour not guilty of attempted murder in that in- cident. The acquittal was one of three instances in which Mr. Seymour had avoided conviction over gun-related crimes between 2004 and 2008. A judge in 2004 ruled Mr. Seymour had no case to answer after being brought to court charged with the murder of Joseph Alexander Williams in George Town. In February 2007, a Grand Court jury found Mr. Seymour not guilty of robbery and fire- arms charges for his alleged involvement in the robbery of the Foster’s Republix super- market in West Bay. Senior immigration officer charged with assisting illegal migrant BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com A Cayman Islands assistant chief immigration officer was charged Friday with offenses under the local Immigration Law and the Misuse of Drugs Law in relation to a police raid at her home in August. Jeannie Lewis, 57, is due to appear in court Tuesday on charges of “knowingly assisting illegal landing” under the Im- migration Law and “permit- ting premises to be used for the supply of controlled drugs” under section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Law. Lewis was arrested Aug. 25 in a dawn police operation in Sa- vannah, along with three men and another woman. The Royal Cayman Islands Police raid recovered a firearm, some am- munition and an unspecified quantity of ganja, according to police reports. One of the men arrested at the home, Antonio Bullard of the Bahamas, pleaded guilty to Runners show festive spirit There were plenty of Santa Claus sightings on Sunday morning as runners and walkers donned red-and-white suits and hats to take part in the Camana Bay Santa Run. Dubbed a ‘Jolly Jog for a Cause,’ participants covered a 3K walk/run around Camana Bay to raise money for local charities. - PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 »2 LOCAL&REGIONAL TUESDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS Daily Matinees Every Day $8.00 Seniors, Mon-Fri Before 6pm Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 640-FILM (640-3456) *Additional charges will apply per 3D ticket requested. 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. - TUESDAY - BILLY LYNN’S (R) LONG HALFTIME WALK 1:30 | 4:15 | 7:20 | 10:00 FANTASTIC BEASTS (PG13) AND WHERE TO FIND THEM 3D 12:15 | 3:20 2D | 6:30 | 9:40 2D ALMOST CHRISTMAS (PG13) 4:00 | 9:50 ARRIVAL (PG13) 1:20 | 7:10 LION (PG13) 1:00 | 3:40 | 7:15 | 10:00 MOANA 3D (PG) 12:45 | 3:30 2D | 6:45 | 9:20 2D ALLIED (R) 12:50 | 3:50 | 6:50 | 9:55 New customs channels at airport Red-green channels introduced at Owen Roberts CLAIRE SHEFCHIK cshefchik@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Customs Depart- ment at Owen Roberts In- ternational Airport in Grand Cayman has introduced red and green customs channels in a bid to streamline the duty declaration system. Officials said the system, which has been in place at the arrivals hall since the second week of November, means that passengers with no goods to declare can get out of the airport faster, once they have retrieved their bags and handed in their customs declaration forms. According to Collector of Customs Charles Clif- ford, the simplified process is known as the “red-green” system. Recommended by the World Customs Organization, it streamlines the flow of ar- riving passengers and their baggage without reducing ef- fectiveness, he said. Making a truthful decla- ration is still important, how- ever, Mr. Clifford said in a press release. “Entering the green channel will be consid- ered to be a declaration by the traveler that that person has nothing to declare.” Mr. Clifford also reminded travelers that officers will be stationed in the green channel to vet suspicious baggage, and that undeclared goods may be subject to sei- zure by Customs. Failure to make a truthful customs dec- laration could result in penal- ties or prosecution. Meanwhile, those with items to declare will enter a queue in the “red channel” on the opposite side of the Cus- toms hall. Travelers who have filled out a declaration form ahead of time will have the option to pre-pay customs duties with a cashier before collecting their luggage and entering the line. Once in line, an officer will decide whether they can exit or receive a physical inspection. Signs and audio mes- sages explaining the types and amounts of goods trav- elers may carry will appear throughout the arrivals hall. On a normal weekday, 700 passengers arrive at the air- port, according to officials. Of those, between 60 and 80 may have goods to declare. The number of arrivals jumps to about 1,600 on weekends, and more during holidays. Acting Deputy Collector of Customs Jeff Jackson said travelers can avoid compli- cations by making truthful declarations, paying careful attention to signs and having receipts available. He said they can always speak with an officer available at the Cus- toms hall if they are unsure. During October and No- vember, the department con- ducted simulation exercises to get officers familiar with the new system. They are also collaborating with the Public Works Department and other airport stakeholders to fur- ther computerize and expe- dite the customs process. Finance Minister Marco Archer said response to the new system has been posi- tive, and he praised the de- partment for their commit- ment to improving efficiency. He said the next step will be to bring the process to the new Customs hall, to be com- pleted as part of the $55 mil- lion airport expansion an- nounced in September 2015. Brazilian protesters call for embattled president’s ouster SAO PAULO (AP) – Protesters massed in Brazil’s largest city Sunday to call for the president to be removed from office and express out- rage at a host of his policies, while the embattled leader tried to head off some of their criticism. President Michel Temer has suffered a continual drip of scandal and high- level resignations since he took office six months ago. But on Friday a scandal touched him directly for the first time amid allegations he abused his power to do a personal favor for one of his Cabinet ministers. He denied the allegation. The scandal could scuttle Temer’s ability to pass a series of austerity poli- cies that he says are nec- essary to pull Latin Ameri- ca’s largest economy out of a deep recession – and they are a threat to his presidency. Opposition politicians have promised to introduce mea- sures in Congress calling for his impeachment. On Sunday, hundreds of people gathered on a main avenue in Sao Paulo to call for just that. Representa- tives from political parties and social movements also protested against the gov- ernment’s proposal to cap spending to rein in the def- icit, which many fear will re- sult in deep cuts to education and healthcare. Others were protesting rampant corruption in poli- tics, criticizing not just the current administration, while some complained about the lack of suitable housing. One group held up a banner with a drawing of Fidel Castro, paying homage to the Cuban revolutionary leader who died Friday night. Many criticized the way Temer came to power. He was the vice president to President Dilma Rousseff, who was impeached and re- moved from office earlier this year, and protesters said that meant he had no mandate to pass widespread changes in government programs. FIRST COMMERCIAL US-HAVANA FLIGHT LANDS HAVANA (AP) – Passengers erupted into applause as the first commercial flight from the United States to Havana in more than 50 years landed in Cuba, ar- riving as the island be- gins week-long memorial services for revolutionary leader Fidel Castro. Cubans saluted the packed American Airlines flight by spraying water from firetrucks above the plane as it taxied along the runway at Jose Marti Inter- national Airport in honor of the inaugural voyage. “It was very emotional for me,” said Jonathan Gon- zalez, 31, a Cuban-Amer- ican born in Miami who said it was his third time visiting the island. Passengers wearing straw hats provided by American Airlines with the word “Cuba” on the back were greeted with welcome signs in various languages – but no music. The visitors are arriving at the same time that tens of thou- sands begin paying homage to Castro in Havana and a state-sanctioned ban on live music has hushed the capital’s usually fes- tive nightlife. “I’m intrigued to see how the city is after the death of Fidel Castro,” said Tamara Cara, 45, an edu- cation professional from Puerto Rico on the flight. For years U.S. travelers to the island have had to go through burdensome charter flights with four- hour check ins. The U.S. and Cuba signed a deal in Feb- ruary to restore commercial air traffic, marking one of the most important de- velopments since Presi- dents Raul Castro and Barack Obama announced they would restore dip- lomatic relations nearly two years ago. President-elect Donald Trump has denounced Obama’s moves to open re- lations with the island. Ad- viser Kellyanne Conway told ABC’s “This Week” Sunday that nothing has been decided on Cuba, but said the U.S. is allowing commercial aircraft to do business with a repres- sive Cuban government and military. Several other flights from the U.S. also were scheduled to ar- rive on Monday. “We’ll see what will happen with the Trump ad- ministration,” said Alfredo Gonzalez, American Air- lines’ director for the Ca- ribbean. “We don’t know exactly what will happen but we can say that we are in Cuba, in the prov- inces, in Havana, and we will continue our service moving forward.” American Airlines held a small celebration for the passengers in Miami be- fore departing, serving typical Cuban staples like croquettes and cheese- filled pastries. Gonzalez said he felt he was arriving at what will be a “difficult time” for the island but re- mained optimistic for the country’s future. “What is coming ahead will be good,” he said. Finance Minister Marco Archer, right, views the red-green channels at Owen Roberts International Airport last week. A demonstrator with the Portuguese words ‘Temer out’ holds still for someone else applying lip gloss during a protest demanding the impeachment of Brazil’s President Michel Temer, in Sao Paulo on Sunday. - PHOTO: AP3 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2016 Fidelity Pension Plan Fidelity Financial Centre on West Bay Road Wednesday, December 7th, 2016 6:00pm - 7:00pm Fidelity Financial Centre, West Bay Road & Esterley Tibbetts Highway Cayman Financial Centre, Dr. Roy’s Drive, George Town info@fidelitycayman.com RSVP: Carolee.Crowley@fidelitycayman.com Phone: 914-2179 Light refreshments 2016 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING [] Proudly organised by the Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Ministry of Financial Services, Commerce & Environment. Visit our website at www.caymanchamber.ky for the schedule of upcoming free micro and small business workshops. Topics Include FREE Micro & Small Business Workshop · Managing money as your primary concern · Managing small business finances · What you need to make good business decisions Ship dropped local pilot weeks before Eden Rock crash CHARLES DUNCAN cduncan@pinnaclemedialtd.com A cargo ship captain had decided to drop pilot ser- vices for the George Town port weeks before it crashed into Eden Rock, shearing off large sections from the top of the popular George Town reef. The Saga, a Cayman-flagged cargo ship, was backing out of the port before 6 a.m. Friday and attempted to make a turn, according to Department of Environment Deputy Director Tim Austin. The 328-foot ship had not backed out far enough and ran into the reef, he said. Capt. Abel Medina, a long- time pilot in Cayman’s port, told the Cayman Compass on Monday that he had been the pilot for the Saga for its fre- quent trips into Cayman, but several weeks ago the Rus- sian crew said they no longer needed his services. “The captain said he can do it on his own,” Cap- tain Medina said. There are only two pilots in Cayman’s port, and Cap- tain Medina said neither was aboard to help the Saga get out of the port. The Saga is owned by Cayman-based Hyde Shipping Ltd. The company declined to comment on Monday. The Port Authority would not comment on the accident, directing all questions to the Department of Environment. The Authority’s Joseph Woods said the decision on whether to have a pilot rests with the captain of the ship. The Saga was still an- chored off the port on Monday. Mr. Austin said the ship and its crew stayed in Cayman voluntarily. Major damage “The structure of the reef is seriously impaired,” Mr. Austin said shortly after diving the site on Monday to see the damage firsthand. He said the Department of En- vironment is mapping the damage and hopes to have a better sense of all the damage. Andy Barnes, with Eden Rock Dive Center, also dove the site Monday morning to inspect the reef. “The damage has been done to the best section of the reef,” he said. “It’s destroyed the site.” He said entrances to many of the swim-throughs have been blocked by pieces of coral weighing several tons each, and the area is littered with rubble from sponges and hard corals destroyed in the accident. “It took thousands of years of growth to make those tun- nels,” Mr. Barnes said. The damage on the reef is clear, with areas sheared off from the tops of five of the tallest coral heads at 10 to 12 feet. Large brain corals lay shattered on the sea floor, with their calcified white in- terior exposed. Smashed piles of other hard corals rest on the reef and the seabed. Deepa Sudame, a diving instructor with Eden Rock, said it was like the reef had its “head chopped off.” She said the remaining swim-throughs seem precar- ious. “They do not look strong enough,” she said. “It’s heartbreaking to see,” she said, “It was such a beautiful reef.” This still from video shows some of the coral sheared off by the ship’s hull. – IMAGE: CHRIS BODDEN Large sections of coral were knocked from the reef. - PHOTO: CHARLES DUNCANThe 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. TUESDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS E-NOUGH. You had to see it to believe it. Well, no; that is not exactly true. You actually might have heard it. And, parenthetically, here’s an aside to our police commissioner Derek Byrne: We know you are new here but is this on your radar? We are referring to Cayman’s growing gang of motorcycle hoodlums who openly flaunt the law and, both actually (see below) and figuratively, give the collective “finger” to law enforcement and the law- abiding citizens of these islands. In this instance, we refer specifically to what a number of Compass reporters and editors witnessed at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. As many as 100 bikers turned right from North Sound Road onto Shedden Road near Jacques Scott and the Compass Centre. We watched as dozens ran the red light (one gave the aforementioned “finger” to motorists who had the right of way), and raced toward town on Shedden Road. Many were showing off or apparently impressing each other by performing “wheelies” at high speed – in plain sight of the police helicopter and closed-circuit television cameras. Let us count the ways in which this roaring hoard could have been breaking the law: Many, if not most, of the cyclists were driving “dirt bikes.” It is against the law to drive dirt bikes on the streets of Grand Cayman. Most do not have headlights or taillights. Many of the riders were driving without helmets. It is against the law to drive motorcycles without helmets. Many of the motorcycles we witness every day either do not have license tags or they are purposely obscured or hidden behind a dark filtering plate. It is against the law to drive on Cayman roads without readable license tags. It only takes a small leap in logic to deduce that if someone is driving an illegal dirt bike, without a helmet and without readable license tags, then they probably do not have insurance either, much less the special driver’s license needed to ride motorcycles. In the context of multiple thefts of bikes from private businesses and even right out of the police evidence yard, there is a high probability that one or more of those bikers were riding stolen vehicles. So each and every menacing motorbiker we encounter represents a potential six violations of the law … at least. While it’s still illegal, it’s one thing for a lone indi- vidual to tool around on a bike within his own neighbor- hood. What we witnessed Sunday was quite another: A celebration of open, irreverent and coordinated lawless- ness – and in a tourist destination, no less. Have we as a society gone so far down this road, that when confronted by blatant illegality, we are willing to avert our gaze? This is a problem for police. Don’t think, however, that we are blaming police for the problem – at least not the rank-and-file officers who, we hear, are just as frustrated and angry as we are about these bands of scofflaws. It’s not our role as a newspaper to tell police how to fix the problem. Our role is to advocate for fixing it. The police are in charge of this matter, and we trust they are professional, smart and dedicated enough to figure it out. The people on the street are complaining about the rogue bikers. Police officers on the beat are, too. But as for our MLAs in elected office, so far we have heard nothing. Silence. When we see gangs of bikers terrorizing Cayman’s streets with their law-breaking antics, we see criminals. We wonder what our politicians see … perhaps voters? We’ve had it with dirtbags on dirt bikes A glum economic forecast for Cuba after Castro TYLER COWEN For all of my adult life I have been hearing that Cuba will blossom economically when Fidel Castro passes away. Now that time has come, and it seems Cuba will continue to struggle. At a superficial glance, the case for Cuban opti- mism is obvious. So many Cuban-Americans have im- pressed the world with their business skills and entre- preneurial drive. If compa- rable talents were let loose in Cuba itself, one might ex- pect similar results, just as China, after dismantling the most inefficient parts of its communism, began to catch up to the overseas Chinese. One way to approach Cuba’s economic fate is to consider the Caribbean re- gion as a whole. For the most part, it has seen medi- ocre results since the finan- cial crisis of 2008. Economic problems have plagued Puerto Rico, Trinidad, Ja- maica, Haiti and Barbados, with only Jamaica seeing a real turnaround. The core problems of the region include high debt, weak commodity prices, lack of economies of scale and an inability to upgrade tourist facilities to compete with the U.S., Mexico and further- flung locales. Cuba cannot service its foreign debt, and losing most of its support from Venezuela has been a massive fiscal problem. Perhaps the country most like Cuba in the Caribbean, in terms of history, heritage and ethnic composition, is the Dominican Republic. Currently, it has a nominal gross domestic product of somewhat over US$6,000 per capita, depending which source you prefer. That’s far from the bottom tier of de- veloping economies, but it’s hardly a shining star. And Cuba will take a long time to attract a comparable level of multinational investment, or to develop its tourist fa- cilities to a comparable level of sophistication. Well- functioning electricity and air conditioning cannot be taken for granted in Cuba, especially after the major decline in energy supplies from Venezuela. The most optimistic fore- cast for Cuba is that, after a few decades of struggle and reorientation, it will end up at the income level of the Dominican Republic. If you are wondering, the World Bank measures Cuban GDP at over US$6,000 per capita, but that is based on a planned economy and an un- realistic exchange rate. In re- ality, Cuba probably is richer than Nicaragua, where GDP per capital is approximately US$2,000, but we don’t know by how much. Cuba does have relatively high levels of health care and education, but we’ve learned from post- Soviet reform experiences that it is easy for a nation to lose those advantages. There are already shortages of many basic health care items, including medical technology and antibiotics. Alternatively, to better understand Cuba’s future, look at its exports. Medical services are about 40 per- cent of exports, but some of the main buyers, such as Brazil, Algeria and An- gola, are expected to reduce their demand. Sugar prices surged in 2016, but they are still well below their 2012 levels, and commodity prices do not seem to be on the verge of a major comeback. Other Cuban agricultural exports include citrus, fish, cigars and coffee, but those are rarely paths to riches. The reality is worse yet, namely that Cuba has to import 70 to 80 percent of its food, which eats up valuable for- eign exchange. Cuba is simply not in a good position to ramp up production. For instance, the demand for coffee in the U.S. has grown sharply, and some global supplies have been sluggish, so there is an opportunity. Still, there are more countries making quality coffee than ever be- fore, and it’s hard to see Cuba’s corrupt institu- tional framework, even after Castro, allowing them to take markets from the highly experienced business cul- tures of Brazil or Colombia. As for industrial produc- tion, the country’s output remains below half of its pre-1989 levels. Rates of sav- ings and investment are at about 10 percent, about half of Latin American averages, and the legal framework is hostile to direct foreign in- vestment. The election of Donald Trump also has in- troduced uncertainty about U.S. policy toward the island. Perhaps most impor- tantly, Cuba has not yet re- pudiated either communism or Fidelism. Cuba expert Richard E. Feinberg de- scribes the stasis as such: “Bureaucratically, over 50 years the Cuban state has become so multilayered, so burdened with thick red tape and so risk-averse that the decision-making pro- cedures are broken.” In other words, Castro was hardly the only problem, and it is not obvious that an ideological turnaround is in the offing. Had Cuba not had a com- munist revolution in 1959, it could have been one of the most successful Latin Amer- ican economies. But the past matters, and turning back the clock is easier said than done. Right now, the place seems impossibly far from being the next Costa Rica, much less the Singapore of the Caribbean. Cowen is a Bloomberg View columnist and a professor of economics at George Mason University. © 2016, Bloomberg View The most optimistic forecast for Cuba is that, after a few decades of struggle and reorientation, it will end up at the income level of the Dominican Republic. 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 EXECUTIVE EDITOR PATRICK BRENDEL A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will find their own way”5 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2016 Boarding School Information Night Discover the value of a world class boarding school experience for your child! Please join Appleby College, Bishop’s College School, Lakefi eld College School, and St.Andrew’s College for this special event showcasing four of Canada’s great boarding schools. Visit www.boardingleaders.ca November 30, 2016 5-8 pm Marriott Resort, Grand Cayman 389 West Bay Road CANADIAN Boarding Schools Explore the value of true boarding experiences Getting a ‘Taste’ at Gimistory Two of Cayman’s most be- loved events are combining this year to bring great sto- rytelling and great food to the public. The Taste of Cayman Food and Drink Festival is part- nering with the Cayman National Cultural Founda- tion for the annual fish fry competition at the Gimis- tory festival. Gimistory kicked off Monday night in North Side and continues in the other districts throughout the week. During the festival, fish fry teams from each dis- trict compete for the title of Overall District Winner. According to organizers, the Overall District Winner this year will win a booth at the 2017 Taste of Cayman Food & Drink Festival, where they can showcase their fish fry. Each competition will also name a People’s Choice Award and Overall Best Taste. “Gimistory and Taste of Cayman have both be- come important parts of the Cayman events calendar, with each capturing our unique culture and show- casing outstanding talent of the local as well as interna- tional community,” said Tif- fany Dixon-Ebanks, execu- tive director of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association. Programs manager at the Cayman National Cultural Foundation, Patrice Beers- ingh, said, “Events like Gim- istory and Taste both help to preserve and promote Cay- manian tradition. The part- nership was created with the aim of helping to bring people together to enjoy great tales, exceptional food and a healthy dose of competition.” The judges for this year’s competition are Tonie Ch- isholm, Cayman 27’s “Day- break” producer and former Miss Cayman; Clemens Guettler, winner of the Chair- man’s Award at the 2016 Table Talk Food Awards and former Wharf owner; and Hollie Whitelocke, operations manager at the Cayman Is- lands Tourism Association. The Gimistory schedule this week is: Tuesday at Nurse Josie’s Senior Home in Bodden Town; Wednesday at Heritage Field in East End; Thursday at the Agriculture Ground on Cayman Brac; Friday at Public Beach in West Bay; and ‘Duppy Story Night’ on Saturday at Smith Barcadere, George Town. Storytelling starts at 7 p.m. Health department offers free HIV testing CLAIRE SHEFCHIK cshefchik@pinnaclemedialtd.com To mark World AIDS Day, which this year is Dec. 2, the Health Services Authority is teaming up with two non- profits to offer free HIV testing at 10 sites throughout the Cayman Islands this week through Dec. 3. No appointments are nec- essary, and counseling will be available both pre- and post-test. According to Health Promotion Officer Therese Prehay, the waiting times will be less than 10 minutes and results will be available in three business days. The testing is a part- nership between the Public Health Department, the Cayman AIDS Foundation and the Red Cross. “HIV, the virus which causes AIDS, remains a major threat globally, and we in the Cayman Islands must do all we can to avoid the spread of this incurable disease,” Pre- mier and Minister of Health Alden McLaughlin said in a press release. “The Ministry of Health is committed to working with the Health Services Authority, Cayman AIDS Foundation and the Red Cross to en- sure that education, opportu- nities for testing, as well as treatment and care, are accessible for all.” The first case of HIV in the Cayman Islands was identi- fied in 1985. Since then, 145 people have been diagnosed with the virus. Currently, 39 males and 28 females are living with the disease, Pre- mier McLaughlin said. According to the World Health Organization, an es- timated 35 million people worldwide have died from AIDS-related illnesses. As of the end of 2015, there were approximately 36.7 million people worldwide living with HIV and AIDS. Since 1988, World AIDS Day has raised awareness about HIV and AIDS, com- memorated those who have died, focusing attention on issues surrounding the dis- ease and inspiring action to combat it. This year, the 28th anniversary of World AIDS Day, the theme is “leadership, commitment, impact.” In line with those ideals, Mr. McLaughlin urged all Cayman residents to make a commitment to safe sex prac- tices. “If we do not abide by our own actions to prevent the spread of HIV, the conse- quences can be grave,” he said. According to Ms. Prehay, these practices can include abstinence from sexual ac- tivity, using condoms and avoiding intravenous drugs. The premier also urged the community to commemorate those who lost their lives to the virus, and to treat every- body with HIV with respect and compassion. “We should never stigmatize anyone be- cause they are HIV-posi- tive,” he said. HIV screening is also of- fered year-round each Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the Cayman Is- lands Red Cross. For a full schedule and list of free HIV testing sites, visit www.hsa.ky. The first case of HIV in the Cayman Islands was identified in 1985. Since then, 145 people have been diagnosed with the virus. Gimistory is heading to Bodden Town Tuesday evening. STUDENTS GET SET FOR TWO-DAY SPELLING BEE CLAIRE SHEFCHIK cshefchik@pinnaclemedialtd.com It’s bee season in the Cayman Islands as children brush up on obscure words like “autochthonous” and “serrefine” in preparation for the annual spelling bee. “Everyone is looking for- ward to these adrenaline- pumping competitions,” said Senior Customer Ser- vice Officer Nicki Samuels of the Department of Edu- cation Services. The event kicks off with the annual Lion’s Club of Grand Cayman Secondary Spelling Bee Competi- tion on Dec. 7. The annual RBC Royal Bank Primary Spelling Bee Competition follows on Dec. 8. Both bees are open to the public, and will take place at Red Bay Church of God on Selkirk Drive in Grand Cayman starting at 9.30 a.m. The bees are open to stu- dents in public, private and home schools throughout the islands. Primary school competitors should be no older than 11 as of Sept. 1, while secondary school spellers must be younger than 15 on the same date. New this year, compe- tition for each group will take place on one day only, and schools from each of the three islands will com- pete at the same time in their age class. Last year, both bees ended in ties after two stu- dents found themselves going head to head. Jemma Watson and Jelani Hanson from George Town Primary School tied to win their age group, while Thomas Sevik, Jr. and Dilan Tatum from Layman E. Scott Senior High School in Cayman Brac won the secondary school competition. According to the De- partment of Education Ser- vices, which puts on the event, the benefit to stu- dents goes beyond memo- rizing obscure words like “Gesellschaft,” the winning word in the 2016 Scripps- Howard National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. Children also learn roots, pronunciations and mul- tiple definitions. Studying for the bee increases their reading comprehension and promotes a lifelong love of language and litera- ture, a press release states. The Cayman Islands bee is modeled on the Gleaner’s Children’s Own Spelling Bee, held annually in Jamaica. Gimistory kicked off Monday night in North Side.DISTRICT DAYS 6 District Days West Bay TUESDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS 50 YEARS AGO Harvest Meeting and a daring burglary In the Nov. 30, 1966 edition of the Caymanian Weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Com- pass, West Bay correspondent Leila Yates wrote: “The annual Harvest Meeting was held in the United Church on the 23rd, with a very good display of fruit and vegetables. The Rev. Lewin Williams was guest speaker. A sale was held, which collected the amount of 14 pounds. “Messrs. Cyril Parsons, Frank Parsons and Cleveland Ebanks arrived on the 24th from their jobs on the Motor Vessel Ju- lius H. Barnes. “A thief or thieves entered the home of Mr. Wilroy Henning at Batabano, which is being occu- pied by Miss Iris Bodden, a few days ago and took away gro- ceries and clothing. “Entry was made through a window from which all the glass was taken out and the screen cut away. This daring act was done in the day while Miss Bodden was teaching at the Gov- ernment school. “November seems to be the month for snakes in this dis- trict. I have seen quite a few in my yard, and heard of them going into several houses. A few days ago Miss Naomi Ebanks and her sister Dorne from North West Point killed one over five feet long and 7 1/2 inches in circumference after it had killed a large rat. “Mrs. Rudolf McLaughlin and baby daughter arrived from Ja- maica on the 27th. “Mr. Rex Ford arrived on the 27th from National Bulk Car- riers’ S.S. Oceanic via Panama. “After spending an enjoyable vacation with relatives, Miss Dorothy Ann Henning left for her home in Tampa on the 27th.” New student council at Sir John A. Cumber Twenty-eight Sir John A. Cumber Primary School students in Years 1 to 6 were recently awarded special ties at an installation ceremony for the new student council. The students will take on lead- ership roles in their classrooms along with other duties that sup- port the school’s teaching staff and administration. The student councilors repre- sent the voice of their classmates, bringing suggestions to school staff, and are charged with showing lead- ership and support of the school’s positive behavior intervention strategy theme of “Be respectful, be responsible, be safe.” The keynote speaker at the cere- mony on Nov. 11 was Jake Bennett, who was the first elected president of the school’s student council in 2008. Many parents were in atten- dance in support of their children. On Nov. 18, students in Year 6 got to try their hand at making a traditional clothing item at a ses- sion conducted by Chris Christian, Rose May Ebanks and Blonde Uzzle of Cayman Traditional Arts. According to Mr. Christian, Cay- man’s early settlers originally used cow hide to make rustic slippers they called wompers. “To prevent the skin from rotting or decaying, they would soak it in seawater, or just salt it, then stretch it in the sun to dry,” he said. When it was properly dried, the hide was used to make wompers and other items including hinges. In later years, old car tires were used to make the slippers. “With a sharp knife, the oval shape design, traced by pencil, was carefully cut out and the holes chis- eled out,” said Mr. Christian. “Silver thatch leaves were then weaved through the holes, to use as straps. The final products were used to go ‘ground’ (to the farm), town or church.” At the session, the students en- joyed making small versions of wompers out of car tires and silver thatch, and got to try on wom- pers that were brought in by Mr. Christian’s team. On Nov. 25, Sir John A. Cumber Primary School students were the lucky recipients of a free break- fast courtesy of Progressive Distributors. Each student at the school, which has a current enrollment of 570, received a breakfast of a juice carton, a box of granola bars and a sachet of oats. “Progressive Distributors are proud to support the Cayman com- munity, and they recognize the importance of eating a healthy breakfast every morning,” a press release states. “Sadly, there are many children in Grand Cayman who go to school without receiving this essential first meal of the day.” According to the press release, by purchasing any two Tropicana or Quaker products at Foster’s Food Fair IGA during September, participants had the opportu- nity to enter their details in a draw to win an Apple MacBook and choose a school to receive a free breakfast. Contest winner and West Bay resident Hazel Nelson submitted her entry at Foster’s Food Fair Republix, and chose Sir John A. Cumber to get the breakfast. The keynote speaker at the ceremony on Nov. 11 was Jake Bennett, who was the first elected president of the school’s student council in 2008. Many parents were in attendance in support of their children. Gina Peck and Lara Punte of Progressive Distributors with Sir John A. Cumber students. New student representatives with guidance counselor Elysia Murray, Principal Paul Samuel and Deputy Principal Lorna Lumsden. Year 6 students craft little wompers to make into key chains.DISTRICT DAYS 7 District Days West Bay CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2016 98 years old and still going strong JEWEL LEVY jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com Minutes after returning from a shopping trip to Foster’s Food Fair supermarket in West Bay, Ethel Ebanks, 98, back at home in West Bay, was giving instructions to a car- penter renovating a spare room and to a helper, who insisted she get something to eat. “I tell her before, I will eat when I am ready,” said the vibrant and straight-talking Ms. Ebanks, before settling into a chair to find out the purpose of my visit. Eyeing me suspiciously without the use of eyeglasses, she said to speak up as she does not hear too well these days. Born in 1918 to parents Ennia Elizabeth and Thomas Edwin Ebanks, Ms. Ebanks still resides in the same house she grew up in with her siblings on Town Hall Road. During a long and colorful life, Ms. Ebanks became a successful head maid at one of Cayman’s first hotels – La Fontaine on West Bay Road. She also worked in a shoe shop, the old West Bay By-Rite supermarket, in the home, and later as a dressmaker. “You known Melba Nixon? She took my picture shopping,” she asked unexpectedly. When I hesitated, she quickly followed up with: “Where you from anyway, you don’t know people or what?” That was when I quickly found out this was no ordinary 98-year-old. Ms. Ebanks is not only sharp for her age, she is an amazing woman. Her knowledge of Cayman’s society and its workings is right on target. “I just celebrated my birthday with all these people … here I am with Franz Manderson, he’s the deputy governor, this [is] me with the Premier Alden McLaughlin, he’s a good man … you must know him,” she said, pointing at snapshots. “Here is Loxley Banks and Joy Merren – you know Ossie? Well he married to Nancy, you must know him, he’s from Bodden Town. Here is Wayne Panton. You know Kurt Tib- betts and his wife Shirley Ann, all these people and more were at my birthday party … you voting for McK- eeva Bush?” Ms. Ebanks queried, the U-turn totally catching me off guard. I managed to get a word in: “What is your secret of getting to 98?” I asked. “I know it’s not from eating food, so it must be hard work,” she said with a chuckle. “I used to work hard in my young days, sweep sand, wash clothes, help my mother cook, shop and even cement work.” She also said she and her sister built a cement grave in the front yard of their home for their younger sister who died in childbirth. “Here is Dalkeith Bothwell, he told me something that made me laugh. You know Moses Kirkcon- nell? He’s the best tourism minister,” and on she went, identifying Tommy Bodden, Benny Moore, MLA Anthony Eden, Allison Ebanks, her cousin Marjorie Ebanks: “She taught at Triple C School, you know that?” Ms. Ebanks asked. “Times in West Bay have changed,” she continued. She said in West Bay people could once sleep outside, there were no thieves, no murderers, no electric lights, but on the other hand, plenty of mosquitoes. Her family loved to go to church, and her mother was very particular, and they lived loving, not like today. Recalling her childhood days, she said she liked those better. “Those days we were safer … today you don’t know when someone will climb in your window and rape, steal or harm you … they come in and you don’t even know how they get in,” she said. Growing up, she said, there was no electricity but that did not stop people from working hard and from the children having respect. In her view, there is no discipline in today’s schooling. “If I think they should use the straps in school today, yes, but not across the back,” she said. “If you spare the rod, you’ll spoil the child … if they don’t get flogged in school and their parents don’t flog them when they get older, they will fight them and us … school is where children supposed to get discipline, that’s why they coming out so bad – no discipline.” She said her first school days were taught by Jamaican teachers in a little one-room building next to the Heritage House on Boggy Sand Road in West Bay. One teacher, she said, would beat the children across their backs with the strap. “This was wrong because he was supposed to beat the children in their hand,” she said. She said just before her 11th birthday, she was stricken with ma- laria. Evelyn Wood, a Bodden Town government nurse came to tend her. “I got so weak my teeth starting chattering uncontrollably, it was very bad,” said Ms. Ebanks, clicking her teeth together to make the sounds she experienced during that hard time in her life. When she was well enough to re- turn to school, her mother enrolled her in a private school because she was not fit enough to stand the strap across her back. In her teens, Ms. Ebanks became a working woman, employed at var- ious places before securing a job at La Fontaine. “They later changed it to Royal Palms, you know that” she noted. “Those days, it was just a one- phase building, with only about eight apartments that tourists could book. Ted Hanson and Bill Crutcher, they were the carpenters and owners, and Dalmain Ebanks, Dee Dee from West Bay, he was one of the carpen- ters up there and he was the one who got me the job.” Because of her dedication, Ms. Ebanks was made head maid at the hotel in no time. She recalled how one tourist made her know she was appreciated. “He gave me 5 pounds when he was leaving … that was a lot of money those days,” she said. Despite having arthritis and di- abetes today, Ms. Ebanks still gets around the home and outside to take care of business, and even cooks from time to time. When she goes shopping she is treated as a valuable customer by the Foster’s staff. “I am blessed, The people at Fos- ter’s love my footsteps … they even bring the cart right out to the car so I can push it to the store,” she said. She also appreciates Foster’s man- ager, Glen Goodison, who told the ca- shiers they must take her home when she is finished shopping. “Somebody said, ‘Girl, you got it made,’” said the smiling Ms. Ebanks. She said there is something about her that makes people just want to help. “Maybe it’s my ugliness that people admire … and you know I can still vote,” she added with a chuckle. Ms. Ebanks never had children, but she said those in the commu- nity were a blessing along with her own siblings. “I am the only one left in my family; all my sisters, brothers, aunts and uncles are dead. I only have four first cousins left in this world … the only empty vault in the family plot is mine,” she said. “You know my cousin Melba Nixon?” she asked once again. “She took my picture shopping at Larry’s. Just to let you know, I went in to get flowers for the graves for Christmas and Larry’s Hardware sells them … We tend to our graves, especially when Christmas comes.” Ethel Ebanks shops at Larry’s Hardware for Christmas flowers. - PHOTO: MELBA NIXON Ethel Ebanks in earlier times. Boatswain Bay Church marks a busy weekend Boatswain Bay Presby- terian Church had a busy weekend this month marking the Church’s 86th anniversary. On Saturday, Nov. 19, at 6 a.m., a group of parishio- ners walked from Centen- nial Towers, site of the former home of church founders Bertie and Elizabeth Ebanks, and finished at the church. Then on Sunday, Nov. 20, the church held Sunday School, followed by a packed morning worship service where Deacon Mr. Creston Powery was installed. Singing was led by the church’s combined praise teams, and on the special day a Pews Plaque, in memory and in honor of church members was unveiled, and commu- nion was held. The congregation members then gathered for a lunch of local dishes including turtle, conch, Cayman style beef with rice and beans, breadkind and salad, along with a variety of cakes. The day concluded with an evening worship service and singspiration. Church members take part in an early morning memorial walk. - PHOTO: ZETA BODDENThe islands’ most-trusted news source 8 TUESDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS illegally landing in Cayman and was sentenced to 30 days’ imprisonment before he was deported. Two other men arrested at the address were taken into custody on suspi- cion of attempted murder. The other female who was present during the raid was arrested on suspicion of drugs possession. The attempted murder allegation is believed to re- late to an incident in Pros- pect a few days before the raid. According to police, shots were fired in the pre- dawn hours at an apart- ment on Omega Drive. The apartment was fired on from outside the building, but no one was hurt, police officers said. Ministry of Home Af- fairs officials indicated in a joint statement is- sued by the deputy gov- ernor and the ministry re- garding the arrest: “Given the very serious nature of the allegations, the [im- migration] officer will be placed on required leave while the matter is being investigated. “We thank the RCIPS for their vigilance as the ar- rest demonstrates a resolve to tackle illegal activities, whoever the suspects. Any progression of this matter will follow natural rules of justice as we note that an arrest on suspicion in- dicates early stages of an investigation.” At one stage, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Ser- vice helicopter was spotted above the group of motorbike riders Sunday afternoon. A police spokesperson said Monday that the RCIPS was well aware of what had occurred, and the issue of motorbikes – particularly dirt bikes being operated il- legally on local roads – is one officers have struggled with in recent years. The department’s two senior Caymanian police officers, Deputy Superin- tendents Kurt Walton and Anthony Ennis, called earlier this year for a ban on dirt bike importation in Cayman. “Every single day we’re getting complaints about these bikes on the road,” Mr. Walton said in April. “Why are we continuing to let these motorbikes into the country?” The police have two dis- tinct problems with mo- torbikes. The first is with street-legal bikes that are used on roads, particu- larly late at night, which elicit many complaints from Grand Cayman residents about disturbing the peace. Those were not the motor- bikes the police referred to in suggesting the ban. The second issue occurs with vehicles that cannot be licensed or insured, no matter their state of repair. If police stop one of these motorbikes, they can be seized and impounded, ac- cording to Mr. Walton. Another difficulty for po- lice is in determining who is a legal bike operator and who is illegally using the road. Once a determina- tion is made that the mo- torbike is being operated il- legally, police must decide whether to give chase. Police have generally been wary of pursuit since a 2013 Grand Court judgment by former Justice Alex Henderson in relation to a 2008 police chase along West Bay Road that ended in the deaths of two men in the car that was being pursued. That ruling essentially stated that the police pursuit contrib- uted to the deaths of two men who were passengers in the vehicle. Customs Collector Charles Clifford, whose de- partment would be respon- sible for enforcing such an import ban, has said that it is up to Cabinet and the Leg- islative Assembly to make such an amendment to the Customs Law. He said the collector would not have sole discretion to decide to ban importation of dirt bikes. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Motorcycle ‘chaos’ reported to police CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Senior immigration officer charged with assisting illegal migrant Jeannie Lewis Cuba inspires fundraiser at National Gallery The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands hosted a 1930s Cuba-inspired fundraiser. Guests donned tropical dresses, fedoras and guayabera shirts for Friday night’s event, one of the gallery’s major fundraisers. Pictured, from left, is National Gallery Director Natalie Urquhart, gallery board chairwoman Susan Olde and Cayman Islands Governor Helen Kilpatrick. - PHOTO: MAGGIE JACKSON STRANDED SWIMMER RESCUED OFF BT BEACH BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Royal Cayman Is- lands Police Service of- ficers conducted a ma- rine search for more than two hours Friday night, looking for a man who got into trouble in the water off Coe Wood Beach in Bodden Town. The initial report that the man had dis- appeared came from a friend around 8 p.m., po- lice said. The friend told officers the man had gone for a swim and had not returned. Officers on marine unit vessels searching the area later in the evening heard the 30-year-old man yelling for help from outside the reef, a short distance from shore. The man was found floating near the shore in- side the reef around 10:30 p.m. He was taken to the Cayman Islands Hospital for treatment. His condition was not known as of press time Monday. S. AFRICAN PRESIDENT IN BATTLE TO CONTINUE IN OFFICE PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) – Whether or not Jacob Zuma will continue as South Africa’s president will be announced Tuesday afternoon when the ruling African National Congress party makes public the outcome of a motion by the party’s leaders to re- move the president. The ANC said Monday night that the results of the motion against Zuma will be announced at its headquarters in Johannes- burg on Tuesday afternoon. A meeting of the Na- tional Executive Com- mittee of the African Na- tional Congress was due to end in Pretoria on Sunday but was extended so that each of the 80 members could state their posi- tion on whether or not Zuma should continue as president. The surprise motion for Zuma to step down was in- troduced by Tourism Min- ister Derek Hanekom. Zuma will travel to Havana later this week for the funeral of Fidel Castro, according to a statement issued from his office Monday. The surprise motion for Zuma to step down was in- troduced by Tourism Min- ister Derek Hanekom. Cyber Monday transforms as shoppers are more connected NEW YORK (AP) – The Monday after Thanksgiving is still a time when millions of Americans pause to check out online deals and check off items from their gift list – but a one-day Cyber Monday frenzy appears to be going the way of the dial-up modem. Shoppers who have high- speed connections at home and on their phones are pouncing on deals that stores are spreading out over sev- eral days, leaving the so- called Cyber Monday online shopping bonanza in danger of losing its title as the top online sales day. “Because Cyber Monday is no longer about the con- nection, it’s just another sales day that I can plan for, like a Labor Day sale or Fourth of July sale,” said Gartner an- alyst Gene Alvarez. “’I know it’s coming, does it fit into my schedule, and will I do my holiday shopping that day, Black Friday or wait to see what comes up later?” So instead of doorbuster markdowns on a select few products, retailers are shifting to a stream of dis- counts and alerts during the entire week via email and so- cial media. Cartwheel, Tar- get’s digital app, started offering holiday deals in- cluding 50 percent off one toy per day on Nov. 1. Am- azon started offering 35 days of Black Friday deals on Nov. 16. And Walmart kicked off its Cyber Monday deals on Friday for the first time as it aimed to grab customers ahead of its competitors. “It’s really this weeklong flow of deals,” said Shawn DuBravac, chief econo- mist at the Consumer Tech- nology Association. Lea Bishop from Carmel, Indiana, picked up tickets to the Texas Tenors at her local performing arts center be- cause they had a rare buy- two-get-two-free deal. “It’s those once-a-year deals that I’m looking for today,” she said. Otherwise, she no- ticed retailers have been spreading out deals. “It seems like they should rename Black Friday to Black Friday Week and re- name Cyber Monday to Cyber Monday weekend,” she said. Matthew Cannata of New Britain, Connecticut, said he and his wife meticulously map out their shopping weekend. They hit the stores Thursday night and Friday morning and started browsing online Sat- urday. They saw more dis- counts early this year and use services like buying item on- line and picking them up in the store, Cannata said. “We are casting a wide net on any and all types of gifts,” he said. On Monday, he bought an Amazon Tap smart speaker for $40 off at $90 on Amazon. com and Bluetooth stereo headphones for $30, $100 off the original price. The Monday after Thanksgiving has been the busiest day of the year for online shopping since 2010, and referred to the day when people returned after the holiday weekend to offices where they had high- speed internet connections.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 • TUESDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2016 TUESDAY, NOV. 29 SCHOLARSHIPS MEETING: The Ministry of Education’s Scholarship Secretariat hosts an information session about overseas scholarships from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the George Town Public Library Conference Room. The event is for anyone interested in pursuing tertiary studies overseas. Attendees will hear details about the application process including deadlines for submissions, academic requirements, career guidance, advice on tertiary institutions, disbursement of funds and the scholarship terms and conditions. The overseas scholarship application period is open until Jan. 31, 2017. For more information, email scholarships@gov.ky, call 244-2482 or log on to www.education.gov.ky/ scholarships. BODDEN TOWN: Bulk waste cleanup to Dec. 3. Bulk waste should be placed curbside where items can be accessed but not an obstruction to traffic. Bulk waste includes household appliances, furniture and yard waste. Construction and demolition debris will not be collected. The public should separate metals, vegetation and other recyclables. Items should not be put out after the district dates. For further information, in Grand Cayman contact the Department of Environmental Health solid waste dispatch unit at 949-8793; in Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, contact 948-2321. CAYMAN BRAC AND LITTLE CAYMAN: Bulk waste cleanup to Dec. 15. See Bodden Town above. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INTERVENTION: The Family Resource Centre holds a free three-day Domestic Violence Intervention Training Programme workshop today through Thursday at the George Town Library, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Suitable for front-line professionals or those wanting to learn more about the dynamics of abusive relations and how to help others. For further information, call the Family Resource Centre at 949-0006 or email frc@gov.ky to register. MOONLIGHT AND MOVIES: Christmas favorites, 7 p.m., Gardenia Court, Camana Bay. Free. Tonight, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” CHAMBER COURSE: Immigration, Caymanian Status & Naturalization. 9-11 a.m. Chamber of Commerce, Governors Square; $175 for members, $225 for future members; register online at www.caymanchamber.ky. WEDNESDAY, NOV. 30 WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP DAY LUNCHEON: From noon to 2 p.m. at The Wharf restaurant. $15. Register online at www.caymanchamber.ky. NATIONAL CONSERVATION COUNCIL: A general meeting takes place from 2 p.m. in Room 1038 of the Government Administration Building (Grand Cayman). This meeting is open to observers from the public. To submit comments to the Council in advance of the meeting, email ConservationCouncil@ gov.ky. The agenda of the meeting will be available at the Department of Environment website. TRADE AND BUSINESS LICENSES: Those seeking renewals and grants of their trade and business licenses before the end of the year have until today to submit their applications to the board via the Department of Commerce and Investment. As of Dec. 1, applications received by DCI will not be processed until January. The Board holds its last meeting of the year on Tuesday, Dec. 6. Meetings resume on Tuesday, Jan. 10. CHAMBER COURSE: Workshop on Financial Planning for Micro & Small Businesses; 5:30-7:30 p.m. Chamber of Commerce, Governors Square; free. Register online at www.caymanchamber.ky. THURSDAY, DEC. 1 LIGHT UP A LIFE: All are invited to the lighting of a Community Memorial Tree in Cassia Court, Camana Bay, 5:30-7 p.m. The event is held to remember and celebrate the people we love and have lost. For a donation of $10, dedicate a light on the tree in their memory. The ceremony includes performances by the Cayman National Choir and Orchestra, a special blessing, a moment of silence and an opportunity for every individual to place their light(s) on the tree, which will shine over the Christmas season. Email chc@candw.ky or call 945-7447. CHRISTMAS SHOW: The Cayman Drama Society presents its annual family friendly show. Tonight, tomorrow and Saturday, Doors open 6:30 p.m., show time, 7:30 p.m. Final show Dec. 4. Doors open at 3:30 p.m., Show time 4 p.m. Book through www.eventbrite.com. CHAMBER COURSE: Employment Basics. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Chamber of Commerce, Governors Square; $250 for members, $300 for future members; register online at www.caymanchamber.ky. CHAMBER COURSE: Basic Grammar & Writing Skills Part 1. 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Chamber of Commerce, Governors Square; $150 for members, $225 for future members; register online at www.caymanchamber.ky. SATURDAY, DEC. 3 CAR BOOT SALE: Hope Academy PTA hosts a Car Boot Sale from 6 a.m. until 9 a.m. on the side parking lot. If you or anyone you know is looking to get rid of anything you have had sitting in your garage, attic or around your house, here is a great opportunity to do so. Spaces are $25. Sellers keep whatever they make selling their items. Contact pta@hopecayman.com for further information. SEAFARERS SOCIAL: The Cayman Islands Seafarers Association advises all members that there will be a year-end social gathering at 7 p.m. in the Seafarers Hall, 11 Victory Ave. Prospect. Entertainment will be provided. SILENT NIGHT TOY DRIVE: The Rotaract clubs hold a joint fundraiser with a silent night party at Whiskey Mist and invite everyone to donate a toy at the door for Christmas distribution. Admission $15. PARADE OF LIGHTS: The annual holiday event featuring a Christmas concert, boat parade and fireworks display is at Camana Bay. Anyone interested in participating in the parade should phone 333-6560 or email c27paradeoflights@gmail.com. MONDAY, DEC. 5 GEORGE TOWN: Bulk waste clean-up to Dec. 10. See Bodden Town above. CHAMBER COURSE: Basic Accounting Made Easier; Today and tomorrow, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Chamber of Commerce, Governors Square; $225 for members, $300 for future members; register online at www.caymanchamber.ky. TUESDAY, DEC. 6 STEWARDS OF CHILDREN: The Red Cross “Darkness to Light” is a free training program, 6:30-9 p.m., for parents, teachers and others who work with or provide services to young people. Cost is free. Gain knowledge and skills to prevent child sexual abuse; recognize signs of abuse and learn how to react responsibly. Pre-registration is required. Contact vrm@redcross.org.ky. THURSDAY, DEC. 8 CHAMBER COURSE: The Secret – What Great Leaders Know and Do; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Chamber of Commerce, Governors Square; $175 for members, $225 for future members; register online at www.caymanchamber.ky. CHAMBER COURSE: Basic Grammar & Writing Skills Part 2; 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Chamber of Commerce, Governors Square; $150 for members, $225 for future members; register online at www.caymanchamber.ky. SATURDAY, DEC. 10 CHRISTMAS DINNER: The North Side Community hosts its annual Christmas dinner at 5 p.m. at the Craddock Ebanks Civic Center. For more details, contact Alex Johnson 916-8232. ART AND CRAFT BAZAAR: Christmas Arts and Craft Bazaar 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Loyola Hall, St. Ignatius Catholic School, Walkers Road. Arts, crafts, handmade jewelry, mosaics, baked goods, henna tattoos and more. Meet local crafters and artists. Great holiday gifts. All are welcome, free admission. For more information, contact Allison Taylor at 939-0220 or ataylor2005@hotmail.com. All proceeds go toward Girlguiding Cayman Islands. SUNDAY, DEC. 11 CHRISTMAS SERVICE: All are invited to a Christmas Service at East End United Church at 7 p.m. MONDAY, DEC. 12 WEST BAY: Bulk waste cleanup to Dec. 17. See Bodden Town above. GENERAL INTEREST FREE HIV/AIDS TESTING: Free screening throughout the Cayman Islands during the week of Nov. 28 to Dec. 2. At George Town General Practice Clinic, Bodden Town Health Clinic, East End Health Centre, and Faith Hospital on Cayman Brac, every week day until Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; West Bay Health Centre on Nov. 29, Dec. 1 and Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; North Side Health Centre, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 29 and Dec. 2 and 1-3 p.m. on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1; Cayman AIDS Foundation at Unit 21, Caymanian Village, 66 North Sound Road, Nov. 30 at 5-7 p.m.; Cayman Islands Red Cross at Huldah Ave., 5-7 p.m., Nov. 29 and 6-8 p.m. on Dec. 1; Seven Mile Beach Medical Clinic, Dec. 3, 10 a.m. to noon; and Little Cayman Clinic, Nov. 29, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. CHRISTMAS MEAT: The Department of Agriculture reminds farmers of the process for using its abattoir services – especially before the Christmas rush. Animal owners should follow the appropriate protocols for butchering meat, which is done free of cost, inclusive of delivery to the specified supermarkets or butcher shops. Call 947-3090 to use the DoA’s abattoir service during November. Farmers must provide details of the livestock, and the dates and locations for the delivery of their meat. SINGLE-MEMBER CONSTITUENCIES: The Elections Office invites voters, potential candidates and their agents to learn more about recent changes to the Elections Law that created 19 single-member electoral districts. Email office@elections.ky to ask questions or request short presentations for groups or organizations. The public should also stay tuned to local media for information on upcoming meetings, which will aim to address questions. MARINE LIFE: The Department of Environment advises that the take of Nassau Grouper anywhere in Cayman waters is now prohibited between Dec. 1 and April 30. People can legally fish for conchs and whelks from Nov. 1 to April 30. Only queen conch (Strombus gigas) can be taken. The catch limit is either five conchs per person or 10 per boat (with two or more people), whichever is fewer. For whelks, 2.5 gallons in shells or 2.5 pounds of processed whelks per person are allowed each day. Chiton, periwinkle and bleeding teeth species cannot be taken at any time. Persons who suspect poaching of conchs and whelks can call 911, or DoE enforcement officers directly. Grand Cayman, 916-4271. Cayman Brac, 926-0136. Little Cayman, 916-7021. For more information on conch and whelk seasons, contact the DoE on 949-8649 or email DoE@gov.ky. For more Community Calendar events, visit www.caymancompass.com/events. The perennial Christmas favorite ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ starring Jimmy Stewart, will be the next film to be shown at Camana Bay’s Moonlight and Movies at Gardenia Court. The film will be shown for free at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 29.Next >