ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – THURSDAY DECEMBER 22, 2016 High of 86 Low of 77 Seas: Rough with wave heights of 5 to 7 feet. Small craft should exercise caution over open water. EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 A BANNER YEAR FOR TOURISM IN CAYMAN SPORTS | PAGE 17 JAMAICA WINS INAUGURAL NCB CHALLENGE TROPHY 26 DAYS LEFT TO REGISTER TO VOTE ELECTION 2017 Holiday office hours Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! The management and staff at BritCay extend sincere season’s best wishes to you, your family and your friends.Our offices will close at noon on 23rd and 30th December. BRITISH CAYMANIAN INSURANCE CO. LTD. BritCay House, 236 Eastern Avenue, George Town, P.O. Box 74, KY1-1102 Tel. 949-8699 www.britcay.ky A member of Colonial Group International: insurance, health, pensions, life Call 949-8699 www.britcay.ky cgigrp Cayman seeks early repayment of debts BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Cayman Islands will receive permis- sion to pay off $8 million to $12 million of its national debt ahead of schedule if changes proposed to the government’s financial man- agement law are approved next month. The British territory found itself in the somewhat unusual position of having excess cash on hand but unable to legally spend some of it to retire debt amassed over the past decade. The Public Management and Finance Law currently penalizes the administration for paying more than 10 percent of its core reve- nues in any given year toward debt. If that oc- curs under the present regime, the U.K. could be placed back in direct control of Cayman’s government finances. Cayman regained control of its annual budget this year. Since 2010, it has had to present the budget to the U.K. foreign of- fice each year before approval in the Legisla- tive Assembly. Under amendments to the finance law, set to go before the assembly in January, the government would be allowed to ex- ceed the 10 percent of core revenues figure where repayments of debt principal “were not legally required to be made.” Finance Minister Marco Archer said last month that following cash surpluses gen- erated in the last three government budget years, it appears Cayman may be able to pay between $8 million to $12 million in additional debt before it becomes due. These amounts are mainly “historical debts” amassed by sep- arately operating statutory authorities and DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SPIKES AS HOLIDAYS NEAR CHARLES DUNCAN cduncan@pinnaclemedialtd.com Domestic violence reports spiked this month, with an average of three or four calls a night, according to police. Police said 12 domestic violence incidents were reported over one weekend this month. Last weekend, police arrested two men and one woman in separate domestic incidents be- tween Dec. 16 and 19. In a statement to the press, police said domestic violence reports are up 44 per- cent so far this month compared to the same time last year. “We are getting tons of service calls,” police spokeswoman Jacqueline Carpenter said in an interview Wednesday. Police Deputy Commissioner Kurt Walton said by email, “Domestic disturbances can be some of the most difficult and unpredict- able calls for front line officers to respond to. People are emotional and not behaving rationally. Responding to and preventing do- mestic violence is one of our key tasks in our role to protect the community – but we urge people to get help before situations es- calate to the point where police interven- tion is needed.” Ms. Carpenter highlighted resources like the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre and the Family Resource Centre. “Some of the increase in incidents this month can be accounted for by an increase in reporting, perhaps, but it is also common for us to see more women seeking a safe place at this time of year,” Cayman Islands Crisis Centre Director Ania Milanowska said in a statement. PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » Cayman’s conservation success story told in New York New blue iguana exhibit at Bronx Zoo A new exhibit highlighting the Grand Cayman blue igua- na’s recovery from the brink of extinction has opened at the Bronx Zoo in New York. The exhibit, which fea- tures a pair of blue iguanas bred in captivity, highlights the “amazing conservation success story” of the rare reptiles, ac- cording to a press release. The two young iguanas at the Bronx Zoo were bred at other zoos that participate in a cooperative program designed to enhance the genetic viability of animal populations in zoos and aquariums. The Wildlife Conservation Society Zoological Health Pro- gram, based at the zoo, has been working with the Na- tional Trust and the Depart- ment of Environment in the Cayman Islands for the past 15 years to help revive the species, which once numbered fewer than 20 animals. “The animals at the Bronx Zoo will help us tell the story of their species – a wonderful story of conservation success,” said Paul Calle, the society’s vice president for health programs. “Blue iguanas were func- tionally extinct just a few years ago and would not exist on this planet today if it were not for the collaboration and interven- tion of these groups.” The society offers veteri- nary support for efforts that include captive breeding, in- cubating and hatching of both wild and captive laid eggs, and head-starting hatchlings at a breeding facility to allow them to grow large enough to better avoid predators before being re- turned to the wild. Veterinarians from the Bronx Zoo conduct pre-release health evaluations, annual health as- sessments of blue iguanas at the breeding facility, and examina- tions of iguanas in the wild. The recovery effort, shep- herded by the National Trust for the Cayman Islands Blue Iguana Recovery Programme, the Cayman Islands Depart- ment of the Environment, and the IUCN Iguana Specialist Group, has released nearly 1,000 iguanas since its inception. One of the blue iguanas featured in the exhibit at the Bronx Zoo in New York. - PHOTO: JULIE LARSEN MAHER PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 »2 LOCAL&REGIONAL THURSDAY DECEMBER 22, 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. - THURSDAY - ROGUE ONE 3D (PG13) 12:30 | 12:50 2D | 3:30 | 3:50 2D 6:30 | 6:50 2D | 9:30 | 9:50 2D MOANA 3D (PG) 12:45 | 3:30 2D | 6:45 | 9:20 2D COLLATERAL BEAUTY (PG13) 1:00 | 4:00 | 7:20 | 10:00 OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY (R) 12:50 | 7:00 ALMOST CHRISTMAS (PG13) 1:15 | 4:20 | 7:05 | 9:50 FANTASTIC BEASTS (PG13) AND WHERE TO FIND THEM 3:20 | 9:40 Stephens case: Teen feared removal from track team BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com A 14-year-old girl who al- leged a Cayman Islands track coach indecently assaulted her feared she would be re- moved from the track team if she did not comply with cer- tain requests of a sexual na- ture, according to statements in U.S. federal court records. Ato Modibo Stephens, 37, faces two charges of indecent assault, one charge of gross indecency and one charge of misuse of an Information and Communications Technology Authority network in relation to an underage female victim. Cayman Islands prosecutors charged him with those of- fenses in June, but court re- cords state that Stephens left the jurisdiction in February when he became aware po- lice were informed of the ac- cusations against him. The case is now before the U.S. court in the Southern District of Florida (Miami) for extradition proceedings. The British government is at- tempting to bring Stephens, who has U.S. citizenship, back to Cayman to face trial. The U.S. court, in re- viewing various arguments for and against Stephens’s extradition, has made public certain details of the case which had not previously been released. According to the records: “The documents in support of the extradition request for the ICTA [misuse of IT net- work] charge allege conduct that includes the following: … Stephens sent [the al- leged victim] telephone mes- sages asking her to send him nude pictures of herself and engage in online video chat conversations, as well as his instructions to her to de- lete the texts. “In her statement to the police, [she] stated that she complied with those re- quests because she did not want Stephens, who was her track coach, to remove her from the track team. In addi- tion, the analysis of [the vic- tim’s] phones revealed nu- merous communications of sexual nature between [the victim] and Stephens.” Stephens’s attorneys ar- gued in court filings this month that the charge of misuse of an ICT network, which is an offense in the Cayman Islands, does not have a corresponding crim- inal offense in U.S. district court. One of the conditions of extradition is that the criminality alleged in the for- eign jurisdiction must also be a crime in the United States. Essentially, the analogous charges referenced by U.S. at- torneys involve much more serious types of criminal con- duct, including physical at- tacks, threats of violent acts against the victim and the like. No such allegations are made with regard to the ICT charge in Cayman against Stephens, his attorney states. “The language which the American statute criminal- izes is completely different than the statute the gov- ernment is attempting to use as its equivalent,” ac- cording to a Dec. 13 court filing by Stephens’s attorney Jeffrey Weiner. Federal prosecutors have disagreed with Stephens’s attorneys, arguing that such “dual criminality” does exist between the Cayman Islands ICT offense and the federal offenses of stalking and co- ercion and enticement, both of which fall under sec- tion 18 of the U.S. criminal code. In addition, prosecu- tors argued that the mes- sages from Stephens could amount to sexual exploita- tion of a child, another fed- eral criminal offense. No decision had been made, as of press time Wednesday, regarding Ste- phens’s extradition to Cayman. The federal courts have previously pointed out that the extradition pro- ceeding is not considered a criminal matter and that Stephens would have lim- ited opportunity to directly defend himself against the charges laid in Cayman. He would still have to face trial in Cayman if the U.S. courts and the state department agreed to the extradition. Teens arrested in motorbike theft at Kimpton Suspicious behavior reported to police Police arrested two teen- agers Monday in connec- tion with the theft of a mo- torbike from the Kimpton Seafire resort parking lot. According to the Royal Cayman Islands Police Ser- vice, the motorbike was reported stolen around 4 p.m. When officers arrived, a land and air search was conducted in the area and the white Yamaha was found in nearby bushes. Its mirrors and license plate had been removed. Police said they were notified that before the theft, two juvenile males were seen in the area of the hotel “behaving sus- piciously” and when ap- proached, they left the area on bicycles. It is believed the two teens took the mo- torbike and hid it nearby, intending to come back for it later. Police said during their search of the area they were alerted by some people, including security guards, who saw the sus- pects abandon their bikes and run off along Seven Mile Beach. They were eventually found near the London House condo- minium complex and were taken into custody. The suspects, ages 15 and 16, were being held on police bail as of press time Wednesday. Other thefts Two motorbikes were stolen earlier this month from outside local restaurants, ac- cording to police. A red Yamaha YBR – li- cense plate number 165 441 – was taken from out- side Casa 43 Mexican res- taurant in Canal Point, George Town, just after 9 p.m. on Dec. 13. Its owner parked it outside the restau- rant and discovered it missing a few minutes later, police said. On Dec. 8, the owner of a red-and-black Ya- maha parked the motor- bike behind Craft res- taurant in Marquee Plaza on West Bay Road around 7:45 p.m. The motorbike, with license plate number 165-405, was discovered missing around 10 p.m. That bike had an Au- tomotive Art sticker on the gas tank, and the tip of the left handle bar is missing, police said. West Bay halfway house gets $10K from government Government has given $10,000 to the Hope for Today Foundation halfway house in West Bay for recov- ering drug addicts. The rehabilitation resi- dence can house and treat up to 10 men. Eight resi- dents referred by the Drug Rehabilitation Court and other entities are cur- rently based there. The money will go toward rent, utilities and gasoline, and to pay staff who run the home’s six-to-eight month program, according to Hope for Today’s operations man- ager Brent Hydes. Mr. Hydes said that over the past 18 months, 26 men have passed through the fa- cility’s doors. “Of those, 16 have completed the program and not returned to sub- stance abuse,” he said. Mr. Hydes said the fa- cility depends heavily on do- nations and support from other agencies and the private sector. “We offer a much-needed solution to the problem of recidivism,” he said, adding that the program “pays for itself in terms of the reduc- tion in crime in the country.” To learn more about Hope For Today, visit www.caymanhopefoundation.com. Ministers Osbourne Bodden and Tara Rivers hand over a check to Hope for Today board member Christopher Burke. The white Yamaha was found in the nearby bushes. Its mirrors and license plate had been removed. Brazilian firms to pay combined $3.5B in bribery case (AP) – Odebrecht, the largest construction com- pany in Brazil, and major petrochemical company Braskem have agreed to pay a combined penalty of at least $3.5 billion to settle al- legations that they bribed government officials for business, U.S. authorities said Wednesday. The companies admitted to paying hundreds of mil- lions of dollars in bribes, money that law enforce- ment officials say was autho- rized at the highest corpo- rate levels and was disguised through complex financial ar- rangements. Both companies pleaded guilty to bribery- related charges in federal court in New York. The Justice Department called it the largest foreign bribery case under the For- eign Corrupt Practices Act. The 1977 law makes it illegal to bribe foreign government officials for business. The companies have both agreed to cooperate with law enforcement, including in in- vestigations into individual company officials. In a statement Wednesday, William Burck, a lawyer for Odebrecht, said the company was “glad to be turning the page and fo- cusing on its future.” Ear- lier this month, the company apologized for its involve- ment in corruption scandals that led to the arrest of its former chairman and sev- eral of its executives. It ac- knowledged having made se- rious mistakes and promised not to rely on extortion or bribes to get contracts from public officials. Odebrecht signed another agreement with Brazilian au- thorities to return almost $ 2 billion to public coffers.The islands’ most-trusted news source 3 CAYMAN COMPASS • THURSDAY DECEMBER 22, 2016 GALLERIA PLAZA | 949-7884 | OPEN 9AM - 6PM Come See All T he Fitness To Give T his Holiday SeasonT his Holiday Season Come See All T he Fitness To Give T his Holiday Season Come See All T he Fitness To Give T his Holiday Season Come See All T he Fitness To Give Merry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry ChristmasMerry Christmas Come See All T he Fitness To Give Sports Supply has a huge assortment of new collections of Apparel. Adidas, Nike, Under Armour. From tights to shorts to tees for men and women. Shoes from Nike, Skechers, Asics and New Balance. We have the fi tness equipment too: Treadmills, Ellipticals, Dumbbells, Upright Bikes, Benches and Free Weights. The 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. 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 findtheirownway” THURSDAY DECEMBER 22, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS The Cayman Islands are shining like a newly polished ornament. Holiday lights are shimmering, our white beach sand glitters in the sunshine like freshly fallen snow (almost), and everywhere, it seems, is decked out in the trappings of the season. All that’s missing from Christmas in Cayman is one very special guest – and perhaps it will be this VIP (Hint: His annual arrival is imminent, and his catch- phrase is, “Ho, ho, ho!”) who pushes Cayman’s tourist arrival numbers into record territory. Through the first 11 months of 2016, Cayman’s stay- over tourists numbered 345,155 — which is 329 fewer than during the first 11 months of 2015 (a minuscule difference of less than 0.1 percent). Heading into the homestretch, however, Grand Cayman has one addi- tional important asset that the island didn’t have last year: the newly opened Kimpton Seafire resort. Officials (and ourselves, and we imagine the hotel’s developer, the Dart Group) are crossing our fingers that visitors to the Kimpton provide a late surge that will allow this year’s stay-over numbers to eclipse last year’s. Of course, in Cayman’s annual competition with itself, there’s no “prize” for besting last year’s totals – other than a positive news headline or two, and the sense of satisfaction that our tourism industry is, sta- tistically, growing. But those sorts of moral encourage- ments do carry some importance. Regardless of whether Cayman’s stay-over totals end up being 1 percent more than last year’s, or 1 percent less, or exactly the same, it’s all good news for Cayman. Being on the cusp of, or better yet blowing by, record-breaking figures is precisely where our tourism industry wants to be. Additionally, if we factor cruise statistics into the equation (which we shall), then total tourism figures for 2016 have clearly increased compared to 2015. That’s something worth toasting to during Christmas dinner. The sector’s performance is even more admirable given the regional and global challenges that cropped up in 2016. Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell iden- tified several in the front-page story that appeared in Wednesday’s Compass, including the Zika panic, the Brexit referendum and slide of the pound, and major terrorist attacks in Europe that affected travel plans from that side of the Atlantic. We’ll also toss in weakness in the Canadian dollar and the euro, for good measure. As Minister Kirkconnell points out, perhaps the most significant constraint on Cayman’s tourist arrivals is Cayman’s room stock. (The logic is apparent, particularly during this Nativity season: Our country can only host as many visitors as we have “room at the inn” for.) That all-important factor is far more of a blessing than a curse. What it means is that consumer demand for Cayman vacations still outstrips our supply. As far as our long-term prospects for growth are concerned, Cayman remains master of our own destiny. Next year, with the Kimpton now online and Mar- garitaville set to open soon, the link between room stock and visitor numbers will be tested. If all goes to plan, and barring international macroeconomic factors beyond Cayman’s control, this time 12 months from now we should be celebrating 2017 as yet another banner year for tourism in Cayman. A banner year for tourism in Cayman Christmas lives on in our memories It is hard to believe that the Creator of our universe with its billions of galaxies could have sent Himself to this little blue blip not so long ago in the form of an in- fant born to a virgin, to be first worshipped by illiterate shepherds where He lay in a feed trough, livestock peering down at Him, Eastern po- tentates following a star to the site. But here we are again, singing those songs, so we shall see. My mother loved Christmas with her whole heart. With six children and no credit cards and my fa- ther ever watchful for unnec- essary expense, Christmas was a mountain for Grace to climb, requiring endurance, planning, stealth and skill, but she brought it off to per- fection every year, until she was in her 90s and then she coasted on her memories. Her mother died when my mother was seven and Mother had no memory of her, which troubled her deeply. She looked at photos of her mother, tall, hag- gard, from the early 1920s, and tried to dredge up some recollection, anything at all, the sound of her voice, what she cooked, what her hand felt like. Grace was third from the end of 11 children, the 12th having died with the mother, of scarlet fever, and Grace was raised by her older sisters, Marian and Ruby and Mar- garet. Complaint was not encouraged in that family, and mental health was not a topic for discussion, but clearly Christmas was a shining moment of gaiety in a family of modest means and strict decorum. When I was 19, my older brother asked me to look after his house over Christmas so he and his young family could drive out to New York for a week. His house was in the woods and I, intoxicated by Thoreau at the time, was more dramatic than neces- sary and announced that I would spend Christmas alone out there “to figure things out.” A poem of mine got in the college literary magazine, with the lines: The ice is thin and deep is the dark Below, green lights in the trees and red, Winding my way into the winter mist. Coat open and the silver blades are sharp And that long long bend ahead Will take me out and away from you and all of this. Which was about skating but a girl I knew thought it was suicidal and she came out to the woods to visit me and bring me dinner from her mother – turkey, can- died yams, cranberry, in tinfoil. We lit candles and sat and meditated on the mystery of life, and it was pleasant to have someone be so concerned about my well- being. At the time, I thought of suicide as poetic, an ar- tistic choice stemming from great emotional depths. Two months later, her boyfriend Leeds was killed when a drunk driver pulled out of a parking lot and into his mother’s car coming back home from a play at the Guthrie Theater. Twenty- some years later, sunk in depression, my friend filled her pockets with rocks and paddled a canoe out to the middle of a lake and cap- sized it and drowned. Life is good. On a winter night, looking into a fire, our dead are around us, testi- fying to that. The books on the shelves, the young people around the table, the carols on the radio in the kitchen, the shining snow on the hill that looks out at the Mis- sissippi River. As you get old, you gain a stripped-down life, minus the clutter and hullabaloo, the excess food and alcohol, the meaningless gifts, and it is quite satisfying to sit with your true love in can- dlelight, a plate of cookies on the table, and let memo- ries come and go. My mother is there. It’s 6 a.m., still dark out, and I’ve come down the stairs in my pajamas to the darkened tree, a note from Santa, the crumbs of the gin- gersnap I left for him, and I hear the padding of bare feet on the stair, and suddenly the tree bursts into light, and my mother is standing there in a raggedy robe. She missed her dead mother and found her every year in making Christmas for us. Even after she moved to Florida, she flew back for a proper Minnesota Christmas with frost on the windows and wind in the chimney. What you do for chil- dren is never wasted: this Christmas will live on and nourish them long after you have faded away. Garrison Keillor is an author and radio personality. © Garrison Keillor, distributed by The Washington Post News Service with Bloomberg News. GARRISON KEILLOR GARRISON KEILLOR A man walks through snow in Buffalo, New York, on Monday. – PHOTO: AP5 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • THURSDAY DECEMBER 22, 2016 Call today 949-8255 or visit us at 90 B Godfrey Nixon Way Residential and Commercial Security Systems • Burglar Alarms • Access Control • Fire/Life Safety • Video Surveillance LYNX TOUCH 5210 KIT System Includes: • Honeywell Lynx 5210 Touch Screen Self-Contain Panel with Built-in Siren • 3 X Door or Window Sensors • 1 X Motion Detector • 1 X Four Button Key Fob with Panic Feature • Window/Door and Yard Decals *Additional Fees apply for 24/7 Monitoring of the Security System. GIVE THOSE YOU LOVE THE GIFT OF SECURITY THIS CHRISTMAS Do you want to have control of your security system from anywhere in the world via your mobile devices? Please ask our sales representative about Honeywell Total Connect Services. CI$425.00 Laid-off MEPCO workers will have to wait for severance CHARLES DUNCAN cduncan@pinnaclemedialtd.com Liquidators have begun dismantling MEPCO, the con- struction company that closed suddenly in October and laid off more than 50 employees. Employees learned of the firm’s financial troubles on Oct. 17, the day they were laid off. MEPCO, established in 2008, worked on mechan- ical, electrical, fire systems and other building services. The company most recently had contracts to help build the Kimpton Seafire resort on Seven Mile Beach. Kenneth Krys, liquidator for MEPCO, said by email Wednesday, “Since we were appointed, we have made considerable progress in selling the vehicles and in- ventory that MEPCO held. We have been able to repay the secured debt due to a local bank who took steps to en- force their security. “Any net recoveries will now go towards preferential claims which include severance pay- ments to former employees and pension plan obligations.” All employees were paid through the day they were laid off, according to an ear- lier interview with Mr. Krys, but they will have to work through the liquidation pro- cess for any other money the company might owe them. When the company closed, it had 62 employees, 20 of whom were Caymanian, according to the Immigra- tion Department. The liquidator said the company has moved out of its Highgrove Business Park location and will be out of its other property in the middle of January to reduce costs. “We held a town hall meeting with creditors at the end of November to advise them of the financial pre- dicament that the company was in,” he said. Once the Grand Court grants Mr. Krys and Christo- pher Smith the power to wind up the company, Mr. Krys said they will hold a meeting with creditors, likely in February. According to the petition filed this month, the com- pany had $42,000 in capital. MEPCO was owned by James Laurenson and Mike Brown. Mr. Brown passed away recently. Mr. Krys said, “Our under- standing is that Mr. Brown was not involved in the busi- ness in recent years due to his health, and his absence will not adversely impact the winding up of MEPCO and our efforts to recover and realize assets.” Christmas care boxes offered this holiday season Donations will be handed out at West Bay Public Beach on Christmas Eve afternoon JEWEL LEVY jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com On Christmas Eve, on West Bay Public Beach, volunteers and do- nors will be handing out Christmas “care boxes” to those in need. Nicole Eastman, who is coordinating the project, is inviting people who are finding it hard to make ends meet this Christmas to avail of the charity of the do- nors who want to help out during the festive season. “If you are strug- gling this holiday season and could benefit from a Christmas Care Box filled with essentials, a meal and/ or a haircut, then please come and join us for this event by the beach. This is what Christmas is all about!” she said. Those who wish to do- nate still have time to do so as non-perishable do- nations are being collected through Friday, Dec. 23, and can be dropped off at Par- tial to Blue, Unit 4, Plaza Venezia, North Sound Road. Items requested for do- nation include non-perish- able snacks, feminine hy- giene products, vitamins, water, toiletries, insect re- pellent, sunscreen, wash- cloths and towels, grocery store gift cards and more. For people willing to contribute meals or other food, such as apples, ba- nanas or grapes, the drop- off location is West Bay Public Beach, between 1-2 p.m. on Dec. 24. Barbers and hair styl- ists who are interested in offering free haircuts and styles are asked to meet at the public beach. Volunteers are also being invited to come along to help pass out boxes and food at the event. The event will be held at the beach at 3-5 p.m. People needing arrangements for drop-offs can contact Ms. Eastman at nicolemeastman1@gmail.com. Man loses eye in WB fight A man lost vision in his right eye after a fight in West Bay on Monday, po- lice reported. Royal Cayman Is- lands Police said the injury occurred when a fight broke out in the back yard of a home on Duxie’s Lane and a man was hit with a piece of wood. A 16-year-old suspect was arrested Tuesday in connection with the attack. He had not been charged by press time. Police said the victim and the suspect knew each other. “It is our understanding from medical reports that the victim has per- manently lost the vision in his right eye,” a police statement noted. Employees learned of the firm’s financial troubles on Oct. 17, the day they were laid off.DISTRICT DAYS 6 District Days Bodden Town THURSDAY DECEMBER 22, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS Partners come together for community health screening Several groups came to- gether last month to offer Savannah residents a free health screening clinic. The Cayman Heart Fund and the Lions Club part- nered with the Savannah Seventh-day Adventist Church to coordinate the event on Nov. 27. It was or- ganized by Hazel Fletcher, health ministries director for the Savannah church, and Maureen Cubbon of the Cayman Heart Fund. Seventy people were screened for total choles- terol, triglycerides, glucose, body mass index and weight assessment in an effort to boost health awareness in the district and to facilitate access to information. As one of the Lions Club’s many public services, pa- tients were also screened for cataracts and other issues. One person was referred for further medical assess- ment and two were referred to an eye doctor. “It so happens that No- vember was World Diabetes Month and the worldwide theme was ‘Eyes on Sight,’” noted third vice president of the Lions Club of Grand Cayman, Cordella Chollette. “As with anything, they say early detection is key, and many may not know that eye health and diabetes go to- gether,” she said. “It’s always better to detect early if there are any issue. The machines that we have can detect quite a few potential issues at an early stage, and if there is a problem detected, we will then recommend a visit to a professional for further examination.” Heart health was also front and center at the screening clinic. “The screening was part of a community initiative from the Cayman Heart Fund to provide compli- mentary screenings for the community. The goal is to encourage the commu- nity to ‘know their num- bers’ for early detection of any potential health risks,” said Ms. Cubbon. The Cayman Heart Fund’s aim is to alert people about, reduce and help pre- vent cardiovascular disease through education and free medical screenings that in- clude weight assessments. The fund also donates med- ical equipment. “Cardiac issues are be- coming commonplace in Cayman, and the best way to try and combat this is early detection and education to promote heart-healthy life- styles,” said Ms. Cubbon. “We were very pleased with the turnout and look forward to another suc- cessful screening on Sunday, Jan. 29, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Savannah.” The various churches of the Cayman Islands Con- ference of Seventh-day Ad- ventists regularly conduct health screenings and other initiatives as a public service. “One mission of the SDA church is preven- tion, so it was a pleasure to team up with Cayman Heart Fund to help people know their [health] num- bers,” said Ms. Fletcher, who added that organizers were pleased that so many resi- dents who responded are on their way to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The church is committing to do more in the Savannah area, with the Conference’s Manna community services center scheduled to open in 2017, offering legal, medical and personal counseling, as well as an on-site food depot. Pedro St. James gets into holiday spirit Organizers of events at Pedro St. James are inviting the public to avail of the historic site over the Christmas and New Year period. Shayma Hamdi-Romanica, mar- keting coordinator at the Tourism At- traction Board, said, “With the beau- tiful winter breezes, Pedro is the perfect place to bring the family this Christmas to relax and unwind. Picnic on the side lawn or under the shade of the trees. “Guests can ask maintenance staff for assistance with seating.” The tourism attraction has a few new additions, including a custom built old-school tree swing and a small playground. “The swing was handmade locally, and the thatch rope was woven together in the traditional way using dried thatch palm leaves,” Ms. Hamdi-Romanica said. There is also a new history and na- ture trail at the site. The trail, which has been open a month, is proving popular with vis- iting schoolchildren, who receive prizes when they track down historic and na- ture items in a “treasure hunt” on the grounds of St. Pedro. “When the schools come, the kids can win three prizes – a pirate map, a book or a telescope,” Ms. Hamdi- Romanica said. The children are given lists of items to find, including local plants, a cannon, a feather pen, a rocking horse and an anchor. Visitors can also check out Pedro’s 3-D movie theater to watch a 25-minute overview of the history of Pedro Castle. Throughout the holiday period, Pe- dro’s resident rates will be in place: $5 for adults, free for kids under 12, and free for senior citizens, age over 60. Opening hours Dec. 24: 8:30 a.m. to noon. Dec. 25: closed. Dec. 31: 8:30 a.m. to noon. On all other days, regular hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 947-3329 or visit www.pedrostjames.ky for more information. The church is committing to do more in the Savannah area, with the Conference’s Manna community services center scheduled to open in 2017. Medical staff, volunteers, nursing students nurses from UCCI, medical students from St. Matthew’s University, Pathfinders and representatives of Cayman Heart Fund and the Savannah Seventh-day Adventist Church at the health screening. Pedro St. James has a new playground.DISTRICT DAYS 7 District Days Bodden Town CAYMAN COMPASS • THURSDAY DECEMBER 22, 2016 Seniors treated to Christmas dinner at Harry McCoy Park JEWEL LEVY jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com The women of the Bodden Town Heritage Com- mittee hosted a Christmas dinner for seniors at Bodden Town’s Harry McCoy Sr. Park on Dec. 18. Committee Chairwoman Mary Lawrence led the group of volunteer singers in pop- ular carols “Silent Night” and “O Come all Ye Faithful” as seniors joined in. Church of God pastor Winston Rose blessed the food, and guests were served the traditional beef dinner and chicken, and enjoyed musical performances and a gift from Santa. The rest of the afternoon was dedicated to reminiscing and catching up, and more Christmas carols. BUSINESSMAN SPREADS CHEER AMONG SENIORS JEWEL LEVY jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com A businessman is spreading holiday cheer to some of the older in- habitants on the eastern end of the island. Edward Miller of In- ternational Lighting made his rounds over the weekend, deliv- ering gift packages and Christmas cards to seniors in Breakers and Bodden Town. Mr. Miller, in the hol- iday spirit, said he sought to bring joy to others during the season. Many of the seniors knew Mr. Miller when he was a boy growing up in the district. They were not only grateful for the gifts, but also ex- cited to see him again and to wish him a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Santa and friends visit Bodden Town Santa Claus arrived at Stonecrest Plaza in Bodden Town on Saturday, Dec. 17, to spread some Christmas merriment and to light the skies with fireworks. The first Christmas venture hosted by resident Robert Bodden and associates provided lots of food, drinks and plenty of activities for children. Along with a bouncing castle, kids enjoyed shaking hands with a full-size animatronic talking Santa, who welcomed everyone. The children also visited a room, chilled to North Pole-like temperatures, to receive gifts from a real-life Santa and his helpful elves. Mary Lawrence leads a group of carolers in ‘Silent Night.’ Kids enjoyed shaking hands with a full-size animatronic talking Santa. - PHOTOS: JEWEL LEVY Santa gave out presents to kids at the Christmas event hosted by organizer Robert Bodden, right. Edward Miller delivers a gift package to Vernell Byrd.The islands’ most-trusted news source 8 THURSDAY DECEMBER 22, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS LuxuriesLuxuriesLuxuries Buy any two packages and receive a Luxuries Affordable Give the gift of Wellness this Christmas Gift Certifi cates Available Beautifully wrapped and ready to go Underneath the Mistletoe .......... $135 • 60 min Couples Swedish Massage Santa Baby .................................. $150 • 30 min Express Facial • 30 minute Back, Neck, & Shoulder Massage • 30 minute Refl exology Elfi sh Delight .............................. $250 • 60 min Da Vinci Signature Facial • 60 min Swedish Massage • 45 min Refl exology Christmas Year Round ............... $600 • Package of Ten 60 Minute Swedish Massages or Package of Ten Da Vinci Signature Facials We Speak Italiano, Francais, Deutsch, Español & Portugese DEBIT CARD MOST LOCAL INSURANCE POLICIES ACCEPTED Buy any two packages and receive a free 60 minute massage! Elfi sh Delight Elfi sh Delight Elfi sh Delight • 60 min Da Vinci Signature Facial• 60 min Da Vinci Signature Facial • 60 min Swedish Massage• 60 min Swedish Massage • 45 min Refl exology• 45 min Refl exology Christmas Year Round Christmas Year Round Christmas Year Round Christmas Year Round • Package of Ten 60 Minute Swedish Massages or Package of Ten Da Vinci Signature Facials We Speak Italiano, Francais, Deutsch, Español & Portugese www.davinciwellnesscentre.com PARK PLACE | WEST BAY ROAD | SEVEN MILE BEACH | GRAND CAYMAN 345.943.2002 government-owned compa- nies that accrue interest every year at a far greater rate than government’s cash accounts earn interest, Mr. Archer said. “We’re earning about 1 percent interest on our money, but the interest on the debt is accruing at 4 to 5 percent each year,” Mr. Archer said. “It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that’s not helping the country.” Mr. Archer said Wednesday that he was uncertain when the additional debt would be paid, but that it would have to occur before December 2017 – the end of the current budget cycle. The $8 million to $12 mil- lion represents a small por- tion of the $500 million Cayman’s central govern- ment owes in various loans and bonds. The lion’s share of the remaining amount – a US$312 million “bullet bond” debt – is looming in November 2019. A bullet bond, often re- ferred to as a balloon pay- ment or a bullet loan, is one in which the entire amount comes due all at once. In the case of this particular loan, that would be Nov. 19, 2019. Mr. Archer has said the debt repayment could be made all at once if the economy and government fi- nances continue to improve significantly. Presumably, the government would have the option to refinance a portion of the debt if it could not be paid by the due date. Other debts The Cayman Islands faces other significant debts in its government pension and healthcare systems, totaling an estimated $1.4 billion over a rolling 20-year period, ac- cording to an auditor general’s review last year. The government has re- cently taken steps to ad- dress both issues. Mr. Archer announced in June, and the Cabinet more re- cently accepted, proposals to put $16 million per year into the public sector employees’ retirement fund run by the Public Service Pensions Board. This additional payment made by government, beyond what it normally would pay for civil service retirees’ pensions, will help prop up the system that – at last review – had an un- funded liability of between $166 million and $266 million. The liability, attributed en- tirely to the civil service de- fined benefit retirement system, could have caused the entire plan to collapse by 2024 if not addressed, according to gov- ernment’s financial advisers. Meanwhile, government has estimated a $1.18 billion liability over the next 20 years associated with its healthcare coverage plan for retirees. Some changes to address that funding deficiency, in- cluding raising the govern- ment retirement age to 65, have been made. Also, Mr. Ar- cher has said civil servants will have to start paying a portion of their healthcare premiums starting in 2018. “Tensions about finances can run high during the hol- iday season. What is critical for both partners to know – or at least be willing to learn – is how to de-escalate these situations and get help when needed,” she said. Police say they have made 49 referrals to the Family Support Unit this month, but those referrals can come from any police interactions with the public, not just from responding to domestic vio- lence reports. Detective Sergeant Mi- chelle Miller, acting head of the Family Support Unit, said in the police state- ment, “It is important to remember that domestic violence refers to any vio- lent or aggressive behavior within the home between partners or family members. “Sometimes men or older relatives are victims. What- ever happens in the home and whoever the abuser may be, it is children who wit- ness abuse and can be the most scarred by it. We must be aware of all the forms that domestic violence can take if we are to address it or prevent it.” Police reported 160 domestic violence incidents so far this year, up from 111 in the same period last year. Ms. Carpenter said not all reports of domestic violence end up being actual inci- dents, but both are on the rise this year. The Cayman Islands Crisis Centre has a 24-hour hotline, 943-2422. The Family Resource Centre can be reached at 949-0006 during business hours. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Domestic violence spikes as holidays near CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Cayman seeks early repayment of debts POLISH GOVERNMENT REJECTS PRESSURE FROM EU ON RIGHTS WARSAW, Poland (AP) – Po- land’s government on Wednesday rejected re- newed pressure from the European Union for the way it is consolidating power, and opposition lawmakers pushed ahead with a plan to occupy par- liament all the way into the New Year. The heart of the issue is whether Poland’s pop- ulist and nationalist Law and Justice party is taking an authoritarian turn and eroding democratic insti- tutions. The focus of con- cerns has centered largely on the independence of Po- land’s Constitutional Tri- bunal but also on other issues perceived as back- sliding on fundamental po- litical rights. The government stands by its democratic creden- tials and says that street protests and the opposi- tion’s occupation of parlia- ment are attempts at desta- bilizing the state. EU Vice President Frans Timmermans weighed in on Wednesday, voicing re- newed concerns over re- spect for the rule of law in Poland. He said he has sent a series of recom- mendations and given the Polish government two months to reply. Timmermans said the 28-nation bloc “will not drop this matter.” “We feel a strong, strong feeling of solidarity with the Polish people who de- serve, like all Europeans, to have an independent judiciary, to have a full separation of powers,” Timmermans said. Government spokesman Rafal Bochenek described the latest EU step as un- necessary. He said the government has solved its issues with the con- stitutional court, citing a new law regulating the court and the swearing in Wednesday of a new court president chosen by the ruling party. Poland has been in a state of political tension since Law and Jus- tice assumed power in No- vember 2015 and moved quickly to solidify control over state institutions. Tensions spiked last Friday over a plan by the ruling party to restrict media access in parliament. Opposition lawmakers began a sit-in around the speaker’s podium that blocked proceedings on the budget. Large street protests also erupted and lasted for days.The islands’ most-trusted news source 9 Community CALENDAR ■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR is published TUESDAYS and THURSDAYS. It is available to charitable or nonprofit organizations. Items should be submitted at least three working days before publication. Information must include name of sender, signature and contact number. ■ Items may be faxed to 949-2662, brought to the Cayman Compass office on Shedden Rd. or emailed to cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com at least three days in advance of publication. CAYMAN COMPASS • THURSDAY DECEMBER 22, 2016 Commit, I like myself, I like myself Dr. Frank Tran MD, FRCSC Arthroscopic Knee & Shoulder Reconstructive Surgery & Sports Medicine CAYMAN ORTHOPAEDIC GROUP PLEASE CALL 945-8380 FOR APPOINTMENTS will be at #1 SMITH ROAD PLAZA Wednesday, 28th December to Friday, 30th December 2016 CHRISTMAS SERVICES BOATSWAIN BAY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: Christmas Day Service, 11 a.m. Choir Cantata; New Year’s Day Service, 11 a.m. FIRST ASSEMBLY OF GOD: 195 Old Crewe Road. Christmas Day, 10 a.m.; New Year’s Eve, 10 p.m. to midnight; New Year’s Day, 10 a.m. JOHN GRAY MEMORIAL CHURCH: West Bay. Christmas Day Service, 10 a.m.; Watch Night Service, Dec. 31, 11 p.m. ST. ALBAN’S CHURCH OF ENGLAND: Christmas Eve Service of Lessons and Carols at the National Gallery, Esterley Tibbetts Highway, 7:30 p.m.; Christmas Day Eucharist, 9:30 a.m. at the church 461 Shedden Road; Dec. 26-28 Holy Communion, 12:30 p.m.; Jan. 1, Holy Eucharist, 9:30 a.m. ST. GEORGE’S ANGLICAN (EPISCOPAL) CHURCH: Off Eastern Avenue. Christmas Eve, carols at 10:45 p.m., Mass 11 p.m.; Christmas Day, 8 a.m. only; Dec. 31, 11 p.m., Watch Night Service; New Year’s Day, 8 a.m. only. ST. IGNATIUS CATHOLIC CHURCH: Walkers Road. Christmas Eve, children’s play, 5:15 p.m., children’s Mass, 6 p.m., carol service, 11 p.m., Midnight Mass, midnight; Christmas Day, Mass at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. No 6 p.m.; New Year’s Eve, Mass at 6 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration, 10 p.m. Mass at 11 p.m.; New Year’s Day, 8 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. No 6 p.m. mass. CHRIST THE REDEEMER CATHOLIC CHURCH: West Bay. Christmas Eve carol service, 7:30 p.m. Mass, 8 p.m.; Christmas Day, 9:45 a.m.; New Year’s Day, 9:45 a.m. STELLA MARIS CATHOLIC CHURCH: Cayman Brac. Christmas Eve, 4 p.m. HOLIDAY CLOSINGS CITA: The Cayman Islands Tourism Association office closes on Friday, Dec. 23 at noon, and reopens on Tuesday, Jan. 3. A reminder to water sports members to begin stocking up on Kittiwake tokens so you will have enough for the period the office is closed. CUSTOMS: Collections Office is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. to Thursday, Dec. 22. On Friday, Dec. 23, the Collections Office and nearby Courier Office will close at 12:30 p.m., reopening on Wednesday, Dec. 28, with their regular hours. The office will also close at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 30, with operations resuming at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 3. DEPARTMENT OF COUNSELLING SERVICES: In line with other government offices (non- essential services), both the Department of Counselling Services and the Family Resource Centre will close at 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 23 and Dec. 30. IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT: The Immigration headquarters (including public counters, and the Passport and Visa offices) will close to the public at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 23, and reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 28. These offices again close to the public at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 30, and resume at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 3. IMMIGRATION BOARDS: The Work Permit Board resumes on Jan. 9. The Business Staffing Plan Board resumes Jan. 11. The Cayman Status and Permanent Residency Board resumes on Jan. 12. The Administration, Border Control and Enforcement sections of Immigration will continue functioning as usual while the boards are on leave. IMMIGRATION TRIBUNAL: The administrative arm of the Immigration Appeals Tribunal will close at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 23, and reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 28. It will close again at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 30 and reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 3. Members will hold their first meeting of the year on Jan. 12. NEEDS ASSESSMENT UNIT: The office, at Aqua Mall, will close Friday, Dec. 23, to Wednesday, Dec. 28. The office will be closed on Friday, Dec. 30, and reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 3. POST OFFICE: The Airport Post Office will be open for extended hours Thursday, Dec. 22, 8:15 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday Dec. 23, 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Christmas Eve, the Airport post offices will be open normal hours 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All other post offices will open normal hours, but they will close at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 23, and will be closed on Dec. 24. All post offices will be closed on Dec. 26 and 27, but open normal hours on Dec. 28 and 29; then closed all day on Friday, Dec. 30. VEHICLE/DRIVERS’ LICENSING DEPT.: All three DVDL locations will close at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 23, and on Friday, Dec. 30. The West Bay and Breakers offices will remain closed to the public from Saturday, Dec. 24 to Tuesday, Dec. 27. All three locations will open on Wednesday, Dec. 28 (the Crewe Road location from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the West Bay and Breakers offices from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.). THURSDAY, DEC. 22 CHRISTMAS RECITAL: Miss Jackie’s School of Dance, 6:30 p.m. at The Crescent, Camana Bay. SATURDAY, DEC. 24 CAROLS AND LESSONS: The National Gallery on Esterley Tibbetts Highway, 7:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Service organized by St. Alban’s Church. All are invited. MONDAY, DEC. 26 GARDEN PARTY: William Pouchie Memorial United Church in North Side hosts its annual Garden Party 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Seafood, beef, chicken, sides and deserts on sale. Live music, fun and games for children. All are invited. THURSDAY, DEC. 29 ST. IGNATIUS ALUMNI: Christmas Social, 7 p.m. at Sunset House. All St. Ignatius Catholic School graduates or former students (1971- 2016) are welcome. Any questions, contact sicaymanalumni@gmail.com. SATURDAY, DEC. 31 CAMANA BAY COUNTDOWN: Family friendly New Year’s Eve party. Early entertainment includes DJ music and a fireworks show at 7 p.m. Outdoor dance floor and no cover charge. Second fireworks display at midnight. Presented by the Town Centre’s signature restaurants. MONDAY, JAN. 2 FAMILY FUN DAY: The West Bay District Committee of Minister Tara Rivers hosts its annual Old Time New Year Family Fun Day at the Ed Bush Field, 12 noon till 4 p.m. Free refreshments, community demonstrations, games and prizes for all ages, including penny throw, sack races, hopscotch, football. Horseback riding, fire truck, bouncing castle. Arts and crafts for sale. GENERAL INTEREST SINGLE-MEMBER CONSTITUENCIES: The Elections Office invites voters, potential candidates and their agents to learn more about recent changes to the Elections Law that have created 19 single- member electoral districts. Email office@elections.ky to ask questions or request short presentations for groups or organizations. Local media will carry information on upcoming meetings, which will aim to address questions. HUMANE SOCIETY BOOK LOFT: North Sound Road. Open Monday 12:30-4 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday 5:30-7:30 p.m. Volunteers needed for front desk a few hours per week. Contact humanesocietybookloft@ candw.ky or 946-8053. Donations of books, games, CDs, stationery, DVDs, cards, etc., in good condition always needed. COMMUNITY CHESS: Tuesdays 5-8 p.m., West Indies Wine Company. Join the Cayman Chess Club for a complimentary chess class and open challenges weekly. Anyone can learn to play and enjoy chess, even beginners. LOST DOGS: The Department of Agriculture and veterinary students of St. Matthew’s University provide an online list of dogs housed at the Department of Agriculture Animal Rescue Shelter in Lower Valley. Anyone missing a dog can check www.smustudents.webs.com. BETHESDA COUNSELLING CENTRE: Caters to all who seek help. Open Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 68 Mary St. Appointments available Saturdays and late evenings. Center is owned and operated by the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Call 946-6575. ARTISANS MARKET: Camana Bay every Wednesday, noon till 8 p.m. Visual Arts Society artists display arts, crafts, paintings, prints, hand-crafted jewelry and ceramics for sale. Contact info@visualartcayman.com. OPEN CANVAS: Wednesdays. Visual Arts Society supports this event at KARoo Restaurant in Camana Bay. 7-11 p.m. No fee, easels provided. Contact info@ongart.com or jar.was@gmail.com. SPECIAL OLYMPICS: Volunteers are needed. Tuesdays at the Truman Bodden Complex at 5:30 p.m. for track/field, football and bocce. No experience necessary, just a smile and patience. Wednesdays at Lions Pool 10:15–11 a.m. You do not have to swim, just be able to walk in water chest-deep. Thursdays at First Baptist Church for basketball, 5:30–7 p.m. Saturdays, volunteers needed for Adult Special Olympic swim conditioning at CIS pool 9:30–10:30 a.m. Deck support and in-water swimming assistance needed. For more information, contact Penny McDowall at 516-2578 or pjmcdowall@gmail.com. RED CROSS THRIFT SHOP: The Thrift Shop new opening hours are Tuesday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. Friday hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and closed evenings. Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. MUSEUM TOURS: The National Museum provides guided tours for students and school groups free of cost. Students will gain an understanding of Cayman’s geological formation, flora and fauna, seafaring and rope-making heritage, political history and more. Contact the museum to book a tour in advance at 949-8368 or email info@museum.ky. CLUBS, ORGANIZATIONS ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: Meets daily to help with drinking problems. For more information, call 926-9044 or visit www.caymanaa.org. NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS: Is available for substance abuse help. Call the info line at 929–NANA (6262). AL-ANON GROUP MEETING: Are you troubled by someone’s drinking? Al-Anon Family Groups can help. Call 928-8843 or email caymanalanon@gmail.com for meeting times. For more Community Calendar events, visit www.caymancompass.com/events. Christmas services and festivities are being held across the islands this week. - PHOTO: STEPHEN CLARKENext >