SEVEN MILE BEACH WATERFRONT WALKERS ROAD TOWN CENTRE PLAZA RED BAY THE REMODELLED SEVEN MILE BEACH IS NOW OPEN RESTAURANT cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Friday, 27 December 2019 Issues Year in review: KAABOO rocks Cayman Page 10 Police: don’t become a post-holiday season victim Page 2 Christmas Eve fireworks spark multiple blazes Page 6• Matinees Daily (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $8.00, Mon-Fri Before 6pm • Additional charges apply per 3D/VIP tickets Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 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. - FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY - 640-FILM (640-3456) CATS (PG) (FRI) 1:05 | 7:15 | 10:00 (SAT) 1:05 | 7:15 | 10:00 (SUN) 7:15 | 10:00 DABANGG 3 (PG) (FRI-SUN) 3:45 | 9:20 FROZEN 2 (FRI) 1:00 | 3:40 3D | 6:30 (SAT) 10:20 | 1:00 | 3:40 3D | 6:30 (SUN) 3:40 3D | 5:40 | 6:30 JUMANJI: THE NEXT LEVEL (PG13) (FRI) 1:15 VIP | 4:10 | 7:05 | 9:55 (SAT) 10:25 VIP | 1:15 VIP | 4:10 7:05 | 9:55 (SUN) 2:45 | 6:30 VIP | 7:05 | 9:55 LITTLE WOMEN (PG) (FRI) 12:45 | 4:00 | 9:20 (SAT) 10:35 | 12:45 | 4:00 | 9:20 (SUN) 3:15 | 9:20 SPIES IN DISGUISE (PG) (FRI) 1:40 | 4:20 3D | 6:50 (SAT) 10:10 | 1:40 | 4:20 3D | 6:50 (SUN) 4:00 3D | 6:50 STAR WARS: RISE OF THE SKYWALKER (PG13) (FRI-SAT) 12:30 3D | 4:25 VIP 7:30 | 8:00 VIP (SUN) 3:00 VIP | 8:15 | 9:20 VIP KIDS CLUB HOME ALONE (PG) (SAT) 10:00 PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Cayman Compass Ltd. Compass Centre, Shedden Road, George Town, Cayman Islands SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman, KY1-1108 Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@compassmedia.ky ADVERTISE WITH US: T: (345) 949-5111 E: sales@compassmedia.ky W: caymancompass.com PUBLISHER KATHLEEN CAPETTA NEWS PRODUCER AND OPERATIONS MANAGER KEVIN MORALES A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will find their own way” Partly cloudy skies with a 20% chance of showers. weather Forecast today Cayman Islands 82°F 70°F HIGH LOW WINDS East to northeast 5 to 10 knots. SEA STATE Slight with wave heights of 1 to 3 feet ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky With those presents now out from under the tree and, presumably, in full use by giddy recipients, police are reminding residents to avoid common mistakes that could leave you an easy target for thieves. The RCIPS warns against leaving empty boxes and packaging of expensive gifts outside by the garbage bins, as these could serve as a beacon for thieves. “When you have opened your presents, do not put wrappers and gift boxes in your trash,” RCIPS Media Officer Jodi-Ann Powery said. “Package them up and take them away from your homes to be recycled.” Decorating the outside of one’s house with lights is an excellent way to get into the holiday spirit, and many will keep them up for weeks to come. However, leaving windows cracked to allow the lights and electric cords to connect to inside power outlets can also help burglars gain access to your home. Police say you should also be mindful of where you place outside decorations. “Ensure that your decorations do not block the view of your security cameras when you are putting them up,” Powery said. “Do not turn off your exterior lighting in exchange for your decorative lights. Doing so may limit the visibility of your yard even more at nights.” Business safety The holiday season often brings with it increased consumer traffic and many consumers may be looking to spend cash and gift cards over the next few weeks. Police say the best way to preserve the safety of your customers and your business is to increase your security measures. “Make sure that security cameras are clear of obstructions and are properly serviced,” said Powery. “It is important that security camera cover both the entrance and exit of your establishment.” Other safety tips include clearing cash registers frequently, to reduce the Police: don’t become a post-holiday season victim amount of money that could be stolen if your store is robbed. Checking identification during each credit and debit card transaction might cause lines to become longer, but doing so could help to prevent fraudulent transactions. Additionally, businesses are encouraged to check monetary notes to ensure they are not counterfeit. For more information on how to spot fake currency, you can contact the RCIPS Financial Crime Unit at 949-8797. Ms. Powery says business watch groups, like neighbourhood watch groups, can be a successful way of deterring would-be criminals. “Get to know your neighbouring shop owners and start a business watch for your area,” she said. “These can be useful in sharing information about suspicious activities and persons, so that you can avoid being victims of crime. You may contact the beat officer for your location to find out how to get started.” Road Safety When travelling on the roads, police say people should be extra vigilant and attentive. “The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year. There is a higher number of vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians using the roadways and in centralised areas,” said Powery. “Ensure that you are paying 100% attention when driving, walking or cycling, and avoid using cellphones and being distracted when using the roads.” Police also warn against leaving valuables and gifts openly visible in parked vehicles and, where possible, avoid parking in areas with little or no lighting or poor visibility. RCIPS: simple steps could prevent you, your home and business from becoming victims. Home Safety • Dispose of gift packages and boxing by transporting them to a recycling centre. • When possible avoid posting pictures on social media of expensive gifts. • Don’t power Christmas lights with cords running through opened windows and doors. • Do not block CCTV cameras with decorations. • Do not turn off outside lights to allow Christmas lights to shine brighter. Business • Check IDs for all card transactions. • Check money to ensure it is not counterfeit. • Get to know owners of neighbouring businesses; form business watch groups. • Frequently clear excessive cash from tills and registers. • Ensure CCTV cameras are properly functioning and not obstructed. Road • Be attentive. Look out for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. • Do not park cars in areas with low or no lighting. • Do not leave valuables in plain sight in vehicles. Tips for staying safe 2 FRIDAY, 27 DECEMBER 2019cayman compass 3 FRIDAY, 27 DECEMBER 2019 NOW SELLING PHASE 2 STAMP DUTY SAVINGS of up to US $245,000 through 2019 A LUXURY WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT IN THE PRESTIGIOUS YACHT CLUB COMMUNITY The Residences of Stone Island is comprised of 44 waterfront residences built to the highest standards, with 4,500 square feet of open-concept living space. This private gated community boasts an exquisite array of lifestyle amenities; Tennis court • expansive infinity edge pool • docking facilities • private screening room • children’s center waterside owner’s lounge with chef’s kitchen • bar and owner’s wine storage • gated with 24-hour security BBQ pavilion • boardwalk • lush landscaping • fitness studio OPEN HOUSE WWW.STONEISLANDCAYMAN.COM BOOK A VIEWING Sales Inquiries (345) 925-6404 | info@stoneislandcayman.com 548 Yacht Drive, just past Vista del Mar Show homes open Monday to Friday 10 am to 4 pm SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28 TH 12 PM to 2 PM Three full-scale model homes available for viewing LAST CHANCEWe visit Grand Cayman 4 weeks annually. We love our time on the island. I walk every morning from Plantation Village to the Public Beach (Kimpton). I pick up street trash along the way using large 33 gallon bags. I’ve noticed a complete lack of trash containers for the public to discard trash on the east side of 7-mile road (West Bay Rd). The west side of the street has trash cans only at bus stops provided by Rotary Club but seldom emptied. We need more trash containers for the heavy foot traffic along West Bay Road to encourage the public to do the right thing. We also need residential management participation to provide and empty these public trash containers in their dumpsters for consistent trash disposal. Is there an Association of Residential Properties to address commonly shared concerns? Road trash at our beaches, public areas, and undeveloped properties along West Bay Rd needs everyone’s help to keep the island looking nice. I applaud recent efforts to clean up Grand Cayman. James Chancellor 600 tonnes of bulk waste collected As has happened in previous years, not all waste in West Bay was removed by the end of collections. So again there is a pile in front of our house over Christmas. I trust that in the New Year what should have already been collected will be collected. (Editor’s note: a DEH press release sent over the holidays indicates garbage collection originally scheduled for 25 Dec. will now take place 28 Dec.) George Tustin Plastic free cartoon If you’ve ever used a paper straw, you know how ineffective they are, fall apart in minutes, and if made of paper, they are a waste of natural resources. Lukishi Brown What they’re saying Letters to the editor 1234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 1234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 ACROSS 1 Ringing metallic sound (5) 4 Ascetic (7) 8 Chart (3) 9 Obliquely (2,2,5) 10 Side by side (7) 11 Great pain (5) 13 Something of little value (6) 15 A succession (6) 18 Masculine (5) 19 In theory (2,5) 21 Horrifying experience (9) 23 Sheltered side (3) 24 Fraud (7) 25 Partly frozen rain (5) DOWN 1 Fitting into small space (7) 2 Assign as share (9) 3 West African country (5) 4 Meagre (6) 5 Stubbornly unyielding (7) 6 Pull hard (3) 7 Very poor (5) 12 Spontaneously (2,7) 14 Clothes for newborn baby (7) 16 Item of clothing (7) 17 Gypsy (6) 18 Lesser (5) 20 Try hard to persuade (5) 22 Joke (3) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16259 The numbers in the black cells are clues. Numbers above the slash are across clues. Number below the slash are down clues. The goal is to enter digits 1 - 9 in the white cells to add up to the number clues. You cannot enter any digit more than once when adding up to clue. cartoon RIP - By Caymanman I have just listened to an excellent broadcast on BBC Radio 4 “from our own correspondent” about the large cruise ships wanting to build a terminal on Grand Cayman so that their passengers can increase their enjoyment of Grand Cayman, because they do not have to come ashore by tender. She pointed out she had seen crowds of passengers who manage to come ashore by tender and that the tourists who stay on the island bring in much more money for the government than the cruise passengers. It was pointed out that, although they say they will move the coral reefs further along the coast, it is an extremely difficult and expensive thing to do with a high mortality, and that many people come to Grand Cayman for the diving experience which will be put in jeopardy. As someone who has visited Grand Cayman many times from Scotland I urge all who have a vote to vote against this scheme. Judith Blaiklock Visitor calls for ‘no’ votes I can not figure out why Dart is not working with the Britannia owners to resolve the issues of the beach access and the golf course. Alienating all of the owners that live in Britannia, instead of working together, is not a great long term solution. By working together we could do something great for both Dart and Britannia. Bryan Wentz Call for Britannia issues resolution More roadside bins needed 1234567 8 910 1112 131415 1617 18192021 2223 2425 1234567 8 910 1112 131415 1617 18192021 2223 2425 ACROSS: 1 Recital, 5 Clash, 8 German measles, 9 Yearn, 10 Expanse, 11 Penury, 12 Theory, 15 Grandee, 17 Dodge, 19 At short notice, 20 Terse, 21 Patient. DOWN: 1 Rugby, 2 Curtain-raiser, 3 Trainer, 4 Limpet, 5 Cramp, 6 All in good time, 7 Hosiery, 11 Pageant, 13 Hideout, 14 Pent-up, 16 Drone, 18 Exert. TUESDAY'S SOLUTIONS cayman compass 4 news N news FRIDAY, 27 DECEMBER 2019cayman compass 5 FRIDAY, 27 DECEMBER 2019 Disclaimer : FIN Grand Cayman features and amenities are based on current development plans and concepts and are subject to change without notice. Some services and amenities are subject to service-based fees or homeowner fees. ART DECO INSPIRED RESIDENCES WITH UNIQUE FIVE-STAR AMENITIES Priced from US $1.9M Reserve your private tour and discover the last word in luxury + 1 345 326 1400 fin@fingrandcayman.com Guest suites Owners private Aquariva Private wine locker with sommelier service Personal car service & two parking spaces per residence Private business centre FIN.cayman fingrandcaymanANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky Emergency responders were called to three different reports of brush fires on 24 Dec., all of which were sparked by fireworks, according to the Department of Public Safety Communications. The first incident occurred in Cayman Brac at around 2:43pm. Officers were called out to reports of a bush fire along Ethel Way, in West End. The fire was said to have been about 200 yards away from the main road, where an apartment complex was located. The blaze was caused by fireworks, a public safety communications employee said. Fire officers were dispatched and they located and extinguished the blaze. The next incident occurred at around 8:31pm, this time along the Stepping Stone Drive area near Frank Sound Road, in North Side. Officers were called out to the bush fire, which was in an isolated patch of bush and posed no immediate danger to people or property in the area. It was quickly extinguished, the public safety communications employee said. A few minutes later, at around 8:58pm, officers were called out to reports of another fire, which was again sparked by fireworks. The blaze, which was captured on video and shared on social media, could be seen rising high into the night sky. Dispatch personnel say they received reports that the fire was high enough to reach power lines. The flames were consuming a hedge near to a house, and a palm tree. Members of the public tried to extinguish the blaze but were unable to do so. Officers were able to quickly douse the fire. No injuries were reported in any of the fires. Christmas Eve fireworks spark multiple blazes A fire in Newlands on 24 Dec. is believed to have been caused by fireworks. cayman compass 6 N news FRIDAY, 27 DECEMBER 2019 Gallstones and Biliary Colic by Dr. Sidney Ebanks - Family Physician 16 Middle Road, George Town | P.O. Box 2000 | Grand Cayman KY1-1104 | Cayman Islands | 345.949.6066 | info@doctorshospitalcayman.com Biliary colic is the pain caused by abnormal function of the gallbladder. It may or may not be due to underlying gallstones. The gallbladder is a pouch the size of a lime that sits under the liver and stores a liquid called bile. Bile is dark green; composed of water, bile salts, and cholesterol that helps with digestion of food and absorption of fat and fat-soluble nutrients and vitamins. Sometimes, the cholesterol in bile can deposit and form thick crystals (sludge) or stones (gallstones). Being older than 40years, female, rapidly losing or gaining weight, at increased weight, or pregnant are some of the risk factors for gallstones. One in 5 people have gallstones, but only one-third of patients with gallstones will ever have pain from them. Symptoms and Diagnosis When a meal is ingested, the gallbladder squeezes the bile into the small bowel to help digest fat. In this process, gallstones can get stuck in the thin duct (cystic duct) that connects the gallbladder to the main bile duct (common bile duct). As the gallbladder contracts to push the bile across the blockage, it can cause pain which may be felt in the upper part of the abdomen or back, nausea, and vomiting. If the stone is completely stuck and cannot be pushed into the small intestine, it can lead to gallbladder infection (cholecystitis), obstruction of the bile flow from the common bile duct (choledocholithiasis), or inflammation of the pancreas (gallstone pancreatitis). Diagnostic options for the gallbladder include physical exam, blood tests, ultrasound and sometimes a radionuclide scan. Treatment Treatment is recommended for patients with symptoms of biliary colic, or one of the complications described in the last section. The only definitive treatment for gallstones is surgical removal of the entire gallbladder, also known as cholecystectomy. Since the gallbladder has no other function other than to store bile, removing it does not have any serious consequences—the liver will continue to produce just as much bile as before surgery. For more information, contact Doctors Hospital by phone at 345.949.6066 or email us at info@doctorshospitalcayman.com.cayman compass 7 FRIDAY, 27 DECEMBER 2019 BE A DESIGNATED DRIVER OR TAKE THE PURPLE RIBBON BUS ON NEW YEAR’S EVE 021 Miles Route 1 Route 2 Route 3 Route 4 Route 5 Route 6 Route 7 Route 8 Bus Terminals & Routes Purple Ribbon Bus Pick Up TAKE THE PURPLE RIBBON PLEDGE visit www.HurleysMedia.ky for more information #ARRIVEALIVE345 FATALITY FREE FESTIVITIES NRA is a Gold Sponsor of the #ArriveAlive345 campaign which includes The Purple Ribbon Pledge The Designated Driver Programme The Purple Ribbon Bus NRA is a Gold Sponsor of the #ArriveAlive345 campaign which includes The Purple Ribbon Pledge The Designated Driver Programme The Purple Ribbon BusCAROLINA LOPEZ clopez@compassmedia.ky Protect our Future members Connor Childs, Olivia Zimmer and Steff Mcdermot recently attended the United Nations COP 25 Climate Conference earlier this month in Madrid, Spain, and have since returned to Cayman hoping to share their views on the effects of climate change. Childs, a Cayman International School student, said there were many impactful speakers at the conference, but the most impressive for him was former US Secretary of State John Kerry. “He talked about how small islands nations, just like us, are already experiencing the impact of sea level rise and they can’t even stop any more, they are just moving to the mainland, and the entire time I was just thinking to myself ‘that’s going to be us really soon if we don’t make change quick,’” Childs said. “It was also really empowering and impactful to see so many different people from so many walks of life come together and unite over a certain issue that we are all going to face in the end,” Zimmer said. Childs said some adaptable solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change that he learned about at the conference include using rooftop spaces for solar power. “I know there isn’t really much space, but rooftops of buildings – as much space as we possibly can – to use solar … it should be used up,” Childs said. Zimmer said natural resources like mangroves and coral reefs need to be preserved to mitigate the effects of climate change. “If we protect what we have rather than tearing them down, that’s one thing I’d like to highlight in Cayman, because we have what we need. We just need to utilise it in the proper ways,” Zimmer said. Zimmer’s biggest takeaway from the summit was that time is running out worldwide to give full attention to this issue. “After meeting with a lot of different people, my biggest takeaway was that we don’t have the time a lot of big nations think we have, because climate change is happening now, it’s happening in the smaller nations,” she said. Mcdermot said the next step for activism is meeting with key stakeholders in the energy and conservation sector to gather the facts about what is happening locally in regards to climate change. “They know the facts. They have done the research. They have pushed out the reports. They have timelines. They have strategies. They have solutions ready to go, but for some reason they’re unable to move forward and that’s where we come in,” Mcdermot said. Mcdermot questioned whether the ministers in government are aware of the adaptable solutions, not just available globally, but locally as well. “Why are all these civil servants so ready to move forward with these programmes but why is nothing happening? So I feel like our position as youth activists is to pressure the government to listen to their employees, listen to the experts that they have hired, to really act out on what they have been advised to do,” Mcdermot said. The 2019 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP25, was the 25th United Nations Climate Change conference. It was held in Madrid, Spain, from 2 to 13 Dec. 2019 under the presidency of the Chilean government. The conference incorporates the 25th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the 15th meeting of the parties for the Kyoto Protocol (CMP15), and the second meeting of the parties for the Paris Agreement (CMA2). Cayman students return from climate change conference Steff Mcdermot, left, Olivia Zimmer, centre, and Connor Childs attended COP25. cayman compass 8 news N news FRIDAY, 27 DECEMBER 2019 Come in and talk with one of our representatives today! Learn more at ky.scotiabank.com Get a Brand New Car this Christmas with a loan from Scotiabank with rates as low as 4.5%. Get it dne and WIN! Win overUS$4000in prizes* *Conditions Apply. Promotion starts November 18, 2019 and ends January 17, 2020. ® Registered Trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia, used under license (where applicable).cayman compass 9 FRIDAY, 27 DECEMBER 2019 Your life connected | 745.5555 FIBRE INTERNET | TV | PHONE | LOGIC.KY *Terms and conditions apply. We ’ ve doubled Internet speeds . We ’ ve doubled Internet speeds . The fastest Internet has the Island’s best pricing. Enjoy your favourite services with Internet that’s now twice as fast, at the best price. Plus, sign up or add any Logic service before Christmas and you could win free service for a year. *Next >