caymannational.com More branches. More ATMs. More smiles. cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 75 CENTS Wednesday, 15 January 2020 cayman compass 75 CENTS Funding local journalismWednesday, 15 January 2020 Ripert to miss Cayman Cookout Cullers remove 464 lionfish from reefs Page 5 Page 3 Photo: Rebecca DavidsonPRINTED 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 84°F 73°F HIGH LOW WINDS East to northeast 15 to 20 knots with higher gusts. SEA STATE Rough with wave heights of 6 to 8 feet. A small craft warning is in effect. Matinees (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $8.00 (Mon-Fri before 6pm) Additional charges apply per 3D/VIP tickets 640-FILM (640-3456) 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. THE GRUDGE (2020) (R) 2:00 | 4:30 | 7:15 | 9:40 JUMANJI: THE NEXT LEVEL (PG13) 12:45 VIP | 3:45 | 6:30 | 9:25 LIKE A BOSS (R) 12:45 | 3:00 | 5:15 | 7:00 VIP | 10:00 SPIES IN DISGUISE (PG) 1:40 | 4:20 | 6:50 STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER (PG13) 12:30 | 3:40 VIP | 6:45 | 9:20 UNDERWATER (PG13) 1:10 | 3:40 | 7:30 | 9:15 VIP | 10:00 WHAT’S PLAYING THIS WEEK WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2020 FIND US ONLINE Caymancompass.com Facebook.com/Caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass The Port Authority’s deputy director James Parsons has retired from the role. The announcement comes 18 months after he was cleared of wrongdoing following an internal government inquiry into allegations of sexual harassment. An Internal Audit Service report in July said the complaints against Parsons lacked merit and were found to be unsubstantiated. Though the report did not specifically name Parsons, he was identified in various media reports and sources have confirmed to the Cayman Compass that the unsubstantiated allegations were levelled at him. In a brief statement Monday, the Port Authority confirmed his retirement, effective 24 Dec. “The Board and Management extends its appreciation to Mr. Parsons for his many years of dedicated service at the Port Authority,” the statement said. Parsons had been on leave for an extended period prior to his retirement. The Internal Audit Service in its July 2018 report raised issues around the Port Authority’s handling of sensitive complaints, but found no substance to the allegations themselves. The auditors wrote, “The complaint in its original form lacks merit and is found to be unsubstantiated. The review did however yield a subset of legitimate behavioural issues which need to be addressed. This subset of issues does not constitute sexual harassment…. “The lack of employee awareness regarding the manner in which to raise and communicate issues of a sensitive and personal nature coupled with management’s failure to address such issues have contributed to an unhealthy work environment.” At the time, the Port Authority accepted the findings of the audit and committed to a series of measures, including staff ‘sensitivity training’ to address some of the issues raised. RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Aspiring police helicopter pilot Darren McLean has received his first officer bars. The auxiliary constable recently received the bars as part of his training and development as a helicopter pilot with National Helicopters in Trinidad, according to the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service. “This is a significant milestone for Darren,” an RCIPS statement said. Commissioner of Police Derek Byrne, in the statement, said he was very proud of the training that McLean has done so far in Trinidad with National Helicopters. He commended him for achieving his first officer status. “[It] is a significant milestone in his professional development and training. He is a very fine ambassador for the RCIPS and the Cayman Islands,” Byrne said. McLean returned to the Cayman Islands for Christmas break where he met up with his colleagues at the Air Operations Unit. The RCIPS said McLean reported that he is excited about the challenges ahead and looks forward to completing his training and qualifications before returning to the Cayman Islands where he will transition to Flight Captain with the RCIPS Air Operations Unit. He is expected to return to the RCIPS before the end of 2022. McLean left Cayman to train in Trinidad last year to gain experience and hours as a pilot at National Helicopter Services Ltd. After he completes 3,000 hours of flight time, he will undergo H145 training. H145 is the model of helicopter in the RCIPS fleet. Byrne said the CEO at National Helicopters has been complimentary of McLean’s commitment to the training environment and has commended him for receiving his first officer bars in such a short period of time. “National Helicopters has reported that they are very pleased with Darren’s progress and that he is showing all the signs of becoming a fine pilot,” he added. The CEO’s comments came as no surprise to Superintendent Brad Ebanks, who is in charge of Special Operations. “Darren has always shown such ambition and potential. I had no doubt that he would make us proud here in the RCIPS and the Cayman Islands as a whole, given his aptitude and passion for flying. Darren has a great support team within the Air Operations Unit, and they follow his progress, as well as ensuring that he does well while away from home,” Ebanks said in the RCIPS statement. Police on Tuesday named the snorkeller who died off George Town on Saturday as 72-year- old Jack Joseph Pardo from North Carolina, USA. The man, a visitor to Cayman, got into difficulties while snorkelling in the sea off North Church Street around 3:30pm, according to an earlier police report on the incident. Emergency Services attended the scene and transported the man to the Cayman Islands Hospital where he was pronounced dead. A story published in Tuesday’s Cayman Compass, titled ‘Police remind cullers to renew firearms licences’, incorrectly stated the distance from public roads at which cullers can use their firearms. It should have stated that iguana cullers with expired firearms licences are no longer permitted to use air rifles in residential areas or within 40 yards of a public road. Police name deceased snorkeller CORRECTION Caymanian helicopter pilot gets first officer bars Port deputy director steps down Darren McLean at the helicopter controls. – Photo: Submitted Parsons had been on leave for an extended period prior to his retirement . “This is a significant milestone for Darren who is now qualified to commence flying as a co- pilot servicing contracts to the very demanding oil and gas industry.” Police Commissioner Derek Byrne cayman compass 2 news N news WEDNESDAY, 15 JANUARY 2020cayman compass 3 news N news WEDNESDAY, 15 JANUARY 2020 Top chefs headline annual event RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky The 12th annual Cayman Cookout kicks off on Thursday and, for the first time since the signature culinary event began, international chef Eric Ripert will not be in attendance. Organisers confirmed Ripert, who usually hosts the event, will miss it this year. The Cayman Cookout features top global chefs, including José Andrés, Emeril Lagasse, Andrew Zimmern and Niki Nakayama, among others. “Due to unforeseen circumstances, Chef Eric Ripert will unfortunately no longer be able to join us this week. Chef Ripert is deeply disappointed to miss out on all the fun and we all look forward to his triumphant return next year,” Marc Langevin, general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, told the Cayman Compass. While Ripert will be missing the action, Langevin said, “The incredible and world-renowned guest chefs he has assembled for the 12th annual Cayman Cookout will be pitching in on his behalf and ensuring that all of the weekend’s events take place as planned.” The Cookout events begin Thursday at 8am with ‘Yoga and Krug’, a beverage-tasting event at the Ritz-Carlton Haven cabanas, which will be followed by lionfish culling with Chef José Andrés and 1981 Brewing Company. Langevin said some of the signature events sold out almost immediately, and a few of the lunches and dinners by the headlining chefs have also sold out. “However, there is still availability to attend some of the local favourites. These include ‘Andrew Zimmern Explores the Flavours of Cayman’, which is a wonderful outdoor lunch in our Great Lawn, featuring Cayman’s favourite restaurants and chefs; Bon Vivant Cook-Off Competition Brunch on Sunday, this year featuring two local professional chefs competing and hosted by the TODAY Show’s Al Roker; and ‘Rum and Robusto’ on Sunday, to name a few,” he said. Langevin said the Cookout continues to evolve and, although it has grown in the number of events – more than 70 this weekend – he said organisers try to keep its essence which revolves around the intimacy of the events. “We have added a lot more events around beverage and mixology, which include some unique reserve tastings. We also have more events off-site which highlight beautiful sites of our islands, like the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park and Cayman Brac. Of course, the wonderful line-up of our talented chefs and beverage experts are always a highlight and are ready to welcome guests with incredible events,” he added. Learn more at https:// caymancookout.com. Ripert to miss Cayman Cookout Emeril Lagasse will be among the celebrity chefs at the 2020 Cayman Cookout. Chef Eric RipertYesterdaY's sOLUtIONs 1234567 8 9 10 11 1213 14 151617 1819 20 21 22 23 1234567 8 9 10 11 1213 14 151617 1819 20 21 22 23 Puzzle 16274 ACROSS: 1 Prosper, 4 Basic, 7 Used, 8 Laboured, 10 Prime mover, 12 Wintry, 13 Admire, 15 In hot water, 18 Fallible, 19 Step, 20 Rigid, 21 Wastrel. DOWN: 1 Plump, 2 Obedient, 3 Reason, 4 Broken-down, 5 Sure, 6 Codeine, 9 Bear in mind, 11 Dictator, 12 What for, 14 Hollow, 16 Repel, 17 Flog. aCrOss 1 Resolute (9) 8 Correspond (5) 9 Unvarying (7) 10 Outcome (6) 11 Monotony (6) 12 Excessively drastic action (8) 15 Actuated by sound (8) 18 Positively (6) 20 Brawn (6) 21 A broad heavy knife (7) 22 Inexact (5) 23 Politically conservative (5-4) dOWN 2 Slight colouring (5) 3 Concern (6) 4 Leading (8) 5 Meddle (6) 6 Antiquated (7) 7 Way of thinking (9) 11 Routine drudgery (9) 13 Trespass (8) 14 An Indian Ocean wind (7) 16 Vendor (6) 17 An edible nut (6) 19 Reveal a secret (3,2) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16275 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 Lost Money - By Caymanman West Bay mangroves cleared without permission They should charge them a hefty fine. I know that’ll not bring the mangroves back but if the fine is big enough, others may think twice about trying to do this again. – Leasa Morrison That is asinine. ...it was already gone anyways. Great. Now every developer is gonna destroy first to get their permit. Way to go. – Be Solomon There will be nothing left of the beauty of this island if this carries on. – Andy Marshall Please tell me that this person will be heavily fined! And, seriously, CPA? – Michelle Mercure McTaggart Act first, then ask for forgiveness. That way, you get your way. MONEY TALKS! – Anthony Ebanks CPA are a bunch of sellouts! – Beto Anglin On an island known for flooding ... can humans get any dumber? – Teri Camelio-Sullivan Better to beg forgiveness than ask permission? – Jim Hinckley What is going on with CPA? – Chelsea Tennant Oh, so that’s what we doing now? – Allison Hidalgo Disabled drone found next to airport runway If only they could find a way to get those responsible. There should be a way to shut drones down before they’re within 100 me- tres of airplanes/air traffic via the airport. – Beto Anglin Beto, there is ... which is surprising, because where I live I’m in the exclusion zone and I can’t get any to fly at my house. – Clinton Ebanks Slackness. But let’s see what will be done about it. – Twyla Vargas What they’re saying Online Letters My family of five has booked its 11th trip to Grand Cayman this June. I often thought of taking the children back out to Stingray City. It is with both sadness and regret that we have not gone out to Stingray City for six years now, and may never go again. The experiences I have read from recent visitors have been devastating. Too many boats, too many people, disrespect for the rays by rough handling and exposing them out of the water. It’s heartbreaking to hear rays are being injured by boat traffic ... this vacation highlight may soon disappear. One sunny day, some years ago, Captain Marvin sat with us outside his home after we returned from a Stingray City outing. We could see and hear how proud he was of his efforts and business to take nature-loving and adventure-seeking people out to a place unlike any other in the world. The men he employed (Charlie and Glen) were fun and very nice. They respected nature, they enjoyed their job. It was amazing, and we had the privilege of going three times with our children while they were young. We often thought to go back to see if ‘Freckles’ was still about. However, between the crowds and boat traffic, I feel it would take away some of the best memories we have on the island. Hopefully the government will do more than just suspend new Stingray City/Sandbar licences; 209 authorised operators are still too many. If the complaints were made with the current number of licences, wouldn’t it make sense to not only freeze new applicants, but reduce the number of current operators? It sounds to me as if this number is heavily contributing to the problem. Unfortunately, these are the things that need to be addressed immediately to keep Stingray City a healthy environment for everybody. We can only hope it will be. Jennifer Arney Chicago, USA Those of us who became life members of the National Trust for the Cayman Islands in the 1980s are grateful today for the Trust’s stance to officially oppose the divisive initiative of government to construct two huge concrete piers in Hog Sty Bay to accommodate tourists from mega cruise ships in the present and future. The National Trust’s mandate has always been to preserve and protect the natural environment and maritime heritage of these three islands. [It’s] a boon to the country that the Trust is supporting the extraordinary sea and land environment of the Cayman Islands; not a ‘boondoggle’ in league with cruise ship owners, operators from afar, and the people who would discharge too many thousands of tourists into George Town’s already too- crowded streets. Nan Socolow Supports National Trust’s opposition to cruise port Too many boats going to Stingray City cayman compass 4 N news WEDNESDAY, 15 JANUARY 2020CALLING ALL PERFORMERS! YOU ARE INVITED TO AUDITION FOR A PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITY AT RED SKY AT NIGHT ON 29 FEBRUARY 2020 Come out and audition to appear on one of the many stages located throughout the event! VENDOR CALL All local artists and artisans are invited to promote, sell or display their work at Red Sky at Night on Saturday 29 February at the F.J. Harquail Cultural Centre REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS 31 JAN 2020 @caymanculture TO REGISTER AND FOR MORE INFORMATION EMAIL CNCF@ARTSCAYMAN.ORG OR CALL (345) 949-5477 ALL ARTISTIC GENRES, STYLES AND TYPES ARE WELCOME OPEN AUDITIONS: SAT 18 JAN – 10AM TO 5PM For dance, drama, stand-up comedy, poetry, magic, storytelling, acrobatics and any other talents. SUN 19 JAN – 1PM TO 4PM For Music only, such as instrumental soloists, vocalists, small choirs and new bands or musical groups performing all styles and genres of music. At the HARQUAIL THEATRE We have food vendor spaces available too! Book your space today! Email rhonda@kellyholding.com or call 949-5477 Ad sponsored byAd sponsored by MATION Four teams took part in the latest lionfish culling tournament and caught more than 460 of the invasive species. Many of the fish captured on Saturday and Sunday were cooked and served to participants, supporters and members of the public at Tillie’s Restaurant on Seven Mile Beach, after the lionfish were weighed and measured. This was the 31st time the tournament, sponsored by Foster’s, has taken place. The cull had been postponed from November due to high winds and rough seas. Conditions over the weekend were also rough, organisers said, but the cullers took to the water nevertheless. The tournament winner was the DiveTech team, whose members captured 315 of the total 464 fish caught. The largest fish caught, by team iDive, was 310 millimetres (12.2 inches) long. The smallest, captured by Green Water, was 26mm (1.02 inches). Mark Orr, of the Department of Environment and Cayman United Lionfish League (CULL), said, "The wide range of sizes and the variety of habitats, from shallow mangroves in the North Sound to 100+ feet on the West Wall, from which the lionfish were culled, shows that they are still a major threat to our marine life and reef eco system and that the CULL lionfish tournaments are an important part of controlling this invasive species.” Christmas trees to be mulched Discarded Christmas trees pile up at the Cricket Grounds in George Town on Tuesday morning. The Department of Environmental Health has placed bins for the collection of the trees at three locations – the Cricket Grounds, Spotts Dock and the George Town landfill’s 24-hour drop-off site. The trees will be mulched at the landfill and will then be taken to the Cricket Grounds for public collection on Saturday, 25 Jan. starting at 8am. Members of the public can take the mulch on a first-come, first-served basis. Cullers remove 464 lionfish from reefs Sophie O'Hehir and Mark Orr from the Department of Environment weigh and measure some of the culled lionfish. Participants and organisers gather at Tillie's at the end of the 31st CULL tournament. Smallest lionfish 1st:Green Water26mm 2nd:Green Water31mm 3rd:Green Water33mm Biggest lionfish 1st:iDive310mm 2nd:DiveTech304mm 3rd:DiveTech302mm Most weight per culler 1st:Dive Tech14.52kg/culler 2nd:iDive13.6kg/culler 3rd:Came and Went2.5kg/culler Most lionfish per culler 1st:DiveTech63/culler 2nd:iDive45.5/culler 3rd:Green Water14.7/culler cayman compass 5 news N news WEDNESDAY, 15 JANUARY 2020Spotlight on CAYMANIAN RESIDENTS cayman compass 6 news N news WEDNESDAY, 15 JANUARY 2020 JEWEL LEVY jlevy@compasssmedia.ky You can hardly meet a more colourful character than Carelin Maclaren, a cook who has been exciting people’s palates for more than 50 years. At 79, Maclaren, who has spent her life making her mark on Cayman’s food scene, is still offering patrons an unforgettable experience in native dining. For anyone in Bodden Town looking to indulge in some good ‘ole time’ cooking, Maclaren’s Seaside Restaurant along Bodden Town Road is often the place to go. Maclaren not only cooks, she also loves to sing, dance and chat, and her spare moments are spent socialising with family and friends, when she is not catering local events throughout Grand Cayman. “Carelin makes the best steam rice on the whole island,” said Pedro Watler, a frequent customer to her restaurant. “Her crab, turtle and conch dishes are good, too,” he added. However, that was not always the case, Maclaren said. “I was not a very good cook, but I always wanted to become a chef,” she said, explaining she learned by watching others and reading cookbooks. “My mother was a good cook in the home and I used to watch her prepare the food, especially when she was making her delicious fish rundown. My love for cooking and preparing local dishes started from there,” she said. “I prepare fish rundown the same way she did, with lots of coconut milk, fish, dumplings, cassava, yam, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, bottlers, seasonings and lots of love.” “I can cook but I can’t bake,” Maclaren added with a laugh. She claims her kids do all the baking in the home. Her day at the restaurant starts at 8am and after a full day of cooking, serving and selling, she makes her way home to cook for the family. Maclaren worked at several restaurants around Cayman before starting her own business. She cooked at Almond Tree Restaurant, once famous for its homemade biscuits and the best ‘dish of tea’ of the island; at Pedro Castle with the late Hartwell Wood; Cracked Conch in West Bay; Over the Edge in North Side; Country and Western on Crewe Road; and the Lighthouse Club in Breakers. In later years, Maclaren moved to California with her husband Cam and did some cooking there. When she returned to Cayman, she worked at Foster’s Food Fair deli as a cook. Five years later, she started her own business in the Seaview building. Because of her food, Maclaren said travel review website Trip Advisor rated her cuisine tops two years running, in 2014 and 2015. Growing up Maclaren was born in Breakers, in a home across from the Lighthouse Club, on 1 Nov. 1940, to parents Adina and Waldo Webster, who had 13 children. Growing up, Maclaren said, Breakers was a nice place. Everyone worked together and shared what they had. Her father slaughtered cows at Christmas time and everyone got a piece of fresh beef, along with ‘breadkind’. People fished a lot, she said. She attended school in a little building across from the Lighthouse restaurant and her teachers at the time included the late Doris Levy and Haig Bodden. Maclaren finished school at age 16. Her first job was cooking and cleaning house for Eileen Jackson in Spotts. In later years, she moved to Pedro Castle restaurant, working for the late Hartwell Wood. “Things were hard those days for everyone,” she said. “Eva Forbes gave me a piece of cloth and I made my first dress from it. I went to school with bare feet and skipped along the hot road to go home for lunch. After school, the chores were done before we retired for bed.” Love of cooking Her many years behind the stove have not diminished her joy for her craft. Maclaren “loves to cook everything”, she said, adding, “Cooking gives me inspiration. When I cook, I cook with love. It’s what makes my food taste so good, and people love my food.” Cook Carelin Maclaren renowned for native dishes A younger Carelin Maclaren, left, working at The Edge in Bodden Town, which was destoryed in 2004 by Hurrican Ivan. “My mother was a good cook in the home and I used to watch her prepare the food, especially when she was making her delicious fish rundown. My love for cooking and preparing local dishes started from there.” Carelin Maclaren • Any type of fish • Coconut milk • Onion • Breadfruit • Cassava • Pumpkin • Plantain • Bottler • Yam • Sweet potatoes • Scotch bonnet pepper • Season pepper • Black pepper • Lime • Flour and cornmeal • Salt RECIPE: Fish rundown Season fish with black pepper salt, onion, scotch bonnet and season pepper. Set aside. Mix flour and cornmeal with a pinch of salt and water, combine to make small dumplings, set aside. Place other ingredients in a large pot and cover with coconut milk. Place season fish on top, cover and let simmer until produce is cooked. Add dumplings to pot 12 minutes before removing from stove. INGREDIENTS STEPSUnited World Colleges Cayman Islands is seeking applicants for its 2020 recruitment process. Interested students must submit a written application by 10 Feb. UWC is a two-year educational programme that allows students to complete secondary studies overseas. To qualify, the students must be aged 16 or 17 on 1 Sept. 2020. Five Caymanians are now enrolled in UWC colleges in the US, Italy, Japan, China and Thailand. The organisation funds the selected students’ school fees and travel. UWC Cayman Islands student coordinator and former UWC participant Tyleisha Galbraith said, “We have been in contact with secondary schools to offer presentations to students who meet the admission criteria. We have had a lot of interest and look forward to receiving applications from qualified students.” For more information, visit ky.uwc.org/apply or contact the UWC national committee at uwccaymanislands@ gmail.com. 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). Faults in the control systems of three major generating units at the Caribbean Utilities Company’s North Sound plant led to Sunday’s widespread power outage, CUC stated Monday. The electricity company said that power was lost to more than 25,000 customers in West Bay, George Town, South Sound, Prospect, Savannah, Bodden Town, North Side and East End. The outages occurred between 4:50pm and 7:26pm, with customers experiencing power failures that lasted from seven minutes to two hours, 36 minutes, CUC stated. “Interim measures and system upgrades are in progress to reduce the likelihood of similar outages reoccurring. Large outages such as these are rare. However, from time to time they can occur on a small island power system,” CUC said. The company said it continues “to install and maintain modern and efficient generating systems to ensure CUC’s customers experience the highest level of reliability in the region and has a Reliability 2.0 programme which is aimed at reaching North American levels of reliability”. According to CUC, it has scheduled four major reliability projects, which are expected to be completed by the end of this year. These include “increased black start generating capacity”, meaning a generating station that can self-start without requiring power from the grid. The projects also include an upgrade of the control centre at the North Sound Road plant, a new distribution substation on the West Bay Road and a new replacement distribution substation in the Prospect area, “all of which are intended to provide additional capacity and reliability to our customers”, CUC said. Generator faults lead to power outages for 25,000 customers The UK Travel and Hospitality Awards have named six Cayman companies in their annual honours. Georgia Girl Charters was voted the Cayman Islands’ 2019 Fishing Company of the Year; Crazy Crab Private Boat Charters won Charter Company of the Year; ECO Rides Cayman were voted Cultural Tour Company of the Year; Deep Blue Divers Cayman Ltd. were given the award for Excellence in Service; Caytours won Tour Company of the Year; and Cayman Snorkel Company was honoured for Unique Experience. Captain Derren Burlington, owner of Georgia Girl Charters, which he started in 2016, said, “It feels amazing to be recognised for doing an excellent job. I have always said, ‘If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.’ The entire crew feels the same way and we all put our heart and soul into creating a memorable guest experience.” The process behind winning one of these awards starts by being nominated by Travel and Hospitality magazine’s subscribers, travel journalists and bloggers, and industry experts, according to the publication’s website. Final decisions are confirmed by the magazine’s awards directors and managers, who also act as the judging panel. Jacob 'Frecko' Ebanks, Derren Burlington and Justin Deslandes holding a wahoo on the Georgia Girl in Grand Cayman. Six Cayman tour companies receive UK travel awards Recent UWC Cayman scholars, from left, Ayanna Davis-Eden (UWC Thailand), Fenna Madison (UWC ISAK, Japan), Aleigha General (Li Po Chun UWC, Hong Kong), Mark Plowright (UWC Adriatic, Italy), Haley Willkom (UWC Adriatic, 2017), Julian Menkó (UWC-USA, 2018), Chanelle Scott (Li Po Chun UWC, 2018) and Tyleisha Galbraith (Pearson College UWC, Canada, 2015) at the 2019 UWC Cayman Islands summer social. UWC Cayman Islands opens 2020 applications Since 1962, UWC Cayman has selected more than 70 Caymanian students for the two-year programme. cayman compass 7 news N news WEDNESDAY, 15 JANUARY 2020Two of One Dog at a Time’s younger supporters decided to make a difference just before Christmas. Both of them had birthdays around that time, but instead of asking for gifts, they collected donations from family and friends, amounting to over $200 in aid of the local charity. Charlie Makin and Lachlan Allott, both aged 11, wanted to help dogs – three pups in particular – that One Dog at a Time had recently rescued. Rye, Rusk and Rave were saved after their mother was killed by a speeding car. The babies, unable to fend for themselves, were scooped up and delivered to One Dog. After a health assessment, they were moved to an experienced foster home that was able to hand-feed the babies every few hours until they were weaned. The boys heard of the puppies’ plight and sped into action. “We wanted to help the dogs, and when we saw the photos of the babies, we just had to assist,” said Lachlan. “We adopted our beautiful dog, Isla, from One Dog at a Time. She had been hit by a car and the damage was so bad, that she had to have one of her legs amputated. After she was nursed back to health, my mom and dad, who had been fostering her, decided that she belonged in our family. Charlie and I wanted to help give these babies a new lease of life after such a terrible start.” Charlie was very pleased with the donations. “We raised even more than we thought we would; we are over the moon that we can help with their vaccinations. I’d also love them to get some little toys that they can play with,” he said. The ‘R’ pups (Rye, Rusk and Rave) settled in really well at their temporary foster homes on the island. So well, in fact, that Rye is being adopted by her foster and little Rave has been snapped up by some holidaymakers from Canada. On 16 Jan., little Rusk is flying to One Dog’s rescue partners in Tampa and will also be adopted. If you would like to assist One Dog at a Time with its fundraising, offer a temporary foster home or are looking to adopt a pup, please like its Facebook page: onedogatatime13. Presents for pups Charlie Makin and Lachlan Allott, both aged 11, wanted to help dogs – three pups in particular – that One Dog at a Time had recently rescued . GEORGE NOWAK If you live in Cayman and you’ve never heard of Sean Hennings, you have a bad case of acrophobia (extreme or irrational fear of entering open or crowded places and of leaving one's own home). Hennings is the man who creates the ‘soulful sparkle’ on his guitar as part of the popular local duo known as Hi Tide. Although he is a master guitarist, he is also known in the local musicians’ circles as a maestro on the drums. After listening to his new CD titled ‘To The Beat of My Drum’, I believe we can add ‘top-notch producer’ to his resume. Hennings has all the qualities of a great percussionist – he understands his role, whether he is beating drums in a studio, on stage, or poolside at one of the island’s luxury hotels. From strumming alongside his Hi Tide partner, Shane Allenger, to sitting in with a full five-piece band, he serves the music first. He can be flashy, but only when the song calls for it, or he simply ebbs and flows in the creation of a lazy ballad; not too loud, not too soft. The new CD features a long list of well-known Caymanian musicians and singers, including the one- and-only Quincy Brown, Lammie Seymour, Samuel Rose, Mel McCoy and the late Jonathan Ebanks. The songs are indigenous, penned by Hennings and other locals. No question - this production is 100% Caymanian. The songs, the beat, the musicians, the entire spirit of the album is as homegrown as Christmas beef and Seven Mile Beach. Right down to the cover artwork by Jason Kennedy, the CD is a visual and audio feast. Listening to the tracks, I was hit with a major blast of nostalgia and déjà vu when the ninth track made its debut on my stereo system. It was Brown singing Dalmain Ebanks’ ‘Cayman Moon’. I recall, as a much younger lad, listening to Ebanks sing that tune at the Club Inferno, along with McArthur Manderson playing lead on the guitar. I later hired Manderson to work with me at the Galleon Beach Hotel. He also co-wrote ‘Cayman Saturday Night’. I could not get Ebanks - he was too busy as a contractor and politician at the time. As enjoyable as this well-produced CD is to listen to, I have some apprehension as to whether it will be played on the local airwaves. Will privately-owned radio stations give this local product the airplay it deserves, or will it be filed away under the ‘Not our category/Not our style’ file? There are 12 good cuts on this CD, featuring a variety of very talented local singers and musicians. It was recorded at top-quality studios in Cayman and Miami, mastered in London and produced by a Caymanian who works full-time as a musician. It needs to be shown some love. Hopefully local stations will give that love and some rotation to the beat of Sean’s drum. To the beat of his drum Creating beats with a simple apparatus. Sean Hennings is as comfortable behind a large set of drums as he is on the guitar. The colourful album artwork is courtesy of Jason Kennedy. Charlie Makin and Lachlan Allott raised over $200 for some vulnerable puppies. Caroline Johnston of One Dog at a Time has her hands full with Rye, Rusk and Rave. cayman compass 8 L living WEDNESDAY, 15 JANUARY 2020Worldandregional briefs Pelosi sets Wednesday votes to send impeachment to Senate WASHINGTON (AP) — After weeks of delay and strategizing, the US House is planning to vote Wednesday to send the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate to start the trial on removing him from office. Speaker Nancy Pelosi met privately Tuesday at the Capitol with House Democrats about next steps, ending her blockade a month after they voted to impeach Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Pelosi suggested the House vote on Wednesday to transmit the charges and name the House managers for the case, according to several Democrats who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door meeting. The action will launch the Senate proceeding, only the third presidential impeachment trial in American history, a dramatic endeavor coming amid the backdrop of a politically divided nation and an election year. Trump was impeached by the Democratic-led House last month on charges of abuse of power over pushing Ukraine to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden and obstruction of Congress in the following probe. The trial would then begin in a matter of days. Davos forum: Trump to attend, but Iranian official cancels GENEVA (AP) — Iran’s foreign minister has cancelled an expected appearance at next week’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, organizers said Tuesday, citing the “backdrop of uncertainty” in the Middle East. The move averts a possible crossing-of-paths with top U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump, in the Alpine town at a time when relations between Iran and the United States have hit a new low. WEF President Borge Brende cited only the “cancellation” by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who was notably blacklisted by the Trump administration even before the new tensions. Brende declined to elaborate on the reasons for it. “We have to understand the cancellation against the backdrop of uncertainty in the region and what his happening in Iran,” he told reporters at WEF headquarters in Geneva at a look-ahead event to the 50th anniversary of the forum. Word of Zarif’s absence came as WEF founder Klaus Schwab warned that the world faces a “state of emergency” and said the window for opportunity is closing fast - notably when it comes to acting to save the environment. He insisted the annual meeting will be “a ‘do-shop,’ not a ‘talk-shop’.” All told, nearly 3,000 leaders from 118 countries are expected for the Jan. 21-24 event. The president of Iraq, Barham Salih, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are among the 53 heads of state and government set to attend, along with hundreds of business leaders and civil society activists, like environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg of Sweden. Schwab emphasised the importance of sustainable economic growth, the need for decent jobs and salaries, and plans for skills training for a billion people worldwide over the next decade. He expressed hopes that a “Green Revolution” will go mainstream and said the World Economic Forum would encourage partner businesses to become carbon neutral. He highlighted an environmental project to plant 1 trillion trees worldwide by 2030 to help gobble up excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Schwab revived his call for “stakeholder capitalism” to help take the lead in solving global problems. “Environmental responsibility is very much a part of the stakeholder responsibility,” he said. UK leader: Royal rift over Harry-Meghan plans can be settled LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Tuesday he believes the royal family can resolve a serious rift over the plans of Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, who want to break free of their royal roles and move to Canada. The plans of Harry and Meghan, also known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have received tentative approval from Queen Elizabeth II, who said she and other senior royals regret the decision but understand and respect it. Vital details remain to be worked out, with difficult issues to resolve, and Canada’s leader has raised questions as well, but the British prime minister told the BBC that the monarchy will be able to find solutions. “My view on this is very straightforward: I am a massive fan, like most of our viewers, of the queen and the royal family as a fantastic asset for our country,” Johnson said. “I’m absolutely confident that they are going to sort this out.” He said the senior royals, who had a crisis summit Monday afternoon at the queen’s palatial Sandringham House retreat in eastern England, will be able to find an amicable way forward “much more easily without a running commentary from politicians.” Harry and Meghan ignited the latest crisis by unilaterally issuing a statement last Wednesday indicating a desire to step back from most royal duties and become financially independent. They have decided to spend at least part of their time in Canada, a Commonwealth country where the queen is head of state and Meghan worked for seven years while filming the TV series ‘Suits’. Cuba warns citizens to prepare for cooking-gas shortages HAVANA (AP) — The Cuban government is warning citizens to prepare for shortages of cooking gas due to Trump administration sanctions on the island. State media announced Tuesday morning that cylinders of liquid petroleum gas would be scarce for Cubans who buy state-subsidised gas at about 30 cents per cylinder, as well as for customers who buy gas at market prices more than 10 times higher. Many homes in Cuba depend on bottled gas because they are not connected to municipal gas lines. Electric stoves and hotplates are relatively rare and expensive to use due to high electricity prices. The government said in an announcement on state media that a Trump administration sanction announced in November against Cuban state energy company Corporación Panamericana had forced the cancellation of planned purchases of liquid petroleum gas. “Current inventories don’t cover consumption, affecting the sale of subsidised and free- market LPG, which can only be guaranteed for locations that provide basic services to the population,” the announcement read. “The people should adopt measures to save gas and use it efficiently.” The Trump administration has been tightening the trade embargo on Cuba with the stated aim of pressuring the country to give up its close relationship with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Last week, the US banned charter flights from the US to cities outside Havana. Goodbye hurts the most, when the story was not finished...I love you my dear cousin. Missed greatly by: Leisa, Herbet, Susan, Susana, Angela, Nash, Aunt Marie and Alomar Lobban In this 7 Jan. 2020 file photo, Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, smile as they leave Canada House, in London. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, joined by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, leaves a lengthy closed-door meeting with the Democratic Caucus at the Capitol in Washington, on Tuesday. Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, gestures during a press conference, in Cologny near Geneva, Switzerland, on Tuesday. cayman compass 9 WEDNESDAY, 15 JANUARY 2020 news W world newsNext >