Regulated in the Cayman Islands as a licensed insurer by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority. Generali Worldwide is a trading name of Utmost Worldwide Limited. Registered Head Office address: Utmost Worldwide Limited, Utmost House, Hirzel Street, St Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands GY1 4PA. Regulated in Guernsey as a licensed insurer by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission under the Insurance Business (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002 (as amended). Incorporated in Guernsey under Company Registration No. 27151. For a partnership that you can trust contact donovon.kellyman@ihs.ky Your health means the world to us. www.generali-healthcare.com cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 75 CENTS | Funding local journalism | Thursday, 5 March 2020 Cayman steps up coronavirus response Page 2 Premier hails UK talks as ‘successful’ Page 6 Cayman parrot amnesty ends Page 4 SPORT Junior volleyball teams set for senior league play Page 12 Climate change through the lens Cayman-based photographer Ellen Cuylaerts travels the world capturing stunning images of the impact of climate change, such as this iceberg in Scoresby Sound, on the eastern coast of Greenland. Page 10Matinees (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 lm starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. WHAT’S PLAYING THIS WEEK THURSDAY, MARCH 5 BAD BOYS FOR LIFE (R) 12:55 VIP | 1:40 | 4:00 VIP | 7:00 VIP | 7:20 | 9:45 BRAHMS: THE BOY II (PG-13) 12:30 | 2:45 | 4:50 | 10:15 CALL OF THE WILD (PG) 1:40 | 4:20 | 6:50 | 9:20 THE INVISIBLE MAN (R) 1:10 | 4:05 | 7:00 | 9:55 VIP LOVE AAJ KAL (PG) 5:00 | 8:10 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG (PG) 12:45 | 3:40 | 6:40 | 9:10 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 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF KEVIN MORALES Partly cloudy skies with a 20% chance of showers. weather Forecast today Cayman Islands 85°F 74°F HIGH LOW WINDS Easterly 15 to 20 knots. SEA STATE Rough with wave heights of 6 to 8 feet. A small craft warning is in effect. FIND US ONLINE Caymancompass.com Facebook.com/Caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass cayman compass 2 news N news THURSDAY, 5 MARCH 2020 Cayman steps up coronavirus response National Emergency Operations Centre activated RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Cayman has activated its National Emergency Operations Centre as it ramps up its response to the global coronavirus threat, the government announced Tuesday evening. While Deputy Governor Franz Manderson emphasised that the Cayman Islands currently has no suspected or confirmed cases of coronavirus/COVID-19, he said, “it was appropriate to continue to anticipate the threat and plan accordingly”. Manderson, following discussions with Cabinet earlier on Tuesday, convened a meeting of the National Hazard Management Council and announced the partial activation of the emergency response centre. The deputy governor, who chairs the council, said the activation brings together key stakeholders to consider likely impacts if a case of COVID-19 were confirmed, and “to find ways of limiting the effects on the economy and, most importantly, on the health and wellbeing of local residents”, the statement said. The virus has been confirmed in 72 countries, with more than 93,000 cases reported globally. The death toll now stands at 3,190. Iraq announced its first coronavirus death Wednesday. Reports out of Europe have also shown dramatic increases in cases. The UK’s Guardian newspaper reported the number of cases jumped by more than 60% to 87. In Stockholm, 16 new cases of the coronavirus were confirmed, taking the total number in Sweden to 52, and France now has 285 confirmed cases of the virus. Cayman has implemented stringent travel restrictions and health protocols to guard against the virus touching local shores. However, the statement said, “travel restrictions to and from certain countries may increase in response to the evolving threat”. Health Services Authority CEO Lizzette Yearwood said a flu hotline will be set up for people to call if they have concerns or are exhibiting symptoms. She said the authority was taking steps to improve testing, screening and monitoring for the virus. Hazard Management Cayman Islands Director Danielle Coleman said HMCI, the Office of the Governor and the HSA are working closely with regional partners, including the Caribbean Public Health Agency and the Pan American Health Organisation, and a team from Public Health England is currently in the Cayman Islands working and supporting government in dealing with the COVID-19 threat. The global health emergency has triggered panic buying in some local shops, with hand sanitisers, masks and disinfectants being snapped up by shoppers. JEWEL LEVY jlevy@compassmedia.ky Artwork from two National Gallery exhibitions are now on display in Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. Cayman-based artist David Bridgeman recently hung work from ‘Luminescent Forms: Under the Microscope’, created by artist and engineer Roland Verreet, in the lobby of the Cayman Brac Beach Resort, At the Little Cayman Museum, Bridgeman installed ‘Seascapes: Maritime Art’, which features work by Maureen Andersen Berry, Bendel Hydes, Lorna Griggs, Patrick Quin, Jeremy Sibley, Joanne Sibley and Janet Walker. Both exhibits are running through 5 June. While at the Brac resort, Bridgeman gave a talk to about 25 people during which he discussed the two exhibitions he was installing. “I also talked about my own personal latest artwork,” he said. “I explained my inspirations, studio space and working process. The audience were very engaged and asked a host of questions whilst looking through samples of small works that I took to show them.” National Gallery brings art to Sister Islands Members of the National Hazard Management Council meet Tuesday to discuss the activation of the National Emergency Operations Centre.cayman compass 3 THURSDAY, 5 MARCH 2020123456 7 89 1011 12131415 16 17181920 2122 23 123456 7 89 1011 12131415 16 17181920 2122 23 ACROSS 1 Blindly obstinate (4-6) 8 Domain (5) 9 A reawakening of faith (7) 10 Dampen (7) 11 A flowering shrub (5) 12 Dutiful deference (6) 14 Foliage (6) 17 A punctuation mark (5) 19 Setback (7) 21 US Civil War president (7) 22 Clique (5) 23 Gumption (5,5) DOWN 2 Radioactive metal (7) 3 Restrict (5) 4 Straying from propriety (6) 5 Make known (7) 6 Very wicked person (5) 7 Disreputable member (5,5) 8 Rickety (10) 13 Exciting charm (7) 15 Assorted (7) 16 Outer edge (6) 18 Chew steadily (5) 20 Hazy (5) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16318 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. YeSteRDAY'S SOLUtIONS Puzzle 16317 ACROSS: 1 Doctor, 4 Bright, 9 Parvenu, 10 Felon, 11 Swell, 12 Bargain, 13 Copperplate, 18 Pigment, 20 Blast, 22 Quiet, 23 Marconi, 24 Engulf, 25 Plight. DOWN: 1 Depose, 2 Curse, 3 Overlap, 5 Refer, 6 Gallant, 7 Tenant, 8 Rubber-stamp, 14 Ongoing, 15 Liberal, 16 Opaque, 17 Strict, 19 Extol, 21 Among. cayman compass 4 news N news THURSDAY, 5 MARCH 2020 326 birds registered as pets RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky A total of 326 Cayman parrots have been registered with the Department of Environment at the close of its six-month amnesty. The registration period, which started on 1 Sept. and ended over the weekend, was implemented to record domestic Cayman parrots as a way to help protect the indigenous species and monitor the birds being kept as pets. “I am extremely pleased with the overwhelming response from members of the public concerned with the health and husbandry of their birds. The success of the project has exceeded my expectations,” DoE Terrestrial Research Officer Jane Haakonsson told the Cayman Compass Wednesday in an emailed statement. She said 19 of the birds were registered on the Brac and 307 on Grand Cayman. Under the project, each registered bird was given a full medical check-up. They were all outfitted with one identification leg band and implanted with a microchip. The DoE had said these identifiers “will enable enforcement officers to readily identify poached parrots and enforce the law”. “Each bird has a file in our system and owners have each received (or is in the process of receiving) individualized recommendation letters in order to optimize the health and general well-being of their birds. It is a huge undertaking, but one I feel we owe these parrots,” she said. Haakonsson said that, over the amnesty period, the most common issues the DoE found were birds being kept in undersized cages, obesity from sunflower seed mixes, and various injuries from their initial capture. “We have not removed any birds from their home, with the exception of one bird which needed urgent veterinary care and another whose owner passed away,” she said. What happens once the amnesty ends? Now that the amnesty is over, any unregistered Cayman parrots that are still being kept as pets may be seized by DoE conservation officers, and the bird-owners can be fined for possessing or keeping them illegally. The maximum penalty for this is a $500,000 fine and/or four years in prison. “As a result of the amnesty, pet parrots can now be distinguished from wild parrots, thus birds which are illegally removed from the wild can be identified. From this baseline, we can operate successfully under the National Conservation Law to protect our National Bird,” Haakonsson said. She said there are no plans to extend the amnesty, as it has been carefully planned to protect the wild birds as their breeding season approaches. “The Amnesty Project will continue to act as a safety net for the registered birds for the remainder of their life-span. In the event owners can no longer take care of these long-lived parrots, we are here to ensure the birds will get optimal care either by assisting the current owner with particular issues or by re-homing the bird at the owner’s request,” she added. Haakonsson thanked everyone who registered their birds. “We have met so many kind people and we have been warmly received across the island,” she said. cartoon - Jake Fuller Cayman parrot amnesty ends The Cayman parrot is the common name for two parrot sub-species that are found only on Grand Cayman and Cay- man Brac. The DoE said Cayman parrots were originally listed as game birds, but were given full protection under the Animals (Protection) Regulations, 1989. These two Cayman parrots were among 326 birds registered under the Department of Environment's parrot amnesty which ended over the weekend.cayman compass 5 THURSDAY, 5 MARCH 2020 This special feature will help people sort through these questions to keep their financial health in check. Industry professionals will offer tips and advice on managing income and expenses, smart strategies on saving and investing, and top tools for retirement planning. Personal Finances & Investment • What options are there in this low interest rate environment? • What are the pros and cons of exchange traded funds? • How do you invest responsibly, and does it yield returns? • How much money do we realistically need to save to be comfortable in retirement? Sales deadline Monday, 9 March, 2020 e: sales@compassmedia.ky | t: (345) 949 5111 Coming out in the Cayman Compass and CaymanCompass.com 23 March.cayman compass 6 N news THURSDAY, 5 MARCH 2020 Sponsored by 'UK assured it continued to have every confidence in Cayman’ RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Premier Alden McLaughlin said his trip to the UK to address the European Union’s blacklisting of Cayman and other trade matters was “successful”. According to an Office of the Premier statement, “The Cayman delegation received assurances that the UK Government continued to have every confidence in the Cayman Islands and in our financial services business, and they committed to considering making a public statement confirming this confidence”. The UK statement had not been released as of press time. The premier led a delegation that included representatives of the financial services industry – Alasdair Robertson of Maples, Jess Shakespeare of Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Dan Scott and Eleanor Fisher of Ernst & Young, and Kevin Lloyd of KPMG. The delegation held meetings with Conor Burns, the minister of state at the Department for International Trade, and Sir Edward Lister, chief strategic advisor to Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council Lord Jonathan Marland also joined the Cayman group for those meetings. Premier hails UK talks as ‘successful’ “The meetings in London over the past week were very successful. It provided an opportunity to meet with some key advisors to the Prime Minister and to have them hear directly from Cayman business people about our financial services industry and to better understand what we do here, including the extent of our institutional client base,” said McLaughlin in the statement. “We also discussed the EU listing process and the impact that Brexit politics would have had on that.” Last month. the EU added Cayman to its non-cooperative tax jurisdictions list. Cayman joined Fiji, Oman, Samoa, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu and the three US territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the US Virgin Islands on the blacklist. The EU member states indicated that Cayman failed to introduce the necessary legislation by the timeframe given by Brussels to address problems identified in how funds are supervised and administered locally. McLaughlin has said Cayman has already commenced the process to be delisted by October. While in London, the premier also met with newly appointed Overseas Territories Minister Baroness Elizabeth Sugg, in what the statement described as a “very productive” meeting. McLaughlin and Sugg, according to the statement, discussed a broad range of issues facing the Cayman Islands and the UK, including the EU listing process. “It was also good to meet Baroness Sugg who now has responsibility for the Overseas Territories and to discuss areas of mutual interest between the UK and the Cayman Islands,” the premier added. The delegation also discussed the potential for UK and Cayman trade, especially in financial services. UK talks push Cayman Blue/Green Fund investment The Cayman Islands-based ‘Blue/Green Fund’ environmental initiative, launched by Prince Charles last year during his visit to Cayman, has progressed and is set to be officially launched at the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in June. The fund topped the agenda last week when McLaughlin and Prince Charles held discussions at the prince’s private residence, Highgrove House, in London. “The initial funding will be from local investors, and the initial green project to be funded is expected to be in the Cayman Islands. It is anticipated that there are also institutions and wealthy individuals internationally ready to invest a total of US$1 billion into the fund. The fund arrangements can also be replicated to focus on blue/green projects in other parts of the world as well,” a statement from the premier’s office said Tuesday. The initiative, which aims to provide funding for blue and green environmental projects in the Caribbean, was introduced to the prince when he visited Cayman with his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, in March last year. The premier’s office said Prince Charles had proposed such a fund at the 2015 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta; however, “to date, it has not been able to get off the ground”. “The Prince was excited that Cayman Islands entities and a Cayman Islands fund will finally be able to achieve this longstanding goal,” the statement said. “This is not only exciting for green initiatives generally but also shows the value of the Cayman Islands’ financial products in providing solutions to benefit green initiatives in the region and beyond,” it added. • Cayman • Fiji • Oman • Samoa • Trinidad and Tobago • Vanuatu • US territories of American Samoa, Guam • US Virgin Islands “It provided an opportunity to meet with some key advisors to the Prime Minister and to have them hear directly from Cayman business people about our financial services industry and to better understand what we do here...” Premier Alden McLaughlin EU non-cooperative tax jurisdictions list Premier Alden McLaughlin, centre, with UK Minister of State at the Department for International Trade Conor Burns, left, and Lord Jonathan Marland, following their meeting in London last week.cayman compass 7 N news THURSDAY, 5 MARCH 2020 ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service’s internal disciplinary procedures came under intense scrutiny by a Grand Court judge who delivered mixed verdicts against a senior police officer who was sued for assault by a colleague. The “drawn-out” seven-year civil court battle came to an end on 28 Feb., when Justice Richard Williams ruled that Chief Inspector Frank Owen assaulted Police Constable Cardiff Robinson. The civil case centred around two alleged assaults, the first of which occurred nearly nine years ago, on 1 June 2011, when Owen threw an outdated police-car logbook at Robinson, hitting him in the face and the chest, and shouted at him to get it updated. “I am satisfied that [Owen] did not hand [Robinson] the logbook, but from close proximity, from about an arm’s lengths away, he threw the logbook at [Robinson], whilst at the same time telling him to complete the logbook properly,” wrote Williams in his judgment. Owen was cleared in the second incident, which allegedly occurred on 13 Feb. 2012, when Owen confronted Robinson about his whereabouts, while he was supposed to be on a high-visibility patrol. Robinson alleged that during the confrontation, Owen came close to his face and began shouting and, while shouting, caused spittle to touch his face – which Robinson claimed amounted to assault. “I do not accept {Robinson’s] evidence that [Owen] spat at him,” wrote Justice Williams when dismissing the second claim. During the proceedings, Owen neither denied nor accepted either assault, instead saying he did not remember the incidents. Owen said the allegations had only been drawn to his attention when he was served with a notice of investigation by the Police Standards Unit, nearly two years after the incidents. Robinson took the matter to the civil court in 2013 after the then Director of Public Prosecutions, Cheryll Richards, declined to formally lay a criminal charge against Owen “because it was not in the public’s interest”. “It is a great pity that [Robinson] felt that he had no option but to initiate these drawn-out civil proceedings for there to be a proper investigation of his allegations,” Williams wrote. In July 2012, the Department of Public Prosecutions provided then Commissioner of Police, David Baines, with its views about the merit of an internal investigation. “Upon receipt of that advice, the police disciplinary body should have been directed to conduct and conclude a thorough and prompt internal investigation, something which would have been in the interest of all the parties in these proceedings,” wrote Williams. “Regrettably, this was not done, and on 10 April 2013, a frustrated [Robinson] felt compelled to issue a Writ and Statement of Claim.” The judge said it was “disconcerting” that Robinson filed his defence 12 months after the DPP provided its view on the claims and, during that time, disciplinary proceedings were laid against Owen, but then adjourned pending the outcome of the civil claim. “Those disciplinary charges and disciplinary proceedings should have been concluded well before the Writ of Summons was issued on 10 April 2013,” wrote Williams. In his judgment, Williams stated that the assault involving the logbook was the type of incident that “would have been more effectively remedied by prompt management input from the RCIPS’s Human Resource Unit to address the nature of the fractured working relationship between [Robinson] and [Owen] rather than it being disproportionally elevated to grounding an application for civil financial redress in the Grand Court.” “This was a technical assault of a very minor nature, right at the lower end of the scale of seriousness,” wrote Williams. “It is not uncommon for there to be such disputes in the workplace, especially one where the specific workplace involves discipline being enforced by senior ranks. This is no doubt why the then [Director of Public Prosecutions] felt, and I concur with her, that this matter would have been more effectively dealt with using the established internal investigation and disciplinary procedures within the Police.” Despite the judge ruling that Owen was guilty of throwing the logbook, and thus assaulting Robinson, Owen will not be convicted of an offence of assault. This is because the matter was brought in the civil court, and not through the criminal court. Robinson’s original writ also named the police commissioner. It claimed that Baines failed to properly investigate Robinson’s complaints, which he also alleged resulted in a breach of the Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009. This claim was abandoned. The writ also claimed harassment and victimisation; however, those claims failed because there is no statutory tort of harassment in Cayman. Neither party applied for costs, and Williams said in his “preliminary view ... no order for costs should be made”. He added that if either party wished to file for costs they must do so by 6 March, which is 14 days after the judgment was delivered. The Cayman Compass reached out to the RCIPS seeking a comment on Williams’ comments about its internal investigation protocols, and to get an update the disciplinary proceedings against Chief Inspector Owen, that were postponed pending the outcome of the civil proceedings. No comment was received by press deadline. Judge slams police internal disciplinary protocol “It is a great pity that [Robinson] felt that he had no option but to initiate these drawn-out civil proceedings for there to be a proper investigation of his allegations.” Justice Richard WilliamsTwenty newly appointed cadets from the Clifton Hunter High School detachment, along with, seated, from left, 2nd Lt. Dean Brown-Richmond, Lt. Wilston Bennett, Commander Robert Scotland and 2nd Lt. Dennis Williams. 8 news N news 15,000 copies printed each issue: 5,000 copies hand-delivered to residences and condos 10,000 copies distributed through 100 freestanding magazine racks throughout Grand Cayman InsideOut is the Cayman Islands’ premier home and garden magazine. Get inspiration on interior design, discover the latest décor tips and trends and take a tour of some of the islands’ most beautiful gardens and unique homes. Focusing on design and stylish living, each issue also highlights island lifestyles, local art, must-have accessories and industry news. Ad space deadlines: Spring Issue: 6 March, Fall Issue: 11 September Book your space today The next issue is just around the corner Grow your business The perfect platform for businesses to reach homeowners, gardeners and industry professionals across the Cayman Islands. e: sales@compassmedia.ky Corps celebrates high achievers The Cayman Islands Cadet Corps welcomed 43 new members and recognised outstanding cadets during its annual passing-out parade on Saturday. The event, held at William Allen McLaughlin Civic Centre in East End, marked the end of 12 weeks of intense basic training and allowed newly initiated cadets to showcase what they had learned, particularly in drills. Cadet Winsome Campbell was recognised as the Clifton Hunter High School detachment’s best recruit. She also received best recruit overall in drill and academics, as well as most outstanding recruit in the corps. Cadets Keveenah Hill and Haylie Kirkwood were recognised as the best recruits from the John Gray and Layman E. Scott high school detachments, respectively. Each new cadet received a half- star badge and certificate at the ceremony. This year, all those recognised as the most outstanding recruits were young women. “Officers, instructors and senior cadets have invested many hours into the lives of the recruits over the past three months,” said Commandant Lieutenant Colonel Bobeth O’Garro. “It is a reward and a pleasure to see the transition from recruit to cadet on display. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the pride in the eyes of parents and guardians as the cadets demonstrated the fruits of their labour on parade. We look forward to further development of the new cadets as we mould future leaders of our islands,” she added. Last week, more than 20 of the cadets helped out at the Agricultural Show, volunteering in traffic and parking management, and showcasing their musical skills. For more information, email cadetcorps@gov.ky or call 946-9810. Cadets welcome new membersThe Batabano parade is one of the most anticipated events of the year. cayman compass L living THURSDAY, 5 MARCH 2020 9 Come 7 May, a sea of colour and feathers will emerge for the Le Masque Ball, the first event on the calendar of this year’s Batabano Carnival. The non-profit Batabano organisation is once again promising festivities for everyone to enjoy, including Outta De Blue Jouvert, the food festival and, of course, the pièce de résistance – the street parade – scheduled for 9 May. “Batabano is so much more than just a road parade for masqueraders because it truly unites all demographics of people living in our community, while offering a tremendous economic boost for a wide cross-section of local entrepreneurs, including local artisans, cooks, restaurants, bars, retail stores, taxis, hotels, condos, DJs, singers, dancers, event rentals, security officers and cleaners,” BATABANO is fast approaching Rotary Central Cayman Islands, along with its sponsor, Wheaton Precious Metals, is hosting Behind the Mask on Saturday, a masquerade ball in honour and support of the Alex Panton Foundation. Guests are invited to enjoy a night of dinner, drinks and entertainment in the Marriott ballroom. It all begins with a cocktail reception at 6pm, where attendees will be wearing masks and their finest eveningwear as they peruse the luxury items in the silent auction. There are staycations, artwork and, the star item of the evening, a stunning Rolex watch. There will also be the opportunity to have photos taken with Miss World Cayman Islands, Jaci Patrick, who has been using her platform to support this worthy cause. Maggie Jackson of Déjà vu Photos will have her camera at the ready to capture images of the evening. The reception is followed by a three- course dinner with wine, when diners will be entertained by a performance from Quinntessential Movement and guest speakers. To top the night off, there will be a multitude of raffle prizes up for grabs, such as brunches at The Ritz-Carlton and Marriott, gym memberships, premium cigars and staycations. Following dinner, everyone can head to the dance floor with DVJ Carter and there will be a cash bar for those not quite ready to go home. It is the APF’s mission to improve the mental health of children and young adults in the Cayman Islands through advocacy, awareness and support, working tirelessly to end the stigma of mental illness. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the foundation. Tickets for the Behind the Mask ball are $150. Email aspeirs@higgsjohnson. com to reserve. Further information on the Alex Panton Foundation and its initiatives may be found on their website alexpantonfoundation.ky. 'Behind the Rotary Central Cayman Islands, along with its sponsor, Wheaton Precious Metals, is hosting Behind the Mask on Saturday, a masquerade ball in honour and support of the Alex Panton Foundation. Guests are invited to enjoy a night of dinner, drinks and entertainment in the Marriott ballroom. It all begins with a cocktail reception at 6pm, where attendees will be wearing masks and their finest eveningwear as they peruse the luxury items in the silent auction. There are staycations, artwork and, the star item of the evening, a stunning Rolex watch. There will also be the opportunity to have photos taken with Miss 'Behind the Mask' ball highlights worthy cause DVJ Carter and there will be a cash bar for those not quite ready to go home. F’s mission to improv en and you said Batabano chairperson, Donna Myrie-Stephen. “It is certainly a thriving tourism product, yes, but Batabano, with its unique connection to turtle nesting season in our islands, really touches the hearts and spirits of our local people like no other event in Cayman does, and that alone makes it so special.” Myrie-Stephen said that now, more than ever, people are truly realising just how much Batabano has always united Caymanians as one, along with people from all cultures and backgrounds who call Cayman home. “When a national event has been uniting people to celebrate together for almost four decades – for generations – it becomes part of your culture … part of your history. Our people say ‘Batabano’ with pride, knowing that it is so unique to our islands. You have real bragging rights when you are part of Batabano.” With just nine weeks to Batabano, organisers say corporate sponsors are urgently needed at all levels to support the growing carnival. “Our sponsorship drive began from last year with hundreds of local businesses being contacted, so we’re appealing to them all again to come and be part of Batabano,” Myrie-Stephen said, noting that sponsorship is critical in order to put on the type of high-end concerts and events that Cayman residents and visitors have come to expect. These concerts cost from $75,000-$100,000 per event to be done properly and to attract top entertainers, in addition to the street parade. For more sponsorship details, email Myrie-Stephen at batabanocaymancarnival@gmail.com or call 916-1740. About Cayman Carnival Batabano Batabano was established in 1983 by the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman. A salute to Cayman’s turtling heritage, Batabano is the native name for tracks left in the sand when sea turtles go ashore to nest, which has always been cause for celebration in the Cayman Islands. From humble beginnings, Cayman Carnival Batabano has grown from a small parade with homemade costumes and floats, to an international tourism attraction with hundreds of masqueraders donning professional costumes by local and international designers, parading down West Bay Road just steps from Cayman’s iconic Seven Mile Beach. For more details, visit www.caymancarnival.com Miss World Cayman Islands, Jaci Patrick, will be available for photos at the Behind the Mask ball.Next >