Archive for February 28th, 2012
Cayman unfazed by proposed US tax reforms
(CNS Business): Cayman’s financial services industry believes that even if they ever get off the ground in the first place, President Obama’s recently published proposals for reforming the US business tax system will have minimal impact on business in the Cayman Islands and may even be “highly problematic” for US corporations, according to Anthony Travers, Chairman of the Cayman Islands Stock Exchange. “Without a far more radical overhaul of domestic US tax legislation than is suggested by the marginal tinkering of this report, opportunities for legitimate tax structuring through jurisdictions like the Cayman Islands will remain,” he said. Read more on CNS Business
Ministry says think about importance of women
(CNS): Officials from the ministry of community affairs is calling on the community to take time to think about the positive impact women have had on their lives in March for the 14th annual Honouring Women Month (HWM). Under this year’s theme: Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures, the ministry with responsibility for gender and the Family Resource Centre (FRC) have partnered to organize activities throughout the month. The evening should be fun for families of all ages. “Although we should honour women 365 days, I urge you to take one month of the year to remember the contributions of the notable and ordinary women in our lives,” said Mike Adam.
FRC’s Programme Coordinator Miriam Foster said during this month we should take a moment and reflect on the many influential women in your lives and try to emulate their positive qualities. “Be a role model for girls around you and motivate them to achieve their dreams. In keeping with this year’s theme, I encourage all to do their part to ensure that the future for girls is a bright, equal, safe and rewarding one.”
In celebration of the UN’s International Women’s Day, a revamped International Women’s Day Ceremony will be held on 8 March at Gardenia Court, Camana Bay from 5:30 – 8 p.m. The celebration will feature music by Isadora Ferrao-Powell from Bonafide, dance performances and several exciting competitions.
For a chance to win $250,competitions range from photography to fashion design to poetry to cooking. There will be a live fashion show and an engineering competition. Registration is still open for all competitions. All contests are open to girls and women age 14 and up with selected contests open to boys and men.
The event is free to the public, but will also be a fundraiser for the Family Resource Centre. A Shoe Silent Auction will benefit FRC’s psycho-educational programmes for girls and women. Donations of new shoes are appreciated. Companies can also sponsor shoes on their behalf for $100. The shoes will be displayed with sponsor’s name with an opportunity to showcase promotional items. There will also be a prize for the shoe that goes for the highest bid.
For more information on Honouring Women Month festivities or other Family Resource Centre services, contact 949-0006 or email frc@gov.kys
See programme of events below
Cash for school now available on-line
(CNS): Students applying for scholarship for further education can now apply for that money online. The Ministry of Education’s Scholarship Secretariat has unveiled their new online service for applications, which it hopes will streamline and speed up the process. The Education Council Scholarships Online Programme launched this month will allow applicants to apply for all scholarships available from the Education Council and to track the progress of their application. With so many applications for scholarships, the ministry said there was a need to find a way to make the application process more efficient.
“Applications are often incomplete and the required documents are not always handed in together,” said Deirdre Seymour, Manager of the Scholarship Secretariat. “Keeping track of the various documents can be an administrative nightmare and has occasionally led to frustrated applicants. The new programme will go a long way to improving the screening of applications and will enable applicants to know what stage their application is at. It should also result in a reduction in the traffic of applicants collecting and dropping off forms at the ministry offices.”
Applicants will also be able to choose what type of scholarship they are applying for. On the new Scholarship Secretariat site there is a range of various local and overseas tertiary scholarships that are available from the Education Council, including the RBC Harry Chisholm Scholarship, the Gwen Bush Memorial Scholarship, the MACI (Maritime Authority of the Cayman Islands) Scholarship, as well as the standard overseas and local scholarships.
The new online programme requires scholarship applicants to create a unique username and password and then work their way through the online application process. The programme allows applicants to upload any required supporting documentation with the use of a scanner from the privacy of their home, office or at an internet café. Another benefit of the Programme is its flexibility.
At any time during the process and prior to the submission deadline, the user can exit the programme and later return to the last point of access, finish the application or upload relevant documentation.
Applicants can access the online programme at here or by visiting the education ministry website, selecting the “Education” tab, then clicking on Scholarships. Additional information about the various scholarships is also available on the website. Special attention should be given to the academic requirements for each type of scholarship as well as the supporting documentation required as these may differ.
The application period for overseas applications is 1 Jan – 31 March annually.
The application period for local scholarships is 1 April – 30 June annually.
Irish jog marks 20th anniversary
(Butterfield): The 20th annual St. Patrick's Day 5K Irish Jog is set for Friday, 16 March 2012 at 5:30 p.m. at Grand Cayman Beach Suites. The Jog, co-sponsored each year by Butterfield Bank (Cayman) Limited and Grand Cayman Beach Suites, has become Cayman’s most anticipated fun run/walk, attracting hundreds of local and overseas participants from the serious runners to the walkers pushing baby strollers. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the jog and has truly become a Caymanian tradition. All proceeds raised from the event each year are donated to a local charity in support of worthy causes such as the arts, sports, health, community and education.
Participants will receive a t-shirt and have the chance to win one of several fabulous spot prizes awarded on a draw basis. Prizes include sunset sails, dinners for two and spa services. There will even be a prize for the participant with the oldest Irish Jog t-shirt. And as always there will be free hats, face stickers, wigs and other fun wear for everyone. Complimentary refreshments will be available after the event.
The entry fee is just CI $10 per person (US $12.50) and all proceeds will be donated in support of the Fueling Young Minds Programme. Registration takes place Saturday, 10th March at Butterfield’s Governors Square Banking Centre from 9am to 2pm, and Monday, 12th through Tuesday, 13th March at Butterfield House on Fort Street from 9am – 4pm.
Then on Wednesday, 14th through Thursday, 15th March at Britannia golf course, Grand Cayman Beach Suites from 9am – 4pm and on JOG DAY Friday, March 16th at Britannia golf course, GrandCayman Beach Suites from 9am – 5:15pm. For further information or to receive an entry form, please email irishjog@butterfieldgroup.com or call Rebecca Ebanks at 815-7797 or Jasmine Marshall at 815-7549.
Diet doctor to offer makeover for women’s hearts
(CNS): As many women fail to make the connection between risk factors, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and their personal risk of developing heart disease this year’s Cayman Heart Fund Learn and Live Red Dress Luncheon will focus on those risks. Dr Michael Ozner, Director of the Center for Prevention and Wellness, Baptist Health South Florida the best-selling author of “Miami Mediterranean Diet” will be the featured speaker. His topic is “A Six-Week Cardiac Makeover for a Lifetime of Optimal Health”. Given that heart disease kills more people in the Cayman Islands than any other and is the number one health threat for women this makeover could be a life saver.
“Women need to take care of themselves both inside and out. So this year, Cayman Heart Fund has created the Women's Heart Care Extravaganza Expo as an exciting pre-luncheon event hosted by The Cayman Islands Heart Truth Champions,” said Dr. Sook Yin, Medical Director for Cayman Heart Fund. “Luncheon attendees will have exclusive access to local businesses as they display their hottest products and services to keep women healthy and beautiful both inside and out and begin their heart health makeover.’
The Cayman Islands Heart Truth® Champions will provide heart health materials, blood pressure, waist circumference, and body mass index screening as well nutrition and dietary advice. The Women’s Heart Care Expo will open at 10:30am until luncheon begins at 12:30pm.
Expo attendees will enjoy a musical interlude by Kate Allenger and exhibits from local businesses: Mobile Fitness Solutions, CrossFit 7 Mile, Bliss Living Yoga, Body Works, Silver Rain Spa, Chocolate Creations, Black Trumpet, Tea Time in Cayman, Gawk & Leer, Audi (Arch Automotive), Kara’s Glass Garden, Beach Bubbles, A Touch of Thai, Market at the Grounds, Beyond Basics, Magnum Jewelers, and Every Bloomin’ Thing. Red dress displays courtesy of Funky Monkey, NKY, Off the Peg, Arabus Boutique, Ziba, Reba Dilbert, and Silver Rain Retail Store.
The heart healthy lunch is scheduled for Friday, 2 March at the Ritz- Carlton, Grand Cayman from 12:30pm-2:00pm. Tickets are CI$50.00 per person and corporate tables of ten are available for CI$450.00. Tickets must be pre-purchased.
For more information regarding the Learn and Live Red Dress Luncheon and the Women’s Heart Care Expo or to purchase tickets call 516-7323 or e-mail caymanheartfund@gmail.com.
All proceeds from this event will benefit Cayman Heart Fund in their efforts to alert, reduce, and prevent heart disease in the Cayman Islands.