Archive for May 28th, 2014
Ozzie tells Chamber to back him on dump process
(CNS Business): The minister in charge of Cayman’s future garbage plans has told the Chamber of Commerce to give him its support and backing instead of engaging in adversarial correspondence and demanding instant fixes, given the restraints that government is operating under. In a letter to Chamber president Johann Moxam in response to letters sent to him in February and April seeking a more speedy resolution to the situation at the George Town landfill, Osbourne Bodden said he intended to deal with it in an open and transparent manner and told the Chamber boss to change his “attitude” and get behind government’s plans for the dump. Read more and comment on CNSBusiness
Lion fish contest helps in goal to clear reefs
(CNS): The #11 Rackam and Stack’em tournament the second lionfish hunt organized this year by CULL (Cayman United Lionfish League) saw 594 lionfish removed from the reefs which combined to a total weight of over 230lbs. Encouraging spearing enthusiasts to compete is one of a number of ways people are helping rid Cayman’s fragile reefs of the invasive pests and protect the underwater ecosystem. Rackams provided the headquarters for this tournament in which 40 people competed in 12 teams on Saturday and Sunday 10 and 11 May. The chefs at Rackams cooked up some 75lbs of the fish, showing off its versatility, to encourage more consumption.
The winners of the contest were:
Scuba Divers:
Most Lionfish: 1st Place – Ambassador Divers – 128 – 2nd Place – Hungry Snapper – 90
Biggest Lionfish: 1st Place – Angry Salmon – 304mm – 2nd Place – Troublemaker – 295mm
Overall Weight : 1st Place – Ambassador Divers – 29.9kg – 2nd Place –Troublemaker – 18.5kg
Smallest Lionfish: 1st Place – Ambassador Divers – 49mm – 2nd Place – Whole New World – 55mm
Free Divers:
Most Lionfish: 1st Place – Green Water – 114 – 2nd Place – Las Tortugas – 52
Biggest Lionfish: 1st Place –Las Tortugas – 290mm – 2nd Place –Las Tortugas – 265mm
Overall Weight: 1st Place –Las Tortugas – 12.1kg – 2nd Place – Green Water – 8.1kg
Smallest Lionfish: 1st Place – Green Water – 41mm – 2nd Place – Green Water – 28mm
Las Tortugas also won a free cell phone for clearing the most line off the reef – an amazing 2.1kg worth.
Sponsors for the tournament include Foster’s Food Fair, Rackams, Ambassador Divers, Digicel, Tansy Maki, Vibe 98.9, Spin 94.9, DoE and Cayman Islands Tourism Association
World Athletics Day qualifier for CUT
(CNS): Alongside 122 other IAAF members the Cayman Islands Athletic Association will be taking part in the 2014 edition of the IAAF World Athletics Day on Saturday. Now in its 19th year, the IAAF World Athletics Day is the sport’s annual worldwide festival of youth and one of the busiest programmes of competitions in the athletics calendar. The Meet will take place at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex at 4:00pm and CIAA has confirmed that it will be used as a qualifier for the CUT Age Group Championships which will take place in Trinidad and Tobago on July 25 & 26.
The World Athletics Day offers the opportunity to promote the sport through youth participation in clubs and schools.
The festival has always been held on a designated weekend each year and whilst Saturday, May 10 & Sunday, May 11, 2014 is the preferred weekend for the IAAF’s Member Federations to celebrate the IAAF World Athletics Day, the option of holding their celebration at any time during the month of May has been allowed in an effort to aid the greatest possible number of participating Federations.
Caymanian students selected for UWC
(CNS): Having been selected by the local national committee as its 2014 scholars, Sean Whewell and Giovanna Stafford are the latest Caymanians to join the United World Colleges (UWC) movement and will receive academic scholarships for the two-year pre-university programme. Beginning in August, Sean will attend UWC-USA in Montezuma, New Mexico and Giovanna will head to UWC Adriatic in Duino, Italy. After completing their ‘O’ Level qualifications this summer, they will study for the highly respected International Baccalaureate Diploma at UWC alongside students from around the world.
In addition to their exceptional scholastic records, this year’s scholars are actively involved in various community service and co-curricular activities.
Among their accomplishments, Giovanna has volunteered at the Humane Society and National Gallery and is a talented musician, while Sean has participated in Junior Achievement and Key Club and is an avid footballer.
Commenting on this year’s selection process, UWC Cayman Islands Chairperson Aubrey Bodden (UWC-USA ’04) stated: “As with most years, we had a very strong set of applicants and the selection committee was very impressed with all of the shortlisted candidates. Sean and Giovanna will do an excellent job representing the Cayman Islands at UWC and I wish them all the best as they embark on this new, challenging and life-changing experience!”
Looking beyond 2014, Bodden also noted, “As awareness of the UWC movement continues to grow locally and additional colleges open in Germany, Armenia and China over the next two years, a larger number of places will be available globally and we expect that there will also be additional qualified Caymanian students to fill them. We therefore look forward to selecting more candidates for this unique educational opportunity in the years to come.
“However, it is only through the continued support and commitment of our volunteers and sponsors that we are able to continue the completely need-blind, merit-based selection process that is at the core of our values. Inability to pay should never deprive a deserving candidate of the opportunity to attend UWC.”
This year UWC Cayman Islands proudly celebrates 30 years as part of the unique globaleducational movement that was founded in 1962 in the pursuit of peace and justice. UWC seeks to bring together young people from different races, religions and cultures to learn from one another. At each college academic achievements are put into perspective with a demanding mix of community engagement, international affairs, physical activities, service commitments and creative pursuits.
Over the past three decades, approximately 70 Caymanians have attended UWC, spending two years living and learning with students from all over the world at colleges in Canada, India, Swaziland, Hong Kong, Wales, the USA, Italy and Costa Rica. UWC colleges are also currently located in Singapore, the Netherlands, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Norway.
Thanks to a large and dedicated network of volunteers, generous corporate and individual donors, and community support for fundraising activities, most Caymanians have also received scholarships to cover tuition and accommodation expenses and travel as necessary.
In recognising those who make the charitable organisation’s work possible, Bodden added, "I would like to, in particular, thank this year’s major donors for their support – Maples and Calder, Deutsche Bank, the Aall Foundation, alumnus Linburgh Martin (Atlantic College ’86), Greenlight Re, the Cayman Islands Compliance Association and Cayman National – and our volunteer-run Board of Directors and selection committee for their dedication.
“I also invite other companies and individuals to contact us at uwccaymanislands@gmail.com if you are interested in learning more about UWC and how to become a part of this exciting and life-changing movement by applying, donating or volunteering your time and skills. Every contribution – no matter how small you may think it is – helps further the UWC mission to make education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future.”